Sunday, January 19, 2014

Save our souls: The half mast controversy

We have been getting a flurry of images depicting our country's and others' flags flowing at half mast due to the death of our beloved Aqa Maula, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin. 
As always, not to be easily convinced, I decided to do a small research and check out the facts before accepting them. 
It didn't take me long to get to the bottom of it all. 
Let's take our Indian flag. No better proof than first hand information. I went to Mantralaya myself and got a few pics to prove my point. As expected, our flag was not flying half mast.
Mantralaya as on 1630 hrs 19.01.14
Wikipedia has clearly stated the conditions when the flag is flown half mast. 
"The flag is flown half-mast nationwide on the death of the president, Vice-president or prime minister. It is flown half-mast in New Delhi and the state of origin for the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and Union Ministers. On deaths of Governors, Lt. Governors and Chief Ministers, the flag is flown at half-mast in the respective states and union territories."

Also, the picture that is being fluently forwarded by one and all depicting our Indian flag at half mast is actually dated 14th Aug 2012 at the death of former CM- Vilasrao Deshmukh ( Note the image of the bird flying in the right corner of the image). 

To make matters worse, the US flag has also been shown at half mast. 

"Wyoming Governor Mead has ordered the United States flag and State of Wyoming flag lowered to half-staff statewide from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, January 18, 2014 in honor of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Andrew L. McAdams who died serving our country in the line of duty in Afghanistan on Friday, January 10, 2014."

Enough is enough. I am not going to individually check all flags of various countries and the reasons for their half mast. If people love and are happy with false information, so be it. But I won't accept things lying down. I thought it was my duty to make the gullibles be aware of the facts. But I don't think, this will ever stop. And probably my work would also never end. 



Posted by at

105 comments:

  1. Huzaifa Salakar19 January 2014 at 18:18

    Very informative information
    Needs more forwards for an eye opener

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shabbir Baldiwala19 January 2014 at 18:21

      Thanks mate. Kindly do the needful.

      Delete
    2. Abdeali19 January 2014 at 22:00

      See I found it both misguiding and informative to a certain extent

      You should gather all the info instead of just researching 1 or to flag.

      Do not blog such info or else u would make ur self eligible for la'anat

      Delete
    3. Anonymous20 January 2014 at 11:48

      Mr. Abdeali,

      My take on this - It seems you're way too biased... Or shall we say 'blinded'.

      Delete
    4. unknown20 January 2014 at 21:21

      Agree with u mr.Abdeali

      Delete
  2. Unknown19 January 2014 at 18:54

    Great work shabbir! Wonder who starts such rumors. Very few would actually try n find the truth. It is a sorry state we are in- just following the herd. Keep it up.

    ReplyDelete
  3. rocksolid19 January 2014 at 19:01

    Thanks. I too believed these rumours. Thanks for the clarification.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 19:15

    Good work , atleast this will do some damage control for our community which is being bombarded by these illiterate fanatics who do more harm then good .....

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 19:22

    Shabbir thanks for collecting valuable Information. But these illiterate fanatics will still will not believe this. They are happy in self created heaven.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. unknown20 January 2014 at 21:10

      Mr/ ms anonymous please note u r talking about our community people..they r unaware for sure.but they are one of us. Let this article be an eye opener...

      Delete
  6. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 19:35

    If the romour of Indian flag was not enough, people starting forwarding images of Pakistan flag being lowered!! This is what we call mis-use of social media at its best!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 22:06

      Pakistan is the only country who has actually lowered their flag for the death of our moula
      Get your facts straight before posting anything stupid

      Delete
    2. Anonymous20 January 2014 at 01:26

      Hopefully this link will answer your false illusion about Pakistan lowering their flag in Aqa Moula's honor. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/england/8897489.stm

      Delete
    3. Shabbir Baldiwala20 January 2014 at 07:20

      Pakistan may have lowered their flag as reported, but definitely the image that has been circulated is doctored. Thx for the research.

      Delete
  7. Unknown19 January 2014 at 20:08

    Thanks Shabbir

    ReplyDelete
  8. Unknown19 January 2014 at 20:09

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Unknown19 January 2014 at 20:10

    Thanks for the information

    ReplyDelete
  10. Unknown19 January 2014 at 20:10

    Thanks for the information

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 20:13

    In Pakistan it is real i have reached mumbai or else i would have sent pics

    ReplyDelete
  12. Moiz19 January 2014 at 20:26

    In pakistan its real check for pakistan

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 20:27

    I did research d nly flag dats half mast is in sindh..n its declared by d cm..googled it..

    ReplyDelete
  14. Moiz19 January 2014 at 20:28

    In pakistan its real check for pakistan

    ReplyDelete
  15. Moiz19 January 2014 at 20:32

    Check this link for pak.....
    http://tribune.com.pk/story/660017/leader-of-bohra-community-dr-syedna-mohammed-burhanuddin-dead-at-102/

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 20:35

    dear shabbir bhai it was a very informative msg and i m from karachi pakistan and the sindh gov has ordered for half mast and it is true.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shabbir Baldiwala19 January 2014 at 20:46

      That's true. Websites hav also claimed so. And yu r witness to it.

      Delete
    2. samina g19 January 2014 at 23:13

      I am so happy you posted this. I was actually going to do the same research. People have stopped using their brains! Sad but true.

      Delete
  17. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 20:43

    Thanks bhai shabbir, but we illeterate fanatics are happy to be in heaven with our beloved moulas.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 20:44

    it really an eye opener we are loseing our well earned name and respect by the so called fanatics who want to spoil our community s name

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 21:41

      Well said

      Delete
    2. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 22:41

      Thankyou for your contribution in finding the reasons behind the bush..
      may ur clearfication would be true for these 2 3 countries..
      And for others it may not be...(pakistan)
      but thanks for atleast making this blog an opener of eye..

      Delete
    3. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 23:47

      Hello.thnx fr ur info.but watever evn.if false we wil still believe it true as it is a mark of respect for our beloved maula.hes not a pm bt for us hes everuthing.

      Delete
  19. Yusuf Hussain19 January 2014 at 20:49

    Gr8 research

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 20:52

    well done.i had a grt doubt when I saw these pics but wd hv never done d hard work that u did.i did search d google for more information but ultimately dnt spend a lot of time on it.ur blog have sorted my doubts.thnk u .some people rather idiots hv no other work to do n fake such pics

    ReplyDelete
  21. abbas19 January 2014 at 21:06

    One out caste guy updated on facebook

    MUST READ

    Is media reporting only about social networking?
    Tragic death of Sunanda Tharoor gets exemplary
    24x7 coverage while a record turnout at the
    funeral of spiritual leader Dr Syedna
    Burhanuddin of the Dawoodi Bohra community
    iis ignored. I find many media celebrities talking
    about how good a hostess she was or what she
    told them at midnight, but no one is telling us
    about the massive crowd that turned out at the
    funeral of Dr Syedna. There must be some
    reason for that record turnout in Mumbai that
    the country hasn't seen since the days of
    Mahatma Gandhi. Shouldn't the media be talking
    more about it? Don't we have the right to know
    more about Dawoodi Bohra community? I bet
    not many of us had even heard of him till we
    saw the reports of stampede killing 18 people.
    This is not what I expect from the Indian media
    and I know I am not the only one who feels so.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 22:34

      The tragedy of human sense, rather the total insensitivity to the value of 18 deaths and injury to scores of devotees is not even being mentioned As if their life is worthless. So eager is the community desiring to bask in the glory
      of the coverage their departed leader. Woe to their senselessness and collective stupid ego.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 22:38

      1) Outcaste is not the right terminology.

      2) Media focussed much attention on an issue where a congressman was involved; just so that other parties get more milage or chances to give the ruling parties negative points... So clearly, media had other pressing priorities - Let's get that straight.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 22:40

      1) Outcaste is not the right terminology.

      2) Media focussed much attention on an issue where a congressman was involved; just so that other parties get more milage or chances to give the ruling parties negative points... So clearly, media had other pressing priorities - Let's get that straight.

      Delete
  22. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 21:16

    Thnx bhai....but in pakistan its true

    ReplyDelete
  23. Unknown19 January 2014 at 21:21

    Thanxx bro for your great help and research.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Unknown19 January 2014 at 21:23

    Ty its really amazing what people r ready to just blindly believe. But I guess this is not the end of it....

    ReplyDelete
  25. Unknown19 January 2014 at 21:26

    Thanks shabbir bhai
    Great msg to our community

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 21:32

    Sad, but its a common thing in dawoodi bohra, if one does others tends to follow without any individual thoughts or feeling.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 23:17

      Unfortunately that's how we bohris are trained to do that

      Delete
    2. jumana20 January 2014 at 22:15

      Its unfortunate for the community to have u as a bohri....!!

      Delete
  27. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 21:39

    Thanx shabbirbhai

    ReplyDelete
  28. Unknown19 January 2014 at 21:55

    Dont put name of dawoodi bohra in this , its just a reaction of emotion attached with maula , anybody wil do dis

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 23:02

      Democracy indeed gives you the right and freedom of expression - it is great power. But you must also remember that "with great power comes great responsibility".

      Every statement of expression made public holds a lot of responsibility.

      So nobody has any business to makes loose irresponsible comments.

      Delete
  29. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 22:03

    Anyone can play this prank , why only à fanatic , but it à à Shame

    ReplyDelete
  30. shabbir shah , udaipur19 January 2014 at 22:06

    India has already given gaurd of honour as a respect to our spiritual father and above all it doesn't matter if any country half masts or not. For u only one line is enough "samjo to samjo, nasamjo nasamjo." What is important is that u believe it or not.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Der Meister20 January 2014 at 11:56

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  31. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 22:15

    thanqxx bhai...u hv opn my eyes...wat abuse i m frwadn yet..tq

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 22:16

    I feel India should give it a thought that there must be something great...why a rival country is putting its flag mast for an Indian man .. And they are busy showing sunadra news...

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 22:19

    Thx

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 22:37

    The tragedy of human sense, rather the total insensitivity to the value of 18 deaths and injury to scores of devotees is not even being mentioned As if their life is worthless. So eager is the community desiring to bask in the glory
    of the coverage their departed leader. Woe to their senselessness and collective stupid ego.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Unknown19 January 2014 at 22:38

    Thanks Bhai
    Its right that we should not blindly go on forward messages without thinking.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 22:42

    Thnk u sooo much for d info...

    ReplyDelete
  37. Taher Kagalwala19 January 2014 at 22:43

    Great work ... and then you claim you get bone weary at the end of each day ... no wonder ...;-)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 22:47

    ham to ye maante h ki haalat hi ese paida ho gaye ki kisi na kisi bahane se , heel-e-hawale se in tamam country's ko flag half mast karne hi pade. Ye is baat ki gawai h k humare moula ka kitna azeem mukam tha k wo mulk par raaj nai krte the balke dilon par raaj krte the

    ReplyDelete
  39. Unknown19 January 2014 at 23:17

    good work shabbir bhai.....

    ReplyDelete
  40. The Incredulous Hulk19 January 2014 at 23:33

    Thank you Sir for exposing this fabricated story. When there's a strong will to believe, any rumour, any hoax, any emotionally packaged nonsense is accepted immediately without first thinking whether it's true or not. It's nothing more than desperate attempts by the fanatics to generate myths to make an ever lasting legend.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 23:39

    Ohhh....hard wrk done ......might b tierd na so plzz take some rest.....we r proud dt we r d childrens of such maula who hs lived his whole life fr us.......no matter wt iz d fact of dis flags bt we all r fully mast on d death of our dai......

    ReplyDelete
  42. Anonymous19 January 2014 at 23:51

    All indian office flags were half mast to respect the death of not only a spiritual leader but a Great personality.please check on http://www.google.co.in/m/search?q=indian+flag+half+mast+yesterday&source=univ&tbm=nws&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=3BbcUtaXMIXMrQe74YG4Aw&ved=0CDcQkSU
    To get the required info.Also instead of believing anyone you all should check yourself even a bit googling will tell you the truth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous20 January 2014 at 13:51

      thnx for the info given to these non sense makers

      Delete
  43. Anonymous20 January 2014 at 00:07

    i myself checked for pakistan flag...its half mast in tribute to our syedna..i guess u shud confirm about evry flag n den comment

    ReplyDelete
  44. yusuf s20 January 2014 at 00:10

    Shabbir bhai. A great job done. Appreciate your work. Welln its not about being literate or illiterate its more importantly people dont think they go with the flow. Hoping people will realise this

    ReplyDelete
  45. yusuf20 January 2014 at 00:11

    We don't care whether pics are true or not.. Our feeling for our maula is true, dat only matters to us.

    ReplyDelete
  46. The Incredulous Hulk20 January 2014 at 00:12

    I did check your link but seems you didn't. All you did was see the summary on Google below the link. if you bothered to read the complete article, you would learn that it was in Pakistan where government officials decided to put their flag at half mast, not in India. The story and the image with it being passed around is about India.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Anonymous20 January 2014 at 00:42

    Mumineen bhaiyo ane behno aa munafeqeen ni chalo che je apne daawat si behkawi rahya che aa logo no saath aapi ne tame ye logo na saath jahannam na logo ma shaamil thai rahya cho..
    Khuda ni la'anat daawat na dushmano par..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous20 January 2014 at 14:54

      Sir,

      The masses are aware of this kind of language & tone; & believe me - It is not effective in an era like our's where information is freely & rapidly available (Even to cross verify comments/statement with facts).

      Though this is not my blog, & I have no business telling anyone 'mind your language' - However, It saddens me to see a community (Of which I am a part) heading for a black hole with this kind of a blinded thought process.

      A person like you might not appreciate that people are now-a-days making informed choices/decisions about everything - But it is the truth! And that day is not far when people like you will be left to the mercy of ignorance.

      I hope every person reading this can draw some inspiration out of the entire situation in general; & make a promise/awareness to head towards something that makes sense.

      Jai Hind!

      Delete
    2. Shabbir Baldiwala20 January 2014 at 16:44

      Great Sir

      Delete
  48. Anonymous20 January 2014 at 00:44

    V luv n respect our dai unconditionally...Bt lets promise ourselves nt to frwd sch msgs till v dnt knw d fact....y gv chance to our enemies to laugh on us..

    ReplyDelete
  49. Anonymous20 January 2014 at 01:08

    Very true.....logic would dictate that no countries would put their flags at half mast for any religious leaders and that too a day after their demise.But we bohris want to feel more important by showing how other people respect us.our esteem is decided by our own self worth and not by others perceive us

    ReplyDelete
  50. The Incredulous Hulk20 January 2014 at 01:43

    It's not about being "enemies" or "munafekeens". It's simply about what is true and what is not.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Anonymous20 January 2014 at 02:22

    People have too much time on hand and are Fursatyas to spread the rumors

    ReplyDelete
  52. Unknown20 January 2014 at 07:04

    Good job

    ReplyDelete
  53. Unknown20 January 2014 at 07:05

    Good job

    ReplyDelete
  54. Anonymous20 January 2014 at 07:58

    Gud wk shabbir bhai for the eye opener.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Unknown20 January 2014 at 08:19

    Good job shabbir bhai

    ReplyDelete
  56. Anonymous20 January 2014 at 10:14

    Thank God the truth is out. I never believed it anyway. How can people stoop so low. This in reality shows disrespect to the national emblems.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Hamzasr20 January 2014 at 10:42

    Thank you very much Shabbir bhai.
    Even i wasn't convinced with this rumour.
    I tried searching but was clueless finally i read this blog.
    i feel sad that being such an educated and one of the very well organised community we are still victims of mass rumours.
    The grief of the lost is in our hearts and our heads are held down and eyes are full of tears and we dont expect any out of the way acts.
    Long live Aqa Mufaddal maula.
    Amen.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Fatema Rampurawala20 January 2014 at 10:51

    Thank you Shabbir bhai.
    We mourn for the loss and wilp try to avoid such rumours.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Anonymous20 January 2014 at 12:09

    it is a Rumour...!! but that doesn't mean you all will criticise dawoodi bohra...stop saying stupid things like we all are herd and all..

    ReplyDelete
  60. Anonymous20 January 2014 at 12:48

    Well done Shabbir bhai...

    ReplyDelete
  61. Hatim20 January 2014 at 16:43

    Nice bhai

    ReplyDelete
  62. Anonymous20 January 2014 at 16:53

    Really an eye opener.(Y)

    ReplyDelete
  63. Anonymous20 January 2014 at 16:59

    Thank you for the information please keep up the good work in future also

    ReplyDelete
  64. Shabbir Badri20 January 2014 at 19:29

    Thanks for information

    ReplyDelete
  65. Anonymous20 January 2014 at 19:37

    Why didnt your so called research include pakistan??????& iyes
    m happy in my self created heaven

    ReplyDelete
  66. abde sayedna20 January 2014 at 21:28

    Who is this shabbir baldi?? Looks one of the daawats dushman....got to hell .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous21 January 2014 at 13:02

      Sir,

      With all due respect to your affection towards the Dawaat, & with confirmation that we don't doubt your affection one bit... The entire agenda in general is not about 'dushmani'.

      There are certain clauses which do not appeal to 'common sense/logical reasoning'. We are in a fast-paced world; & the newer generation is always (& will always be) equipped with asking the questions 'Why & How' - This, & the future generations will not take anything lying down - So people like you have got to respect that, instead of going to extremes like 'Daawat na Dushman'.

      So on behalf of the blog-owner - Please refrain from using such language.

      Jai Hind!

      Delete
  67. abde sayedna20 January 2014 at 22:18

    To all mumin...plz don't comment on this site..this worthless guy seems to provoke us..and misguide....

    ReplyDelete
  68. Unknown20 January 2014 at 22:28

    Just listen to your dil ki baat
    Baki all bakwaas

    ReplyDelete
  69. Unknown20 January 2014 at 22:28

    Just listen to your dil ki baat
    Baki all bakwaas

    ReplyDelete
  70. Anonymous21 January 2014 at 01:00

    welcome done Shabbir.... True will always win....thank you for showing everyone the real picture

    ReplyDelete
  71. Sunil Patel22 January 2014 at 11:38

    I am not a Muslim or bohra. But I want you all to be cautious. The same PR firm that works for Modi also works for Bohra clergy. We have seen a lot of fake Modi stunts with this same PR firm. It is good to have a PR firm. They help you communicate properly and help help you to build relationships with big political powers. But this PR firm is not good. It is make Bohras look bad. Bohris are good ethical people. Syedna was good leader. I think Bohras clergy should fire APCO.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shabbir Baldiwala22 January 2014 at 11:52

      Thx fr the info Mr Sunil. Can this be authenticated?

      Delete
  72. Anonymous22 January 2014 at 15:16

    Some play games with people's faith, for their own interest. In this fast paced world, where one can reflect on the history, why are people so foolish to become the victim.

    ReplyDelete
  73. Anonymous24 January 2014 at 15:32

    Thank u sir. And u are right this will go on. Educated some may be but practical sense does not prevail. Foolish enough to get exploited.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Anonymous21 May 2014 at 13:20

    People have too much time on hand and are Fursatyas to spread the rumors.Solar Panels for sale

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)