Daiva Naamthil - Khuda ke liye - In the name of God

I just watched a Malayalam movie “Daiva Naamthil”, directed by the award winning Jayaraj. An excellent movie that deals with one of the biggest threats world faces now – “Religious Fundamentalism”. The movie has shown complete justice to this tough subject. Set in a Malabar Muslim community background, the movie talks about the emotional dilemma that Anwar (played by Pritwhiraj) and Sameera (played by Bhavana) go through.

The movie begins with Anwar getting married to Sameera, both well educated and representing modern Muslims. Soon, Anwar has to leave for Aligarh to complete higher studies, where he gets transitioned to an extremist. This leads to a clash between ideologies and emotional dilemma. The movie ends at a point when Anwar realizes his mistakes but his soulmate loses her life.

The story is very similar to the critically acclaimed Pakistani movie “Khuda Ke Liye”, which was recently released. This movie had earlier broke all box office records in Pakistan and was well received in India and other countries as well.

I was lucky to get a chance to watch both movies. Off late, many movie makers have started dealing with complex subjects like religious fundamentalism (Parzania, Black Friday). Not to mention the older Mani Ratnam flicks Roja and Bombay, which also dealt with similar issues.

How do people become extremists and how are they able to kill their own friends in the name of faith?

The world Islam literally converts to “Peace”. Still, most of the killings that occur in the world are in the name of this peaceful religion. Why is this happening? Where are we making the mistakes?

In the name of god, the most gracious, the most merciful…

This is the oath that a Muslim takes before doing any work. The word Muslim literally translates to “one who submits (to God)”. Being born and lived under Islamic culture, others call me also a Muslim but I am not sure yet as the submission part has never been complete.

Some questions I had at the back of my mind from many days:
- It is recorded that many wars were there during the early rise of Islam. Also there are multiple records indicating that most of these conquests helped in expanding the Muslim world. Does the religion justify these wars?
- There are multiple issues that the contemporary priests fight about, but nobody understands (or rather do not accept to believe) that the biggest threat that Indian Muslim faces now is religious fundamentalism. Why are they not doing anything for handling this?

In India, the root of the problem goes back the British Raj days. When Gandhi, who studied religions deeply, wanted India to be a secular state, it was Jinnah who wanted the country to be split on communal basis. Jinnah was considered a messiah for the helpless muslims during that time by the Muslim League. The funny part about the founder of Islami Country of Pakistan is that he never learned Qur’aan and he used to drink alcohol, which is prohibited by the religion.

It is recorded that the India-Pakistan split lead to one million deaths and many more million people losing their near and dear (do not forget to watch the movies Hey Ram and 1947-Earth, which also deals with the subject).

The next biggest threat to Secular India had been Babri Masjid demolition. Thanks to Sangh Parivar for triggering another extremist thoughts. Though the pariwar could secure their political interests, it corrupted many more minds and created the insecurity worm inside Indian hearts.

Coming back to Kerala, I am ashamed to talk about a political party named “Indian Union Muslim League” which is still very much active in Kerala politics. Both MLA and MP that represent my place have been representing this party. The party still comes to people requesting for votes based on the divinity of “Panakkad Thangal”. Qur’aan says “Iyyaaka na’budu va iyyaakaa nastha’eem” – “we pray only to you, we request for help only to you”. Many more religious extremist parties still exist in Kerala. National Democratic Front and People’s Democratic Party are to name a few.

Islam calls itself a religion without castes. The reason for everyone wearing only two pieces of white clothes during Hajj is to make us feel all are same in front of god. There is no rich no poor, no white no black, no scholar no stupid. But in Kerala, there are at least seven different sects of Muslims (Mujahid 1, Mujahid 2, Sunni AP, Sunni EK, Jamaath, Thareeqath, Ahmediya, and the list goes on). All of these are strong organizations with strong monetary funds too (especially being funded from the Middle East).

But none of them are interested in dealing with religious extremism because they have issues within themselves to fight for.

Swami Vivekandan told once “Keralam Oru Bhraandalayalm” – Kerala is a home of mentally retarded people.

The best way to learn religion is to go back to the books specified by the religion, and you will understand it. Our’aan says “It has wisdom for people who think”.

It is time that we need to understand our self. Let us start in the name of god, khuda ke liye, daiva naamathil, for a better tomorrow.

References:
- BBC Series on Islam - http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/
- Review of Khuda Ke Liye - http://indianmuslims.in/khuda-ke-liye/
- Daiva Naamathil movie part you’re your tube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10xfgiWAuTk
- Series on Islam: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam