A course of Comparative Religion, WHAAAAT?

http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/201309192126-0023058



So today in the headlines is this news report(link attached) that the Lahore Grammar School, Lahore, Pakistan has introduced a new course for students called "Comparative religion studies"

Head office: Thousands rallied and protested against the decision of Lahore Grammar School in Lahore, Pakistan to introduce a new subject into the curriculum called "Comparative Religion Studies". Our correspondent Mr C is there to report.

Lahore, Pakistan ; MR C: As you can in the background, thousands have gathered to oppose the decision by the administration of the LGS on grounds for what they see is an elaborate plan by the worlds Jewish Lobby to get the young Muslims to start thinking objectively and reasonably. Let us ask this angry young protester, who is busy burning his neighbours property, and see if he can spare a few moments to talk to us

Young Angry Protester: By God! we will make sure they fail in their evil diabolical plans, I really don't understand what is the purpose of adding a subject like that. Obviously Islam is the right religion. I don't understand why there is any need for children to learn about any other religion. or why it matters at all. They are trying to make Pakistan secular. We will not let that happen. We will foil their attempts at trying to destabilise the country's inner mechanics which in turn will lead to chaos and the ultimate destruction of Pakistan. You ask me how I know all that ? Because I heard my brothers friends uncles wife's sister say that once.

Mr C: Yes I see that , and I agree. But do you think only reading about other religions is going to make the kids go away from religion. I mean how bad can it be to just learn about what people around the world believe? I think the kids will appreciate more that how beautiful the message of Islam is when they know what other religions say. Dont you think ?

Young Angry Protester: No. You see. Its news channels like yours that are funded by the Jewish Lobby of the world to corrupt the minds of our kids( runs away)

Mr C: As you can see. The scenes witnessed here are not only historic, they are also extremely reminiscent of some scenes of low budgeted Bollywood movies. The parents of the kids that are going to that school are not present here. and can not be contacted. and quite frankly the identity of these people protesting can not be established with any certainty. Mr C out.

On our language and the language of our dear beloved neighbours

So when I came in contact with people from Germany I was surprised to find out they didn't know that spoken Urdu and spoken Hindi were very similar languages so much so that we can understand each other completely. I dont blame them. I mean after all everybody knows we dont have the best of relations. But its quite fascinating to be cursed and hurled abuses at in your own national language. It adds quite a flavour to it. I kid here, because on the people to people level. We couldn't be a more similar bunch of people

There IS one difference that I have noted and will like to jot down here. Some Indian people I have met have remarked on my Urdu that its quite "respectful" or "it has some unique words" and that the "pronunciation is beautiful". But I think that's the result of years of reputation held by Urdu as that stately, very civil and "cultured?" language because I think I speak quite normal and not at all well or beautifully

BUT it has led me to something I never thought I would. Now when I meet Indians I actually try to speak those heavy duty, hard sounding, clean throated "pure" and extremely Urdu sounding words and I make the structure of the language as the one in Mughal times. :(.  Hey I am not proud of it but I do it. The last time I did that I even told myself that its crazy and that it doesn't matter. and in any case I am making myself harder to understand. but hey. Put me and an Indian in the same room. and just see how nicely I speak Urdu.

I found myself using words like "tamaddun" "tahzeeb" "khalis" "muttafiq, Taluq and ittefaq" and heck even "yalabari. Quite some words I wouldn't use otherwise. But hey, a mans gotta boast sometimes on some things. This happens to be weird but thats my "that sometime".

p.s If you are an Indian and reading this. I am so sorry :( "mein yeh amal dobara hargiz nahin duhraonga"