Tanazuraat: Perspective of a dissenter
Views can be as different as the number of viewers. And as veteran journalist MJ Akbar says, "You can't trust a point of view." Sure, you can't trust any viewpoint. Everyone is led by his own ideas that are based on his experiences.
TANAZURAAT: PERSPECTIVE of a dissenter
Publisher: All India Tanzeem Ulama-e-HaqQ-25, Batla House, Jamia Nagar, New DelhiAvailable at: D-64, Flat No. 10, Abul Fazl Encl.Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 25 Views can be as different as the number of viewers. And, as veteran journalist MJ Akbar says, "You can't trust a point of view." Sure, you can't trust any individual viewpoint. Everyone is led by his own ideas that are formed by one's individual experiences. In this collection of articles, the author, journalist Abid Anwar has tried to avoid giving personal opinions and adopted a rather rational and logical approach to conveying his message. These articles which were published in Urdu dailies and journals are based on his rational approach and are substantiated with references from the Quran, prophetic traditions and also from statistical facts and figures. Grouped into four categories, most of the write-ups revolve around the socio-religious issues facing Muslims which demand proper attention. These are issues that trigger debate every time they surface in media. Amidst the chaotic clamour, rationality is pushed to the backburner. Examples include the Imrana episode, Hindi media's negative depiction of Muslims and the sightings of the moon (the later being a typical Muslim issue to mark the beginning and the end of many religious duties). Abid Anwar is not a novice. He understands issues well enough to propose a feasible solution to such discords that make the holy at times unholy. A particular drink may taste the same but how it is presented will add value. Anwar knows how to present things in a way that can be easily digested. It needs time and consistency. He has both. A UNI journalist, Abid Anwar began writing with the Wall Magazine of Darul Uloom Deoband, two decades ago and has never stopped since then. This has given his pen maturity, which is reflected throughout the book. Taking exception to some negative media reports that brand Muslims as terrorists after every terrorist act, he points out that whenever a bomb explodes it takes a human toll irrespective of the victim's religious identity and no matter who the offender is. Only politicians seem to know who is a Muslim and who is not. A bomb however, does not know who it is killing and the media likes to lay the blame on Muslims. He also regrets Muslim apathy to such issues as when an imam borrows money from a bank against a Masjid property. The author take on social issues and shows his concern for the growing demoralisation and dehumanisation in society. Going by the statistics provided by him about violence and physical assault on women in the USA where it isn't unlawful to establish consensual physical relationship with woman, he says every year 1,32,000 women are either raped or assaulted in America. To top it, above 50 per cent of the perpetrators are either friends or close family members. Observing the dangerous outcome of physical and sexual violence meted out to children, he says that after such incidents, these children are too scared to befriend or trust anyone, whereas it is vitally important for healthy growth to chose good friends and share with them both sorrows and joys.
Journalism stands for the oppressed and suppressed. Despite the fact that many journalists today forget ethics while writing and are seen siding with the powerful, Abid Anwar, says litterateur Haqqani Al-Qasmi, never forgets journalistic ethics and his fight for the rights of the oppressed. With his first attempt to bring his valuable pieces into book form, Abid Anwar has embarked on new territory. It is hoped he will come up with more dissenting perspectives in the years to come.
Journalism stands for the oppressed and suppressed. Despite the fact that many journalists today forget ethics while writing and are seen siding with the powerful, Abid Anwar, says litterateur Haqqani Al-Qasmi, never forgets journalistic ethics and his fight for the rights of the oppressed. With his first attempt to bring his valuable pieces into book form, Abid Anwar has embarked on new territory. It is hoped he will come up with more dissenting perspectives in the years to come.
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