From the first major penning of the story of Heer (Waris Shah) to the revolution inciting kafia of Bulleh Shah, the work of Muslims in the Punjab has been of the utmost importance in the development of the Punjab`s cultural atmosphere. Nonetheless, much tensions exist today between the various religious groups. What are some of the unifying factors, and what are other positive influences that Islam had on the Punjab?
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I
think Islam`s influence on the Punjab has been negative socially but
positive in that scarcity and conflict often leads to development. I do
not believe the kind of plunder that invaders carried out in Punjab can
be justified by Islam`s contribution to architecture or any other such
small thing. Only good thing it did was woke up a people that had gone
soft and made them mighty and strong. Punjabis have always been viewed
as fearless warriors and dangerous enemies. - my 2 cents -- Manu , madmanu@gmail.com |
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Muslims have had a great influence on Punjab. Much of Punjab`s golden
age where culture and academics flourished during Islamic control of
Punjab. Algebra, astronomy, and educational facilities were all developed
during this period. Although, one may assume on the surface there were
hostlities between Muslims, Sikhs, and Hindus; there was also
underlying cultural exchanges that have forever linked these cultures in the
melting pot of South Asia. For example muslim artisans from Chinot worked
on the Golden Temple, or the fact that Hindu`s adopted Islamic
architechture in their temples.
Let`s not forget that in modern Western Punjab holds more than 65% of
the world`s Punjabi speaking population, a fact that is often over
looked by many who seem to enlist in the myth that Punjabi language is an
eastern Indian punjabi phenomenon only. Today in Western Punjab there is
an active concern for saving the Punjabi language and its continious
use in creating great literary work. There is a great effort in Pakistan
to revive Punjabi culture through media, and education.
As many have claimed in this forum that Sufism are not really muslim in
this forum, it is really misguided as Sufism is essentially Islamic
mysticism that came from the middle east. Much of Sufism does lend from
other cultures but is firmly grounded in the principals of Islam, as is
there is a continuing to this day a large falling in Pakistan as well
as India.
Laslty, I think the matter of greater concern for me as a young
canadian of western punjabi origin is that of maintaining Punjabi language and
culture. The fact of the matter is that according Indian and Pakistan
Statistical measures regional languages are continuing to die out as
youth are speaking Urdu, English and Hindi. I would love to hear people
in the form discover and share their thoughts on how to save Punjabi
Language. Many have said that the only solutions is for the 2 Punjabs to
work togeather, but scholars point out they cannot read each others
script as major hurdle to re-engage a unified Punjabi culture.
-- Asif , asif199@hotmail.com |
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well my name is jasmine and my religion is sikhism and i m from punjab.
i think islam had a great influence on the history of punjab. many
muslim leaders conqured many parts of punjab. but i think it had some good
things and some bad things in it. not any religion teaches to be a bad
person. every religion is good, but if there is something wrong, thats
not the fault of our religion. thats our fault. people are bad, not
religion. so try to be nice and respect every single religion. -- jasmine , kaur_jasmine@punjabonline.com |
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I
am a muslim punjabi and in my opinion there should be no difference
between all the punjabi`s at the end of the day we originate from the same
place no matter what religion we are.People do wrong from what ever
backround they from - religion is not an excuse.Every religion teaches
good and this is the message i would to contribute to all those people
that are not in favour of the effect Islam has had on Punjab.Although i am
glad to know that they are more Punjabi`s that are in favour of this
heart-touching issue. -- hanifa , hanifa_sher@hotmail.com |
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Islam on its own has certain teaching that make it stand apart from othe
religions. It is hard to say that Islam was bad or good for punjab. But
we should not forget that it is mainly because of not so good and
fanatic component of Islam Sikhism was born. Most of the Islam rulers have
been tyrants and single tracked except ones like Shahjahan (he also got
hands of sculptors who build tajmahal chopped off). Islam has given
great poets and saints but when you balance things out, most of the
Islamic elements are rather not helpful to Punjab or have contributed
positively to India as whole. Calling of non-Muslims as `Kafirs` already gives
a bad start to thinking in a non-Muslim mind. 72 virgins and 28 boys
philosphy is a testament to what some of the Islamic principles really
stand for - lust, greed, hunger and evil ambitions. These kind of
principles, I believe, would be most hated in any religion. -- S , ozcoolguy@yahoo.com.au |
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Salaam, namaste, and wuddup..
I am a Muslim and also Punjabi. Well, I choose not to respond to the
original prompt because I am not familiar with Islam and its influences
in Punjab. I did want to point out that in this world, you`ll find good
and bad people, regardless of what religion they claim to be a part of,
what race, etc. When any injust act is committed, regardless of where
it is, it is a threat to justice everywhere. So, for those here that
feel that Islam itself was a bad influence in Punjab... Islam is a
religion that promotes justice, so if any people claiming to be Muslims
happened to have gone into a land and raped the women and the land, well,
they are not adhering to their religion. I do my best to follow my
religion and obey the commands of Allah (God). And I love being punjabi (I
spoke urdu as a child, but picked up punjabi from hearing so many punjabi
women gossip! and when my mom is angry, she automatically switches to
punjabi, its kind of scary). I love my language, and I especially love
bhangra =) And as to 72 virgins and 28 boys, no offense to whomever
posted that, but you are terribly wrong. There are many misconceptions of
Islam and you are mistaken.
Anyways, madd love to all my Muslim and nonmuslim brothers and sisters
out there, stay real, stay punjabi. Salaamz (Peace) -Nida- -- Nida , neederish@hotmail.com |
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Islam has had a great positive influence on punjab. Before Islam, the
people of punjab were
cruel, inhuman and were divided into various castes, on the basis of
colour and creed. Islam
irradicated all of this. The down trodden masses saw a new ray of
light, they were given a chance
to be treated as equal. No other religion had ever promised this
before. Today Punjab is rich in culture
because of Islam...it was the muslims who brought a new way of making
buildings into punjab, they
introduced surgery, mathematics, astrology, algebra. thus the entire
credit goes to ISLAM. The
people who think that by converting to muslims just for the 72 virgins
are sadly and badly mistaken.
-- Fatima , fatimasafdar@yahoo.com |
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Waheguru
Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh !
Sat Sri Akaal Sisters and Brothers.
A very interesting topic and I shall try and include my thoughts as closely to
the subject as possible.
Islams Influence on Punjab. Well it is a fact that throught out Indias history
(note that india did not exist until the british made left it), through out
Indias history, the Punjab has been the focal point or you can say acted as an
Gateway from which the Invaders came in from the North (Kyber Pass...etc..).
And of course when a region is being invaded, these people with them bring the
good and the bad elements. But the main underlying mission they bring is
assimilation. And that is the MAIN influence of ISLAM. Which was and is still
to convert people into the fold.
Everything happens for a reason. The muslims, moguls..etc..Invaded india for a reason. Sikhi came into being for a reason. And that was to show people that
Islam was not all that. They do not tolerate relgious co-existant. How can
any faith whoes mission is to convert others, can co-exist. Never. That is
why Sikhism is probably, if you look at it deep and locically enough is the
only faith which gives out the message of Gender, colour..etc..EQUALITY.
And about the influence of Islam, well I do not think it did the region any
good. At the end of the day they came to rule and they did. The raped and
looted the punjab (and other countries) so can you say it was a good influence.
And if you do, at what cost.
A question for the readers, Was the British Influence on India good or bad.?
And I believe you know the answer.
If any of you would like to contact me for a indepth conversaion, please do
contact me.
Sat Sri Akaal Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji Ki Fateh.
Jaspal - jaspal.singh@lineone.net
http://www.akaal.com -- Jass , singh2000@hotmail.com |
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I think
the influence of Islam isn`t all that great. Islamic influence has never been
a source of pride. They came and massacred, looted, raped, and tortured the
people of Punjab. The only good ones were Sufis or Pirs/Fakirs who have no
religion but are men of God.
These are the same people that tortured Guru Tegh Bahadur and wouldn`t allow
religious freedom. They are the same ones that lead the peaceful people of
Punjab to take up arms. They looted our temples and converted our women.
Islam is a scourge not only to Punjab but to the globe. Why doesn every global
conflict have something to do with Islam? Why don`t they allow tolerance,
peace, and religious freedom?
The only thing Islam wants is to convert everyone to Islam so that they can go
to heaven for uninterrupted sex with the 72 virigin women and 28 little boys
Mohammed promised them. It`s in the Hadith & Koran. -- Vishal , vagnihotri1@hotmail.com |
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Islam is as important to Punjab and to Sikhism. It was the foundation that jumpstarted a new way of thinking. One that lead into a life with out caste system and with out idol worshipping. Also, Guru Nanak`s first deciple, Mardana, was a Muslim. -- Harjinder , Sunpali@aol.com |
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I would not say that Baba Sheikh Farid, Baba Bulleh Shah or Baba Waaris Shah were Muslims, they were Sufis. The Sufis were revolutionaries who through their unique poetry raised peoples` awareness against religious fanaticism. They openly criticised religious law, and in essence they drew the mind of the Panjabi Muslim towards Panjab rather than to Saudi Arabia. So they were laying the foundations to the beginning of a Panjabi Cultural National movement to which the Great Panjabi Gurus gave a higher spiritual and political finish (miri-piri). Hence it could be said that the Sufi movement has only succeeded to a national level in Panjab, elsewhere it has been oppressed by Islamic extremeism. But with all the Panjabi Bhangra wave picking up in both Panjab`s it would be difficult for any religious fanatic group to stop the long standing quest of Panjabi Sufis to see a unified Panjabi Nation. Rab Raakha Bally -- Bally , ballyonly@hotmail.com |
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Living in Toronto, I am surrounded by many sikhs and muslims. I am of a family where my mother is muslim and my father is a hindu from Punjab. I just have to say that this topic can be very touchy and I am just glad to hear the positive responses from you all. Since I am in both worlds, I have to be honest and tell you that the pure religions are very similar in so many respects BUT it is all the extemists that we get fighting for islam, khalistan, and hindustan that have really damaged a unitied india and united our people the way it should be. I truly hope that for those that read this topic and the messages posted that you feel the same as me and the others.
Peace. -- Raakesh , raaksyal@hotmail.com |
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Islam`s
positive contribution to the development of punjab can never be
underestimated.we can not forget that the father of the punjabi literature,BABA
Farid, was a follower of Islam.A whole list of Islamic or Sufi sects can me
entitled which has enriched the society of punjab.
As we can notice that, Punjab shows a very unique identity of its own in the
matter of national brotherhood,therfore,according to me,the development of a
certain place is not limited to a certain sect or relegion or a follow though
but to whole community.
-- Harmeet , crazyharmeet@hotmail.com |
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The Punjab has been fortunate, that while it may have been sacked by foreigners throughout the ages, it has also overcome all of this, and maintained its own traditions. At the same time, many of the invading culture`s elements became fused with the punjab over time. Take for example the story of Heer Ranjha. Most memorable is the version penned by Waris Shah. Being a Muslim, he islamicized the story, and added a flavor to it, which makes it quite distinct from other love stories across the subcontinent. We as Punjabis have taken pride in this for so long. Stil more important is the role Muslims played in the maintaince of Punjabi tradition. There was a period were all of the Marasis, to whom we can thank the saving of our cultural heritage, were all Muslim. Still the architecture of the Punjab was greatly influenced by that of the Middle East. As was art, and the religious aura which enveloped the punjab. In truth, Sikh doctrine falls much more closely to Islam than the majority faith of the Hindus. As such, much of the Islamic mendicants (Sufis) produced a religiousity in the Punjab that was matched only by the Sikh Gurus. To these great men we owe quite a bit. Still at other times Islam was a source of deliverance for the downtrodden from the grips of the caste system. Prior to Sikhi, there was no other option aside from the original or Islam. Rab Rakka Roop Singh -- Navroop , navroop@bu.edu |
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Mostly all
Punjab belongs to Muslim(Now in Pakistan) and to Sikhs(India). Islam from
Punjab consists lot of great poets, Writers, painters, carpenters which make
punjab a little bi more powerful in the late 40s`. I think Islam is a very
important part of Hitory of Punjab -- Vicky , vicky@sikhpride.com |
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Islam gave
Punjab the oppertunity to have closer ties with the Arab civilization. These
contacts brought a stream of new thoughts which enriched our culture and
traditions.
-- Harsharan , hars3389@mail.usyd.edu.au |