A Bangali Perspective...

[Amar-Sonar-Bangla]

One of the reasons why Islam will find it difficult (if not impossible) to become the dominant political ideology in Bangladesh is it’s basic conflict with Bangla history.

The 1971 episode is incompatible with the basic Islamist tenets of Brotherhood and respect within the House of Islam.

Any resurgence of the Islamic identity (in a political context) will inevitably require the suppression of the memory of atrocities and injustices suffered by ordinary ppl under a previous Islamic ruling system, namely the ‘1971 experience’.

A deliberate slap in the face of those murdered and violated at that time.

[Hasan_Ali_Imam]

br. ASB,
Assalamu Alaikum. Hope you're well.

The 1971 civil war is a complicated topic. I have not read the complete documentation (Bangladesh side and Pakistan side) regarding the war but only what I read in snipets and heard from my parents who witnessed the war and others who related the events.

It is true that Islam is about universal brotherhood. Should Islam be a reality one day, it does not mean that the atrocities would be forgotten. In fact, in a just system, the perpetrators of violence and murder would have to be put on trial and possibly put to death if found guilty.

What all sides agree on is that West Pakistan did strangle East Pakistan of economic resources and diverted them to the West. Furthermore, when Sheikh Mujib had the mandate to be the president of the whole of Pakistan, he was denied that right. I have also heard unconfirmed reports of 3 million Bengalis murdered by Pakistani soldiers, as well as rapes. The flip side of the coin is that there are also unconfirmed reports of Bengalis oppressing Biharis. Whatever the truth of the matter and which ever side did the violence, all evidence should be examined and the murderers should be tried in a Shariah court and executed or pay blood money.

It is understandable why East Pakistan separated from the West, there was oppression. Oppression is not an attribute of an Islamic system. What West Pakistan did was unIslamic and against brotherhood. So those who charge Bengalis for destroying the Islamic brotherhood should also consider the fact that West Pakistan also destroyed the Islamic brotherhood through injustice. It works both ways.

Should an Islamic system arise within our lifetime, then it should

1. Hunt down the Pakistani soldiers who apparently massacred Bengalis and raped the women. Put them on trial and execute them if found guilty (or blood money)
2. Hunt down the killers of Sheikh Mujib, Zia ur Rahman and put them on trial and execute them if found guilty (or blood money)
3. Hunt down the Bengalis who apparently massacred Biharis and put them on trial and execute them if found guilty (or blood money)
4. The new Islamic system MUST look outside the borders and try to resolve the dispute between Hindus and Muslims in a peaceful manner as Islam encourages us to do so that there is peace and stability in the region...the failure of which would lead to total nuclear devastation. It is this nightmare scenario that would erase the memories of the 1971 atrocities not Islam.

Islamic ideology does not contradict Bengali history, it would merely recognise that injustices occurred during that time and would attempt to correct them. But looking at the fractured state of the Ummah it will take another 100-200 years before a real Islamic socio-political system based on the Quran and Sunnah arises.

Wassalam
Hasan

[Amar-Sonar-Bangla]

Salaam Brother Hassan,

This is an old post, but it holds special significance for Bangali’s.


The 1971 civil war is a complicated topic.


Not really bro. The Pakistani establishment and armed forces committed heinous crimes against defenceless men, women and children. In fact some commentator’s compare it to the Nazi attempt at extermination of the Jewish peoples during the second world war. The fact that you, an eminent Bangali community leader, are somewhat wishy-washy about the history of our ppl is a very worrying state of affairs (no offence meant) . Please read Death by Government by RJ Rummel, which devotes an entire chapter titled ‘ The Pakistani Cutthroat State’ to the Bangladeshi genocide. It is a well researched and enlightening read concerning the systematic atrocities committed by our ‘brother’ Muslim’s. Often with the collaboration of local Bangali’s (eg. Razakaar’s) who unfortunately put their Muslim identity before their humanity and loyalty to their ethnic brethren. The peril’s of Political Islam, perhaps?


Whatever the truth of the matter and which ever side did the violence,


You really don’t know what you’re talking about, do you? I find it offensive that you should try and spread the blame for the violence perpetrated during those infamous 9 months of 1971. Fact: 95% of all murder’s, mutilations, rapes and abductions were carried out by the Pakistani forces and their Islamist collaborator’s (allegedly involving some members of today’s Jamaat-i-Islam’ party).


That Bangali's later avenged themselves on the Bihari community (many of whom had sided with the Pakistani's) does not in any way condone or justify the actions of the Pakistani forces of occupation. So much for Islamic brotherhood!


Other brother’s on this site would compare it to blaming both the Israeli’s and Palestinian’s for the catastrophic results of the intifada, when it is clear that the main victim’s have been the West Bank Palestinian’s. It is they who face the brunt of the fighting and the consequences of Israeli travel restrictions.


Do you honestly believe that any sane Bangali would wish to belong in a Ummah alongside Pakistani’s? People (Muslim’s they may be) who have never apologized for what was done in their name, never mind paying compensation or indicting any officers or men for wanton loot, arson, murder and rape? Such things are never forgotten. Is this your sick and fanciful idea of universal brotherhood? It does not work out when this notion of brotherhood collides with reality.


You really ought to take your Islamist specs off for a moment and see the world in a new light. It will not diminish your Islam, I assure you.


Oppression is not an attribute of an Islamic system.



Oppression is synonymous with the Islamist system. Whether Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran or the Ottoman Empire, the stench of inequality, injustice and oppression cling to the edifice of Islam when it is used for political purposes. Thus Islam and politics must be separated, as the vast majority of Bangali’s accept and understand.



The reality is that Political Islam was responsible for the nightmare of 1971, is it any wonder Bangali’s want nothing to do with it today?



Indeed the face of Bangladeshi Islamism and discourse toward Islamization of society seems to be pedelled by the self same Jammati Islam Party which actively opposed Independence and committed crimes against it’s own ppl, in the pursuit of a chimerical ‘Muslim’ identity. Surely this is abhorant state of affairs and against every tenet of justice, Muslim or otherwise. It seems Bangali Islamic Political discourse is moving toward a dead end.




But looking at the fractured state of the Ummah it will take another 100-200 years before a real Islamic socio-political system based on the Quran and Sunnah arises.




I agree with you. Islamist politics today is loud, emotive and embarrassing. Muslim’s are not mature enough to develop a unique ‘Islamic system’- a third way between Capitalism and Socialism. Whatever Islamist political discourse there is today, seems only to be fit for debate over the internet. Not actual implementation. oh well another 200 years.....


I don't mean to have a go at you. I replied purely to further discussion about Bangladeshi affairs.


Wasalaam




[Edited by Amar-Sonar-Bangla on 18th June 2003 at 07:53]

[Shamsul_Arefin]

peace be upon all,

There is no justification for the act of Pakis and their collaborators during 1971 Independent war. It was not a normal war but a war for FREEDOM. Its a shame that Islam was used by the same party who are now governing in our parliament. I just cant understand how could bengali ppl forgot the inhuman act by these hypocrite mullahs....I have no idea how could these ppl now walk on our mother land. This only indicates how ignorant and blinded we are by these religious mobs...

Those who thinks this war to be a simple civil conflict or some would like to say "shadharon gondogol" should see this poster to get a glimpse of horror which was done by human like animals...

Poster link - http://www.deviantart.com/view/1014453

Peace

[Faisal_Aslam]

Assalam-o-Alliakum,

In 1971 Pakistan was NOT Islamic country and neither it is now.

So if present yucky dictator Mushraf do something wrong, like let say he accept Israel or kill people etc. Then I will not blame normal Pakistani form that or Islam for that.

Islam is a great/cool religion and Muslim is brother to each other if they are Muslim by heart and not by name. I know few Bangles (religious one) how think me like a brother more then my country men Pakistani, only because of Islam.

So for good Muslim this brotherhood will go and state has no meaning but for other nationalism is everything and Muslim comes second…

I dislike Mushraf and his predecessors (like Bhutto) a lot but not Muslim and Islam at all.

Faisal Aslam

[Hasan_Ali_Imam]

Br. ASB,

Assalamu Alaikum.

Thanks for your response.

Let me first state that I am not a community leader, and certainly not eminent (thanks for the complement)! I come here on this site merely as an individual with views to share and views I can listen to and learn from. Topics covered below:

A) The Facts of history
B) Regarding the other statements you made
C) Regarding brotherhood
D). Sh. Mujib on Brotherhood.


A) The Facts of history

When looking at history, it is necessary to look at both sides. The problem with the modern world is that objectivity and even-handedness have gone out of the window. That is why we see Serbians will always defend that Serbia is right, India will believe that it is right and Pakistan is wrong, USA believed that USSR was wrong, USSR believed USA was wrong, Israeli Govt. doesn’t want to negotiate with Palestinians etc. and the story goes on.

I have not spread the blame as you assert. What I said was that I have heard of the atrocities done by Pakistani soldiers, i.e. rape, torture etc. I have also heard that 3million Bengalis were killed in 9 months..but couldn’t confirm this. I had also heard of Bengalis killing Biharis….again I have not confirmed this. I was explicit in my opinion that wherever oppression has taken place, Islamic justice should be enforced. Evidence is the necessary criteria to judge the rights and wrongs of both sides. Thanks for recommending the book by Rummel. But as you are in the law business, maybe you could help here,

1. Can you direct me to the evidence that states 3 million Bengalis were masaccared in 9 months by Pakistani soldiers? I want to find this out.

2. You said that 95% of the rapes, murders were done by Pakistani forces. Can you direct me to the source of that statistic and how they arrive that that figure.

What I made clear was that whatever the truth of the matter (and truth has to be based on evidence and proof), whoever did the murders deserve to be executed and this was clear in the above post. We can agree that Pakistani forces did commit murders (though I need to confirm the figures you quoted). This means that the Pakistani soldiers who took part in these evil deeds should be be-headed. I am sure we can agree on this.


B) Regarding the other statements you made, you said:

1. “Other brother’s on this site would compare it to blaming both the Israeli’s and Palestinian’s for the catastrophic results of the intifada, when it is clear that the main victim’s have been the West Bank Palestinian’s. It is they who face the brunt of the fighting and the consequences of Israeli travel restrictions”

You also said that:

2. “That Bangali's later avenged themselves on the Bihari community (many of whom had sided with the Pakistani's) does not in any way condone or justify the actions of the Pakistani forces of occupation. So much for Islamic brotherhood!”


1. Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian issue which you linked with the Pakistani-Bangladeshi example, your argument is incomplete. Whilst it is true that Palestinians have been the victims, some Muslims will extend your argument and state that it is therefore ok to kill Israeli civilians. But I hope you agree that oppression of Palestinians in no way justifies Muslims strapping themselves in bombs and killing Israeli civilians. This goes against Islamic justice and goes against the practice of the Prophet (S).

2. Regarding the second statement: I did not in anyway state that the Bengali’s avenging themselves on Biharis justified actions of Pakistani forces. I did not link the two together. In any case, the wrong actions of one does not condone the wrong actions of another. Do you believe that (if the reports are true) that Bengalis were right to avenge themselves on Biharis? If so, then it follows that you would also support suicide bombing where Israeli civilians are targeted on the basis of avenging Israel’s murder of Palestinians, and that you would also support Sept. 11th attacks where terrorists targeted 3,000 civilians on the basis that they were avenging injustices against Muslims by the US administration. Can you see the genesis of fanaticism? Avenging the wrongs of an enemy by killing civilians is the law of the jungle, not the law of civility (Islam).

The best standard for humanity in enjoining brotherhood, and also engaging in war is Muhammad (S) himself.


C) Regarding brotherhood

What we need to understand is the Islam is universal brotherhood. Now if Muslims oppress another group of Muslims, then this goes against Islamic ethos. I used the term ‘Islamic’ NOT ‘Islamist’. I was very careful with my terminology. I don’t use newly invented terms like, ‘political Islam’, ‘Islamist’ etc. When I say Islam, I mean the Islam that the Quran instruct us to follow, that was practised by the Prophet (S) and the rightly guided caliphs. Do you agree with my use of the term Islam? If so we can proceed and show that Pakistani oppression on Bangladeshis violates the principle of Islamic brotherhood. So why blame Islam for what Pakistanis did? If you are not blaming Islam (and I don’t think you are), then do you agree that If Islam was practised as stated in the Quran and the way of the Prophet, then Pakistanis would have treated the Bengalis better? If you don’t agree then please explain why. If you do agree then it follows that you would support an Islamic system based on the Quran and Sunnah that would achieve this brotherhood and get rid of oppression and fanaticism. A clarification would be appreciated. AND I was very clear in my original post was that, should an Islamic (not ‘Islamist’ nor ‘Political Islam’) system be implemented, then the murderers from the Pakistani forces would be brought to justice. So far in a secular system they have not. Neither have the killers of Sh. Mujib, Zia ur-Rahman etc, been brought to justice.

May I also state that ‘Bengali’ is not one unified group. The Sylheti brothers believe that the non-Sylhetis look down on them (and they are correct, I have witnessed anti-Sylheti racism amongst non-Sylhetis), and there are confirmed reports of the Chittagong Hill Tract peoples being oppressed by there own Bangladeshi Govt! The point is that wherever there is oppression, whether it is done by an enemy or done by our own people, the only antidote is Islamic justice.

D). Sh. Mujib on Brotherhood.

I have read excerpts of Sh,. Mujib’s speeches and he is more tolerant of Pakistanis in the context of brotherhood than you are. In his 6-point plan he did not argue for separation of East from West Pakistan, he supported a Pakistan federation based on the Lahore Resolution. Furthermore, before the war broke out, he made an explicit statement to West Pakistan:

“…Fifthly, the above (i.e. the 6 point plan) should be enough to convince West Pakistani brothers that we East Pakistanis are really consumed with a sense of brotherly equality towards you by which we want to live in honour and dignity. That we are capable of making sacrifices for you, if you need it, has also been proven in the past….(he then talks about capital flight from East to West)…We would never have allowed any disparity to grow between two wings either political, administrative or economic…”

(Sh. Mujibur Rahman, as President of the Awami League on March 23, 1966: as quoted in the book, ‘Bangladesh Documents’, volume 1, p.32. Published by the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India, New Delhi)

He made the full speech on the 6-point plan in 1966 when West Pakistan was oppressing East Pakistan through capital flight and denial of political and social rights. Despite the oppression, he still maintained the spirit of brotherhood. This is leadership at its best, where he rose above the wrongs of West Pakistan, and offered the fig leaf of brotherhood to them. As we know, what happened afterwards is tragic, that the West Pakistan Govt. violated the principles of Islamic brotherhood and oppressed their Muslim brethren in East Pakistan…which led to the events that unfolded in 1971. And where massacres have taken place, beheadings would be the order of the day for murderers in an Islamic (not 'Islamist' or 'Political Islam') system.

When examining any conflict situation objectivity, mutual understanding based on justice and brotherhood should be the order of the day. Failure to do so leads to the loss of our humanity.

Wassalam
Hasan

[Edited by Hasan_Ali_Imam on 21st June 2003 at 06:12]

[yayati]

My contribution:

I do not believe that Bangali people have long memories, they are as fickle as monkeys. The current intellectual Islam you see today, the one that runs around sporting its new sneakers in a attempt to attract attention is going to win out over history. Bengali's aren't interested in History or what could be learnt from it. They are in a desperate state - They have *real* problems such as water, sanitation, education, employment and all the sustenance issues vis a vis poverty that need a *real* solution.

Intellectual Islam is pointing towards political islam. You are right ASB, it is a form og groupism but what else is there?

I believe the Bangalis are inherently weak, dealt a cruel blow by God, they must have returned for seconds when Allah handed out stupidity lolz