Genocide is defined as
the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or
cultural group. The world has suffered many genocides in human history
and, despite progress of civilization, their scope and enormity have not
decreased. Genocide is one of the worst crimes against humanity.
Learning about genocides need not be confined
within academic spheres. A priority outcome from such learning would be a
desire to help prevent (or minimize the potential for) genocides in the
future. It may not be imputed herefrom, however, that past genocides are
irrelevant. Rather, preventing future genocides requires that we become
adequately aware of past genocides, holding accountable, wherever
possible, those who committed them.
This field is not a podium for partisan
posturing. It calls for people who consider humanity ahead of religious,
cultural, ethnic, linguistic, philosophical, and other differences when
evaluating crimes against humanity.
In addition, people concerned about genocides are
not necessarily seeking vengeance. Rather, they seek justice to help make
the future safer for humanity.
My awareness of and interest in genocides did
not blossom from merely an academic perspective. Rather, they did because I was too close to one
such genocide that in 1971 bulldozed over Bangladesh (the then East
Pakistan), when I was only 12.
Even though the extent and severity of genocides
vary, the one in East Pakistan would be regarded as one of the worst,
based on the sheer headcount and the short time frame during which it was
carried out. I am particularly interested in this because it happened
within a so-called Muslim country (more appropriately, Muslim-majority
country), with some Muslims perpetrating it against their fellow Muslims and other non-Muslim citizens
(the Bengalis, or Bengali-speaking segment, including and particularly,
the Hindus) of the country.
Worse, almost the entire Muslim world not only remained silent but also lent
support to Pakistan as a country, which abetted an army to commit the
genocide. Even today, many Muslims from around the world seem either
unfamiliar with that genocide or quite insensitive to even learn about it.
Thus, an important goal of this site is to
create better awareness among the Muslims and to sensitize them about
genocide and crimes against humanity in general. Joining the humanity, in
partnership, let Muslims neither be victims of a genocide nor be
perpetrators either against fellow Muslims or fellow human beings.
Let them also join hands with the rest of the humanity to ensure that no
further genocide is committed by any group against another group anywhere.
Although my personal interest in genocides
was precipitated by the genocide of 1971 in Bangladesh (then East
Pakistan), I am equally concerned about
ALL genocides and mass killings, hoping to add to the collective cause to help prevent such
crimes against humanity in the future. Notably, there were many civilian non-Bengalis as well as Bengalis, who were regarded as
anti-liberation, killed - often brutally - during the same period. Also,
there were pogroms against non-Bengalis (Biharis, to be specific) during
the pre-March 25 period in 1971 and post-Dec. 16 period. Such killing of civilians
and brutality are not
to be condoned or forgotten either.
An important note:
There is hardly any genocide that is not disputed at least in some
respect, if not in its entirety. We have made a conscientious effort to
add as much pertinent material as possible. However, this site is not
specific and comprehensive in regard to other genocides. If for a more
balanced view or treatment, certain credible and especially academic works
deserve mentioning, please contact me for due consideration.
I welcome your feedback and suggestions. Also,
should
you have any material to add to this site, please let me know at
farooqm@globalwebpost.com.
