Well capitalism by its very essence is a system which is built upon the concept of exploitation. This story is a breath of fresh air because it's about empowerment rather than exploitation. There is a huge diffence between what this gentleman has done with his micro-finance/micro-credit program and what many corporations do when they set-up operations (a.k.a. "sweatshops") in poverty stricken areas touting it as uplifting the needy (Bullshit). Through Yunus' program he has kept intact human dignity. It goes to show that the poor are no less intelligent and no less capable than those who have been born better off and have been afforded opportunities not available to the poor. I really hope that his work blossoms and that more and more people are empowered through his program. They just need a chance and that's what this program has provided them. Compare the outcome of this versus that of the World Bank. The difference is night and day. Nice post qrswave keep it up, you got a good heart (pun intended). I'm still teary eyed from reading your previous post. The truth needs to get out, we need to take some action.
Friday, October 13, 2006
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Congratulations to Bangladeshis everywhere. Hope his works expands to the rest of the world too, or does it already? But...
"Islam must be doing something right - its followers keep getting recognized for promoting PEACE."
Why do you have to give this Islamic twist? Two man win peace prize and hence Islam must be doing something right. Thousands of men kill thousands of other men and they "misinterpret" Islam. Refreshing! -Ashish
Friday, October 13, 2006
Anonymous said...
Mohammed Yunus has been doing this for a long time and has proven that he is not only a great visionary, but also someone with tremendous leadership qualities.
I hope and pray that someone like him will soon come into Bangldeshi politics. Someone like him will dare to dream, will dare to have a vision, and will dare to take action against all that is corrupt in this beautiful land. A beautiful land that just needs to be tweaked around a little bit to become a shining star in the world.
I am in the US these days - listening to anti-Muslim drivel on every radio station out there. Most Americans dont read papers any more - and not a word on any radio or TV that I listened to or watched tonight. If that is not bias, what is.
On the other hand, it may have to do more with corporate bias agains anything not corporate, and not anti-Muslim bias.
rezwan, thanks for re-reading my post. I'm sorry if my message was a bit oblique.
I'm thrilled that Yunis won the award, it's well deserved.
Ashish, thanks for your comment - I think it's clear, for anyone who has read the Quran and understands Islam for what it is - that Muhammad Yunis's work accurately represents what Islam is all about. Being as prominent and accomplished as he is and having achieved so much good for so many people as a Muslim man is no small task - and yes, I attribute it to his understanding of our purpose on this earth, which in turn I attribute to God's message through the Quran.
Of course, God's message is delivered in other holy books. It's not by any means limited to the Quran.
But, I don't think that my analogy is misplaced - even though, conversely, it appears that by using the same logic you can - if you know NOTHING about Islam - similarly attribute to Islam evil acts committed by thousands or even millions of people who "claim" that they are Muslim. But, at their base, these conclusions spring from ignorance - NOT logic.
akber said: "it may have to do more with corporate bias agains anything not corporate, and not anti-Muslim bias."
I think you're right. Corporations - those who control them - are using the same old trick they've always used - DIVIDE AND CONQUER.
Muslims are simply an easy target first, because so many of them are unfamiliar with all that is sinister and evil in this world - they're naive and easy to manipulate; and second, because they are mostly people of modest means - a Muslim's goal is never to amass as much wealth as possible. We have principles that keep us from doing that.
This is why the ONLY way we can beat this madness is by UNITING.
@qrswave: Thanks for your detailed response. While I really appreciate what he has done, and wish that same can be replicated in India, I cannot but wonder at your claims such as "..his understanding of our purpose on this earth.." Really? And remaining non-muslims who do good work and win Nobel prizes all around, what about them? I mean, everything is fine except when you start giving everything Quranic twist. And I am sure it is fanciful, but don't assume I know nothing (in capitals!) of Quran. Ask these to people in Soudi Arabia, home of Holy Mosques. By the way, isn't interest on money prohibited in Quaran (don't say I don't know, many Islamic sholars have issued farwas on this)? Then, what Mr. Yunush is doing goes against those rulings, no? I know this debate will continue forever, not want to highjack this thread. Good luck. - Ashish
Yes, of course, interest is forbidden - it's like eating human flesh. I'm not familiar with the Grameen program in detail.
And I never said that only Muslims do good things. I said: "Of course, God's message is delivered in other holy books. It's not by any means limited to the Quran."
Thank you qrswave for your comments about Muslims and Islam. I think you guys are all doing a great job to help dispell some of the myths about Islam.
I'm a Muslim woman, so I appreciate that very much. Thank you :-)
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Anonymous said...
Oh give it a rest Ashish. Why in the world do nutters always bring up Saudi Arabia into the mix whenever a Muslim does something half decent? We're talking about a Bengali. If this man was hindu, you and your co-religionists would be thrilled.
Of course, he's no prophet, but his name is Muhammad. That makes two years in a row that a man by the name of 'Muhammad' wins the PEACE prize. Islam must be doing something right - its followers keep getting recognized for promoting PEACE.Poor Falwell! There goes your bigoted thesis- down the drain, with global accolades.PIME missionaries operating for years in the country explain that the choice of Yunus is doubly significant. On the one hand, there are the positive financial and economic aspects to his ‘invention’; on the other, there are the moral and human components closely linked to Yunus himself,“a man of upstanding character, source of hope for all those who are honest.”
* * * In its citation, the Norwegian Nobel Committee noted that the economist and his micro-credit bank were awarded the prestigious recognition “for their efforts to create economic and social development from below.”
The statement goes on to say that “[a]cross cultures and civilizations, Yunus and Grameen Bank have shown that even the poorest of the poor can work to bring about their own development.” And “[l]asting peace can not be achieved unless large population groups find ways in which to break out of poverty.”
Micro-credit is based on small loans without collateral given to the poor to help them finance their small-scale activities. Founded in 1983, the Grameen Bank now has more than a thousand branches with 12,500 employees. It has 2.1 million clients in 37,000 villages; 94 per cent are women. Of course, micro-credit has its drawbacks - where ever there are loans to be made, the money masters are not far behind. “Micro-credit has become big business. For some it has departed from its original goals and adopted a more capitalist outlook.”
In many cases, it has been very strict in enforcing its rules. “Very poor people turn to micro-credit and when they cannot payback their loans to Grameen Bank they look for other sources of credit and end up poorer than before. Either one finds a benefactor or one loses everything. This is a widespread problem even though it is not a direct consequence of the micro-credit system.”But, at least it's a start and a glimmer of hope for those who think that only big banks can manage money. It's also an important reminder that there can be no Peace without Prosperity.
______________________ UPDATE:
Muhammad Yunis just proved how much he deserves the prize: [Muhammad] Yunus said on Fridayhe would donate all his 1.4-million-dollar prize money to good causes.
Yunus said he would use the money to fund a project to produce low-cost, nutritious food for the poor, an eye hospital, a drinking water project and a health care scheme.
“I will donate all my money to these enterprises. These will be purely social business enterprises, ie not-for-profit organisations,” he said.
“I will use the money to finance our joint venture food company with Danoneso that the poor can eat high nutrition food at an affordable price,” he added.
“The company will go into operation very soon,” he told reporters, giving no further details.Good for him!
Truth be told - ALL industries that provide products that human beings NEED to live in good health and in peace, with their dignity intact should be NON-PROFIT - as opposed to the rampant exploitation that's currently in place.
13 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formWow, good for him and good for everyone.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Well capitalism by its very essence is a system which is built upon the concept of exploitation. This story is a breath of fresh air because it's about empowerment rather than exploitation. There is a huge diffence between what this gentleman has done with his micro-finance/micro-credit program and what many corporations do when they set-up operations (a.k.a. "sweatshops") in poverty stricken areas touting it as uplifting the needy (Bullshit). Through Yunus' program he has kept intact human dignity. It goes to show that the poor are no less intelligent and no less capable than those who have been born better off and have been afforded opportunities not available to the poor. I really hope that his work blossoms and that more and more people are empowered through his program. They just need a chance and that's what this program has provided them. Compare the outcome of this versus that of the World Bank. The difference is night and day. Nice post qrswave keep it up, you got a good heart (pun intended). I'm still teary eyed from reading your previous post. The truth needs to get out, we need to take some action.
Friday, October 13, 2006
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Sorry for the misquote in my blog and I was not referring to you in particular! Amended accordingly.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Congratulations to Bangladeshis everywhere. Hope his works expands to the rest of the world too, or does it already? But...
"Islam must be doing something right - its followers keep getting recognized for promoting PEACE."
Why do you have to give this Islamic twist? Two man win peace prize and hence Islam must be doing something right. Thousands of men kill thousands of other men and they "misinterpret" Islam. Refreshing! -Ashish
Friday, October 13, 2006
Mohammed Yunus has been doing this for a long time and has proven that he is not only a great visionary, but also someone with tremendous leadership qualities.
I hope and pray that someone like him will soon come into Bangldeshi politics. Someone like him will dare to dream, will dare to have a vision, and will dare to take action against all that is corrupt in this beautiful land. A beautiful land that just needs to be tweaked around a little bit to become a shining star in the world.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
I am in the US these days - listening to anti-Muslim drivel on every radio station out there. Most Americans dont read papers any more - and not a word on any radio or TV that I listened to or watched tonight. If that is not bias, what is.
On the other hand, it may have to do more with corporate bias agains anything not corporate, and not anti-Muslim bias.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
rezwan, thanks for re-reading my post. I'm sorry if my message was a bit oblique.
I'm thrilled that Yunis won the award, it's well deserved.
Ashish, thanks for your comment - I think it's clear, for anyone who has read the Quran and understands Islam for what it is - that Muhammad Yunis's work accurately represents what Islam is all about. Being as prominent and accomplished as he is and having achieved so much good for so many people as a Muslim man is no small task - and yes, I attribute it to his understanding of our purpose on this earth, which in turn I attribute to God's message through the Quran.
Of course, God's message is delivered in other holy books. It's not by any means limited to the Quran.
But, I don't think that my analogy is misplaced - even though, conversely, it appears that by using the same logic you can - if you know NOTHING about Islam - similarly attribute to Islam evil acts committed by thousands or even millions of people who "claim" that they are Muslim. But, at their base, these conclusions spring from ignorance - NOT logic.
akber said: "it may have to do more with corporate bias agains anything not corporate, and not anti-Muslim bias."
I think you're right. Corporations - those who control them - are using the same old trick they've always used - DIVIDE AND CONQUER.
Muslims are simply an easy target first, because so many of them are unfamiliar with all that is sinister and evil in this world - they're naive and easy to manipulate; and second, because they are mostly people of modest means - a Muslim's goal is never to amass as much wealth as possible. We have principles that keep us from doing that.
This is why the ONLY way we can beat this madness is by UNITING.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
@qrswave: Thanks for your detailed response. While I really appreciate what he has done, and wish that same can be replicated in India, I cannot but wonder at your claims such as "..his understanding of our purpose on this earth.." Really? And remaining non-muslims who do good work and win Nobel prizes all around, what about them? I mean, everything is fine except when you start giving everything Quranic twist. And I am sure it is fanciful, but don't assume I know nothing (in capitals!) of Quran. Ask these to people in Soudi Arabia, home of Holy Mosques. By the way, isn't interest on money prohibited in Quaran (don't say I don't know, many Islamic sholars have issued farwas on this)? Then, what Mr. Yunush is doing goes against those rulings, no? I know this debate will continue forever, not want to highjack this thread. Good luck. - Ashish
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Yes, of course, interest is forbidden - it's like eating human flesh. I'm not familiar with the Grameen program in detail.
And I never said that only Muslims do good things. I said: "Of course, God's message is delivered in other holy books. It's not by any means limited to the Quran."
Peace.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Thank you qrswave for your comments about Muslims and Islam. I think you guys are all doing a great job to help dispell some of the myths about Islam.
I'm a Muslim woman, so I appreciate that very much. Thank you :-)
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Oh give it a rest Ashish. Why in the world do nutters always bring up Saudi Arabia into the mix whenever a Muslim does something half decent? We're talking about a Bengali. If this man was hindu, you and your co-religionists would be thrilled.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
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Tuesday, April 21, 2009