Slumdog returned smiles on the faces of billions

EXHILARATION exploded Sunday night on the platform of this year’s Oscars. How long can you contain the back-burning of Indian-movie- lovers? Slumdog Millionaire did not merely grab numerous awards alone, but like Obama, returned smiles on the faces of billions and tears on millions around the world.

I was intrigued to hear AK Rahman humbly but distinctly include the gift of motherhood in his acceptance speech; the divine nature of her love makes it inevitable to celebrate. Added to this awe was his unabashed mention that gratitude belongs to God: God is great, he said.

Indeed this was the handing over of recognition not so much to stars and Bollywood optics, a historical page, but rather to Indian civilization and a world once ruled by neo imperialists, who used even the big screen to trivialize dominated nations.

The movie plot attracts special relation to the poverty stricken around the world; that with all the sacrifice one makes in life, there is a lesson to be learnt. Sometimes, that lesson becomes the destiny for you to make it and be successful. Also it reminds us that love has no set time or rules, although the destiny that love follows reassures the millions in the world that faith in love is still alive, regardless of the timing and the discipline that may endure.

What may need noting is the statement of Jamal, the main character, when struck by the massacre of his *helpMuslim mother, that Allah and Ram has caused this grief. Such a statement may have been said at the irresponsible time of grief but the truth of the matter is no God, let alone a true faith, ever has at its epicenter hate; rather the basis of all faiths is the Golden rule. President Obama has been commended for stating at a breakfast prayer recently, that in Islam there is a statement of the Prophet, Hadith, which declares none of you are true believers until you love for yourself what you love for others.

When a few are ripped by disaster, it doesn’t mean that the whole world has; when a few are struck by humanity’s iniquity to another, it doesn’t mean that God is to be blamed. If religion is to be blamed for violence against people, then how come the vast majority of people of faith are peaceful?

Praying that inspiration continues to be our companion, and truth the solace of life, sometimes overtaken by disappointments, and that hope lights our candle of faith, patience and love always.
Now try being a millionaire!
Habeeb Alli

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