Mr. JAVED I. CHAUDRY, in his post # 059, has very simplistically and categorically disowned people he calls "mullahs" and sent them down the drain, as if it is as simple as that and as if he does not want to see them.....fine.....by the way, what and who is a mullah?

Actually, there are two types of mullahs. One who have an external beards and are professed "whole timer" mullahs (clergy), however, there are people in huge numbers who have an "internal beard" (metaphorically speaking) and are not "whole timer" mullahs. This category of people may be successful professionals, are found everywhere and are one hundreds times more dangerous than the first kind. They dress up, speak, exhibit manners and portray / pose a very balance outlook externally and do not invoke any "repulsion" due to their "neighbor, next door" image. This category of people are found in abundance in Pakistan, India, Middle East and now...Canada, as well....bienvenue au Canada !!!

These are the kind of people whose percept of  Islam is screwed up totally and royally. My personal experience is that when when one questions these kind of people, on various issues regarding thier so-called "complete code of life", most often, they have no direct and "to the point" answers. Try talking to them about economics, interest (riba), governance, role of women in the society, abortion, human evolution and development, education system, justice system, parental control over children and many many other "real life" issues which effect our lives and that of our families, you will hear either a barrage of "mumbo jumbo" or they will tend to invoke the "blessings" of Allah, and often say that "let us take a start and everthing, by the grace of Allah will be fine"... Never !!. If any country lets them rule and form a government they will for sure destroy all dimensions of "common sense" and push the humanity back to medievalism and "dark ages". No need to give any examples...there are plenty, all around us. What more litmus test is required by the people now?.

Mr. Javed, one can fight an "open enemy", but what can we do with these "internally bearded" guys?. Many of the present day extremists are qualified chartered accountants, computer professionals, doctors, engineers etc. There are many others who are not terrorists but thier mindset is such that you will often hear them bitching about a conspiracy against thier religion, and given an opportunity and motivation, they will, for sure go to any extent of revenge.       

Lastly, all I want to tell Mr. Javed is that....,rose(gulab), beauty of its petals and its lovely aroma compliment each other and cannot be separated. Similarly, a thorn (kanta), its ugliness and its sharpness (to inflict wound), all compliment each other and are inseparable. There may be very few exceptions to the rule, but generally this is what is considered a general truth.

By your saying that...."As always, I will have to repeat the question umpteenth time; when are we going to learn to separate a Muslim from Islam? Every one who claims to be a Muslim, is not necessarily a Muslim therefore, Islam must not be judged from the misdeeds of an individual....", is not valid. If the backwardness was an exception, one could believe what you are taking the trouble of saying "umpteen" times. However, here, backwardness, bevioural illiteracy and illiteracy of attitude, all point to only one truth, that there is a serious issue not only with people but the theory itself, as the people use the theory more than often to justify what they do. It does not necessarily mean that the theory is false and baatil. No !!. Actually since a long time, we are trying unsuccessfully to cure cancer with "band aid" and constipation with "multivitamin" tablets. Moral of the story?..."use the right medicine for the ailment. Use of wrong medicine will not only aggravate the disease but will also have side effects". That's all. 

My word of advice to you and others is ...."it is too dangerous to drop your payload in an unbalanced manner in the middle of the ocean, in a boat, as you might loose your balance and tumble on one side and eventually drown".  Inna lillah-e wa inna ilaihey rajeoon.

Najeeb Kazmi
March 15, 2006