It is the era of short messages, and in keeping with the times we kick off a new feature where our writers tell it like it is, in just a few words. Today, Faisal Kidwai tells us why Imam Bukhari is wrong in calling on Muslims to boycott Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement
The Imam Bukhari of New Delhi’s [ Images ] Jama Masjid has proved that you need real commitment to preach sheer stupidity.
In a statement carried he has appealed to Muslims to stay away from Anna Hazare’s movement because the protesters are raising slogans such as ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Mataram’ which, according to him, are un-Islamic.
Well, first things first. The incumbent, Syed Ahmed Bukhari’s father Syed Abdullah Bukhari has always supported the government in power. He has a long history of backing the administration, whether it is VP Singh’s government, the BJP or the Congress.
These days the Congress is in power, so Imam Bukhari is supporting them by taking a stand against Anna Hazare.
His views are not based on religion, the Holy Book or even principles. All he cares about is maintaining his ever-dwindling power base.
His political stand can be summed up by the statement made by Groucho Marx: “Those are my principles, and if you don’t like them… well, I have others.”
Contrary to perceptions created over years by the media regarding Imam Bukhari, he does not even represent the Muslims of Delhi, let alone Muslims of India [ Images ].
He was created by the Congress, helped by the media and his support base has always been limited to areas surrounding the Jama Masjid.
Apart from those who want to ride on his coattails, Muslims around the country have never paid any attention to his statements or his diktats.
Now, in an effort to remain in the news, he has called on Muslims to not support a protest movement, not because the movement might lack merit or that the Jan Lokpal Bill might have glaring shortcoming.
No, sir, his stand, like always, is not based on rational reasons, but on headline-grabbing.
By the way, how is ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ un-Islamic? As far as I can see, it is just a slogan in praise of your country. If anything, having an imam like Bukhari is un-Islamic.
If Imam Bukhari has such a problem with ‘Vande Mataram’ or ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ then he should, frankly, leave India and live somewhere else, preferably in Pakistan, where he would feel very comfortable among the religious nuts ruling the streets
–Agencies