Jaihoon

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Mujeeb Jaihoon

Mujeeb Jaihoon is a reputed Indian author widely acclaimed for his books on mystic themes. His works have transcended linguistic boundaries with translations into French, Italian, Arabic, Urdu, Tamil, and Malayalam. 

Dubbed as a ‘mystical discourse on Indian Indigeneity’, The Cool Breeze From Hind (2018), a semi-fictional novel, treats the reader to a mystic feast of brilliant visual metaphors and powerful imagery with a rare poetic-prose prowess unique to this UAE-based Indian storyteller. Jaihoon alerts readers about the dangers of the demonic Monoculture, which wounds the spirit of India’s pluralistic and secular fabric. Adopting a mystic narrative reminiscent of medieval Sufism, the book celebrates India as a multicultural haven of diversity and tolerance: the Gulistan. In 2017, a college magazine in Kerala listed Jaihoon among the ‘Golden Fighters’ along with Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar, Medha Patkar and Nick Ut, the Vietnamese American photographer for the Associated Press. He was also featured in Young Indian Visionaries.

Dubbed as a ‘mystical discourse on Indian Indigeneity’, The Cool Breeze Hind From Hind (2018), a semi-fictional novel.

Dubbed as a ‘mystical discourse on Indian Indigeneity’, The Cool Breeze From Hind (2018), a semi-fictional novel, treats the reader to a mystic feast of brilliant visual metaphors and powerful imagery with a rare poetic-prose prowess unique to this UAE-based Indian storyteller. Jaihoon alerts readers about the dangers of the demonic Monoculture, which wounds the spirit of India’s pluralistic and secular fabric. Adopting a mystic narrative reminiscent of medieval Sufism, the book celebrates India as a multicultural haven of diversity and tolerance: the Gulistan. In 2017, a college magazine in Kerala listed Jaihoon among the ‘Golden Fighters’ along with Prakash Yashwant Ambedkar, Medha Patkar and Nick Ut, the Vietnamese American photographer for the Associated Press. He was also featured in Young Indian Visionaries.

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Malayalam or “Ma La Ya’lam”: The Book Fair Bump in with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
Malayalam or “Ma La Ya’lam”: The Book Fair Bump in with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

<pre>The gold rush to visit the venue on the last day of an ongoing event is only habitual for us humans, especially in our days of time poverty. I, too, joined this common ritual by dashing to the concluding day of the Sharjah International Book Fair, hoping for any last-minute miracles. And the Heavens did not disappoint me, as always. Hence, my gut feeling that both our fanciful desire and its fulfillment are from His Divine ‘Destiny-Tablet’. As I and my book-loving daughter strolled through the 43rd edition of one of the world’s largest book fairs, destiny had it that we stepped into the renowned repository of the British book collector, Idris Mears. As we moved in closer to the book shelves, I noticed my little child pointing at someone, with eyes wide open and hushed with disbelief. As I turned in the pointed direction, I too realized why she couldn’t utter a word. Could coincidence be this brutal beyond belief? A glance too unreal for the eyes to behold! I looked at my daughter again and whispered: “Is that our Shaykh Hamza Yusuf?” She affirmed with her familiar assertive nod. Donned in a golden hooded Moroccan thobe and white cap, standing before me was the human form personified of a voice I had been lending my ears and heart to for the past quarter century. Shaykh Hamza represents one of the finest living symbioses of Islamic and Western intelligentsia. He is not a stranger to Middle and Eastern sciences as well, which was evident from our discussion that followed. Trained in the traditional Islamic sciences in the merciless deserts of Mauritania and spent a modest part of his life in the company of some of the notable saints and scholars of our time, Shaykh Hamza is among the most influential Islamic icons. Though he is acclaimed by some as the ‘Rockstar of Traditional Islam,’ the American Islamic scholar is an advocate of spiritual and introspective practice of the Faith, often shunning politically charged controversies. After exchanging greetings and introductions, he turned to my daughter and asked her name. When she replied, “Junaina,” he exclaimed with childlike wonder, “Oh, the Little Garden,” translating her name. Just then an anxious Indian student rushed breathless to the scene, unable to control his bewilderment of witnessing his favorite scholar. He inquired about the boy’s whereabouts, and as soon as he mentioned “Kerala,” the founder of Zaytuna College exclaimed that his institution had students from the South Indian state. When the student inquired about how to make it to this prestigious Islamic center, the Shaykh asked him to focus on linguistic skills including Arabic grammar and English vocabulary. He reminded the student it is important for a seeker to attain mastery of languages and as many diverse forms of knowledge. He also asked the teenager to excel in Mathematics, including calculus and trigonometry, as they were compulsory subjects in the Berkeley, California-based liberal arts college. He quoted the Quranic verse which highlighted the epistemological importance of Mathematics: وَجَعَلْنَا اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ آيَتَيْنِ ۖ فَمَحَوْنَا آيَةَ اللَّيْلِ وَجَعَلْنَا آيَةَ النَّهَارِ مُبْصِرَةً لِّتَبْتَغُوا فَضْلًا مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلِتَعْلَمُوا عَدَدَ السِّنِينَ وَالْحِسَابَ ۚ وَكُلَّ شَيْءٍ فَصَّلْنَاهُ تَفْصِيلًا <em>And We have made the night and the day two Signs, and the Sign of night We have made dark, and the Sign of day We have made sight giving, that you may seek bounty from your Lord, and that you may know the computation of years, reckoning of time and mathematics. And everything We have explained with a detailed explanation. (Al Quran 17:12)</em> No sooner had he concluded the academic discussion when the Malayalam publisher of his book burst onto the scene, eager to join the lively gathering. When they presented the book for the celebrated preacher to review, he responded with an unexpected remark: “Change his image in the next edition with a non-smiling, serious pose photo.” He reminded that a believer must appear serious when others observe him so that the topic is taken seriously. The companions of the Holy Prophet saw a thoughtful person while he was alone. “والحزن رفيقي…” I interrupted. “Exactly. Sadness is my companion,” explained the Shaykh. To lighten up the mood, he shared a common saying of the Arabs that Malayalam is actually “<em>Ma La Yalam</em>” referring to the ambiguity and difficulty of the Indian language. All those present shared a hearty laugh. While Shaykh Hamza Yusuf was a globally respected speaker and scholar, he did not hesitate to warmly accept my humble poetry anthology, <em>The Maverick De</em><em>rvish</em>, which he immediately added to his books collection. I recalled our previous two meetings - the first at Medina, the blessed city of the Holy Prophet, where he made dua in front of the Rawdha Shareef after reciting salat on the Beloved (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), and the other at the American University of Sharjah. Shaykh Hamza left too soon. All those present stood still, not sure if they were in a dream or reality. Amidst all the bustling noise of the book fair, they placed their hands on their hearts, unable to contain their gratitude to the Ultimate Planner of all planners. <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-809" src="https://beta.jaihoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/hamza-yusuf-jaihoon-shj-book-fair-2024-2.webp" alt="" width="1577" height="887" /> <img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-808" src="https://beta.jaihoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/hamza-yusuf-jaihoon-shj-book-fair-2024-3.webp" alt="" width="1245" height="700" /> <em>Nov 17, 2024. Written in good faith. Any errors are the writer’s own.</em></pre>

Voice of Resistance
Voice of Resistance

‘Herbivore on the dining table. Carnivore on the streets’ How will you describe a rabid mob of cow vigilantes in better words? In a nutshell, it explains the hypocrisy of those who claim to be ‘protectors’ of tradition but hunt down hapless men in the name of an innocent animal. It is a scathing critique of the double standards that exist in Indian society, where religious minorities and marginalized groups are being targeted with impunity by the so-called guardians Sanatana dharma. ‘The birthplace of deities should not become graveyards of humans’ The death and destruction unleashed for Ram’s Ayodhya left a deep scar on India’s cheek. Now, moves are on to harvest hatred in Krishna’s Mathura. It’s turning out to be another Babari Masjid in the making. ‘Godse is an oxymoron. It’s actually Devilse’ Here, the very name that became synonym of hatred by killing Mahatma Gandhi, the prophet of non-violence, carries ‘god’ in his name! These quotes are a few picks from the recently published ‘Mantra of the Oppressed’ by Mujeeb Jaihoon, a Kerala-born writer and activist based in Dubai. The book offers a powerful and disturbing commentary on the current reality of India. Through a few selected poems, essays and quotes, Jaihoon speaks to the rising tide of hate and bigotry, the normalization of violence, and the erosion of fundamental values such as tolerance, pluralism, and compassion. Jaihoon, known for his sufi thoughts, laments the increasing polarization and the growing acceptance of intolerance among believers and reminds, ‘Faith is meant to terrorize the Devil within. Not fellow humans.’ This small handbook of creative resistance prompts readers to open their hearts and minds and calls for action against divisive forces on a strong footing of mutual respect and tolerance. *** original post: https://www.facebook.com/1245335213/posts/pfbid02fmeji1rJLSqCowEHCkZfKM4Z8ifUH4LWmGJ3o2oJqkaPB9pezuSGqKMgYSDcB6d4l/?mibextid=GL35nR

Invoking A Creative Fight Against Fascism
Invoking A Creative Fight Against Fascism

India is undergoing one of her worst pressure cooker phases, where minorities are facing increasing discrimination and the government is increasingly intolerant of dissent. Mob lynching of Muslims, the imposition of a hijab ban, and the repeal of Article 370, which granted special status to Kashmir are only some of the innumerable signs of a government that is becoming increasingly authoritarian. Mujeeb Jaihoon’s timely and important book, Mantra of the Oppressed, provides a sobering assessment of the political, social, and cultural challenges facing Indian Minorities today. He argues that India is under threat from a majoritarian fascist regime that is undermining democratic institutions and persecuting minority groups. He also warns that the world is facing a similar threat from the rise of right-wing populism. Jaihoon then goes on to discuss the rise of right-wing populism around the world. He argues that this is a global phenomenon that is being driven by several factors, including economic inequality, fear of immigration, and social media. He warns that right-wing populists are a threat to democracy and human rights everywhere. India is facing several specific challenges, including the caste system, the agrarian economy, and the weakness of the opposition. He argues that these challenges are making it difficult for India to build a strong democracy. Jaihoon’s analysis of the threat of majoritarian fascism and right-wing populism is particularly insightful. He argues that these movements are not simply about cultural identity or economic grievances. Rather, they are about the desire to establish a new social order based on exclusion and discrimination. Dubbed as a ‘handbook of creative resistance’, ‘Mantra of the Oppressed’ helps us to understand the nature of the threat we face and to develop strategies for countering it. It calls for the need to defend our democratic institutions and protect minority rights. We also need to address the root causes of poverty and inequality, which are the breeding grounds for extremism. The author concludes by offering some suggestions for how to address the challenges facing India. He argues that India needs to strengthen its democratic institutions, protect minority rights, and address the root causes of poverty and inequality. In addition to analysis of the threat of majoritarian fascism and right-wing populism, this book also offers several thoughtful suggestions for how to address the challenges facing India. For example, Jaihoon argues that India needs to reform its electoral system to make it more representative of the country’s diverse population. He also argues that India needs to strengthen its independent judiciary and media. ‘Mantra of the Oppressed’ is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of democracy. It is a sobering but necessary read for anyone who wants to understand the challenges facing India and the world today. Many foreign observers of India have been critical of the government’s authoritarian tendencies and its persecution of minorities. However, Jaihoon’s book provides a more nuanced perspective. He believes that it is possible to build a more just and equitable society if India’s citizens are willing to stand up for their rights and demand change. MANTRA OF THE OPPRESSED is published by The Book People, 2023. It is available on Amazon and Flipkart. [The reviewer, Adnan Aboobacker, is a political scientist with a unique blend of expertise. As a political scientist at a prominent Russian geopolitical magazine, his writings are grounded in rigorous social research. He is now a successful textile business entrepreneur based in Qatar.] *** originally published at https://ummid.com/news/2023/october/02-10-2023/mantra-of-the-oppressed-invoking-a-creative-fight-against-fascism.html