Music Banned or not?

I had asked before whether Music was banned in Islam or not - specially in Saudi Arabia? I am afraid it is still not very clear to me despite desultorily searching. Then I read this and started checking again.

Did you know that Yusuf Islam, previously Cat Stevens, stopped producing and singing music believing that it was banned and gave this belief as a reason to do so? and then he started again?

Then again, Somalia banned music last year while the Muslim Educational Centre in Oxford said no way it is banned!. Music has also been banned by Iran although there might be debate whether this is purely Islamic in nature (as Ayatollah Khomeini mentioned) or is it the normal anti-Western foaming.

The Pakistani Taliban also banned music in Pakistan this year, banning the sale of CDs and music in public, forbidding music/video shops to operate. The Afghan Taliban already did that way back in 1998.

A Kuwaiti MP wants music education to be banned in Kuwaiti Schools. How about this article which talks about similar moves afoot in Bahrain?

And Badshah Auranzeb of Mogul India banned it as well. (Note: read this Auranzeb paper if you can and have the time - a very good overview of what happened to music back then in his reign). A chap in Sweden thinks its banned in Islam. There was even a conference on this topic! Many have said that it is not banned, but I am yet to find out why so many people think that it is banned in Islam.

Pakistani Pop Star Junoon is stating clearly that it is not banned.

Don't think this is targeting Islam. We have had the BBC banning songs, Nazi's banning songs, Americans banning songs, India banning songs, but there were generally for a "morals" clause, then you had Teddy Afro banned in Ethiopia because of anti-government lyrics.

Technorati Tags: Islam , Muslims

Some wonderful pictures of Iceland

I love the place, Iceland. See some wonderful pictures here. But do take booze with you if you go to visit there, its frightfully expensive there.

And I cant find my pictures of Iceland. Perhaps TBS has some??

Technorati Tags: Iceland

Q: where is Saudi Arabia on the list of countries taking in Iraqi Refugees?

I was looking at the list of countries who have provided refugees status to the Iraqi Refugees. Just a random thought, why are they not heading into Saudi Arabia? Why Syria and Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and other Sunni States? Is it because of the wall? But it is not operational yet! Very curious. Anybody know?

Technorati Tags: Saudi Arabia , Iraq , Syria , Lebanon , Egypt , Refugee

Monolithic European Muslims or riven by groups?

My sister sent a research paper to me and it was accompanied by a press release (see bottom of the post).

I am afraid I am not that enamoured of this thesis and there are severe logical and frankly intellectual issues with this paper. 

Their basic assumption is that European Muslims do not form a bloc because the structure of Islam impedes collective action by Muslims. And that is because they are looking inside Islam and seeing the divisions. But they are not able to see the view of European Muslims from the outside. For example, if a non European Muslim see's the reaction to the Mohammad Cartoons, the Iraq War, the Pavlovian reaction against Israel, and so on and so forth.

The truth, as usual, lies somewhere in the middle but I am very disappointed that this peer reviewed journal article got it so wrong. They do not even consider this basic point so I am afraid this article has to be considered as fatally flawed and the public policy recommendations junked as dangerously one-sided.

I have addressed what makes the Muslims of today into a (global rather than just an European bloc but the concept remains the same for just Europe as well) bloc here.

Technorati Tags: Islam , Muslims , Europe , Christianity

 

 

 

 

September 27, 2006: Study Explores Political Disorganization among       
Muslims in Europe                                                        
APSA Press Release                                                       

For Immediate Release
Contact: Bahram Rajaee
(202) 483-2512

Washington, DC--The 15 million Muslims residing in Europe today do not pose a threat to European values or politics given the extent of their myriad divisions and internal fragmentation.  This conclusion contradicts analysts and policymakers who after 9/11 fear the impact of Muslims on European politics and policy based on the assumption that a Muslim bloc will soon emerge to dominate the foreign and domestic policies of European states if nothing is done to prevent it.

The findings appear in a study, coauthored by political scientists Carolyn M. Warner and Manfred W. Wenner (both of Arizona State University) and entitled "Religion and the Political Organization of Muslims in Europe,"
which appears in the September 2006 issue of Perspectives on Politics, a journal of the American Political Science Association (APSA).  The article is online at www.apsanet.org/imgtest/POPSep06WarnerWenner.pdf.

The authors explore the diversity that characterizes Muslims in Europe as well as the documented instances of their inability--despite plentiful incentives, opportunities, and pressure to do so--to form coherent political fronts in countries like France and Germany that host large Muslim populations.  They state that "Western fears and criticisms are partly based on serious ignorance of the characteristics of Islam and of the people in Europe who adhere to it," pointing out that "Islam is a highly decentralized religion...structurally biased against facilitating large scale collective action." In addition, they note Muslims immigrants remain divided by ethnic differences.  The upshot is that "religion has failed to be the unifying focal point of Muslims in Western Europe."

The authors discuss several key divisions among Muslims that are clearly reflected in the politics of European Muslims.  First, Islam remains split regarding the division of authority between religion and politics, with some favoring it and others opposing.  Second, there exists virtually no organized structure in the majority Sunni religious hierarchy--which is dominant among Muslims in Europe.  This makes mobilization a complex issue as there is no established or recognized hierarchy which can encourage unified action. Moreover, there are four different schools of law in Sunni Islam that co-exist and overlap.  Third, the different national and ethnic backgrounds of Muslims in Europe also shape their view of Islam and capacity to mobilize politically.  "Islam manifests itself differently across and within cultures and societies," state the authors, underscoring the importance of considering "the inter-relationship of the various 'brands' of Islam with the country of origin and ethnicity of its members."
Thus, Kurds in Germany respond differently to calls for mobilization than do Turks or Iranians in the same country.  Finally, the unique characteristics of migration patterns by Muslims to particular European countries over time, and the type of political and state structures they encountered, also account for variations in the capacity of Muslims to organize.

Warner and Wenner then assess concentrated efforts by European states such as France and Germany to form a single, broad-based or "peak" Muslim organization "with which to negotiate and plan"--as they have with other major religions.  They observe these efforts "have met with little success:
Muslims are fragmented into a myriad of organizations."  Roughly 100 Muslim organizations exist in Germany, most of which are not registered as "public law corporations"--the formal status required to allow them to receive tax revenues and a range of other benefits but which also requires a hierarchic organization and an established church.  Similarly, repeated attempts by the French government to establish a national umbrella Muslim group have collapsed; most Muslim organizations formally remain "non-declared associations"--a status that also demands less hierarchy.  Unlike the Catholic Church and its ancillary organizations, in France "Islamic organizations are decentralized, many lack formal links between each other, and they seldom act in unison."

"There is no 'Muslim vote' in any European state; rather, there is a plethora of Muslim votes," conclude the authors. "Even as Europe seems to provide some Muslims with the opportunity to create an Islam detached from cultures, ethnicities, and states, that...is confounded by the multiple meanings, practices, and claims to spiritual leadership which the decentralized structure of Islam allows....this means that Muslims as a bloc will not have significant influence over European foreign and domestic policies...."

In an age where understanding the internal dynamics of the Islamic world has risen to the top of the agenda of policymakers and interested observers alike, this research provides great insight into the characteristics of the Islamic communities residing in Europe.

# # #

The American Political Science Association (est. 1903) is the leading professional organization for the study of politics and has over 14,000 members in 80 countries. For more news and information about political science research visit the APSA media website, www.politicalsciencenews.org .

Another rage boy idiot bits the dust, AGAIN!

I fulminated against a Hindutva Rage boy yesterday and today, Chinese media have gleefully splashed the news that another moron Hindutva Rage Boy has been found guilty of killing a Christian Missionary. When will they learn not to be violent? There is NO reason or excuse for being violent. I do not like proselytizing either. It is too dangerous. You have freedom of religion, but you do not have freedom of Proselytizing. It is simply too troubling. And I am sure God will realise that.

But in this case, let the murderer animal rot in jail. Throw away the key! And for the leaders who call for murders, there is a cell waiting for you.

Technorati Tags: India , Hindutva , Proselytizing , Crime

The seabed land grab continues

Before we had many debates around the Northwestern Passage, then the Russians went in and claimed the Arctic Ocean sea bed as their own and planted a flag. (graphic from BBC)

Another area which has been under debate for a long time is the Caspian sea! See this map which shows the debates by the surrounding states. Its not just sturgeon but also oil which is the reason for the fights.

This map shows the potential for disputes as the war for resources underwater heats up. See how many countries overlap!

The UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf has poked a hornet's nest by asking countries to submit their claims. The submissions can be done on the basis of nice quiet diplomatic debates and civilised agreements such as this one between France, Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or otherwise.

Now the British are claiming thousands of square miles of the sea floor around the Falkland Islands, Ascension Island and Rockall. (Check out the picture of Rockall!, very amusing, its just a poxy rock, but that allows the UK to claim a big chunk of the sea floor!) That has immediately made the Argentinians go up in smoke, remember they have had a spat with the UK before over these islands.

The Argentinians call them as the Malvinas and there is a very long history of competing claims and control by various countries. And while before it was nationalism and a desire for some sheep farming land, now the fact that the sea areas can have resources - specially oil - means that the issue is more serious now!

Be prepared for big furballs. Watch this space, I will be tracking this.

Technorati Tags: United Nations , United Kingdom , Russia , Canada , Argentina , Law of the Sea

Secular Schools cannot be setup in the UK - WHY?

Read and weep, I have no words to describe this bizarre situation. And then people moan about the fact that religious education is proliferating in the country.

Well, if you do have an issue, then stop all religious education, because if you are not consistent, then what kind of values do you support? Either the government supports all religions or supports none. Given the problems that religious education provides, I support secular education. If you want to get religious education, then go do it on your own time, in your own temples, mosques and churches.

Technorati Tags: Education , Secularism , United Kingdom

Soldiers joining the rebels in Pakistan

Soldiers do rebel and they do overthrow governments. Pakistan has a long history of soldiers overthrowing their governments and leaders, whether civilian or military. And elsewhere in the world.

A Thai welcoming an army coup

A Portuguese soldier who rebelled during the Carnation Revolution

Soldiers do rebel, this time in Sudan

Rebel Mexican soldiers

Ivory Coast rebel soldiers

Rebel soldiers in Afghanistan (Masud's men!)

And now we hear reports that the Frontier Corps of the Pakistani Army are refusing to fight the Taliban because they think the Taliban are their brothers. Some quotes: (specially read the highlighted bits)

According to well placed military sources in Islamabad, those mediating for the release of over 300 soldiers of Pakistan Army, taken hostage by the Taliban back militants in South Waziristan Agency three weeks ago, had actually surrendered voluntarily as they were not ready to fight against their fellow Muslim brothers.
Quoting one of the 26 surrendered soldiers soldier from paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC), who were released by the militants on Friday, a military official said he did not desert the force because he feared death. “He actually did so because he was not sure whether the ongoing fighting in Waziristan was Islamic or not.

The number of Pakistan army soldiers killed at the hands of their fellow Muslims in the tribal areas in last five years has already crossed the number of those killed in the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars.

Here is a photo of a Frontier Corps Soldier. Not much difference then, is there? But look at the history of this Corps. Their tribal identity seems to be trumping the national identity.

Technorati Tags: Pakistan , Mutiny , Army

Somebody had a wicked sense of humour

I guess nothing else can show the secular fundamentals of the United States of America when a veiled (presumably Muslim) security guard can do a pat-down search of a (presumably Christian) nun!

And don't forget, wearing a habit or wearing a burqa is no guarantee of being a non-violent religious and pious person. So yes, they do need to get patted down and you cannot wear a full face veil at immigration / security / identity checks!

Technorati Tags: Counter-terrorism , Humour

Elitist autocracy infesting Europe with respect to the EU Constitution - Now Sweden

I have already moaned about how the Dutch and English have been so much against letting their people vote on the constitution. Now here comes a translation of an editorial from a Swedish Newspaper Världen idag.

Read and Weep all you Citizen Democrats for your leaders think you are twits!

EU-Constitution adopted in Sweden without Swedes taking part
by Björn von der Esch, Monday September 17
The new EU Constitution was debated in Stockholm with participation of Swedish Minister for EU Affairs and foreign EU experts. Everything was conducted in English and, in the absence of expertise in English EU-legalese, one shouldn’t have attended. No written translation, and no translators were present. Could one possibly display greater arrogance towards the citizens?
The audience repeatedly raised the same question: “Why not ask the Swedish people about their opinion concerning the EU Constitution by holding a referendum? “ After all, it’s all about a constitution overriding the Swedish one. Apart from the usual reply — namely that the populace doesn’t fathom such matters and accordingly tend to cast their ballots erroneously — the Swedish minister’s motivation was even more scary, especially since she holds a university degree in political science.
In fact, her motivation against a referendum was given as follows: referenda are not a Swedish tradition. And she gave an example: The current Swedish constitution was adopted in 1974 without a referendum.
Well, that may be right, but the adoption nevertheless took place while observing the conditions stated in the constitution, namely that changing the constitution must be preceded by two successive ballots in two different parliamentary sessions separated by a general election.
What the government and the parliament now are about to do is to not give a damn about Swedish constitutional law. They argue that the Law Council finds such a referendum superfluous. But they don’t mention this council’s reason for doing so: there is a precedent. On several occasions the parliament ignored the constitution when transferring executive power to EU, which means that the Swedish Constitution is already de facto invalid in EU matters.
- - - - - - - - -
When some political entity doesn’t obey its own constitution but ignores it without asking or informing the electorate it’s usually called a coup d’état. In Swedish EU politics there is a cordial alliance between the parties presently in power and the Social Democrats. Together they have the absolute majority in parliament and want to avoid a referendum at any cost , nor do they even want the constitutional proceeding take place. This agreement has facilitated an EU policy akin to a one-party state! Rigged elections without EU-critical candidates and a muted EU debate are some examples.
This October the government intends to ratify the final EU Constitution arguing that the common flag and a common EU anthem has been dropped from the otherwise unchanged constitution. Instead Sweden will be blessed with a sovereign “EU President” and an “EU Minister for Foreign Affairs” and no longer be able to reject laws unpopular with the Swedish electorate.
The irony of this is that Sweden was actually one of of the oldest democracies in the World and now — over a very short span of time — has evolved into a state where fundamental, democratic rights have disappeared, because nobody in his wildest dreams imagined the possibility!
— Björn von der Esch, former MP and Constitutional Councillor

Technorati Tags: Sweden , Constitution , Democracy