Islam and Politics *Thursday, Apr 09 2009* Should Muslims elect Muslims? <http://www.newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=1310>
*Is Exclusivist, Separatist politics the answer?* With their focussed, bloc voting, and significant presence in over a hundred parliamentary constituencies, Muslims have emerged as probably the most influential vote-bank for so-called secular parties. Every secular party would appear to be vying for their vote. But some Muslims would rather fritter away the opportunity it gives them, as they feel they are not able to convert this influence to advantage in terms of better representation in legislatures or government jobs, etc. Hence the demand as *N Jamal Ansari *makes in the following article that Muslims elect Muslims. This alone, he says, will ensure Muslim political empowerment. The question is: Would it really do so, or would it prove a recipe for further Muslim disempowerment? Muslims must debate. Is exclusivist, separatist politics the answer? Are we Muslims in as dreadful a situation as some of us keep complaining? Is the politics of grievance-mongering all the politics we can play? Is promoting victimhood among Muslims all that our intellectuals can do? Should we occasionally express gratitude too for all the advantages we have, before demanding or in fact working towards betterment for ourselves and our country? – *Editor* More...<http://www.newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=1310> Radical Islamism & Jihad *Jihadists aim at installing an Islamic government in Pakistan <http://www.newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=1312>* The jihadists have longer-range goals. A couple of years ago, a Karachi-based monthly magazine ran a cover story on the terrorism in Kashmir. One fighter was asked what he would do if a political resolution were found for the disputed valley. Revealingly, he replied that he would not lay down his gun but turn it on the Pakistani leadership, with the aim of installing an Islamic government there. Over the next year or two, we are likely to see more short-lived 'peace accords', as in Malakand, Swat and, earlier on, in Shakai. In my opinion, these are exercises in futility. Until the Pakistan Army finally realises that Mr. Frankenstein needs to be eliminated rather than be engaged in negotiations, it will continue to soft-pedal on counter-insurgency. It will also continue to develop and demand from the U.S. high-tech weapons that are not the slightest use against insurgents. There are some indications that some realisation of the internal threat is dawning, but the speed is as yet glacial. -- *Pervez Hoodbhoy* More...<http://www.newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=1312> Islam,Terrorism and Jihad *Tehrik-i-Taliban: A Specious Claim and Brash Threats <http://www.newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=1311>* As the United States reaches out to factions of the Afghan Taliban in an attempt to split them from al Qaeda, et al., Mehsud threatens the United States and attempts to link the Pakistani Taliban to a shooting in Binghamton, New York. Even though the link to the shooting was quickly and officially discounted, it is a safe bet that it will live on for a long time as an urban legend or rumour, especially among the more conspiracy-minded. Such perceptions are going to make the strategy of negotiating with any Taliban (Afghan or Pakistani) appear to be less tenable for many Americans. At the same time, Mehsud could be using his rhetoric in an attempt to steer the more nationalist jihadists in Pakistan and Afghanistan toward his more transnational agenda. In any case, Mehsud’s efforts to shape opinion at home or abroad could explain his recent posturing, however bogus or brash it might be. -- *Fred Burton and Scott Stewart, *STRATFOR More.<http://www.newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=1311> -- Syed M. Asadullah --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Asalam o Alaikum, You Are Receiving This Message, Because You Are A Member Of FOCUS ON ISLAM, A Google Group [..:: The Best Group For Nice Islamic Mails ::..] \/<<<<>>>>\/<<<<>>>>\/<<<<>>>>\/<<<<>>>>\/<<<<>>>>\/<<<<>>>>\/<>\/ You can Post Your Comments and Suggestions to Me [Moderator of this Group] on this email address: [email protected] To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.google.com/group/focusonislam/ To post messages/mails to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] Please forward our Mails to Your friends, and convence them to join our Group. Wanna subscribe to this group, send email to [email protected] \/<<<<>>>>\/<<<<>>>>\/<<<<>>>>\/<<<<>>>>\/<<<<>>>>\/<<<<>>>>\/<>\/ *********************************************************** The Official Website of Group is LAUNCHED, http://www.geocities.co -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
