I surprise in Mr. Modi's statement as secularism was thought of Shivaji ''300" years ago. Secularism had been practiced thousands of years back it , the entry of christianity and islam to India are the evidences for secularism. Prophet Mohamed after his victory over the poletheism declared a secular state in Arabia (reger 'The 100, Michael H Hart) it was on 6th century. I hope the declaration of Prophet Mohamed was the first declaration of secular state as well as human rights. By all,
RE:secularism
by shiva on Mar 13, 2008 09:04 AM Permalink
Ya Right! Even today Saudi Arabia Secularism is practiced to core.They don't ever dicreminate between COW and WOMAN.they deny both driving rights.
RE:secularism
by Mind Clear on Mar 13, 2008 09:04 AM Permalink
Bangladesh retreats on women's rights after clerics' protest Dhaka, Mar 12 (PTI) Bangladesh has apparently retreated from a policy advocating equal property rights for women amid protests from Muslim clerics, who claimed that the move would override Islamic law. The law adviser's comments came in the wake of threats by Muslim groups to launch a nationwide protest against any move by the government to enact laws ensuring equal rights of women on family property, saying it would contradict the Koranic laws. Women groups in this predominantly muslim nation have long been demanding equal rights of women in inheritance of the property. PTI AR GD SDM
RE:secularism
by Suresh Bhave on Mar 13, 2008 09:58 AM Permalink
Unfortunately, the Prophet's (may God's eternal mercy be upon him) idea of secularism was not as we understand it today. Nowhere in the Holy Koran does he concede the right to practice other faiths. He has conceded it only when he could not convert his opponents by argument or by armed might. Very often one of the last surahs of the Holy Koran, which says something like'You are welcome to your faith and I will live by mine' is quoted out of context to show that the Prophet tolerated people of other faiths. If you read the entire Holy Book, you will realize that those are words of frustration and condemnation rather than tolerance. Whatever the congressees of our country might say, there is no tolerance in the Great Faith. One has to put it in the right perspective. One must remember that the practices before the advent of the Prophet were extremely arbitrary and the people lived at the pleasure of the tribal chieftains. To that arbitrriness, the Prophet surely brought a semblance of order. Therefore, he surely was a great person and a brave one to have persuaded the independent clans to follow a single code. Therefore, to say that he declared secular state is complete misinterpretation of the meaning of secularism and the Holy Koran iteself.
