BaKhabar, May 2010, Page-3

better light a candle than curse the darkness

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Fatwa Against Jihad

A ray of hope

- - Ashiya Parveen (ashiyaparveen@gmail.com)

There is no religion that has to do with inhuman or irreligious act of so called terrorism. Yet it’s the irony of the situation that the religion has always been at the centre of bloody disputes. It has always been used as the shield to justify the brutality practiced against the people of different faith. Unfortunately the concept of jihad in Islam has been construed to malign the very belief built upon the concept of peace and brotherhood.

Meanwhile recent edict (fatwa) issued by the highest religious authority of Saudi Arabia against all act of terrorism gives a ray of hope. ‘The Council of Supreme Scholars’ in Saudi Arabia takes a stern action by denouncing all acts of terrorism and criminalizing its financing. How larger or greater impact it will have depends upon its successful execution. Which will require unanimous support from the nations known as Islamic Republic or bear the responsibility of sustaining the tenets of Islam.

However the alleged involvement of the powerful Islamic countries in propagating the
‘asymmetric war’ can’t be ignored. No doubt that the malfunctioning of the world organisation working under the shadow of the superpowers has been the root cause of evoking such sentiments. That led to the invasion of Iraq, Afghanistan and now they are braced to subvert other emerging nations of the Middle East. They themselves created ‘Terror’ for avenging themselves and for curbing the forces of first communism and now Islamism. While doing so they have pitted our own men against us-Taliban are intolerant of their own people (like Iraqi militia) seeking to secure democratic set up with help of non-Talibani powers, other global terror outfits do not feel hesitant in beheading their own men wanted to wish away malpractices in the name of jihad.

In the meantime such an edict just gives a ray of hope. Its successful execution still requires a unanimous voice from the powerful Islamic nations, which are overtly or covertly involve in exaggerating the situation already reached its needier. For instance, the jihadi outfits with global network threatens Arabic speaking world not to indulge into close relations with either US or India. On the other hand the former boasts of being called the US ally and putting a damper on the tough stands taken by the Iranian leadership, which is unfortunately driven by the nuances identified with the two different denominations of Islam (Shia and Sunni).

Though we will have to a long way to do away with the inhuman acts imposed on the religion, the edict provides a hope to move ahead.

NRIs Admission Guidelines

M. B. Al Hashmi, Jeddah, BE, MIT (E&C), Karnataka
Email: mbhashmi@gmail.com

I would like to share my experiences with our brothers NRIs parents who wish to get their children admitted in Indian technical institutes as below at NRI quota or self-financing scheme:

There are several private engineering institutes in India (mostly in South) who accept NRI applications for admission provided a 60% marks was obtained in 12th in aggregate or in PCM as the case may be. Ten best private institutes are:

1. BITS Pilani
2. BIT, Ranchi (Mesra)
3. PSG College, Coimbatore
4. Thapar, Patiala
5. MIT, Manipal, Karnataka
6. VIT, Vellore
7. VJTI, Mumbai
8. SSN College, Chennai
9. RV College Bangalore
10. College of Engineering, Anna University
The annual tuition fee of the above institutes ranges from US $ 6,000 - 8,000 depending upon institutes and the trade selected. Hostel and foods expenses are variable from place to place and as per type of foods and hostel facilities (single occupancy, double / triple occupancy, bathroom attached, AC, Non-AC). All information is available on their sites.
There are twenty government institutes in about all states of India known as NITs/ IIITs, etc, where NRI are given place throughout India by a government appointed consultancy firm known as Edcil, New Delhi (www.edcilindia.co.in.) The annual tuition fee is US $ 4,000. Details are available on its site. Ten best institutes are :

1. NIT, Trichy
2. NIT, Warangal
3. PEC, Chandigarh
4. NIT, Surathkal
5. MNIT, Allahabad
6. IIIT, Hyderabad
7. MNIT, Jaipur
8. MANIT, Bhopal
9. VNIT, Nagpur
10. SVNIT, Surat

Last Date for Receipt of Completed Application Forms : 30-June-2010
Display of First Merit List on DASA Website: 10th Jul 2010 (www.dasanit.org)
Admission Brochure: download
New requirement: SAT II score (www.collegeboard.com)

Here admission is given on the marks obtained in 12th exam. Those who have got more percentage of marks have chances to get their opted institutes and branch.
The hotel and foods expenses vary from place to place. Quality of Hostels and Foods here are generally lesser than private institutes and so the charges. As for teaching is concerned, the private institutes seem to have friendlier atmosphere and are more supportive.

Email: bakhabar@biharanjuman.org

The Price of Imaan

Several years ago an Imaam moved to London. He often took the bus from his home to the downtown area. Some weeks after he arrived, he had occasion to ride the same bus. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him twenty pence too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, you better give the twenty pence back. It would be wrong to keep it. Then he thought, oh forget it, it's only twenty pence. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company already gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a gift from Almighty Allah and keep quite.

When his stop came, the Imaam paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the twenty pence back to the driver and said " Here, you gave me too much change." The driver with a smile replied " Aren't you the new Imaam in this area? have been thinking lately about going to worship at your mosque. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change." When the Imaam stepped off the bus, his knees became weak and soft. He had to grab the nearest light pole and held for support, and looked up to the heavens and cried "Oh Allah, I almost sold Islam for twenty pence!" Remember, we may never see the impact our actions have on people. Sometimes we are the only knowledge of Quran someone will read, or the only Islam a non-Muslim will see. What we need to provide, InshaAllah is an example for others to see. Be careful and be honest everyday, because you never know who is watching your actions and judging you as a Muslim.