Will the World End in 2012???

Much awaited SAVIOR may finally arrive
The most important of native Meso-American documents was what is now called the Dresden Codex, named after the town in whose library it was lodged. It deals with astronomy providing detailed tables of lunar eclipses and other phenomenon. These are so accurate that they put our own calendar to shame.
Mayans had a system of counting the days relative to a starting date, called the Birth of Venus and now known to be 13 August 3114 BC. This calendar was divided into "months" or uinals of twenty days, "years" or tuns of 360 days and longer periods of 7200 days, the katun and 144,000 days, the baktun. The number 13 was magically important to them and they believed that, starting from the Birth of Venus (Prophet or a divine person Quetzalcoatl), after 13 of these longest periods, or baktuns, this age (the Age of the Jaguar, the fifth and the final ‘sun’) would come to an end. Working from their start date this Mayan Prophecy points to a date in our own time, 22 December 2012, when the fifth or last age of man ends.
There isn't much information regarding what the Mayans thought would occur in 2012, but the consensus of opinion is that there will be great change. To some people this means a positive, spiritual change. Others consider that a catastrophic event may have been predicted. Most agree that something is going to happen.
But what is likely to happen? Though none but God knows the truth, Life Watch has tried to find from the various revealed scriptures and books of religious importance to the Mayans, the Jews, the Christians, the Hindus and the Muslims to come to a logical conclusion.
It is interesting to note that the Maya civilization which inhabited a region encompassing southern Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize and western Honduras, and flourished as Aztec empire between third and tenth centuries AD, had degenerated by 1200 AD. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived on March 4, 1519 under Hernan Cortes, with merely 11 ships, 600 foot soldiers, 16 horses and some artillery on the coast near what was to become Vera Cruz, the entire Aztec Empire succumbed to their feet by August 13, 1521.
Part of the reason for his success was a case of mistaken identities, the Indians believing that he was a divine person named Quetzalcoatl whose return had long been prophesied, didn’t offer much of a fight and consequently Spanish got control of the entire region.
The entire Aztec empire succumbed to Spanish feet but Quetzalcoatl didn’t come. He still hasn’t come during the past 500 years since then. If Quetzalcoatl is real, is he mentioned in the holy books of Hindus, Jews, Christians and Muslims? Who is Quetzalcoatl, whose return had been prophesied? Will the much awaited Quetzalcoatl finally come in 2012? Read detailed story “The Coming of the Awaited Savior’ on page 9-12 of Life Watch (July 16-31, 2010) or log on to www.lifewatchnews.blogspot.com to read recent articles.

One God, One Religion
The Coming of the Awaited Savior
An article on Christianity said that in order to be a prophet from God, you must prophesy. The article goes on to say that if you claim to be a prophet yet fail to prophesy, you are a false prophet and ridicules other religions other than Christianity for containing “miniscule amounts of prophecy or none at all. Because of this fact, these religions are immediately disqualified as being divinely inspired by God.”
We do not agree to the aforementioned statement and believe that all the religions of the world which may be termed as Divine or have emanated from the One God of the Cosmos contain abundant prophesies, if we look at them with an unbiased, untainted perception.
Unfortunately, the greatest of our faults is that we look at the other religion with a biased, preconceived mindset, at all times considering our own religion and their prevailing practices to be best and in accordance with the Divine Will.
This is often not true! With time each of our divine religions have become so distorted and deviated that we can safely say that our present day understanding and following of the teachings of these religions is far removed from the Divine Teachings that they possess or possessed at some time.
Neither it is true that there is only one true religion and all others are false religions nor that each religion emanated from a different god. There is no doubt that there is One God of the Universe who was at all times guiding and showing the path of our well-being. If this is true then the Divine Truths and Teachings must be present in all the Divine Scriptures. This must also mean that as they emanate from the one and the same source, same or similar teachings must be present in all Scriptures that are attributed to God. At least the path shall be the same! After all, if there is One God, there must be only One True Path to reach to Him.
Quetzalcoatl is the savior, as per the Mayans
Coming back to the Mayan prophesy about Quetzalcoatl who is supposed to come again as the Savior to this world, we tried to find whether similar prophesies regarding the Awaited Savior exists in other religious scriptures of the world. After all, those who say that ‘if you claim to be a prophet yet fail to prophesy, you are a false prophet’ will agree that if several people, separated by the barriers of religion, thousands of kilometers in distance and hundreds of years in time, have prophesied about one and the same thing, all these scriptures must have a common source.
If the Mayans believed in the coming of Quetzalcoatl, it was not possible to know about it until the discovery of America by Columbus in the 15th century or till the Dresden Codex was unscripted by a German scholar in 1880. Vedic and other Hindu scriptures had not been translated into other languages until the time of Dara Shikoh. The Mormon Scriptures and the Dead Sea Scrolls have been found only in the 19th centuries. Confucius and Buddhist teachings have been known to the world in the twentieth centuries. And Prophet Mohammad was never taught by any person and hence was considered illiterate till Quran was revealed as the greatest literary masterpiece among Arabs who took pride in their vocabulary, literature and command over language and yet prostrated before the Quranic verses, agreeing that it was not a compilation by a human soul.
Jesus is the Awaited Savior, as per the Christians
Christians believe that Jesus is the savior. He had come as Jesus of Nazareth as the long-awaited Messiah sent from God and will again be sent on earth close to the end of the world. All believers of Jesus are waiting for the time when he will come once again to rid us of all ills that are plaguing our society.
Jesus said to the religious leaders of the day when they did not believe in him:
"You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the same Scriptures that testify about me but you refuse to come to me to have life."
John 5:39-40
The following prophesy was revealed to Prophet Daniel in 580 B.C.
Seventy sevens are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy.
Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah comes, there will be seven sevens and sixty-two sevens. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench but in times of trouble. After the sixty-two sevens, the Messiah will be cut off but not for himself. The people of the ruler to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary."
Daniel 9:21-26 written 580 b.c.
It is interesting to note that while Bible talks clearly of the Second Coming of Jesus, it also refers to an “anti-christ who will rise to power on a peace platform. He will help initiate a seven year peace treaty with Israel and many other countries. However, halfway through the treaty, he will end sacrifices and offerings and he will set up the abomination that causes desolation. This is known as the tribulation period.”
Isn’t it interesting that it were not just the Mayans who believed that Quetzalcoatl will come to them as Savior for Humanity? Their eagerness to be with him cost them their kingdom as they prostrated before a false Quetzalcoatl. The Christians too believe that Jesus will reveal himself once again as the Savior for all humanity. And around the same time the anti-christ will arrive as the villain against God and the True Teachings. Talking of anti-christ, it is said:
He opened his mouth to blaspheme God and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. He was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast, all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. He who has an ear, let him hear.
Revelation 13:6-9 written 95 A.D.
The anti-christ is also likely to befool people in the name of Jesus just as the Mayans were befooled by a false Quetzalcoatl. For it is clearly said he will rise to power on a peace platform. Soon he will have worldwide control. There will be no sovereign nations. All countries of the world will be under his authority. Most people on earth will begin to worship him. God will be blasphemed and those who will not worship him will be punished to death.
What does Jesus have to say about when he will be returning? It is clearly said that it is not in his hands when he will re-arrive. None knows the timing but God.
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
Matthew 24:36-37
Jesus says he will be returning when the earth is like it was in Noah's day. What was the world like in Noah's day? The earth was corrupt before God and it was filled with violence. “All flesh had corrupted their way” is reference to materialistic pursuits overshadowing the spiritualistic pursuits.
For God looked upon the earth and it was indeed corrupt. All flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before me. The earth is filled with violence through them and I will destroy them with the earth."
Genesis 6:11-13.
Decide for yourself whether or not our world is filled with corruption and violence today.
About the true believers Jesus says:
Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. I will make the one who overcomes a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God and I will also write on them my new name.
Revelation 3:10-12
Jesus not only says that he will be coming soon but the city of Jerusalem will be build anew. Not just this, Jesus will come and reveal himself by a new name or he will be born as a normal person by a certain name and then proclaim that he is Jesus, thus complicating things which will facilitate the anti-christ to make followers for him.
Now read this. Son of Man is a clear indication that another Divine Person who has been born out of man will also arrive. ‘Son of Man’ can never be reference to Jesus:
"If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened. At that time, the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. He will send his angels with a loud trumpet call and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away. You also must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
Matthew 24:22, 30-31, 35, 44
"Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away."
Luke 21:29-33
Tenure of Jesus will be followed by the Day when all those who are living will fall dead. Blessed will be they who attain immortality or salvation for the soul even though the physical body will perish. Jesus too is perishable but he will join with the Imperishable – the Almighty God. The following passage is a clear reference to the Day of Judgment.
I declare to you that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. The trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. The perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting?"
I Corinthians 15:50-55
In the following revelation, there is another reference that another Divine Spirit other than Jesus will arrive. It says that Jesus will present himself and testify before the Spirit. The Spirit is not God as it is sitting with his bride. All will take the Free Gift of the Water of Life. This means that they all will attain immortality through salvation, and will live forever in the heavens.
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony. I am the root and the offspring of David and the bright Morning Star. The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" and let the one who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let them come and whoever wishes, let them take the Free Gift of the Water of Life.
Revelation 22:16-17
Mahdi is the savior as per Muslims; he will be accompanied by Jesus
Exactly the same concept exists among Muslims regarding the coming of the Savior. Several books of prophecies and the authentic sayings of the Prophet Mohammad say that Mahdi – the Awaited – will be the Savior who will remove all evil from the earth. Quran also testifies that Jesus will come again. It is not clarified whether the two will come together or one before another. However, it is abundantly made clear that all evil will be wiped out from the face of the earth by Jesus and Mahdi – whose real name will be Mohammad. Traditions also say that Mahdi will be from the Prophet’s family and descendant of Ali and Fatima. Though all sects believe in the concept of Mahdi, Shia sect of Muslims believe that Mahdi is none but Mohammad, son of their 11th Imam, who took birth in 869 CE and was hidden by God at the age of five (874 CE). He is still alive but has been in occultation, awaiting the time that God has decreed for his return. He is the light or spirit that guides us even now and will come to save this world from evil and corruption in the near future. Though all Muslims are awaiting the coming of the Mahdi along with Jesus, Mahdi is besieged to come in all congregations of Shia Muslims.
In Shia and Sunni eschatology, Mahdi (The Guided One) is the prophesied redeemer who will stay on earth for seven, nine or nineteen years (according to various interpretations) before the Day of Judgment (literally, the Day of Resurrection) and, alongside Jesus, will rid the world of wrongdoing, injustice and tyranny.
In Sunnis, five of the six canonical collections of hadith (Sahah-e-Sitta) refer to the Mahdi, thus indicating that the Mahdi doctrine is common to both Sunni and Shia Muslims. Even the belief in an antichrist is prevalent, very much like Christianity. Islamic scholar Moojan Momen considers the following beliefs in relation to the Mahdi are shared by Sunni and Shia Muslims alike:
· The Mahdi will be a descendant of Muhammad of the line of Fatimah.
· He will have the same name as Muhammad.
· He and Jesus will rule together for 40 years
· His coming will be accompanied by the raising of a Black Standard.
· His coming will be accompanied by the appearance of the Antichrist.
· There will be a lunar and solar eclipse within the same month of Ramadan.
· A star with a luminous tail will rise from the East before the coming of the Mahdi.
· He will restore faith to its original form and eradicate moral corruption.
· He will fill the world with justice and fairness at a time when the world will be filled with oppression.
The Twelfth Imam will return as the Mahdi with "a company of his chosen ones," and his enemies will be led by the one-eyed Antichrist and the Sufyani. The two armies will fight "one final apocalyptic battle" where the Mahdi and his forces will prevail over evil. After the Mahdi has ruled Earth for a number of years, Jesus will return.
The Prophet Muhammad said:
The Mahdi is the protector of the knowledge, the heir to the knowledge of all the prophets, and is aware of all things.
The dominion (authority) of the Mahdi is one of the proofs that God has created all things; these are so numerous that his [the Mahdi's] proofs will overcome (will be influential, will be dominant) everyone and nobody will have any counter-proposition against him.
People will flee from him [the Mahdi] as sheep flee from the shepherd. Later, people will begin to look for a purifier. But since they can find none to help them but him, they will begin to run to him.
When matters are entrusted to competent [the Mahdi], Almighty God will raise the lowest part of the world for him, and lower the highest places. So much that he will see the whole world as if in the palm of his hand. Which of you cannot see even a single hair in the palm of his hand?
Muhammad al-Baqir, the Fifth Imam said of the Mahdi:
The Master of the Command was named as the Mahdi because he will dig out the Torah and other heavenly books from the cave in Antioch. He will judge among the people of the Torah according to the Torah; among the people of the Gospel according to the Gospel; among the people of the Psalms in accordance with the Psalms; among the people of the Qur'an in accordance with the Qur'an.
Ja'far al-Sadiq, the Sixth Imam, made the following prophecies:
Abu Bashir says: When I asked Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq, "O son of the Messenger of God! Who is the Mahdi (qa'im) of your clan (ahl al-bayt)?", he replied: "The Mahdi will conquer the world; at that time the world will be illuminated by the light of God, and everywhere in which those other than God are worshipped will become places where God is worshiped; and even if the polytheists do not wish it, the only faith on that day will be the religion of God.
Sadir al-Sayrafi says: I heard from Imam Abu Abdullah Ja'far al-Sadiq (the Sixth Imam) that: Our modest imam, to whom this occultation belongs [the Mahdi], who is deprived of and denied his rights, will move among them and wander through their markets and walk where they walk, but they will not recognize him.
Abu Bashir says: I heard Imam Muhammad al-Baqr say: "He said: When the Mahdi appears he will follow in the path of the Messenger of God. Only he [the Mahdi] can explain the works of the Messenger of God.
· Ali Ibn Abi Talib quoted the Prophet as saying:
The Mahdi is one of us, the clan of the Prophet. God will reform him in one night. (Reported by Imam Ahmad and Ibn Maqah)
· At-Tirmidhi reported that the Prophet said:
The Mahdi is from my Ummah; he will be born and live to rule five or seven or nine years. (If) one goes to him and says, "Give me (a charity)", he will fill one’s garment with what one needs.
· Abu Dawud also reported a hadith about the Mahdi that the Prophet Muhammed said:
The Mahdi will be of my stock, and will have a broad forehead, a prominent nose. He will fill the earth with equity and justice as it was filled with oppression and tyranny, and he will rule for seven years.
· At-Tirmidhi said:
It has been related from Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah said: One of my people whose name is the same as mine will assume leadership... If but one day of life remains to the world, Allah will prolong that day to permit him to assume dominion.
In Sufism too, belief in the Mahdi is widely accepted.
Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, in his fatwa entitled The brief discourse on the portents of the awaited Mahdi, said that denial of the Mahdi is disbelief.
Jalaluddin Al-Suyuti wrote:
This is the belief of ahl al-sunnah, this is the belief of the Sufis, this is the belief of our sheikhs, and this is the belief of the true Shadhili sheikhs, whose path both al-Suyuti and al-Haytami followed. Whoever differs with them is a liar and an innovator.
The Naqshbandi Haqqani Sufi Order, under the leadership of Shaykh Nazim and his khalifah Shaykh Hisham Kabbani of Islamic Supreme Council of America (ISCA), is among the Sunnis/Sufis who strongly believe the coming of Imam Mahdi in this 21st Century is imminent. Shaikh Hisham has written a book "The Approach of Armageddon" that touches much on this subject according to Sufi doctrine and beliefs.
It is said "predictions and lore concerning the Mahdi abound". Among them are that the promised Mahdi would be a Caliph of God and that to make a covenant with him is obligatory. He would belong to the House of Muhammad and would be in the line of Imam Hussein. His name would be Muhammad and his family name would be Abul Qasim, his father's name would be ‘Abdu’llah, and he would appear in Mecca. He would protect the Muslims from destruction and would restore the religion to its original position.
Imam Rabbani is of opinion that Mahdi will appear in the second millenium after the death of Prophet. It has been 1421 years since Prophet’s death. It is said that 1400 to 1600 years are crucial as this is the middle of the second millenium. God may ask Mahdi to come anytime during this period. According to Imam as-Suyuti's accounts, the life of the community of Muhammad will not exceed the year 1500. God knows the best.
Maschiach of Yisra’el (Messiah of Israel) is Savior, as per Jews
The path of Maschiach is the path of Salvation (Yeshua), as per the Jews. In other words, Maschiach himself is salvation. He is God in flesh, the healer and the judge.
"The Talmud extensively details the advent of the Messiah (Sanhedrin 98a, et al.) and describes a period of freedom and peace, which will be the time of ultimate goodness for the Jews and for all mankind. Tractate Sanhedrin, contains a long discussion of the events leading to the coming of the Messiah, for example:
R. Johanan said: When you see a generation ever dwindling, hope for him [the Messiah], as it is written, "And the afflicted people thou wilt save."
[II Samuel 22:28]
R. Johanan said: When thou seest a generation overwhelmed by many troubles as by a river, await him, as it is written, when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him; which is followed by, And the Redeemer shall come to Zion.
R. Johanan also said: The son of David will come only in a generation that is either altogether righteous or altogether wicked. 'in a generation that is altogether righteous,' — as it is written, Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever. 'Or altogether wicked,' — as it is written, And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor;31 and it is [elsewhere] written, For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it.
Throughout Jewish history Jews have compared these passages (and others) to contemporary events in search of signs of the Messiah's imminent arrival, continuing into present times.
The Talmud tells many stories about the Messiah, some of which represent famous Talmudic rabbis as receiving personal visitations from Elijah the Prophet and the Messiah. For example:
R. Joshua b. Levi met Elijah standing by the entrance of R. Simeon b. Yohai's tomb. He asked him: 'Have I a portion in the world to come?' He replied, 'if this Master desires it.' R. Joshua b. Levi said, 'I saw two, but heard the voice of a third.' He then asked him, 'When will the Messiah come?' — 'Go and ask him himself,' was his reply. 'Where is he sitting?' — 'At the entrance.' And by what sign may I recognise him?' — 'He is sitting among the poor lepers: all of them untie [them] all at once, and rebandage them together, whereas he unties and rebandages each separately, [before treating the next], thinking, should I be wanted, [it being time for my appearance as the Messiah] I must not be delayed [through having to bandage a number of sores].' So he went to him and greeted him, saying, 'peace upon thee, Master and Teacher.' 'peace upon thee, O son of Levi,' he replied. 'When wilt thou come Master?' asked he, 'Today', was his answer. On his returning to Elijah, the latter enquired, 'What did he say to thee?' — 'peace Upon thee, O son of Levi,' he answered. Thereupon he [Elijah] observed, 'He thereby assured thee and thy father of [a portion in] the world to come.' 'He spoke falsely to me,' he rejoined, 'stating that he would come to-day, but has not.' He [Elijah] answered him, 'This is what he said to thee, To-day, if ye will listen to his voice.’
Daniel 9:24-26 says:
24 "Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.
25 "Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble.
26 After the sixty-two 'sevens,' the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolation's have been decreed.
The traditions and belief about the coming of the Messiah is so widespread among Jews that they won’t be surprised if the Messiah arrives just now, even while you are reading these lines. Prophet Ezekiel living in the land of Babylon had prophesied of a Gog-Magog War, which will last for seven years. Rabbi (Priest) Kaduri believes that this is reference to the US and British forces War against Terror which began on 7th October, 2001.
As per Jews, the final “Shemittah’z” or Seven Sabbatical years before the Revelation of the Messiah are already over in 2008 and the Messiah can arrive any time now. According to the calculations of the Vilna Gaon, as interpreted by the Kabbalist Rabbi Yitzhak Kaduri, during the 7-years count from that Hoshana Rabba on October 7, 2001, a major revelation associated with Maschiach may be given. Rabbi Kaduri believes that the Mashiach is already in the land of Israel but says: “Whatever people are sure will not happen, is liable to happen and whatever we are certain will happen may disappoint us. But in the end, there will be peace throughout the world. The world is mitmatek mehadinim (or becoming sweet from strict justice).
Not long ago, Gerrer Rebbe, who is known as Rabbi Yakov Aryeh Alter, too joined the call of the current Torah saes to send the warning that the time for the arrival of the Mohiach of Yisra’el is near. Rabbi Alter is the seventh Hasidic rabbi of the Ger Hasidim in Israel, the largest single Hasidic group in the Land of Israel.
And Rebbe shlit'a said recently that "we are now so close to Moshiach that all of our current mitzvas are preparations for his imminent arrival". If that's the case, then we must all hasten to strengthen our Torah and tshuva (repentance) immediately; tomorrow might be too late.
Not long ago, Chief Rabbi of Russia Rabbi Berel Lazar said: “"We know that he is very near at hand, but he needs not only to be born but also to come," He further said that the Messiah may well have been born already, but unless he is ordered by God he cannot reveal himself with God’s help and change the world for the better."
Speaking further, Rabbi Berel Lazar said: "The world today is in a state described by our sages as 'hevley mashiah,' that is, labor that precedes the coming of a Messiah. It is a time when many good things are created in the world and the progress of science and technology has made it possible to solve many human problems, to overcome diseases, famine, etc., on one hand. On the other hand, it is for the first time since God created human beings that humans have taken hold of such means of destruction that the whole of our race and even the globe itself can be destroyed instantly. We are living on the verge of history. It can be felt everywhere."
He further said: "Perhaps God is waiting for only one deed to be put on the good scale to order the Messiah to reveal himself," and that it was important for everyone "to add this good deed, as one's contribution may prove decisive." And said: “May Hashem help us. Chazak ve'amatz, be courageous and strong in your outreach work, Lazer; even if the whole world throws tomatoes at you and spits in your face, continue to spread the word of Hashem to anyone that is willing to listen. B'hatzlocho!”
The Kalki Avatar is the Savior, as per the Hindus
Lord Krishna says in the Gita that it is our actions that are leading to the destruction of the world. The advent of Lord Krishna became imminent as the world had become full of corruption and there was a need for Dharma (righteousness) to be re-established. 3600 years after Krishna, the world has been filled up with corruption, sin, deceit, treachery and mischief once again and it is time for the Kalki Avatar (an Avatar of the present era) to arrive who shall re-establish order resulting in dawn of the golden era. Hindus believe that none other an incarnate of the Omnipotent God can achieve this feat. He will be the deliverer and he will bring all countries on a single platform.
As per Hindu traditions, the Kalki avatar for all practical purposes shall be one who guides the humanity in the present chaos. He is the chosen one. He is destined to save the mankind from the rigors of today. The day to day lowering of human values, humans behaving more like a vicious animal (it is ironic sometimes it is difficult to distinguish human beings from animals), the breaking up of relationships between the family members, between communities and on larger scale the countries has become the order of the day.
Such a one fully prepared and powered to address the ills of today head-on shall be known as Kalki Avatar - one who shall annihilate the ills of today and make dharma (righteousness or true path) prevail and make the humanity step forward towards a new golden era... the Satyuga (the golden period). He will be a true incarnate of Almighty God himself.
It is believed that out of the present world population of 6000 million people, 1200 million will perish in the fights that will ensue upon his arrival and out of the remaining 4800 million, 2000 million people will have faith in him.
It is said that the Kalki Avatar will provide a justified end to Kali Yuga, the metal age. He will be one whose teachings and preaching will be based on the strength of his character. He will be one who will approach every problem logically and render full justice. He will never be dictatorial in character. He shall be a man from the masses, a believer in the concept of by the people, of the people, for the people. The society as a whole will get a reprieve to improve self and also those around. Every individual would exercise his right and all shall be equal in his eyes. Man or woman... everyone would be governed by truthfulness. To distinguish right from wrong would be his forte. To punish the guilty and reward hard-working honest denizen of the society would be his daily routine. Might is right shall be the forgotten order. Truth and only truth shall be the order of the day.
The society as of today awaits the coming of Kalki Avatar! Call him the Messiah of the masses or the downtrodden denizens of the society... coming of Kalki Avatar would be a boon to the mankind at large!
The prophecy and its origins
The Vishnu Purana explains that, "When the practices taught in the Vedas and institutes of law have nearly ceased, and the close of the Kali age shall be nigh, a portion of that divine being who exists of His own spiritual nature, and who is the beginning and end, and who comprehends all things, shall descend upon earth. He will be born in the family of Vishnuyasha, an eminent brahmana of Shambhala village, as Kalki, endowed with eight superhuman faculties. By His irresistible might he will destroy all the mlecchas and thieves, and all whose minds are devoted to iniquity. He will reestablish righteousness upon earth, and the minds of those who live at the end of the Kali age shall be awakened, and shall be as clear as crystal. The men who are thus changed by virtue of that peculiar time shall be as the seeds of human beings, and shall give birth to a race who will follow the laws of the Krita age or Satya Yuga, the age of purity. As it is said, 'When the sun and moon, and the lunar asterism Tishya, and the planet Jupiter, are in one mansion, the Krita age shall return.'" (Book Four, Chapter 24)
The Padma Purana relates that Lord Kalki will end the age of Kali and will kill all the wicked mlecchas and, thus, destroy the bad condition of the world. He will gather all of the distinguished brahmanas and will propound the highest truth. He will know all the ways of life that have perished and will remove the prolonged hunger of the genuine brahmanas and the pious. He will be the only ruler of the world that cannot be controlled, and will be the banner of victory and adorable to the world. (6.71.279-282)
The Bhagavata Purana states, "At the end of Kali Yuga, when there exist no topics on the subject of God, even at the residences of so-called saints and respectable gentlemen , and when the power of government is transferred to the hands of ministers elected from the evil men, and when nothing is known of the techniques of sacrifice, even by word, at that time the Lord will appear as the supreme chastiser. (2.7.38) It further describes Lord Kalki's activities as follows: "Lord Kalki, the Lord of the universe, will mount His swift white horse Devadatta and, sword in hand, travel over the earth exhibiting His eight mystic opulences and eight special qualities of Godhead. Displaying His unequaled effulgence and riding with great speed, He will kill by the millions those thieves who have dared dress as kings." (12.2.19-20)
Followers of Tibetan Buddhism have preserved the Kalachakra Tantra in which "Kalkin" is a title of 25 rulers of the mystical realm of Shambhala. The aims and actions of some of these are prophesied in portions of the work.
The Kalachakra tantra was first taught by the Buddha to King Suchandra, the first dharmaraja of Shambhala, which says: "Lord Kalki will appear in the home of the most eminent brahmana of Shambhala village, the great souls Vishnuyasha and Sumati." (Srimad-Bhagavatam Bhag.12.2.18)[7]
Commonality of Teachings
Wikipedia description of the Kalki Avatar says: “In Hinduism, Kalki (also rendered by some as Kalkin and Kalaki) is the tenth and final Maha Avatar (great incarnation) of Vishnu who will come to end the present age of darkness and destruction known as Kali Yuga. The name Kalki is often a metaphor for eternity or time. The origins of the name probably lie in the Sanskrit word "kalka" which refers to mud, dirt, filth, or foulness and hence denotes the "destroyer of foulness," "destroyer of confusion," "destroyer of darkness," or "annihilator of ignorance." Other similar and divergent interpretations based on varying etymological derivations from Sanskrit - including one simply meaning "White Horse" - have been made.”
One of the revelations attributed to Christians say:
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice, he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Revelation 19:11-16
And in their book, Al Mahdi and the End of Time, Muhammad Ibn ‘Izzat and Muhammad ‘Arif, two well-known Egyptian authors, identify the Mahdi from the Book of Revelation, quoting Hadith transmitter Ka'ab al-Ahbar.
In one place, they write,
“I find the Mahdi recorded in the books of the Prophets… For instance, the Book of Revelation says: “And I saw and behold a white horse. He that sat on him…went forth conquering and to conquer.”
‘Izzat and ‘Arif then go on to say:
“It is clear that this man is the Mahdi who will ride the white horse and judge by the Qur’an (with justice) and with whom will be men with marks of prostration (zabiba) on their foreheads.”
It is not just coincidence that Hindu, Christian and Muslim scripture are all talking of a White Horse for the Savior.
Popular images of the Kalki avatar depict him riding a white horse with wings known as Devadatta (God-given.) In these images, Kalki is brandishing a sword in his right hand and is intent on eradicating the corrupt destitution and debauchery of Kali Yuga.
Mahdi is said to be in possession of Zulfiqar (the double-edged sword) that was given to his great grand father Ali by God through his angels in one of the battles.
Revelation 22:16-17 talks of a divine spirit other than Jesus before whom Jesus will present himself and testify. Muslim scriptures talk of Jesus and Mahdi together as saviors. Mahdi is referred to in some supplications as ‘baqiatullah’ or ‘the remaining portion of (spirit of) God’ on earth. Mahdi is also referred to as the guiding spirit created by God. Most interestingly, R. Johanan in Jewish scriptures says that “the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him (enemies); which is followed by, And the Redeemer shall come to Zion.” And the Muslim scriptures say that Mahdi, together with Jesus, will raise Black Standards against the enemies. Jews also refer to him as “God in flesh”
All religions believe that there will be one savior (not only for us but our souls), he will come when the world will be full of corruption and injustice. When he will come, there will be great bloodshed but eventually truth will prevail. There will be justice, there will be happiness. Earth will open up its treasures. All scriptures show a direct relationship of the redeemer with God. He has been described as salvation. Any one who will come on his side will attain salvation. In fact he is the torch-bearer from God, one who will not only show the path but will lead with example. This will be God’s final chance for all the remaining souls to attain salvation. All scriptures agree that the world will come to end after this.
Can there be different sources to such similar teachings? We must conclude that there is only One God and Only One True Path to reach him and all of us have deviated from the Path in the name of religion, to coin our own religions.
One God, One Path
If Muslims believe that the Savior will convert all the people to Islam, if Christians believe that the Savior will turn all people to Christianity, if Jews are of the opinion that the Zionist belief will prevail upon his arrival and if the Hindus think that dharma (their religion) will prevail, all are wrong. Yet, all are correct!
As Muhammad al-Baqir, the Fifth Imam said of the Mahdi:
The Master of the Command was named as the Mahdi because he will dig out the Torah and other heavenly books from the cave in Antioch. He will judge among the people of the Torah according to the Torah; among the people of the Gospel according to the Gospel; among the people of the Psalms in accordance with the Psalms; among the people of the Qur'an in accordance with the Qur'an.
Since the Savior has a direct connection with God and since God has guided people of different lands and time with different scriptures and Prophets, he will unite all the religions and reveal the One Religion – the Straight and True Path to Lord. The scriptures of all religions still talk of the Straight Path, but we have either distorted them or understood them differently, as per our abilities or requirements, to give different shapes to our respective religions.
Once these distortions and deviations are removed, One Straight Path will be abundantly visible to adherents of all religions, from their own scriptures itself. A Hindu will identify the Savior from his scriptures, Jews from his own scriptures, Christians from their scriptures, Buddhists from their books, Muslims from their own books and even the North Indians of America from their own scriptures.
That way if people adhering to different religions believe that the Savior will convert the rest of humanity to their religion (as it exists today), they are wrong. But if they believe that the Savior will convert the rest of humanity to the teachings of their True Scriptures, they all are right. After all, true Divine scriptures, when taught by a True Divine Representative, will reveal the One and Only Divine Path to Bliss and Salvation.
Interested in distributing copies of this article in bulk, contact lifewatch@rediffmail.com. Alternatively, mail the article to your friends and well-wishers, in the interest of humanity.

Campaign against harmful chemicals in day-to-day life

Life Watch's ongoing continuous campaign “Campaign against harmful chemicals in daily life” has started bringing positive results. Several leading newspapers and magazines have reprinted our articles in their publications while certain TV channels have shown full-fledged episodes based on the campaign being carried out by Life Watch. Consequently, a great deal of awareness has been created about the fake, counterfeit or harmful products and items that are being made available for quick profits.
However, despite all attempts by the national mainstream media to create awareness, our Government is still not treating the issue and the potential harm that it may bring to our future generations with seriousness. Life Watch demands that the Government takes following measures immediately:
· Government should set up one center-cum-scientific lab in each district of the country where anybody can bring the product of his choice like milk, curd, ghee, oil, sweets, ice-creams, etc. if there is any doubt about the authenticity of the product. In order to keep a check on frivolous cases coming up, a price tag should be kept for testing and in case the product is found to be harmful, the complainant should be asked to tell the source from where the harmful product was obtained. As per the present situation, the concerned departments pick up samples when a complaint is received, but the matter is normally patched up and the only looser is the complainant who has to bear the repercussions of the enmity thus created.
· A separate SDM should be appointed to take samples and take proper action against the culprits, just as there is a separate SDM for elections in each district.
· Fast –track courts should be constituted to give suitable and strict punishments to those found guilty of such crimes.
· Government should make it mandatory to list the contents on labels, even in cases of items like shampoos, conditioners, hair dyes, toothpastes, etc. besides drugs.
· Soft-drink manufacturers put Sodium Benzoate as ingredient, which is highly carcinogenic and has potential to damage the DNA in the Mitochondria to the point that it totally inactivates it, knocks it out altogether. A whole array of diseases has been tied to the damage to the DNA, including Parkinson’s disease and quite a lot of neuro-generative diseases. Several manufacturers of medicines and other products use harmful chemicals for one reason or another, without making it known the harm that it may cause. Life Watch demands that is used, even if in miniscule quantity, shall be listed on the label and the potential harmful effects should be mandatory to mention in the advertisements.
· A proper mechanism should be developed to keep a track on the advertisements being released by the manufacturers to see if any false/misleading message is being imparted through the advertisements.
· Strict rules should be framed to so that anybody who gets caught playing with the lives of common people is suitably punished.
· A nodal agency, jointly under the Food and Civil Supplies and Health ministry, along with private participation, should be constituted to control the increasingly rampant menace.
· MCOCA like strict law should be enacted to punish those who are caught using harmful chemicals in products of consumption or use.
You are requested to forward this mail to as many people as you can, so that our Government rises from slumber and takes immediate action to safeguard the future and health of our self as well as our future generations.

Music with a difference, Sufi style

If it is an event by Husn Ara Trust, it ought to be worth attending. This is the frank opinion of an increasingly large number of social elites in Delhi, who are attend the grand evenings organized by the Trust, on regular basis. These social elites include the likes of Tejender Khanna (Lt. Governor, Delhi), Sheila Dikshit (Chief Minister, Delhi), Syed Sibte Razi (Former Governor), AR Kidwai (Former Governor), AM Ahmadi (Former Chief Justice), Ram Jethmalani (Senior Advocate), Kuldeep Nayar (Senior Journalist), Mohsina Kidwai (MP), Ashwani Kumar (Director, CBI), KS Mehra (Commissioner MCD), MS Sultan (Senior IFS) and lot many others. Patronized by none other than Zaheer Zaidi, who besides being a businessman also belongs to Delhi’s elite social circles, and run by Kamal Haider, the Trust has nearly 50 big and small events to its credit.
A good number of who’s who of Delhi’s glitterati were present, as usual, at the ‘Sada-e-Sufi’ program organized by the Trust at Delhi’s India Habitat Centre. With an aim to spread the message of Vasudeo Kutumbkam and the true Islamic teachings of peace and global brotherhood, as taught by Sufis, the evening was rendered memorable by Ustad Adil Husaini (who presented composition of Maulana Romy and Ameer Khusrau), which was followed by qawwali by Ustad Merajuddin Khusravi and group. The audience sat spellbound all through the program.

Verma to modernize and expand SAIL as per global benchmarks

Chandra Shekhar Verma, the newly appointed 51-year-young and dynamic Chairman at Steel Authority of India (SAIL) has come with a mission. And the mission is to lead SAIL up on modernization and expansion path to further heights. Those who know Verma deeply will vouch that if CS (Verma) has made up his mind, it got to be accomplished.
Verma is no novice in the field! In fact, he is a seasoned champion who showed his mettle as Director (Finance) of Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) before coming to take the responsibility as Chairman, SAIL. BHEL is India’s largest engineering and manufacturing enterprise in the energy-related/infrastructure sector.
Verma is still remembered in BHEL for his prudent financial management and strategic deployment of scarce resources and strengthening the financial position of BHEL. Earlier, he had the distinction of spearheading the joint venture initiatives of the company with various state GENCOs. His efforts resulted in the signing of four such agreements with Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra that would leverage the scale of 7 super critical thermal power plants of BHEL. He also played a key role in the finalization of various technology agreements of BHEL with Alstom, Siemens, GE and Sheffield Forgemasters.
It is worthwhile to know that SAIL has recently been accorded the status of ‘Maharatna’ by the Government of India and is currently preparing for divestment of 10% of its equity in two tranches and is implementing a Rs. 60,000-crore modernization and expansion plan in its plants and mines. With Verma at helm and his vast knowledge and experience in support, SAIL is poised to attain greater heights.
Men with mission act differently! Though it is just about a month since Verma has taken up the prestigious responsibility as SAIL’s Chairman he has already started moving to accomplish his mission. His recent visits to Bhilai and IISCO Steel Plants were a step in this direction. During these visits, he interacted with a cross section of employees and took stock of several projects being implemented under SAIL’s modernization and expansion plans.
Interacting with team members, Verma underlined the need to tap new and unexplored markets and also highlighted the potential for rolling out new product grades for import substitution in sectors such as power, nuclear, defense and space. While appreciating SAIL team’s efforts for their consistent performance, immense talent and dedication, he discussed ways to increase the company’s labour productivity to meet global benchmarks. He laid thrust on the need to increase the proportion of value added steel to the product-mix of SAIL and called for a milestone-based monitoring system in work.
Verma also appreciated the support extended to him by the state governments with regard to acquiring leases for mining.
Career Profile
CS Verma today has 29 years of experience of working in highly competitive corporate environment. Besides 5 years as Director – Finance at BHEL, Verma’s career profile also covers stints as Director (Finance) of ITI Ltd., as Group General Manager of Indian Railway Finance Corporation, and as General Manager of Delhi Stock Exchange (DSE), besides experience of working in a Financial Institution for about nine years.

Fellow Member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (FCS) and of the Institute of Cost & Works Accountants of India (ICWA), Mr. Verma is a Commerce post-graduate with a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Bachelor’s degree in Law & Legislatures. He has received many awards during his career, including ‘Best CFO Award’ of CNBC-TV 18 in the infrastructure sector for the year 2008-09 and ‘Top Rankers Excellence Award for Best Professional’ for the year 2008. During his tenure in BHEL, the company received the first prize in ‘ICWAI National Award for Excellence in Best Cost Management Practices’.

Destined for praises

Name Abdul Hameed means ‘Servant of the Praiseworthy The Ever-praised (God).’ Several men with this name are known to have done a lot many praiseworthy deeds.
Posted as SP-Transgomti in Lucknow, the young and good-looking 2006-batch IPS officer Abdul Hameed was not even born when another Abdul Hameed, belonging to the state of UP itself, died fighting gallantly against the Pakistani army in the Khem Karan sector during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War. Commanding a recoilless gun detachment, this gallant son of India knocked down two enemy tanks amidst intense enemy shelling and tank fire before he was brought down through concentrated machine gun and high explosive fire on him. Abdul Hameed was awarded with the country’s highest military decoration, the Param Vir Chakra, for his brave deed.
Providence needed to shower accolades on yet another gallant son of India when destiny led a young Abdul Hameed to become an IPS officer so as to enable him to serve his country. Knowing more about him, one realizes that it were a lot many blessings in disguises which combined to enable him to reach this position. As if an invisible hand was leading him towards a direction that he hadn’t thought of at all while beginning his career.
Born to a doting father, Shamsher Khan, our young hero Abdul Hameed lived in various cities during his childhood on account of his father’s transferable job. Shamsher Khan was very supportive and guided his young child all through during his growth towards youth and maturity. The father had a tremendous impact on the life of his son.
After Class X, Abdul Hameed studied for two years at Etawah and then went to Lucknow for graduation. After completing the three year Bachelor of Management Studies course from LU, he went on to do MBA from another institute and completed it with marketing as major specialization. Through campus interview, he got selected in a Chennai based company. As it was to turn to his advantage, Abdul Hameed didn’t like this job and left it within six months. This decision was to turn his life for ever. Under this father’s encouragement and pursuance, he decided to try for civil services.
Abdul Hameed went to Delhi and joined an institute for coaching. “I had to do everything on my own in Delhi. This included the choice of the coaching institute, the choice of subjects, and all other related choices,” says he. A brilliant student that he was, Abdul Hameed cleared the ‘Prelims’ on the first attempt. ‘Mains’ were an altogether different cup of tea. “I knew nothing about the kind of paper that will come in the ‘Mains’. There was nobody to guide. Moreover, I had 104 degree fever when I went to give the exams.” Abdul Hameed tried yet again next year and even qualified the ‘Mains’. Says the young officer: “When it came down to the interview, there was nobody to guide me once again. One needs to do specific type of preparation for interview, but with little or no guidance whatsoever, it was very difficult.” Learning fast from the mistakes committed earlier, Abdul Hameed cleared the IPS exam on the third attempt in 2006.
Says he: “When the result was out, I went to see my name in the list. I started looking from bottom and moved upwards. There were 513 candidates who had been selected. The more I moved up, my heart beat grew louder. Finally, I spotted my name. It was 141st from the top. You can guess how much upward I must have moved. Initially I didn’t believe my eyes. I checked the roll number. And rechecked!”
Leaving Chennai was a blessing in disguise for him. Says Abdul Hameed: “When I had done MBA, out of the several companies that had come for campus placement, Colgate was one of them. I was thinking that Colgate was a good company. If I would have got selected there, I wouldn’t have come so far.”Divinity has its own means to lead people to where they belong. And Abdul Hameed was destined to be an IPS officer. Finally this man, who claims he had never set his foot inside a police station till he got selected as an IPS officer, spends the entire day sitting in a police station. There is surely a big difference, isn’t it?

Man with a Mission

Brigadier Rajendra Singh is clearly a man with a mission. This God-fearing, straight-forward, strict-by-the rules yet helpful till the last moment ex-armyman took up job as the Deputy Commissioner – Shahdara South Zone of Delhi’s Municipal Corporation after great deliberations because, as he says “whenever I was going to the MCD, I felt very harrased and I said what I can do is that I can put things right, try to set the house in order, at least, I can put the public at ease.” Life Watch, with its penchant to highlight the officers of merits and distinction in the power corridors of Government, interviewed Brigadier Singh face-to-face. Read the excerpts from this exclusive interview:
Life Watch: After a successful career with the army, what made you take this thankless job?
Brigadier Singh: This is a million dollar question! When I got the letter, I sat on it for a long time. I had left the Government organization and I was not sure whether I wanted to go to a Government organization once again. If I candidly give the reason for my decision, as a public citizen, whenever I was going to MCD, I felt very harassed and I said what I can do is that I can put things right, try to set the house in order, at least I can put the public at ease. If I make a slight improvement, I think I have done a lot because to change a system is a long drawn process and single-handedly one person cannot do it. That is why whoever comes from the public, I give them full hearing. I get the nice feeling that the public has come to me, they have faith in me and I can help them.
Life Watch: How difficult it is to sort you problems here in MCD?
Brigadier Singh: It is very difficult to sort out problems because the problems are manifold. There are a lot of constraints from all directions. There is lot of unauthorized construction going on. We are trying our best to curtail it with limited staff. There is tendency of the staff too at some places to execute as they feel. The public shows ignorance of rules but at the same time they are smart enough to build big houses. Some of them come to say they didn’t know they have to get the plan sanctioned. It is poor people who suffer the most. Bigger and powerful fishes tend to get away. Personally speaking, if justice is done it has to be done equally for all. Why should a weaker person suffer? I will not allow this as long as I am here.
Life Watch: How will you rate this experience?
Brigadier Singh: To me this has been a new experience after the army. I really got to know what the true country is now. In army, you get a good exposure but it is not at the lowest levels. Now I am seeing at the root ground levels. It is a great eLife Watch: How will you rate this experience?
Brigadier Singh: To me this has been a new experience after the army. I really got to know what the true country is now. In army, you get a good exposure but it is not at the lowest levels. Now I am seeing at the root ground levels. It is a great experience!
Life Watch: And do you feel you have succeeded in your mission?
Brigadier Singh: If I look from larger perspective I have been successful. I have been able to make my staff do a fair amount of work. I have been able to get that confidence in my staff that I am there to help them provided they do their job. And I assure them that their work will not be hampered. Staff is under fair amount of pressure but I have assured them that nothing will happen to them till I am there.
Life Watch: If you have to change one thing, what it will be?
Brigadier Singh: Our rules need to be amended. There are people who are staying in Shahdara proper. With time, the road level has gone up by a feet or two. There is no provision for the person to break down the house and rebuild it. Plan cannot be sanctioned in such a area. So what do you expect the poor person to do? He pays the field staff, breaks the house and rebuilds.
Secondly, there is no provision for bifurcation or subdivision of the house. Families have grown big. Divisions have taken place between children. What does he do? We need to amend the laws.
Life Watch: We are witness to it that you have a very helpful nature. Other side of your character is the strict adherence to rules and regulations. We just saw you suspending an officer for dereliction of duty. What is your comment?
Brigadier Singh: Really speaking, this is because of my army background. Working in rural areas, we learn to help out the poor people but when it comes to dealing with bad elements, one has to be firm. We make sure that the weaker person is not suppressed.
Everybody must understand that we are here to do a job. My job is to guide the public also. I am not just here to go around on rampage demolishing. People with problems come to me. If I do not attend to their problem, I have no right to take my salary. But this does not mean I will not take steps against people with vested interests.
Life Watch: How do you deal with such diverse problems?
Brigadier Singh: I think I want to share candidly. One has to be adabtable. Adabtabiliyt and flexibility are two important things you learn in army. At times you are harsh and at times you give sops to your children. There is line beyond which I would not like the things to happen. Helpful nature is important but if somebody is trying to be bossy or somebody tries to take law in his hand, then I am not for that person.
Life Watch: Do you have backing from your seniors?
Brigadier Singh: Orders from top is clear. There will be no unauthorized constructions. All encroachments must be removed. I have full backing of my seniors as long as I am delivering.
I have backing from the top and more than that I have the backing of Creator. I am firm believer in that!

Worship that is dear to the Lord

Worshiptul homage unto the Eternal Reality – the one, beginningless, endless, changeless, infinite, eternal, all-pervading, immanent and indwelling Reality – that is the source, support and ultimate fulfillment of all existence! Infinite and all-pervading,; therefore, everwhere present. Dwelling within you; therefore, nearer to you than yourself. That Being, in whom you live, move and have your being, indwells the heart-shin ofyoru body-temple; and, therefore, your every moment is a divine activity.
In this inner shrine of your heart, in the temple of your body, worship Him with the flower of truthfulness, with the flower of verity, with the flower of honesty, with the flower of loyalty to your vows, with the flower of a guileless heart, a frank and simple-hearted disposition. Worship Him with a life devoid of all crookedness, deceit and double-dealing. Worship Him with the flowers of straightforwardness, simplicity, purity and compassion. Worship Him with the flowers of a self-controlled life, with control of your senses.
These are the flowers that are dear to that Being who is the indweller of your heart, the sanctum sanctorum of this body-temple of yours. He does not desire costly ingredients for worship. He is the overlord of countless worlds. He owns everything. What can you give Him? There is nothing that doesn’t belong to Him.
But your ego belongs to you, your heart belongs to you, your belongs to you. If you offer your heart, your ego, your life as a flower at His feet, then indeed His grace will flow with you. For He delights, rejoices and finds intense pleasure when He is offered the flowers of truthfulness, forgiveness, compassion, simplicity, guilelessness, where there is no deviousness, no doublt-talk, no concealment, no human cleverness.
These are all despicable from the point of view of the spiritual ideal of a saint or a man of wisdom. These are the devices of the cunning and crooked, the dishonest and cheats. Therefore, these despicable devices do not become the dignity of a spiritual personality. They do not become a sannyasin, a sadhaka and a devotee of God who have chosen God as their highest value.
When these prevail, when these are not eradicated through introspection, self-examination, and prayer, they act as a brake in your spiritual life. You stop proceeding further. You may be living a spiritual life for ten, twenty, thirty, forty, or fifty years, but you will be where you are, because you are shackled to your earthly imperfection, to your human defects and foibles – you are not seeking to progress in divinity. That is the tragedy of spiritual life – to miss the way.
In our Vedic way of life, our entire lifestyle is pervaded by the concept of dharma. Whatever you are, in whatever context, you have a certain dharma to fulfil. And for you who have become aware through the teachings of the guru that your real identity is divinity, to be true to what you really are and to manifest your real identity in your life by living a divine life, by thinking divinely, speaking divinely, acting divinely, living divinely – that is your dharma. Because you are meant to express outside what you are inside.
And if you know that you are part of paramatma – you are jivatma, part of paramatma – that you are divine, that divinity is yoru real identity, then it becomes your dharma, your svadharma to live to manifest what you are. To be what you are is your svadharma, to be contrary to it is to move away from truth.
Truth pervades every activity of our life within and without. Therefore, ponder deeply the all-pervasive presence of the principle of truth in your own life – inner and outer, subjective and objective, individual and collective –and worship that Great Being, that shines with the strength of a million suns in your heart-shrine, with the flower of truth! That is the highest worship, and that is your greatest duty.
Swami Chidananda

The Raging Debate

The Aligarh University administration, under the leadership of its Vice Chancellor Prof. PK Abdul Azis is going ahead with its plans to open Special Centres in complete defiance of the opposition lobby, which has increased its efforts to create a united front against the University administration’s attempt to go ahead, without changing the ordinance and the AMU Act and without building a consensus on the subject, as demanded by those opposing the VC.
The VC is projecting these centers as an attempt towards culmination of Sir Syed’s dream and expanding the great legacy of AMU to spread modern education throughout the country. Says the VC: “The overwhelming response the University is receiving from different states of the country bears testimony to the fact that AMU credentials as a secular and modern education is well recognized across the nation. The passion and reverence with which the AMU team was received and welcomed at Malappuram, Murshidabad and Kishanganj shows that the initiative has ignited the hopes and aspirations of the people of the region irrespective of caste, creed and religion.”
Former MP and University Court Member, Waseem Ahmad, who is opposing the VC’s moves tooth and nail says: “The VC is aggressively moving ahead to divert attention on the enquiry against corruption. The opening of Special Centers is not in AMU Act. Without amendment in the Act, it is not possible. He is misinterpreting the decision taken by the executive council, misinterpreting the Court and strong governing bodies. He is misinterpreting all and sundry.” Waseem Ahmad advices the VC to take strong legal opinion and go to take a no-objection from the Law Ministry before proceeding or else all the preparations will fall flat on the ground.
Says Tariq Islam, who too is opposing the University’s decision for Special Centers: “Without amendment in the Act, it is not possible to go ahead. This is the legal aspect. My personal opinion is that we shall focus on development of this University, its academics, its infrastructure. When there are problems galore here, how will we be able to control centers in such far off places. Government is trying to capitalize on the brand name of AMU and seek political benefits in Muslim dominated areas. This VC is merely a tool in the hands of the Government.”
Tariq Islam says that he is unable to understand why Rs. 45 crore has been granted for Murshidabad and merely 10 crores for Malappuram. “Was this all deliberated before taking a decision? Is the finance ministry not accountable for this money?” Says he, adding further that even the boundary of the Special Center won’t be completed in Rs. 10 crore.
It is to be remembered that the feasibility report for the Centers, under the light of Satish Kumar, Secretary HRD Ministry’s decision, has not yet come. “Without the feasibility report, the VC should not have gone ahead with the plan. Even if the report is submitted, it will take about one to two years for the money to come. By then, elections in Bihar, West Bengal and Kerala would be over. It might just be an election gimmick,” says Islam.
Kaukab Hameed, sitting MLA from Baghpat and general secretary of the apex Old Boy’s Association says: “If the VC had really fallen in love with this University, then he would have given the IIT that he promised. Even in the meeting organized by the VC with his own henchmen present, former Chancellor Mr. AM Ahmadi had said that the VC shall change the Act. “Says Kaukab Hameed further: “No university in India has such centers! Why this love for AMU. If you really want to do something, open another university in the name of Sir Syed or Abul Kalam Azad. AMU was known for its special character, which united people from all parts of India under its ambit. If a Keralite will study in Kerala, Bengali will study in Bengal, who will come to AMU.”
Old boy and now the Vice Chairperson, Urdu Academy Delhi, Prof. Akhtarul Wasey too wants that consensus should be achieved before we go ahead with the opening of Centers. Prof. Wasey is also worried about the world-famous AMU character getting jeopardized.
Adds Mr. Mustafa: “This is the game by Mr. Pranab Mukherjee and Mr. E. Ahmad, who are seeing their constituency more than AMU’s interests. There is no rule in AMU which favours Muslims. If Muslims are getting admitted in AMU, it is because they are fulfilling the eligibility criteria. How will a Muslim student get inside the Center where there are no internal students? There is no special favour being given in the present set-up but new centers are being added in the name of Sachar Committee Report.” Mr. Mustafa says that the Government is deliberately trying to mix two debates. One is the Sachar Committee Report and its guidelines for doing something for the Muslims. The other is the character of the AMU. He points out that the entire Academic policy of the University will have to be changed, if we plan to go ahead with the Centers.
Kaukab Hameed is also of opinion that there is more of politics and less of sincerity. “UGC rules do not allow for opening of Campuses. All this will end up nowhere. Except that the VC wants to divert the mind from the ongoing enquiry.”
Not that there are no people backing the VC. Irshad Ahmad, a politician who has recently been elected to the University Court, fully favours the Vice Chancellor for whatever he is doing and points an accusing finger at those opposing the move. Says he: “We will have to give a chance to the VC. This decision is being opposed because nothing like this has happened in the past. Are we not doing such things which we have not done earlier? Let us first allow the Centers to come up. Naturally provisions will be incorporated openly or discreetly in due course of time for providing proper representation to students of the Community.”
Meanwhile, while unfolding the broad spectrum of multi-phased development strategy, Prof. Azis has said that by June next year AMU Centers would likely to move into their new campuses at Malappuram and Murshidabad. He has also suggested the courses that will be run at the Centers, commencing with MBA and BA-LLB in the first phase.

Saluting the hero

The world got to know of the efficiency and capability of Indian Special Forces only after 26-11. India’s might was established across the world. Powers backing the terrorists must have realized it is futile to wage organized war against a country with such strong and efficient force. JK Dutt was praised by all and sundry for his efficient handling after Mumbai police had failed to control the situation. In fact, Mumbai police and STF had lost more men than they had killed; even some very senior officers including the likes of Mr. Karkare had got killed. If there was one man who planned and executed an operation to kill or capture the attackers and who achieved his mission with minimum loss of men and time, it was Jyoti Kishan Dutt.

J K Dutt a 1971 batch IPS officer of W. Bengal cadre worked for 15 long years in the Central Bureau of Investigation. At one time, he was tipped to be the Director CBI, when he was recommended by Central Vigilance Commission for the post. A post-graduate from St. Stephens, JK Dutt had a very good and distinguished career as an IPS officer.
While in CBI, his most remarkable assignment was the successful handling of Purulia Arms Dropping case. He has served as Director-General of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) for a while and retired as the Director-General of National Security Guards (NSG). NSG shot to fame internationally through very successful and result-oriented handling of Operation Black Tornado, also remembered as 26-11 or the infamous Mumbai attack. Needless to say, it was none else but JK Dutt who masterminded the entire operations against trained militants from Pakistan.
The world got to know of the efficiency and capability of Indian Special Forces only after 26-11. India’s might was established across the world. Powers backing the terrorists must have realized it is futile to wage organized war against a country with such strong and efficient force. JK Dutt was praised by all and sundry for his efficient handling after Mumbai police had failed to control the situation. In fact, Mumbai police and STF had lost more men than they had killed; even some very senior officers including the likes of Mr. Karkare had got killed. If there was one man who planned and executed an operation to kill or capture the attackers and who achieved his mission with minimum loss of men and time, it was Jyoti Kishan Dutt.
It is a pity that we Indians do not know how to treat or honour our heroes. When he retired from service, everybody was hoping that the Government would give him a befitting position. Considering his expertise and accomplishments, his services would have been more useful for the country than the post for him. We honoured those with lesser achievements than him. Names of few who had never gone in the actual battlefield yet got killed are on every one’s lips. Unfortunately, the man who was the brain behind the operations, whose deployment of men and resources and astute management of a strategy that worked led to final subjugation of militants, has been allowed to go on retirement like common men. This great son of India’s contribution has been forgotten, merely months after his retirement.
JK Dutt doesn’t talk about all this at all! On the contrary, he proudly tells that he is presently involved as a Consultant with Jaiveer Institute of Integrated Security (JIIS). “We are trying to tap that segment which is interested in seeking security deployment in the private sector. There is a huge requirement for trained security personnel in the Industry. Any small industry that is set up requires security. The Government, which is setting up food processing units and other industries, may seek services of trained security instead of CISF, whose services may be deployed elsewhere, at a more productive place.” JIIS has recently procured land in Himachal Pradesh for training purposes.
About Operation Black Tornado
Life Watch quizzed JK Dutt about Operation Black Tornado and the real difficulties that he had to encounter. “Initially I was told that the operation is to be conducted at the Oberoi, The Taj and Nariman House. I made three teams and planned accordingly. When we went to Taj, alongside there was a multi-storey Taj Tower and when we went to Oberoi, there was Trident tower next to it. So immediately we had to deploy our men in 5 teams. We neither knew how many men were inside, nor was there information about the weaponry they had or the number of civilians inside.”
“When did you come to know that it was a terror attack?” we asked. In response, Dutt says: “While I was in Delhi, I was getting visuals on the TV. We were hearing different versions. Somebody was saying it was a gang war, somebody was saying they were organized criminals. IB and Mumbai Police too were in doubt. Mumbai police were actually calling it a gang war. I got a call from the Home Ministry, he asked my view on it, and I said to him that in my opinion it was a terror attack. In gang war, criminals do not go about killing indiscriminately. Before I received any call from Government, I had already told my officers that we need to be prepared.”
Do you think we have learnt lessons from Operation Black Tornado, we asked? “Yes, we did learn lessons,” says Dutt, “I hope you will agree that talking about it in public won’t be in interest. Because if we talk about weaknesses, it will be wrong and if we talk about our strengths, the terrorists may come well prepared next time. I gave a confidential report to Government after the Operation and it was a secret document.”
About our working
“But one thing is certain,” we asked? “We learn our lessons late! We created NSG after the hijacking of plane to Kabul. We created SPG after Indira Gandhi was gunned down by her Delhi police guards. Even then, we used to provide SPG cover to serving Prime Ministers and due to this we lost one of the most charismatic leader that India has seen, Rajiv Gandhi. After the Mumbai attack we have realized that there is a need to station the forces at more than one place. Don’t you think we are one step behind all the time?”
Says Dutt in reply: “You talk about not being prepared. One needs to be a visionary for this. I joined as DG-NSG in August 2006. In December, 2006 I had sent a proposal to the Home Ministry that there was a need to set up 4 NSG hubs, one each at Kolkatta, Chennai, Mumbai and either at Nagpur or Hyderabad. As it happens in India, Ministry had a look at it but they talked about making a committee. A committee was set up which used to meet every two months or so. They said they will examine setting up one more hub. Then the Mumbai attack occurred and we decided to go for several hubs. They asked me how many men will be required, how much infrastructure will be required, I said all this is in the file that I had given in 2006.”
“Don’t you think another major problem today is that we are reluctant to take decisions,” we asked Dutt, to which he replied: “It is true, especially when financial proposals are concerned. I think such delays start when things are not done correctly. If you are transparent, nobody can stop you. Singapore has a system in place where if anything relating to arms, ammunitions, weaponry, etc. is required there is one body that takes decisions. They do not get bogged down with the procedures. Such systems should be put in place here as well.”
“What level does our Special Forces stand compared to the best in the world,” we asked. Dutt pointed out to the Operation Black Tornado saying this is proof beyond doubt that we are the best in world. However, he added, “There are a lot of things that are involved. Let me illustrate it with another example. NSG is using certain type of pistols. When we wanted to purchase these pistols, we had to look at all the options available. In the USA or Europe, if somebody wishes to purchase a pistol, he goes to an arm dealer and asks for the entire variety. In India, there is no arms dealer who can show you the choices. We have to route all these through the Government.”
“I give you another example,” says Dutt. “When I was in NSG, I was told that the DG had the power to purchase equipments worth 10 lakh of rupees for testing. I was interested in purchasing a very small communication equipment that could send photos from inside a room. We sent for permission to purchase it. But we got back the response that the DG had the power to purchase, but only from the approved list.” If the purchasing has to be from approved list, it should not be for testing. “In Europe you can go to any shop to know what all they have to offer. In India, you have no choice to know what is available until you approach various companies.” Dutt adds that NSG has changed tremendously since then and whatever he is talking about is till his tenure.
“It has been randomly debated that the Intelligence agencies in India do not share information with forces. Do you agree to this?” we asked. Says Dutt in response: “This question should be addressed to the Intelligence agencies. One thing is certain, if there is some intelligence which is relevant and need to be shared, our systems should be such that there is no delay. I had handled the Purulia arms dropping case and I found that a letter was sent from Delhi to the State Government on the basis of some information that we had procured. The concerned officer on whose table this letter landed didn’t realize the urgency. By the time they opened the letter, it was too late. Is it the failure of the system or is it the failure of a person in a system? If an organization fails, sometimes you blame the leader for it and sometimes you say the entire system is at fault.”
“And finally,” we asked, “God forbids if something happens again in near future, do you think we are better prepared now”. To which Dutt responds: “I think yes because now two hubs have been created. Lot many men and equipments have been added. We definitely have learnt lessons.”

“Dutt’s experience and expertise need to be capitalized”: Zaidi
JK Dutt has been one of the most able officers in the Government. He has been a visionary. And he has been a great achiever, both in terms of the work that he has done and the results that he has got. Life Watch asked social worker Zaheer Zaidi, who happens to know Dutt intimately, his views as a common Indian. Says Zaidi: “It was remarkable the way he handled the entire operation. The highly trained SPG was used with great efficiency. The world got to know of SPG after the Operation Black Tornado. Few men acted like an entire army. India’s greatness further got inscribed on everyone’s heart.
I was under the impression that the Government would never leave JK Dutt and his experience and services would be utilized in national interest. It seems we look out for more yes men than devout deliverers. The highest of the gallantries and awards should have been reserved for him and his team. Yet, nothing like this happened. A man who made each Indian proud, who has such great contributions to his credit has been forgotten so soon.”

“Pakistan’s economic vested interests are not in peace with India”

If there is one person who is most eligible to speak on India’s foreign policy, particularly in the context of Indo-Pak relations, it is Shashank Shekhar. After all, Shashank Shekhar has remained at the helm of affairs as India’s Foreign Secretary and has worked as the senior most Secretary in the Indian External Affairs Ministry. Besides serving as Secretary (Europe, Africa and Amerca), he has held postings in a host of countries including Pakistan, Denmark, South Korea, Libya, Egypt, Vietnam, Brazil and in India’s Permanent Mission at the UN, during his long and distinguished diplomatic career. Shashank Shekhar had a long and exclusive talk with Life Watch on Indo-Pak diplomacy and what future beholds for both the countries. Present here are the excerpts from the interview:
Life Watch: How important is strategic partnership for both of us viz. India and Pakistan?
Shashank Shekhar: We are a big and powerful country. For us it is important to build strategic partnerships and developing our resources within the region. For Pakistan, only the US is important. They do not put that kind of attention as we are putting on regional partnership because their only priority is to keep themselves aligned with the rich countries so that they continue contributing in their economy and they can seek more money from them. Therefore, the needs are totally different.
As long as this money is used for the welfare of common people there is no problem. But they are procuring more and more arms for use against India. We do not have any claims on the Pakistani territory so they are not going to help us. It is only Pakistanis who have some claim on Indian Territory and they want to see what they can achieve. We will therefore have to find a way.
There are some people in Kashmir who might be thinking that they, with Pakistani support, will acquire greater autonomy for themselves and they may get lot of money from America, Europe and rich Kashmiris settled around the world. They are trying to use Pakistan and Pakistan based terrorists. Pakistanis are also behaving in a cynical manner. They feel they can keep India bleeding. They help India bleed and at the same time collect money from American and other countries because they are partners in Af-Pak region.
Life Watch: How are they benefiting from keeping India bleeding when they themselves are bleeding at the same time?
Shashank Shekhar: Annual number of deaths may be the same on both sides. It is not that they are bleeding more or we are bleeding more. Anytime they see number of deaths on their side is more they will kill another 100 people in India. That does not help anybody. I remember I was in Pakistan in the 80s and that time US House of Commons came with a report that 70-80% of drugs to Europe were reaching through Pakistan. When Pakistan got that negativity, they developed their smuggling through India in such a manner that after 10 years UK report came that 70% of drugs were being routed from Pakistan and India.
That too does not help anyone! We need to have good relationships because we are neighbouring countries and because we have porous borders. But better relations should not be seen as a sign of weakness. It should be seen as a sign of better regional understanding.
Life Watch: Do you mean to say that the political will is not there because there are no economic vested interests?
Shashank Shekhar: Economic vested interests, on the contrary, are in the other direction. If they don’t make friends with India, they get more money. If they somehow prove to be helping in containing terrorism, they get money. But to counter terrorism, there has to be terrorism first. They somehow feel they can separate out groups of terrorists who will ultimately be their partners in carrying out their strategic plan in Afghanistan, India, Iran, etc. On the other hand, they will be able to contain those who may hurt the interests of those countries who are giving them money. Unfortunately things do not work that way. And that is why there is dichotomy.
Life Watch: So there is no hope…
Shashank Shekhar: There is still a glimmer of hope that because of this dichotomy they come to realize that time has come to treat the things differently. They have to reach that position. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh keeps hoping they have reached that position and will give better response. Till now, better response is only in words.
Countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, of course China and India are moving ahead with a futuristic plan. Pakistan too will have to build its own strategic plan. It is for their leadership to decide what kind of plan they are going to make. They have got all benefits of their partnership with the Western World but if they think this partnership is to be based only on getting money, buying weapons and using them for various strategic interests, it doesn’t help.
Life Watch: It appears US is with Pakistan. But we have seen arm-twisting as well, just recently Hillary Clinton…
Shashank Shekhar: I think we should leave it to Pakistan and the US to sort out their affairs because they know each other much better.
Life Watch: What counts more, strategy, strength or an effective PR exercise?
Shashank Shekhar: PR exercise can take you only till a level. Ultimately, it has to be your own strengths, economic strength, military projections, technological upgradations, etc. Unless you have them, simple PR campaigns won’t work. If we build our strengths and like our neighbouring China, build strategic partnerships with countries like Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Europe and America, besides China, I am sure we will be able to entice these western countries. Rapid economic growth, technical manpower and consumer base is in India, and we are starting from a small base. So we can get up to 50% growth rate. EU is feeling very happy because they got 0.25% growth rate. Compare that 0.25% with 10-12% of China and 7-8% growth of India. Potential is in India. In another 15-20 years, the largest young technically qualified professionals will be in India, and not in China. And China knows it that their population is ageing. We will have to go beyond merely a PR exercise.
In nutshell, there are advantages of a good relationship and Pakistan must understand that!

Naik banned from entering UK

What do Dr Zakir Naik, Russian Pavel Skachevsky, far-right US talk show host Michael Savage, former Kahane Chai leader Mike Guzovsky and Kansas Baptist pastor Fred Phelps have in common? They are all on the list of 230 people who have been banned from entering the UK.
Dr. Zakir Naik of Mumbai has been banned under an order from British home secretary, Theresa May, who said that visiting the UK was “a privilege, not a right”. The home secretary can stop people from entering the UK if she believes there is a threat to national security, public order or the safety of citizens.
One main reason why Dr. Naik has been banned is the disparaging remarks that often makes about other religions. One of his remarks that have already created furore in India is as follows: “But if you ask my view, if this is the truth, if he (Osama bin Laden) is fighting the enemies of Islam, I am for him…. If he is terrorising the terrorists, if he is terrorising America the terrorist, the biggest terrorist, I am with him ...”
Another most problematic of Naik's statements are the ones that appear to condone violence: "If a Muslim becomes a non-Muslim and propagates his/her new religion then, it is as good as treason. There is a 'death penalty' in Islam for such a person." Naik's supporters have cited his freedom of speech as a reason for overturning this exclusion order, but would he take a similar stance if a famous ex-Muslim chose to convene a speaking tour in Pakistan, for example? Further, Najibullah Zazi, who was arrested in September 2009 for planning suicide attacks on the New York subway, is said to have become "enchanted" with Zakir Naik before planning his attack.
British Muslims for Secular Democracy have come out in support of the ban saying they support “rigorous application of the exclusion policy to any international speaker who incites hatred or violence.” Several other Muslim organizations, however, call this ban unrealistic and want the UK Government to review their decision.
Back home in India, mixed reactions are forthcoming from within the Muslim community. A prominent religious scholar based in Delhi, Prof. Akhtarul Wasey says that physical ban on entry to a country cannot be a solution in this internet age when views fly faster than sound.
A prominent religious activist Shaukat Bharati welcomes the ban saying that even the Peace Channel should be banned by the Government. Dr. Naik not only makes disparaging remarks against other religions but also against the generally prevailing views of the Muslims. People adhering to his views are miniscule even though he openly criticizes all the other sects of Islam. Such criticism itself is unislamic but he doesn’t seem to realize this.
Shaukat Bharati says that Dr. Naik has been banned from entering the State of Uttar Pradesh as well some time back. This was because of his remarks supporting the terrorists like Bin Laden, his view that all the prophets including our last Prophet are dead and hence prayers cannot be addressed to them and his praise of Yazid, the tyrant ruler of Damascus who killed Prophet’s grandson, Imam Husain. Shaukat Bharati says further: “It is no big deal if he supports Bin Laden. Somebody who couldn’t see the tyranny of Yazid won’t be able to see the terrorism of Bin Laden. Such people see the world with one eye and interpret the religion their own way. After all, the Talibani Muslims who were killing others were justifying that through their understanding of Islam.” Shaukat cites the program on NDTV, where he failed to criticize the acts of Bin Laden, even when Barkha Dutt, the anchor, in presence of Shahrukh Khan, asked his view several times over. “Such people should be banned from speaking publicly even within India,” says Bharati.
Qazi of Allahabad Qari Maqbool too has given a fatwa condemning Dr. Zaik in October 2008, which became the basis of the ban being imposed by the UP Government.
Shaukat Bharati brought the campaign against Dr. Naik to Lucknow where a huge congregation of Islamic clerics was called by him. He was supported by Intezar Abdi ‘Bobby’. This included religious heads like Maulana Yahya Bukhari, Maulana Abul Irfan Firangimahli, Maulana Kalbe Jawwad, Qazis of Saharanpur, Kanpur, besides others. All were unanimous in declaring Dr. Naik as an unwanted element in UP, for his remarks against the sentiments of Muslims in general and for his stand on terrorism. Maulana Abul Irfan Firangimahli even gave a fatwa of ‘kufr’ against Dr. Naik, which was endorsed by all the others present.
Says Bharati: “The world knows that Osama is a terrorist but he endorses the action of Osama. He condemns the religion and views of others. Tahirul Qadiri has recently given a fatwa, citing names of all terrorist organizations, that they are dogs of hell. Yet he is propagating Talibani Islam through Peace channel.” Shaukat Bharati challenges Dr. Naik by saying: “He shows that he is knowledgeable in front of laymen. If he is really a scholar of Islam, I challenge him to a debate on Islam with Ulemas and he will be exposed. Even I challenge him to come for an uncensored live debate on TV.”