A Book titled ‘Myths and Realities of a Parallel System-Islam’ by B.F.Habeebur Rahman Bijli was released at a function here on March 20 at Kesari hall. Marxist ideologue K. Govindapillai who released the book said Islam appealed to him most as a secular religion as it did away with priesthood. Mr. Pillai said US was terrorizing the whole world under the pretext of a war on terror. He predicted that the US would be defeated by the brave people of Iraq. He said the US would invade every land where it would sniff oil. He said the US had turned into a ‘rogue state’ and needs to be countered by all means by peace loving people.

Mr. Maqbool Ahmed Siraj, journalist from Bangalore who received the first copy of the book said the United States had turned into the biggest threat to peace and justice and environment. He said the over-consumption of resources by the 20 per cent of the power elite of the world had become a threat to the global ecology. The poor of the world were being terrorized by the economic exploitation. The US doublespeak was evident from the jubilation of the demolition of Berlin wall, but construction of Apartheid Wall by its stooge Israel in Palestine.

Mr. Siraj highlighted the salient features of the book and said it debunks several myths about Islam and Muslims. He however said the Muslim world was suffering from value deficit with dictators, monarchs and army general ruling the Muslim countries. The clergy has a vice- like grip over the community’s mind and no scientific inventions and social science theories could be propounded in the Muslims largely because all new things are invariably dubbed illegitimate (haram) by the ulema. He said the Muslims would not recover their glory unless they liberated the spirit of enquiry and came out of the stranglehold of conservative leadership.

The book comprises essays and lectures of Mr. Bijli, a retired engineer and environmentalist. Written in extraordinarily simple language, the 200-page book analyses a wide spectrum of religions and ideologies and focuses on liberative aspects of Islam.

Noted journalist, B. R. P. Bhasker, former general manager of the United News of India, said the global media was highly monopolised. He cited several instances where US media men were provided official support to establish media hegemony. He said, prior to independence, it was British supported media that had a monopoly. Now the control had moved into the hands of the US. He described President Bush belonging to the lunatic fringe of the Christian community and said every religion had extremists. He said Islam was a liberative force in the beginning, but got ‘establishmentalised’ later.

Prof. N. A. Karim, former vice chancellor of Kerala University, writer Kodikkal Sheikh Abdullah from Nagercoil, I.S.A.K. Nizar from Chennai also spoke. Mr. Kayamkulam Yoonus moderated the meeting. Mr. Bijli welcomed the gathering. Ms. Khyrunnissa, Professor of English, All Saints College, Trivandrum proposed a vote of thanks.

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