Monday, April 16, 2018

RSS Terrorism Poses Threat to India's unity and the world Peace

Their line of thinking is very clear and simple. After over a thousand years, upper-caste Hindus have now total control of power over the whole of India, something not even the most powerful Hindu kings and Rajas had and if this power is not used to shape the faith and society in their image, they would never get a second chance. The Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh (RSS), the mother of all Hindutva parties in India does not believe in secularism, pluralism or minority rights because in its view the minorities were all part of the Hindu caste system who were converted to Islam, Buddhism, Christianity or Sikhism through force or through bribes, In their views in order for gods to be happy, Hinduism must retain its caste hierarchy and since the conversions have brought imbalance in the structure and function of the faith, hence the converted ones have to be brought back by any means. If they do not return, then they must be annihilated because those who by birth is defined as impure cannot be equal to those who are pure.
This is as simple and clear as one can state. Yes, their ideologues and propagandists may say whatever to justify their political or religious perspective, but the truth cannot be denied that they are all for a system of government called Ram Rajya.
What is Ram Rajya?
Nothing but a system that through the might of the Kshatriya (warrior class) and the money of the  Vaishyas: agriculturalists and merchants and the labor of Shudras, laborers and service providers would empower Brahmans to set the directions of the state on the basis of the guidance of gods and goddesses.
In this classification system, Dalits and tribals are not included. They are called avarna or caste less. Their existence is meaningless. Muslims, Christians, and people of all other faiths with the exception of Jainism are considered untouchables whose shadow makes things profane. 
In Rigveda, the above classification is described in this way:  
When they divided Purusa how many portions did they make?
What do they call his mouth, his arms? What do they call his thighs and feet?
The Brahman was his mouth, of both his arms was the Rajanya made.
His thighs became the Vaishya, from his feet the Shudra was produced.
Ram Rajya is the system to restore this division and inequality. 
Even though Rama is a mythological figure and there is no historical record of his existence in the physical realm, the Ramayana, the Hindu epic that describes the Ram Rajya records the following incident in which a Dalit was killed by Rama simply because he was trying to imitate upper caste in his religious knowledge. The following story from Ramayana illustrates this:

An aged peasant, a brahmin, bearing his dead child in his arms came to the palace gate, weeping and crying out again and again “What sin did I commit in a previous existence?" Overcome with paternal grief, he repeated “0 My Son, My Son! Ah! Of what fault was I formerly guilty in another body that I should see mine only son meet with death? This boy had not yet reached adolescence, his fourteenth year not having been completed! To my misfortune, before his time, this dear child has been struck down by death! In a few days, I and thy mother too will die of grief, O Dear Child! I do not recollect ever to have uttered a lie; I do not remember ever inflicting an injury to any animal or doing harm to any person! The People perish under the unrighteous rule of an impious monarch. The evil conduct of a king brings about the premature death of his subjects. When, in the cities and country, crimes are committed and no supervision is exercised, then death is to be feared! Undoubtedly the king will be held to be at fault in the city and country, hence the death of this child." Such were the countless recriminations that the unfortunate father addressed to the king whilst he clasped his son to his breast. The piteous lamentations of that unfortunate brahmin reached the ears of the king and he, in the profound distress, called together his ministers, Vasishtha and Vamadeva, with his brothers and the elders of the city also. Then eight brahmins were ushered into the king's presence by Vasishtha, who resembled a God, and they said: "May prosperity attend thee!" Thereafter those foremost of the Twice-born, Markandeya, Maudgajya, Vamadeva, Kashyapa, Katyayana, Javali, Gautama and Narada took their seats, and those Rishis being assembled, Rama paid obeisance to them with joined palms. Then the ministers and citizens received a cordial welcome, as was fitting, and all those highly effulgent persons being seated near him, Raghava informed them of the reproaches of that Twice-born One. Hearing the words of the prince, who was fined with distress, Narada himself made this memorable reply in the assembly of the Sages “Learn, O King, what has caused the untimely death of this child! When thou art conversant therewith, do what thou considerest to be thy duty! O Prince, Joy of the Raghus, formerly in the Krita Yuga, the brahmins alone practiced asceticism; he who was not a brahmin in no wise undertook it. At the close of that age, all was consumed and absorbed into Brahman. Thereafter the 5 brahmins were re-born enlightened and endowed with the gift of immortality. In that age, none died prematurely and all were wise. The Treta Yuga followed when the sons of Manu were born, one who practiced austerities; these noblemen were the rulers, and full of power and heroism. In that era, Brahmins and Kshatriyas were equal in power nor could any distinction be found amongst them; it was then that the four castes were established. In the Treta Yuga, brahmins and warriors practiced asceticism and the rest were under the supreme obligation of obedience, proper to the Vaishya and Shudra classes; the Shudras' duty being to serve the other three. O Great King, in the Dwapara Yuga, untruth and evil increased, unrighteousness having placed a second foot on the earth, and then the Vaishyas began to practice penance, so that dharma, in the form of asceticism, was performed by the three castes, but the Shudras were not permitted to undertake it during that time, O Foremost of Men. O Prince, a man of the lowest caste may not give himself up to penance in the Dwapara Yuga; it is only in the Kali Yuga that the practice of asceticism is permitted to the Shudra caste. During the Dwapara Yuga, it is a great crime for one of Shudra birth to perform such practices. At this time, in thine empire, a rigid penance is being undertaken by a wretched Shudra, O Prince, and this is the cause of the death of that child. An act of mortification that is prescribed is well done and a sixth of the merit goes to the king who rules with justice. But how should he, who does not protect his people, enjoy the sixth portion? O Lion among Men, thou should investigate the happenings in thy kingdom and put down evil wherever it is practiced, so righteousness may flourish, man's life be prolonged and the child be revived." Rama makes a Tour of Inspection of his Kingdom hearing the nectar-like words of Narada, Rama was delighted and said to Lakshmana “O Dear Friend, thou who art faithful to thy vows, go and console that leading brahmin and cause the body of the child to be placed in a jar of oil with precious unguents and fragrant salves so that it is covered and does not suffer decomposition. Act in such a way that the body of the child does not dissolve or decay." Having issued this command to Lakshmana, who was endowed with auspicious marks, the highly illustrious Kakutstha thought of Pushpaka, and said: “Come hither!" Conscious of his intention, the golden chariot appeared before him in the same hour and bowing, said to him “U Behold, I am here at thy service, O Long-armed Prince! U Listening to the gracious words of Pushpaka, Rama paid obeisance to the great Rishis and ascended the chariot. Armed with his bow, his two quivers and his glittering sword, Raghava left the city in the charge of his two brothers, Saumitri and Bharata, and thereafter that monarch directed his course to the western region, which he explored on every side; then he went to the northern region bounded by the Himalayas, but found no one. No trace of evildoing there; later the eastern region was carefully searched by him and that long-armed Prince, from on high in his chariot, beheld people of pure morals there, as stainless as a mirror. Then he, who causes felicity to the great Rishis, ranged the southern region and, on the side of the Shaivaja Mountain, a vast lake appeared to him, on the banks of which the blessed Raghava beheld an ascetic practicing an extremely rigorous penance, his head hanging downwards. On this that Prince approached the one who had given himself up to rigorous practices and said "Blessed art thou, O Ascetic, who art faithful to thy vows ! From what caste art thou sprung, O Thou who hast grown old in mortification and who art established in heroism. I am interested in this matter, I, Rama, the son of Dasaratha. What purpose hast thou in view? Is it heaven or some other object? What boon dost thou seek by means of this hard penance? I wish to know what thou desire in performing these austerities, oh Ascetic. May prosperity attend thee! Art thou a brahmin ? Art thou an invincible Kshatriya? Art thou a Vaishya, one of the third caste or art thou a Shudra? Answer me truthfully !" Then the ascetic, who was hanging head downwards, thus questioned by Rama, revealed his origin to that Prince born of Dasaratha, the foremost of kings, and the reason why he was practicing penance. Hearing the words of Rama of imperishable exploits, that ascetic, his head still hanging downwards, answered "Oh Rama, I was born of a Shudra alliance and I am performing this rigorous penance in order to acquire the status of a God in this body. I am not telling a lie, 0 Rama, I wish to attain the Celestial Region. Know that I am a Shudra and my name is Shambuka." As he was yet speaking, Raghava, drawing his brilliant and stainless sword from its scabbard, cut off his head. The Shudra being slain, all the Gods and their leaders with Agni's followers, cried out, “Well done! Well done!" overwhelming Rama with praise, and rain of celestial flowers of divine fragrance fell on all sides, scattered by Vayu. In their supreme satisfaction, the Gods said to that hero, Rama “Thou hast protected the interests of the Gods, 0 Highly Intelligent Prince, now ask a boon, 0 Beloved Offspring of Raghu, Destroyer of Thy Foes. By thy grace, this Shudra will not be able to attain heaven!" — The Ramayana of Valmiki: Translated by Hari Prasad Shastri p1585

Obviously, Ram Rajya is nothing but a system built on the racial superiority of a people who claim that they have the divine support to perpetuate inequality and annihilation of those who are below them. It's a system that has injustice built-in it eternally. 

It is this system that the RSS through BJP wants to enforce in India. It will do everything possible to cling to power. It will use every weapon to intimidate religious minorities and Dalits and coerce and bribe them to accept its supremacy  It would use rape, murder, a terror to achieve its objectives. It has the most organized gang of murderers and terrorists in its ranks and it would not hesitate to burn India for its ideological goals. The recent attacks by these terrorists on the citizens of India provide ample evidence of that.
It is this danger that the world has to recognize, a danger that is far bigger than the Taliban and ISIS, a danger that the world has not yet seen. It must be stopped but the only people who can stop are those Indians of all faiths who believe in plural and secular society where non-violence and human dignity become the cornerstones of the society through a constitution that is respected and loved.

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

A Tribute to Uncle Dr. Irfan Ahmed Khan: A legendary scholar of the Quran

by Dr. Aslam Abdullah

He was over 85, unable to walk properly, living on medicine more than the food, yet, until the last conscious minute of his life, he was inviting people to the Quran. His last travel for this purpose was in California and Georgia just 10 days before he had three massive heart attacks in his hometown Chicago. He visited California and Georgia as if he had gone there to say goodbye to those who were his disciples and students.
I called him uncle and during his last visit, I had the opportunity to listen to him and learn from him immensely. Wherever I drove him, he was always sharing his vision and dreams and his efforts. He was a man of peace and justice. He lived in this world, yet every minute he was conscious of the world he has to move on. During his stay he would every day call his daughters and wife and inform them of the itinerary. He would share with them the details. He visited during his stay in California the offices of Islamicity.org. He spent the whole day there and accepted the request from this largest Islamic portal in America to serialize his work. It is good that what he taught would now be available to the world. 
He was my mentor, my teacher and my friend and his absence would stay would me until I also leave this world.  There are only a few people who live a life they talk about. There are only a few who always think of others. There are only a few who view entire humanity as their own family and he was no doubt one of them. His life must be celebrated as he enriched those who came in contact with him.
He indeed was a sign from among the signs of Allah. He reminded people how the true life of a believer should be. He offered his life as an example of dedication and sacrifice to the ideals he was promoting. His main focus was the Quran. His life was the Quran. Everything he did, revolved around the Quran. He was in the process of writing a few more books on the methodology of understanding the Quran before he was recalled by Allah leaving the task to his students. 
His main thesis was simple and appealing. The Quran comprises 114 discourses and each discourse or Sura focuses on a few dominant themes and each aya highlights an important issue. All ayas are interconnected and all Suras are related. The ayas and Sura offer guidance to humanity as a whole to create a peaceful environment to explore the universe and serve humanity to reach a higher degree of consciousness. It was a methodology that a few great scholars of the Quran such as Maulana Hameeduddin Farahi and Abdullah Mubarakpuri had also focused on. It was unconventional because it viewed the Quran as a complete message not collected from scattered ideas. It is a revolutionary methodology capable of ensuring the universality and continuity of the divine message.
His scholarship did not prevent him from activism. Until he breathed his last, he was actively involved in interfaith dialogue. In fact, during his visit to California, he attended the dialogue between Christians and Muslims on the theme Prophet Moses.
He was the president of the Association for Quranic Understanding. He was the founder and a trustee of the revived Parliament of World Religions.  He was the initiator of several interfaith dialogues in the world. More important than all this, he was the mentor and teacher of hundreds and thousands of young people in India and the USA. He did not run after fame. He did not seek any position. He served the cause of peace and justice quietly and left a legacy that would continue to benefit people all over the world.
Dr. Irfan Ahmed Khan was born in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. He got his education at the Muslim University of Aligarh and became a professor of philosophy. In 1973 he moved to the United States and completed his Ph D in philosophy and then taught at various colleges and universities in the US.
Despite the struggle in raising a family of five daughters and two sons with meager resources, he remained active in reminding people that the Quran must be given due place in Muslim thoughts and actions. His opinion that the Quran should be understood directly by everyone, including non-Muslims was often challenged by traditional scholars, yet he was firm in his opinion that was fully supported by the Quran. He is one of those few scholars of his life and work, a Ph.d was granted to a student from a prestigious Chicago school.
Dr. Irfan was active in the Jamat e Islami, India. He organized several youth conferences while in India and offered youth training in interfaith work and understanding the Quran. His life deserves to be studied closely and his work needs to be referred to by all those who are making efforts to understand the divine guidance. His book Reflections on the Quran: Understanding Surahs Al-Fatihah & Al-Baqarah is a monumental work on the Quran.
Indeed to God, we all belong because from him we all come. But there are some who leave behind them imprints that remind people of the meaning of this life and the struggles that one goes through in it. He indeed was one of them.
May God have mercy upon the family

Monday, March 26, 2018

Is Interfaith Dialogue forbidden by Islam?

Interfaith dialogue or discourse has now become a part of religious work, at least in Europe and the Americas. Traditional Muslims who at one time opposed any dialogue with non-Muslims are now visible in conferences and seminars focusing on pluralism and religious harmony. So is the situation with many Christian and Jewish groups who never favored the idea of interfaith dialogue are not its parts.
However, there are still many in the Muslim and Christian and Jewish communities, especially in the US and Europe who reject it. Obviously, Christian and Jews have their own religious reasons for their stand, but among Muslims who reject it argue that the Quran and Sunnah do not permit Muslims to enter into any meaningful dialogue with non-Muslims including those who are described in the Quran as people of the book.
Those who reject the interfaith dialogue say that the Quran specifically addresses the issue of dialogue and friendship with Christians and Jews and strongly prohibits Muslims from pursuing that.
“O you, who have attained to faith! Do not take the Jews and the Christians for your allies: they are but allies of one another and whoever of you allies himself with them becomes, verily, one of them; behold, God does not guide such evildoers. 5:51”
Additionally, they quote some of the statements that a few earlier Muslim scholars had attributed to Prophet Muhammad as evidence of their rejection of interfaith dialogue. Some of these statements are reproduced here.
Adiy bin Hatim narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The Jews are those whom Allah is angry with, and the Christians have strayed.” (Tirmidhi Vol 5, Book 33 and hadith 3954)
Abu Hurairah narrated: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Do not precede the Jews and the Christians with the Salam. And if one of you meets them in the path, then force them to its narrow portion.” (Tirmidhi, Vol 5, Book 40, hadith 2700)
 There are narrations on this subject from Ibn 'Umar, Anas, and Abu Basrah Al-Ghifari the Companion of the Prophet (ﷺ). One of the early Muslim scholars said Abu 'Eisa said that “This Hadith is Hasan Sahih. And regarding the meaning of this Hadith: “Do not precede the Jews and the Christians": Some of the people of knowledge said that it only means that it is disliked because it would be honoring them, and the Muslims were ordered to humiliate them. For this reason, when one of them is met on the path, then the path is not yielded to him, because doing so would amount to honoring them.”
 They also narrate the following statement to justify their stand Abu Burda reported on the authority of his father that Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) said: “No Muslim would die but Allah would admit in his stead a Jew or a Christian in Hellfire. 'Umar b. Abd al-'Aziz took an oath: By One besides Whom there is no god but He, thrice that his father had narrated that to him from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). 
Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari  also reported a similar hadith that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will deliver to every Muslim, a Jew or a Christian and say: 'This is your ransom from Hellfire.”
Obviously, no one can deny that these statements are not in the Quran or in the books of ahadith (sayings attributed to the Prophet). They are there and they have impacted the thinking of many Muslims. But do they really convey the essence of the message of Islam? Does the Quran really prevent Muslims from befriending Jews and Christians and people of other faiths? And does the Prophet really want Muslims to humiliate Jews and Christians? And will God send a Christian and a Jew to hellfire to free one Muslim sinner? If the answer is affirmative, then the Muslims claim that God is all-merciful, and his messenger was sent as a mercy to humankind and his message is for restoring the dignity of humanity is just propaganda and Islam is yet another religion that promotes hatred and anger against others.
The reality is that the verses of the Quran were interpreted in a specific context where even the most pious scholars could not see the divine grace and mercy beyond their own community. The Quran describes, itself a book for guidance and comfort to humanity. It invites its adherents to work for the unity of humanity, not for its division. It exhorts its believers to show respect to fellow human beings, regardless of their behavior or attitude.
The Quran specifically reminds the believers that every human being deserves a dignified existence.  “NOW, INDEED, We have conferred dignity on the children of Adam, and borne them over land and sea, and provided for them sustenance out of the good things of life, and favored them far above most of Our creation: “ 17:70 
The Quran acknowledges that good people who have their rewards with their Sustainer are found in all religions.
“Verily, those who have attained to faith [in this divine writ], as well as those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Christians, and the Sabians   -All who believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds shall have their reward with their Sustainer, and no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve.”  2:62 
“For, verily, those who have attained to faith [in this divine writ], as well as those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Sabians, And the Christians - all who believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds - no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve.” 5:69     
“Verily, as for those who have attained to faith [in this divine writ], and those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Sabians, And the Christians, and the Magians,  [On the one hand,] and those who are bent on ascribing divinity to aught but God, [on the other,]   verily God will decide between them on Resurrection Day: for, behold, God is a witness unto everything.” 22:17

How is it possible that the Quran would ask believers not to befriend those who are described decent by the divine himself? In this verse, the Quran specifically referred to the power elite at the time of the Prophet from among Christians, Jews and polytheists who were bent on distorting the divine guidance to serve their political and financial interests. The Quran warned the believers that such people cannot be the allies of the truth because they can compromise the truth for their gains. Did the Quran say that all Jews and all Christians until the end of the time would remain the enemy of Muslims? This is neither proved by history nor by any logic.
The Prophet understood the context of the divine message and that led him to send the early Muslims to Ethiopia to seek refuge in a Christian land under a Christian king.
Such was the respect for this Christian ruler, that the Prophet is said to have observed the funeral prayer when the news of his death reached him. Even though many Muslim scholars have tried to suggest that Negus had secretly converted to Islam, an assertion that has no foundation in any historical record of the time. It is also reported that the Ethiopian King was the one who brought the Prophet and Umma Habiba in matrimonial relations where Umma Habiba's husband who had accepted Christianity died.
How is it possible that God would ask Muslims not to befriend Christians and Jews when the Quran clearly permits Muslim men to marry Christian and Jewish women? Who could be a better friend than a wife?

Those who quote the ahadith saying that Muslims should not greet Jews and Christians, and should squeeze them on the road and humiliate them ignore the reality that the Prophet sent about 379 letters to non-Muslims and they all began with greetings to them. The idea that Jews and Christian pedestrians should be squeezed does not make any sense because when the Prophet saw a Jewish funeral passing by, he stood in its honor. Also, when some of his companions were furious at a non-Muslim for mistreating the Prophet, he admonished them to be polite. There are several examples suggesting that the Prophet paved the way for non-Muslims. It is obvious, that the statements attributed to the prophet are not accurate and does not reflect his personality or the Quranic message.
They also ignore the hadith that reminds Muslims of the origin of the fasting on the tenth of Muharram as was the practice of Jews and Christians of Medina.  

As far as the hadith that says that God would send a Jews and Christian to hellfire to save one Muslim from it is nothing but making a mockery of justice and decency. The Prophet must never have said it even if all the chains are suggesting accuracy because this statement conflicts the Quran and the character of the Prophet.
The Quran clearly states that no one will carry the burden of the other. Say: "Am I, then, to seek a sustainer other than God, when He is the Sustainer of all things?" And whatever [wrong] any human being commits rests upon him alone; and no bearer of burdens shall be made to bear another's burden.   And, in time, unto your Sustainer you all must return: and then He will make you. [truly] understand all that on which you were wont to differ. - 6:164. The Prophet would never say anything that goes against the Quran. The idea that for the sins of Muslims, Christians and Jews will be consigned to hellfire is blasphemy against God.
Neither the Prophet nor the Quran prevents Muslims from developing cordial relations with people regardless of their faith. The Quran warns people to avoid those who use people for their financial and political gains. Such people can be found in all religions and all communities. 
Interfaith dialogue gives an opportunity to every religious community to learn the truth about religions from those who claim to represent it. It does not seek conversion. It seeks a better understanding and those Muslims who misuse the Quran and the sayings of the Prophet, in fact, deny the verse of the Quran that says: O human beings! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female,  and have made you into nations and tribes so that you might come to know one another.  Verily, the noblest of you, in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, all aware. - 49:13 

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Statistics Support Polyandry and not polygyny

by Dr. Aslam Abdullah

In our world, there are 50.4 percent men and 49.6 percent women. In countries where Muslims are in majority out of 1.5 billion (China and India and Russia not included) men outnumber women by almost two percent. Yet, people argue that if men do not marry multiple wives, they would leave a great majority of women unmarried. In their view, men must do this act of compassion and kindness.
Those who advocate multiple wives for a husband say that women outnumber me and hence men must take care of them by marrying more than one. Thirty-nine countries with a Muslim majority have more men than women. Fifteen have more women than men. In countries where women outnumber men the difference is minimal while in countries where men outnumber women, the difference is huge.
In Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, men outnumber women by 20 percent to 50 percent margin. In Turkey, Senegal, Malaysia, Bosnia, and Kirghizstan, women outnumber men by one to two percent.
Let us assume that most girls and boys in the Muslim world get married between the ages of 15 to 24.  In the this age category, in almost every Muslim majority country men outnumber women by 3 to 5 percent margin.
The argument that women outnumber men, hence a husband can take multiple wives is statistically a mute issue.
Have a look at the ratio of men and women in each of the Muslim majority and decide for yourself if the numbers justify multiple marriages.  I have included the population of the two countries where Muslims are in large number even though the country does not have a Muslim majority. They are China and India, where men outnumber women by at least 1.5 percent a huge difference when we look at the size of the population.
Some people would say that Allah has given permission for multiple wives and the Sunnah of the Prophet and companions also endorses it.  Of course, there is one verse in the Quran, but it refers to a particular situation in a tribal society with no concept of public welfare and of course, the Prophet Muhammad, and most prophets had multiple wives, but that again was within the context of their time and situation. They cannot be applied as general rules.
The general rule calls for monogamy.
Those who say that the number of gay men reduces the number of men seeking marriage with women are making an assumption. No statistics about gay men or women exist in the Muslim world and any conclusion based on assumptive numbers may be misleading.
There are people who suggest that if multiple marriages are not allowed, orphan and widows would remain helpless. Well, what about creating a welfare system that takes care of people in this situation. What about empowering women with skills and education that can make them self-sufficient? What about ensuring that their financial dependence is not exploited?
Yes, there might arise a situation where multiple wives may be justified, but that decision would be based on sociological conditions after deliberations involving both men and women. It will not be imposed on society in the name of God by some self-styled scholars.
 Country                                          Total               Men           Women
Qatar
2,168,673
76.50%
23.50%
United Arab Emirates
9,346,129
70.10%
29.90%
Oman
3,632,444
63.60%
36.40%
Bahrain
1,332,171
62.20%
37.80%
Kuwait
3,368,572
59.80%
40.20%
Saudi Arabia
28,828,870
57.50%
42.50%
Western Sahara
567,315
52.60%
47.40%
China
1,385,566,537
51.80%
48.20%
India
1,252,139,596
51.70%
48.30%
Pakistan
182,142,594
51.40%
48.60%
Equatorial Guinea
757,014
51.20%
48.80%
Jordan
7,273,799
51.00%
49.00%
Nigeria
173,615,345
50.90%
49.10%
Syrian Arab Republic
21,898,061
50.90%
49.10%
State of Palestine
4,326,295
50.80%
49.20%
Afghanistan
30,551,674
50.70%
49.30%
Brunei Darussalam
417,784
50.70%
49.30%
Bangladesh
156,594,962
50.60%
49.40%
Algeria
39,208,194
50.60%
49.40%
Iraq
33,765,232
50.60%
49.40%
Yemen
24,407,381
50.40%
49.60%
Niger
17,831,270
50.40%
49.60%
Mali
15,301,650
50.40%
49.60%
Mauritania
3,889,880
50.40%
49.60%
Comoros
734,917
50.40%
49.60%
Maldives
345,023
50.40%
49.60%
Indonesia
249,865,631
50.30%
49.70%
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
77,447,168
50.30%
49.70%
Iceland
329,535
50.30%
49.70%
Sudan
37,964,306
50.20%
49.80%
Tajikistan
8,207,834
50.20%
49.80%
Djibouti
872,932
50.20%
49.80%
Egypt
82,056,378
50.20%
49.80%
Malawi
16,362,567
50.10%
49.90%
Chad
12,825,314
50.10%
49.90%
Albania
3,173,271
50.10%
49.90%
Suriname
539,276
50.10%
49.90%
Cameroon
22,253,959
50.00%
50.00%
Libya
6,201,521
50.00%
50.00%
Eritrea
6,333,135
49.90%
50.10%
Uzbekistan
28,934,102
49.70%
50.30%
Burkina Faso
16,934,839
49.70%
50.30%
Somalia
10,495,583
49.70%
50.30%
Azerbaijan
9,413,420
49.70%
50.30%
Tunisia
10,996,515
49.60%
50.40%
Gambia
1,849,285
49.50%
50.50%
Morocco
33,008,150
49.40%
50.60%
Kyrgyzstan
5,547,548
49.30%
50.70%
Turkmenistan
5,240,072
49.20%
50.80%
Turkey
74,932,641
49.10%
50.90%
Senegal
14,133,280
49.00%
51.00%
Bosnia and Herzegovina
3,829,307
48.80%
51.20%
Malaysia
29,716,965
48.50%
51.50%
Kazakhstan
16,440,586
48.10%
51.90%