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.

————————————————————————————————————————
DEBUGGING MSN (Masculine Stinging Nature)…..posted on 19-07-2009
The title though sounds irreconcilable but somehow things can be brought to a point of peacful co-existence between the two genders.
“Women should become strong, aggressive and self-reliable to defend their rights”…..this statement may have a hidden, very soothing prickly-heat powdery excuse for men to refrain from their responsibilities…..but is a very prickly advice for women to follow anywhere.

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.

———————————————————————————————————————–
“NATIONAL ANTHEM”…..posted on 17-07-2009
composed by Ahmed G. Chagla

Blessed be the sacred land
???? ???? ??? ???
Happy be the bounteous realm
?? ???? ??? ???????
Symbol of high resolve
!??? ???????
Land of Pakistan!
???? ???? ??? ???
Blessed be thou, citadel of faith

??? ?????? ?? ????
The order of this sacred land
??? ???? ????
Is the might of the brotherhood of the people
??? ? ??? ? ?????
May the nation, the country, and the state
!?????? ?????? ???
Shine in glory everlasting!
??? ??? ???? ????
Blessed be the goal of our ambition

???? ????? ? ????
This flag of the crescent and star
???? ???? ? ????
Leads the way to progress and perfection
?????? ???? ? ??? ???
Interpreter of our past, glory of our present
!??? ???????
Knowledge of the future!
???? ????? ????????
Symbol of the Almighty’s protection

Written by Abul-Asr Hafeez Jalandhri

 ————————————————————————————————————————

“I OWN MY SYMBOLS!”……Posted on 13-07-2009
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.

 ———————————————————————————————————————————-

“FLASH-BACK”…posted on 09-07-2009
QUAID-I-AZAM’S PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS TO
THE CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY OF PAKISTAN
ON THE 11TH AUGUST 1947

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
“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.

—————————————————————————————————————————
“BADTAMEEZIYAN ONLINE”……….posted on 28-06-2009 
Imam Ali: Learning in childhood is like inscribing on the stone.

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.

————————————————————————————————————————————
“JALAIBIYAAN”…….posted on 28-06-2009
This is the name of the monthly magazine published in Urdu by SMB Faitma Jinnah Govt. School, Nishtar Road, Karachi. The logo on the right-hand top corner says, “A NEEM TREE SCHOOL.”
The remarkable collaboration of Zindagi Trust and Book Group under the Adopt-A-School Program has changed the building and the academic environment completely into a new colourful and modern infrastructure. Under the new management, school has introduced many good programs such as “School Traffic Program”, “School Health Program”, “Tree Plantation”, “Cleanliness Drive”, “Breakfast for Mont.”, “Teachers Training and Teaching Internship Program” etc. The last two pages of the magazine are dedicated for student’s art work, stories, poems, riddles, jokes and etc.

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.
((‘Our teachers would fail us in practical exams’
Karachi: Different groups of students, from the intermediate and degree sections of the college, revealed interesting facts. Students have disclosed that they are been pressurized by their teachers for protesting against Zindagi Trust and Book Group.
A group of three college students from class XI called on Akbar Khan, the supervisor of the project, and told him that they were being pressurized by their teachers. “Our teachers are forcing us to participate in the protest against the trust else they would fail us in practical exams”, one of them said.
Another group of four BSc students also visited Khan and asked him to explain why Shehzad Roy abused their teachers. In reply, the students were given a presentation that convinced them that their teachers were encouraging them to protest against Zindagi Trust and Book Group to stop these NGOs from adopting their college.

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.

—————————————————————————————
“Is There Any Problem?”……….posted on 28-06-2009
Our Children…born immaculate…raised by hypocriticals…either molly-cuddled by parents or brutalized by parents, teachers and society overall. Have we ever realized that we are not raising our children in a normal human-based environment?

How should I define human-based?
- A comprehensive learning surrounding…means a neat and clean and healthy and caring and sharing and soft and kind and colourful and creative and competitive environment.

- 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?

————————————————————————————————————————
“RUMOUR”………………posted on 26-06-2009
“I passed away”…this was the rumour roaming around for almost three weeks in the market where I have my tailor, embrioder and few more selected shopkeepers providing me with good services for last four years.
Last night, my daughter went there to buy something and the young shop owner, very hesitatingly, asked her, “(with many expressions in the middle) how is your mother, is she okay?”….she said, “she is home, all fine, why, what happened?”….and he said, “(calling the name of our embrioder) he told us all that your mother has died”….and my daughter started laughing. I wondered why didn’t they give me a call? Those three have my cell number.

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.
For Micheal, I don’t know why I feel like that God had accepted his nasheed and a little focus on Islam as his last sincere effort towards the truth….and He didn’t want Micheal to go into that pop business again. For Allah is the most Merciful, most Gentle and most Kind.

 ————————————————————————————————————————————-

“A DREAM DAY”…………
Abdulllah bin Masud (RA) narrated: Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said, “Shall I not inform you of who is forbidden upon the Hell Fire or whom the Fire is forbidden upon? A man who is always accessible, gentle and easy going.” (Tirmidhi)

How much gentle and easy going are we to anyone?
Mothers don’t sing lullabys or tell bed-time stories to their toddlers or pre-schoolers anymore. Parents don’t hug or kiss or say proper greetings to their children while leaving home. Suffocating in their thoughts, our girls in their early teens don’t find any counsel their problems or share their feelings. Youth, for years, remain undecided about what to do and how to do and finds no guidance. Elders find no clue of being useful to anyone. Breaking of law, traffice violations, littering, spitting, cursing, conspiring, haughting, taunting, regretting, complaining……………..etc.

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 ….?
Just for one day, we become the true follower of our Prophet (SAW) and try our best to be as gentle, soft and kind to everyone as we can.
Just for one day, we announce forgiving each other…no complaints…no attitudes.
And we won’t be sleeping that day.

————————————————————————————————————————————————-
“COST OF CARELESSNESS”……………posted on 26-06-2009
“People who have no hold over their process of thinking are likely to be ruined by liberty of thought. If thought is immature, liberty of thought becomes a method of converting men into animals.”  Allama Muhammad Iqbal

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
One solution to reduce the severity of this disastrous life style could be a non-stop spreading of our basic moral codes….through media, net, blogs, e-mails, facebook, poetry, prose, simple talk or via any other means.

“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.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
“IT DOESN’T MATTER….BLACK OR WHITE”………………posted on 26-06-2009
Tags: Micheal Jackson, symbol of love and humanity Micheal Jackson has gone.
Leaving no parallel in performance and none to be followed on.
He was the king and will remain the sole authority in his voice and dance.
He will remain unforgettable for his soft style and gentle smile.
A symbol of love and humanity through his work and charity.

——————————————————————————————————————————————
“PEOPLE OF KNOWLEDGE”……..…posted on 25-06-2009
“Encounters in life may at first seem unfavourable for the believers. However, one should understand that even seemingly dire events, for example, a plot of hatched against them by the unbelievers, will ultimately turn out well for them. God will sooner or later let them savour His beneficence so, believers should be completely sure that there is goodness in all.” (The Moral Values of Quran by Harun yahya)

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:
“A person’s true wealth is the good deeds that he does in this world”…..”Forgiveness is the alms of victory”…..”Do not grow weary of your prayers, because nobody has ever been destroyed through prayer”…..”Allah loves gentleness in all things”…..”None of you can be a perfected believer so long as you don not wish for your brother what you wish for yourself”…..”In the same way that fire swallows up wood, envy swallows up and distroys goodness”….. Among the best of you [are they] who have the best character”     (Prophet Muhammad (SAW))

“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.”
“Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is Muhammad. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he?”     (Lamartine, Histoire de la Turquie, Paris 1854, Vol II, pp. 276-77)

“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.“
He continues: “The fact is that no nation of the world can show a parallel to what Islam has done towards the realization of the idea of the League of Nations.
Today after a lapse of fourteen centuries, the life and teachings of MUHAMMAD (pbuh)have survived without the slightest loss, alteration or interpolation. They offer the same undying hope for treating mankind’s many ills, which they did when he was alive.”     (Prof. C. Snouck Hurgronje, Dutch Scholar of Oriental Cultures and Languages)

“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)
Einstein

————————————————————————————————————————————————–
“MUSIC”………posted on 25-06-2009
The following literal work of Mr. Harun Yahya is copied from his website:

MUSIC: A BLESSING FROM ALLAH
A doorbell, footsteps, the honking of a car horn, paper crackles… We can tell where just about all the sounds we hear in our daily lives come from. Many sounds, apart from those that we associate with some previous events, have no effect on our souls. But this does not apply to every sound we hear.

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)

—————————————————————————————————————————————————–
“PEOPLE’S POWER”……………………posted on 21-06-2009
“Faith, Unity, Discipline”….Quaid-e-Azam

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.
But a whole night of open hand on arsenal and arson by the joyous crowd was in progress and the crown authorities were quiet. None of the leaders condemned this. People ruled the streets encouraging and supporting each other in breaking laws, along with women standing shoulder to shoulder, bearing the same attitude at homes.   Many were injured due to the firing, many accidents occured but who cares…who cares about the law and the human casualties and gallons of petrol that was burned in the air?

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

——————————————————————————————————————————–
“PAKISTANI TEAM IS ALIVE” (Sikandar Bakht)!……….posted on 21-06-2009
Jinnah Often quoted a Dutch proverb (for instance in his presidential address to the Punjab Muslim Student Federation in March 1942; R. Ahmed 1993:50):
Money is lost nothing is lost;
Courage is lost much is lost;
Honour is lost most is lost;
Soul is lost all is lost.
Soul, Honour, Courage and Money…..Our “TEAM” proved that we lost nothing.  Great!

 —————————————————————————————–

“I WONDER…” June 13, 2009
1) Yum-e-Sog…. Did the Prophet (SAW) ever go into ”SOG (mourn)” the way we do now? Or he called any strikes to shut down the life in Makkah or Madina? Then where do these religious groups get their inspiration from to do such activities they way they are doing now?

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?
One more thing, may be he was very firm in his beliefs but what about his assistants and followers who accompanied him on the path Jannah. Do they have to die with the leader whether they are ready or not?

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 ]
All these scholars seem like getting united to impose Islamic Shariah while still undecided whose Shariah will rule the country and the mutual plan for that beside using their followers as a threat to the govt and other communities.

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
In Ali Hyder’s time, it’s worth it “Sonay ki Baliyan”….remember his song “purani jeans or guitar” or may be a gold ring. Then it happened that as a result of rise in inflation, girls’ hearts lost their value.
A gradual decline in cost occured in past three or four decades. The cost was lower down to a perfume bottle, artificial folk necklace and bracelets, flower bracelets, Walls ice-cream cone, 1/2 liter Coca Cola bottle and now….recent Chilli Milli commercial priced it for a pack of Rs.10. This is all boys have to spend to get girls’ attention. Another ad brought it down to the lowest giving boys an idea that they can spend even less and still don’t lose anything. Just buy a Softmint candy for one ruppee and eat it yourself and “here it goes….the girl is yours.”
I am wondering, “how low could it go?”
Girls do you know the real value of your heart.

——————————————————————————————————————

“NO MORE CONFUSIONS FOR ME”…..June 12, 2009
I don’t believe in pointing at other people but I do have a right to speak for myself.
Okay, this argument of Huqooqullah and Huqooqul-ibad screwed me up for years.
1) Many times from my parents, elders, teachers and peers, I heard this, “Allah will forgive His dues but not the mishandling of rights between people so if we miss our prayers or any other religious duties that’s fine but we must not displease our beloved people around.” You are telling me that God doesn’t care about His rights and the laws he ordained for five pillars of Islam have no such value as compare to pleasing the His people. Fine…if this philosophy was correct then we should have been living in the most peacful era. What I witnessed people taking advantage of this philosophy…demanding respect and services more than that were due on their behalf…people walking on the path to slavery to other people…people usurping rights of other people. The misinterpretation of a hadith generated whole Feudal-Lord mentality in Islamic societies and we can see the result now. We don’t have any system. We don’t trust anyone. And we are all fed up with each other.
2) Then came another category of scholars with same dogmatic approach, who teach, “there are two kinds of rights in Islam….Rights of Allah and Rights of People.”—stop…My heart refused to accept this. You are giving me a choice between Allah and His People….means Allah vs Peole or People vs Allah…and it means someday if someone has to choose the rights between me and God, he/she would have to pick me over my Lord….no way…This is not my Islam. For I always believe that There is nothing and noone parallel to God in His name, His attributes, His words, His work, His domain and His rights.
3) Then this extreme mind-set appeared with a strong thought of imposing “Huqooqullah-Allah’s Rights” and negated everything else.
I listened to many and spent time with couple of controversial scholars and thanks to Allah (SWT), Who simplified the faith for me. No more confusions.
“Huqooqullah-Rights of Allah is the only obligation that exists in this universe and is due upon each soul. It is an umbrella which covers all kinds of rights….that’s right everything and everyone has to be under His divine authority…now it’s sounds pure, logical and peaceful. What a relief!
All religious duties…five mandatory prayers, fasting, zakah, hajj, reading and understanding Quran and ahadith, sadiqah, feeding poors, greeting each other, paying due respect to everyone and everything, earning honestly, teaching, researching, reading, writing, helping neighbours or their kids with activities, knowing about other nations, learning about their values and cultures, appreciating others, creating sites, surfing web, creating opportunities, visiting places, taking care of my surrounding, guiding peole towards betterment and much more…..if I am doing all these things for a noble cause, with the intention to please Allah only……then certainly I am fulfilling the Rights of Allah all time.

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.
O God, Have Mercy on us All…ameen.

—————————————————————————————————-

“LACK OF INTEREST IN NATIONAL INTEREST?”……. on June 11, 2009
“The man who writes about himself and his own time is the only man who writes about all the people and all time.” G.B.Shaw——He was a learned person. He also meant “women”.
I never wanted anyone to discuss me for any reason and for that I always avoid disclosing myself. When I started writing, I didn’t know that it will gradually turn a “Silent Idiot” into a “Vocal” one…nor I mark it as a success neither I grade it as foolish. After all it’s too late. So now when I hate to or hesitate to write about my opinion or myself, I recall this quote of Mr. Shaw.
Iqbal said, “Fitrat afraad say aghmaaz to kar laiti hay….per nahi karti hay millat kay gunahun ko muaaf”…means people might be forgiven individually but Nature doesn’t ignore their collective blunders. I get depressed when I think that even if my sins are pardoned on personal basis, I will still be held accountable for my contribution in the society.
“Though being sluggish and hurdled, I tried”…this is not a right justification though….I could have done a lot.
Dr. King said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
So let me see where am I standing right now and what is my personal definition of national interest?
My national interest…is it only not to do anything that disgraces me as a Pakistani? If it is only this then I am standing firm and positive from on the first day on. If it is more than that, then surely I am in trouble.
But still one thing is for sure. Whatever the definition of National Interest it comes up with, I never lack my interest in it. Working for it or not is a different thing.

————————————————————————————————————

“ACCEPTIBILITY”…..on June 7, 2009
As per request from some youth of now, some more useful volunteer actions from the youth of past. I think I should collect my writings and publish them as “Rubi Kay Karnamay”. In a sense it would have no comparison to “Shantoo Kay Karnamy”. But one may find it little better in description than “In The Line of Fire”, with all the due respect, sorry Mr. Pervez Musharraf. And I believe it will make good money for me. Good idea!…..see, good ideas fall upon those who think. And one cannot think while talking, and while talking you don’t listen to yourself either. What a Wisdom of mine!
Let me start from my very early teenage. My aunt lived in Gulshan, the area behind PTV building. A pathan family moved in the apartment next door. They had three beautiful daughters. The eldest 9 years old was engaged so stayed with her mother at home. Four years old Memnah and two years old Gul-Bushra were free to wander around. Memnah became attached to me for I sang to her this pashto song of Javed Akhtar, “la shafi khabar ta zani zor ma ra ro ro, taza taza guluna de sador ma ra ro ro”. (tujh ko qasam hay meri na ana haath khali). This is I how picked up the lyrics, who knows if they were right or not. That little girl only knew Pashto and I always replied to her in Urdu. One evening my aunt’s servant came to our house told my mom that Memnah is in the hospital, she had fever which got worse because the father said that he won’t take her to a male doctor. Finally my aunt interfered and they took her to Baqai. There Memnah was calling my name unconciously so my aunt sent her servant to bring me there. She was very happy to see me and we communicated in our own languages. This is what I call a perfect Acceptibility.

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!
Another step towards Acceptbility. OK, this part belongs to youth at the end. A Bangladeshi lady came to me and told me that a bunch of fourteen or fifteen such ladies are looking for someone to help them in Tajweed. I had no other day free except for Sunday. So one of them volunteered to present her house for this Sunday session, others volunteered to bring food and I volunteered to help them in what they asked for. The problem was that only two or three of those ladies knew a very little Urdu and only one because she was brought up there, she knew English. The all were perfect in Bangla while I had no idea about it. But somehow we managed to keep it on for three months. At the time when I was leaving, they said a lot of things in Bangla and cried like babies, which means whatever they said came right from their hearts.

————————————————————————————————

“TERRIBLE FEELINGS”……..on June 7, 2009
Farwa was cute, friendly child of my cousin. Very talkative and cheering, just like my daughter. She used to come to me to share her knowledge from weekend Islamic sessions. And to check me out, she used to ask me the questions, “do you know at what age Hazarat Fatimah got married? Who was Hazrat Fizza?” and many other questions like this.
Just a day before she was diagnosed cancer, came to me for her drawing to be printed. She was a little late for I had already shut down my computer. So I asked her to come back tomorrow. She left with the tears in her eyes because she didn’t expect me to say NO. And that tomorrow never came. The next day, she had a pain in her knee. My cousin took her to the hospital, the immediate reports said she might have a cancer. Her uncle who is a Nuero Surgeon in Houston told his brother that Farwa has only one year to live. From 2nd day of Eidul-Fitr 1996 till 25th of Ramadan 1997, at the age of 10—all majalis, mannat, prayers, wazifaas…nothing worked out. She spent her last six months in Mt. Sinai Hospital, she was happy there doing her drawings and paintings. At her last moments, she was holding the hand of her father recalling all her memories, laughing. Many times she asked her father, “what is this white bird doing in my room?” While she was having this lively talk with her father, my cousin felt her legs becoming cold and soul-less and in few moments, she became quiet…forever. Parents had already cried enough the whole year so they only said, ALHAMDULILLAH.
My cousin hated people when they asked her, “kiya hoa, kaisay ho gaya, majlis kar lian, mannat man lain, ye parhain wo karain.” She was already doing every possible thing that could cause life to her daughter. She used to come to me for I never dared to ask her these stupid questions and she liked it. We talked about everything else but Farwa’s health. My cousin is seven years older but we use to talk like friends. If anyone asked her, “how many children do you have?” She used to reply, “Pakistan say to chaar lai thi, yahan teen reh gaye.”

———————————————————————————————————-

“USEFUL ACTIONS”……on June 6, 2009
In respect of youth’s demand, I erased my memory of negative or say useless youth actions.
My entire family is workaholic, we never get tired of working…but I am the laziest one in all.
That was the first day of my job. I didn’t know a bit about accounting, bookkeeping, computer, xerox, typing, zero clerical skills…no working experience at all. I had to start with a machine not even found in museums now a days, that was a computer. A very big monitor with a video-tape sized diskette to insert in the side. My boss was my uncle’s best friend, a very jolly and tolerant person…he handed over the office key to me and introduced to me his assistant who was a very skillful man. Well, the first two months I tried my best to prove myself EFFICIENT. The third month that assistant left for Pakistan to get married. I was left alone to handle the quarterly payroll taxes and their relevant reports to the federal and state depts. My boss helped me a lot but that was all verbal. He always ended up with, “Rubi saab, main lash gira doon ga.” And when I asked him where to put mail or reports, he used to say, “andar meray mazar per rakh dein.” He even authorized me to sign all the reports, which was really a fun for me. After all the mailing was done, I got an increment for my hardwork. The next month was Hell. All the tax reports that I prepared had calculation errors and were sent back with penalty. The clients refused to pay the penalty so…..Well, I salute his patience for he didn’t say a word except, “Rubi saab marwa diya aap nay” and when I asked him kiya hoa, he said, “ji kuch nahi, ja kay chaye piyan aur mujhey bhi pilain.” What he suggested for my punishment that I will find the errors myself and will prepare the reports all over again. This time things were much better and my reward was another increment. Then we got the earliest Window version, I think it was 3.0, to post statements. In two years, he taught me everything from simple bookkeeping to payroll and sales taxes and their quarterly and yearly reports, GLD, cash flow, reconciliation of bank statements etc. and adviced me to continue my education…in accounting. In two years, I never took a day off. For part time, he refered me to an American CPA and some other Pakistani accountants.
Later, I also worked in a Pakistani Bank for two years, started as a teller, also tried telex and some other depts. My biggest achievement was that I never had to ask any of my employers for a raise for I always got it as a reward. In tax busy season, I used to work from 8 till 9 or 10 six days or sometimes seven days a week—in all those offices that he refered to me.
I used to walk 19 blocks, 79 to 61st street, to save money and what I bought…Yashica, my very first camera. I had it for almost 7 years and when I lost it (ahh), I threw all my pictures and of my daughter as well. I had many parakeets and fish and a red-ear turtle. I knew fabric painting, glass painting, calligraphy. When my family had to wrap a gift, Ammi used to say, “Begum Artist ko dey do, wo wrap kar dain gi.”
Then a time came when there was no one to take care of my daughter so despite having a good working experience and holding an associate degree, I had to put myself to some hand work. Jewelry making–assemble 100 pieces and get 10 to 15 dollars. Avon cosmetics packing—1000 pieces for only 24 dollars, first time it took me three days to earn that money. Meanwhile my uncle called me to help him in his mosque. One day he shouted at me in front of everyone for I was five minutes late. He is one of the best human beings on this planet, a very normal man. Now he has dedicated his life to spread Islam as the best logical way of life.
But this time was a mercy for me, I got the best chance to teach all pre-school stuff and Quran to my daughter and my family kids at home. In my spare time, I continued with the quest for true Islamic knowledge. They all finished Quran, learned namaz and invocations and were all well-prepared to get admission in first grade. After a gap of 6 years, my first job was as a computer teacher, then in another school as a Maths and Science teacher and then finally as a KG teacher. I liked the last one better because there I got the chance to work under Mr. Khurshid Khan, currently the President of ICNA, he helped me a lot in moderating my intensive course of study. I had to change jobs because of not compromising on my principles. That teased my mother a lot, she used to say, “iskay dimagh main to keerah hay.”…and I love my teeni meeni brain-buggy.
Every time I got to save some money and my best hobby was to travel places to attend different events or different sites, dine out, buy gifts for family kids etc. I really get sick to the hospital if I try to save any money. THAT WAS THE END OF MY YOUTH.

“Alhamulillah, Al-ladhi bi-Izzatihi wa Jalalihi Tatimmus-Saulihaat
All Praises and Thanks are for Allah alone, due to Whose Honour and Dignity, my tasks are being accomplished gracefully.”
And I don’t see any negativity in all this.

————————————————————————————————–

“BE PART OF HOPE”…….on June 4, 2009
Life is a life-long struggle for survival.
Youth could become the best time of life if one owns his/her dreams, stick to them and work hard….then God ignores their mistakes and keeps paving the road of opportunities for a non-stop and steady walk. One could just try things out in desultory…like that commercial, “Kuch kar dikhanay ki piyas hay”….avoiding the fear of the possible consequences…life feels like an adventure. Everything done seems fair.
Oh, this reminds me of something fair I did to someone. It was my brother’s friend who once stayed overnight, a freezing night of January, I soaked his bed and comforter with cold water because all day long he had been the pain in my neck. In the morning he was found wrapped in our laundry clothes. Everyone figured out the culprit behind it. Another day, for the same reason, I greased the windshield and the front door of his brand new, white Corolla with the mixture of cooking oil, red pepper, tumeric powder and some other spices. He had to break the lock in the back to get in the car and to drive it to the nearby carwash. Again easily predicted by everyone and again no allegations were imposed. He suffered for ignoring the warnings from my family members. See, if you prove to be fair and determined in early youth, your blunders are even pardoned eaisly. Or the most you are called immature.
But past-youth is all different. Now those people are not considered immature. They have many innocent lives associated with them so they take every step carefully. They fear that they can’t afford to lose nothing more. And hope rises for such people when their next generation finds some decents to work with for a noble cause. The best thing for such people is to go along with them and be part of hope in every possible way.

————————————————————————————————

“DEATH BY MARRAIGE”…….(LIFESTREAM)
Another sad story…another unlucky couple who couldn’t survive their fate…Irfan murdered and Khush Bakht missing…weren’t they both aware of how will it end? They surely did but still dared to use their religious, social and legal rights…secretely. Couldn’t they find a single person in their educated families to trust them for their life decision? It’s a calamity.
No references from Quran and Sunnah…Just give it a deep thought at human level…using the natural ability to differentiate between right and wrong, pleasure and pain…..How insecure does it feel when yougsters don’t find any “loved one” around to put their trust on…to discuss what and how to do? It’s an on-going fear for them…some surrender before egoes and traditions and some rebel—usually they both avail nothing except a life time struggle to survive, to defend their rights and hope for something good.
Why do we give birth to children if we can’t deliver ourselves to them as a normal, reasonable human being? Why do we love to make life hard for our children and in return ours? Why do we abuse our authority as an adult or as a parent?
We parents, from the birth of our children to adult…we pretend to be their Apostle from God, their only saviour, the guardian of their rights, promising them the life-time happiness, we seal their mouths. Then when the time comes for them to avail what we promised them…we shut them up, reminding them all the great favours and block their ways to happiness. It’s a Betrayal.
Our children are not sacrificial animals that we pay the price, drag them home by pulling ears, take care of them and then one day slaughter them…either to satisfy our false egoes or to protect the honour of the family. They are human beings like us. They have their dreams, their desires and planning of their own according to their will. We parents have a choice….we can support them and make their life easier and in return we get respect and satisfaction OR we can obstruct their ways and enjoy watching them in pain and agony and in return suffer the same.

———————————————————————————————-

“HIKAYAAT-E-ROOMI”…….on May 24, 2009
Once a man passess by a jungle and sits there to relax, at far distance, he spots a lame fox lying there. He feels pity and thinks that how does this poor animal gets its food. In the mean time, a lion comes with his prey in his mouth, enjoys his meal and leaves the remaining there. The lame fox drags himself to the leftover and eats from it. The man Glorifies the God and says that it is true that God is the Provider and Sustainer, if He can manage provisions for a handicapped animal, why not for me, why do I make such hard efforts to make money. And he leaves the world, continues his glorification and waits for his share. Couple of days pass, he becomes very hungry and begs God for food. Nothing happens. He thinks of himself a loser, “where did I make a mistake? A lion is sent for a filthy poor animal but nothing for a poor human being.” A voice then fills the air saying, “O man, God made you a human being, don’t choose to be live a fox relying upon someone’s leftover….live like a lion, get your share and be the source of provision for others.”

—————————————————————————————————

“REBOOTING MYSELF”……………..on May 23, 2009
Okay, I don’t get it. People who want to earn and who talk about earning honourably, rolling economy get verbal slaps. While the one who beg or rip people off their money or do cheating are sympathized or get a relief by the educated civil-society. What kind of humanity is this? Well, nice, a robber shares my food and becomes my friend and I am ready to forgive his sins…but when it comes to feeding the poors, the needy, the helpless, the homeless…..we run out of time, plannings, and money too.
O boy! I think it is time for brain formatting, the rehabilitation of our thougts and moral values and our Islamic teachings. So much serious work to be done.
O The Almighty Lord, I beg You to provide me with the easiest opportunities to earn honestly and spend wisely….please Lord, neither miserliness nor miseries is my desire. Ameen.

————————————————————————————————————-

“FREEDOM MEANS RESPONSIBILITY” ……on May 23, 2009
AJAB WA’IZ KI DEENDARI HAY YA RAB
ADAWAT HAY ISAY SARAY JEHAN SAY
I hereby raise my right hand index finger up above the world so high and verify with my tongue and testify with my heart that I, whatever my name is, declare that there is no God but Allah and I believe in all the articles of Iman-e-Mujmil and Iman-e-Mufassil.
I saw hundreds of people embracing Islam as their way of life. The price they pay—family cut-off, social boycott, starting life from scratching point—wandering in the world that Muslims have created for themselves, these reverts realize that they have entered a whole new world of confusion—yet they stand firm and struggle hard.
And for years I was proud of being born in a Muslim family, later I realized that it was only the biggest favour of my Lord which I have been taking for granted and certainly it is not enough for me to qualify for Jannah. So I began my research and this is what I came up with.
*Islam is a universal religion, an open world of knowledge and wisdom. It invites its believers to ponder upon God’s great signs and prove their total comprehension in terms of understanding and their right perception. Our inagural was fantastic—From the Prophet (SAW) to his family and companions and those early scientists—each and everyone, on their own will, took a stand and proved themselves to be the ones to be followed.
Then somehow we got lost in the world of deep philosophies—instead of transforming words into actions, we wasted our time in useless discussions, 1400 years in a row—Quranic ayaat became arte-facts…yes, you open Quran, find out the causes and effects of revelation and then indulge into the events that took place…who did what to whom? That’s it—-you are certified from a madrassah or a religious institution…you hold the right to set indecipherable definitions of Quranic terminologies and you are the authority to decide what is right or wrong and no one has a right to ask you why or why not. Your designation in society—>CPI- Certified Public Intruder………..JABRI MAZHAB????
And look what are we incurring with now….serious allegations of being the worthless people on the face this planet. The price we are to pay is the “universal threat”….if not by enemies then disasters.
And I wish Good Luck to our scholars in their hideouts, enjoy your safe haven.

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”
Life on earth is endangered. It is our duty to uphold Islam….not only as a way of life but also as a way to life. Discuss it in the lightest and easiest way…part by part….day by day. We can’t escape from our responsibilities as a human being, as a Muslim and as a Pakistani. At PAM, we are willing to stand up for humanity…and anyone to do so must have a big heart and an open mind towards acceptibility….acceptibility at every level.

Here I would like to thank Nurul Huda for sharing this information:
“I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of existence which can make itself appeal to every age. I have studied him – the wonderful man and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Saviour of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness: I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today.” Sir George Bernard Shaw in ‘The Genuine Islam,’ Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936.

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
It’s really annoying when I see people sneezing and coughing around openly, especially near food or in crowd. I mean this is one of the manners we learn at home when we don’t even have an idea what manners mean. Any elder would cover the nose or mouth if the baby is about to sneeze or cough. Few years later, they are given a piece of cloth or a handkerchief, now tissues, for wiping purpose.

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
Problem Solving Strategies for Youth www.une.edu.au/bcss/psychology/john-malouff/problem-solving.php

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
It’s not just because Madonna sang the, “material girl”, but yes I am materialistic. I believe in “Money Talks and Money Walks” and that ”Money may not be everything but the only thing when you have no one around”. It has a miraculous power of changing people’s minds and attitudes in seconds. I do believe in morality…yes at extreme level…but somehow, most of the time “money” has proven to be my last resort.

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
What is the status of single women in our society? I wish if I could say a few or even one positive thing about it. “Then why did you choose to live single?”…… Gee darasl, mujhey buchpan say hi single rehnay ka shoq tha . What else can I say? Nobody is born heartless or free of emotions. USE YOUR COMMON SENSE!!!
Anyways, any woman who might be on her way to become single or living like one when still married and fulfilling her responsibilities, please listen to my humble advice.
1. Think economic…make yourself financially independent. Don’t just spend every penny or paisa on your family. Save some for your personal rainy days. Believe me, money is not everything but only when you have no one around you.
2. Knowledge is power…if for any reason you didn’t have a chance to get education, don’t regret. Keep yourself away from family politics and find some spare time to read books, newspapers or watch good shows. A good book will change your spare time into precious moments.
3. Grapple your emotions and thoughts. Don’t be manipulated by emotional threats and moral abuses. Have a firm faith in God, keep in touch with Him all the time for He is the most Proficient in listening and the most accurate in responding.
4. Be careful while searching employment and act gingerly in uncomfortable situations. Guarding your dignity is your priority, no one else really cares about it.

—————————————————————————————-

“LIVING IN HARMONY”……………May 15, 2009
Living in harmony is not that hard, it only requires some understanding. And again home is the best place to initiate it.
My family is a good example of it. We are a common family like others having all kinds of issues with one exception—we don’t discriminate each other on the basis of religion or language–this is our family rule. My mother’s side is Ale-Raza, commonly known as Rizvi but sunni, father’s side is non-Pashto speaking Pathan. My elder aunt got married to Mr. Rizvi on the Shia side. One of my cousin’s husband is from Abottabad and much more. We discuss everything from politics to whatever but religion on the whole.
I remember myself going to Khurasaan and all the majalis, doing matam, and melaad and kunday waghaira with my cousins…we were little at that time. No restrictions from my parents. It didn’t effect my beliefs at all. I have pure and good memories of that period.

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?
The first thing my daughter learned from a majlis (about four years ago) was that the Zakira said, “betiyan rehmat hoti hain aur baitay naimat, to naimaton ka hisaab hoga, rehmat ka nahi”.
And in my personal opinion, at present, if any distinctive work is done in Urdu poetry that is by noha writers.

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
If I am not wrong in my simplest understanding, we are used to refering the word ‘mindset’ to a malign behaviour. Army has already taken action against those meddlers of Islam. But what about us? If we are already influenced by that particular mind-set, then it doesn’t matter if the military wins or loses…and if it is not ‘win’ then definitely we will be the big cause of it.
A couple of years ago, I had a conversation with a student, he was raised in a highly religious environment, among the scholars. He was preparing for B.B.A. and seeking employment to support his educational expenses on his own, which was really great. During our talk we came to a point where he insisted on picking some prominent scholars (obviously not from his school of thought) and calling them KAFIR. While I was explaining to him that this is not right to accuse anyone of being infidel, I noticed him mumbling the Arabic dua (tawwuz–I seek refuge in Allah from the rejected Shaitaan) and blowing on his chest few times to protect him from my spell-bound. I stopped myself from further admonishing and asked him, “who told you they are kafir?”….”our scholars and elders”.
“Do you have a strong faith in your beliefs?….”Yes, Alhamdulillah”, he said.
“Brother, I might have no comparison to you in knowledge and piety but I don’t understand this. I never grew up in a strict religious environment, half of my life was spent in a so-called infidel society, I have been through Islamic literature various school of thoughts, I personally attended the Islamic conventions, lectures, dars, gatherings, etc. but none of them seemed a threat to divert me from my own understanding. On the other hand, you spent your every moment among the most virteous people as you claim but never try to figure out or develop your own thoughts and further more that you seem frightened of listening to others for what reasons? Tell me, between me and you, who seems to have a strong faith?”
“Have you ever listened to their lectures yourself? ever had a discussion with them to find out their point of view? ever dared to tell them on their faces that you think they are Kafir? If not, then don’t you think that they way you have adopted is all unfair and unIslamic?”…. he didn’t have answers for all those questions. I waited for a moment and continued, “brother, on the Day of Judgement, you’ll be standing alone before God Almighty with your own knowledge and research, your own beliefs, your own judgement, your own actions and your own justifications. Are you ready for all that? What I would suggest for you to please listen to all those accused scholars and then SET your MIND” on their religious status.
Well, he took few moments and then asked me to provide him with the audios or literature of the one I was concerned the most. The point is that, as Mr. Amir has already suggested, before setting our minds to a mind-set, we need to do some research and come up with logical reasoning.
We should not get involved in unnecessary and useless discussions regarding any religion but the fact is that our society (around me and you all) is highly influenced and better say infected with that particular mind-set. We just can’t let it go like this.

Not the waste of time, money, talent, knowledge and wisdom but an investment is required in emergence.

————————————————————————————–

“IDIOTICALLY OPTIMISTIC”…..on May 7, 2009
As a matter of matrimonial fact, our nation has become highly infested with children….for being idiotically optimistic, I always take it positively…and why shouldn’t I? As I read somewhere, “every born child is a hope from God”. Then why think negative….since we are surrounded by millions of hopes, all we need to do is to have faith in God and in our commitments and a proper planning for our children’s meaningful up bringing.

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.
The point here is to keep children busy in constructive activites and to make the best use of their time.
All activities should be subjected towards…
- teaching them problem solving strategies so they can deal in different situations on their own.
- making them aware of their zoological and botanical surroundings (if any exists there).
- creating a friendly ‘caring and sharing’ environment (it will help to reduce fear factor in our society).
- inculcating in them the core of morality which is ‘Humanity’.

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.
Grandparents can play an important role in building up the foundation of lost values as they can share their childhood and youth time in story time session, take them to the park or keep an eye on them while playing outside. “Believe it or not, it helps a lot”—in improving children’s listening skills, in relating incidents to the characters and the environment they grew up in and off-course in bridging up the generation gap.
Then parents, if they don’t like to interact with their beloved offsprings, at least, they can dedicate a wall and fix a bulletin board up there. Children can stick or tag the things of their own choice; pictures, drawings, stickers, reminders, charts, notes, riddles, jokes, etc.

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.
They can turn their homes into a summer camp. Little competitions can be scheduled for physical movement; Limbo, jump rope drills, memory-clicker, scavenger hunt, hop-scotch (can be done by jumping off on marble squares on the floor) etc. Creating a Summer Workbook or Summer Diary could be one great idea to improve writing skills, handwriting and pictorial illustrations. And what could be more thoughtful for increasing love for humanity in children than to plan”once-in-a-while” visit to some Edhi homes or any other charities. Anyone can help children in making colourful cards with love notes for the place they are visiting OR taking chocolates or cookies.

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
Talking about nothing new, same old stuff….for those who hate to read about me, just stick to the headings and ignore the tutorial x-ray of mine. I’ve been checking out websites to help me evaluate my listening skills. So far I found exforsys.com and shkaminsk.com equipped with useful material. I took those points from www.shkaminsk.com/Classes/Handouts/Listening.htm…

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:
I never do this. Hence proved me patient. We should not interrupt children while they are talking to us. Let them say it all and then respond.

2. Not Looking at the speaker:
I’m very good at it and that proves me I’m shy. I love me for that. But for children, I make an exception.

3. Rushing the speaker:
Yeah, usually use my hands to speed up the flow but only when someone is very slow.

4. Showing interest in something other than the conversation:
Only if its Indian movies and songs being the point of conversation because I ’see no evil’, ‘hear no evil’. Rest is okay.

5. Getting ahead of speaker and finishing his/her thoughts:
Barely done….I’m not good at reading people’s mind…besides why hurry?

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:
We are all sick and tired of this. ‘But’…I’ll be careful next time.

8. Topping the speaker’s story with, “That’s remind me…” or “O that’s nothing, let me tell you about…”
O, I didn’t know that’s irritating so I apologize to everyone for responding in such a way whether in verbal or in comments.

9. Forgetting what was talked about previously:
I do have a short memory and it flickers a lot when I talk to someone and I don’t even know how to overcome it.

10. Asking too many questions about details:
Nop, I’m not a curious type. I’m always satisfied with the details provided by the speaker.

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
Schools are about to close. Parents are worried about how to spend their summer time happily with their ‘own’ kids—for they have never been a perfect match for each other in Pakistan. Mothers are already in search of places where they can dump their children for few hours.

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
I had goosebumps when I first got this information about 12 or 13 years ago—the time period was given 2010. I don’t know what’s gonna happen to us all. I wish if God could reverese the situation—He wakes up the nation and send the leaders and politicians to a deep sleep.

What gives me hope?
“When the big fire was lit for Prophet Ibraheem (AS), the angels witnessed a little bird carrying water in its beak and sprinkling it over the fire. The angles asked the reason for making all this effort, the bird replied, “I know that these few drops of water cannot extinguish this huge fire. But I’m doing this so on the Day of Judgement, my name won’t be written among the one who burnt the fire.”

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,
“Islam ki fitrat main qudrat nay lachak di hay”
Jitna kay daba dain gay, itna hi ye ubhray ga

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.
We are not doomed yet because God Almighty is looking upon us to wake up and save the humanity. It is up to us now…. how do we respond to God. Beenish’s grandfather has already predicted an extension of four more years in their planning which is a glad tiding.

—————————————————————————————-

“A FRIEND AND A CARETAKER”………………on April 23, 2009
This is only my interpretation of word “Maulana” and it has nothing to do with the typical religious personalities of any sect and to disrespect their honour and dignity.

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”.
So Maulana means “a friend and a caretaker”.
We used this word to show our deep love and respect towards our beloved Prophet (SAWW) and other sacred personalities of Islam. They really deserved this title.
Please correct me if I’m wrong.

With all the due respect to Mr. Respectables…
We have a big number of people who add this title to their names and they are considered honourable by their followers. I’m sorry but I don’t call their names using this term ‘Maulana’ because I think that it doesn’t go with what they are doing. I feel like it’s a misplacement of this term and I’m not using it for the right person, instead I call them Mr.

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:
Maulana Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
Maulana Allama Iqbal
Maulana Khan Liaquat Ali Khan
Maulana Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Maulana Dr. A.Q.Khan
Maulana Syed Mustafa Kamal
Maulana Abrarul Haq
Maulana Abdul Sattar Edhi and Maulana Sarim Barni
Maulana Faisal Qureshi and Maulana Mubahir Lucman
and every person who is truely showing up a friendly and caring attitude to the nation.

————————————————————————————————

“TITLE NOT AVAILABLE?”……on April 16, 2009
Okay, again Lal Masjid and again Mr. Musharraf…
One is considered a MOMIN and the other a KAFIR…
I wish it wouldn’t have happened at all. I remember that when all political figures were gathered in London to “celebrate” APC and Mr. Fazlur Rehman was at the airport to fly there, he was asked by a reporter that why doesn’t he play a role to solve this problem. His answer was, “it’s all a drama between Lal Masjid people and the Govt”—well said.
If it was a drama then the Red Mosque administration should equally be held responsible and accountable for the massacre as Mr. Musharraf. If he had surrendered to their threats and handed them over the govt to establish an Islamic state, who should we have supported then? And if we are really so much concerned about Islam, honour of the Mosque and the innocent students then where were we all at that time? Why didn’t those great leaders who are continuously blaming Mr. Musharraf for this barbarism and the people dare to march to Islamabad and stood in front of Lal Masjid to warn the Army that “you’re gonna do it over our dead bodies”? Why did we all miss that chance for the most honourable death called “MARTYRDOM”???????????

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
In the midst of the scarcity of “National Songs”, I dared to render my humble services to scrape something out of the rhytm of my heart. The following revelation fell upon me last night as I was “thinking” what happened to all the poets and singers of our country. Have they all run away or playing chicken, “cock-a-doodle doooo”. I wish I could sing too but whenever I try, it sounds like “Happy Feet”.
I dedicate this _______ and ________ piece of my poetry to “One Pakistan One Nation” site.

main hoon piyara Pakistani
tu hay piyara Pakistani
Islami hon, ghair Islami
sub hain sachay Pakistani
aik hay parcham aik hay bani
rah bhi hay jani pehchani……
isee liye to hum nay thani
mulk ki nao paar lagani….
piyar kay darya kay ye pani
is say sab ki piyas bhujani
ye dunya hay ani jani…….
is kay peechay dor lagani?
kaam bohat hay karna baqi
mulk main tabdeeli hay lani
aurtain ghar main hon ya bahar
unko izzat hay dilwani…………..
inki chadar jo bhi khenchay
usko bhaijo “kala pani”……..
baitay taqat ki hain nishani?
badlo khud ko amaan/nani…
inkay sakht dilon ko cheero
do fitrat inko Rahmani……..
dehshatgardi karnay walon
ko hay nani yaad dilani……

maulvi sahab, arz hay karni
chorain fitrat ye molani……
niklain bahir, dekhain dunya
kitni piyari zindagani!!!!!!!!!!!
insanon ko parkhain janain
dekhain darya ki jolani…….
Deen ki batain gar phelani??
samjhain fitrat kiya insaani
dil main, ghar main aag lagi hay
zehan main sehara si weerani…
jitnay bhi hon aap Islami
phir bhi hain to Pakistani
chalye saath hamara dejiye
ab kiya kamzori dikhlani….

————————————————————————————————————

“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
12th of APRIL…..
I appreciate this idea of ZONG to give people a chance to say everything so please avail this opportunity and let out your true feelings to the one you love and care about.
Be careful because “Love without care is a ditch, don’t fall into it, Love without care is a set up that gets you up set, Love without care is a dead end”. So don’t pacify but specify that you really do care about the other person.

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.
Then happy birthday and happy anniversary to all those who were born or got married today.
A Get Well Soon to my 10 year old nephew Abdullah Khan who just got home from the hospital after having an appendix.

Best Regards to everyone.

————————————————————————————————

“MY RASULALLAH, MY DEEN”…………..on April 4, 2009
All the Muslims around the world and even non-Muslims know very-well about what Rasullah (SAW) said but how many of us follow his teachings. We are all excellent at saying “What Talibans are doing is absolutely unIslamic and they are not Muslims”—Perhaps because it’s always easy to blame someone and it has become a popular fashion. Now look at ourselves, what are we doing? is that Islamic and can we call ourselves true Muslims?
Rasulallah said, “Say Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem at the begining of work.”
Rasulallah said, “Be respectful to elders and and be kind to the children”.
Rasulallah said, “Have mercy on animals”.
Rasulallah said, “Say salaam before you talk and to everyone you see”
Rasulallah said, “He is not a believer whose neighbours are not saved from the evil of his hand and tongue.”
Rasulallah said, “He is not a believer who likes not for his brother what he likes for himself.”
Rasulallah said, “A believer does not lie to his brother, he doesn’t deciet him, he doesn’t create hurdles for him and doesn’t effect his affairs”.
Rasulallah said, “The one who wants an increase in his provisions and life span must treat his blood relations nicely and fairly.”
Rasulallah said, “There is no space for him in Paradise who cuts off from his blood relations”.
Rasulallah said, “Be proficient in your actions”.

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’m really shocked to see this video, not because of what Talibans did to that girl, but to see those men standing around, it looks like a source of enjoyment for them. Those mute spectators are no doubt insensitive, cowards, heartless and…………..somehow I feel like they are representing the silent majority of Pakistan— our majority who is considered to be non-Talibans. Girls and women in cities are raped, tortured, beaten up brutally, slaughtered and burned alive. I don’t remember a single case when justice was served to them.

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″
For all those who are disappointed, despaired and discouraged but do care about Pakistan— whatever happening to us is because we have lost the spirit, the grace and the ownership that we inherited from the genuines of the Pakistan movement. Let’s not talk negative—Let’s ignore the ignorants—just think about how can we get it back. Tomorrow is another 23rd March—another wake up call—another chance to show our integrity to the world. Let’s have a fresh start by condemning everyone and everything that seems or sounds anti-Pakistan (I appreciate and respect Nadia’s courage for interpreting on many’s behalf). The real spirit of PR was not just a public relation or better say people to people contact for a cause but it served as a platform for individuals to get united and become one nation—and when nation demands something, it is served for sure. As an individual, I, like many others have gone through a long way of embarrasement for having strong PPP — Pro Pakistan Passion. I think that time has changed now in our favour. Lets’ take advantage of this time and this site.

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.
The history of Pakistan is not sixty, seventy or hundred years old as it says in many books. Pakistan came into existance over 1400 years ago, the moment Prophet Muhammad (SAW) uttered the words, “I feel a fresh breeze coming from a part of Hindustan”. About fifteen years ago, I heard this hadith and the very moment I knew it that it is Pakistan that he (SAW) was talking about–it was just waiting for the right moment and the right people to make it happen. I feel very proud of myself being born in a land which was prophecised by my beloved Prophet (SAW). My homeland is sacred too, just like Makkah or Medinah or Palestine—and my reasons are very obvious.
The name ‘Islam’ and ‘Pakistan’, both don’t show a link to any particular person, place or era. The word “Islam” (with root letters seen, laam and meem) simply means “Peace” and the word “Pakistan” means “a Pure Land”. Both, Islam and Pakistan, are based on same ideology i.e. Peace and Justice for all, equality and brotherhood, etc.
Geographically, Pakistan was an acheivement of a tremendous teamwork. Spiritually, the verdict was revealed on the holy night of Ramadan–just like Quran.
Pakistan was declared the first Islamic Republic state in 1956. Later three more Muslim countries adopted the title. Our constitution of 1973 is the only official document that ensures the system to be run according to Islamic Shariyah as it holds the Supremacy of Allah (SWT) as the Supreme Lord. Pakistan’s becoming world’s only Islamic nuclear power was another miracle. Then there is a long list of heroes who devoted their lives for country’s progress and well-being. Annnnnd Pakistan’s existance and progression after all these conspiracies is a miracle too.

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
In reference to Sana’s article, “Say if hurts!”

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
We are acknowledged by the world as number one donors. Are we really that wealthy and generous?
I was surfing through different charity sites and noticed that their progress was highlighted by the increase in numbers. Statistically sounds progressive though, but should we, as a society, be satisfied with it?
It means that every year, more people are depending upon charities for food and shelter, more patients are visiting hospitals, more children are out of school, more cases are piled up in the courts….etc. It’s a red alert for us all.
When asking the victims, each, more or less, tells the same story pointing out at the intolerance, extremism, carelesslessness and negligence by their loved ones.
“It was my son and daughter-in-law…”, “I made all the sacrifices but my husband….”, “I worked hard for my family but my wife and children kicked me out…”, “I was brutally beaten up by my father so I left home…”, “I was betrayed by my love…”. Mother imprisoned by sons, sons slaughtered by father, four-year old raped by brother-in-law, parents killed by son and so on.
If this inequability in our attitude and our dealings keeps on rising, I wonder where will we be standing in the near future.
I don’t remember if anyone in my entire family has ever been to the court. We aren’t perfect, we do have issues but someone often volunteers to settle down the disputes or we just shut up ourselves to let time decide it to be correct or not. Taking family matters to the court is worthless. It’s a waste of time and money.
I know one of my far relatives who have twelve children, eight girls and four boys, for they believed more in maulvis and their elders than my parents. Despite of their bad financial plight, my parents have always been helpful to them and later on they even bought them a small house. Just to keep them away from charity organizations, we all still help them. I saw an old man about 70, begging the drivers to drop him to the adult-home behind matric board office. I offered him a ride. On the way he told me that he belongs to a well-off educated family. A year ago, his children left him there and ever since they only visited him once.
A couple of months ago, I was standing at a shop waiting to be served. Meanwhile, a 60 or 70 year-old begger woman popped-up from behind me and spreaded her change on the counter for the big notes. The shopkeeper did so and gave her four red-notes. It was about 12 at noon. He told me that this lady makes about Rs.1000/day and in Ramadan it jumps upto 1500 or more. An old lady in rags with no education at all is earning Rs.25000/month or more while our graduates and masters get their head-start at Rs.10000/ or less. Beggers like her don’t shop for clothes and shoes and for food they turn thier faces to the charities who offer free food— then what does she do with that money? Are we helping poors this way or strenghtening mafia?
I personally believe that charities need a break now—-they’re over-burdened. A charity-based society can’t survive long. No matter how cameo it is, I would have to play my role in this regard. If each one of us realizes that my loved ones and poor relatives are my responsibility, be a little tolerant and generous to them, provide them with healthy environment…..

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
Respected Allama, As-Salam-u-Alaikum,
I am one of your secret admirers writing from Pakistan, the land of which you dreamt once.
As you said, “ankh jo kuch dekhti hay lab pay asakta nahi, mehw-e-hairat hoon kay dunya kiya say kiya ho jaye gi”—I think you already envisaged the advanced technology of today, through which the team o f ANKAHI made possible for me to communicate with you. It was really you who persuaded the then Muslims to think that they can achieve anything they want.

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.
Well, Sir, you have done your job well and you must be enjoying the eternal peace.
As for me, I am ignored and dishonoured in the world because I did the same to you.
Have a good time in Eden

——————————————————————————————————

“STREET PROTESTS” ………………on March 5, 2009
What Isreal and Americal are doing to the Palestinians is certainly and absolutely inhuman. all Muslims have a right to protest against it by all means but it should be in a civilized manner. Isreal is doing nothing new. we should not expect any goodness from the people who have rejected the guidance from their Lord and killed the propehts. The one who do not honour the prophets, why would they treat the followers nicely or even feel pity for the. The point is that they are doing what exactly is foretold in Quran and Sunnah about them. But me, as a Muslim, what am I doing? Not a single match between my actions and my lovely Prophet’s (SAW) advice and suggestions.

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
This is not an effort to over throw any one’s belief or ideology neither does it mean to hurt any one’s feelings. According to this hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), “every Muslim is like a mirror to the other one”, we Pakistanis are the reflection of one another. It’s not the whole thing but few of our attitudes that we need to change for our betterment. I usually don’t talk about others but share my personal experiences because I believe that correcting myself is my first obligation and for that I have a right to research and experience life on my own about everything. Iqbal said, “apnay man main doob kar pa ja suragh-e-zindagi”—–life is not a chemical formula or a kitchen recipe that brings out the same result by following up the amount of ingredients and a certain procedure. It’s different for each and every soul.

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
Another 23rd March is almost here and I am not sure if the political instability which seems to be in high progress would allow the nation to celebrate the 69th anniversary of Pakistan Resolution Day. But there is one thing that I’m certainly going to do–take few moments to mourn over my lost treasure.
My Precious Books—my lost treasure—It was my life, it was the reflection of my childhood, my little world of fantasy, I lived in it, I grew up in it, it involved my heart taking efforts of finding each book. I inherited the reading habit from my mom but this collection-mania, I was born with it. Ammi never appreciated it because she wanted me to pay attention to my academics. She was right because mothers are always right but me, I hated to go to school—yelling, shouting, aggression, threats, anger—I think all of my teachers were haunted. I never believed in borrowing books, they had to be mine if I like them. My books were off course all juvenile, most were in Urdu and were in good custody until I had them; Journeys of Ibn Batuta, Expenditures of Sindbad, Robinson Crusoe, Robin Hood, Tipu Sultan, Tariq bin Ziyad and other Muslim heroes, story of Inam and Ikram, stories of genies and fairies and fairy tales and witches and ghosts and haunted places, mysteries and murders and many more, and last but not least, over 400 novels of Ishtiaque Ahmed. I respected all those characters and just like Peter in the movie “Page Master”, I accompanied them all in their adventures. I always thought that if given a chance, I would become either Ibn-e-Batuta or Robinson Crusoe. I made a little book myself, it had the pictures of the martyrs who recieved Nishan-e-Haider. The last addition to this collection was Arabian Nights.

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
I agreed with Mr. Pervez Musharraf when he said that the real danger that we’re facing isn’t external but internal. It’s extremism and terrorism and we need a collective effort to defy it. I just wanna add one thing that we must start from our homes. We must grant each other with the due freedom of choice and must stop playing “Taliban” to each other. Because it’s not fair at all.
I haven’t met any Taliban in person and I don’t want to and further more I don’t need to be frightened of them because I’m still out of thier reach. What I’m terrorised of is the extremism which has prevailed our homes for decades. If anyone doesn’t believe me just take a look around. See, each individual is seem to be frightened of ….. what? ….of his/her parents, offspring, siblings, relatives, friends, teachers, tutors, doctors, lawyers, politicians, police, employer, colleagues, neighbours, family rites and rituals, triditions etc. “…told ya…EXTREMISM and TERROR is found everywhere.”

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
In reference to Dr. Afia’s case which, since last year, has provoked us to protest against Americans and has enraged us to burn their flag.
I often question myself that why are we Pakistanis so frantic in responding towards the events and incidents taking place around the world? We’ve been into existance for more than six decades and since then we have been facing thousands of problems which now can be reckoned to millions. We become extremely apathetic when it comes to do something for ourselves. A vast majority of us is waiting for either a miracle to happen or a divine being to descend from the heaven with a magic wand in his hand. Well, neither of this seems to be happened to us. But I wonder that out of this extreme carelessness and unwillingness towards ourselves, how do we succeed in gathering up all the energy and time to demonstrate our concerns about the things occurring somewhere else.
I don’t know how to express this positively but I just don’t feel good about it.
Not to exaggerate but as soon as we breathe into the air an inch away from Pakistani boundries, we start boasting our lucks and think of us high like the Everest or K-2. Whatever the reason we leave our homeland for, we just tell the story distorted putting all the blames on the system or the people left behind. We indulge into the world of our desires and try the best of the best for our dreams to come true.
Having no intention of hurting anyone’s feeling and with great sympathy towards Dr. Afia, I would like to para-phrase her case by typing this true story of someone I know since 1985.
He was a friendly, jolly, generous and successful man with running many businesses and a mosque in NY, well-known in Pak-Indian community for his generosity, happily married with one daughter and two sons, owning a house in Long Island and the most important holding the “Blue Passport”. He truely looked at himself as the luckiest man in the world. He left Pakistan in early 70s and visited just once in 10 years and that was to get married. Nor his children were introduced to the Pakistani culture neither they ever witnessed any adherence towards the land by their parents. I never heard that whole group of his friends talking good about Pakistan. They all proudly called themselves “American Citizens”.
Thursday, July 11, 2002… This is the part he told me when I visited his office to say him good-bye. Just a couple of weeks ago, FBI seized his bank accounts and arrested him for aiding the terrorist organizations while that wasn’t the case in real. He was taken to the nearby precinct. To prove his loyalty and innocence, he presented his Blue Passport to the officer. According to him, the police officer didn’t even look at it. He threw it away like a junk and locked him up. Soon he was released on bail for that was a false conviction he was apprehended for. His Blue Passport was seized and his rights to run the business as well. I could feel the pain and distress in his words and voice, it was just like that he was belittled in his own eyes. As I was tellling him that tomorrow I’m going back home to settle down there…. and just then he uttered the most surprising words, “O, ye, I’m also thinking about buying some property in Pakistan ’cause who knows when would I be……”. I really don’t remember what else did he say. But I just felt proud of myself, like I was the wisest person on the face of the earth.
In Sep 2004, after almost 22 years, he visited Karachi for 15 days and gave me a call to let me know that things are little better now. He was running the business on his daughter’s name. I didn’t find myself bold enough to ask him, “how do you feel about seeking a refuge in a land that once you were ashamed of?”

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.
Look… all I wanna say is that we Pakistanis must understand that whoever dares to leave the soil, either in search of better future or to refrain from the frustrations, is smart enough to take care of himself/herself. The political, judicial and economic systems there are much better to assist anyone who seeks justice. So it’s time for us to not to worry about others. It’s time for us to focus on how to correct our own system and how to rectify our attitudes and behaviour.
Man…..Pakistan is a great country and Pakitanis are great people. Together we can do a lot to prove it right.

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.

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
Blessed be the sacred land
کشور حسین شاد باد
Happy be the bounteous realm
تو نشان عزم عالیشان
Symbol of high resolve
!ارض پاکستان
Land of Pakistan!
مرکز یقین شاد باد
Blessed be thou, citadel of faith

پاک سرزمین کا نظام
The order of this sacred land
قوت اخوت عوام
Is the might of the brotherhood of the people
قوم ، ملک ، سلطنت
May the nation, the country, and the state
!پائندہ تابندہ باد
Shine in glory everlasting!
شاد باد منزل مراد
Blessed be the goal of our ambition

پرچم ستارہ و ہلال
This flag of the crescent and star
رہبر ترقی و کمال
Leads the way to progress and perfection
ترجمان ماضی ، شان حال
Interpreter of our past, glory of our present
!جان استقبال
Knowledge of the future!
سایۂ خدائے ذوالجلال
Symbol of the Almighty’s protection

Written by Abul-Asr Hafeez Jalandhri

Personal Security (Life):
(1) Not to be killed.

(2) Not to be injured or abused.

Personal Liberty:
(3) To move freely.

(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:
(12) To acquire, have and use the means necessary to exercise the above natural rights and pursue happiness, specifically including:

(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:
(1) To enter into contracts, and thereby acquire contractual rights, to secure the means to exercise the above natural rights.

(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:
(1) To enjoy equally the rights and privileges of citizenship as established by law.

(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.
 
Let me remind you that these are civil or human rights in America.  Now further are those rights that I found in the book Teens Legal Rights.  But the info was incomplete on the net.  I summarized it into ponts.
1) An eighteen year old has the right to obtain his/hers driver’s license.

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.

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.

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
Minar-e-Pakistan
The National Anthem
National Flag
The State Emblem
The Pakistan Military

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.

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.

“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.