Connections

A noble sentiment but misplaced, Bina. International disasters call for compassion from every side, but what our bureaucracies like to call `ground realities` are almost writ in stone.

Bina Shah -

I started reading thru your stories today, one by one - have to admit was doing this to kill time - but ended up being simply enthralled by them. This brings me to your story Fishhooks. THe interacts are intriguing to say the least not to mention th etitle. For the benefit of some of us who have come late into the game - would you pls consider submitting it again or if not pls let me know where I can get it. And thankyou for a most wonderful afternoon.

aicha

i agree.

I think a more balanced perspective is to admit that there is a divide between Indians and Pakistanis,- we have religon, politics, ideology, etc etc... But Humanity transcends those differences, - and maturity lets us look beyond those differences to things that bind us togeteher. And part of that New perspective, is to admit ground realities, and to try to resolve issues that confront us as a people.

Instead what we see on the chowk is antagonistic rhetoric ( with juvenile antics), from Pakistani`s trying justify their existence on the Indian bogey and the Indians ( adding fuel to the fire) conspicuously trying to Indianize the Pakistanis...


I think tragedies remind us of the innate fragility of life, and the sheer stupidity of
ideologies that cause that loss of life.

For anyone who wants answers to questions regarding inherent differences in ideology between India and Pakistan should read Amitav Ghosh`s ``Shadowlines.`` It gives a glimpse at how absurd the divide actually is. Enough said. Great article Bina.

Best

Sheheryar

Very well expressed and well meaning sentiments.

As `Solitude` writes `Religion is the main cause of our differences` and I may add `mixing religion with politics is the main cause of most of our problems`.

``We are not all that different. Fear is the same color on all our faces. Love is the same emotion in all our hearts. Our tears bleed the same salt. We have connections that go deeper than boundaries, futher than politics, longer than history.

Your pain is our pain, for have we not always been Siamese twins cut in two by the heaving separation of land? ``

Beautiful Lines! Very moving.

Thanks

Fozia Zaidi

Bina :-)

That was a moving article and very heartfelt. Most of the people aren`t probably going to believe me when i write this but i was very saddened to see the wretched condition of the indian people after the earthquake and felt very moved. My heart went out to them. There was an image of a grown man crying [i think he must have lost his family]--and i was so moved tears came to my eyes. This is a time to help our brothers [used generically here] in hindustan--despite our differences with them--as it is a human obligation and also an islamic obligation to help

the poor and the destitute and the needy and those in situations such as these. i am so glad pakistan send aid. alhamdulillah. I want an islamic state governed by shar`iah in pakistan becoz i honestly believe that such a state will be the solutiuon to all our problems [not a talibanized islam but Traditional Islam]but that does not mean not helping others. indeed, islam *is * the religion of helping others. and at this time our indian brothers, whoever they be, need our help.

My Sufi Grandshaykh said [rahmatullah alayhi]: The greatest ibadat is khidmat-e-khalq [serving humanity].

May Allah give us the tawfeeq to act on that. ameen. And may He alleviate the misery of our brothers and sisters in Gujarat. ameen bi jaahi sayyid al aalameen.

* * * * * *

ps shocked readers prob. think this contradicts my post about the blasphemy law but wallahi it does not. that is upholding the honour of Allah`s Habib sal allahu alayhi wa sallam and this is helping other humans. That is Islam and this is Islam. Insha Allah.

* * * * * *

``Your pain is our pain, for have we not always been Siamese twins cut in two by the heaving separation of land? ``

Get it straight - it was not the ``heaving separation of land`` but religion that is the root of all our ``differences``.

Your attempts at empathizing however are appreciated.

urstruly:#10

Very well said.

Let these poor folk bask in the ``enlightenment`` of the eclipsed sun.

Where else can they use english as a language to continue to do their ``home-work``.This is what was taught by their massas and this is what they are parroting.

The young generation of muslims in Europe & America was not fed the stuff which is still causing colic to these aged(but never grown-up) Convent-iers or Saint-eers.

They have never produced ANYONE who has been an achiever in ANY field.

Keep gnawing at their stumps.

__________________________________________________

wassalaam

Dear Writer,

Thanks for the impressive contribution on the terrible quake incidence.Loss of human lives is for sure the big one.We need to help the poor lot in any way,any where.Yeah,its the time to share the ill fate of the neighbours.But

I cannot understand the words like ``Connections deeper than history `` and `` Siamese twins cut in two by the heaving separation of land``.Yes the two nation theory is a truth shinning like the sun.We need cordial relations with neighbours but never at the cost of our basic idealolgy.If u don`t believe ,its another case then.

Take care

J

Very true. ``Our tears bleed the same salt``---well said.

Urstruly (reply #6)

says: ``I object to the first line of this article.

Author should have refrained from pushing controversial and sensitive agenda at this time.

``

Objection noted. Overruled :)

You are naturally funny. Congratulations.

Peace.

Just writing to endorse the sentiments expressed by Bina. On hearing the news, I called my familiy in Bombay and Karachi to find out how they were coping. For many of us, who have relations on both sides of the divide, the absurdity of the national security ideologies that are dominant in both India and Pakistan, has always been self-evident.

Take care,

tariq

REPORT CARD: HINDUSTANI PERFORMANCE IN KASHMIR IN YEAR 2000

Following is the report card representing the performance of Hindu-stani Government in Kashmir for the year 2000. I take this moment to make an appeal to all the good people with good conscience in the world to voice against this genocide of Kashmiri people. I would also request all decent Hindus to act and stop the rabid actions of their government. It is just a matter of time when all of those who committed atrocities will be dragged in front of International Court of Justice. But before that they will have to answer to the Kashmiri people. Now that when practically each and every household has suffered at the hands of rabid Hindus, it is time that all of those with live conscience should wake up. The time to act is now:

Report Card for year 2000:

Kashmiris who gave their lives for their motherland
3401 (ave. 283/mo)

Deaths/Shahadats in Army/Police Custody
363 (30/mo)

Wounded
3844 (320/mo)

Arrested
3058 (254/mo)

Rapes by Hindu Army and police
281 (23/ mo)

Property Damaged (number)
1604 (133/mo)

A month by month breakdown is available at following site:

http://www.jang-group.com/jang/index.html

I would request all people with live conscience who value human life, to forward this link and the figures to your human rights organization.

Thank you.

Fairdinkum

Such statements have political connotations which may irk the hell out of people. That is the last thing we want at this time.

For the past three to four years Indian media and some Paki ``intellectuals`` have been sending this subtle but stealth message on people being ``one``. Whereas Indian media represents aadha titar aadha batair type characters who are confused about their identity to represent this oneness-Paki intellectuals do their ``wardaat`` under the guise of humanism.

It is unacceptable until and unless geographical disputes are settled first. Besides what the hell is common between us any way other than being human and that aint enough.