অস্ট্রেলিয়া প্রবাসী শিক্ষাবিদ ও বহুল পঠিত প্রবন্ধ 'ইসলামে কাম ও কামকলা' এর বিখ্যাত লেখক আবুল কাশেম অগ্নিসেতু ব্লগ এর মুখবন্ধটিকে ইংরেজিতে ভাষান্তর করে দিয়েছেন। তাঁকে ধন্যবাদ জানানোর ধৃষ্টতা আমার নেই। তাঁর সদয় সহানুভূতি ও ভালোবাসার প্রতিদানে আমি শুধু কৃতজ্ঞতা প্রকাশ করতে পারি।
তাঁর পরামর্শ ও উৎসাহে এই অনুবাদটি এখানে প্রকাশ করা হলো।
Foreword
(Translated from Bengali into English by Abul Kasem)
On the inauguration of Fire Bridge (Agnisetu) blog, I have these few words to say
With the progress of world civilisation, one particular aspect is gradually becoming transparent. This aspect is Humanism. There are differences on the appropriate definition humanity; each community attempts to define human and humanity from its own perspective.
Irrespective of nationality, religion, race, and gender, prior to beginning of middle age, much effort has been expended to define accurately human, humanity, and humanism. So far, due to the inclement influence of various societal forces, it had not been possible to arrive at a unanimous decision on these issues. Then, in 1948, after the founding of the United Nations, the definition of the Universal Human Rights was formulated. The most important facet of this concept was that under no circumstances the humanity is to be belittled. At all times, humanity must be the supreme consideration. Contrast this with the Islamic definition of humanity; you will easily grasp the difference once you read it.
The influence of religion is the major reason why in the past humans could not collectively hold the sanctity of humanity. Religion had divided the humanity into sects and sub sects. Because of this, humans could not develop the proper mentality and intelligence. According to statistics, the highest number of people killed was the victims of religious persecution. Religion has acted as a catalyst to perpetrate the pogrom. Religion, one way or the other, has consistently supported genocides, and in many cases, had encouraged the perpetration of genocide.
It is widely believed that the invention of steam engine by James Watt is the beginning of the progress of modern science. The next two hundred years witnessed much advancement in the development of scientific theories and technology. Thanks to the advancement of science and technology, the advantages and the knowledge we possess today could not had been achieved even with thousands of years of religious preaching. We can cite a simple example: in Islam, the Qur’an is considered the repository of all knowledge, and Muhammad the most learned person of all time. Funnily, in the Qur’an, neither do we find the mention of existence of oil under the earth, nor that Muhammad could lift even a single drop of oil from under his feet. To light his house he had to resort to lamps powered by camel fat.
It is not the religion but the contribution of science that today we enjoy benefits of computer, internet, mobile phone…and so on. Refrigerators and air-conditioning have brought comfort and ease in our lives. In contrast, poor Muhammad had to live under the hot, burning sun of the desert Arabia. He could never dream of air-conditioning. At night, in the extreme cold of the desert, he could not use the heater. Is it not quite an irony that he could split the moon, but could not light an electric lamp? Riding the Duldul horse, he could travel the entire universe, but he could not even mention to his companions the ideas of journeying aboard a balloon—not to talk about the helicopters. He could conduct wars only by riding a horse. We might accept his feat had he been able to move around riding jinns and hours in the presence of his comrades. Forget about a motor vehicle such as a Jeep, he could not even invent a bicycle. During sickness, he and his companions had to resort to voodoo medicine. He did not even know the concept of tablet medicines. We can cite many such examples of limitations of religions and the religious leaders. Without doubt, we can surmise that religion has miserably failed to render any good to humanity. Despite such failure, there is no shortage of grandiloquence and verbiage in support of religion.
The truth is that the tyranny of religion will continue so long as the rulers restrict the population to the access to accurate knowledge. These rulers know rather well that with the support of religion they can achieve what they seek. Some people assert that it is not the fault of religion, but the abuse and misuse of religion that has created such a situation. But they never question: why a religion must allow it to be misused? Is religion a suitable weapon to kill people?
My objection is precisely here. Superstition, spirit, soul, hereafter are not the problems. Belief in these ideas is laughable, puerile and funny. During childhood, to develop intelligence and imagination, there might be the necessity of fairytales. During the early development of society, such myths and fantasies were necessary. Moreover, knowledge during that period was very limited. Even if the bones of a dinosaur were discovered, it would have been quite natural that they could not be traced to be the bones of a dinosaur. People of that period would have termed those bones as the bones of a monster or an ogre. Nevertheless, with the progress of knowledge, to day, we have the answers to those perplexing questions. Even those questions for which we do not have the answers, we might have the answers during the next one to hundred years. The pace of the development of scientific knowledge has surpassed all our imagination. It is certain that the progress of scientific knowledge will further accelerate in the coming years. Science will make our life easier, comfortable and hassle free.
In no stages in the human history, religion had made life interesting and liveable, even to the slightest extent. Religion could not fulfil our lives with peace and happiness. Instead, religion has always used rebuff and threat to subjugate people. On the pretext of believers and unbelievers, religion has separated mankind.
Readers of history will certainly remember the horrific communal genocide that engulfed the subcontinent during the flagging days of the British Empire. The trains from Punjab were filled with corpses. This was a period of wanton killing. Many of us may recall the dreadful communal riot of Calcutta. We still have the memories of the Gujarat massacre and the slaughter of minorities in Bangladesh. We may even remember the period of ‘Crusade’ that lasted for several centuries.
A question naturally arises: who are responsible for such pogroms? How could a thoughtful person forget the immortal love story of Buta Singh? Who has created this communal disunity? —is it religion or the ruler? Does not one religion indoctrinate a person to hate another religion? Is not religion responsible for inventing such obscene, dirty, and despicable words as: Kafir (unbelievers), Mushriq (polytheists), and disbelievers?
The reality depicted above is the reason this Agni Setu (Fire Bridge) blog has been created. Through discussion, we attempt to clarify such perennial questions as: what is religion? what is its true picture? What is reality? What is imagination? What is human? Are we humans or are we religious robots? What is humanity? What is the standard of humanity? We shall have appropriate definition of humanity; there will be love for humanity. We will glorify humanity; we will uproot the concept of hatred.
We realise that above the dark, religion infested, slimy society, there exists a peaceful, warm, tranquil and prosperous society that is enlightened and happy. To get to that society we need a bridge. To remove darkness we need flame of fire. To purify we also need fire. To arrive at the dream world of the other side there is no substitute for the bridge. I invite you to journey to that beautiful land. Do not fear, for, the touch of flame will purify us. The fire will turn to ashes our ignorance, prejudice, malice, and hatred.
Let this effulgence of the society enlighten you. Let all our religious doom and gloom be exorcised from our mind. Let us be free from religious slavery. Let us learn to respect and honour, not to hate, because of religious difference.
Keep well. Let true peace be with you.
আপডেট: এই লেখাটি ইসলামওয়াচ সাইটে প্রকাশিত হয়েছে। লিংক
তাঁর পরামর্শ ও উৎসাহে এই অনুবাদটি এখানে প্রকাশ করা হলো।
Foreword
(Translated from Bengali into English by Abul Kasem)
On the inauguration of Fire Bridge (Agnisetu) blog, I have these few words to say
With the progress of world civilisation, one particular aspect is gradually becoming transparent. This aspect is Humanism. There are differences on the appropriate definition humanity; each community attempts to define human and humanity from its own perspective.
Irrespective of nationality, religion, race, and gender, prior to beginning of middle age, much effort has been expended to define accurately human, humanity, and humanism. So far, due to the inclement influence of various societal forces, it had not been possible to arrive at a unanimous decision on these issues. Then, in 1948, after the founding of the United Nations, the definition of the Universal Human Rights was formulated. The most important facet of this concept was that under no circumstances the humanity is to be belittled. At all times, humanity must be the supreme consideration. Contrast this with the Islamic definition of humanity; you will easily grasp the difference once you read it.
The influence of religion is the major reason why in the past humans could not collectively hold the sanctity of humanity. Religion had divided the humanity into sects and sub sects. Because of this, humans could not develop the proper mentality and intelligence. According to statistics, the highest number of people killed was the victims of religious persecution. Religion has acted as a catalyst to perpetrate the pogrom. Religion, one way or the other, has consistently supported genocides, and in many cases, had encouraged the perpetration of genocide.
It is widely believed that the invention of steam engine by James Watt is the beginning of the progress of modern science. The next two hundred years witnessed much advancement in the development of scientific theories and technology. Thanks to the advancement of science and technology, the advantages and the knowledge we possess today could not had been achieved even with thousands of years of religious preaching. We can cite a simple example: in Islam, the Qur’an is considered the repository of all knowledge, and Muhammad the most learned person of all time. Funnily, in the Qur’an, neither do we find the mention of existence of oil under the earth, nor that Muhammad could lift even a single drop of oil from under his feet. To light his house he had to resort to lamps powered by camel fat.
It is not the religion but the contribution of science that today we enjoy benefits of computer, internet, mobile phone…and so on. Refrigerators and air-conditioning have brought comfort and ease in our lives. In contrast, poor Muhammad had to live under the hot, burning sun of the desert Arabia. He could never dream of air-conditioning. At night, in the extreme cold of the desert, he could not use the heater. Is it not quite an irony that he could split the moon, but could not light an electric lamp? Riding the Duldul horse, he could travel the entire universe, but he could not even mention to his companions the ideas of journeying aboard a balloon—not to talk about the helicopters. He could conduct wars only by riding a horse. We might accept his feat had he been able to move around riding jinns and hours in the presence of his comrades. Forget about a motor vehicle such as a Jeep, he could not even invent a bicycle. During sickness, he and his companions had to resort to voodoo medicine. He did not even know the concept of tablet medicines. We can cite many such examples of limitations of religions and the religious leaders. Without doubt, we can surmise that religion has miserably failed to render any good to humanity. Despite such failure, there is no shortage of grandiloquence and verbiage in support of religion.
The truth is that the tyranny of religion will continue so long as the rulers restrict the population to the access to accurate knowledge. These rulers know rather well that with the support of religion they can achieve what they seek. Some people assert that it is not the fault of religion, but the abuse and misuse of religion that has created such a situation. But they never question: why a religion must allow it to be misused? Is religion a suitable weapon to kill people?
My objection is precisely here. Superstition, spirit, soul, hereafter are not the problems. Belief in these ideas is laughable, puerile and funny. During childhood, to develop intelligence and imagination, there might be the necessity of fairytales. During the early development of society, such myths and fantasies were necessary. Moreover, knowledge during that period was very limited. Even if the bones of a dinosaur were discovered, it would have been quite natural that they could not be traced to be the bones of a dinosaur. People of that period would have termed those bones as the bones of a monster or an ogre. Nevertheless, with the progress of knowledge, to day, we have the answers to those perplexing questions. Even those questions for which we do not have the answers, we might have the answers during the next one to hundred years. The pace of the development of scientific knowledge has surpassed all our imagination. It is certain that the progress of scientific knowledge will further accelerate in the coming years. Science will make our life easier, comfortable and hassle free.
In no stages in the human history, religion had made life interesting and liveable, even to the slightest extent. Religion could not fulfil our lives with peace and happiness. Instead, religion has always used rebuff and threat to subjugate people. On the pretext of believers and unbelievers, religion has separated mankind.
Readers of history will certainly remember the horrific communal genocide that engulfed the subcontinent during the flagging days of the British Empire. The trains from Punjab were filled with corpses. This was a period of wanton killing. Many of us may recall the dreadful communal riot of Calcutta. We still have the memories of the Gujarat massacre and the slaughter of minorities in Bangladesh. We may even remember the period of ‘Crusade’ that lasted for several centuries.
A question naturally arises: who are responsible for such pogroms? How could a thoughtful person forget the immortal love story of Buta Singh? Who has created this communal disunity? —is it religion or the ruler? Does not one religion indoctrinate a person to hate another religion? Is not religion responsible for inventing such obscene, dirty, and despicable words as: Kafir (unbelievers), Mushriq (polytheists), and disbelievers?
The reality depicted above is the reason this Agni Setu (Fire Bridge) blog has been created. Through discussion, we attempt to clarify such perennial questions as: what is religion? what is its true picture? What is reality? What is imagination? What is human? Are we humans or are we religious robots? What is humanity? What is the standard of humanity? We shall have appropriate definition of humanity; there will be love for humanity. We will glorify humanity; we will uproot the concept of hatred.
We realise that above the dark, religion infested, slimy society, there exists a peaceful, warm, tranquil and prosperous society that is enlightened and happy. To get to that society we need a bridge. To remove darkness we need flame of fire. To purify we also need fire. To arrive at the dream world of the other side there is no substitute for the bridge. I invite you to journey to that beautiful land. Do not fear, for, the touch of flame will purify us. The fire will turn to ashes our ignorance, prejudice, malice, and hatred.
Let this effulgence of the society enlighten you. Let all our religious doom and gloom be exorcised from our mind. Let us be free from religious slavery. Let us learn to respect and honour, not to hate, because of religious difference.
Keep well. Let true peace be with you.
আপডেট: এই লেখাটি ইসলামওয়াচ সাইটে প্রকাশিত হয়েছে। লিংক
ধর্মের অতলান্ত গুহা থেকে একটি মানুষ মুক্তি পাক।
ReplyDeleteজ্ঞানাগ্নিতে পুড়ে নরকের জ্বালা সব ছার হয়ে যাক।
যেন একটি মানুষ—একটি মানুষ শেষ মুক্তি পাক।
হ্যাঁ, ঠিক বলেছেন। আর একটি লাইন যোগ করছি।-
ReplyDeleteধর্ম নামক বদমাশী থেকে সব মানুষ মুক্তি পাক।
ধর্মীয় প্রতারণ থেকে সবাই মুক্তি পাক।
ReplyDeleteসহমত
ReplyDeleteExcellent work.Now it is the time to cocentrate more on social studies.
ReplyDeleteঅগ্নিভাই। আপনার এই ব্লগ আমার কাছে খুব ভাল লাগে। প্রায় পড়ি। অনেক নতুন নতুন কথা জানতে পারি। আপনার এই ব্লগটারে আমার ব্লগে স্থান দিছি। আমার ব্লগের ঠিকানা www.drishtipat.blogspot.com আপনি যদি দয়া কইরা ভিজিট করেন, তাইলে ভাল লাগবো।
ReplyDeleteআপনারে আমারব্লগ.কম এ লেখার জন্য অনুরোধ করছি। সেইহানে আপনার মানসিকতা অনেককেই পাইবেন।
While I found the English version of the forward to be very encouraging, I am especially pleased that such views are being expressed in Bengali. Blogs in the languages of the Islamic world which express provide such information and argumentation are extremely valuable to the free flow of ideas and information and the progress of human thought.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteTo Abul Kashem, waiting for satanic verses in bangla.
ReplyDeleteএই অকামটা না কররেো চলত । অাপনার নিজেকে নিয়ে ভাবুন তাহলে এসকরের উত্তর পাবেন।
ReplyDeleteGreat writeup. Thanks
ReplyDeleteঅগ্নি,
ReplyDeleteআপনি তো নিজেকে একজন ধর্মমুক্ত মানুষ ভাবেন তাইনা ?
তো আপনি শুধু ইসলাম ধর্মের সমালোচনা করেন কেন ?
পৃথীবিতে তো আরও ধর্ম আছে।
ধর্মহীন মানে কি ইসলাম বিদ্বেষী ?
সাইফূল আলম সাররোয়ার সাহেব, কেন শুধু ইসলামকে সমালোচনা করা হয়, তা জানতে দেখুন এই লিংকটি Why attack only islam
ReplyDeleteভাবছি লেখাটা বাংলায় অনুবাদ করে ফেলবো। তাহলে হয়তো আপনার পড়তে সুবিধা হবে। তাই না?
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