NEED OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.
This is in reply to the article under “Other Voices” by Ali Ahmad Al-Baghli in the local Arab Times dated 06th of this month regarding the rejection of the Government demand by the Islamic fundamentalists for the construction of a mosque for the Bohra community in Kuwait. Before dwelling on the subject let me commend Mr. Al-Baghli for his excellent piece of write-up in support of justice. It is not in this case alone that Al – Baghli raised his voice for justice for the weaker segment of the society but otherwise too he has shown his concern for the sufferings of the weaker class of people in Kuwait. Being a top Kuwaiti and a former Minister in the Cabinet, his voice is having a very soothing effect on those who are denied their privileges on flimsy grounds. In the big desert of injustice Al-Baghli proved to be an Oasis for the expatriates who are denied their rights and privileges.
Bohra community in Kuwait as elsewhere in the world is a very peace loving community having no militancy and no religious fanaticms in their blood. They serve Kuwait since many years now, much before Kuwait gained full independence. During this long period we rarely heard any malfunctioning by this community. They are the least supervised community by the authorities concerned because they harm none. During the invasion period theirs was the last convoy to leave Kuwait for India via Jordan. His Holiness Sayedna – the Pope of Bohra community stationed in India had no wish to call back Bohras residing in invaded Kuwait because even in invaded Kuwait he wanted his people to serve Kuwait because Kuwaitis needed help and support. Having no choice finally His Holiness recalled his people back to India and welcomed them all in Mumbai for an audience.
During this audience His Holiness Sayedna told that “do not worry, Kuwait will be liberated by the power of God and instructed his people to pray for the safety of Kuwait, its leadership, Kuwaitis and for its liberation”. Taking this advice from their Pope Sayedna, Bohras not only in India but spread all around the globe prayed and supported the liberation of Kuwait. Amongst all those who fervently prayed for Kuwait during the invasion time have not returned to Kuwait on their previous jobs and businesses but they surely wished good for Kuwait and Kuwaitis. Like us Goans in Goa where we organized a mighty political movement under Goa Kuwait Solidarity Centre to exert pressure on the Gvernment of India to support openly the liberation of Kuwait, Bohra community in India did not emulate our feat but surely His Holiness Sayedna used his spiritual power and political clout with the top leaders in India and outside too to support the liberation movement of Kuwait.
His instruction to his community members in Kuwait whenever he visited Kuwait was to “be faithful to this country and its leadership”. Taking this advice Bohra community as a whole in Kuwait always remained peaceful and faithful to this country and its leadership. Their contribution for the cause and development of Kuwait is immense without any problem. They are the least problematic community in Kuwait. They are the God loving and God fearing community amongst us. To practice their religious obligations and rites they need a place of worship for them. This cannot be denied to them or to any other community in Kuwait. Denying any person his right to worship God and a place of worship in tune with his religious system is denying the existence of God. People who believe in God must allow others to practice their own religious obligations. Every religious entity has its own way and system to reach to God and heaven. Nobody can say his religion is only true religion leading to God. The essence of all religions is the same. Mahatmah Gandhi once said "Religions are different roads leading to the same destination". Let everybody pray the way he deems right as per his religious teachings. And those in Kuwait who deny Bohras the privilege of having their own mosque are showing their ingratitude to Bohras who have done so much for Kuwait and its people. I still remember stories during Kuwait’s invasion period that how in some quarters concerned people were agreeing to give full liberties to all religious communities freedom to practice their religions freely in Kuwait once Kuwait is liberated.
Those who are denying Bohras freedom of their own Mosque are hurting the relious sentiments of Bohras thereby inviting more support and symphaty for Bohras. This hurt feelings can surely create ill feelings not only amongst Bohras but also amongst other minority communities. In the long run it is not good. Kuwait needs world support for its existence and survival. To get this support continuously Kuwait cannot live in isolation. Islamic fundamentalists must ponder over it.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait.
