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Announcements

Announcements. Paper Proposals Due Wednesday Please submit at the beginning of class, hard-copy Late papers will lose 1/3 grade per day. Wed. Nov. 9, 1:30-2:30 Lecture-demonstration comparing Hula and Indian dance. Korean Studies Auditorium. Asian Economies.

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Announcements

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  1. Announcements Paper Proposals Due Wednesday Please submit at the beginning of class, hard-copy Late papers will lose 1/3 grade per day. Wed. Nov. 9, 1:30-2:30 Lecture-demonstration comparing Hula and Indian dance. Korean Studies Auditorium.

  2. Asian Economies • What is the role of large, multi-national organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative (APEC)?’ • Are larger countries – United States, China, India – only acting in their own best interests, overshadowing smaller countries? • Do they ignore the local situation and promote trade over human rights, environmental concerns? • Are they “neo-colonial”? • 1998: IMF President Michel Camdessus stands over Suharto, who signs stringent conditions for Indonesia’s economic bailout.

  3. Grameen Bank and Micro-financing • Are small, local initiatives more effective? • Grameen Bank (Bangladesh) • Operates on small, short-term loans, typically about $27.00 • Accepts services or collateral as assurance, rather than charging interest • Relies upon neighborhood pressure to ensure repayment March 2011: Founder Muhammad Yunusforced to resign by the Bangladesh government, on charges of legal and age-limitation violations.

  4. Why are religious tensionsdifficult to resolve ? • The world has seen a rise in “fundamentalism” over the past two decades. • Religion is connected to feelings of identity, including ethnicity. • Conflict can occur between any religious groups; no religion is inherently “peaceful” or “violent.” • Tensions don’t necessarily involve physical conflict; can be manifested in cultural, legal or social discrimination. • Battles develop when there are perceptions of injustice, especially in economic matters. • Leaders can be influential in justifying conflict or in helping to foster greater tolerance.

  5. Religion, Politics, and Economy in South AsiaNovember 5, 2011

  6. Shia versus Sunni in Pakistan • Sunni Muslims: 80% • Shia Muslims; 20%. Prominent in banking and commerce • Ancient grudge: killing of Prophet’s grandson Hussein, mourned in the first month (Muharram) • Different views about highest Muslim authority – Shia venerate the Aga Khan as successor to the Prophet. • Different views on interpretation of Islamic teachings.

  7. Influence of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq • Chief of the army, Zia took control of Pakistan in 1977 by proclaiming martial law. • President from 1978-1988. • His religious edicts (e.g. collection of zakat, a theology book for students) favored Sunni and fueled Sunni-Shia tensions, largely unknown previously. • The Iranian revolution (1979) encouraged Shia militancy. • Shipments of arms entered Pakistan with the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. • 1980s: Sunni and Shia conflicts accelerated and thousands have been killed since then.

  8. Pakistan’sMuslim Sectarian Violence • Violence has continued as Islamists support various causes – jihad in Afghanistan or Kashmir, and crusades against “false Muslims” like Ahmadiyya, branded as heretics because they believe Muhammad was not the last prophet. • Each Islamist group claims to promote authentic Islam, so often clash with each other. • After 9/11, President Musharraf banned militant groups, but this did not lessen violence.

  9. Muharram in Lahore Shiites stage processions to mourn the 7th-c. death of Prophet Mohammad's grandson, the event that split Islam’s Shiite and Sunni sects. Soldiers guard a Shiite mosque in Karachi as the mourning month of Muharram starts.

  10. Some recent incidents: • Jan. 2009: Suicide attack on a Shia religious procession during Muharram kills 14 and injures 25 (Peshawar) • Oct. 2010: Three bombs kills 40 and injure 300 as Shia Muslims marked the martyrdom of the first Shia Imam (Lahore) • Sept. 2011: 26 Shia pilgrims are pulled off a bus and gunned down. • Nov. 2011: Suicide bomber blows himself up as he approaches a Shia mosque in the South. In the wake of the 2010-11 floods, GDP growth may hover at 2.5%, inflation at 14%.

  11. Violence between Sinhalese Buddhist majority and Tamil Hindu separatists since 1980s. Tamil dominance in economy and bureaucracy resented; many could not speak Sinhalese and had not taken out Sri Lankan citizenship. Ethnic and cultural differences, not just religious. Tamil Tigers surrendered in May 2009, but tens of thousands died in this conflict, hundreds of thousands made homeless. As refugees make their way back home, will Tamils be treated fairly? Hindus vs. Buddhists in Sri Lanka

  12. Christian Missionizing in Sri Lanka • Well-established Catholic and Anglican community (7.2% of population) • After 2004 tsunami, some Christians came in as humanitarian NGOs, but primarily engaged in missionizing. Offered aid (food, new homes) in exchange for attending Christian worship services. Buddhism represented as a “heathen” belief system. • Evangelical churches attacked in 2003-06, though situation has improved.

  13. Hindus vs. Muslims in IndiaThe Case of the Babri Mosque Dec.1992: BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) worked Hindu mobs into frenzy, leading to destruction of Babri mosque at Ayodhya. 2,000 killed; riots, violence spread. BJPdefeated the Indian National Congress Party, ruled India for 6 years (1998-2004). BJP encourages Hinduvta – Hindu supremacy, chauvinism. 2004 Congress Party returns, but BJP still strong in some states. Destruction of mosque created enduring tensions between Muslims and Hindus The Babri Mosque See videotape 10822: Rama ke Naam = In the name of God

  14. Mumbai Riots 1992-3 • Babri Mosque destruction set off Muslim riots in Mumbai (Bombay) • Retaliatory Hindu attacks followed, encouraged by BJP politicians. • 500 Muslims killed; 200 Hindus killed, 2,000 people injured. • Mumbai reactions esp. strong – Why?Slums, unemployment, political failure. • Communalism: Mumbai divided into separate neighborhoods with rigid religious identity.

  15. Gujarat Riots 2002 Across India, tensions worsened after 9-11, especially after BJP announced a Hindu temple would be built at Ayodhya. Gujarat Riots, 2002: Train car burned, 54 Hindu passengers killed. In the resulting violence, 1,000 – 2,000 people killed, primarily Muslims. • The local government and Chief Minister Narendra Modi did little to stop the violence – and may have encouraged it. • What criminal elements were involved in the killings? • November 2011: Nadeem Saiyed, political activist and key witness in the 2002 case was recently stabbed to death after testifying in court.

  16. Gujarat Successes Fastest growing economy in India; responsible for 16% of industrial output, 22% of exports Most industrialized state: producing oil, chemicals, gas, minerals, textiles, cotton, pharmaceuticals; supports refineries and ports, car and motorcycle manufacturers Accessible highways and roads (some privately operated) Reliable electricity and water supply.

  17. Questions about Modi Chief Minister: Narendra Modi, prominent member of the BJP – aiming for national leadership of the party What was Modi’s role during the riots? To what extent does he support a Hindutva agenda – and for what purpose? Modi recently welcomed a visit from another controversial BJP leader, Advani (pictured right), known for his encouragement of the destruction of the Babri Mosque.

  18. Religious Tensions and Corruption To what extent will communalism and corruption handicap India’s economic development? • World’s 9th largest economy, one of the fastest growing in Asia(11%) • Plagued by religious tension and violence. • Hampered by corruption (ranked 87 of 178 countries) • Great disparity of wealth: 55 billionaires but GDP per capita (per person) at $3,500 Is religion used to encourage the violence, as well as the loyalty, of the population?

  19. Christians are 2.4 % of the population. Since 1999, periodic violence in Orissa state, where many Dalit (outcastes) have become Christian. Violence is driven by rising anger over Christian conversions -- Baptists, Pentecostals and Catholics -- and economic tensions between communities. In 2008 some 4,000 Christian homes and 115 churches were destroyed in the region. Dalit have asked President Obama to support their cause. Hindu-Christian Tensions in India

  20. Mumbai 2008 • Muslim Retaliation • Nov. 2008: Heavily armed gunmen killed more than 100 people and wounded more than 300 in Mumbai in coordinated attacks against two 5-star hotels, the city’s largest train station, a movie theater, a hospital, and a Jewish center. Apparent links with Pakistan militants. • The 2008 Mumbai terror attacks have led to further hardening of inter-communal relations within India. Policemen guard the Taj Mahal hotel

  21. Conclusions • Across South Asia, causes of religious conflict are always complicated. • They involve issues of ethnicity, language, politics, economic difference, a sense of injustice, and above all, memory. • Education, government impartiality, and economic equity appear to be crucial in resolving issues. • These are not easy to achieve, and despite “cease-fires,” resolution of conflicts that involve religious difference will be difficult to achieve.

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