The Clothesline

So many of the Ramadan have passed without benefitting the soul much. This could be a different one. The periodic break from reality is refreshing. Almost musical; mystical. To consistently be able to get up before dawn for Fajr prayers, timing your midday to slip in to the hospital chapel to bow down in prayer for Zohar, to joining a spouse in the post work Asr prayers, to rediscovering the joy of food and drink with sunset and Maghrib prayers and retiring to bed with a rough sketch of the next work day after Isha prayers.

This is not a claim to piety but an expression of amusement of deprivation bringing such content. Breaking away from the “givens” like food and drink is a hint perhaps to the “portable happiness” that human beings are capable of carrying in their very souls. Years ago in school I learnt of the virtues of fasting and could list understanding hunger and experiencing it first hand, understanding that what we take for granted being indeed a great bounty from Al-Ghaffaar (The Great Forgiver) and to bring discipline and subjugate the “free will” to what the Al-Kareem (The Bountiful) has willed for us. Mostly it was to pass the Islamic studies test. The gulf between word and deed registers meaningfully in the proverbial perfection of hindsight. Through the telescopic reach of it I pull out a seemingly random experience.

I watch the clothes being hung on the clothesline by the housemaid. Besides being entrusted with the task of cleaning a house teeming with children, she would also be asked to help with the laundry. I suspect the separate salaries that she would draw from the multiple families in the house served her sanity well. She starts at one extreme of the clothesline, which by evening would serve as a “net” for a badminton match between cousins, often earning the ire of an aunt or uncle for prematurely removing the garments hung out to dry. By the time she would reach the middle, garments of likely equal weight, would make the line sag just by virtue of their distance from the supports on either end. A much less perplexed mind marvelled at this being an analogy of the disparities in life in general. The clothes in the middle, sometimes the same weight, even shade, colour or fabric would be much closer to the ground, at times leaving them much more vulnerable to picking up dust from the floor when a bunch of teenagers would carelessly bundle them in to a corner for the evening sports. Years later, the simplicity of this analogy finds a reminder in the journey through Ramadan. It fits in to an emerging picture of who I am and where I am headed; still hazy but promising to reveal itself in its entirety. A picture that I believed was a complex mix of depictions, themes and subthemes, subtlety camouflaged as the obvious, turned out to be the creation of one master stroke by Al-Musawwir (He who designs all things). Infinitely simple.

The appropriateness of this analogy holds true as I reflect on the clothesline being this worldly life; confined in time, space, means, material, health and the journey lasting just as long as the body holds on to the basics of its physiology. How can some be left kissing the ground while the others sway freely with the slightest hint of a breeze? That too in a world created by Al-Adil (The Just)? I stared hard at the picture for a long time. No answers arrived and none will for many years and I know all too well the perils of claiming wisdom. I acknowledge the limits of my own vision. To sweep that corner of a sleeve off the ground I would need to make the line tauter and with that one simple answer came many others. The ends of this line extend to eternity, weighed against infinity ultimate and universal justice prevails. The Prophet Mohammed Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said:

Narrated Haritha bin Wahb Al-Khuzai: I heard the Prophet saying. “May I tell you of the people of paradise? Every weak and poor obscure person whom the people look down upon but his oath is fulfilled by Allah when he takes an oath to do something. And may I inform you of the people of the Hell-Fire? They are all those violent, arrogant and stubborn people.”

“I would not like to have gold equal to this mountain of Uhud, unless nothing of it, not even a single Dinar of it remains with me for more than three days, except something which I will keep for repaying debts. I would have spent all of it (distributed it) amongst Allah’s Slaves like this, and like this, and like this.” The Prophet pointed out with his hand towards his right, his left and his back (while illustrating it).

In yet another Hadith it is said that the poor will enter paradise 500 years before the rich as they had not been tested with wealth.

As I finally call it a day I hope to dream of the careless laughter as children play around a clothesline that does not sag.

 

We need tanks, yes, ‘think’ tanks!

There are 4,861 universities in the United States whereas Pakistan has produced only 6,478 PhDs since its birth. The number of living PhDs in Pakistan are far less than the total degree awarding institutions in the United States. Mr. Hussain Haqqani, who happens to be Pakistan Ambassador to the United States (or some say its vice versa) revealed this shocking fact while expressing his anger at a TV show host. He might have intended to ridicule Pakistan’s intellect through this statement, but it was too harsh a reality to deny. Without getting the records straight, we can never look at events in their correct perspective and can very easily fail to formulate a reasonable and accurate world view.

Looking at the ignorant and inhumane society around us, one vows to refresh their belief in (quality) education. Our hot-blooded public representatives, who get their claws into indecent verbal wars all the time remind us how education could have at least improved our public face. A culture of research and educational growth is the dire need for our nation today and it can act as oxygen for the intellectually disabled and dead leadership of Pakistan. We cannot expect initiatives in this direction from the mere 127 universities, who completely lack research activities and where students enrolled in PhDs are nothing but a public disgrace. According to Pervez Hoodbhoy, a professor of nuclear Physics at Quaid-e-Azam University, the PhD candidates in Pakistan find difficulty even in understanding college level elementary courses. Moreover, these universities are more interested in milking out money from wealthy parents rather than laying down the foundations of our nation.

Having said that, I believe, this gap can be filled by none other than independent think tanks. Think tanks or policy institutes are independent research organizations that advocate direction and provide a vision to the economic, financial and sociopolitical domains of a society. They act as a bridge between the leaders, circles of influence and the common man; they help in shaping opinions on national and strategic issues. When people in Pakistan and other third world countries are thriving for basic necessities like food, shelter and clothing, the budgets of think tanks across the world have crossed billions of US dollars. It might be quite difficult for people in this part of the world to digest that such a huge amount is being spent on research activities and policy making. But, since most of the think tanks are driven by ideological or corporate groups, they believe more in long term visions and influencing power players than fire fighting their day to day problems.

It is worth a mention here that there are a total of 5,465 think tanks across the globe, according to a study done in 2009. Out of that, 32.5 % are based in the United States alone; most of which were established after the second world war. Multiple sources indicate that there are 1,777 policy institutes in the United States, 1,198 in Western Europe, 683 in Eastern Europe, 601 in Asia, 408 in Latin America, 274 in Africa and 192 in the Middle East. However, during the past 8 years, the rate of growth of think tanks has decreased, probably due to the fact that humanity is witnessing one of the worst wars of mankind.

Like all others, think tanks also have an ideological breakdown. They can be grouped as conservative, centrist and liberals. Though conservative and centrist have been working on their own agendas, the liberal think tanks have caused quite some damage to Pakistan and the Muslim world as a whole. Be it the ever emerging maps of Pakistan and the Asian region, change in the academic syllabus of Muslim countries, immense propaganda in Western media or advocating aid-cut to Pakistan, most of them have roots in the liberal and neocon think tanks of different ideological groups. These think tanks have not only managed to influence the power players of the world, but have efficiently been used as tools to further ulterior motives of closed groups and secret societies of the world.

Despite lack of research culture and public policy institutes in Pakistan, a couple of think tanks also operate in Pakistan. Most of them focus on internal policies, strategic issues and regional politics, however, they seem to exercise very little influence on the leadership. The mere fact that most of them have been founded by retired military officers reflect the intellectual dominance of armed forces over civilian society. Some notable think tanks in Pakistan are Institute of Policy Studies, Corporate Advisory Council and the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs. Zaid Hamid’s BrassTacks can also be qualified as a think tank, but the controversies surrounding Zaid Hamid have overshadowed his academic work.

To get out of the mess Pakistan currently is in and to prove ourselves as one of the intellectually developed nations of the world, we need a very strong culture of research and collective intelligence. With a Pandora box of problems, it might not be practical to expect our fellow citizens to adopt to this trend immediately, however, Pakistanis who are settled abroad and have made their career and wealth are perfect candidates for such ventures. Reputable and financially independent think tanks should be established with long term visions based on sound ideologies; the ones that are able to exercise influence on the power circles of Pakistan. Unless and until we get the army, the civilian leadership and the society on the same page, we cannot expect Pakistan to emerge as a symbol of strength on the map of the world.

Getting out of the mess?

Ten years ago, rumor has it that a phone call arrived from an unknown American number at Presidential Palace in Islamabad. The tone and demeanor was particularly intimidating; somebody was threatening the President to destroy something very dear to him – no, not his regime (which he would nevertheless lose), but the very country that gave him this high chair which he relishes every day.

The threat went like, that unless Islamabad cooperates on a list of objectives duly facsimiled, the country will be bombed to stone age. Today, ten years down the line, one looks at the affairs of this country and wonders whether the President ever switched on his fax machine. Could the US have managed to inflict such damages on Pakistan had it not complied? For many strategic experts, which Pakistan has many, it might make for a satisfying argument over evening tea.

We are talking about 33,213 casualties on Pakistani soil from 2003 to early 2011. What has initially been localized, walled off conflicts in several FATA agencies have disseminated countrywide, effectively putting State into the back foot as festering wounds erupt all over the country – Baluchistan, Karachi and Punjab.

For the industries, it needs colossal amount of determination to operate in such security situation. And yet, the State continues to asphyxiate whatever industrial base remains. The country’s energy security remains dire – its principal gas fields are located at the hub of Baloch insurgency. Friends in the international energy trade are increasingly become wary of Pakistan’s commitments, and no new sustainable energy development appears in sight.

For much of 19th century, the Indian subcontinent experienced a gradual deindustrialization in the face of Industrial revolution in Europe. For Pakistan, the phenomenon strikes back – this time due to local follies rather than foreign conceit.

The State itself remains remarkably insinuated to the gravity of the situation. Locked in horns with its political foes, pitching legal battles over corruption cases and appeasing the military the terrorists alike, its sole purpose of existence seems to remain in office for as long as it can. The President regularly settles lowly disputes between party politicians and allies. He also takes precious time-outs to carry out international diplomacy of first order, flying from one capital to the next, exporting his version of politics of appeasement and mutual benefits.

The indicators back home couldn’t be grimmer, if the President cares to inquire. Pakistan is slipping back on many of its health initiatives – it has fast become the world capital of hepatitis; Polio is resurfacing again, and population programs are suffering governmental negligence. Social unrest in large cities is palpable; in Karachi, it has already crossed the threshold and morphed into a low-intensity civil conflict. Will Pakistan hold on, or slip further down the steep cliffs that challenge the nation’s spirits?

The challenges to Pakistan’s foreign policy are no less acute. Pakistan is losing in its bid for control in Afghanistan. What has been a realistic aim for regional parity with India has morphed into a subtle realization that Pakistan will have to shrink its strategic interests. Great Power games which Pakistani high command once excelled in (the fond memories regional treaties, facilitating Sino-US relations, conducting American war on the Soviets) have now left Pakistan desperate for a new role. But sadly, all countries are busy at the moment – resolving domestic issues, advocating its trade and improving the well being of its people. May be Pakistan should do the same.

Pakistan today needs a realization as to what should be its real engagements. It needs a sobering reality check that ignoring the rights and wellbeing of its millions of populace will neither bring it international prestige nor riches. The path to national glory lies through painstaking investments in the lives and futures of the nation’s very population. The odor of contempt for the distressed people of Pakistan which hangs needs to be dispelled from our corridors of power.

Pakistani State has tried formidable international alliances, Great Power Proxy games, and ‘strategic’ relationships with world’s major capitals. Now is the time for it to step out in the open, embrace its own countrymen and take a genuine interest in the lives of those that make up this nation. The people in turn will not disappoint this country, because for them it’s their home – their most primary and personal strategic interest. For this nation and the State, the only way forward that remains is to recollect the national spirit and tread through the rubbles of its modern stone age. It might well be the ultimate test of our national resilience.

Pathological Liars

“I am at liberty to tell you today that its customary in an incident like this for our government to conduct a criminal investigation, that’s our law, and I can give you the full assurance of our government today that it will take place!”

The assertion on Raymond Davis’ trial by US Senator John Kerry at a press conference in Lahore on February 14, 2011 proved to be nothing but another attempt of the United States to flout the rule of law outside its borders. The US left yet another evidence of sheer dishonesty and reneging on promises with her friends. The Raymond Davis mystery is one from hundreds of such incidents that occur on the soil outside United States every year.

As a refresher, some undeniable facts needs to be reestablished, since Pakistanis have a very short memory. Raymond Davis, or George Fernandez  was a proven CIA contractor, outsourced through Eric Prince’s Blackwater (Xe) in Pakistan. Other than the clear cut murders of two Pakistani citizens Faizan and Faheem in pure daylight, he was guilty of spying on Pakistan’s sensitive locations. Photographs of defense installations were recovered from Davis’ camera, including snaps of Pakistan Army’s bunkers on the Eastern border with India and the headquarters of Frontier Corps in Peshawar.

The loyal servants of United States did not charge Davis with espionage, despite the fact that his spy activities were targeting Pakistan’s nuclear facilities and sensitive sites across Pakistan. At the time of his arrest, Raymond Davis was based at a house in Lahore with five other CIA contractors. It was the same era when our beloved Interior Minister Rehman Malik was repeatedly challenging anyone to prove the presence of Blackwater in Pakistan. Mr. Malik went to the extent of offering his resignation if Xe’s presence was proved anywhere in the country. However, he changed his tone when Raymond Davis was officially ‘discovered’ by the Punjab government as an undercover operative.

The two other ‘guys’ who came to rescue Raymond Davis on a Prado with fake number plate and killed another Pakistani Ibad ur Rehman are equally worth of mention here. Reportedly, both of these ‘contractors’ were flown away with Senator John Kerry, the very next day of the ‘apologetic’ Press Conference in Lahore.

Apologists argue that Raymond Davis was released only after the relatives of slain Faizan and Faheem were paid blood money in lieu of the murder, which strictly adheres to Islamic law.Hence, no one has the right to try Davis in the courts anymore. However, after the confession of DG ISI Lieutenant General Ahmad Shuja Pasha at the in-camera session that Raymond Davis was released on the orders of the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, this argument goes invalid. The source from where the blood money was paid is also doubtful, as US Secretary of State has denied payment of any blood money to the families of victims. Even the lawyer of the victims has alleged the government of kidnapping his clients and forcing them to sign a deal.

Having said that, the question is that should the people believe in anything that comes out of any Pakistani or US government official? Aren’t these pathological liars taking the entire nation, or to be honest, the entire humanity for a ride since many decades now. The evolution of so-called ‘free’ media has only added value and ease to the designs of ‘Western civilization’ and it has gotten close to impossible to dig out facts from the flux of disinformation. The sadder part of this tragedy is that the intellectuals of the society have given up against the might of institutionalized lies and deception and have failed to realize the difference between two civilizations at conflict. Some short-sighted people confine the term ‘Western civilization’ to geographical boundaries, whereas in philosophical terms, it is an entirely different way of life on the basis on metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, political philosophy and logic.

The United States can rightly be called the guardian of this imperialistic culture that has built an empire on the delicate footing of deceit. Those who hoped that it might get any better under President Barrack Hussain Obama, have finally faced reality. It has not and it will not get any better, since its not a person but an entire definition of political philosophy that the ‘West’ is following. The episode of Raymond Davis might have been a black swan for the United States, but it will not change anything. The protectors of this civilization will continue to lie, deceive and contradict facts for their evil designs, humanity is what will suffer the most! You never know, Raymond Davis might again be on Pakistani soil in the next few months, or probably he already is!


As venomous as it gets!

You thought they were saviours, your representatives whom you elected and sent forth with hopes in your heart and responsibilities on their shoulders. You thought they were there because their prime interest was to lead the way towards betterment of the country, and make you a force against all the monstrous problems the country is facing. How naive! No doubt we are always told “jaisey awam , waisey hukmaran”, (like people like leaders). But I must say they probably are worst of us.

Sindh’s Senior minister Mr. Zulfiqar Mirza’s tone and derogatory language, gave us a shock not for the first time. There are many others out there, who hold very important positions but have given us mini heart attacks with their venomous tongues. Mr. Mirza calls the people who migrated to Pakistan from India as “bhookey nangey” and goes on to claim to be a part of people who helped them to get back to normal life. He further attacks the leader of Karachi’s biggest party as ‘badmaash’ and urges the people of Karachi to rise and get rid of them,“In kambakhtoN say Jaan ChhuraeiN”. His eyes, language and words had nothing constructive, nothing to bring hearts close, nothing to work for the better, nothing but hate! So he was bound to be summoned by the honourable President, who must have given him a hard time extracting a quick apology for his most irresponsible speech.

But who would summon Mr President who holds the highest office in political world of Pakistan and whose words and tones were no better than those of an illiterate/uneducated class who have never attended school and have never learnt any manners to get along in society. He makes a funny sound and labels PML-N leadership having mentality of blacksmith (lohaar) and Maulvi; both probably abusive words in his vocabulary, and leaves both his friends and foes shocked.

His obedient servant, Mr. Faisal Raza Abidi in one of the talk shows defended his master in a manner even worse. He adds the term “Burqa” in the list of abusive words which Mehar Bokhari challenged very intelligently. Mr Abidi showed same instincts as his beloved leader and program ended in a furious dog fight (reminds me of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s masterpiece in urdu literature)

The trend is not new or confined to one party. It’s become a norm to attack each other’s human shortcomings or private lives, be it personal or family.

Mr. Chaudhry Nisar, who seems to be a sensible man, in his mission to humiliate MQM’s leadership, discusses Mr Hussain’s medical /psychological problems, his rehabilitation treatment and his ex-wife’s views about him; all unacceptable on religious, moral and ethical grounds.

He gets a response, ten times worse. Mr Waseem Akhtar directly asks Sharif brothers as to “what sort of ‘treatment’, do they keep visiting London for. The nation needs leadership and their problem is hair transplant to hook girls” He warns, “we know whose daughter ran away with whom and we know all about their illegal activities , so they better keep their mouth shut”.

Mustafa Kamal is simply outraged by PML-N’s blasphemous comments and in a talk show asks one of their representatives “mard kay bachhey bano”. He asks Jasmine Manzoor to turn off his mic and labels him and his leadership as ‘pimps’ and “jaanwar log “ and again targets PML-N’s leaders’ daughters. He threatens, this PML-N man would never be allowed to enter Karachi and even leave his own house in Punjab if he uses any bad words against his Quaid. Mr Nazim finishes his talk with his favourite term, “Ulloo ka patha” (I could not find a translation for the word, can anyone help?)

Not long ago, Mr Babar Ghauri battles Imran Khan not on a logical or statistical ground but reminds him that he was a playboy in the past (which is between him and Allah, might not be true, he might have repented but Allah forgives, man does not). He waves a child’s picture in the TV show and asks Imran Khan, who her father was, as she resembles him. A cheap shot indeed!

Imran Khan with all the qualities of a true leaders, holds his anger and talks about real issues on the TV show. But he forgets it’s a YouTube world and his fans and followers proudly posted his unofficial reply on social media where he laughs and makes everyone around laugh as well, with his comments “I can show you thousands of children in Africa who resemble Babar Ghauri”; an equally cheap shot, purely based on Mr Ghauri’s complexion.

And of course we haven’t forgotten PTI Sindh’s representative hurling a glass of water at Chief Minister’s advisor as they exchange abusive language in a live TV show.

Women have been equally vocal in their attempt to be “mardoN kay shaana bashaana” (shoulders to shoulder with men). No doubt they are equally talented.

Dr Firdaus Ashiq Awan engaged in shameful discussion, not very long ago, when Kashmala Tariq teases her about her background and her activities in FJ Medical college. Dr Awan throws this back in a most unacceptable fashion, leaving Javed Chaudhari and Shireen Mazari both shocked and embarrassed. She says that “She is ‘’at least’’ not from Heera Mandi and was not elected through someone’s bedroom”.

Another masterpiece, I remember was Samina Khawar Hayat’s performance in Jasmine Manzoor’s show, where she takes a ‘Lota’ out of her handbag to practically demonstrate why politicians (her opponents, of course) are called Lotas. She spins it like a spinning top (Lattoo) on the desk and as a part of her demonstration breaks a clay pot in studio, the manner in which these Lotas should be taken to task.

Enough of entertainment videos I have provided in this blog to keep you amused for days. But one question we should ask ourselves. Are they saviours? Are they capable of leading us? All they have and all they display is hate, immaturity and non-professional attitude.  They widen gulfs between us and divide the nation. Their prime interests are personal or party issues. They spit venom because their leaders are targets of “blashphemy”, not because you and I are in trouble, not because we are dying every day and not because the main issue of this nation is survival. They are far from goals and far from national interests.

They make and break alliances, they stab and apologise each other, they group and regroup, they manipulate and manoeuvre, just to stay in power.

A total overhaul is required. The change needs to come from within. We need to educate masses and choose carefully.  Once we are educated/intelligent and sincere to the country, we’ll have similar leaders; educated and cultured for whom national interest would be the decisive factor for making  and breaking political relationships.

They are from us, so let’s change ourselves. Change the language, the patience level and mentality of the ones who elect them. We can make a better choice next time, can’t we?

Also appeared on The News and Aaj.tv

 

The Judiciary, the Mob and the Criminals

When judiciary sleeps, the mob finds its own way of enforcing justice in the society … what other means do they have really? This has been happening for quite a while now and might happen more often in the future if nothing is done to ensure speedy justice. Otherwise, as they say, justice delayed is justice denied. With conviction rate of serious crime at around 5% – that too with conservative estimates – you have no trust in the system that the culprits who robbed you, who killed or raped your beloved, will not go scot free.

What choices are you left with then, (a) get robbed, killed, raped or humiliated (b) take law into your own hands and beat them, burn them, lynch them to the death … ?

Let us expand this a bit further and apply this scenario to a larger group. For example, what would you do if you were a political party that is being victimised? Why wouldn’t you pick up guns to protect your own interests when you know that’s the only way to do so? Why wouldn’t you react and create pain for those who have put their feet on your tail? Why wouldn’t you protest and bring the cities in your control to a halt when you know there is no one to safeguard your interests – irrespective of how unjust they might be. Why would you behave any differently?

If you were the police, why would you take action, when you know that the culprits will be freed soon, and when they are, they would test the sharpness of their knives on the throats of your sons and on the honour and dignity of your daughters, sisters and wives. What would you do when you know that it is not only your life but also the ones of your loved ones that are not safe, just because the judiciary let loose the beasts, which you have captured by putting your life at stake. Why would you bother?

Zooming out, if the trend grows then why would honest and sincere people join the police force? Why would anyone want to get killed for doing some good which ultimately is destined to go down the drain? We are not living in a perfect Islamic Society, where each individual fulfils his responsibility irrespective of the worldly consequences and aspires to be rewarded in the hereafter? How many people are out there with such a level of conviction, belief in Divine and fear of accountability in Hereafter? It is such a pity that in a society where everyone is there to serve his own desires and interests, you can’t even find a police force which does its duty with full conviction, just like we can’t find a judiciary which does its job justly.

Why then, shouldn’t we be called a hypocrite nation when a country founded in the name of Islam – the strongest advocate of implementing justice with an Iron fist; for the poor and the rich, the feeble and the powerful – is not able provide effective and speedy justice for its hypocrite citizens?

Chicken (judiciary) or egg (hypocrite citizen), which came first?

We all want our rights irrespective of whether we fulfil our responsibilities or not. We all, when taking on  different roles like judiciary, law enforcement, media, government, political parties, civil societies, business community, etc. want all our rights and privileges while shamelessly ignoring the responsibilities entrusted on us by our respective roles. We conveniently forget the old adage – what goes around comes around. We all want to ride the ship, but don’t want to plug in the holes through which the water is seeping in, slowly sinking the ship and drowning the people on board. Those on the top deck (that’s you and me) are resting in relative comfort with their heads buried in the sand and pretending that everything is fine. It is only when the water reaches them that they realise, but by then it is already too late.

Society is a giant web of interconnected groups and the behaviour of any of these groups affects all. Judiciary cannot perform if the public doesn’t co-operate, the public cannot co-operate if the law enforcement doesn’t protect them and to complete the circle, the law enforcement cannot perform if the judiciary lets the criminals loose. The one common denominator among all is the citizen, who sometimes takes the role of judiciary, sometimes the law enforcement and at others, just the common man; yet in all cases behaving in a similar way, placing his selfish interest above everything else.

So what do we do? Perhaps educate the next generation. Develop them to become responsible citizens, sensitive to the needs of others, courageous enough to sacrifice their interests for the good of the society. Such empathetic behaviour can be inculcated, not through rhetoric, but through inspiration and role modelling, as behaviours are contagious and get transferred from a good role model to the observing student. Most people might think that where shall we get the number of people from to change the thinking of an entire generation.

This is where the key is: Never Give Up! If we can take one step forward to sooth the pain of even one individual, then we should; if we can make a small school with only a dozen students, whom we can inspire to become responsible citizens, then we should; if we can inculcate in the heart of one individual the fear of Allah and accountability in hereafter then we must not wait. Who knows that our one single initiative might start a chain reaction, which can prove to be a catalyst to change the nation one day? Who knows that our efforts might produce the next Allama Iqbal or Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (after discounting him for his misinterpretation of Quran and Sunnah). At least in the end, we can die with a clear conscience and without the regret of not doing anything when our nation needed us.

Blockbuster deals: Are you ready?

‘What a dhamaka khaiz offer yaar!’ I heard a teenager speaking to his friend with bright eyes and excited tone, over the new offer by a leading multinational food chain in the city. He added “I am sure they won’t compromise on quality as they are up to international standards and it is world renowned global chain”.

This was the day when a multinational food chain started its business in Pakistan and offered one for one (Buy one, get one free) pizzas. Regardless of the quality they served, there streets were jam-packed with cars and people outside all of its outlets. People waited for hours to get that one free pizza. Most of them came out with some complaints that they were not served properly, the quality was not up to the mark etc. but at least they were happy and content that they got two pizzas and paid for one.

I recall an offer, I read a few days back, guaranteeing 700% returns on investment with no hidden marketing gimmicks, from someone extremely credible. It also talks about guaranteed spacious accommodation at the most peaceful and picturesque place ever existed, with all the incentives one could dream of.  You just need to find the right person, give him your investment money and  you have a pre-confirmed pact that your account has been upgraded with 700times (or more) the profit.

What a lucrative offer it is by none other than our Creator, Allah (Subhanahu Wata’aala). He guarantees:

The charity of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah (charity) may be likened to a grain of corn, which produces 7 ears and each ear yields a 100 grains. Likewise, Allah develops manifold the charity of anyone He pleases, for He is All-Embracing, All-Wise. (Surah Al-Baqarah 261)

To add to this, Allah has offered some amazing incentives in the form of virtues of Ramadhan. It’s a month when rewards are multiplied 70 times for every obligatory act of worship (Farz), while each offered nafil (voluntary act) is rewarded as farz. In this very month, Allah has promised to forgive all sins provided a person fasts and spends sincerely, seeking rewards from Allah alone. This is the very month where prayer of one night is rewarded as if one has prayed for 84 years (1000months). Allah says that every deed will receive 10 to 700 times reward, except Siyam (fasting) as it is for Him and He will reward it as he likes.  Wow, now this is surely a called a “Dhamaka-khaiz offer”.

Ramadhan provides excellent opportunity for us to purify ourselves and make habit of abiding by the commands of Allah and his Prophet (S.A.W). It is the month of blessings when Quran was revealed, It is the month of Allah’s extreme mercy, forgiveness and emancipation from the Hellfire; a month when it is made easy for us to practice good deeds and the doors to Heaven are let open while devils are held captive.

In short, it’s a month of countless blessings from Allah like a rainfall but its effects are not the same everywhere and on everyone. For instance, when it rains, a piece of land absorbs and benefits according to its receptive quality. At one place the Earth turns into a lush green field and on the other, it only collects for a while and either drains or evaporates. So it is up to us how we spend Ramadhan and either avail it and prosper, or waste it and destine ourselves to complete destruction (according to a Hadith of the Prophet SAW).

Are we looting this sale, competing each other, as we queue up to get a free Mobile SIM, a half price worldly deal or as we put ourselves in pain by not going to bed only to avail a mere midnight food offer. Book your commitment order now and utilize these wonderful bunch of offers. Ramadhan Mubarak!

 

 

Reference:

Al-Quran (Surah Albaqarah (183, 261), Surah Al-Qadr, How to spend Ramadhan (Urdu)

 

Balkanization of Sudan

As balkanization of big empires and large states began in 19th century following the decolonization of Western powers in Asian and African region, it still continues to occur in 21st century but with different tactics and through indirect interference.

In 19th century Mughal Empire in South Asia and Ottoman Empire, spread over Middle East, West Asia and South Eastern Europe were considered invincible powers so they were divided into small nation-states through exploitation of their internal indifferences and cultural diversity. In Eastern Europe when Russia or former Soviet Union was uncontainable so its power was also minimized by its disintegration through the exploitation of its over-stretched Army and lack of competition which was leading Soviet Empire to abject poverty.

In contemporary world politics, imperialism through direct use of force is, to an extent, impossible so colonization has taken shape of Neo-imperialism. To legalize neo-imperialism, there are some International organizations that allow use of force by only “Western powers” to enforce “Freedom and democracy” by stopping violation of Human rights in different countries.

Not surprisingly, these countries are only Muslim countries where the same western powers support their puppets and stooges for their vested interests. And when they see those puppets are expiring and are of no more use so  they replace those puppets by waging war against them, sometimes directly (in case of Libya and Iraq) and sometimes indirectly( incase of Tunisia and Egypt and now Syria) for the crime these puppets did under the supervision of the same Western powers. And where they can’t dare to attack or mobilize countries own people so use soft power to slander respective regimes just like Iran. For Pakistan they are using all techniques to curtail its influence in the region but still not conceiving any success as their success lies in rolling back of Pakistan’s nuclear program which is yet to be done.
In Africa, Sudan was the largest state which has also become a target of Neo-imperialism and it has faced the same fate as other large Muslim states had. It has been balkanized through external interference in its very internal matters, hence it has been forced to split into two states.

Sudan was having decades of civil war between its northern and southern parts. Northern Sudan is Muslim majority area with state power and Southern Sudan comprise of Christian population with abundance of crude Oil which have its refineries and ports in North. Here internal clashes drew international attention. As victims were the Christian so their problem was resolved too on the same footing as people of East Timor in Indonesia. These conflicts or civil wars were not resolved through negotiations or peace treaties but met with partitions of sovereign states. But partitions or two states is the solution that people of Palestine are also demanding for decades. Although partition was preceded by referendum that pretends as if Omer-al Bashir (Sudan’s president) himself let the country to break up. He was pressurized by America and European countries who even issued arrest warrant of Omer Al Bashir on terrorism account otherwise he tried hard to save his country from partition as he flew to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, to the last moments when referendum was taking place.

Following the referendum in January 2011, South Sudan has declared its independence on Saturday 2, 2011. Partition never goes in favor of impoverished people especially for Muslims whose power is further reduced and become subject of more brutality by large countries.
As south Sudan is full of Oil reserves and it is assisted by the industrialized countries of the West so it will definitely give their reward in turn of their assistance.  And that is what they wanted from Iraq and Libya and that is why they helped South Sudan.

Shoot to Kill

It’s a bright sunny afternoon and not everything is just as super about Karachi as ever. After a hot day, cold breeze is felt on the face and refreshes me but makes me sadder this day and my heart bleeds, as the city is burning again. Party interests, gains and losses, snatching and throwing of power, demands and deals are one part of the story and the other part is the loss of innocent human lives who have never known and will never know their crime, but have gone from this world not in a way anyone wants to.

I am having a cup of tea and decide to watch the news headlines due in 15 minutes on TV channels. My phone rings. It’s my 5-year old niece from England. What a lovely chitty chatty voice to freshen me up! I ask her how has her day been in school and she tells me that the most special thing about today was that their school has become a part of ‘Adopt a Leopard’ campaign of WWF. So, she is now looking for donors and she asked me if I could adopt one as they are dying and they are precious and they might go extinct . She carries on with her stories but I am no more with her, pretending to listen but my mind is somewhere else. I pass the phone to my mum and go to the lounge to listen to the headlines.

”The number of people killed in my city of lights has crossed 80 in just 72 hours”. What a world we live in! Probably, the lives of the people living in Karachi (or the rest of my country) are even cheaper and worthless than those of leopards or other precious wild animals in the other part of the world. Or have we turned into wild animals killing innocent human beings on the basis of a different language and/or sect. No, even wild animals get along quite well when the forest is in danger, so we are worse.

Just a day ago while trying to get back to home from work; I entered my street which is in an area relatively immune to what goes on in the city. I found the whole street cordoned off and a massive force of police and rangers was on duty. I was scared for a second but just driving a few 100 yards I see lights and decoration. They were actually deployed to provide security at a “high profile” wedding ceremony. All this was happening at a time and in the same city where tens of people were losing their lives every day and the number rising thick and fast by the hour. Probably, I was too optimistic about the role and responsibilities of our law enforcement agencies in the society as I tend to forget that they are always there when they are not needed and are seldom seen otherwise. Memories of the clifton shooting few weeks ago, the events of Kharootabad are evidence of their agility when they needed no orders to provide instant ‘justice’ outside the courts.  But, I try to justify my complaint that had these police jiyalaas made it to those areas where a battle is going on, they would only have added to the number of helpless officers who are so powerless against highly trained “unknown” gunmen loitering the streets with sophisticated and state-of-the-art weapons. Humanity disappeared from the face of the Earth when those who were fired upon were welcomed at the hospital with sticks and torture, and they wished that they had not been taken to the hospital in the first place. Once again our free and heroic media, our agile forces, our intimidating Interior Minister do not know the identity of these “unknown” butchers.

Why are they unable to control the situation? Where are the leaders, supposedly our guardians? Our ‘Superman’ Mr Rehman Malik arrives in the city and proves me wrong. My heart goes out to Mr Malik who immediately flew from Islamabad on the honourable President’s advice and promised that he would stay awake all night to come up with a plan to tackle the situation. Now, surely, that is commitment and fulfilling your responsibility to the ‘best of one’s ability’. Thank you Sir, for giving up your one night’s sleep but have you ever thought about the family of the 5 year old child who was killed on her way back from the madrassah, or the teenager girl whose father was killed as he walked her back from the exam and questions you,

‘Where were you when the killers were assuring her that they wouldn’t harm her, they are only killing men’?.

These families would stay awake too for not just one night but many more nights to come asking themselves ‘humain kis baat ki saza dee gaee’. This is followed by Mr Malik’s master plan, SHOOT TO KILL which is immediately acted upon as, quite ironically, the number of people killed by “unknown” gunmen doubled since the orders were passed on to the police. I wondered if all this was being done by “unknown” groups why did Mr Malik asked two political parties to keep calm and observe peace; that means, he does know the unknown and we all do as well.

A wild thought again: how would Mr Zardari, Mr Gilani or Mr Malik react if it was their loved ones were killed in the streets of Karachi?

I learnt at school, ‎’Uneasy lies the head that bears the crown‘. But in Pakistan, this quote has never existed, as uneasy lies the nation who is living under these crowned heads. I wish these honourable people in authority knew why Umer (may Allah be pleased with him) was scared to come into power, probably because he knew there’s a bigger authority to whom he is answerable one day, and the crowned heads are going to have the toughest questionnaire on that big day.

‘’if a dog dies hungry on the banks of the River Euphrates, Umar will be responsible for dereliction of duty’’

 

 

Bewildered!

“Roti, kapra makan and sex! Yes sex!

..These are the basic human needs of today to motivate a person to do something. Our politicians have failed to promise people of this basic human need which is one of the greatest motivational factor just like hunger, food and shelter. Maslow’s theory of hierarchy of needs ignores the sex aspect’’ .. and the debate goes on in the classroom.

Roti, Kapra, Makaan and Sex!

“Now we will be watching some interactive videos that will depict human behaviour”, the teacher continues.
Next I see some obscene ads being watched and laughed at. This is followed by a useless discussion on how these ads have been successful as marketing tools. One such ad shown was of a body spray and the conclusion drawn was that if you use this particular brand of body spray you will not only save yourself from embarrassment ‘at the required time’ but also not miss out any chance of sleeping with a stranger.

You must be thinking as to what the hell I am talking about?? Let me give you the details. It’s a sunny afternoon, thirty minutes past twelve. Winters are nearly over yet our college fails to acknowledge this and we are made to sit in hot and suffocating classrooms. Welcome to Pakistan…no matter it is a private or public institute things are the same everywhere. I’m sitting in a marketing elective course known as the “Consumer Behaviour” but sex is all I’m hearing since the past half an hour. As I look around I see students of both genders, of my age comfortably and casually taking part in such a discussion leaving me bewildered and confused.

“Am I the only one feeling ashamed to be part of such a group? Have we lost all our values and morals?”
Well I guess I’m talking about the so called elite class of students for whom such topics reflect confidence and boldness.
What a pity if we call ourselves educated! Have we lost our HAYA which beautifies our lives, adds respects to relationships and differentiates us from animals?

Anas (RA) narrated: Allah’s Messenger (saw) said, “Every Deen has a distinctive quality, and the distinctive quality of Islam is Modesty.” (Ibn e Majah)

Sadly we have forgotten what Islam stands for. Islam is our Deen which is a complete code of life and all our actions and words should reflect this. In this very course, my teacher on the first class clearly told us that we are not allowed to discuss two things…can u guess what they might be? Yes, Religion and Politics. And believe me it’s not with this particular course only. All teachers feel Islam is a personal matter and should not be brought to classroom discussions. What does this mean? Is Islam just a badge that we can choose when to wear and when to throw it in the bin? We treat Islam as rituals selected carefully with a painful ‘pick and choose’ process by us.
This leaves me to a dismal state as I realize what education has given us. MBA and BBA degrees we all have achieved at the cost of our Deen. Are we spending so much money so that we can debate whether gay marriages should be made legal or not (sadly another very interesting discussion in class)

This is the state of education in my own so called Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It has made us irreligious and though we excel in speaking and writing English better than an ordinary Englishman it has taken us away from Islam sadly.
Suddenly my thoughts are disrupted by the sound of the bell. I slowly get up, collect my books and leave the classroom with a question haunting me: “Who am I? Am I Muslim or just become part of the secular class for whom concepts like Haya are dead.

I recall a saying of the Prophet (SAW)

“Islam began as something strange and shall return to being something strange. So give glad tidings to the stranger” (Muslim)

It is sad to see how we have deviated far away from our deen and have lost our identity as Muslims. In today’s world people who act upon the true teachings of Islam have really become strangers and are only a minority. But there are glad tidings from God, to these few strangers.

(This was the third session of my course when I wrote this article but never got the chance to publish it at that time but believe me this was just the beginning of the most unimaginable torture and humiliation journey through which I discovered the sad reality : that we truly have left our identity far behind. What came next on this journey cannot even be disclosed and I’m sure it will leave you thinking that what could have been worse than mentioned above!! Wake up time!! Welcome to the world of modernization and liberation where human and animals all are the same!)

“If you do not feel shame, then do as you like.” (Bukhari)

Amreen Rehman is an MBA Executive student at a leading private institution in Karachi.