Searching for destiny

Alone in a crowd

2011-10-28T12:20:00.000+02:00

I was always a loner, even in company. I have this disgusting habit of not connecting with people on a personal level, even though they may feel I connect quite easily. The truth is, I don't. I just act very well. But somehow, all this pretense gets too much for me sometimes. I have this insane urge to break free now, to let go, to be myself. It is always dangerous to build barrages around feelings; once the barrier is gone, the emotions come out with much more intensity. I feel this right now, the faint murmur of pent-up emotions that can become a dangerous roar any moment, threatening to blow me away with their force. However, I can do nothing.

What makes this much harder is that I am away from family and friends. They are the ones who know me, with whom I am always sure of unconditional love and support. I am sick of all this play-acting. I don't want to be a nice girl any more, always saying the right thing, always being politically correct. The reality. however is, that this is a world that honours duplicity and diplomacy. Straight talking finds few fans here.

So this pice of writing is the only place where I can let go, other than in prayer. I already feel an easing of the stifled feeling I had. I know this suffocation happens in life but it is always nice to have people around you who understand you without saying a word. I miss this quiet understanding and acceptance in life here in Germany. I am a stranger living a strange life among strangers.

Faroha Liaqat
http://avoiceforislam.blogspot.com

What's missing?

2011-04-24T20:20:00.000+02:00

Writing is always such a blessing; it makes my heavy-heartedness go away. That's why I always turn to it when I feel overburdened with the impact of my own feelings.

It must be something in the air that makes me so restless. So hot and still during the day and so balmy in the evening. Even this weather transition has done nothing to cure me of this emptiness. This loneliness gnaws at my heart and threatens to tear it in pieces. I long for my friends and my family with whom I can be myself. I wish for their understanding and the ease with which I can tell them what's bothering me. I am disturbed by this silence. Europe may have many pleasures and attractions but one of its biggest disadvantage is the loneliness it offers to every one. The fast life doesn't make you realize it what a key component of happiness in life is missing here but it becomes apparent as soon as any time is available.

I wish I was in Islamabad right now, thinking of who to talk to and who not to. I wish for that comfort of sharing the beautiful weather in silence with people I love so much. I appreciate now the small things that make life so beautiful because I don't have them now. I can not be complete without the sense of belonging and love that comes from being in Islamabad. I remember the times I used to see the falling rain with my sister through the window and inhale the fresh air. I remember the walks I took in spring last year. It is spring again and I miss it so much. Birds also chirp here, the weather is beautiful, the air is balmy but there is no happiness. What is spring when the heart craves for some "apnapan", some belonging, some real carefree happiness?

I know that it is necessary to move on and one has to loose a great deal to earn much. Still, it makes me wonder why on earth it has to be so? I remember Faiz again this evening " Sar e koye nashanayian, hamay din se raat karna. Kabhi is se baat karna, akbhi us se baat karna"....

I have no words that could describe this intense feeling. I stand on the balcony, look over at the glimmering city lights and the river in the distance and an think of only one thing. I miss the people I love.

Faroha Liaqat
http://avoiceforislam.blogspot.com

Speechless

2011-04-09T14:03:00.000+02:00

After a long time today, this silence has moved me. I don't know what is it, the quiet summer day outside or the sound of the birds chirping through the windows or something inside me that has moved me to this introspection. Whatever it is,I feel deeply moved,so much so that I am overwhelmed, close to tears of thankfulness and in bewilderment at the folding events. It is so strange; seemingly I have been moving in no direction whatsoever for the past few years and yet there are patterns that have made me move forward and come to where I am now.It can be no other thing than fate; it can be God only who has put some sense in all of this randomness.
I remember writing a post about life two years back, about how life seems to be unfair but God isn't,about how life makes you come to a point when it makes you see it has given everything back to you what it once took from you.I am at such a point in my life. Whatever fears I had have been taken away, whatever I thought impossible has happened,prayers have been answered and wishes have come true,all when I had lost all hope. How great is God!
These ramblings may make no sense to any one but I know no other way to express something that I am feeling so intensely. I am so much in awe of what I have witnessed in life recently that it has somehow increased my faith, proved to me what I had always believed, that there is a God and He answers prayers and He is the Healer.
I don't know how I can say thank you to ALLAH. I know I fail God daily but He has never failed me. Right now,I just have this heartfelt emotion and this deep wish of being blessed further.
Maybe I am just writing to let my feelings flow, to share when I can talk with no one.Maybe it's this loneliness right now that has compelled me to write today after so many months. I feel it much more today when there is no one I could share with; this silence has made me realize things I didn't have time to think of before.

Maybe I just want to tell that there s a method to this madness called life. Whatever it is, it doesn't mean I have understood it.I still feel like moving in circles, I still have got no clue to the mystery of life, I still am directionless, I fear for what is going to happen. I don't know lots of things but I have learned to trust God.His mercy overrides His anger. Aur tum apnay Rab ki kaun kaun si Naimaton ko jhutlao gay.

Faroha Liaqat
www.avoiceforislam.blogspot.com

Do miracles really happen?

2010-10-24T16:26:00.000+02:00

Why is life sometimes so very difficult to understand? There are periods in life which seem to be like fairy tales, when every thing goes on smoothly, when wishes come true, when dreams are realized, when even the deepest desires of your heart are fulfilled even without yourself realizing that this was what you desired. This is the time when impossible becomes possible, when life is great, when the sun shines and when truly, life is beautiful. Even then, I fail, sometimes, to understand why is it so? Why do sometimes everything is going your way and in the midst of it all, you suddenly realize that it really isn't. It just seems to be.
      And yet again, sometimes, you are weighed down by the realization that you cannot, simply cannot, make your life go in any direction you want it to go to, when you realize that what you wish for is impossible, that miracles don't happen anymore, that you are just like a child wishing for the moon. Often the two opposite phases of bliss and despair follow closely together. I must confess that it baffles me; it really does. I simply canot make sense out of it all.
     I realize now that stories we read in books, see in movies or hear about and that we laugh off as a work of fiction, actually are quite real to some people like us. It is hard to accept when it's happening to yourself. you feel as if you are going through certain acts in a drama in slow motion and the curtain may fall anytime.
     I don't know if all these ramblings are making sense to anyone at all but they do not make any sense to me at least. At times like these, I am inclined to wish for a simple existence, of a life free of drama, a life that is dull and peaceful. I tend to believe that in times like these, we are simply not masters of our life. It eludes us; it is God who makes us go one way when all we wish for is the other one round the corner. It is, simply, fate.
   Resignation is what will bring peace of mind. I want to throw the cards down and give up.

Faroha Liaqat.
http://avoiceforislam.blogspot.com

Missing Pakistan

2010-08-10T00:17:00.000+02:00

I always used to wonder why people write so much about their feelings in "Pardes". I felt they usually exaggerated the feeling of being an alien in a foreign land. Of course, i liked the poems of Faiz Ahmed Faiz and songs portraying the feeling, but I never understood it.....that is,till now.
        Now I understand the yearning that Faiz felt when he wrote "Meray dil meray musafir"....Now I identify with the verse "Sar e koye nashaniyaan hamay din se raat karna.....kabhi is se baat karna, kabhi us se baat karna".....I feel more and more the worth of living among one's own people, breathe in the same air as your loved ones do, be in constant contact with family and friends,eat your own food, speak the same language and feel the care around you. It is a great deal to identify with one's surroundings and to own the land you live in....I realize it now that these things are so far away.
       It sounds a cliche but I still have to say that I miss Pakistan. Despite everything, all the troubles there and the calamities and what not, it is home. It is my land and one that I love very dearly. At this hour late at night, I miss the silence of Islamabad; I miss sleeping in my own bed and waking up to run away to the university with ami saying "beta, nashta kar lo".....I miss the constant sms of my friends and the care that was showered daily. I miss the rain, having dinners with family, never caring about things....In short, I am feeling exactly as a pardesi would do.
        I will never understand people who want to settle abroad. I fail to understand the logic. For me, Pakistan seems to be heaven on earth, a place that is very close to my heart and one that has given me every thing. I have every facility and comfort here in my temporary home, but it still doesn't feel like home. Home is where loved ones are and for me that will always be in Islamabad.
       God bless Pakistan

Deliberate provocation or freedom of expression?

2010-05-21T17:58:00.001+02:00

I fail to understand why they keep doing it again and again? Haven't the people advocating freedom of expression understood by now that depictions of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are considered blasphemous and will cause fury int he Muslim world?Yet, they publish and re-publish the caricatures, make crude references in comedy programmes and now run sketching contests on facebook! Does the world really feel that this time, the Muslims won't be hurt and will take it in their stride? Every Muslim is a fundamentalist when it comes to protecting Muhammad (PBUH)'s honour and it's a truth the sooner the world learns, the better.

That said, I must say I don't like the way Pakistan has reacted to the online contest. Of course, everyone is hurt and angered; I was distressed when I saw some of the depictions on the page, but is banning whole websites the solution? Now, there is a huge vaccum in the cyberspace that the growing middle class and urban population used to vent their opinion in.Pakistan could have blocked the specific URLs, compalined officially to facebook and youtube, made diplomatic remonstrances; we could have countered the hatemongerers via the media they had used; but now there is vaccum. the world cannot hear the Pakistani voice.

I wish there could have been another way to show the world that we care about this sensitive topic, that we are hurt by your actions and you should listen to why it is blasphemous. But there seems to be no way the deaf world can hear our protests. Even now, they seem to be wondering what's all the fuss about. I know that even if facebook is restored today, many users would delete their accounts; it has lost its respect but do we, the western world and the Muslims, need to resort to such extreme measures to tell the other side of our view?

I often wonder what the Prophet would have done. He would most probably have ignored the whole episode and have tried to explain to the other people why depictions of any prophet are blasphemous in Islam. Sadly, we, the Muslims, rarely wonder anymore what the prophet would have done. We love him too much and give knew-jerk reactions. Muhammad (PBUH) was patient, loved people, genuinely cared for them, was tolerant and would never have resorted to violence to fight people for his own cause. We have come a long way from the spirit of Islam in Medina and I long for the road that would make us go back or rather forward towards peace.

Faroha Liaqat

The road ahead

2010-05-03T20:06:00.001+02:00

Sometimes I wonder why temptations come in the way exactly at the moments when one has to make the toughest decisions. Why is it so that when one wants to finally break away from the past and make a new beginning, when one has gathered the courage to take the first stride and when it's time to start, a temptation that's hard to resist beckons you and makes you drag your feet; you would love to give up resisting, to turn back to something you've always wanted and yet.............Is this the trial, the "azmaish"?
It's hard to view life from a logical perspective in every respect. Sometimes logic fails and one is helpless, unable to understand, unable to make head or tail of your life. I once read in a book that at such moments when one feels lost, it is best to give up trying to make a sense out of things and accept life as it is, though acceptance is hard to come by. After all, we are not in the driving seats. I am fatalist when I say that we are all prisoners of fate at sometime or other in our lives. I remember Hazrat Ali when a man asked him how much control we have over our fate and Ali asked him to stand on one leg, which he did. But when Ali asked him to take both his legs off the ground, he was helpless. The answer was: this is the extent up to which you can master your fate.
So, it's better sometimes to give up, to accept that perhaps fate might be too much for you. But at other instants, it's better to fight your way to put the first step on the long, narrow, hard road that leads to God. The demons may call you back, the temptations may hold your feet, but fight and God will give you the strength to master your fate. Whom God beckons, nothing can stop.

Faroha Liaqat

A longing for Truth

2010-04-02T19:30:00.001+02:00

We grow up listening to some age-old phrases; philosophies that have been true since the beginning. We hear that" there may be delay in the justice of God, but never denial".We hear that " What goes around comes around"....we hear so many things and yet we never recognize their truth till a later age. I have always believed in the power of prayer and have shuddered at the mention of a curse because I know how lethal it can be. Yet I have lost count of people who take both of these realities so easily. I have seen people boasting of how lucky they are; of how they have the devil's luck and thae cat's nine lives; of how nothing will ever happen to them and they'll face God on the day of judgement. I listen to all this and I shudder......I shudder because I have seen the power that a few of one's spoken words have of coming back to haunt you.I shudder when I see someone boasting or being proud after hurting someone because I know that every word we speak is noted in the court of God. I fear because I have seen myths shattering and people doing things they said they would never do...I fear the "Bara Bol"....

Yet, do people really care for such trivial things? No, they don't. All our lives, we keep running after possessions as if that's all that matters and we forget the really important things in life; the small things. We forget that life is not what it seems to be. It follows a curious logic and few rules. It is a trial after all and yet how lightly we take it.

I have never understood the difference between punishment and trial, between "saza" and "azmaish"....Once someone told me that anything that takes you closer to God is a trial but anything that takes you away from God is a punishment....But is this really as easy as it sounds?? I don't know and I don't understand.

But, all the same, I long to understand. I long to be able to know the truth.....I long to see the hidden but the true path.....I want to be on the right side of this bargain.....but the wait for enlightenment seems to be never-ending. O God, YOU are the Light, so show me The Light. The darkness is unbearable.

Faroha Liaqat

The narrow path

2010-04-01T14:07:00.000+02:00

Every one of us, at some time of our life, comes to a stage where we face total and complete darkness; when we face the inevitable shattering of our ideals; where we learn that this world is an unfair place and full of cruelty and injustice. For most of us, this is the make or break moment; many of the people let go of their beliefs or ideals and go with the tide. To advance in their life, they adopt the same ways of the world that they deplore. Very few dare to go through "the narrow gate", as Karen Armstrong points out. The narrow road may be tough and full of pitfalls, but it's straight, " the Siraat e Mustakeem".....but how, oh how, to be on the straight path when your happiness was taken away from you by all unfair means? You see, the crossroads where you decide the path your life will take.

I know life is unfair; I know it's hard to stick to truth and honesty and principles, when everywhere you see people doing everything to achieve their own end. At this time, the words of a famous scholar echo in my mind " Allah tests you by the individual level of your faith; the stronger your faith is, the greater is the trial"....and then another quote resonates with me "The mercy of Allah is greater than HIS wrath".....

I am forced to acknowledge that I am a helpless human when it comes to God. The world doesn't stop to listen to us even when our own universe is tumbling down. It is God and only God who supports us, gives us strength and guides us along the narrow path step by step. Deep down, there is a feeling of happiness at being guided to the right path, but the sense of injustice one has received at the hands of the people may go away when one realizes that there is A GOD...the all-seeing......who will compensate you.....

For all the world may say, I still believe in "what goes around comes around" I still believe that there is mercy and justice in the court of God, not only in the Hereafter but in this world....I choose to stick to the old-fashioned belief that truth prevails in the end and good triumphs....

Faroha Liaqat

Is life fair?

2010-01-25T19:46:00.000+01:00

Sometimes I wonder if there is any retribution in life, if there is any concept of ethics and morality still left or are such things just fancy thoughts and behavior only found in books. Is there any justice? As one sees around, many examples present themselves about life being unfair and one wonders what's the use of behaving well if all it comes to is heartburn and anguish?
But as life progresses, we see that though life may be unfair, God isn't. If one dearly loved thing is taken from us, we are blessed with another. We just fail to connect the dots but as we look back, we see that the entire picture was always taking shape for our good. These are not mere high-sounding words or idealistic thinking. This turns out to be absolutely true. I refuse to agree with people who say there is no fairness in life. There is, though life does not offer itself to us in the way we expect it to. It takes a different turn and brings us unexpectedly to a place where God makes us see how HE has given us back what HE took from us, in a much better way.
Though there is heartburn at present, there may be satisfaction in future. This is the way I choose to look at things because, otherwise, there's nothing but gloomy thoughts to entertain. I firmly believe in thsi worse of the Holy Quran " Hal Jaza-ul Ehsan-e- ill-al ehsan".....A good deed is returned by a good deed only.
I know the right path is hard to follow but it is this narrow gate that leads to fulfillment and peace.

Jinnah- A better Muslim

2009-12-27T14:54:00.000+01:00

Some people are revered in their life and some after their death. There is no doubt that Jinnah was a legend in his own lifetime and lives on in people's memories long after he is dead to the world. But he continues to be one of the least understood and enigmatic leaders in history. It is a strange fact that Jinnah is revered in Pakistan as the Quaid-i-Azam (The great leader) but portrayed as a villain in neighboring India. He is termed as arrogant, a divider and a cold-hearted man; yet in Pakistan he's seen to be a man of principles, a just and truthful, honest man. Yet how can the two faces of the same man so irreconcilable?
Ali Jinnah's biggest crime in the eyes of Indians is the division of United India on the basis of religion; yet the same man is considered to be the saviour of Muslims of the Sub-Continent by demanding and achieving a state for them. Yet why did a man perceived to be secular demand partition on the basis of religion? There can be two reasons for that; the first being the biased attitudes of the nationalist Hindu leaders that led him to believe that progress of Muslims in a united India, after the British left, would be difficult under a resurgent Hindu majority. What, for me, is the second reason is that Jinnah may be a secular man in his daily habits, but he is the perfect example of a Muslim in his character. He was truthful, incorruptible, honest, a constitutionalist, just and loyal to the people who trusted him. I can only marvel at the honesty and sense of responsibility of a man who had the unwavering loyalty of the people and power; yet he refused to even eat a meal at his country's expense. I am amazed at his love for principles and his penchant to stand for truth. How many examples can a Muslim world boast of in recent history, that may even come near to Jinnah's stature? None. If he isn't a true Muslim in character, I don't know who is.
The problem with the present Muslim population in India is that they tend to see Jinnah as someone who divided India and left them at the mercy of the majority. They fail to see that this is exactly what Jinnah was trying to save them from. If partition had not happened, this would have been the exact fate of all the Muslims, not only the Muslims in present day India. Whenever I go out in the streets of Pakistan, I feel I have a right to this land; there is no one who claims to be more Pakistani than I, but an Indian Muslim cannot say the same thing, as his patriotism is always called into question on the basis of his religion. Why should not, then, the Pakistanis revere Jinnah as their great leader? I was deeply saddened when, on a recent visit to India, I had to hear anti-Jinnah remarks. A remarkable example of what teaching distorted history can do to minds.
As this December 25 passes, I again feel the pull that the great Quaid has on people's hearts. I pray that Allah bless him and enable us to be as honest, as incorruptible and as loyal, as Jinnah was.

Stand up to fight for our land!

2009-11-06T12:26:00.000+01:00

This is going to be a fight to the finish, a fight we simply cannot afford to lose. We, the Pakistani people, are faced with a dilemma and thankfully, most of us, specially the younger generation taht constitutes about 60% of the population, have made the right choice. We are going to fight any one who challenges our right to Pakistan, our life styles, our freedom to pursue life as we live. We have started asking questions; questions that are addressed not only to the politicians, the Government, but questions that challenge some fundamental assumptions that are taken for granted.

In these days of uncertainty in Pakistan, the most heartening factor is the resurging patriotism and nationalism in the Pakistani youth and an emerging middle class that is increasingly vocal. We are no longer prepared to accept things just because they have always been done before. We are no longer afraid to voice dissent with the pre-established values because we have the media on our side that carries our voice to every home. We are no longer disappointed with the legal system because sometimes, amid all the clouds of corruption, we can see light at the end of the tunnel.

Sometimes, I am amazed at the changes around us, and heartened by the will to fight for our land among the common people. The common man of Pakistan is much more patriotic and nationalist than the so-called defenders of the constitution. Every where I go, I hear concern for Pakistan, underlining a deep love for the country we live in. I sense a feeling of ownership, which was never theer before. I sense the emotion among the youth to serve our land and their confidence that tehy can do it.This is heartening. It is as if we are witnessinga revolution, a changing trend in society, a willingness to break away from tradition and an intention to bring about a better change. Atleast, people feel the wrongs that have bene done and react to them , instead of calmly accepting them as "something that has always happened, will always happen".....A changing Pakistan in short.

Come, let us fight for our land, our values, our home. If the terrorists want us to shut schools and universities, we should react by facing the threat and going to the universities and vowing not to be afraid. The bombings will go on; they won't stop overnight but our resilience and our courage will subdue them. It's a battle of nerves; and God is always on the side of the brave and good. Let us create history by fighting for the ideology of Pakistan. 60 years have gone by without its being achieved; maybe this is the time of struggle again.

Wake up, Pakistan

My documentary on climate change

2009-10-02T19:27:00.000+02:00

Check out my documentary by UK's Nature on climate change at the link

www.nature.com/lindau

The movie is titled " Climate change -The two degree target"

Pakistan's honor at NObel Laureates Conference in Germany, 2009

2009-08-27T10:28:00.001+02:00

It was a matter of pride and honour for Pakistan to have earned much appreciation and good name at the prestigious Nobel Laureates Conference in Lindau, Germany this year, 2009 in the field of Chemistry. The Lindau Meetings are a global event in which Nobel Laureates are brought together with young researchers from 60 countries. It is attended by EU Presidents, countesses, ministers from all over the world, students, Nobel Laureates and the world media. I am honored that I was part of a group of six students from Pakistan who did very well and I was also selected from among 600 world participants to feature in a documentary on climate change by the well-known UK based science journal, "Nature". It's trailer is available here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fft-WywYSf

However, I was very sad to hear that this process by the HEC and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission of sending Pakistani students to this event may be discontinued. It's a pity because this is one of the few forums where Pakistanis are excelling, being the top most not only among Muslim countries but overtaking many western nations as well. On the other hand, India is doing everything to become it's global partner. There is also no representation of the Pakistani media there, because it simply does not know about Pakistan's participation in the meeting.I hope someone will take notice of the immense talent Pakistan has to offer and make use of it in places such as this.

Nature video trailer for my film at Lindau- climate change

2009-08-26T11:19:00.000+02:00

A much needed victory

2009-06-21T21:27:00.000+02:00

It feels great. Pakistan is starry-eyed today. We are the T20 world champions and it feels so, so very nice. Cricket is a passion for the Pakistani nation, yet this victory is more than just winning the final in a game. It has given us hope.We needed this so desperately in the bad times we have been going through. It's been a long time since we had a good news and when Pakistan beat the Proteas in the semi-finals, Pakistan suddenly woke up. We were all so happy and life was still for two days waiting for the final. TV screens were set up, especially in the refugee camps and the captain of the Pakistani team also said we will dedicate a victory to the internally displaced people. We won!

It is celebrations though all the length and breadth of Pakistan. People have spilled on to the streets, dancing and waving the Pakistani flags and singing national anthems. We are so so happy. God has given us hope again. We had lost belief in ourselves and suddenly we feel confident again. We ahve shown the world we are not just a bunch of terrorists; we have life, laughter, a sense of camaraderie, sports, love of life, everything. We have always felt in our heart we can bounce back when the whole world believed Pakistanw ill fail, either in sports or in national life. Our belief stands justified. Congratulations Pakistan! Way to go!

A martyr for Islam and Pakistan

2009-06-14T18:35:00.000+02:00

An incident that depicts how the Taliban have nothing to do with Islam or human rights or plain decency! The killing of Dr Sarfaraz Naeemi in Friday's suicide blast has saddened all of Pakistan, even people who have never been to a Madrassah in their life. He is a true martyr, a man who lined on a Government scholarship of just 6000 Rs per month, a man who ran the most modern madrassah in Pakistan imparting modern as well as religious education, a man who was a true religious scholar, who gave a compelling edict against suicide bombings, declaring them to be completely forbidden in Islam, a man who openly said that Taliban were a stigma to Islam. Pakistan has lost a true patriot. But the martyrdom of Dr Naeemi has not fractured the nation. Instead, this incident has united Pakistanis to take revenge from the Taliban.

We clearly see now the real Islam as followed by Dr Naeemi, a live and let live based humanistic religion. And the false so-called Islam of the Taliban. Even a lay man knows now the reality of the Taliban.

These are sad times for Pakistan but also a time of great oppurtunity. We can either fall apart or glue together to make a strong nation. I hope that the sacrifices of countless people like Dr Naeemi do not go into vain. I believe they will not go into vain and we will rise to be a stronger country

Hope for our homeland

2009-05-24T10:27:00.000+02:00

I am sick and tired of all these doomsday scenarios about Pakistan in the national and international press. Many columnists in Pakistan's newspapers even rant almost always about how almost everything is wrong with Pakistan. I don't deny that the country is in a dangerous situation and has many problems, but don't these columnists understand that people need hope in these times; they are despondent enough.

My generation, the young of today, are fed up with the older generation who are always saying that Pakistan doesn't have this, Pakistan doesn't have that. Don't they understand that it's because of them that Pakistan hasn't had those good things they admire in the west? If they cannot do anything for their country except complaining about it, then please do not demoralize us atleast. I feel the younger generation to be much more nationalistic in its thinking and has a socially active attitude. The New York times recently reported how some young students in Lahore started a campaign to pick up garbage in their area on sundays, because they were tired of their parents complaining that the Government doesn't do anything. We need this approach, not the arm-chair complaining that goes on all the time. Give us a break! Pakistan is here to survive and stay and we will do whatever we can for it. It's our home, our land, and we are not going to let the follies of the older generations to destroy our future. Let us join hands and strive for a better future. Long live Pakistan!

A migration of my people, from fear to where?

2009-05-12T21:33:00.000+02:00

It was inevitable, yet it's so disturbing. The humanitarian suffering of this offensive against the Taliban is huge, to put it mildly. We all knew in our hearts that people will try to move to safer areas, but suchan influx of people out of Swat, Dir and BUner! It's staggering. These people have ;left their homes, cattle, standing crops, some even their children, in short everything they ever strived for in their life, behind.....They have moved out of fear, amid intense shelling, gunfire and curfews, to safety. Yet, what awaits them? Can Pakistan really cope with this crisis?

It's true the arrangements could have been much better. It's true that the Government, after having had loads of experincing in hosting so many millions of Afghanis for three decades, should have known better, but it is to ask for too much. The Government cannot cope individually, unless the international aid agencies and most of all, the people of Pakistan come out.

We have seen the generosity of spirit the people showed during the 2005 earthquake. This problem of the IDP's (internally displaced people) is on the same scale and requires as much, if not more. These refugees within their own lands are proud people, yet they need our help. We must assist them without compromising on their pride and customs, their honor and dignity. They are our own people. They deserve our love and support. It's heartrending to see their plight. O God, what's the world coming to?

This is the largest migration of people in Pakistan since partition in 1947 and it requires the same spirit.....These people are emulating what Muslims did 14 centuries ago when they migrated from Mecca to Medina, to escape the cruelties of the Quresh.....God has put them through suffering to check their patience and our generosity...They are the Mohajirs,so when are we going to become the Ansar?

I wish I could do something, with my hands, physically, to lighten their burden in some way. I hope this conflict ends soon and people can go back to their homes and live in peace. God save Pakistan

What wrong did the people of Swat do?

2009-04-03T21:51:00.000+02:00

It was heartrending....The spectacle of a teenage girl being publicly flogged by Taliban send shivers down everyone's spine.Pakistan is ashamed and stunned today. This 2 minute video has brought the reality home to many of us; the reality that not only our way of life is in danger but every concept of good and evil we hold is being hijacked slowly by these extremists. If for nothing else, we have to fight for Islam, to stop our beloved religion being disgraced by such brutalities and narrow interpretations.

What was the crime of that girl? Even if it was adultery, the Quran places strict pre-requisites for the crime to be proved. IT requires 4 witnesses of good character and repute, who don't lie. THe judge or Qazi should be well-versed in matters of Shariah, be of good caharcter, never had his reputation stained in any way.....THe conditions are so severe taht in 99 cases, the crime cannot be proved unless it takes place in broad daylight,in utter violation of all sense of propriety....Ultimately, it's a sin between man and GOd...The punishment is so strict, therefore the conditions of proving guilt are so difficult as near to impossible. So how can these Taliban punish a girl when there has been no Qazi, no trial, no witnesses, and yet they assume taht she has committed adultery? What kind of Islam they think they follow? DEfinitely not what the Quran preaches, definitely not what Prophet MUhammad (PBUH) practised; definitely not with any humanity as its message.....

My heart bleeds for the people of Swat, who are forced to face such brutalities.....I cannot understand such Taliban and I cannot condone such behaviour.. I have a feeling that neither would the prophet condone this behaviour.....Islam is such a peaceful, humanitarian religion and it is being hijacked by these few extremists, who are bringing such a bad name to it.....This video has sent a shockwave through Pakistan and rightly so. We need to wake up to the fact that this is a war between two mindsets; one, a balanced, live and let live approach; the other, a barbaric, brutal attitude......We, the moderates, desperately need to win. And I hope and pray, that we do. We can't afford to lose.

We won !

2009-03-16T09:37:00.000+01:00

Jubilation in the streets of Pakistan.....A great showdown and a historic outcome......People's power at its best.....Judiciary is restored and all the struggles of the people of Pakistan for the last two years have been vindicated......But go ahead Pakistan...this is only the beginning.....May God be with you

March on Pakistan! May God be with you

2009-03-15T15:32:00.000+01:00

Pakistan is seemingly on a standstill;yet a new life is surging through the people.On the surface, the major highways, connecting roads between provinces, have been blocked...yet people are moving. They catch trains where they are stopped from getting on planes, they go in rallies and if stopped in groups, they even start walking when they are stopped from going in cars......All of these enthusiasts are trying to converge to Islamabad. They have one aim in view....restoration of the judiciary that had been sacked by General Musharraf, ex-President of Pakistan, when they refused to validate his extra-constitutional measures.From that day, a movement has been born. It inculcated into common Pakistanis an urge to have justice, awill to stand up and fight for their rights.....It changed Pakistan.

Two years have passed, yet theese people are still struggling. Yet again, the people have been duped, this type by acivilian Government, which is unwilling to restore the judges because it is afraid of its own past corruption record. The silence was deafening before this storm but now that it has unleashed, this movement has swollen into an epic story of a fight between right and wrong. Curbs on media have only strengthened people's resolve to fight any dictatorial moves. The civil society, lawyers, opposition leaders, human right activists, media, students, former diplomats, ex-army men, all are on the streets, demanding their right to be heard. This is a revolution

Today as I sit besieged in a forlorn capital and wait for tomorrow, I have a feeling that these long marchers will somehow come to Islamabad, no matter how they are stopped. There is a feeling of deja vu in the air.The atmosphere is so tense that it seems to be electric. There is fear in the hearts of the Government at such an unexpected showdown as was seen in Lahore today. Masses everywhere, families, children. The heavy-handedness of the police and Government forces seems to have strenthened people's resolve to go out and register their protest. This has become a massive anti-Government referndum. The foreign Governments, especially the US, should learn what comes of supporting the most unpopular leaders in Pakistan for their own ends.People now quote an american justice who had said at a court ruling " this is a court of law, not a court of justice". The writing on the wall is clear. We want justice.

March on Pakistan. May God be with you

Hypocrisy in the name of religion/molarity????

2009-03-09T16:08:00.000+01:00

A very disturbing factor has been emerging steadily throughout world societies, atleast here in Pakistan. Through out ages, men who are moral have always felt themselves superior to all others. They love to point out others' faults, rant and rave about its consequences, yet they fail to see taht sometimes, tehya re also guilty of the same. I ask, what kind of a molarity is this taht allows you to lie freely, break promises, cheat others, backbite, vent your anger on others, be intolerant and cruel of others' opinions, and do it all in the name of morality/righteousness? No religion teaches such bigotry. Infact, the gist of all religions are comprised in Muhammad's words,Hillel's Golden Rule,Christ's saying " Do not do unto others what you would not have done unto you"....When someone asked Rabbi Hillel about the teachings of Torah, he quoted this rule and said taht the rest is commentary....So where do we see this golden rule being practised? Sadly, no where and very rarely by people who claim to have a monopoly on religion.

Karen Armstrong stopped being a nun beacuse she was fed up by the cruelty and rigid behavior of the convent nuns....She felt it to be aginst the teaches of Bible....This is the problem with the world today.People have less patience with other opinions. Muslims complain that just because of a few extremists, all of them are labelled as such. The west thinks them inferior and tries to impose their theories on poor countries/Governments. THe Taliban do the same,albeit in a spectacularly cruel way. They kill, maim, injure, silence and voices of diseent. I ask, is this Islam? Have they forgotten that God says specifically in the Holy Quran taht whoever takes one life, is like one who ahs killed whole humanity; that killing any innocent human (not only Muslim)is forbidden; that Jihad is permissible only in self-defense;that justice to others is the most valued human virtue in the eyes of God.

Leave aside the Taliban. Look at the common people everywhere. They will quote religion as long as it suits them and throw its teachings away when they dont want to put themselves through some inconvenience. They forget taht selfishness is not vaued in religion; if you hate something to be done to you, you should also not do the same thing to others. Why calim to be a good moral/religious person if you do all the things that God forbids you too and yet pray daily? God may forgive Huqooq-ullah (rights of God on men), but he will not forgive any slip in Huqooq-ul-Ibad (rights of men on other men), unless the injured amn forgives the perpetrator....so when will people stop this bigotry? this is destroying our moral fabric and eating us from within.....Of course there are good people, but they are increasingly tested in this ultimately selfish environment and are led to believ that destiny favors only the opputionists,selfish, cruel people. Herein lies the test; wanting the world will make you like those you abhor and wanting the blessing of God only will give you both the world and the hereafter....Whose gonna win?sadly, the bad ones seem to be winning for now

The common people are the special people!

2009-02-13T20:18:00.002+01:00

Sometimes, when I get tired of all the bad news around, in the press, in the streets, on T.V; when everyone says this is a wicked world; when people here, in pakistan, say that the future is bleak and go away from the country; when I hear the common phrase that " Is mulk ka kuch nahi ho sakta" (Nothing good can come out of this country); I wonder whether there is no such thing as hope left. Why are we always willing to talk about evil in the world, but are always surprised when something good happens....It may be a bit difficult and I have started this topic on the risk of being incoherent, but have we really forgotton that humans are not entirely evil or good. There are no black and whites, only greys.

I feel that the world is going on because even now, the good in people far outnumbers the bad. Oh I know, it sounds idealistic, but very often, when we are so tired of finding bad traits in everyone, we do come across a few examples of good people doing good deeds without any expectation of reward. Today, I learnt that a man in Islamabad, Pakistan has been teaching free of cost to children, youngsters,anyone in short in an open ground for the last 18 years. He goes to his job in the morning and then comes back and teaches to poor people free of cost, come rain or whatever. At one time, there are about 300 students and up to now he has taught about 5000.With no help from Government or any NGO, this man has kept this going on for 18 years. Now, many young girls and boys have joined him as teachers....I find this great. These people are our real heroes.

Few people know that Pakistan is the country with the highest number of charitable donations. We tend to remember only the suicide bombings. Whenever one's car break downs in an out of the way spot, one can usually find someone who comes to help, does it and goes off before you can say thank you. There was one professor in my university who could go home walking because he had given all the money in his pocket for a poor kid.

There are countless such instances. These incidents touch me, because these remind me taht there is still much good left in the world and all is not lost, yet.

Swat....O Swat

2009-02-03T16:23:00.000+01:00

Swat was once called the Switzerland of Asia, a beautiful tourist spot, a lush green valley with flowing rivers, hospitable people, the milk like river Swat, a place where people went for their honeymoon, to spend vacations; easily accessible and profoundly satisfying. Like so many other things, we have lost that haven of peace. I sometimes wonder how mad the world is getting....violence, lack of patience, intolerance, fanatism everywhere. But the irony with Swat is, that the people have done nothing to deserve this. Yes, they want Shariah but not the suffocating kind of Islam that the Taliban brandishes. They want easy and swift justice, equality, no compulsion and a choice to live their life as they want to, as they lived under the wali of Swat. There is nothing wrong with that demand. In fact, it would be nice if we all were under such a lenient Shariah rule, where justice would be for all and where there is no compulsion. Not that there is any in the big cities, but the whole of pakistan should be under the same homogenous rule....This is the problem;the tribal areas are directly under federal rule and semi-autonomous;the northern areas are linked to the Kashmir problem and thus again under federal rule;an imbalance between the provincial powers and in between all of them, Islamabad lies as another part of Pakistan.

But to come back to the problem of Swat....I find it extremely impossible to believe that the army cannot eliminate these Taliban with all their resources, intelligence, jet planes, etc....Granted that our army is not trained for guerilla war, but every guerilla war requires some support for the insurgents among the local people. In Swat, the local people are fed up of the Taliban and want them out. So what is stopping the army? We all hear reports that there are foreign fighters there....many BBC reporters say that when they visited Swat, there were Uzbeks running about....but for God's sake, in all this fighting, where do the people of Swat go? What a waste......Really, it's very sad. So many of the schools blown up, those hangings and beheadings, such strict edicts.... reading them, one feels the medieval age of Europe has come back (because, Muslims were far more liberal in that period).

I feel for the people.....We all do. This is not Islam in any way. Islam is a very liberal religion. I know some western people will be amazed at my choice of the word 'liberal', but it's true. Islam is a religion that is easy on its followers, provided they dont start making it difficult. Like God says in The Holy Quran, "There is no compulsion in religion".So why do these extremists try to compel people? They are doing a great disservice to Islam.

I can only hope that now that Swat is once again in the limelight and a major operation begun, there would also be soem dialogue and whatever the outcome, I hope and pray that the sufferings of the people may come to an end!May Allah return that heaven to us once again

Struggle for rule of law in Pakistan.... A changing society

2009-01-27T21:25:00.000+01:00

When we in Pakistan could not find hope anywhere in the dismal situation prevalent in the country in 2007; when it felt that every where one looks, corruption, dishonesty, nepotism, is rampant; when one despaired of the ever-stretching Musharraf dicatatorship and wondered whether anyone was able to tell him what he was to his face; there came a thin ray of light at the end of the tunnel.The chief justice of Pakistan, despite having used his authority in the past to secure his son's future, got the courage and told Mr. Musharraf he will not do as he was dictated. A big NO to a dictator who had forgotton what dissent was. That kick-started the now historic lawyer's movement, with civil society, students, human rights activists, media, the ordinary Pakistanis asking, demanding, wanting a fair and free judiciary. They were beaten, tear-gassed, jailed, arrested, tortured, but the movement refused to die. It created a scenario where finally the exiled politicians were able to come back to the country, when Musharraf was finally forced to admit that he had made a mistake, when Musharraf fell by his own hand, when it was a common slogan in processions " Go, Musharraf, go". Finally, he had to go. The power of the people brought him down.

The movement did for the Pakistani people what nothing before could do. Suddenly, ordinary citizens, elite,educated or illiterate people, men, women, children woke up to the fact that we have a voice, we can choose to disagree, we have a right to speak our ming, we want a fair judicial system....Justice became everything for us....We fought against anything wrong that the Governments did....the students, the middle class of pakistan for the first time came out and took an interest in what was happening.... A revolution in the making....

There were great hopes that once democracy came, the justices would be restored but no, we got an extension of the Musharraf regime, albeit in a civilian garb. Now, we are once again at cross roads on the eve of another long march by a rejuvenated lawyers movement supported by all and sundry except few in the ruling class. The world has honored our movement and Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary; He recieved the highly prestigious Freedom award by Harvard University, the third person to get it after an American justice and Nelson Mandela. Yet the rulers are blind to the fact that pakistan has changed. We are no more suffering masses...we have a voice now.

It is wrong to think that the lawyer's movement ahs not gained anything in its two years....It's achievements are many but the major being having created a revolution in Pakistan where we can atleast dare to speak up against injustice, where we want democracy and justice and equality in our country and not American stooges. We have changed and history ahs been written. Those in the ruling class, who cannot see the writing on the wall, fail to understand that no matter how hard and long the journey, truth prevails in the end because God is always on the side of the opressed, the weak, the downtrodden, the just, the people who have the courage to speak out against evil....The journey is along one, but we are at least going....Cheer up, Pakistan.....We, the people, are changing

My interview with Pakistan Spectator

2009-01-25T21:03:00.000+01:00

I was pleasantly surprised when I found that the Pakistani spectator blog wanted to interview me. Here is the interview. I thought I would also publish it on my blog.

Ph. D student in Chemistry (Quaid-i-Azam University), Islamabad. Gold medallist in M.Phil and M.Sc CHemistry from Quaid-i-Azam university.

1. Could you tell us what made you decide to blog, and what was the inspiration behind it?

I decided to blog about 6 months back. THe inspiration was, as usual, the deteriorating condition of the country, our moral bankruptcy in our society, the urge to speak out, to contribute in some way. I have always felt taht if we speak out against any injustice once, we will have a satisfaction and courage later on in life that we did right once and can do so again, each time to a higher degree. Only this can create awareness and provide a check to growing selfish behavior in our society.

2. What do you think sets Your blog apart from other blogs?

I speak from my heart and I am not afraid to share views which can be considered bold, unconventional or even unpopular, if I think they are right. We need out of the box thinking and I feel we, Muslims and Pakistanis lack in communication.This is a media age, a type of war and propaganda, which we have to win.

3. If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?
Faith in Allah, above everything, against all odds…This has enabled me to hope against hope, to pass through tough times, to brave harsh opinions or backbiting or unfairness in life…It has rewarded me in so many ways that I can’t even mention…I am lucky in this sense because God gives me everything without my even asking for it…sooner or later…and above all, there’s a sense of closeness to God and a struggle to get better each day, that will never end

4. What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

I prefer to think that my happiest moment is yet to come and my gloomiest has passed

5. Urdu Blogs have got huge potential, when do you think they will really take on the online horizon in Pakistan?
Well, for the spread of Urdu blogs, we need Urdu softwares and right now, Urdu softwares are few and can be improved much. Urdu blogs have tremendous potetial because by nature, we are attracted to Urdu poetry. Many blogs have posts written in Roman about or containing urdu poetry….It still needs about 2, 3 years before Urdu blogs really break the ice and get through

6. If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?

I would like to go to Northern areas of Pakistan, especially Concordia i.e. K2 base camp, South Arabia and Jerusalem. I have a great urge to pray in the Al-Aqsa mosque.

7. What is your favorite book and why?

Gone with the wind. I have learnt a lot from that book, about how to be a fighter, how to struggle and to get your way at the end, how not to take things for granted, about emotions and relationships and how important it is to convey to your loved ones about what you feel, ….lots of small lessons that only life teaches you step by step.

8. What is your favorite meal, dress, and sport?

Meal….anything chatpatti, Biryani and chicken corn soup
Dress: Shalwar kameez….the most comfortable.
Sport: It used to be cricket

9 What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?
Well, I am not usually observant but I just kind of have a general impression about the type of person….modern, conservative, talkative, bold, etc….One can’t know anyone without talking to them…appearances are often so deceptive

10… Whose Future is more bright in Pakistan; English blogs or Urdu Blogs?

English blogs, I think because people usually want their views to reach the maximum number of people and English is a huge medium….BUt Urdu blogs should be promoted

11… How Pakistani bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

Well, most probably if someone from the media picks up their articles and ask them to write in a newspaper or magazine. But I think, blogs must not be written with a financial goal in sight. It must be more about communicationa nd if ,during ding so one gains, it’s all the better

12..Do you think Pakistani bloggers tend to remain somewhat self-centered and really don’t go out of their shells? Is it the oriental style of blogging, or they are still unsure about it?
Well, Pakistani blogging has not yet come of age. It is not the oriental mindset. We are just slow at communication and shaping our views and defending them. Look how good the Indians are at it. This may be because blogging ahs only been active in the last few year or two. But we need to realize the potential of this tool and use it to our maximum advantage.

13.. What do you think where the Pakistani blogosphere is right now?
Still trying to find a voice

14. Who are your top five favourite bloggers in Pakistan?
NO favorites yet

15. Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger in Pakistani blogosphere?

Not yet…Most usually tow the usual lines

16 What is the future of blogging in Pakistan?

Great…It has potential and Pakistanis are gradually wakening up to the fact. We are finding a voice

17… You have also got a blogging life, how has it directly affected both your personal and professional life?

It has not affected my private or professional life much. I post usually after 4, 5 days but surf blogs regularly

18. What are your future plans?

To be a better human being and a good Muslim, to contribute in some way towards a just society, to complete a Ph.D degree

19. Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?
Think out of the box, dont be afraid of airing unconventional or new ideas but respect other’s opinions. Be just.

The dream comes true!!!!

2009-01-20T20:24:00.002+01:00

What turn life takes! Would Dr Martin Luther King Jr ever have thought that a day will come when a black man is elected president of USA with about 80 % approval rankings? The answer is ,Yes. He dreamt of such a day and look, the day has come. When he said in front of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963, the now famous words,
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.
....

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!"

who would have thought that these words will echo in many ears today, as Barack Hussein Obama takes oath as the 44th President of the United States of America.Dr King would have been a proud man today. It just goes on to show that idealism can sometimes be translated into reality, that dreams do come true, that truth ultimately prevails in the end.

I have a dream too. I dream that all the world, especially Pakistan, also adopts the charter for humanity that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave us 1400 years ago; that all men are equal and the no Arab has any preference over a non-Arab and vice versa, no white has a preference over a black and vice versa, that we are all children of Adam and greatness is only based on a person's character and closeness to God.

I have a dream too. That this gem of speech also translates into the fabric of our own society.

Gaza! Is there another Karbala in the making?

2009-01-06T19:18:00.000+01:00

In the month of Muharram, a sadness prevails the Muslim community. It is the month of remembering Hussein, the martyr of Karbala, where he was killed alongwith a handful of his sympathizers in cold blood by Yazid and his army. THe force of an army against some innocent people, who dared to speak up against injustice.Flash forward to 2009. Yazid died but lost to the nature of Hussain's sacrifice.Hussain has become a symbol of speaking up against cruelty and giving his life foe the cause. HE lives on in death. As 10th Muharram approaches, the Israeli jets and tanks pound Gaza from 3 sides. People have no food, no water, no electricity!They are getting killed mercilessly while other MUslims watch. Is there another Karbala in the making?

History surely repeats itself. The Israelis have not learnt from history. No one can change an ideology by force. Palestinians will fight back. Our prayers are with you, Gaza. Gaza will live on!

What's the world coming to?

2009-01-03T19:25:00.000+01:00

Still the USA chooses to justify the Isreali attacks on GAZA. STill, the resolution of the security council is blocked. Still, Muslims all over the world protests along with several non-Muslims, who feel that injustice is being done. Hosni Mubarak still refuses to open up the border with Gaza, as Egyptians protest in the streets. In london, celebrities alongwith common people march and demand their Govt to call back their envoy to Israel.In countries like Indonesia, Kashmir, Pakistan, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, New YOrk, Brussels, Phillipines, people protest but what happens? Israel turns a deaf ear to their pleas. The Palestinians continue to be killed,injured and starved. The US says finally that violence must end, but this is mere lip service. Everyone knows whose side the Us is. BUt there is one supreme truth. THe curse of an oppressed people never fails. Allah hears their pleas, Allah sees these protests, Allah knows the anguish in our hearts and Allah will definitely turn things for good.This will not break the Palestinians spirit. Raising voice against injustice is the supreme JIhad (struggle) and Muslims will keep on doing this peacefully, InshaAllah.

On new year's eve

2008-12-31T21:56:00.001+01:00

Usay Kehna!
December Ja raha hai
December kay guzartay hi
Bars ik aur maazi ki fizaun main doob jaye ga
Usay kehna
December k guzarnay se zara pehlay
Muhabbat ki kahani ko koi takmeel de jana
Usay kehna
December ka maheena jaisay guzaray ga
Umeedain doob ajye gi
Wo sapnay toot jaye gay
Usay kehna
December k guzarnay se zara pehlay
Muhabbat ko koi tabeer de jaye
Usay kehna
Mukadar ko hamaaray doob janay se bacha lena
Usay kehna
December ja raha hai!!!!!

Here's the translation:)

Tell him!
December is receding
Another year will disappear,
in the shadows of history, as December passes.
Tell him,
to complete the story of love,
as December passes.
Tell him,
hopes will die
and dreams will be broken,
as soon as December ends.
Tell him,
to give a meaning to loves dreams,before it happens
Tell him.
To save our fate from being doomed.
Tell him,
December passes.

Heartfelt misery

2008-12-29T00:01:00.000+01:00

Aziaton kay tamam nishtar.....
Meri ragon main utar kar wo...
Bari Mohabbat se pochta hai.
K teri aankhon ko kya hua hai....?????

Tears for Palestinians, as Gaza is bombed

2008-12-28T21:17:00.000+01:00

My heart bleeds for the land of prophets, Palestine. I am outraged at the sheer ruthlessness of the attack by Israel. Does any amount of rockets fired from the Gaza strip, that rarely kill people, account for the disproportionate use of force by Israel on unarmed civilian Palestinian people. They are already under a crippling blockade; less food limited supplies and now no electricity, no gas and bombs falling.I feel helpless like millions of Muslims, who can watch and protest , but can do nothing. My blood boils and yet, I can only see and clench my fists and pray for the Muslims. I want to be there in Gaza, to pick up the rubble and save people. I wish I could do something to assuage their suffering, but I can't.
What's the world doing? THinking about whether not to condemn Israel or not? All the words of condemnation are mild from the West. The outrage is felt by all Muslims, as is seen by the massive demonstrations. BUt will Israel stop? I doubt that Israel has any conscious left. IT wants to milk out every shred of resistance from the Palestinians. BUt I feel it in me, the Palestinians will not be defeated. THey have a legitimate right of their land and they are on morally high ground. I wish to say that all Pakistanis are with you, Palestine. God help you.

Update:1/8/2009

Of course it is a humanitarian cause. That's why Muslims and Non-Muslims have protested alike. There have been mass protests in Arab states like Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and countries like Indonesia, pakistan, Phillipines,J & K, in LOndon and Brussels, in New York and Chicago, in Australia. What is at stake here is the choice between right and wrong and it takes courage to stand on the right side. Few Governments in the world can take that decision. THe US chooses to favor its protege, Israel. Its champions of human rights forget that the Palestinians are humans.

If you ever read a history of Jerusalem and the Palestinian land, you will know how the Palestinian land was forcefully taken, how these Muslims were pushed out to create space for Israel. THis David has become a Goliath. Blood of the Palestinians Muslims is flowing.

However, I feel that the curse of the oppressed never goes unheard.It was heartening to see so many people come out in so many places and speak up against injustice. Of course we feel it more because these men, women and children getting slaughtered are Muslims. BUt they are humans first. It is wrong to kill, maim, injure innocent human beings.

Yes, the GOvernments are impotent. Yes Hosni Mubarak is a Us stooge. Yes the Arab states are oil rich but all their money is in foreign banks, all their military support is by the West. So they lack courage. BUt this is no excuse. Atleast the people protest. I feel my blood boiling and my heart being torn to pieces when I watch innocent children crying, injured, bleeding after getting hit and I wonder: Are these children terrorists as well?Isn't Israel indulging in state-sponsored terrorism? Isn't the US favoring Israel for this slaughter?Double standards.

Remembering Benazir Bhutto

2008-12-27T20:40:00.000+01:00

It's been one year and it's still hard to believe that Benazir Bhutto, two time Prime minister of Pakistan, is no more. I have never been a PPPP loyalist; I have never admired Benazir's politics; I have never felt comfortable with the nepotism that comes with each PPP Government. Yet, despite it all, I was shattered when I sat watching her being shot on TV one year back. THe horror of that day is brought vividly to me today, a year after her death and the pain I felt then was not at the loss of a leader, but for Pakistan. I felt as if we, the Pakistanis, were being torn apart. I felt for her, I cried for her, not because I love her, but because she was a woman. Because she was mercilessly killed and because her blood still asks for the identification of her killers.

BB was a flawed politician, no doubt, but she had many good qualities as well, the best being courage. Men in politics or real life have rarely shown such courage as she did. She brought a ring of truth to her words when she said " LIfe should be lived as a lion, not as a jackal". She had the rare ability to forgive, she was not vindictive and she had a woman's heart. No one in today's PPP can come even near her; I doubt even her children can. I feel sometimes she made a mistake when she married Zardari. I think she deserved much better. However, she proved herself a true daughter of the east when she stuck to him despite his failings. Herein lay her mistake. HEr GOvernments were doomed.

Today, I look at the TV programs showing her pictures and videos again and I feel, how beautiful she was. What charisma, what beauty, what power, but yet, so unlucky. HEr name has been used by her party to advance itself but her blood cries for justice. I believe in God and feel strongly that someday, somewhere, justice will be done. GOd has HIS own ways of doing justice and she will not lay unavenged.

Are we on the brink of war?

2008-12-22T21:24:00.000+01:00

I dont believe this. I cant believe that Governments on both sides of the border between India and Pakistan can let the peace process be sabotaged so easily. BUt then I would be living in afool's paradise. I have been hearing fighter jets flying low over Islamabad today. News channels have been on that speak of firing at the Chamb sector between Indian and Pakistani forces. Harsh comments, statements, fury, anger but few voices of peace and many from them have been coming from pakistan only. Bharat Verma, an Indian security analyst, was vehemently advocating an Indian attack on Pakistan. These people forget that Pakistani audiences are fuelled after hearing these remarks and stop deliberating on the causes. But is it fair that INdia threatens Pakistan for an attack that ,even if India's version is accepted, was perpetrated by non-state Pakistani actors? An attack on pakistan will kill ordinary citizens who cannot defend themselves.

I feel sad today because people on both sides of the border will be the losers, if, God forbid, war comes to our land. We are angry at the American drone attacks and will be absolutely violent if any Indian attack occurs. But I think sense will prevail in the end?

P.S
I was just wondering whether Pakistani channels are also seen in India? and how much they know about us?

A message of hate rather than love?

2008-12-21T10:50:00.000+01:00

I fail to understand one thing. Wherever we look these days, people are fonder of giving vent to expressions of hate ,rather than love. This is specially true of the so called religious leaders, who are, sadly, very unreligious in this respect. The point is, what are we coming to? Why have we forgotten the beautiful gestures of Prophet Muhammad and the Caliphs and all the good Muslims before us? Why do we and the West of course remember all the brutality and cruelty that has been carried out in the name of Islam? Isn't struggle against your own "nafs" the better jihad?

The only sliver lining is the recent awakening in the youth. Our youth is being attracted more towards religion, but I fear we are being divided in to two classes. One, a strict narrow-sighted mullah and the other a religious but moderate youth. Its a battle between the two and I hope, for all our sakes, that the spirit of Islam wins and not mere ritual?

P.S I feel more and more why there are so few soothing voices from India and Pakistan after the Mumbai blasts and why the stage is dominated by the war-mongerers? WE surely love more to hateather than to love!

In the aftermath of the Mumbai blasts

2008-12-08T15:31:00.000+01:00

Many Pakistanis and Indians have been left stunned by the ease with which the blame game can start between the two countries despite years of confidence building measures (CBMs). NO one can justify these attacks and every religion forbids such violence, but sadly, each major religion has been hijacked by fundamentalists at some time or other of world history. BUt many people in Pakistan, especially the younger generation, has suddenly realized that no matter how many measures one takes to build confidence, the mistrust between INdia and Pakistan is too much to tackle. THe scars of partition run deep and come forth with every fresh incidence.BUt what has shocked Pakistanis is the venom of the common Indian directed towards Pakistan so soon after the attack. WE fail to understand why is it so that even when the operation was going on, the Indian media had started pointing its fingers to Pakistan. Is this the level of confidence that 8 years of CBMs have built? Notwithstanding the consequences, hardliners on both sides want to go to war with eachother. BOth feel a sense of injustice; INdia understandably and Pakistan, because no one is willing to present any evidence but everyone is willing to blame Pakistan. WE fail to understand that why has the GOvernment of Pakistan not presented proof of INdia's extensive involvement in the insurgency in FATA and Balochistan, when ample proof is avaliable? WHy are we so large hearted? Who cares and who listens?

Karen Armstrong and Islam

2008-10-03T20:45:00.000+02:00

Some people, mostly Jews, term Karen Armstrong as an apologist for Islam. Well, Islam may not need apologists but it certainly needs neutral scholars these days. I do think that Islam is the most misunderstood religion in the world. People like Karen Armstrong are doing a great service to Musims by explaining their religion to non-Muslims in a way that few have ever done. Her book, Muhammad: A biography of the Prophet is a beautiful read. It explains so much. No doubt she is respected widely among Muslims. Jerusalem; A city, three faiths is another book that is a must read for all. It is important for us to know the history of one of the most disputed sites on earth.
But the Muslims fail miserably in one reagrd. We do not have any writer, any scholar, any person who can explain away or successfully counter the accusations of non-Muslims. This is necessary; extremely important because Islam today is in focus for all the wrong reasons. Muslims need to know more about their religion, as each of them is an ambassador of Islam. As George Bernard Shaw said " Islam is the best religion but it has the worst followers". We need to be good Muslims first to prove to others the good that Islam teaches.

Where are we heading?Who is on the right side in this war?

2008-10-02T22:15:00.000+02:00

I do think that we, the Pakistanis, have been caught in the line of fire, to use that much abhorred title of the book. From one side are we being targete by the Americans and from the other by the Taliban. And amidst this raging war, life seems to be going on in the metropolitan cities. The only difference is one nver knows when one is going to be blown up. I am sure that the majority of Pakistanis love Pakistan and are hurt at seeing what's happening here. Looking at the politicians, one comes across the classic case of Nero fiddling while Rome burnt. The point is that instead of blaming everything on Taliban or the Americans, we accept the fact that both are wrong. The neo-con lobby in America is pursuing its own blind agenda and the Taliban are no servants of Islam. But what are we ordianry Pakistanis going to do? Any comments?