NON-MUSLIM
MUSLIM MINORITIES IN NON-MUSLIM STATES US: MINORITIES IN MUSLIM STATES
Muslim Sportsman's Gesture of Protest
A leading basketball player who converted to Islam in 1991 has been suspended for refusing to stand for the national anthem. The high-profile clash has gone beyond sport and has illustrated the widening gulf between Islam and American patriotism.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, a star guard with the Denver Nuggets who went under the name of Chris Jackson before he changed faith, said that the American flag was "a symbol of oppression", of tyranny". He refused to stand for the pre-match anthem, played at games organized by the National Basketball Association.
"My beliefs are more important", said Abdul-Rauf, who earns $2.6 million a year and will forgo dollars 31,707 for each game during his suspension. "My duty is to my creator, not to nationalistic ideology".
"This country has a long history of oppression and tyranny", he added "You can't be for God and oppression. I don't criticize those who stand, so don't criticize me for sitting". His fellow players are divided. Some, such as top star Shaquille O'Neal of Orlando, said that "people have different beliefs and should respect that "it isn't dishonorable".
A leading member of the American Legion said the player's behavior was "tantamount to treason".
For basketball's many fans in the U.S. heartlands, Abdul-Rauf's anti-Americanism is perplexing. To them, the national anthem is an upbeat, feel-good hymn to freedom and national identity.
With so many basketball players being black, there are evocative reminders of Muhammad Ali's refusal to serve in the military during the Vietnam War on account of his Muslim faith, and of the medal-winning U.S. athletes at the Mexico Olympics who gave black power salutes during the playing of the American national anthem. In some city suburbs, nurseries of discontent, Abdul-Rauf's action resonates with young blacks who feel that the American dream has passed them by. These are the same people courted by Louis Farrakhan, the Muslim demagogue made speeches criticizing America. The basketball association said Abdul-Rauf will remain suspended until he agrees to stand for the national anthem. If he misses the rest of the season, he will be dollars 665,000 worse off.
(Source: The Times, London)
Pakistan: Double Vote for Minorities
The Pakistan cabinet meeting on February 26,1996 took a major decision to provide the religious minorities with the right to cast their vote for members of the country's 217-seat National Assembly... besides voting separately for candidates contesting the 10 parliamentary seats reserved for the minorities (4 Hindus, 4 Sikhs, 2 others).
The move has evoked mixed reaction from the country Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Ameer of Jamaat-e- Islami, Pakistan, criticizing the government for taking such a move maintained: "This is tantamount to an attack on the ideological foundations of the country. The dual voting right for minorities is a step towards secularization of the country".
Reaction in Pakistan
The Deeni Mahaz (religious bodies' front) in the Senate and the Milli Yekjehati Council have opposed the move and have threatened to launch a countrywide agitation against the proposed reforms.
Z.A. Suleri, in a front-page analysis in News (6/3), observes: "Separate electorate are the foundation head from which sprang the concept of Muslim nationhood and provided the basis for the demand of Pakistan. In plain words, joint electorate is a ruse to stifle the voice of Islam. This is an American agenda. The PPP is sure to benefit from it, but at what cost?"
Some opposition groups have particularly pointed out that Benazir wants votes of Qadianis who have been declared non-Muslims. But the Minorities have generally welcomed the dual vote which they hope will influence policy planning of political parties who will have to reckon the votes of minorities for winning elections.
(Source: The Radiance Viewsweekly, 17 March, 1996 and The Organiser, 31 March, 1996)
Government Statement on Rocket Attack on Masjid in POK
New Delhi, 30 January, 1996
Pakistan('s) campaign to attribute the rocket attack on a mosque in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to India is a false allegation which the spokesman of the Ministry of Defense has totally rejected.
We can never resort to an action as despicable as targeting innocent people offering Namaz in a mosque.
Pakistan has become a haven for terrorists. Instead of holding India responsible for this tragedy, Pakistan should look within itself.
