India Pakistan Friendship Club is one of the most active and big communities on Orkut social network. Over the years, this orkut community became one of the most favorite online hang out for hundreds and thousands of people from India and Pakistan.
Aminur Rashid is not merely a member of this community but has also successfully won many hearts and is known as one of the key figure of IPFC. Members of IPFC both from India and Pakistan love him and respect him. Aminur is known to be a friendly, mature and a trusted person in IPFC circle. He is also a co-owner of this community; I got a chance to talk with Aminur about his views on India and Pakistan, and his life.
Let me share this interesting interview with you all.
Aminur, please introduce yourself. Your location, profession, birth place etc.
I was born, in Purnia, a small town in Bihar where my dad was posted. I hail from Bhagalpur Bihar, from where I completed my high school, from St Andrew’s school. I then moved to Aligarh where I completed my higher secondary and engineering from Aligarh Muslim University. It was a great stay and learning experience at AMU. I always wonder, why we stopped at just one AMU, which is indeed doing great work providing exemplary healthy environment to students from different parts of India, especially Muslims.
Currently I am working in our Software industry, and at present located in Munich, Germany.
India and Pakistan are known more as a rivals than as friends, what captured your interest in joining a community like IPFC (India Pakistan Friendship Club)?
You said it all. India and Pakistan are indeed rivals. For a number of people from both sides, our patriotism starts and ends with bashing Pakistan (if we are Indians) or bashing India if we are Pakistani. I will be frank here, to say, when I saw this community created by Rahul, a friend of mine, I joined as an inquisitive member, as a member to know how our Indian counterparts has taken this idea of friendship, what is the reaction of Pakistani members. But once I joined, it was never a coming back.
Your journey in IPFC is quiet successful as a moderator, member, mentor and friends of many community members, how do you think personally about it? Is IPFC successful to its mission?
Like I said, I joined the community as an inquisitive member, but then what community provided me was a platform to know people. To interact with them, heated or normal, does not matter. What was more important was we were interacting, and in turn, got a chance to know each other, what the people at other side of the border feels, which normally never happens. We always see people from different field crossing borders and saying good/bad about each other, but interaction between common people of both side and knowing their views, uncensored was a great step ahead. In turn, I met lots of reasonable people from both side of the borders and I feel happy about it.
I would call IPFC moving ahead towards success, albeit slowly. People often complain that the community looks more than a fight club instead of a friendship club, where members keep on fighting. What I say to them is, it’s always the new members who keep on coming back to heated arguments. In IPFC what I have observed is, people join at times with intention to hit back at members from outside, they start with blaming each other, and in span of time, start believing in message of friendship. And then we get new set of people, joining in, starting the same again. So looking from this point of view, you see, with each cycle the community is changing hearts of few, if not many.
What I regret is that IPFC has not done much outside web world, which many feel is just a virtual world. We have come up with an excellent web-site [self praise ]http://ipfc.info to reach out the people outside orkut world and are trying hard to see how we can spread the message in real world as well. In fact you can also help us in the mission; any idea from your side, to help us will always be appreciated.
After 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai, India, both Indians and Pakistani citizens find a big gap between themselves, both politically and socially. Was IPFC affected with it too?
Yes, IPFC was affected as well. There was surge of emotions from both sides. While members, both Pakistani and Indians condemned the horrendous, inhuman attacks in equal terms, but their approach in who were the perpetrators of the crime, was different. And then there were, like always, heated arguments.
But then what was satisfying in the end that members from both side agreed that its common people from both side who are suffering at the hands of this monster, Terrorism.
Aminur, what are your political views on India and Pakistan? Nowadays, the least relation with Pakistan i.e. “cricket” has also disappeared. In all this, your community IPFC looks like a challenge or a dream. Politically and diplomatically what could be the best solution of this unsolved rivalry of more than 50 years?
My Political views on India and Pakistan is totally different. I don’t see the two nations to be friends politically in near future. Even if the current government decides to go the friendship way, you never know with change in governments and in turn the policies, the same can continue.
I would like to see politicians leaving the friendship for the common people of the country and instead taking care of building an environment of trust, an environment where both the nation could look into their internal problems first, without poking the nose in each other’s affairs. Let politicians of both countries forget what is happening on the other side of the border, and contribute towards the internal problem of their nation (which ironically is similar for both the countries, for e.g. terrorism, illiteracy, malnutrition, women exploitation, child exploitation)
The only solution what I have felt is via more of people to people interaction. Free border is a distant possibility in near future, but once we achieve that then it can shed many of the myths about people from both sides. Ask any of the cricket fans, who have crossed the border from either side to cheer up their team; they will always talk highly of the treatment they would have got from the local people. So when these small flows of people have produced positive result, why not let the larger chunk of people to move from one side to other. Yes, there will be security concerns and other concerns as well, but then we all need to sort those concerns, instead of just curtailing the relationship itself.
Then there is not to be talked about Kashmir problem, where both the nations seem to be reluctant to decide about it. This problem must also be solved, (although it’s not as easy as said) taking the interests of Kashmiris in account.
Regarding disappearing of cricket, I feel it was a blessing in disguise. Imagine what happened to Srilankan cricketers, if it would have happened with Indian cricketers. The relationship would have taken a further dip.
What was the toughest phase of your life and how did you came out of it? Please share.
Alhamdullilah, life has treated me very well so far. And even if I try to recall from pages of past, I am not able to find any thing, which really was tough or unusually unfortunate for me. I hope, Lord treats me the same he has been treating so far.
What is your ultimate goal in life?
To excel technically and to be at the level of whom I consider as my role models. Apart from the career related goal, I do wish to be a better human, each passing day.
Besides, I also wish to see an EU like union, in our south Asia, at least in my life time. I am not sure if it is realistic or not, but then nothing wrong in dreaming.
Do you have any role model? Please describe.
Yes, I do have role models. In my professional life, I find professionalism in Sathish Kumar, Steve Muench, and Thomas kurian – all the three from previous company. Sathish Kumar was my manager having excellent managerial skills, along with exemplary technical skills. He has contributed a lot in shaping up my career in positive way.
Steve Muench is one person; you would like to have knowledge like.
Thomas Kurian is the most apt person to lead any organization. These are the guys who motivate you to go the extra miles at your workplace.
There are many people apart from my professional life, who inspire me a lot.
How is the life in Germany? Do you miss India?
Life in Germany is good. There’s lot of things to learn from German colleagues. But yes, I do miss India at times. Specially during festive time. Although to make it up, we tried celebrating festivals together, e.g There was a celebrations and get together on Diwali and Eid as well but then, I feel nothing can beat being at home during festive time.
I will also miss the elections hungama this time as well. Unfortunately, I was out of India, even last time we had elections at center in India. That is a big loss to miss all the fun and action.
Aminur what are your favorite pass time, any hobbies?
Well my favorite stress buster was sharing tea with my friends on our regular Tea stall in the evening when I was in India. I am missing the fun. Apart from that, I enjoy playing badminton a lot.
I do have this unusual habit of flying kite, whenever I get a chance.
Any memorable moment from IPFC community you would like to share?
Definitely I have one. One of our IPFC member’s neighbor was coming to Bangalore, to get their kid operated at Narayana Hridiyala Bangalore. He was skeptical about how the city may treat them, and he asked us, since we were in Bangalore to take care of them. It was a memorable period to meet them. Unfortunately the doctors were not able to save the kid, but the couple did went back with a positive feedback for my country – that was indeed satisfying moment.
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Its true..This guy has a lot of humour sense,maturity and trust among members!!
Rock on bro
Aminur’s view tell us about the true image of modern Indo-Pak relation.Lets thanks Aminur for expressing his view and also
expecting more thoughts like this in near future..
Confused Person
&
Biased Moderator
i like this interview………….really aminur said all thing in a mature way …..especially the answer of political view n about internal problems was great ………….
God bless u aminur ……….[:)]
Great Works Dude!
Aminur is a secular Indian. He is half hindu half muslim true representative of Hindu Muslim Unity.
God Bless you
Jai Ram Ji Ki
Dear All
I know Aminur since very long time. He is a good Indian muslim.
I think his knowledge in Islamic field is very weak.
I am not very regular member of orkut but I have seen him debating people without any logic.
His sole puropose in his owned communities to make hindu brothers happy. Thats is very good thing but on the loss of Islam and muslims.
I think he is passout from AMU Aligarh and educated from some christian convent school. But I am sorry to say his Islamic education base is very weak.
I think he has some kind of fear in his heart sometimes he want to speak truth but he cant. I think he fears that what other people will think about him.
I know because of him many Indian muslims left IM.
I will pray to God to give him Hidaayah
Ameen
I don’t know( or may be I know) who is using my name to comment against Aminur Rashid.
Shame on you, whoever you are!
As far as Aminur Rashid is concerned,he is role model for any fair minded and secular well wisher of India.
I admit, I had and have differences with Aminur Rashid when it came to some of his decisions in IM community and few other things. He banned few extremist Muslims (who claimed to be from India, don’t know if they really were from India). I wished for larger scope for Indian Muslims in that community, because I found (in my personal experience) little or no space for Indian Muslims in most Indian communities.
I thought, it was obvious natural and easiest way to provide fair treatment for all. I know in subconsciousness due to my own secular (neither Convent nor AMU but Hindu secular) schooling that he is right. I realize that my demand for biased moderation would exacerbate the challenge of communal divide and prejudices, and it is probably short lived solution for fairness; but I find no other way. But neither of us wish any unfair treatment to any Indian regardless of their religions or any harm to India.
I will pray, may Allah give you courage to come out with your real identity, instead of faking mine or may be others!
Before I met Aminur Rashid, I had feared and had contempt for Muslims from UP.
I blamed them for partition of India and I looked down up on them due to their attitude of feeling more pride on being their turkik, Arbaic, or persian link than their Indian link. They were more worried of other nations (muslim majority) than their own country. Something which would contrast them with me.
In general I had thought, society in north is not secular and nationalist(inclusivist) like society in which I grew up. Partially because of Babari Mosque demolition, communal hate-monger thug politicians, cases of caste based atrocities and riots, corruption, attitude of people toward other Indians in general. But Aminur Rashid, changed my opinion (along with him Adil Masood; who is also from AMU, I would never have thought of going AMU even if somebody had given me free admission, but I dare say AMU is an asset for India and i regret of not being in AMU myself, may be I missed something precious
).
Way to go Aminur Rashid. You are doing nice job in your capacity to bridge gap between India and Pakistan,one nation divided in two countries due to unleashed communal hatemongers (like one who is feigning my name). May God bring about good out of your efforts.
Badiya Ameenur Bhaijan,I know him from a very long time in IM community.Ameenur bhai is a badshah and loves all the Hindus with his heart,I was protected by him in IM communtiy when fanatic muslims were attacking me and informed me that he is a hindu by heart but by default a born muslim.
Jai ho Ameenur Bhai ki he is a raja among the fanatical Indian Muslims and he informed me that he would come down to our house and Perform the speacial puja for my kids.He knows a great deal about Hindusim and debates the finer details which even we hindus do not know about our temples and scriptures.
Ameenur what should I say about him,we are ralatives as well as buddies from our Bhagalpur days,My aunt Sarala is married to his pateranl uncle,my cousins Rahul and Ronit are so attached to him that they just keep calling him up every day,My another cousin is also married to one of his cousins.
We used to have so much of fun when Ameenur and I were together,we used to visit temples,meet on festivals and do prayers together in my house and go around having masti all the time.He is a jaan of my mom from the time he read complete Geetha in front of her,and she keeps pestering us to learn it too.
We have known each other for the past so amny years and I must say he is unlike other people,He has been offered a place in BJP a very long back but he declined as he wants to concentrate on his career right now but would jump into the fray once he is financially stable.
He wrote an article for BJP in Delhi a long back which was highly praised by everyone.I hope Ameenur achieves whatever he desires and reaches the zenith of stardom for he is very handsome and intelligent and you will find very less muslims like him in India.
Hari Oum!
Ameenur Rashid is one of the dumbest fellow I have seen in IPFC,He mocks and abuses muslims and is not very well versed with Islam,Quran and its teachings.
I dont think he deserves to be called as a Muslim in the first place as he himself claimed once that he is not a Muslim and doesnt belive in its teachings.
What should I say about this person,he is continously asking me to comment on this form,so its here,Ameenur hope you wont mind but Ill try to be honest,He is the one who made me cry a lot in my life but still doesnt leave me or my friendship.
What should I say about Ameenur Rashid,He is a very good person with lot of relgious knowledge,the way he chants shlokas is and was always admired by our AMU friends,he has whacky sense of humour and keeps making others laugh.
My buddy is my best friend since childhood. we both educated in same school.
Then I joined RSS children wing and then I invited our buddy aminur to join. He joined.I did not see muslim in India like aminur. He is a gem of person true nationalist.He always consider India first and Islam later.
we constantly worked for BJP in election whole day and night and enjoyed a lot. Aminur is not like other muslims he always consider India first and Islam later.
our heroes were always shahnawaz alam,mukhtar abbas naqvi and sikandar Bakht.we have a high respect for ABVP,BJP and RSS.
If my buddy will come into politics he will replace shahnawaz alam and mukhtar abbas naqvi. He has a great potential.He loves Hinduism as much as Islam.
You will find very less Indian Muslim like our buddy Aminur.
He has more Hindu friends and less muslims.
I enjoyed a lot with him
I wish him great success in life
Manoj Jain
Ameenur is very very handsome,with greek god like looks,he is one of my very good friends,his looks can kill even a bird,he was after many girls but noe gave him any bhav even after his marriage..Lol!
Says he would marry a hindu girl and make her his second wife as its written in her kundli he wud marry two women.
My best wishes to him .
Baba Ameenur as he is called by freinds is very keen that i write hima comment on this website,so here it is Ammu Baba is very nice human being with lots of stupidity in his brains but a good person over all with good knowledge of hindu relgion,he has a good sense of humour and can make a sick person alugh r cry with his humour,\
He has some bad qualities which I would not like to discuss as he only requested me to write some nice comments,:)
I can only say Babu ji dheere chalna pyar main zara samabhalna ,haan bade dhoke hain bade dhoke hain is raah main.;)
Good Interview brother you are an epitome of Hindu Muslim man ,may you get success in life.You have proven that a man can be a muslim as well as a hindu as per his wishes.You must lead the Indian muslims one day and if all of them follow your path then n\there would be no BJP or RSS and we can lead a very good life as Indians.Best of Luck.
Ameenur is sadhu baba thats what we called him in our college days,he is a very genuine Indian who hates Pakistanis and takes revenge on them(dont say that you dont:p)
Hates Kashmiris and abuses them reguarly,hates Arabs and has no plans to visit Mecca ever(u said this in delhi)
Doesnt pray namaz ever(:P)Infact he says its waste of time.
Even though he may never hve wanted me to reveal all this ,let me tell u at the end he is not a harmful person but a genuine supporter of himanity and looks at situations through a hindu eye.
Keep it up buddy.
Did not knew this dog is still barking and now he has barked in Orkut Heroes.[:D][:D][:D][:D]
Buddy don’t yuou worry. These are the same extremists Pakistanis whom yuo banned for their religious abuses and its their frustation that is speaking against you.
Remember the dialogue of Guru : Jab log tumhari buraayee karne lage to samjho successful ho rahe ho.
Just be what you are and continue restricting these religious pakistani monsters.
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