July 8, 2010 - No one will dispute the fact that social reforms are urgently needed with breath taking changes taking place all around in our society. But two questions become important in this respect: 1) what is the role of state and 2) what is the role of religion? There are people who insist that state should play an active role and usher in these reforms. Secondly there are people who think religion can hardly be helpful and instead it becomes an obstacle in social change. By Asghar Ali Engineer more»

Theory of War and Peace in Islam

- Islam has been much maligned today as religion of war, not peace and compassion. The acts of terrorism on the part of some international terrorist groups who indulge in needless and wanton killing has further aggravated this image in the contemporary world. This articlediscusses the theory of war and peace in the Qur’an so that such misunderstandings could be clear. Dr Asghar Ali Engineer more»

Include Me Out - Muslims in India

- In essence, the core concerns of the Indian Muslims seem to revolve around issues of security, identity, and equity. This has resulted in withdrawal, increased in-group cohesion, and subsequent ghettoization of the community. Moreover, the politicization of Hindu-Muslim relations exacerbates communalization and polarization of identities. Such a multitude of complex factors have immense implications for the integrative ethos of secular India. In fact, most of these issues are an integral part of the governance process and empowerment remains at the very core of assimilating the Indian Muslims. By: Prashant Negi more»

Islam in Democracy

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In India it is secular democracy which shapes contour of Islam in contemporary period and even during medieval ages Sufis adopted Islam to Indian cultural milieu and those ulama who believed in Puritanism never succeeded despite their associating with ruling establishment. Thus we do not find extremist movements thriving in India at any period of time though Islam flourished in India abundantly.

By Dr Asghar Ali Engineer more»

COMMUNAL RIOTS DURING THE YEAR THAT WAS (2008)

- December 17, 2009 - It must be said that police role was extremely partisan and the SP of the region was heard saying I have taught lesson to these Muslims and they will not be able to raise their head for next 10 years. These words were uttered before our investigator (convener of All India Secular Forum, Maharashtra unit) Suresh Khairnar. more»

How Secular is India Today

- December 17, 2009 - We celebrated UPA's victory specially because it was supported by the left which is the only hope for Indian secularism. However, left has withdrawn its support on nuclear issue and once again we are feeling suffocated in the communally surcharged state of affairs in India. Today be it communal riots or terrorist attacks most of the newspapers and T.V. channels publish police version unabashedly as if it is ultimate truth. The situation is indeed very grave and unless secular forces unite and play determined role things can get far more worse. Dr Asghar Ali Engineer more»

Religion and Conflict

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What is relation between religion and conflict? Is conflict inevitable where religion has greater role in public life? Religion, howsoever important for society cannot be prior to it. Religion came to answer certain human and social needs. It is my considered opinion that religion in some form or the other would be needed even in most scientifically and technologically advanced society.

By: Dr Asghar Ali Engineer more»

Muslim-Hindu Dialogue: Issues-Queries-Arguments

- This special publication on Hindu-Muslim relations is a compilation of a series of chat sessions. Such sessions, called added in Bangla, are essentially unstructured. But conversations are never really held at random to cover every subject on earth. They do cover certain topics, things that people think are important. The dangers arising from difference between various group or communities are nothing new in this world. But when we discuss how these differences are exploited politically in the interests of power lobbies, we limit our talk to the ideology and strategy of people and parties in power. Although the discussions were meant to be about both Hindus and Muslims, much more was said about the Muslim community. more»