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“PAKISTANIYAT” Then why not us, Pakistanis, boast our motherland and be proud of our Pakistaniyat……with all the due respect for how beautiful and resourceful she is. (I hope it’s not the gender factor which obstructs us from doing so.) Somewhere in the past, I did get irritated by the argument, “can a Muslim be a true Muslim while being a true nationalist?” The most popular answer of this quesiton is always a big NO. ……a highly controversial thought among Muslims, which I also had embraced for couple of years as I couldn’t find a satisfactory reply from anyone. “Rabbish rah lee saudree wa yassir lee amiree wahlul uqdatammil-lisaanee yafqahoo qawlee” (Dua of Prophet Musa (AS) in Surah Taha) ………”O my Lord! open for me my chest (grant me self-confidence, contentment and boldness). and ease my task for me. and loose the knot from my tongue. That they may understand my speech.” Ameen! Finally, I had to develop my own reasoning to find a logical answer in order to satisfy myself. The first thing that bothers me is that why in the world does everything have to come to a denial when it has something to do with Paksitan? Palestinians fight and die for the cause to restore their territory, other Arab countries also fight to defend their land…. they are called martyred. They believe to collect world’s sympathy for their vicimization by the zionists and other evils. Pakistanis have always supported them till now by all means, I believe. Because we, Pakistanis, are more thoughtful about that Islamic Brotherhood and we think of all Muslim countries part of Ummah. Yet no appreciation from the Arab world has ever shown in respect of Paksitanis love and moral support. Instead, we are being labelled as “Kafir State”. May be because we are not helping them the way they want us to. The point is that when we try to do something for the love of our homeland, we are labelled as nationalist which is considered a “KUFR” by the fanatics….on our side too. Our religious groups and organizations propagate this thought to the extent that it mostly causes chaos and destablizes the system. Why do we need to divide ourselves in different categories such as humanitarians, Muslims and Paksitanis….and the people belonging to these groups show a particular appreance and behaviour? Can’t we be all three at the same time and co-operate with each other in a friendly manner while still sticking to our beliefs or social ethics? First category is kind of hedonist. Humanitarians, mostly, don’t try to connect themselves to religious obligations and seem more adhered to modernity. Enjoy their lives while still being worried for poor and needy people. The workers day by day become wealthier while the one they are working for continue to fall into miseries unil they die. Next category is the most complicated among the three. Not only extremists but even semi-religious people reject the idea of both modernity and moderation. Then for some unknown reasons they try to adjust themselves between both. To justify their ignorance and non-positive attitude in society, they seek ocassional-refuge in their scholars’ or preachers’ dens. Next..Pakistanis….are confused about which way to go, whom to follow, what to own and how to rise gracefully as a nationalist. Ok, as long as I feel the pain of any living soul hurt, tortured or killed for no solid and valid reason, I am a good human being. At the same time, I proudly call myself a Muslim and a Pakistani, a good one because that is exactly the teachings of Prohet Muhammad (SAW). Humanity is the core of our moral values. I have a right to own my religious symbols and my national symbols as well. I believe that as Allah (SWT) would love me for having tasbeeh in my hand, He would also love me pinning the badge of my national flag on my shirt….why wouldn’t He? ———————————————————————————————————————— First reason, since women’s rights are not clearly defined as a human being and remain disputed between the state constititution, religious authorities and family-Fueds even as a segregated creature…they are not sure about the legality of this statement. Second reason, for being or trying to become strong and bold, first thing that a woman loses is the male support of her own family…hmm, so where would this woman be accepted as a respected human being?……except for being treated as “she is a man-eater”? “Everything begins at home”….the first place for such macho-women to face the ethical-boycott. Then the entire surrounding collaborates in pressurizing her to compromise as a “no-hoper” and to put up with the exisitng moral values…not to talk about bringing any change. Otherwise be ready to be disowned. Women issues have been focused excessively in such a way that it has built a pressure on them to play an un-natural role in society. Instead of living in peace and working shoulder-to-shoulder, men and women, are made to stand against each other. Fifty percent standing against the rest half…it’s like a civil-war. The problems were dicussed but no steps were taken to resolve them. Obviously, men would have to sit together and discuss and decide what part to play where with whom. This can’t be done by just a couple of gentlemen on media. Men at home would have to step forward and take hold onto serious matters. They would have to realize that their homes are the places where most evil are sprouting and that is happening all because of their negligence, their loose control on family matters, not having a sense of balance between relations. It’s not only men. Women should also be aware of their responsibilities and must know their limits too. No matter what relation, they should try not to become a threat to other women. Anyway…in the words of Iqbal, “bulaa rahi hay tujhey mumkinaat ki dunya”………….let us all try to create a world of possibilities around. Otherwise, we have already become extremists in our thoughts and showing attitude. ———————————————————————————————————————– Blessed be the sacred land ??? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ? ???? Written by Abul-Asr Hafeez Jalandhri ———————————————————————————————————————— “I OWN MY SYMBOLS!”……Posted on 13-07-2009 ———————————————————————————————————————————- “FLASH-BACK”…posted on 09-07-2009 Mr. President : Ladies and Gentlemen, I cordially thank you, with the utmost sincerity, for the honour you have conferred upon me-the greatest honour that is possible for this Sovereign Assembly to confer-by electing me as your first president. I also thank those leaders who spoken in appreciation of my services and their personal references to me. I sincerely hope that with your support and your co-operation we shall make this Constituent Assembly an example to the world. The Constituent Assembly has got two main functions to perform. The first is the very onerous and responsible task of framing our future constitution of Pakistan and the second of functioning as a full and complete Sovereign body as the Federal Legislature of Pakistan. We have to do the best we can in adopting a provisional Constitution for the Federal Legislature of Pakistan. You know really that not only we ourselves are wondering but, I think, the whole world is wondering at this unprecedented cyclonic revolution which has brought about the plan of creating and establishing two independent Sovereign Dominions in this sub-continent. As is, it has been unprecedented; there is no parallel in the history of the world. This mighty sub-continent with all kinds of inhabitants has been brought under a plan which is titanic, unknown, unparalleled. And what is very important with regard to it is that we have achieved it peacefully and by means or an evolution of the greatest possible character. Dealing with our first function in this Assembly, I cannot make any well-considered Pronouncement at this moment, but I shall say a few things as they occur to me. The first and the foremost thing that I would like to emphasis this-remember that you are now a Sovereign Legislative body and you have got all the powers. It, therefore, places on you the gravest responsibility as to how you should take your decisions. The first observation that I would like to make is this : You will no doubt agree with me that the first duty of a Government is to maintain law and order, so that the life, property and religious beliefs of its subjects are fully protected by the State. The second thing that occurs to me is this : One of the biggest curses from which India is suffering -I do not say that other countries are free from it, but, I think, our condition is much worse-is bribery and corruption. That really is a poison. We must put that down with an iron hand and I hope that you will take adequate measures as soon as it is possible for this Assembly to do so. Black-marketing is another curse. Well, I know that black-marketeers are frequently caught and punished. Judicial sentences are passed or sometimes fines only are imposed. Now you have to tackle this monster which today is a colossal crime against society, in our distressed conditions, when we constantly face shortage of food and other essential commodities of life. A citizen who does black-marketing commits, I think, a greater crime than the biggest and most grievous of crimes. These black-marketeers are really knowing, intelligent and ordinarily responsible people, and when they indulge in black marketing, I think they ought to be very severely punished, because they undermine the entire system of control and regulation of food-stuffs and essential commodities, and cause, wholesale starvation and want and even death. The next thing that strikes me in this : Here again is a legacy which has been passed on to us. Along with many other things good and bad, has arrived this great evil-the evil of nepotism and jobbery. This evil must be crushed relentlessly. I want to make it quite clear that I shall never tolerate any kind of jobbery, nepotism or any influence directly or indirectly brought to bear upon me. Wherever I find that such a practice is in vogue, or is continuing anywhere, low or high, I shall certainly not countenance it. I know there are people who do not quite agree with the division of India and the partition of the Punjab and Bengal. Much has been said against it, but now that it has been accepted, it is the duty of every one of us to loyally abide by it and honourably act according to the agreement which is now final and binding on all. But you must remember, as I have said, that this mighty revolution that has taken place is unprecedented. One can quite understand the feeling the exists between the two communities wherever one community is in majority and the other is in minority. But the question is whether it was possible or practicable to act otherwise than has been done. A division had to take place. On both sides, in Hindustan and Pakistan, there are sections of people who may not agree with it, who may not like it, but in my judgment there was no other solution and I am sure future history will record its verdict in favour of it. And what is more it will be proved by actual experience as we go on that that was the only solution of India’s constitutional problem. Any idea of a United India could never have worked and in my judgment it would have led us to terrific disaster. May be that view is correct ; may be it is not; that remains to be seen. All the same, in this division it was impossible to avoid the question of minorities being in one Dominion or the other. Now that was unavoidable. There is no other solution. Now what shall we do? Now, if we want to make this great State of Pakistan happy and prosperous we should wholly and solely concentrate on the well-being of the people, and especially of the masses and the poor. If you will work in co-operation, forgetting the past, burying the hatchet you are bound to succeed. If you change your past and work together in a spirit that every one of you, no matter to what community he belongs, no matter what relations he had with you in the past, no matter what is his colour, caste or creed, is first, second and last a citizen of this State with equal rights, privileges and obligations, there will be no end to the progress you will make. I cannot emphasize it too much. We should begin to work in that spirit and in course of time all these angularities of the majority and minority communities the Hindu community and the Muslim community-because even as regards Muslims you have Pathans, Punjabies, Shias, Sunnis and so on and among the Hindus you have Brahmins, Vashnvas, Khatris, also Bengalis, Madrasis, and so on-will vanish. Indeed if you ask me this has been the biggest hindrance in the way of India to attain the freedom and independence and but for this we would have been free peoples long long ago. No power can hold another nation, and specially a nation of 400 million souls in subjection ; nobody could have conquered you, and even if it had happened, nobody could have continued its hold on you for any length of time but for this. Therefore we must learn a lesson from this. You are free ; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed-that has nothing to do with the business of the State. As you know, history shows that in England conditions some time ago were much worse than those prevailing in India today. The Roman Catholics and the Protestants persecuted each other. Even now there are some State in existence where there are discriminations made and bars imposed against a particular class. Thank God we are not starting in those days. We are starting in the days when there is no discrimination, no distinction between one community and another, no discrimination between one caste or creed and another. We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one state. The people of England in course of time had to face the realities of the situation and had to discharge the responsibilities and burdens placed upon them by the Government of their country and they went through that fire step by step. Today you might say with justice that Roman Catholic and Protestants do not exists ; what exists now is that every man is a citizen, an equal citizen, of Great Britain and they are all members of the Nation. Now, I think we should keep that in front of us as our ideal and you will find that in course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense, because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the State. Well, gentlemen, I do not wish to take up any more of your time and thank you again for the honour you have done to me. I shall always be guided by the Principles of justice and fair-play without any, as is put in the political language, prejudice or ill will, in other words partiality, or favoritism. My guiding principle will be justice and complete impartiality, and I am sure that with your support and co-operation, I can look forward to Pakistan becoming one of the greatest Nations of the world. ————————————————————————————————————————— “POLITICAL LEGEND” …..posted on 29-06-2009 “He was the originator of the dream that became Pakistan, architect of the State and father of the world’s largest Muslim nation. Mr. Jinnah was the reciient of a devotion and loyalty seldom accord to any man.” Harry S. Truman, the 33rd US President “Ali Jinnah is a constant source of inspiration for all those who are fighting against racial or group discrimination.’ (Nelson Mandela had come to Islamabad in 1995 and had insisted on including Karachi as a destination to visit Jinnah’s Grave and his house in Karachi where upon reaching he drove straight to the Quaid’s Mazar). Nelson Mandela, Ex-South African President “Mr. Jinnah was great as a lawyer, once great as a congressman, great as a leader of Muslims, great as a world politician and diplomat and greatest of all as a man of action. By Mr. Jinnah’s passing away, the world has lost one of the greatest statesmen and Pakistan its life-giver, philosopher and guide.” Surat Chandra Bose, leader of Forward Bloc wing of the Indian Naitonal Congress “Gandhi died by the hands of an assassin, Jinnah died by his devotion of Pakistan.” Lord Pethick Lawrence, former Secretary of State for India The Agha Khan considered him “the greatest man he ever met”…… Beverley Nichols, the author of `Verdict on India’, called him “the most important man in Asia”…..Dr. Kailashnath Katju, the West Bengal Governor in 1948, thought of him as “an outstanding figure of this century not only in India, but in the whole world”……Abdul Rahman Azzam Pasha, Secretary General of the Arab League, called him “one of the greatest leaders in the Muslim world”….. the Grand Mufti of Palestine considered his death as a “great loss” to the entire world of Islam. This is how the world admires a true Muslim and a great leader. On the other hand, our so-called leaders esp. the one leading religious parties and organizations, torture the soul of this land and disrespect the honour of Mazar-e-Quaid by holding rallys there for no decent reason. Never bothered to say a word to tribute this grand political legend of the Islamic world,they use his landmark to achieve some infernal objectives of their own….shame on them all. ————————————————————————————————————————— What do our children learn in their childhood?….(eent ka jawab pathar say)….Badtameeziyan… What do they observe in the longitude and latitude of their surroundings? An honourable Father who enters home like a lord, expects tea with snack or some kind of food, watches tv or takes a nap until he wants. All family members pretend that they respect this man who can give out a thunder-clap if asked to do any favour or reminded of any other responsibility…..found guilty of being sceptical about everything. A mother holding paradise under her feet, hurries the children to school, on their return pushes them to the tutor and on their re-return….. disruptive course of actions along with emotional phrases and quixotic plannings such as, “come on, study hard, be first in your class, it is not hard at all, you just don’t give enough time to your study. Be serious about your education, you get into medical and we will send you America or Canada or Australia.”…….”Mama, wake up…I’m hungry.” Respected grandparents, the pride of the family, continuously asking them to “sit at one place”, “sit quiet”, “do something constructive”….”Aaaa Hello Granduers of Near Past….we are children, we are not supposed to sit at one place…that is your piece of posture…and we will sit quiet if you open your mouth to say something else beside these three divine commandments….and ‘Constructive’..is that a name of a bird? Rest of the family members…..a mish-mash of living organisms always busy like a bee in conspiring, backbiting, envying, plotting, wasting time etc. Teachers and Tutors, two holy non-educational resources of knowledge of irrelevance, waiting for time to pass quickly for the salary/fee collection. So this inscription lasts until it is scraped off by good, pure thoughts and a strong moral depiction in contact. ———————————————————————————————————————————— Through a website, I just came to know about the controversy that Zindagi Trust and Book Group are facing in adopting some more educational institutions. When asked if college teachers were using students for their personal interests, the principal of the college denied such an impression. She claimed said that Roy was provoking college students against their teachers. She said that Roy bypassed her to forcibly enter a class and provoked the girls to support him for his project. She also said that she doesn’t want Roy to interfere in college matters and said they wanted the government to withdraw the notification that allows Zindagi Trust to adopt college management. Regarding allegations placed upon Roy, Akbar Khan said that college teachers provoke and pressurize students against Roy and his project but put all the blame on others.)) I am not surprised at all. We are one ungrateful nation. This is the tribute we pay to our reformers. When we are united to pull someone’s leg, “kisi kay walid-e-muhtaram ki majaal nahi kay hum ko hila sakay…jalaibiyon ki tarah twisted. I know that I shouldn’t but I have to and I will mention this here, an example of a teacher from the same school. She has been teaching Urdu for last 20 years. Her own children don’t know how read or write proper Urdu. Though very hardworking and sincere…yes, towards her relatives. Mostly on daily basis, not missing one single day, she is out to relatives for some ill reasons. Her children are like “HOOOSH”…lacking all kind of discipline and manners. I have never, ever seen her picking a book for her own reading or discussing any topic regarding “EDUCATION”…how to improve it, how to make Urdu interesting to learn etc. A week ago, she was awarded as the Best Teacher…I don’t know for what. She is holding a Master degree in Islamic Studies…according to her, she is unable to teach Quran to her own kids….I have never, ever seen her trying to correct what’s her deficiency in Tajweed. Can’t our teachers take out some time to improve their own knowledge and skills? Can’t they think of some new techniques and experiment them on their own children or grandchildren? We have all kind of information available on internet, can’t we find a way to take advantage of it? I bet we can….only if we reschedule our 24 hours according to our priorities and interests. ————————————————————————————— How should I define human-based? - A progressive chain of interaction….each and every individual that our children can trust to share their feelings and emotions and ideas without fear or hesitation….their loquacity can be tolerated and is transformed into a meaningful talk….by edifying experiences, stories or rhymes or may be simple discussions….synoymous characters around, wearing different outlook but bearing same strong, positive characteristics……it’s adults depicting homogenous thoughts and moral values….it’s a non-jungalic (jungli) place where people don’t practice “apni apni bolo” as a social act of worship. - in brief, it is an open environment for everyone to talk and walk….like in the video of Sami Yusuf, “Hasbi Rabbi”…. So in the light of my own non-scholastic, a shut up to silence…definition and within the area of 796,096 square kilometer existing in the north between 23.35 and 37.05 degrees latitudes and in the east between 60.50 and 77.50 degrees, I don’t see any sign of improvement regarding what I have blabbered above. Naturally, it has nothing to do with our geographical sitting. Why are we so averse to our children? By the way, do we consider this a problem or not? ———————————————————————————————————————— Already saddened by Micheal’s death, I am thinking that what if it was true and I wasn’t here anymore. It hasn’t yet…but one day, this rumour will change into reality…so I must check my account of deeds…there is a need for reconciliation…there is room for improvement…chance for a good change. ————————————————————————————————————————————- “A DREAM DAY”………… How much gentle and easy going are we to anyone? Is it possible that just for one day, we take full control of our thoughts and desires and reverese all the do’s and don’ts and see how does life feel…..peaceful, harmonious, or ….? ————————————————————————————————————————————————- Friday is never missed. If not the extremists then something out of our negligence leave us mourn dead bodies. Another loss of life and many wounded due to a firework blast in Karachi. Since long we have been paying a heavy price for disregarding everything that matters peace and harmony in our lives. Instead of learning lessons from our blunders and correcting ourselves, we have become insensitive and heartless….about everything and everyone. We are the proud followers of a man whose life was nothing but all love, care and respect towards everyone and everything. Our relig “In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ——————————————————————————————————————————————————————- —————————————————————————————————————————————— Mr. Adnan Oktar, earned the global fame as Huran Yahya (pen name), is a Turkish Muslim scholar who dedicated his life to faith since his early days. He is the author of more than 300 books comprehending almost every topic related to God, His world, man and faith. The scientific approach in explaining God’s words made him known as the man of ideas. Here are some of his selected phrases: “How one man single-handedly, could weld warring tribes and wandering Bedouines into a most powerful and civilized nation in less than two decades.” “The lies (Western-slander) which well-meaning zeal has heaped around this man Muhammad are disgraceful to ourselves only.” “A silent great soul, one of that who cannot but be earnest. He was to kindle the world, the world’s Maker had ordered so.” (Thomas Carlyle – Hero and Heroworship) “If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astounding results are the three criteria of human genius, who could dare to compare any great man in modern history with Muhammad? The most famous men created arms, laws and empires only. They founded, if anything at all, no more than material powers which often crumbled away before their eyes. This man moved not only armies, legislations, empires, peoples and dynasties, but millions of men in one-third of the then inhabited world… an idea with words.” “Muhammad was the soul of kindness, and his influence was felt and never forgotten by those around him” (Diwan Chand Sharma, THE PROPHETS OF THE EAST, Calcutta, 1935, pp. 12) “The league of nations founded by the prophet of Islam put the principle of international unity and human brotherhood on such universal foundations as to show candle to other nations.“ “Knowledge raises the low, but ignorance brings down the mighty.” Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) “There are three indications of a person’s greatness: not complaining in the face of calamity, not groaning in the face of pain, and not praising oneself.” (Abu Darda) “Liberating the heart can be attained through four virtues: humility before Allah alone, needing Allah alone, fearing and respecting Allah alone, and hoping from Allah alone.” (Said al-Hiri) “Those who constantly speak of their own good deeds are silenced by one error, but no error can silence those who speak of Allah’s blessings.” (Ibn `Ata’ Allah al-Iskandari) “O Allah, make my silence reflection. May I learn when I look. Make my tongue repeat Your Names. May I always remember You.” (Talha ibn Musarrif) ”Putting off service to a later time is the stupidity of earthly passions (nafs [self]).” (Ibn `Ata’ Allah al-Iskandari) ”Improve yourself before seeking to improve others.” (Umar ibn Khattab (RA)) ”People first ruin their health for the sake of money, and then spend money to regain their health.” (Goethe) ”Science without religion is lame”…..”Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding”…..Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts”…..”Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value”. (Einstein) ————————————————————————————————————————————————– MUSIC: A BLESSING FROM ALLAH Music is a blessing Allah created as a delightful pleasure for human beings. It is a miracle the way that people take pleasure from sound waves. Sound waves moving through the air are collected, and then converted into nerve impulses and transmitted to the brain. This sound being distinguished as music by the brain and perceived as something that will be enjoyable takes place by Allah bestowing the significance He chooses on the sound and depicting it to us as pleasurable. When the sense of hearing is examined in technical terms, the processes involved in hearing the sound of a creaking door and in listening to a symphony are exactly the same. Vibrations between a frequency of 15 Hertz (the tone emitted by a 10 m organ pipe) and 20,000 Hertz are collected by the external ear and transmitted into the ear passage, finally arriving at the ear membrane. This membrane then causes the small bones in the middle ear to vibrate, and sound vibrations are converted into mechanical ones. These mechanical vibrations cause the fluid inside an organ in the inner ear called the cochlea to vibrate. Tiny hair-like structures on the inner face of the cochlea convert these vibrations into nerve impulses and forward them to the brain, where they are interpreted. It is of course impossible for the brain, a piece of flesh weighing around 1.5 kilograms, to produce meaning from these sounds or to know joy, excitement or peace. It is of course Almighty Allah Who creates sounds, gives them meaning and thus produces an effect in our souls. The way that such a flawless system is able to operate in a perfect fashion is one of the proofs of Allah’s existence and greatness. Allah produces music within the silence of the brain, and it is also He Who creates its impact. It is only by Allah’s will that the sounds of instruments playing one after the other produce pleasure, happiness and excitement in the human soul. This is a great mercy and blessing from Allah. If you tried to number Allah’s blessings, you could never count them. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat an-Nahl, 18) Mankind! Remember Allah’s blessing to you. Is there any creator other than Allah providing for you from heaven and Earth? There is no deity but Him. So how have you been perverted? (Surah Fatir, 3) —————————————————————————————————————————————————– Having faith in God and in their abilities, united and disciplined to perform a good team work and…finally won….The World Cup. The team prostrated before Allah (SWT) in gratitude. Whereas the team’s performance was excellent, the nation’s response to that was a whole disappointment. We celebrated victory ” The Emotional and The Traditional Way” as we always do. Singing, dancing, sharing sweets…all was fine. We showed the world that we are still alive. We are one powerful and free nation. And we do stand together apart from any differences. But we surely missed the oppotunity to air something regarding our gobal recognition…may be the lyrics of National Anthem or may be something else. “My message to you all is of hope, courage and confidence. Let us mobilize all our resources in a systematic and organized way and tackle the grave issues that confront us with grim determination and discipline worthy of a great nation.” Quaid-e-Azam ——————————————————————————————————————————– —————————————————————————————– “I WONDER…” June 13, 2009 2) Mr. Raghib Naimi, when interviewed at Dawn News Channel that why didn’t his father arrange security for him? He replied, “My father believed that the time for death is fixed, when my time is up, no one can stop it.” and then said, “Govt should have provided my father the security for supporting the govt against Taliban?”……well, if his time was up then what would have govt’s security done to save him from Angel Izraeel? 3) What kind of sympathy is this? Angry students are burning tyers and calling out slogans and enraged with destructive plannings. And none of the scholars from all over Pakistan is condemning this. No Islamic Heads are telling them that this unIslamic attitude is presenting you all over the world as FOOLS. 4) Ref: [ http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=180671 ] 5) How could a person be considered an authority on religion who just study a suggested course of study within the confinement of a particular environment? He has never been out and experienced the world on his own…never been through people’s life and understood they psychology? 6)Students in madrassah spent at least five to ten years to avail full knowledge of Islam. But whenever they are hit by a sad incident they let their anger get the better of them. Anything against their will and expectations can turn them into a an angry mob like it is found everywhere in the world. So what’s the use of their years of hard studying (according to them) if they can’t tolerate one sad incident and show wisdom, how to deal with it. What happens to their training of SABR? ————————————————————————————————————— “VALUE OF YOUR HEART?” on June 13, 2009 —————————————————————————————————————— “NO MORE CONFUSIONS FOR ME”…..June 12, 2009 Since then, I learned…to stand on my feet, to be honest to myself and others, to face challanges carefully, to stop criticizing and blaming others…..the most…I learned to take responsibility of my actions. —————————————————————————————————- “LACK OF INTEREST IN NATIONAL INTEREST?”……. on June 11, 2009 ———————————————————————————————————— “ACCEPTIBILITY”…..on June 7, 2009 Then a decade passed. My cousin Imran Masood Qureshi, who was working at the 11th floor of Elmhurst Hospital, in the “MENTAL WARD”, told me that they need volunteers in children’s ward. I was shocked to see that most of the patients were Pakistani, suffering from Asthama and other severe sicknesses. All I had to do to interact with them in a fun way, tell them stories and songs, help them in eating and etc. Many of us had to wear surgical masks when talking to someone or stay in their rooms. There was a Pakistani boy age may be twelve or thirteen and his head was twice as big as an adult. I just couldn’t work there for long. And those children in the two mosques where I taught, Masjid At-Taufiq and Masjid Fatimah…they loved me for I let them say whatever they want. I scolded many of them physically too but they never stopped coming to the masjid. Every week they had to bear my intensive thoughts and then stories, songs, chatting, few activities and off-course eating. My uncle (and my boss as well) was extra ordinary generous in arranging food for us all. Great Days! ———————————————————————————————— “TERRIBLE FEELINGS”……..on June 7, 2009 ———————————————————————————————————- “USEFUL ACTIONS”……on June 6, 2009 “Alhamulillah, Al-ladhi bi-Izzatihi wa Jalalihi Tatimmus-Saulihaat ————————————————————————————————– “BE PART OF HOPE”…….on June 4, 2009 ———————————————————————————————— “DEATH BY MARRAIGE”…….(LIFESTREAM) ———————————————————————————————- “HIKAYAAT-E-ROOMI”…….on May 24, 2009 ————————————————————————————————— “REBOOTING MYSELF”……………..on May 23, 2009 ————————————————————————————————————- “FREEDOM MEANS RESPONSIBILITY” ……on May 23, 2009 I think that Islam is not like telling people “do it my way”. Infact it is the only religion which is not based upon some rituals to be performed robotically. It is a connection between the Lord and His slave. Iqbal said, “kiyon khaliq-o-makhlooq main hayal rahain parday…..piran-e-kalisa ko kalisa say utha do” Here I would like to thank Nurul Huda for sharing this information: G.B.Shaw, “A life spent making mistakes is not only more honourable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” At the end, as the title says, if we ask for freedom then we must be aware of responsibilities. ———————————————————————————————————- “CHEENK ROKER, KHANSI CHOKER”………on May 20, 2009 Sometimes I feel like keeping a big brown paper bag with me so whenever anyone does that, I can just flip it on his/her head. May be because of some scientific reasons, it would rok their cheenk or choke their khans. I have other options too but they would be kind of abusive. ———————————————————————————————————- “PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES”……………on May 17, 2009 First thing that I “hate” about our Montessories is that they don’t leave a difference between a Pre-school and a Day Care Centre as they just take children of any age, any time of the year. Second, their curriculum mostly consists of regular schooling stuff and it is taught in a terrible way, under horrible conditions. Our society has become a big Concentration Camp for our children. Just imagine thirty to thirty five students age 3/4, sitting but-to-but in a room, sleeping or slumbering in the first hour, sweating till they go home…teachers (a matric passed/an intermediate/B.A/or a diploma holder in early childhood education—all behaving the same) come in the class, ask children to stand up, say salam or good morning, write someting on the board (instructed by the admin), spend time in “take out your books/copies”, “please sit down, baith jaye”, “be quiet, don’t talk”, “don’t you listen to your teacher”, “ok, what is this? this is a for apple, and the sound of a is aa” , “everyone repeat 1 2 3, aap kiyon nahi parh rahay”—-class is over, they collect copies in a hurry to prepare them for homework assignment (mostly tracing the dots or writing) and that’s it. The syllabus is handed over to the parents to be taken care at home. Children have lunch in the same room under no supervision or sometimes maid is asked to watch them so teachers can enjoy a cup of tea or can put red check marks to show that the copies are checked—just imagine maid’s language when they take over. Mostly no playground for recess, no toys, no games, no audios, no vidoes, no story-telling time, no listening time….they are on their own. Teachers are asked to prepare charts and polish their art skills but what about children. Teachers use the supplies and when it comes to children, they are fed with the crumbs. Barely, students are asked to look around on the walls and discuss something. They just have to sit, listen and obey. Forget about the bathrooms. The situation is worse than what I described. Here I blame parents for they never raise their voice against this barbarism. INSENSIBILITY AT EXTREME! For me, it doesn’t make a sense at all to teach a preschooler like five birds, five animals, five vegetables, five fruits, five colours, parts of the house, parts of body, etc and then for the next five they wait another term or another year. Can’t parents arrange a trip to the kitchen and introdcue the vegies/fruits/utensils and their usage and colour and taste OR a home visit to tell them the difference between roof and ceiling, floor and walls and rooms and the accessories OR take out some time for what community services are provided in the neighbourhood and what is missing? INSENSIBILITY AT EXTREME YET AGAIN! (Please don’t disagree, just yesterday, in Multan, a brother and a sister age 4/5 were murdered in their neighbourhood, hundreds are abducted while playing right in front of their houses) Pre-schooling is actually an introductory time period for children of their surrounding and the rules and skills that are necessary for the next step. Children are made to understand that everyone and everything aournd us has its own place and misplacing will ruin the system. They learn through five senses, by moving their body parts, by singing, by playing together, by exploring the objects and discussing their properties. They learn manners/discipline/civic sense/problems solving strategies; i.e. using the words please, excuse me, thank you, sorry, greetings etc, standing in line, walking in line, disposing items properly, proper use of supplies, do your share time in cleaning, safety drills, library time, etc. In supplies, children are provided with thick crayons or markers because they are easy to handle and also because thin pencils kill their fingers’ grip. (infact all supplies that are easy to handle) Does any of our school have this as the part of their curriculum? Problem solving is a way to make sense of the environment and, in fact, control it. The process allows children in an increasingly diverse world to be active participants and to implement changes. By including problem solving in the early childhood classroom, we equip children with a life-long skill that is useful in all areas of learning. Piaget states that children understand only what they discover or invent themselves (1963). It is this discovery within the problem solving process that is the vehicle for children’s learning. Children are encouraged to construct their own knowledge when the teacher plans for problem solving; bases the framework for learning in problem solving; and provides time, space, and materials. The teacher must be willing to become a learner, too. By being curious, observing, listening, and questioning, the teacher shares and models the qualities that are valued and promoted by the problem-solving process. (taken from www.ceep.crc.uiuc.edu ) ————————————————————————————— “MIDUS TOUCH”…………on May 16, 2009 Money is the spirit of life. I am not talking about becoming a millionaire or billionaire overnight….it is the enjoyment when you earn money (an honourable way) and spend it. It could be a source of pleasure at any level. I feel happy and grateful to God when I have a handful amount that is sufficient to fulfill my needs and wants. I mean why feel depressed when you have only $5 to plan for a meal for two (an adult and a child) for the whole day. $1.50 of pizza slice, $1.99 of Bumble Bee can, two rolls for 50 cents and a can of soda and a juice pack for another dollar…and you are still left with one penny…..be happy with that. But that is for a certain period of time, at least I can’t put up with that for a very long time. I do admire the people who spend their lives in contentment and abstenance and I am aware of those lessons of piety, simplicity and fear of God. Call me crazy but I think that simplicity in thoughts and behaviour is more important than to show the world that you are living happily hand to mouth. What’s wrong with having a wish for the best in this world (it is mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah, that famous dua). Why always killing your desires for no reason? And why say “NO” to the name brands…may be just because you have a cheaper quality available or to save money for the future? My grandfather (dada) used to say, “Mhenga roye aik baar, sasta roye bar bar”. And for future, “no savings”, I think investment is a better choice. Also because, I believe that the one who saves money and doesn’t spend it for the right reason is cursed with a Miser Touch….that is a sickness, a disease. And what gets one blessed with a Midus Touch…hmmm…the brain to make money and a heart to spend it wisely. Conclusion: I am99.9% affirmative that along with mental and physical health in the presence of heartly desires, money is everything for me. So my choice is a MIDUS-TOUCH! ———————————————————————————————- “COMMON SENSE”…………on May 15, 2009 —————————————————————————————- “LIVING IN HARMONY”……………May 15, 2009 When we moved to Karachi and were looking for a place to live, the first question I was asked was if I am Shia or Sunni? My answer as always, “I am a Muslim so belong to all the sects and groups, whether Shia, Sunni or else”. I finally chose a clean building in a clean area. The residents in my building were half n half and were curious about me where do I stand. I even heard one saying, “main to Shiaon ko salaam bhi nahi karti”, just to check my response. One group wondered that if I am not Shia then how come I have such good knowledge about them and the other group thought if I am Sunni then why don’t I join them in different religious gatherings. Finally, they all decided to wait until Muharram, for if I am Shia, I will wear black clothes on the sighting of moon…..and I did. Another trail for them. They all heard me watching Majalis and listening to nohas on tv but never found me attending any majalis in person. The next year I allowed my daughter to go to majalis so she can learn good things from there. I don’t understand why we fear to go to each other’s religious congregations? It helps in understanding each other’s point of view. I loved Dr. Kalb-e-Sadiq, when in a majlis he said, “arey meray sunni bhaion, meray jigar kay tukron,” and “jo ghalat baat hay wo ghalat, chahay Sunni ki ho ya Shia ki ya kisi aur ki”….that was so lovely…what else do we need to get united? It is not only Shia or Sunni, we should be open to everyone with open mind. Because first we listen then proceed. ————————————————————————————————————- “MIND-SET”……….on May 15, 2009 Not the waste of time, money, talent, knowledge and wisdom but an investment is required in emergence. ————————————————————————————– “IDIOTICALLY OPTIMISTIC”…..on May 7, 2009 Tomorrow belongs to our children and for them to cope with the challenges ahead, we should let them experience life at this very early age…obviously under adults’ supervision. Only if family members and neighbours can succeed in developing ‘trust’ among them, they would realize that a little of their physical and monetary contribution can make a big difference in their lives. Adults can take part as per their expertise and/or interests and can alternate their days and hours as per convenience. And there are hundreds of things to do for adults (in family and neighbourhood) who are serious about how to provide their kids with healthy and educational environment. Well, it’s just a matter of personal interest so GOOD LUCK and ZILLIONS OF BEST WISHES to those who will try these. —————————————————————————————– “AM I A GOOD LISTERNER”……on April 30, 2009 Summer Vacations are ahead, soon we’ll be hanging around with children—of all kinds. As parents and as adults we must do some homework now as to how to tackle them at that time. Yeah! our children, our future……so for their good sake, we must invest some time in fixing ourselves with good habits, out of which the most important is the art of ‘listening’—which is internationally considered an upgraded quality of the sense of ‘hearing’. Most of the time we seem to ignore this fact that we are granted with those external organs called “ears” to fulfill this purpose. We just ‘hear’ something and blabber out responds with our mouths. That’s not wise. Lets see how do I irritate others while in contact with them. 1. Interrupting the speaker: 2. Not Looking at the speaker: 3. Rushing the speaker: 4. Showing interest in something other than the conversation: 5. Getting ahead of speaker and finishing his/her thoughts: 6. Not reponding to the speaker’s request: That depends upon how the request is “verb-mitted”! 7. Saying, “Yes, but…” as if the listener has made his/her mind: 8. Topping the speaker’s story with, “That’s remind me…” or “O that’s nothing, let me tell you about…” 9. Forgetting what was talked about previously: 10. Asking too many questions about details: At the end I would like to quote one of my uncle who always says, “children always feel proud of quoting no one but their own parents so talk to them wise.” ———————————————————————————- “SUMMER TIME”…..on April 28, 2009 Summer camps are usually competent but so expensive that only the elites can afford them. One good reason for high charges is that they hire professionals to plan out day-to-day activities according to the camper’s interest. Their capability of bringing out positive result is due to the big hand from parents’ side in terms of discipline, showing interest in thier offsprings’ learning capabilities and following instructions given by the organizers. Free or low-charge summer classes are offered by most schools or madrassahs on their premises but they are found ineffective and boring. One big reason is that they are not properly planned for anything. The teachers and helpers there are not provided with any guideline and are not specifically told how to behave with children and how to follow the time schedule. A big number of parents for being undecided about what to do with their children, let them wandering around for nothing. They spend their whole summer either invading Nani’s house for a long time or planning an ambush on other relatives time-to-time. Most parents now a days admit their children in English classes thinking that at the end, their children will be as fluent as an American born and as perfect as an English born. And when they don’t see that extreme progress, they blame their own Pakistani brand for the lack of spirit and loyalty towards the West. They might not know or they forget that a language comes into fluency and perfection through conversation and following certain skills. It cannot be learned by follow up of grammatical rules and just by reading books. Parents especially mothers can make their and their children’s summer time fun and educational, only if they show some patience and a go-along attitude. I would be pleased to refer this website, www.exforsys.com for improving parents’ listening skills. (you can find some other useful stuff on summer fun websites) Thanks for hating me for this. Yours Sincerely, A kid-lover! ——————————————————————————- “LITTLE BIRD”………on April 24, 2009 What gives me hope? What I think about the existance of Pakistan—World Powers are not wise to mess up with an ideological estate to save another one—they are imposing a disaster on humanity—they would avail nothing but defeat. People of the world must know that the breaking up of Pakistan will lead to the Third World War which is already on its way, an enormous bloodshed—and finally the “Global Dominance of Islam” would be inevitable to bring peace. It’s better if they stop messing up with Pakistan now. Iqbal said, But it’s all pre-destiny, to avoid it from becoming a final destiny, a collective repentance, a collective determination and a collective struggle is needed. God has always responded positively. He granted us with whatever we asked Him, now it is our turn. —————————————————————————————- “A FRIEND AND A CARETAKER”………………on April 23, 2009 MAULA is an Arabic word which means ‘a friend and a care-taker’. ‘Na’ is the possessive pronoun which means ‘our’. Now as a suffix to ‘maula’, it makes the word “MAULANA” which means “our friend and our care-taker”. With all the due respect to Mr. Respectables… Literally….I mean it. If I get to choose names to allocate this title to, it would be as follows and that’s only in Pakistan: ———————————————————————————————— “TITLE NOT AVAILABLE?”……on April 16, 2009 Don’t get me wrong. I am not here to defend the Ex. President. But we must not jump to conclusions without collecting the facts particularly when dealing with religious issues. It’s us, the women, I’m concerned about. My daughter also went to a well-known Madrassah in Islamabad for two years. That was in 2002, my daughter was under-age but I still put her in there for the reason to get Islamic knowledge and to adopt Islamic manners. It wasn’t to show an attitude to others, to tell people that they are wrong, to terrorize them with slogans and weapons. They had more than ten teachers and used their bright students to assist them. That Madrassah had almost 150 female students with a capacity of accomodating almost 50 to 60 within the premises. I inquired the administration and found out that their monthly expenses for the female section are about one hundred thousand rupees and that was including the rent, utilities, salaries, food, maintenance and other expenses. The total could be accumulated to minimum one million rupees per year. I never asked them how do they arrange that huge amount while most of the students were poor and orphans. I pray for the respected Principal of that Madrassah, he was a gentleman. I just wonder how Lal Masjd people would have managed to accomodate 2000 female students as they claim. How many teachers were hired or volunteered to teach such a big number of students? What were their monthly expenses and the resources to collect such a big amount? We are living in a society where even moderate families don’t allow their girls to make decision on their own or go out on the streets to protest for their rights. Then how come that huge number of girls in veils got permission to sacrifice their life for…..what? Why did they occupy a children’s library for six months?—to help children in reading books and improving vocabulary or teach them Islamic manners? Why the men-in the-mosque chose female students to threaten the govt? And where are those, if not 2000 then at least 1000 to 1500, parents whose daughters sacrificed their lives for a noble cause? Why did they never protest or reach the media to raise their voice against this hostility? Is this the right way of preaching Islam and imposing Islamic laws? Why do Lal Masjid poeple, madrassahs and other people who claim themselves to be very pious and sensitive about justice issues never bother to come out on the streets and protest to stop the killing of women in karo kari, honour killing, revenge, mutilation, etc. Isn’t that also against Islam? ——————————————————————————————— “ONE PAKISTAN ONE NATOIN”……on April 15, 2009 main hoon piyara Pakistani maulvi sahab, arz hay karni ———————————————————————————————————— “SIMPLE NOT NECESSARILLY MEANS FOOLISH”…….12th of April–Sub Keh Do… I truly might not be able to elaborate that how these kind of opportunities bring a change in people’s life. God knows if it wasn’t for Ankahi.tv providing this opportunity, I would’ve rather died without saying a word. There was alot of silence in my world. Though I’m a keen-reader but a lousy speaker and a poor writer, just like Mr. Pervez Musharraf but I still like his book “In The Line of Fire”. The e-mail about burning flags was my first ever writing to anyone. And I really got twisted in joy when I was invited to write on this site. For it has served as a way out of my social detatchement which has been going on for past few years. This is the first time I see myself socially connected and discussing issues of my interest, about people of Pakistan and how to bring a positive change into this dull environment. I happened to be very reserve and straight-forward, no trespassing in other’s life and yet not to be intruded by anyone is my life time agenda. I was never talkative or it would be a to-the-point conversation. Being a Taurean, I use my bull-power at maxium to let out my anger–but it rarely happens, only when I’m blocked all around and find no way out. Otherwise being peacful, I avoid arguments and discussions for the sake of confrontations. I never had any friends and I never bothered to make one. I always believed in “silence keeps a thousand miseries away” or “say good or be silent”. However, since I’m a human being, I sometimes look out for someone to listen to me. It also because I, myself is a very good listener. People trust me to keep their secrets and they come to me to let out their frustrations but when it’s my time, they’re gone. Or may be I don’t have those guts to say things out. Anyway…………… All my elders say that I was born with extra long lashes, touching my cheeks, which made me look sooooooo adorable. I was a crying baby. Some elders around, out of their hedious wisdom, suggested that I’m possessed because of my long lashes and that’s why I cry a lot. One of those witch-advisors suggested my mom to cut my lashes short and I’ll stop crying. In moments, the best part of my adoribility was gone and I still cried. I don’t know what might had that lady done to how many children? I never had a friend and I never bothered to make one except by chance I came into contact with a lady, who I can only define as a very good Human Being. Our friendship lasted for only 22 months. Unlike me, she was very talkative and wanted people to understand her and listen to her. She could speak for hours on one topic. By nature she was very modest and she liked the shalwar kameez I gave her. She liked my bhindi roti, daal chawal and pakoras. We both liked to visit libraries, visiting places, dining outside etc. We shared many secrets. What I admired her most for was her tolerant behaviour. Even in extreme situations she wouldn’t lose her temper. I bursted upon her when America bombed Afghanistan, she apologized to me for that though it wasn’t her fault. Later, I apologized to her for being rude. Alicia was a soft-spoken blondy with freckles on her white cheeks. Always wearing an affectionate smile on her face, she happened to be a very disciplined, well-organized, responsible and alert person. Whatever she faced as an American was the normal routine of that society and she was prepared for that. She was asked to leave the house by her parents—Jewish mother and Christian father—at the age of sixteen. She managed to accomodate time-to-time with some of her friends and finished her high-school and then two-year college while working part-time at different places. No smoking, no alcohol, no boy friends, no parties–she didn’t sound like a true American. Her utmost desire was to finish her higher studies. Luckily she found a good job in a restaurant which was sitauted on the first floor of World Trade Centre—reasonable salary, good tips and flexible hours. The place was owned by an Egyptian. While working there as a waitress, she met an Egyptian businessman. He made her fall in love with him and promised her a beautiful and respectful matrimonial life, they shared an apartment. He convinced her to become Muslim so they can get married. Alicia spent few years in studying Islam and observing the Egyptian culture. Later, she chose to embrace Islam for many good reasons. Eventually she rejected the idea of adopting the Egyptian traditions which according to her were most non-Islamic. Meanwhile, she bore an illegitimate child for him but even Laila’s birth couldn’t ameliorate the situation. Finally, he kicked Alicia out of his life and they got separated. Now she was to take her trials as a Muslim. Left alone with the new born, she continued her job at the restaurant. She trusted many Arab families to baby-sit Laila but often found her either neglected or crying. She paid visit to many mosques in quest of more knowledge about Islam and wandered in Muslim communities to learn family values. Soon she gave up as she figured out the one unified characteristic among Muslims and that is not “to teach” but “to tease” others. All she was iquired about…”what inspired you to become Muslim?’….”where’s your husband?”…..”where is Laila’s father?”……”oh, this is a big sin in Islam”…..”you must find a father for your child and a protection for yourself”…..etc. She was offered by the “men-in-mosques” to become their second or third wife. The agony continued. Lailah was almost four when that indecent man appeared and insisted Laila to grow up in Egypt so she can carry on her Arabian recognition. After having time-consuming discussions, Alicia succeeded in letting her child stay in America. However, he threatened her that if she got married to someone, he was gonna take away the child. She promised him to find a good Islamic school for his daughter and be alone until having Laila in her custody. Luckily there was an Islamic Elementary School nearby. I actually met her at this point. The school was runned by a Bengali management and was set up in a local mosque. Due to her mom’s extreme efforts, Laila finished her Quran in one and half year (at the age of five and half). Her father was satisfied with her academic progress especially in Quran. He didn’t believe that people not knowing the language at all can teach Quran in such a short time. Sep 2001 –As things became little settled, another tragedy shook her life. 9/11 happened, The Twin Towers were perished, her restaurant vanished—a hard time to find employment. Few months passed and she got job in the same school as First Grade teacher. A year later, I got the opportunity to return home. As we were the only friend of each other, she tried to persuade me to stay over but failed. Her last advice to me was to never come back because I don’t belong there. Wherever she is, I love her, I pray for her and her daughter to be in comfort forever. ——————————————————————————————————— “SUB KEH DO”…..on April 11, 2009 I like their songs too; “Dil main jo baat hay wo chupana nahi” and the Eid one, “Daman khushyon say bhar janey do”—nice messages were delivered to this _________ nation. (fill in the blank with your choice of vocab). Okay, so first Happy Birthday to my youger sister Saima Khan and her first born Hamza Khan. Best Regards to everyone. ———————————————————————————————— “MY RASULALLAH, MY DEEN”…………..on April 4, 2009 Rasulallah said, “women are fragile, treat them gently” and “daughters are the mercy of God”. We, the non-Talibans, don’t even bother to say salaam to our family members, which is a dua, a mercy, and a blessing. We cut off our blood relations. We instead of being proficient, are happened to be the most careless people. Let’s spend most time working on ourselves. ————————————————————————————————————– “SILENT MAJORITY”…………..on April 3, 2009 I usually warn or even scold the boys around for hurting, slapping or beating their sisters for any reason. Those boys usually justify it as “we were playing or having fun”. Come on! ‘This is serious, it’s not a joke. Parents should not let their sons physically hurt their daughters even if it is for fun. Just make this a family rule and recall it on daily basis. OR I have a fair solution to solve all gender-based problems. Let men and women share the world half and half. Men should migrate to two poles and frozen lands while women get the rest of the planet. How’s that! ——————————————————————————————————- “A PROMISED NATION”…………..on March 22, 2009″ Pakistan is not just a piece of land, it is a PROPHECY FORETOLD. I feel that I was born with a feeling that Pakistan is a miraculous land–since its begining till now — and there is a divine mission behind the making of Pakistan. I’m well-known in my family for suffering from the disease called “ILP” (I love Pakistan), I only wish if it was contagious too. I was a coward for not defending or expressing my passion for a long time yet looking out for evidences which can prove me right. I’ve been through history books and highly admire and salute each and every soul that participated in this divine mission to be accomplished. Why am I writing this? because I feel that people either have developed this sense on their own or are made to think that “Pakistan is not worth living anymore”—”Pakistan doesn’t deserve to exist”. I even heard people saying that “Pakistan should be handed over to Americans so they can correct the system” and promoting pro-Indian agenda about Quaid-e-Azam and Pakistan. This general perception needs to be eradicated—by everyone who is sincere to the nation. We demanded Pakistan as a nation and as long as Pakistan exists, we will remain a nation no matter what. It would be wise for us to not to fall into the trap of those who are projecting negativity and pessimism and causing a chaos in order to destabilize the country. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD–PATRIOTS PAINDABAD! ———————————————————————————————- “ANKAHI BATAIN”……posted on Mar/09 I apologize to the readers for bringing up all the heart breaking stories but I can’t help it. Sometimes I feel very much obliged to do that, may be because like Faraz said, ”Doobtay doobtay kashti ko uchala day doon” ”Main nahi koi to sahil pay utar jaye ga” This is a true story of a couple who never lived like a couple, girl at the age of 13 and boy 24 were put into marraige. She beloned to an educated well-off Syed family which she was always proud of and he was the man of his nature, the only son of his father, had lost his mother at the age of 5. They possessed many same good qualities such as high generosity, kindness, diligence and contentment but that was all for others. They were perfect strangers who, through a mutual silent agreement, agreed to live together in total abstenance just because cheating and jeolusy had no access to their souls. The seemed like self-operated robots—no words, no emotions, no appreciations for each other. The only stimulus that held them together and powered them on to work along were their five innocent offsprings who never asked more than out of their parent’s fate. After a long arduous struggle, they finally achieved their targets. They let their children live their life and for themselves—chose the son of their choice to live with. She never let out frustrations and kept pretending that she is satisfied with her life. At that point she made a mistake, she didn’t listen to her children who were asking her to stop acting superficial, she is human being, her life is not all meant to please others, she has rights on herself too. All gone vain. Gradually she developed psychological disorders. That well-mannered and highy disciplined lady was found cursing, hitting, throwing things away, lying and much more—she never revealed herself—doing that she must have thought that goodness is all rubbish. She was put on some psychiatric medications and that turned out to be a blunder for those medicines had severe side effects if not taken as prescribed. A spiritual scholar studied her case and warned the family to not to leave her alone at all. Either she pretended normal or what, she got her chance to do what she had never thought of. One day, seeing every thing under control, her son and daughter-in-law left for grocery, later the husband went out just for ten minutes to perform Namaz-e-Asr at the mosque across—and that was sufficient for her. She wrote a note saying, “today I got my chance to get rid of my two worst enemiest.” (she must have pointed out to the two daughter-in-laws). Here goes the worst and the most terrible part of the story……..she boiled the cooking oil, took the pot to the bathroom and started pouring it on her chest. Thanks to God that she didn’t start with her head. Husband entered the house at the last moment. He found her lying on the bathroom floor with skin disappeared showing internal organs all burnt. For the first time ever he cried out loud. That man of steel-nerves lost his senses and cried for help. Luckily the son returned in few seconds and called the ambulance. Doctors hopelessly asked the family to pray. She was still breathing and that was the only hope for them all. Each and every person including the five year old grandchild fell down in prostration, called out all the prayers that could be remembered—tears, prayers, sighs, regrets, repentance, wazifas, charities….and the heartful efforts of those non-Muslim American doctors. ”GLORY be to GOD who is the Most Compassionate”—-everything was honoured accepted. Allah (swt) performed the miracle of bringing life to the dead through that honourable team of professionals. May them be granted with Eternal Bliss. After going through two complicated skin surgeries, mental and physical theraphy, she stood up on her feet in 10 weeks. This incident took place exactly a month before when the great earthquake jolted the Northern Areas but infact the whole Pakistan with the same intensity—So did this incident. After all this happening, now at the age of 63 and 75, they’re still the same—arguing over puny things, they still don’t appreciate each other—-except for, now she mostly lets him make the decisions and him—he doesn’t leave her alone ( This is his way of saying sorry to her). So SPOUSES please…We’ve got only one life to live….”sub kuch kedo”….don’t let each other down….appreciate each other…..because there is nothing wrong with that….. —————————————————————————————————– “GENEROSITY? TOLERANCE?”………..on March 9, 2009 I think that this could be one of the best ways we can help these charities and the least favour we can do to our next generation. ——————————————————————————————– “THEN AND NOW”……………on March 7, 2009 Now the descendents of those Muslims are busy honouring and defending others’ ideologies, culture, poetry and literature. Affirmative, we are not that bright enough to understand and follow your vision anymore. Only sometimes we do shake our heads in catharsis to justify this ignorance. To your dismay, your two-nation theory has become extrinsic, Pakistan was surely your dream but it’s not your land anymore. It’s the country of people who are highly obssessed by Indian movies and dramas, English Literature, American Culture etc. Introducing you to our children as parents—sorry Sir, no time. Taking out time to read you—come on, it’s out-dated. This is our national attitude and in this sense, we are a nation, undivided. Though there are some fanatics who are trying hard to keep your vision alive but in this regard, I consider myself a failure ’cause I failed to present you in the world as a great poet and philosopher who had a power to energize the spirits by his magical words. I wish I could find them and be one of them. —————————————————————————————————— “STREET PROTESTS” ………………on March 5, 2009 What is the purpose of street demonstrations? Insulting and humiliating other nations by burning their flags, shouting indecent slogans, asking the sitting govt to step-down, threats, terror, traffic jam, spitting around, etc…….. Has this attitude ever solved any of our problems or is it gonna help us in the future? Absolutely Not….. What do we lose by doing this? The support and sympathies of their good citizens. Flag of any country represents its people, not a particular person. Flag of America does not represent Bush or Obama but the people of America. Just like the flag of Pakistan is the pride for the whole nation, it just doesn’t belong to the President or Prime Minister. A lot of Pakistanis go abroad and commit crimes. Does this give a right to the citizens of that country to burn my flag? How would I feel if other nations burn my flag (or the flag of Saudi Arabia which is carrying sacred Kalimah Tayyabah on it) or step on it to show their anger??? How can I justify this action when Allah (SWT) orders me, “O believers, do not insult their false gods becasue if you do so, in return they will insult your one true God.” Can’t our street demonstrations be a source of knowledge for us and a source of inspiration for others. We all sing “anay walay daur kay insan hum say jeena seekhain gay”… what am I going to teach my successors while I haven’t learnt anything form my predecessors. I, as a Muslim, claim that Islam is the only solution to all the problems around the world. Have I ever give it a thought that how is the world going to believe it while I have never tried to prove it to myself. Not only that I have failed to present Islam as a solution for a single problem rather I have made it a religion of problems. All because I have stopped honouring and stopped learning about my religion as it ought to be. As a result now I am dependent upon others’ ideas, ideology, system, research, knowledge, beliefs, quotations etc….. I’m all empty with no love, no mercy, no passion, no dreams, nothing at all…. The world now see me as a Dead Follower of a Religion that is ever alive! ————————————————————————– “MY LIFE MY CHOICE”….on March 5, 2009 And for that reason, I went a long way with all the religious parties and organizations, I even Talibanized myself for a couple of years and much more. This journey was very useful in a way that it filled me up to throat with “knowledge” of our history and great personalitites. What made me run away from them were the unnecessary restrictions and a particular “OBEDIENT” behaviour which wasn’t my style. I’m not blaming them all but I’m sorry, I just couldn’t do that part. Well, for that I was considered a failure in Islam, an arrogant showing no flexibility… forget it! I don’t mean to be critical. Our eminent scholars, madrassahs, religious parties and maulvis could be a great source of religious information or at some point can inspire me with their moralities. But I cannot allow them to brainwash me and feed me up with whatever they want—I’m not here to fulfill there objectives… HELL NO! The month of Rabi-ul-Awwal has arrived and a mass majority of Muslims around the world is busy paying great tribute to the Pride of Humanity, Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Tents are fixed on the streets damaging the roads build by the govt spending millions of rupees–causing traffic jam, “KundaSystem” (it’s stealing) is seen as the rightful code of conduct in order to provide electricity to the mosques and other buildings, confectioners, WOW! according to my humble research, bring a huge amount of money home every night and still complain that there is no business, all night- long Mehfil-e-Milaad and other religious gatherings are held, mostly without a bit sense of following manners and discipline, etc. Tributing the Great Prophet (saw)—who’s life, according to Quran, is advised to be the best moral guidance for the mankind— in a way that violates all his teachings and advices; I don’t know why do we blame non-Muslims for wrecking the image of the Prophet (PBUH) while we’re doing it well in ignorance. For me, if something from my religion is an advise for the mankind then certainly it becomes an obligation to me. And the real question for me is, “who will bell the cat?” Who’s gonna go out and tell’em where are they wrong? I’ve done my part and thanks to my big mouth, I got kicked out from their circle. NNNever Mind! OK, my output of all that data processing is that if I believe that Qur’an and Sunnah are the most authentic sources of guidance for the whole mankind till the Day of Judgment then according to me, they have nothing to do with biological degeneration— There are many thoughtful characteristics that are meant to be adopted—how and when? That depends upon one’s choice as suitable to his/her circumstances. Message of Rabiul Awwal: “Aik mera hi Rehmat pay Dawa nahi, Shah ki sari Ummat pay lakhon Salaam”. ———————————————————————————————————- “PAKISTAN RESOLUTION”………….on March 2, 2009 I was also possessive about my gadgets; kliedescopes, a pen that was half magnified glass, another one would give light when the nib is pressed, the little bird that could stand on its beak, a doll with such a heavy head that it would make it flip over like a summer sault and few more— a 3×3 book of Hebrew letters (till then, I didn’t know that most of the Hebrew letters have same pronunciation as of Arabic Letters and start same as Alif, Beth), an audio of Madam Noor Jehan’s ghazals (it had only five classics in it), two albums of Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, videos of “Jurasic Park” and ”The Miracle Worker.” It wasn’t only me, my younger sister too had a good collection of coins and key chains–my younger brother’s shelf was also full of car and plane models. Well, I lost all my things over a period of time except for that precious collection of my childhood for a careless attitude made it lost forever —and now, after a long pause, when I have time and I can afford it easily—I don’t feel like falling into that fantasy again—simply because I’ve made it real—I’m enjoying my world of reality as well. I am thankful to God who made me live both Ibn-e-Batuta and Robinson Crusoe. For schools, I still do think that most of them only help to get degrees and teachers are still haunted. And Pakistan Resolution—I do beleive that nor it was a Fantasy neither it will be a Lost Treasure. ———————————————————————————————- “TIME OUT!”……..on February 25, 2009 A time-out to tribute Quaid-e-Azam! I am a MUSLIM. I believe that human beings are selected as the most honourable among God’s creation and a Muslim is supposed to be the best among human beings. My task, as a Muslim, is to make people’s life easier and safer. Peace and mercy go along with me. Love is my magnetism that attracts people towards me and wisdom is my mechanism that tells me how to deal with the people. Wherever I go, things start getting better. I’m not the killer but the saviour of the humanity. In short, if I am a Muslim then certainly I am not someone Detestable, I am the best on merit. OK, come back to me….as the best human being, how can I reduce the heat of extremism and terror around me? Well, “tolerance” is one and the best way. No more aggression, no more violence, no more attitude, no more threats…….Yes, I need to change my behaviour. I should start listening to my people. I can’t just tell them what to do all the time. They also have a right to live thier life, the way they want. I should develop in me an “easy-to-talk-with” personality so people can share their feelings and their ideas with me. The purpose of my existance is not to scare my people away. I’m supposed to stand with my people not against my people. —————————————————————————————————- “SARAY JAHAN KA DARD HAMARAY JIGAR MAIN HAY……Why? ………..on February 24, 2009 I also remember one of my mother’s aunt, who was a graduate from Alighar, abhorrently stating, “Bibi main to kabhi nahi batati kay main Pakistan say aye hoon, apna passport bhi chupati hoon kay kisi ko pata na chalay, sharm ati hay, main to bus seedha keh deti hoon kay main India say hoon”. She had been to America many times but unfortunately couldn’t get rid of the Pakistani passport till now. Hadn’t Pakistan been an ideological state, I would have had a totally different opinion about the sanctity of this land. May be same as Iqbal has eleborated in his poem “Wataniyat” in Bang-e-Dara. But whenever I think of our history, the making of Pakistan, I come to believe that Pakistan is more than a land. May be a spirit, a soul or a divine will. Then why not us, Pakistanis, boast our motherland and be proud of our Pakistaniyat……with all the due respect for how beautiful and resourceful she is. (I hope it’s not the gender factor which obstructs us from doing so.) Somewhere in the past, I did get irritated by the argument, “can a Muslim be a true Muslim while being a true nationalist?” The most popular answer of this quesiton is always a big NO. ……a highly controversial thought among Muslims, which I also had embraced for couple of years as I couldn’t find a satisfactory reply from anyone. “Rabbish rah lee saudree wa yassir lee amiree wahlul uqdatammil-lisaanee yafqahoo qawlee” (Dua of Prophet Musa (AS) in Surah Taha) ………”O my Lord! open for me my chest (grant me self-confidence, contentment and boldness). and ease my task for me. and loose the knot from my tongue. That they may understand my speech.” Ameen! Finally, I had to develop my own reasoning to find a logical answer in order to satisfy myself. The first thing that bothers me is that why in the world does everything have to come to a denial when it has something to do with Paksitan? Palestinians fight and die for the cause to restore their territory, other Arab countries also fight to defend their land…. they are called martyred. They believe to collect world’s sympathy for their vicimization by the zionists and other evils. Pakistanis have always supported them till now by all means, I believe. Because we, Pakistanis, are more thoughtful about that Islamic Brotherhood and we think of all Muslim countries part of Ummah. Yet no appreciation from the Arab world has ever shown in respect of Paksitanis love and moral support. Instead, we are being labelled as “Kafir State”. May be because we are not helping them the way they want us to. The point is that when we try to do something for the love of our homeland, we are labelled as nationalist which is considered a “KUFR” by the fanatics….on our side too. Our religious groups and organizations propagate this thought to the extent that it mostly causes chaos and destablizes the system. Why do we need to divide ourselves in different categories such as humanitarians, Muslims and Paksitanis….and the people belonging to these groups show a particular appreance and behaviour? Can’t we be all three at the same time and co-operate with each other in a friendly manner while still sticking to our beliefs or social ethics? First category is kind of hedonist. Humanitarians, mostly, don’t try to connect themselves to religious obligations and seem more adhered to modernity. Enjoy their lives while still being worried for poor and needy people. The workers day by day become wealthier while the one they are working for continue to fall into miseries unil they die. Next category is the most complicated among the three. Not only extremists but even semi-religious people reject the idea of both modernity and moderation. Then for some unknown reasons they try to adjust themselves between both. To justify their ignorance and non-positive attitude in society, they seek ocassional-refuge in their scholars’ or preachers’ dens. Next..Pakistanis….are confused about which way to go, whom to follow, what to own and how to rise gracefully as a nationalist. Ok, as long as I feel the pain of any living soul hurt, tortured or killed for no solid and valid reason, I am a good human being. At the same time, I proudly call myself a Muslim and a Pakistani, a good one because that is exactly the teachings of Prohet Muhammad (SAW). Humanity is the core of our moral values. I have a right to own my religious symbols and my national symbols as well. I believe that as Allah (SWT) would love me for having tasbeeh in my hand, He would also love me pinning the badge of my national flag on my shirt….why wouldn’t He? I believe there’s still something missing in this post. Will try to figure it out. The title though sounds irreconcilable but somehow things can be brought to a point of peacful co-existence between the two genders. First reason, since women’s rights are not clearly defined as a human being and remain disputed between the state constititution, religious authorities and family-Fueds even as a segregated creature…they are not sure about the legality of this statement. Second reason, for being or trying to become strong and bold, first thing that a woman loses is the male support of her own family…hmm, so where would this woman be accepted as a respected human being?……except for being treated as “she is a man-eater”? “Everything begins at home”….the first place for such macho-women to face the ethical-boycott. Then the entire surrounding collaborates in pressurizing her to compromise as a “no-hoper” and to put up with the exisitng moral values…not to talk about bringing any change. Otherwise be ready to be disowned. Women issues have been focused excessively in such a way that it has built a pressure on them to play an un-natural role in society. Instead of living in peace and working shoulder-to-shoulder, men and women, are made to stand against each other. Fifty percent standing against the rest half…it’s like a civil-war. The problems were dicussed but no steps were taken to resolve them. Obviously, men would have to sit together and discuss and decide what part to play where with whom. This can’t be done by just a couple of gentlemen on media. Men at home would have to step forward and take hold onto serious matters. They would have to realize that their homes are the places where most evil are sprouting and that is happening all because of their negligence, their loose control on family matters, not having a sense of balance between relations. It’s not only men. Women should also be aware of their responsibilities and must know their limits too. No matter what relation, they should try not to become a threat to other women. Anyway…in the words of Iqbal, “bulaa rahi hay tujhey mumkinaat ki dunya”………….let us all try to create a world of possibilities around. Otherwise, we have already become extremists in our thoughts and showing attitude. 
composed by Ahmed G. Chagla پاک سرزمین شاد باد پاک سرزمین کا نظام پرچم ستارہ و ہلال Written by Abul-Asr Hafeez Jalandhri I have been searching for my rights as a teenager or an eighteen year old for over two weeks but found very little information. I wanted to know what the Constitution of Pakistan has for us teens and that of the U.S. They do have three somewhat famous books published in the U.S.A. One was published in 1997 called My Rights and another in 2000 by the name of Teen Legal Rights. I am not sure of the third one. These three were written by Americans. Not surprising at all. They have laws in different states there. I have no idea about Pakistan. When I searched for the constitution of our country, I found incomplete information. More than half of the information was useles for me. Then I tried looking for what our religion had to say for the youth. But I couldn’t find anything. Maybe someone else has better luck or if you have more knowledge regarding this, you can help me out. Personal Security (Life): (2) Not to be injured or abused. Personal Liberty: (4) To assemble peaceably. (5) To keep and bear arms. (6) To assemble in an independent well-disciplined militia. (7) To communicate with the world. (8) To express or publish one’s opinions or those of others. (9) To practice one’s religion. (10) To be secure in one’s person, house, papers, vehicle, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures. (11) To enjoy privacy in all matters in which the rights of others are not violated. Private Property: (1) A private residence, from which others may be excluded. (2) Tools needed for one’s livelihood. (3) Personal property, which others may be denied the use of. (4) Arms suitable for personal and community defense. Non-natural rights of personhood, created by social contract: (2) To enjoy equally the rights, privileges and protections of personhood as established by law. (3) To petition an official for redress of grievances and get action thereon in accordance with law, subject to the resources available thereto. (4) To petition a legislator and get consideration thereof, subject to resources available thereto. (5) To petition a court for redress of grievances and get a decision thereon, subject to resources available thereto. (6) Not to have one’s natural rights individually disabled except through due process of law, which includes: (a) In criminal prosecutions: (1) Not to be charged for a major crime but by indictment by a Grand Jury, except while serving in the military, or while serving in the Militia during time of war or public danger. (2) Not to be charged more than once for the same offense. (3) Not to be compelled to testify against oneself. (4) Not to have excessive bail required. (5) To be tried by an impartial jury from the state and district in which the events took place. (6) To have a jury of at least six for a misdemeanor, and at least twelve for a felony. (7) To a speedy trial. (8) To a public trial. (9) To have the assistance of counsel of one’s choice. (10) To be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation. (11) To be confronted with the witnesses against one. (12) To have compulsory process for obtaining favorable witnesses. (13) To have each charge proved beyond a reasonable doubt. (14) To have a verdict by a unanimous vote of the jury, which shall not be held to account for its verdict. (15) To have the jury decide on both the facts of the case and the constitutionality, jurisdiction, and applicability of the law. (16) Upon conviction, to have each disablement separately and explicitly proven as justified and necessary based on the facts and verdict. (17) To have a sentence which explicitly states all disablements, and is final in that once rendered no further disablements may be imposed for the same offense. (18) Not to have a cruel or unusual punishment inflicted upon oneself. (b) In civil cases: (1) To trial by an impartial jury from the state and district in which the events took place where the issue in question is either a natural right or property worth more than $20. (2) In taking of one’s property for public use, to be given just compensation therefor. (3) To have compulsory process for obtaining favorable witnesses. (c) In all cases: (1) To have process only upon legal persons able to defend themselves, either natural persons or corporate persons that are represented by a natural person as agent, and who are present, competent, and duly notified, except, in cases of disappearance or abandonment, after public notice and a reasonable period of time. (2) Not to be ordered to give testimony or produce evidence beyond what is necessary to the proper conduct of the process. Non-natural rights or citizenship, created by social contract: (2) To vote in elections that are conducted fairly and honestly, by secret ballot. (3) To exercise general police powers to defend the community and enforce the laws, subject to legal orders of higher-ranking officials. (4) To receive militia training. 2) Everyone in the U.S has the right to a free public education. 3) Teens are allwed to remain in high school longer than it normally takes to finish. It varies form state to state. They have an age limit . Most set it at age 21. 4) At the age of 18, any person can be employed at any job. 5) An eighteen year old has the right to marry someone from the age of eighteen and above without any parental consent. So far this is what I’ve come up with. Anyone willing to add information they have or find out, please do write. Thank you. WOW! Today’s Bang-e-Dara was fantastic. An anchor person reciting the National Anthem, that was so stimulating. Well Done Mr. Faisal Qureshi! News One Channel deserves a big hand too. What was there in the middle? Oh yeah, Mr. Mustafa Kamal. Hmm, humm, humm, humm,…. About two months ago, I watched his interview on Metro One Channel. Mr. Agha Masood, the host, asked him about his favourite singer. His quick answer was Jagjeet Singh Chitra Singh (I think this is the right name). Mr. Agha again asked anyone else? He said no. Mr. Agha even named some Pakistani singers but Mr. Mayor insisted on that one name, ah, that was so teasing. Our political figure of international level, holding an official seat representing Pakistan, couldn’t find one single name from the country he is serving day and night. Not even Madam. For me she wasn’t a singer, she is the symbol of Pakistan because of singing national songs especially the ones she was crowned for by Mr. Ayub Khan in 1965. Mr. Mustafa Kamal….is mulk main kaam karney walay to hain, aur bhi mil jain gay….laikin is mulk ko aur is kay symbols ko own karnay walay leaders koi nahi. May you be rewarded for whatever you have done for the city. You still need to learn a lot from your boss Mr. Altaf Hussain. I must appreciate him that he named three Pakistani film stars when asked his favourite movie stars by Bushra Ansari in Brunch with Bushra. I was looking for the definition of symbols and thought of this to be the most appropriate. Symbol- Something that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention, especially a material object used to represent something invisible. In this case Pakistan has the most obvious symbols. Half we already know cause of studying Paksitan Studies. Some of the information was passed on to us by our elders. We have forgotten most of this knowledge and our young ones don’t have a clue what these things are or why and how are they related to Pakistan. I would like to remind everyone what those signs are that represent our country. These are also known as or could be called the national symbols of Pakistan. Our Founder- Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah Madr-e-Millat- Dr.Fatima Ali Jinnah Quaid-e-Millat- Liaqut Ali Khan Poet of the East- Dr.Sir Allama Muhammad Iqbal Official Map of Pakistan- (by) Mahmood Alam Suhrawardy National Language- Urdu National Dress- Shalwar Qamees National Flower- Jasmine National Tree- Deodar National Animal- Markhor (Himalayan Goat-Antelope) National Bird- Chukar National Fruit- Mango National Game- Field Hockey National River- Sidhu National Mosque- Faisal Masjid National Mausoleum- Mazar-e-Quaid National Monument- Bab-e-Pakistan (Gateway of Pakistan) I would also like to include: The Pakistan Resolution So far these are the things that refer to our country. Now what I’m wondering is that who wanted these to be the symbols of Pakistan? Did the Quaid like eating mango or wore a jamine flower on his suit or did Allama Iqbal enjoy playing hockey? All I’ve found out is that the symbols were adopted at various stages in the existence of Pakistan and there are various rules and regulations governing their definition or use. Be my guest if you have anything else to include. Thank you. QUAID-I-AZAM’S PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS TO Mr. President : Ladies and Gentlemen, I cordially thank you, with the utmost sincerity, for the honour you have conferred upon me-the greatest honour that is possible for this Sovereign Assembly to confer-by electing me as your first president. I also thank those leaders who spoken in appreciation of my services and their personal references to me. I sincerely hope that with your support and your co-operation we shall make this Constituent Assembly an example to the world. The Constituent Assembly has got two main functions to perform. The first is the very onerous and responsible task of framing our future constitution of Pakistan and the second of functioning as a full and complete Sovereign body as the Federal Legislature of Pakistan. We have to do the best we can in adopting a provisional Constitution for the Federal Legislature of Pakistan. You know really that not only we ourselves are wondering but, I think, the whole world is wondering at this unprecedented cyclonic revolution which has brought about the plan of creating and establishing two independent Sovereign Dominions in this sub-continent. As is, it has been unprecedented; there is no parallel in the history of the world. This mighty sub-continent with all kinds of inhabitants has been brought under a plan which is titanic, unknown, unparalleled. And what is very important with regard to it is that we have achieved it peacefully and by means or an evolution of the greatest possible character. Dealing with our first function in this Assembly, I cannot make any well-considered Pronouncement at this moment, but I shall say a few things as they occur to me. The first and the foremost thing that I would like to emphasis this-remember that you are now a Sovereign Legislative body and you have got all the powers. It, therefore, places on you the gravest responsibility as to how you should take your decisions. The first observation that I would like to make is this : You will no doubt agree with me that the first duty of a Government is to maintain law and order, so that the life, property and religious beliefs of its subjects are fully protected by the State. The second thing that occurs to me is this : One of the biggest curses from which India is suffering -I do not say that other countries are free from it, but, I think, our condition is much worse-is bribery and corruption. That really is a poison. We must put that down with an iron hand and I hope that you will take adequate measures as soon as it is possible for this Assembly to do so. Black-marketing is another curse. Well, I know that black-marketeers are frequently caught and punished. Judicial sentences are passed or sometimes fines only are imposed. Now you have to tackle this monster which today is a colossal crime against society, in our distressed conditions, when we constantly face shortage of food and other essential commodities of life. A citizen who does black-marketing commits, I think, a greater crime than the biggest and most grievous of crimes. These black-marketeers are really knowing, intelligent and ordinarily responsible people, and when they indulge in black marketing, I think they ought to be very severely punished, because they undermine the entire system of control and regulation of food-stuffs and essential commodities, and cause, wholesale starvation and want and even death. The next thing that strikes me in this : Here again is a legacy which has been passed on to us. Along with many other things good and bad, has arrived this great evil-the evil of nepotism and jobbery. This evil must be crushed relentlessly. I want to make it quite clear that I shall never tolerate any kind of jobbery, nepotism or any influence directly or indirectly brought to bear upon me. Wherever I find that such a practice is in vogue, or is continuing anywhere, low or high, I shall certainly not countenance it. I know there are people who do not quite agree with the division of India and the partition of the Punjab and Bengal. Much has been said against it, but now that it has been accepted, it is the duty of every one of us to loyally abide by it and honourably act according to the agreement which is now final and binding on all. But you must remember, as I have said, that this mighty revolution that has taken place is unprecedented. One can quite understand the feeling the exists between the two communities wherever one community is in majority and the other is in minority. But the question is whether it was possible or practicable to act otherwise than has been done. A division had to take place. On both sides, in Hindustan and Pakistan, there are sections of people who may not agree with it, who may not like it, but in my judgment there was no other solution and I am sure future history will record its verdict in favour of it. And what is more it will be proved by actual experience as we go on that that was the only solution of India’s constitutional problem. Any idea of a United India could never have worked and in my judgment it would have led us to terrific disaster. May be that view is correct ; may be it is not; that remains to be seen. All the same, in this division it was impossible to avoid the question of minorities being in one Dominion or the other. Now that was unavoidable. There is no other solution. Now what shall we do? Now, if we want to make this great State of Pakistan happy and prosperous we should wholly and solely concentrate on the well-being of the people, and especially of the masses and the poor. If you will work in co-operation, forgetting the past, burying the hatchet you are bound to succeed. If you change your past and work together in a spirit that every one of you, no matter to what community he belongs, no matter what relations he had with you in the past, no matter what is his colour, caste or creed, is first, second and last a citizen of this State with equal rights, privileges and obligations, there will be no end to the progress you will make. I cannot emphasize it too much. We should begin to work in that spirit and in course of time all these angularities of the majority and minority communities the Hindu community and the Muslim community-because even as regards Muslims you have Pathans, Punjabies, Shias, Sunnis and so on and among the Hindus you have Brahmins, Vashnvas, Khatris, also Bengalis, Madrasis, and so on-will vanish. Indeed if you ask me this has been the biggest hindrance in the way of India to attain the freedom and independence and but for this we would have been free peoples long long ago. No power can hold another nation, and specially a nation of 400 million souls in subjection ; nobody could have conquered you, and even if it had happened, nobody could have continued its hold on you for any length of time but for this. Therefore we must learn a lesson from this. You are free ; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed-that has nothing to do with the business of the State. As you know, history shows that in England conditions some time ago were much worse than those prevailing in India today. The Roman Catholics and the Protestants persecuted each other. Even now there are some State in existence where there are discriminations made and bars imposed against a particular class. Thank God we are not starting in those days. We are starting in the days when there is no discrimination, no distinction between one community and another, no discrimination between one caste or creed and another. We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one state. The people of England in course of time had to face the realities of the situation and had to discharge the responsibilities and burdens placed upon them by the Government of their country and they went through that fire step by step. Today you might say with justice that Roman Catholic and Protestants do not exists ; what exists now is that every man is a citizen, an equal citizen, of Great Britain and they are all members of the Nation. Now, I think we should keep that in front of us as our ideal and you will find that in course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense, because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the State. Well, gentlemen, I do not wish to take up any more of your time and thank you again for the honour you have done to me. I shall always be guided by the Principles of justice and fair-play without any, as is put in the political language, prejudice or ill will, in other words partiality, or favoritism. My guiding principle will be justice and complete impartiality, and I am sure that with your support and co-operation, I can look forward to Pakistan becoming one of the greatest Nations of the world. “The foundations of your State have been laid and it is now for you to build and build as quickly and as well as you can.” Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, 14 August, 1948 “He was the originator of the dream that became Pakistan, architect of the State and father of the world’s largest Muslim nation. Mr. Jinnah was the reciient of a devotion and loyalty seldom accord to any man.” Harry S. Truman, the 33rd US President “Ali Jinnah is a constant source of inspiration for all those who are fighting against racial or group discrimination.’ (Nelson Mandela had come to Islamabad in 1995 and had insisted on including Karachi as a destination to visit Jinnah’s Grave and his house in Karachi where upon reaching he drove straight to the Quaid’s Mazar). Nelson Mandela, Ex-South African President “Mr. Jinnah was great as a lawyer, once great as a congressman, great as a leader of Muslims, great as a world politician and diplomat and greatest of all as a man of action. By Mr. Jinnah’s passing away, the world has lost one of the greatest statesmen and Pakistan its life-giver, philosopher and guide.” Surat Chandra Bose, leader of Forward Bloc wing of the Indian Naitonal Congress “Gandhi died by the hands of an assassin, Jinnah died by his devotion of Pakistan.” Lord Pethick Lawrence, former Secretary of State for India The Agha Khan considered him “the greatest man he ever met”…… Beverley Nichols, the author of `Verdict on India’, called him “the most important man in Asia”…..Dr. Kailashnath Katju, the West Bengal Governor in 1948, thought of him as “an outstanding figure of this century not only in India, but in the whole world”……Abdul Rahman Azzam Pasha, Secretary General of the Arab League, called him “one of the greatest leaders in the Muslim world”….. the Grand Mufti of Palestine considered his death as a “great loss” to the entire world of Islam. This is how the world admires a true Muslim and a great leader. On the other hand, our so-called leaders esp. the one leading religious parties and organizations, torture the soul of this land and disrespect the honour of Mazar-e-Quaid by holding rallys there for no decent reason. Never bothered to say a word to tribute this grand political legend of the Islamic world,they use his landmark to achieve some infernal objectives of their own….shame on them all. |
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