tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751964279420308191.post7015244825321813275..comments2024-02-26T12:53:35.542+05:00Comments on The Republic of Rumi Blog: Reaction against democracy in the WestKhurram Ali Shafiquehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15329916182280619617noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751964279420308191.post-20596760096718276742012-03-18T21:09:36.962+05:002012-03-18T21:09:36.962+05:00Greetings,
Thank you for this post, and the follo...Greetings,<br /><br />Thank you for this post, and the follow-up comments. <br /><br />These poets, who express ideas seemingly contrary to democracy, also, at the same time, expose the society in which they live. They bring into the open what may otherwise remain more hidden. In this sense, then, as I'm conceiving of it now, light can be shone upon their ideas, and critique can follow. I sense this as potentially beneficial in the sense of *movement* toward unity.<br /><br />All good wishes,<br /><br />robertroberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11393402288038226179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751964279420308191.post-65810667849273449062010-12-30T04:49:37.090+05:002010-12-30T04:49:37.090+05:00I finally left a short comment under the Stendhal ...I finally left a short comment under the Stendhal piece...and one tho't comes to mind...Shafique Ali, have you run across anything substantial in Iqbal which you may RE-interpret or disagree with just because Iqbal was educated in Europe?CNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10877484524704475807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751964279420308191.post-90516176986950992802010-12-30T04:43:46.391+05:002010-12-30T04:43:46.391+05:00I am puzzled by any indication I should embrace Ba...I am puzzled by any indication I should embrace Baudelaire & others who declare the masses to be "fit for stables" - yet I can seek to find common ground with friends/family/acquaintances who are a in some respects "class - arrogant" while they may embrace some aspects of morality/greatness. OK, yes, I will try again to follow this train of thought while my very nature & what I understand of Allah/God/Spirit has always embraced such an opposite point of view?? Yet, I usually embrace your insights so am willing to stretch (a little) :)<br /><br />I will try to find another day (or month? :) to understand your humble suggestions for bettering US democracy...if there's a chance left??CNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10877484524704475807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751964279420308191.post-1332706315196537002010-12-30T04:36:55.611+05:002010-12-30T04:36:55.611+05:00Connie, in terms of what American democracy can do...Connie, in terms of what American democracy can do today, my humble opinion is, two things to begin with:<br /><br />1. Restore that concept of "consensus literature", and this can only be done by inviting an open discussion on Iqbal, not only in the universities but also on the streets of America (this does not mean an attempt to get him "accepted", but just to get him "introduced")<br /><br />2. Study the political development of Pakistan, especially since 1947, in an objective and impartial manner: i.e., to say, not judging it in the light of the American constitution only (although that is also important at least for Americans), but also trying to see WHAT ENABLED PAKISTAN TO SURVIVE - it has outlived the super power Russia, hasn't it? Pakistan's martial laws, disruption of democratic governments, and other curses may seem oppressive when seen from an American point of view but they were PICNICS when compared with what Stalin's Russians had to go through, and Stalin's Russia still couldn't make it to the 21st Century while Pakistan did - HOW?<br /><br />In my humble opinion, this is where to begin.Khurram Ali Shafiquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15329916182280619617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751964279420308191.post-91860880615248908942010-12-30T03:39:52.688+05:002010-12-30T03:39:52.688+05:00Akhtar and Connie, thanks.
Connie, with all humil...Akhtar and Connie, thanks.<br /><br />Connie, with all humility I would like to caution you and other readers against an all-out condemnation of these poets and writers, like Baudelaire, who declare the masses to be "fit for stables". <br /><br />These writers also have their value in society. We discover this, not through logic, but through our eargerness to accomodate the opinions of those close friends of ours who may have enjoyed these poets, and may love them (and there is a LOT which I am trying to put into these few words, while trying to be brief).<br /><br />This is a lesson which I might not have learnt except from Waheed Murad (see my posts about "Ishara" on the Khurram's Desk blog).Khurram Ali Shafiquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15329916182280619617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751964279420308191.post-77203750606217630622010-12-29T23:34:00.582+05:002010-12-29T23:34:00.582+05:00Surely, those who nurture (hidden or public) any h...Surely, those who nurture (hidden or public) any hint of the belief that the masses to be “fit for stables” are suspect in every other statement, action, theology or ideology.<br /><br />People who are this arrogant come in all shapes, sizes, ages and nationalities.<br /><br />Time is well-passed for such a crucial measuring tool as Iqbal and now our host here is clearly exposing.<br /><br />Among the logical questions such reminders raise is what are WE going to do to right this wrong in our OWN democracy.CNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10877484524704475807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751964279420308191.post-78758452566168208072010-12-29T23:19:59.015+05:002010-12-29T23:19:59.015+05:00Democracy is an interesting topic in our own conte...Democracy is an interesting topic in our own context as, Muslims, Pakistanis and the lovers of free world, but at the same time we are fighting and wrestling with the “tyranny of the majority” as Muslim, as Pakistani and as citizen of world.Akhtar Wasim Darhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09635876866214567866noreply@blogger.com