NationStates Jolt Archive

You know, where you used to pay the Catholic clergy to pray on your behalf. And it's no secret that religion has walked hand in hand with politicians, and said things to support them.

But this is really funny stuff. Maybe we should pay them to say that the US is great, and that terrorists should go home to their mothers.

Muslims in the country are outraged by revelations, uncovered by a TV sting, that clerics take money for their religious rulings.

Last week, many Muslims in India, like their counterparts around the world, gathered on the streets to burn effigies of the Pope and shout slogans denouncing him for his remarks on Islam and violence. Even before that fully died out, however, a new controversy erupted — one that has turned Muslim ire against some of their own local clerics.

India's "cash-for-fatwas" scandal broke out last weekend when a TV channel broadcast a sting operation that showed several Indian Muslim clerics allegedly taking, or demanding, bribes in return for issuing fatwas, or religious edicts. The bribes, some of which were as low as $60, were offered by undercover reporters wearing hidden cameras over a period of six weeks. In return for the cash, the clerics appear to hand out fatwas written in Urdu, the language used by many Muslims in Pakistan and India, on subjects requested by the reporters. Among the decrees issued by the fatwas: that Muslims are not allowed to use credit cards, double beds, or camera-equipped cell phones, and should not act in films, donate their organs, or teach their children English. One cleric issued a fatwa against watching TV; another issued a fatwa in support of watching TV.

Adding to the shock in India, home to the world's third-largest Muslim population (approximately 150 million), is that some of the clerics apparently caught in the sting operation teach at important institutions — one belongs to India's most famous Islamic seminary, the Darul Uloom at Deoband. At least two of the clerics have been suspended from their posts, but that hasn't satisfied everyone. Students at one madrassa in north India denounced the clerics, and in the city of Meerut, where a mufti, or cleric, had been caught on camera, the congregation at one mosque refused to offer prayers until he came before them, admitted to taking the money, and apologized.

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1537516,00.html

Taking bribes is as old as politics and money...don't try to pin this one on Islam, wise guy.

Taking bribes is as old as politics and money...don't try to pin this one on Islam, wise guy.

If you read the post, you'll notice that I am not.

It is comical, and we should take advantage of it. Spend money on fatwas, and on madrassas to teach our view of things.

If you read the post, you'll notice that I am not.

It is comical, and we should take advantage of it. Spend money on fatwas, and on madrassas to teach our view of things.

Of course it's comical, but I could dig up some equally comical stuff about corruption in South Korea or someplace, I'm sure. The only difference is that people are bribing people who don't necessarily have any political power. They're no different from paid celebrities with ridiculously low prices.

Also, the article said India has the third-largest Muslim population in the world. I know Indonesia, #1, but who passed India? I always thought they were second. (And don't say France. There aren't 150 million people in France, let alone 150 million Muslims.)

Of course it's comical, but I could dig up some equally comical stuff about corruption in South Korea or someplace, I'm sure. The only difference is that people are bribing people who don't necessarily have any political power. They're no different from paid celebrities with ridiculously low prices.

You'll notice I didn't say it was wrong, either. I believe that we're stupid not to take advantage of this sort of thing.

Probably money well spent.

Of course it's comical, but I could dig up some equally comical stuff about corruption in South Korea or someplace, I'm sure. The only difference is that people are bribing people who don't necessarily have any political power. They're no different from paid celebrities with ridiculously low prices.

Also, the article said India has the third-largest Muslim population in the world. I know Indonesia, #1, but who passed India? I always thought they were second. (And don't say France. There aren't 150 million people in France, let alone 150 million Muslims.)

I think Malaysia, but I'm not positive. India is mostly Hindu.

Wouldn't $60 be alot in India?

Wouldn't $60 be alot in India?

Depends on what neighborhood you're in.

A neighborhood full of up and coming types in Bangalore, no.

Taking bribes is as old as politics and money...don't try to pin this one on Islam, wise guy.

He didn't say it had anything to do with an inherent problem with Islam. Just because someone mentions a Muslim doing something dishonest doesn't mean he's attacking the whole religion.

I think Malaysia, but I'm not positive. India is mostly Hindu.

India also has a billion people, so 15% of their population is frigging huge. It's not like 15% of the population of the Isle of Man, which is statistically insignificant.

He didn't say it had anything to do with an inherent problem with Islam. Just because someone mentions a Muslim doing something dishonest doesn't mean he's attacking the whole religion.

I think that some people believe there's a rule on NS General - never post anything that could be remotely construed, however indirectly, as possibly implying that something, however small, is wrong with Islam.

No, I am not bashing Islam in this thread. I am saying we're stupid for not bribing them to say nice things about us, and teach their kids in the madrassas that the US is the shizzle.

He didn't say it had anything to do with an inherent problem with Islam. Just because someone mentions a Muslim doing something dishonest doesn't mean he's attacking the whole religion.

Oh jeez, so when he posts something bad a Muslim does and other people call him on it, they get lots of support, but when I do it, I get scolded. Just my effing luck.

Hey everyone, forget those overpriced clerics. I'll espouse any unpopular opinion for the low, low cost of $59.95! And you can make four easy payment of $15.95! Yes, I know four times $15.95 is more than $59.95...shut up or I'll raise the price again.

He didn't say it had anything to do with an inherent problem with Islam. Just because someone mentions a Muslim doing something dishonest doesn't mean he's attacking the whole religion.

Yeah but this is the man who came up with a final solution to the Muslim problem. Understandably anything he says about Muslims is veiwed with suspicion.

Oh, that was hilarious, Deep Kimchi.

Sweet. I can just imagine this poor, harried Indian cleric, busily scribbling fatwas, muttering to himself, "For Allah's sake, why don't I get paid for this shit?" And then an idea was born.

To me this says more about Indian entrepeneurialism than it does about any aspect of Islam.

You can bet there's some guy in India trying to figure out how he can make money off this scandal, and another guy who already has.

Also, the article said India has the third-largest Muslim population in the world. I know Indonesia, #1, but who passed India? I always thought they were second. (And don't say France. There aren't 150 million people in France, let alone 150 million Muslims.)
Pakistan.

Pakistan.

They're past 150 million? It makes sense, but I didn't know they had that many people living there. I suppose nearly everyone living there is Muslim, with a few exceptions, something like less than ten percent.

It makes sense, so thanks for the info.

India also has a billion people, so 15% of their population is frigging huge. It's not like 15% of the population of the Isle of Man, which is statistically insignificant.

15% of the population of the Isle of Man is Muslim. Ali hates when people forget about him.

They're past 150 million? It makes sense, but I didn't know they had that many people living there. I suppose nearly everyone living there is Muslim, with a few exceptions, something like less than ten percent.

It makes sense, so thanks for the info.
It's quite likely that the non-Muslims in Pakistan are less than 5%. Pakistan now has about 163 million people. Bangladesh has about 147 million (look at the size of that country on a map!) making it #4.

Religious figures accepting money... well I guess I shouldn't be surprised. It is an old story and they are human as well despite the religious cloak they put over themselves. Of course it doesn't make me feel much better as they give themselves off as having some kind of moral superiority over the common masses.

15% of the population of the Isle of Man is Muslim. Ali hates when people forget about him.

I checked the CIA's website, and it didn't even mention Islam being a religion on the Isle of Man. It says something about the Society of Friends, but no mention of Islam. I doubt there are 11,000 Muslims there.

It's quite likely that the non-Muslims in Pakistan are less than 5%. Pakistan now has about 163 million people. Bangladesh has about 147 million (look at the size of that country on a map!) making it #4.

I know...Bangladesh is fricking tiny for a country of 147 million. It seems to have a population density of more than 1,000 people per square kilometer. That's something like three times what Japan's population density is, and Japan's population density is one of the highest there is. (Israel's is higher by a large margin, but I can't imagine a country as populous as Bangladesh with a thousand people per square kilometer.)

I checked the CIA's website, and it didn't even mention Islam being a religion on the Isle of Man. It says something about the Society of Friends, but no mention of Islam. I doubt there are 11,000 Muslims there.

The Society of Friends are better known as Quakers. I won't explain the joke.

The Society of Friends are better known as Quakers. I won't explain the joke.I have to! I have a disorder!
Ali is the only Paki/Muslim in an island of few, thus; "Ali hates when people forget about him". (when talking percentages)

MY cookie!?!

*jitters*

But this is really funny stuff. Maybe we should pay them to say that the US is great, and that terrorists should go home to their mothers.

Hehe ... oh I soooo want to buy a fatwah now! Something about pie and ninjas.

Ah well ... at least there's outrage.

Hehe ... oh I soooo want to buy a fatwah now! Something about pie and ninjas.

Ah well ... at least there's outrage.

And pirates... arrrgh...

It's quite likely that the non-Muslims in Pakistan are less than 5%. Pakistan now has about 163 million people. Bangladesh has about 147 million (look at the size of that country on a map!) making it #4.

Yes, Pakistan is 97% Muslim, so out of 162.4 million people that makes 157.5 million Muslims. Bangladesh has 144.3 million people of which 83% or 119.8 million are Muslim.

I know...Bangladesh is fricking tiny for a country of 147 million. It seems to have a population density of more than 1,000 people per square kilometer. That's something like three times what Japan's population density is, and Japan's population density is one of the highest there is. (Israel's is higher by a large margin, but I can't imagine a country as populous as Bangladesh with a thousand people per square kilometer.)
You should try living in MongKok in Hong Kong. That has a density of over 50000 people/sq km.
Bloody noisy place it was to live in, I might add.

Indeed, HK would be one of the, if not the, most densely populated places on Earth. The pure geography is misleading. It has 1100sq km, but only 25% is developed. Also, while the official population is just over 7 mill, the unofficial (due to loads of illegals from China) is 1-2 mill higher.
So, officially the density is just under 7000 /sq km.
In reality it's over 4 times that in the actual living areas of HK - around 30000 /sq km.

Hehe ... oh I soooo want to buy a fatwah now! Something about pie and ninjas.

Ah well ... at least there's outrage.

me: I would like a fatwah... I have $150 dollars...
Cleric (taking money): and what would this fatwah be for?
me: Condeming all clerics who issue fatwahs in exchange for money or gifts.

me: I would like a fatwah... I have $150 dollars...
Cleric (taking money): and what would this fatwah be for?
me: Condeming all clerics who issue fatwahs in exchange for money or gifts.
He would probably do it. It would sound credible.

Or he might just explode.

:D

I wonder how much a Fatwah supporting USA, Britian, Bush and Blair would cost?