Muslim India

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Obama win – a lesson for Indian Muslims: We can do it

Obama belonged to an ostracized community that was historically brought to the United States of America as slaves to slog in the cotton fields of the landed white aristocracy. He rose against tremendous odds and presented himself as a united voice of sanity in the backdrop of cacophony of bigotry and elitism. He took his nation to dream of unity and equal opportunity. His win has special significance for Indian Muslims, not because his middle name is Hussein. His win is a resounding message to 150 million Muslims, who are reduced within the last 60 years of Indian independence as a community to the existence of the lowest of the low. Obama rose from the pettiness of the old politics and nursed a vision for his country to be a united nation. He rose above the divisions of color and region and economic status. If any one single community that can lead India to a future of unity and universal brotherhood, it is the Muslim community. Indian Muslims have a long history of being at the helm of the affair of their country and had promoted a composite culture that thrived on the finer graces of diversities and inner aspirations of each and every individual as part and parcel of this great nation. In last sixty years, a small clique of Macaulay Brahmins, raised on the notions of the ruler and ruled, has drained the people of all their cherished dreams. While a few privileged amassed unimaginable wealth and influence, the people of India suffered stoically the ravages of governance that primarily was of the elite, for the elite, by the elite who successfully brainwashed the poor masses into a fatalistic existence of poverty and degradation. The appearance of Obama on the world horizon is a sign that the whole world is at the threshold of a historical change for the better. Injustices and deprivations have to be exorcised. And they will be. No civilization can survive merely on the basis of its material progress, if it is robbed of its innermost gift to human bonding. Indian civilization itself survived for millenniums as it accommodated and rejoiced in pluralities and diversities.

I call upon my Muslim brethren to realise their duty and responsibility towards their homeland. Realise their strengths, their noble traditions, their inbuilt calling of universal brotherhood of all human being and unite with a deep sense of purpose and commitment to bring change to India; the paradigm change that will break down the walls of injustice and prejudice. Muslims should open their hearts and minds to all who seek to bring that change. And add their unique existence within the comity of the communities to become the glue for unity and justice. Let Obama be their role model to herald a new Idea of India that would be a role model to the world.

Ghulam Muhammed, Mumbai

ghulammuhammed3@gmail.com

www.ghulammuhammed.wordpress.com