#54
Unread post
by S. Insaf » Tue Mar 31, 2009 10:01 am
Letter from Dawoodi Bohra community, Pune condemning Manoj Nair’s article
Published by DBNet Editor (sp) March 25th, 2009 in Uncategorized
Respected EDITOR
PUNE MIRROR, Times Of India, Pune
Sub: Condemn the article in Pune Mirror dated March 22,
Page 8 ‘SLAUGHTER GOATS TO SAVE SYEDNA’
CC: To
Meenal Baghel, Editor, Mumbai Mirror
Manoj Nair, reporter, Mumbai Mirror
The Collector’s Office, Pune , The Mayor Of Pune,
Commissioner Of Police, Pune
This letter is with regard to an article that was printed in your publication on Sunday, March 22 on Page 8. The article titled ‘SLAUGHTER GOATS TO SAVE SYEDNA’ written by Mr Manoj Nair is grossly incorrect. We strongly condemn the language that has been used in the article. All the undersigned members of the Dawoodi Bohra community, including intellectuals, religious heads and leading businessman, are deeply hurt by this shameful act.
The reporter Manoj Nair has written the article on the basis of a SMS that was sent by the Central office to the community asking people to pray for the Syedna and do zabihat. At the outset, we would like to clarify that we do not deny that such a text message was sent out.
However the interpretation of the word Zabihat was revolting. The author has interpreted the word as Slaughter. Islam doesn’t teach its followers to slaughter. The author had no idea of what the word meant but has simply given way to his prejudice by writing such a revolting statement. The entire Bohra community is deeply hurt and appalled at this statement.
Mr Editor, if the article had to be printed we would have appreciated if you had got the text message interpreted by an Islamic scholar or a senior member of the Bohra Ministry as is considered proper journalistic practice.
We are confident that the scholars would have explained to you that Zabihat has a deeply sacred place in our religion and does not mean slaughtering animals. You should exercise restrain before using such demeaning and harsh terminology for a deeply reverent Islamic practice that millions of Muslims follow across the world.
If you recollect Eid-ul-Adha (or Bakri Eid as it is commonly known) is a worldwide religious ceremony for offering goats to Allah. It isn’t a mass slaughter that Muslims worldwide indulge in. It has an extremely strong Islamic ground and by insulting the practice by calling it a slaughter, you’ve tread on the religious feelings of the community.
By writing such an article not only have you projected the idea that the Central Office has asked people to commit a heinous act, which is not the case, while you have projected that our community is resorting to slaughter to pray for the Syedna.
The Syedna is an Ambassador of Peace. Do you think he would advocate slaughter or any appropriate authority would do so on his behalf? Millions of people are praying all across the world for the Syedna’s health, which is fast improving thanks to the grace of Allah. A group of 250 volunteers from Pune walked to Mumbai’s Raudat Tahera on foot, the journey of 40 hours during which they prayed for our Syedna’s health. This is our method of prayer, not slaughter.
We, the Pune Bohra community are writing this letter to you, as you have hurt our feelings by using such ill befitting words at such a delicate time. We are in great distress as our Father is unwell and instead of alleviating our trauma, you have added to it, by your insensitive words.
A fit example of how people can misinterpret your article is the comments that it has generated on your website. People visiting the website have questioned the right of our beloved Syedna to live for so many years and ask for sacrifice. We abhor this act by the Mumbai Mirror to carry such sordid comments that portray our spiritual master in such poor light.
While it is the duty of a journalist to report on facts, it is important that you do not twist the truth to suit your business. You cannot misinterpret a deeply reverant practice in Islam such as zabiha and give it a name of slaughter to suit your editorial preferences.
It is especially shameful that the Mumbai Mirror, a sister publication of the Times of India, that is one of the largest and oldest newspapers in India has resorted to such tactics to ‘sensationalise news’. We had thought that better standards of journalism would be practiced in an experience publication like yours, but we have been greatly disappointed. The episode has left a sour taste amongst the Bohra community and many people would now think twice before subscribing to the newspaper that has hurt the community.
We would also request the publication to monitor the comments generated on its web edition, so that it does not hurt any community’s feeling.
We the undersigned, members of the Bohra community condemn the article printed in Mumbai Mirror and endorse this letter.