Dear Friends Mukto-Mona Group,

I think most of you are familiar with the idea of New Islam Movement. I was
working on the structure of Movement. Finally, it was announced formally
last month in Toronto Canada. Now, I say welcome to progressive and liberal
members of the group to become member of this Movement as well.
Being the Convener and Founder of this Movement, I would like leave my
little introduction.

My name is Tahir Aslam Gora. I live in Ontario, Canada. I am Writer of
couple of Books. I have solution to get rid of International terror of Islamic Militants.
Therefore, I have initiated a Movement for Liberation and Freedom of Islam
and Muslim World. I feel the present model of Islam is not compatible with
the civilized attitudes of mankind. That's why I have proposed reformation
of Islam. As I have announced the proclamation of New Islam, Muslims in
Toronto stopped my weekly Newspaper and they threatened to kill me for
various times. At the moment, Muslim fanatics are trying their best to
suppress my voice. I need your support for this Great Movement. In this
situation of war against terrorism my message is a need of time. My message
may become a relief to the moderate Muslims. My message may become a
solution against Islamic terrorism.

In short there is dire need in Islamic Countries for an intellectual
movement that can free them from centuries old religious bindings like other
nations who have changed the unnatural behaviors of their religions and
established a platform for the combined global society.

I am providing you few Internet links for my introduction.

http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/44267
http://www.pencanada.ca/exile/TAGora.htm
http://www.writersunion.ca/g/gora.htm
http://www.cjnews.com/pastissues/01/dec6-01/front5a.asp
http://www.cjfe.org/eng/exile/gora.html

Regards
Tahir Aslam Gora
ONTARIO -- CANADA

HERE ARE OUTLINES OF THIS MOVEMENT

NEW ISLAM MOVEMENT

TAHIR ASLAM GORA

As a writer from a Muslim background and as a writer who often deals with
issues relating to Islam, it is of serious concern to me that there is a
disconnect between Islam on the one hand and the evolving realities of the
universe and the modern world. I therefore wish to suggest that Muslims
need to rethink their religion and their worldview. In making this
suggestion, I fully understand that we, the Muslims, cannot adopt any
religious identity other than Islam. We can, however, reform Islam in order
to bring it into harmony with the modern world. I suggest the following
outline for the 'New Islam'.

1. The adoption of democratic values in every walk of life.
2. Recognition of the right of every person to complete freedom of
expression.
3. Recognition and application of internationally recognized human
rights.
4. An end to the institutions of Polygamy and Jihad.
5. A recognition of the equality of women in every walk of life.
6. An end to the superiority complex that exists among Muslims with
respect to the other nations of the world.
7. The creation of a practical environment of love towards all human
beings.
8. A recognition of the right to participate in all kinds of arts,
including dance, music & paintings without any fear of censure.
9. The formulation of modern and liberal societies in Muslim countries.
10. A recognition of the need for Muslim scholars and laypeople to
engage in a frank and honest reassessment of historical Islamic
personalities instead of the emotional faith that has always characterized
Muslim attitudes towards such personages.
11. An end to the all-pervading fear of religious sin that characterizes
Islamic society.
12. A recognition that prayer and worship are symbolic, spiritual, and
above all, personal matters.
13. An end to taboos relating to food and drink, including alcoholic
drinks and 'halal' meat.
14. A recognition that the Quran is a symbolic, religious, and to some
extent, a
Spiritual book, which is not applicable to all walks of life.
15. A recognition that the ultimate object of The New Islam is peace for
all Human beings.
16. A recognition that understanding the realities of the universe
should be the basic pillar of the New Islam.
17. An appreciation of the world as a single, global society.
18. A recognition of the notion of God as a universal rather than a
religious entity.
19. A replacement of the term 'prophets' with the terms 'Intellectuals
and Leaders'.

In addition to these basic points, new points and details will continue to
be added as required. In an ever-changing universe, the constant evolution
of an intellectual system is only rational.

Following are brief explanations of the aforementioned basic principles.

1. THE ADOPTION OF DEMOCRATIC VALUES: It is very important to
understand the
Real form of democratic values. Most Muslims reject democracy as an
invention of the West, whereas democracy is the common heritage of all human
beings. Most Muslim nations believe democracy consists of elections or a
particular system of government. In fact, democracy, in addition to
elections & system of government, involves recognition of the principle
'Live and Let Live'. It is this kind of tolerant and flexible behavior that
allows people to live together and respect all human beings in spite of
differences of religion, colour and race.

2. COMPLETE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION: Freedom of expression has always
been non-existent in the Islamic world. This is due to Muslims' need to
impose the Quran and Hadith on every walk of life, whereas most daily
affairs have no concern with religious scriptures. Although
Religious books do have some influence in every religion; this influence is
usually limited to the clergy in Christianity and has no concern with state
law. No one is allowed to express his/ her ideas in a Muslim society due to
the prevailing religious rigidity. Writers and journalists are
Sometimes ordered beheaded and writers do not have permission to express
their ideas about certain ' special topics. Prohibition to study the books
of famous and important writers such as Salman Rushdie is a typical example
in this regard. A lack of dialogue is the major problem in Muslim societies.
Creative ideas are strictly prohibited in our societies. We have now reached
the point that all the hard work of a writer is wasted due to his/ her own
'self sensorship'. Most of our writers have become so impulsive in religious
faith that they are ready to hang anyone arguing in favour of freedom of
expression. It is a fact that nations adopting the way of drubbing instead
of dialogue can never enjoy the magnificence of liberty.
Muslim societies cannot find the track of reality and truth without the
adoption of real freedom of expression.

3. IMPLIMENTATION OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS: International Human
Rights are also rejected as they are considered an invention of the West,
whereas millions of Muslims are living in the West in a better way than
their own Islamic societies due to these very human rights. This is possible
only due to these human rights that Muslims are living according to their
religion in the Christian societies. The outline of human rights is actually
a great gift for mankind. We should try to make it better instead of
rejecting it.


4. END TO POLYGAMY AND HOLY WAR (JIHAD): Polygamy can never be an
appreciable practice. It is normally argued by Muslims that the prophet
allowed it for
the betterment of the widows and the destitute women's marital life, whereas
most of the Prophet's marriages were not with such women. Here we can only
say in soft words that it happened whatever it was. This inhuman practice
should now be abandoned. The 'jihad', the second name for the dominance of
Islam should also be banned.

5. EQUALITY OF MEN & WOMEN: I have repeatedly written that Muslim
societies provide the status of a mother, sister, daughter and wife to a
woman but are not ready to accept her status as a human being and as a
woman. The Modern world is appreciable in this regard that it provides
equal rights to all human beings without any distinction of sex.


6. ENDING THE SUPERIORITY COMPLEX AMONG MUSLIMS AGAINST OTHER NATIONS:
It is a fact that most of us do not know about the civilized way of living
but even then we become guilty of human disgrace. We, the Muslims, consider
other nations inferior because we think ourselves to be on the right path
and uniquely entitled to heaven. The other nations are therefore considered
to destine for hell. Leaving such ideas behind we can become able to
understand the realities of life and the universe. Not only the Western
world but also
the Chinese, Japanese, other nations of the Far East and liberal nations of
East India including Hindus are on the way of understanding the beauties of
the life, adopting liberal ways.
One of the major reasons in consideration of the superiority of Islam is the
thinking that it is the only religion from God and so we consider ourselves
as a 'Chosen Nation' among all the human beings. Although most of the
religions have the same ownership claim about God, the rigidity in this
respect has already decreased among them, whereas Muslims are not ready to
accept the reality that God is not a religious embodiment. God is actually
the name of the Universe of which we are one part.

7. ESTABLISHING A PRACTICAL ENVIRONMENT OF LOVE TO ALL HUMAN BEINGS:
Muslims will have to give a message of love to all the human beings. It
should be
Exhibited practically.

8. PARTICIPATING IN ALL TYPES OF ARTS LIKE DANCE, MUSIC, AND PAINTINGS
ETC.: The importance of art in Muslim society was felt during
'Khalafat-e-Osmania' at the state level. But afterwards, Muslim states
started to become a factor in the abolition of the arts. Now during the 21st
century most Muslim societies consider the arts as an uncivilized activity
and a
Serious crime according to the religion. Such an attitude is now to be
ceased to enjoy the beauties of life. Life should be decorated and happy
occasions should be celebrated accordingly. Muslim societies should adopt an
attitude to participate in all sort of art including dance, music and
Painting etc without any feeling of religious sin. Education of these arts
should be arranged & popularized by establishing Art Academies and the best
quality clubs.


9. FORMULATION OF MODERN LIBERAL SOCIETIES IN THE MUSLIM COUNTRIES:
Muslim societies should not become a hurdle in creating a promiscuous
society in their countries according to the 'New Islam'. Modern liberal
societies should be established in all Muslim countries. Gays and Lesbians
should be provided the rights according to the International status.

10. FRIENDLY, FRANK AND INFORMAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH HISTORICAL ISLAMIC PERSONALITIES: A friendly and frank attitude should be adopted instead of
Expressing any emotional relational relationship with historical Islamic
personalities. We go up to worship the Prophets, the Poise Caliphs, Imams,
Sufis and Mullahs etc. We should adopt a friendlier attitude and informal
relationship with them. We should get rid of the ugly habit about
concealment of facts in the life of our religious personalities. For
instance while trying to learn something about the life of the prophet of
Islam, it should be kept in mind that being a great leader of his era, he
was a human being like us. His historical greatness can also be explained
In the fact that he formulated the best human principals of his time. But
being a human being he had human instincts too. His love for women for
instance was due to the human instinct. He used to practice politics
throughout his life because a society could not be established without
political strategies. We do have the same emotions about the 'Poise
Caliphs'. They also continue the
Political struggle and as a matter of fact, some of them were involved in
the conspiracy of killing the other. There is no harm to accept these
realities. They were a part of the history and same is the today's man. The
Imams tried to understand the facts about religion using their wisdom in the
same way. They used all the available sources of knowledge to their level
best. A true saint is not actually restricted to any religion but he/she
represents humanity. All the Sufis of the Muslim world (previous & coming)
will no doubt be a part of the same category. Prophets used to be the
Leaders of their nations. The present intellectuals, writers, scientists,
thinkers, philosophers, sincere social workers and the saints, providing
guidance to the nations are not less than the prophets.

11. ENDING FEELINGS OF RELIGIOUS SIN: It is necessary end feelings of
religious sin according to the 'New Islam' to save the human energies from
rusting with this feeling. This is also important to make one's mind free
and liberal. A sense of responsibility is rather a good feeling than sense
of sin. The sense of sin about dance, singing and drinking etc. is too great
in Islam, and causes Muslims to become hypocrite. Such feelings do not have
any concern with today's life and universe. Muslims have now come to the
point that a boy and a girl cannot
have a 'date' without this sense of sin.

12. CONSIDERATION OF PRAYERS AS SYMBOLIC, RITUAL AND PERSONAL MATTERS:
There is no harm in several traditional prayers and worship, but these
should not
be considered as the be-all and end-all of life. It is sufficient to
consider these practices to be a matter of personal consolation. Some of
these practices like the sacrifice of the animals should be immediately
stopped.

13. AN END TO TABOOS ON ALCOHOL AND HALAL MEAT: The prohibition of
alcohol and pork is meaningless today. The alcohol drinking nations have
proved themselves to be better in moral and human values. The use of alcohol
will just be a personal matter in the 'New Islam', having no concern with
the principles of the religion. The theory of 'Halal Meat' is a ridiculous
thing today.

14. CONSIDERING QURAN AS A SYMBO:IC, RELIGIOUS, AND SPIRITUAL BOOK:
Quran should be considered as a symbolic, religious and to some extent a
spiritual book The reality of the spirituality become evident by freely
understanding the secrets and symbols of the universe. The Quran should not
be considered as a book, which can be implemented in every walk of life. It
is evident that no economic and social system could be developed in the
light of the Quran or any other religious book. This is the reason that
Canada and several European
Countries have developed such a human system which could never been
developed in any Islamic country. We, the Muslim societies should have come
to this level but no Muslim country is presently not even at 10% humanistic
as compared to these societies.

15. ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE THE 'NEW ISLAM': The ultimate objective of the
'New
Islam' should only be the peace of human beings.

16. BASIC PILLAR OF THE 'NEW ISLAM': No doubt, the basic pillar of the
'New
Islam' should be considered to understand the secrets and symbols of the
universe.

17. CONCEPT OF SHARING THE WORLD: The world is a shared global society
today. It
cannot be made a shared living place for all the human beings without any
intellectual struggle as all the demonstrated human rights declared up till
now are the result of the continuation of the intellectual struggle. Western
intellectuals brought the West out of the religious rigidity during the 20th
century and separated the religion from the daily human life. Moreover they
tried to make the human mind so vast that religion cannot make them slaves.
It also helped the human beings to be restricted from blind faith in
religion and understanding the realities of the universe. It is now duty of
the intellectuals of the Islamic World to bring the Muslims out of the
emotional and drubbing policies to share the beauties of the universe being
shoulder to shoulder to all the nations of the world.

18. CONCEPT OF THE 'UNIVERSAL GOD' INSTEAD OF THE 'RELIGIOUS GOD:
According to the 'New Islam' God is a universal phenomenon being itself a
part of humanity, all the religions and systems. It is not a specific
conception but it is a universal unit to which everything in the universe is
belonged.

19. USE OF THE TERM 'INTELLECTUALS' INSTEAD OF THE 'PROPHETS': The terms
'intellectual and leaders' will be used instead of the old term of the
'prophet' in the
'New Islam'. The 'New Islam' will grow in an extremely democratic way. There
is no need of any type of Prophets, Gurus, or Leaders, but the 'New Islam'
will be put forward as an intellectual movement.

I do understand that ladies and gents addicted to Islamic ethics will bring
arguments of 'Aya & Hadith' and an abundance of questions in burdensome
religious language but it is a fact that these terminologies have no weight
today. The references from 'Imams' also have no justification at present.
The realities of life and the universe are simple and evident, sufficient to
understand the life, life after life, the universe & the universe after
universe with vast & free mind. The 'New Islam' is necessary for the
struggle of bringing the life of the miserable nations, bound by religious
rigidity, on the way of exhilaration.

Responses:

Tahir Answers  to Junaid regarding New Islam debate

Tahir responds  to Abul Kasem