That was unexpected, the killing of Osama. In the sense, we were not aware of how hot the pursuit was. And it all supposedly took place without anyone knowing. That fact though is hard to believe. Either way, Pakistan is absolutely miserable about its public image. America's favorite, not being told bout the operation taking place just miles from its capital? Or worse, did Pakistan trade Osama in for a deal with America for Afghanistan?
Strangely enough, Osama bin Laden did not anymore have what it takes to evoke any great emotion. In the ten years after September 11, Al Qaeda has morphed and metastasized into a movement where Osama is no longer central. It is an ideologue, a social movement say some, and that cannot be easily wiped out. Who knows maybe Osama hiding in Pakistan hated his miserable life. Whatever, the most suspicious thing about the whole operation was the repeated statement to the press about Osama's burial sea with Islamic rites. Burial at sea when he was killed inland? Islamic rites? Someone seems to have slipped up on their homework. Was it Osama that was killed at all? Or was it all staged to boost President Obama's sagging public image? He goes down in history as the man who avenged the carnage of 9/11. What about Osama's image as a martyr to the cause? What about the backlash for not giving him a proper inland Islamic burial? Who knows? Time will tell. My committment to politics is only from the armchair; I see only generalities.
But the Islamic faith is an unique one. For one it speaks of an abstract God. God, who is beauty, who is truth---no image to focus and pray. Islam also recognizes that all men and women are equal. The beginnings of Socialism here? I had this wonderful experience of staying with a Hyderabadi Muslim family, years back when I was in college. The men and women ate separately, sitting round a low table. What fascinated me was this:their house helps also ate with them. Something I had never seen anywhere else. These people were very rich upper class traders, but at the table all were one. I saw this again while watching a Bergman movie about 19th century Swedish middle/upper-middle class. Of course here the men and women were not segregated as in the Muslim household I visited. The segregation did not seem unnatural either, to me then. It has always stayed with me, this wonderful feeling of community that they gave forth.
This morning while walking on the beach I saw an ongoing beach party. A big group of young people were celebrating someone's birthday with cake and candles.They were busy cutting pieces of cake, feeding each other, drinking fizzy soda pops and all the rest of it. Standing on the fringe of it all and watching avidly were two beach urchins. The smaller one was asking his big brother questions: what are they eating, why the candle, how does a cake taste? A man stood watching the two kids. He had a prayer cap, and sported the traditional Muslim beard. He walked up to the group and indicated the two boys and said something to them. The young people cut up a couple of pieces and the man went up to the boys with the pieces of cake. The older one said he did not like cakes, but the younger one just grabbed and ate it, and looked ecstatic. The older one, then shamefacedly took the other piece. They thanked the man with the prayer cap. He said, "Allah is just, beautiful and true." and walked away. The beach urchins turned and went their way.
I never thought of telling the group to share their cake with the two kids.
Strangely enough, Osama bin Laden did not anymore have what it takes to evoke any great emotion. In the ten years after September 11, Al Qaeda has morphed and metastasized into a movement where Osama is no longer central. It is an ideologue, a social movement say some, and that cannot be easily wiped out. Who knows maybe Osama hiding in Pakistan hated his miserable life. Whatever, the most suspicious thing about the whole operation was the repeated statement to the press about Osama's burial sea with Islamic rites. Burial at sea when he was killed inland? Islamic rites? Someone seems to have slipped up on their homework. Was it Osama that was killed at all? Or was it all staged to boost President Obama's sagging public image? He goes down in history as the man who avenged the carnage of 9/11. What about Osama's image as a martyr to the cause? What about the backlash for not giving him a proper inland Islamic burial? Who knows? Time will tell. My committment to politics is only from the armchair; I see only generalities.
But the Islamic faith is an unique one. For one it speaks of an abstract God. God, who is beauty, who is truth---no image to focus and pray. Islam also recognizes that all men and women are equal. The beginnings of Socialism here? I had this wonderful experience of staying with a Hyderabadi Muslim family, years back when I was in college. The men and women ate separately, sitting round a low table. What fascinated me was this:their house helps also ate with them. Something I had never seen anywhere else. These people were very rich upper class traders, but at the table all were one. I saw this again while watching a Bergman movie about 19th century Swedish middle/upper-middle class. Of course here the men and women were not segregated as in the Muslim household I visited. The segregation did not seem unnatural either, to me then. It has always stayed with me, this wonderful feeling of community that they gave forth.
This morning while walking on the beach I saw an ongoing beach party. A big group of young people were celebrating someone's birthday with cake and candles.They were busy cutting pieces of cake, feeding each other, drinking fizzy soda pops and all the rest of it. Standing on the fringe of it all and watching avidly were two beach urchins. The smaller one was asking his big brother questions: what are they eating, why the candle, how does a cake taste? A man stood watching the two kids. He had a prayer cap, and sported the traditional Muslim beard. He walked up to the group and indicated the two boys and said something to them. The young people cut up a couple of pieces and the man went up to the boys with the pieces of cake. The older one said he did not like cakes, but the younger one just grabbed and ate it, and looked ecstatic. The older one, then shamefacedly took the other piece. They thanked the man with the prayer cap. He said, "Allah is just, beautiful and true." and walked away. The beach urchins turned and went their way.
I never thought of telling the group to share their cake with the two kids.
Karunai or Karuna is personal religion has nothing to do with it---politicians makes things worse with their stunts...
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