Michael Messana
Ever since the invasion of india by the Mughals, there have been continuous tensions between Muslims and Hindus in India. Ranging from failed ancient attempts to reconcile the two religions to the modern divisions between these groups, their are many reasons for the Muslims and Hindus to dislike each other. However, past these differences, their base teachings not only allow for them to acknowledge each other, it also tells them to acknowledge each other. While both the ancient and modern conflicts cause dissent between their faiths, the solutions to these problems can be found in their own texts.
Since the beginning, these two religious groups have been in conflict over their differences. Besides the fact that the Muslims conquered the Hindus, their were many religious issues separating these groups as well. In an attempt to rectify the situation as Akbar, the third ruler of the Mughals, tried to combine all of the religions into one, central. Naturally, this failed to succeed, causing heavy dissent. This eventually calmed down, but soon resurfaced after the Indians gained independance. The Muslims began to realize that the hindus felt superior over them when they should be working together. This caused a major divide between the two religions, resulting in discrimination on both sides, leading to the spread of poverty.
Despite their differences, however, in terms of their basic tenets they should be working together. One of the basic tenets of many religions is “know your fellow man.” However, many religions discriminate against others over political issues, or simply social discriminations. They must remember that, as religions that focus on peace, they must extend this hand of peace to other religions as well. For example, in the Qur’an, Muslims are required to “know each other.” (el Fadl, ch.10) This does not focus on just Muslims, but all the peoples of the world. They are supposed to get to learn from other people of the world, and get to truly know them. Maybe then, can change occur in India.
Work Cited
Abou, El Fadl, Khaled. The Great Theft: Wrestling Islam from the Extremists. New York, NY: HarperSanFrancisco, 2005. Print. Chapter 10.
Michael, I feel your post has nothing to do with the question. Our topic is on how religion is a factor to India's hunger crisis and how it can be the cause to an end. Instead, you are talking about the conflict between the Muslim and Hindi people. The tension can be relevant to the discussion if you bring up evidence that people will only help those of the same religion, like Radhika and Stacy brought up. You also failed to discuss any possible solution religion could contribute to hunger. Overall, you should consider redoing this.
ReplyDeleteStacy
ReplyDeleteMichael, the history behind the conflict between Muslims and Hindus is causing tension in India which is a problem for their society but you fail to relate your post to the question. Although your research is valid, you do not answer the question completely because you focused too much on the actual history of the religions. Also you do not point out exactly how the conflict between Muslims and Hindus causes poverty or hunger in India which was part of the question. Your small point about the solution in the last few sentences can be true but you fail to prove it. Just because people get to know each other does not mean that they will not discriminate against each other.
Radhika Kapadia
ReplyDeleteMichael, your research is valid and somewhat relevant, but as Stacy mentioned, you do fail to tie together the issue at hand with the conflict between Hindus and Muslims appropriately. You lack a tangible connection in your discussion of the Mughal history and how it relates to poverty. However, the idea of addressing the violent topic of Hindu-Muslim conflict is definitely an idea that with further elaboration can be relevant to the topic at hand.
Michael
ReplyDeleteEveryone,I agree with your statements about my post. I was planning to relate all of those facts to the discrimination that both religions suffer from each other in india and Pakistan today, and how this related to the world's hunger, through people getting denied jobs due to their race. I'm sorry I was unable to get around to that topic. However, I think you'll agree on my resolution for this problem is valid. People should remember to respect fellow man.