By G.M.Shakir (Adv.)

It is law of nature that the human beings need active cooperation from other human beings. This cooperation not only makes the life of the individual very comfortable and easy but also this adds efficiency to society in general. Similar is the case of a nation. If it confines itself with in the four corners of its knowledge, art and learning and does not allow the knowledge of other nations to come within it, surely, it will not progress. Be the knowledge scientific or of other kind.

Islam has its own policy with respect to relation with other nations. However, it is not so conservative to stop its followers from achieving the knowledge and good things from other nations, provided those things are not opposed to basic tenets of Islam. The prisoners of war in the battle of Badder were set free on the condition that they teach writing and reading to Muslim children. There are many such instances where the Prophet (SAW) used the services of non-Muslims. These and other instances lead to this conclusion that Islam never prohibits its followers achieving the knowledge and wisdom from other people others. Instead, the Prophet (SAW) has said, “The wisdom is lost thing of the Moomin wherever he finds it he takes it”

However, at liberty to get knowledge from the others Islamic culture and tenants of it are never to be made a scapegoat for this. We may follow the course adopted by other but it must not as the monkeys’ imitated Khalil Khan. The Golden rule is “take what is clean and leave what is dirty”

At Present, the Western Countries and America is at the highest level so far as the mundane life is concerned. America is at the zenith of the material prosperity .No doubt we must learn the way and means of economic prosperity. We are not restrained by Islam to obtain knowledge of any kind from it especially science and technology .At the same time we must not be mere imitators, without using the senses, adopting each path of these developed countries. Alas, instead following these countries in developing our economy we are treading to that path as may surely lead us to destruction. We imitate these developed nations only in fashion and their habbits in particular harmful ones. Our young generation blindly imitates these people in those habbits and customs, which have nothing to do with science, and technology .If we have a look at any market places and roads and our young generation seems completely deviant from the dress code. Making one’s person presentable is good but certain limitations are there also. These limitations are not disadvantageous but are surely for the betterment of society and individuals. It is strange that these youngsters feel ashamed of having the natural and Kashmiri colour of hair and dye the hair according to English colour, Some times their figures seems funny. This is not learning but is slavery of the worst type. Even they forget that these dyes contain some hazardous substances like hydrogen peroxide, which is skin irritant. Some dyes contain those substances as may make a person blind. These young girls/boys forget that by a slight mistake those will be deprived of a greatest blessing i.e. eye sight. The word modesty seems to have been eliminated from our society and is only found in dictionary. This is not progress but only taking fight with the nature and who over opposes the nature is sure to get annihilated. The material prosperity is not obtained by neglecting the modesty Allama Iqbal Says “The strength of the west is not due to playing of musical instruments (Changu Rabab)not due to dance of the naked girls ,Not due to the magic of the Lala ( a red flower) faced magicians ,not due to naked shin not due to cutting of the hair but due to knowledge and technology .The wisdom does not come by cutting(putting out) and tearing of clothes .Turban is not a hindrance to knowledge and technology .For achieving the knowledge and technology brain( of west) is required and not clothes of west..

Forgetting what Allama has said, the young generation seems completely bent upon throwing the traditional dress code in the dustbin. For the sake of name, a piece of clothes is hung in the neck leaving the natural adornment (hair) completely to be looked by the strangers. The Duptta seems wastage of the cloth as it does not conceal the hair. The parents seem completely ignorant or indifferent to this situation. They least bother about this or have become helpless. The females who are working outside the home wear those type of clothes as once muslim male hated to wear. This young generation brands anyone advising to wear proper dress as conservative, “upper story to let” and what not.

This exposure of hair which latter on develops in exposure of body and other physical traits is sure to lead us to that sort of destruction as the west is facing. As this is beginning and climax will be sure of those countries who are followed by us without thinking. The women folk in west and in America is being crushed. There chastity and modesty is now without any safety. The women are frequently the subjected To sexual violence by male. , “In the Uniform Crime Reporting Program it has been stated, “the victims of forcible rape are always female, and in 1995 an estimated 72 of every 100,000 females in the country were reported rape victims.” The latest position in the America is not encouraging. In the USA a woman is raped after every 90 seconds (US Department of Justice, 2000 In France 25,000 women are raped per year (European Women's Lobby, 2001)).As is usually said that there reporting is accurate and not like eastern countries .This hypotheses is negated by the report as it reads “Rape is the most violent form of sexual violence. Rape is also associated with unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS. However, rape is greatly under reported because of the stigma attached to it, and even more rarely punished.”
This situation has made the life of western woman very unsafe and in the result; these women seek shelter in Islam. In a magazine, it has been reported that the proportion of women and gents who convert is one is to four. They know that it is Islam where those could seek protection from the exploitation and sexual harassment by men. It is not only their chastity and modesty, which is under threat, but also the health of the whole nation is at stake. As is known, that one of the causes of the rapid spread of the AIDS is changing the partners. Generally, we may say it is extra marital sex, which plays the greater part in spreading this dreadful malady. As the America is very advanced in Medical Science and every protection is available for saving a person from HIV from the other modes of being infected. Unbridled sex is the cause as has been declared in the same report. “Increasingly, violence against women is recognized as a major public health concern. Violence can affect woman's reproductive health as well as other aspects of her physical and mental well-being. Sexual violence against women has led to higher infection rates of HIV/AIDS than among men of the same age group. And further it has been reported “· AIDS now ranks as one of the leading causes of death among women aged 20 to 40 in several cities in Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and North America (UNAIDS, 2003”.Other sexually transmitted disease are not included in these figures.

Some people are of the opinion that the reason for such high figures of sexual violence in America and other developed countries is correct reporting .Whereas in the poor countries all the offences against the ladies are not reported. This is mere fallacy. The reality is different as the correct reporting of sexual offences is not available in these countries also. . It has been said in a report that only 16 percent of rapes are reported to the police. Rape in America: A Report to the Nation   ( National Victim Center and Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center).In our small valley of Kashmir the crime against women is also increasing. As per press reports in this Valley, in the year 2004, 120 rapes occurred and eighty-three challans were presented in the various courts for the offence of rape. Eight hundred sixty seven cases of using criminal force for outraging modesty also occurred ,Besides these offences of 156 cases of Eve teasing, 458 Kidnapping and abduction have also been reported (of course these are not actual figures as all the cases of sexual offences are not reported to Police) .

Another result of this dangerous situation is collapse of family system. These countries have developed old age homes to cater the needs of old people but You may be able to provide food and all other needs for the old people in these home, but the love and respect for which a human being clamours in old age is not possible .

If we are serious about our future, the immediate necessary steps are needed .The Scholars, University Professors and social workers must take lead in this. Our Moulanas and religious leaders have to play an important part in eliminating this imitation of the western culture. In the Friday prayers, they must inform the people of the dangers and horrors of this civilization. Parents are also responsible to teach their children the right standard of thinking. Failing to change the course of our youth, we surely will have to face the destruction.