The Meaning of Pakistan

sigalph235:

Thank you so much for your wishes on Pakistan day... Indeed we should focus on the essential items in both India and Pakistan and stand for what is right. :)

Mr. Ahmed,

Assalamlaikum.

``Your citizenship should not be anybody’s concern. I, however, wonder if you are proud of your Pakistani citizenship. Are our citizenship rights well protected in Pakistan? If no, why not and what could we do about it? And finally, is Pakistan an Islamic Republic in name only? Is this just a slogan?``

1)My citizenship should be another`s concern because Nationalism is a practicality that overrides the human need to be one nationality, for all practical reasons...

2) Mr. Ahmed pride is not what I would bring it down to, however I am definitely very motivated to act like a Pakistani, have thoughts that are predominantly about Pakistan`s betterment or about its history and to study how it has used its experience to get where it is today, and where necessary provide due effort to rectify the problems. Pakistan has been my reasons to choose life over existence in many instances. not all of it is backed by reason.

Pakistani citizenship.... let me explain another aspect of my life that will perhaps make you understand who I am and why...My father passed away when I was young...he helped found the Islamic University In Uganda...Was the Registrar there...I spent most of my life under the shadow of my Maternal relatives...They are Indians...From Kokan, near Goa... so you see, I have been mocked for being a Pakistani all my life...My attempt to disengage myself from Indian influence really irritated them and their irritation naturally built an inquisitive corner about Pakistan for me. I hung on to my Pakistaniness like crazy, I made havoc when a Mamu insisted for all ``security`` purposes I should have my passport converted to a Kenyan one...And I mean real havoc... You can know how much you care about a cause by the amount you are willing to give up for it...and trust me , from day 1 I was ready to abandon all I had for Pakistan...latter my knowledge of it only reinforced my decision.

3) My citizenship rights are protected in Pakistan. I get people to stand for me when I walk in a government office, I get to go first in a long line...I was not in a high class status, but nothing got in my way for me to get my presence felt the two years I was in Karachi...I have never felt more appreciated, and more belonging in any place on earth, and I haven`t even moved beyond Karachi...The main thing I was left with is that if a person in Pakistan wants to make it he/she can...none will go hungry, and that no matter what you will survive if you are willing... and you will survive well...

4) The scale of human rights violations in Pakistan are polar though they are not extreme. We find the most sincere people, and the most corrupt, the best women lawyers and the most incompetent ones, the most achieving youth and those who wait for their grandfather’s pension like Ghalib. All of them have their share of challenges no different form any other person in any other place of the world, every sole has a woeful tale.... Apart from The Kashmiris, people in that part of the world are very resilient...the police may tear down their fruit thella, and the moment they are around the corner, its up again...One may not experience their fair share of dues and recognition for their religion or beliefs, but they can if they fight like all other Pakistanis have to fight to make their presence felt...the point is, I believe Pakistanis have simply stopped crying and started to have that leadership role in changing their state. Generally. That is why we are more aware of the problems...pain means there is life and there is healing....apart form the fact that there is something wrong...

5) What we could do about it is first make ourselves capable enough to have a view of the entire situation, pick out what is the need of the time, list our strengths and weaknesses and attach our life to some cause... plan, build and move...

Ras Siddique is perhaps the best example of persistent peerless devolution to a cause... a person who can not let anyone alter his path to his mission...

And of course what better example of persistence do we need than YLH... and how he never gets tired of persuading...

6) Islamic republic? I don`t think there is much of a difference between some people`s concept of an Islamic republic and Hindutva Politics, both are wrong...however it would be an ideal situation for Pakistan to retain the name ``Islamic`` and still be a great example of what the Islam of progress and prosperity that I believe it is... in a truly secular sense...in which the state of mind of minorities is a matter of prime honor and not dishonor...

Yes its just a slogan...unfortunately...but I personally believe it was a voice to rationality back then, when Islam came, the only problem is that we as Muslims should remember that the magnitude of change that was achieved when Islam came is perhaps the greater magnitude of change needed now, because,

1. The rate of change has increased.

2. Terms and concepts have evolved into something different.

3. To communicate 7th Century concepts you have to be well versed with the situation today, in all aspects.

Wassalam..

Aisha Fayyazi Sarwari

RSridhar wrote:

``Eklavya, I agree with you that Islam has had a beneficial effect on the Hindu religion. It was like a fresh breath of air at a time when the Hindu religion had become too rigid and caste oriented.``

tantralogician says: There is no evidence that Islam has had a beneficial effect on ``Hindu religion`` (I put that in quotes because Hindu religion is not a monolith like Islam or Christianity, or even a religion in the Semitic sense). To combat the rigid brahmanical and caste-based practices there were movements aplenty WITHIN Hinduism. For instance, the Veerashaiva movement. None of this had any Islamic influence. Au contraire, at the time (c. 12th C) the invading Islamic sultans were among the most brutal and barbaric beings on the planet.

RSridhar writes:

``It really is such a simple faith that it is unfortunate it could not demolish the caste

structure that the High Priests had built.``

tantralogician says:

What rubbish. As if some body or group sat down one day and chalked up the ``caste structure.`` And why should caste be demolished? You need to think about this. Alongwith with its negative features there are several neutral or positive facets to it. You really should think about these issues before trotting out cliched sweet-nothings. Everytime someone utters ``caste`` and Hindus go on the defensive. There is no need to.

RSrishar:

``We can still learn the lessons of Simplicity from Islam which says there is one God, period.``

tantralogician says: Who is this ``we``? And why should everyone necessarily believe in one God? What is fundamentally `good` about the idea of one God? What is wrong one `complex` with the idea of multiple Gods?

tantralogician

Siagalph 235 #561

I think that resolution is also a part of Bangla history and probably Bangla people are living more to the ideals of Pakistan resolution.

My father used to speak very good bengali.

re ylh

``Inshallah! I believe that Musharraf`s Govt is taking strides not just steps towards the true ideal of Pakistan.``

I hope you`re right. I fear you`re not. It is some Pakistan Day, as Prof Bilal Ahmed relates, that is celebrated by locking up politicians under the Section 144 and Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance. And sometimes without any charge whatsover, in case of Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan. I`m afraid that a lot of Pakistani liberals, fed up with the chicanery of democratic demagogoues, have the same hopeful feeling towards Gen Musharraf as their parents did towards Gen Ayub Khan. The sad and yet irrefutable evidence is that the ills of democracy can only be curtailed by more, not less, democracy.

But nonetheless, I am an optimist. After all is said and done, maybe after we are all gone, Pakistan will surely live up to the creed of her noble Founder. So on this 51st Anniversary of Sher-e-Bangla`s Lahore Resolution, I join you in saying PAKISTAN ZINDABAD.

Re: Reply #: 509

``Sikhism...and it is similar to Hinduism in that Sikhs too believe in reincarnation and sansara...but quite unnecessary in my opinion and slightly contradictory with the belief in God...if there is God, then shouldn`t He decide how we should be reborn?...but when we believe in karma, it is our actions that decide how we should be reborn and not God...as for me, I don`t give two hoots about reincarnation or karma...I just do my dharma and put my faith in God and I see to it that my actions receive the desired results, with God`s help hopefully...``.

Kabuliwalah,

Here we are entering a highly debatable subject, but i will give you my two cents on what i think about ``karma`` and ``reincarnation``. Karma has often been misunderstood as meaning ``fate``. On the other hand the very word is an ultimate affirmation of action and free will. It is the equivalent of biblical term ``as you sow, so you reap``. If God exists (and majority of people in this world believe in His existence)would He not set aside a set of rules to govern our conduct. This rule has nothing to do with morality. Like the Newton`s 3rd Law of motion it says ``for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction``. God has set this and other rules that are universal. I cannot blame gravity if i jump out of my 3rd floor apartment and break my leg. Karma forces us to take responsibilty for our own actions and not to blame God for misfortunes. Even bible talks about karma when it says ``Whoso sheddeth man`s blood, by man shall his blood be shed`` (Genesis 9:6).

Reincarnation is even more controversial and i will not get too much into that. Hindus and Buddhists believe in it. Interestingly, the early christian church accepted this doctrine which was expounded by priests like Clement of Alexandria(3rd century), St. Jerome (5th century). This doctrine was declared heresy in 553 A.D by the 2nd Council of Constantinople as it was thought by the powers that be then that`the doctrine of reincarnation afforded man a stage of time and space too ample to encourage him to strive for immediate salvation. (source:`Autobiography of Yogi`by Swami Yogananda). Many seers and sages have said that man reincarnates on earth until he has consciously regained his status as a son of God.

I do not believe that these beliefs have anything to do with hampering material progress. If at all,they let you take misfortunes on the stride and not be perturbed by them. Hindu scriptures never deny the free-will given to man by God. Wise use of karmic concept directs us to use this free will judiciously,knowing fully well that there is an unseen law that operates in this universe and takes into account everything that we do and returns our action to us in full measure.

When you say you just do your dharma and put your faith in God,you are following the age old principle enunciated by Lord Krishna in Geetha that tells us to do our job and not expect fruits thereof and at the same time not be inactive (``karmanyeva adhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana, ma karma phalaheturbhoo, ma te sangosthu avikarmani``). This is also in keeping with the karmic principle. You have no control over how God is going to judge you, so do you have any choice but to do your stuff and put your faith in Him.

Regards,

sridhar

ylh #530

In whatever manner I agree or disagree with BAhmed, he has a right to speak as a Pakistani as anyone else.

For you information, smell the coffee and read newspaper of Pakistan (as advised by Jinnah also).

If you are not reading newspapers these read the quote.

I forgot it was Nero or Yahya Khan who was playing flute on burning of Rome or Pakistan.

If optimism was any solution then Muslims would be ruling this world. Alas it is the reality which determines.

Situation is grim.

YLH,

Pl dont accuse others for my posts. I have lived long enough to know that what I am posting is a not the views of every pakistani at an individual level. I am talking about is at the collective level, at the level of constitution. I am of the opinion that individuals like you can make a difference if you, first of all know and accept the reality. May be you can accept with out a feeling of shame, just as a matter of fact, that securing pak passport entails making some statements about a religious sect. This is a collective pak decision, at the level of the govt. and approved by the highest sheria court. At an individual level you are not responsible for this. Having said that, you can make a difference, read about Abdus Salaam and post an article on chowk about him. May be with all your influence at rutgers, constitute an award for the higest GPA pakistani, Abdus Salam Award. If you truly believe in secular ideals, dont just waste it on the chowk attacking chimera and illusions. Jay is a fantom that manifests as posts that you dont like, it is a messenger of unpalatable truths, could leave a mark in the inner minds, as though hit by a 4x2. Learn to accept truth, damn the indians, damn the fantom, all of them. Just re-read your old post about your manifest destiny, I liked it. Dont squander a life.

regards and best wishes.

jay

Re: Reply #: 532

Eklavya,

I agree with you that Islam has had a beneficial effect on the Hindu religion. It was like a fresh breath of air at a time when the Hindu religion had become too rigid and caste oriented. It really is such a simple faith that it is unfortunate it could not demolish the caste structure that the High Priests had built. The threatening postures of the rulers of this faith at that time,IMO, resulted in Hinduism going into a hibernation,so to speak,refusing to see the message in Islam. I believe,the caste structure also became more rigid as a way of self preservation. Violators and converts were severely punished. Still the fact that Islam has stayed by side of Hindu religion for so many centuries has resulted in each influencing the other. We can still learn the lessons of Simplicity from Islam which says there is one God, period. To a group of brahmin boys who were memorising sanskrit grammer by rote,this is what Adi Sankara said: ``Bhja Govindam,moodhamate`` meaning ``Worship the Lord,you fools``. This was his way of saying: be simple. This is also i believe the message of Islam which we hindus can learn from.

Regards,

Sridhar

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PAKISTAN VERSUS THE LAST SUPERPOWER

The World and I

Khalid Duran

http://www.worldandi.com/education/2001/March/9.htm

Pakistan’s affairs often seem dwarfed by those of its neighbors, India and China. Yet smaller countries can have a large effect on world events. What is the political situation in Pakistan, and how can it influence the United States and other world powers? Author Khalid Duran explores this topic.

1. In a class discussion, analyze the title: ``Pakistan Versus the Last Superpower: A Former U.S. Ally Moves Toward Jihadism and Isolation.`` What does it suggest about the outlook and mind-set of Pakistan? What is Pakistan’s view of how the rest of the world sees it? Who is the ``last superpower,`` and why is it referred to in this way?

2. How does Pakistan’s geography contribute to its national policies?

3. What is the history and current status of Pakistan’s relationship with the United States? How have U.S. ties with India changed this relationship? Explain.

4. What role does Kashmir play in the affairs of Pakistan? Give two reasons why Pakistanis maintain that Kashmir should be a part of their country.

5. What role did the Pakistanis play in the war in Afghanistan? What is the Taliban? What relationship does it have to Pakistan? Why is Afghanistan considered strategically important to Pakistan?

6. Two political/religious movements have had a great effect on Pakistani politics.

a. What is Islamism? What is jihadism? What roles do they play nationally?

b. What is the main jihadist organization called? What class in Pakistan supports it? How does it maintain its importance in Pakistan? What groups in Canada and the United States are affiliated with it? What is its connection to terrorist organizations?

7. Duran compares conditions in Pakistan to those in North Korea.

a. What are the parallels between the two countries? What are the differences? Do you agree with Duran?

b. Which other country is most similar to Pakistan? Explain.

8. What kind of power does the military hold in Pakistan? Is it recent or ongoing? Has this power been good for the country? List three factors that influence the hard-line positions of Pakistan’s military leaders.

9. What are the prospects for change in Pakistan? Which Pakistanis oppose the present militarist and jihadist policies? Can General Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan’s present leader, lessen the influence of the jihadists? Is civil war possible in Pakistan? Explain. (Visit www.csis.org/saprog on the Web, and read ``Pakistan: Musharraf’s First Hundred Days,`` dated March 1, 2000.

CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS IN PAKISTAN

The following news clipping supports my concern for citizenship and human rights in Pakistan.

I am not an admirer of the Pakistani style of electoral politics (see my article on Democracy in Pakistan).

I also don`t support the Pakistani politicians, but I do support their right to freely (and responsibly) express their views and to protest.
We, therefore, need to change the laws which do not allow the right to peacefully protest. Section 144, for example, is a colonial law which nobody in power has ever tried to repeal in Pakistan (and in India as well, I think). Pakistani politicians, look what kind of democratic system you have created during the past 53 years. Tell us, what kind of reforms do you want to bring in and what kind of democracy do you want to establish? How, and when?

Should ``we, the people`` struggle against the violation of our citizenship and human rights (please see my article on Citizenship and Human Rights).

Comments welcome!

Sincerely, Bilal Ahmad


Dawn, March 24, 2001
AI criticizes arrest of ARD leaders

ISLAMABAD, March 23: As arrests of political activists in Lahore and neighbouring towns continued for a fourth day, Amnesty International said on Friday that human rights protection had taken a plunge.

``Many people had little to celebrate today (Pakistan Day) as they spend the day behind bars,`` the Amnesty said.

``People have been detained simply for exercising their right to express their political opinion. We regard them as prisoners of conscience, and urge the government of Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf to immediately and unconditionally release them.``

Referring to the CE`s message on the Pakistan Day, the AI said his words ``mean little when basic rights to freedom of expression and assembly are being denied.``

``We urge the government of Pakistan once again to repeal the restrictions on fundamental rights guaranteed under the constitution of Pakistan and to ensure that no one is held on such grounds,`` it said.-NNI

By far one of the best Histories and accounts of the Pakistan 1947-1996.. very neutral very liberal.

http://pakistanspace.tripod.com/1947.htm

Yasser Hamdani

gentlemen

thanks for the in-depth analysis of the theology and history of Sikhism. But lets do the courteous thing and get back to Aisha Sarwari`s very well written article.

http://www.dallasnews.com/religion/319499_sikh_24rel.ART.html

The tension is familiar to anyone who has hosted a christening, wedding or bris in their home – or any other event with social and religious significance. Now imagine maintaining that intense focus on hospitality and religious observance for 48 straight hours.

Participants in the Sikh ceremony called the Akhand Path can drop in at any time day or night. There`s a religious requirement that the kitchen always be open. And, like homebound rituals more familiar to most Americans, this, too, ends with a party.

An Akhand Path is a continuous reading of the 1,430 pages of the Sikh sacred book, the Sri Guru Granth. The ceremony, born in India two centuries ago as a reaction to persecution, has become a mark of the faith`s identity in 21st-century America.

The ceremony can be done for many reasons – a birthday or anniversary, the death of a loved one, a child starting college. Recently, the Suri family celebrated and consecrated a spectacular new home in Plano.

``I am married 17 years, and this is the first time I am doing it,`` said Haninder Suri, known as Ani to her friends. ``I promised myself that I would do this when I had something big.``

Shortly after 8 a.m. on a recent Thursday, the Suris and a few friends prepared for the prayers that begin the reading.

``Anything good in the religion starts in the morning,`` Mrs. Suri said.

A faint aroma of hot cereal filled the small room as the turbaned Sikh priest began to chant. Gurdial Singh Paras of the Sikh Temple of North Texas sang the prayers that start an Akhand Path.(It is pronounced with the accent on the ``kh.`` The vowels all rhyme with the ``A`` in ``Ali,`` and the ``th`` sounds like the English ``t.``)

Akhand Path means ``unbroken reading.`` Over two days, a series of men and women read the sacred text, which they revere as a living spiritual leader. Like relay runners passing the baton, each new reader recites a few lines in unison with the previous reader before continuing alone for an hour or more.

After the initial prayers, a priest blessed the silver bowl of parshad, a cooked, sweetened mix of wheat flour and butter the color of pale brown sugar, and handed a morsel to everyone in the room. Sikhism`s first leaders created the parshad more than four centuries ago as a humble ritual food to be eaten by all, to make the point that all are equal in God`s eyes.

An Akhand Path happens in North Texas about twice a month. Sometimes in the Sikh temples, called gurdwaras, sometimes in private homes, Sikhs observe this ritual even as other more visible emblems of their faith fade.

Although Sikh custom calls for men to have long beards and wear turbans over uncut hair, the readers and worshipers who visited the Suris over two days ranged from fully, visibly observant to closely shorn and smooth shaven.

Like members of other faiths, Sikhs in America are struggling to identify which rituals and customs are essential, said Dr. Gurinder Singh Mann, a professor of Sikh studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Cut hair or leave it long? Read the Sri Guru Granth during worship only in its original language or allow use of English translations?

``This is the first time Sikhs have had to address these issues,`` Dr. Mann said. ``Their decisions will decide the shape of the future of the community.``

Next month, he is hosting a conference that will examine the way Sikhs who have left India have adjusted their faith to their new homes. The Akhand Path has become a significant way for Sikhs to assert their unique faith and culture, he said.

``It`s a show of commitment of the community to its members,`` said Aman Singh, a 25-year-old electrical engineer who celebrated with the Suris.

Some experts estimate that there are more than 16 million Sikhs in the world and about 250,000 in the United States, although no formal count has ever been taken. Local leaders say there are about 500 Sikh families in North Texas belonging to four gurdwaras.

Sikhism is a relatively young tradition, born in the last year of the 15th century in the Punjab region of northern India. Sikh tradition holds that its first great teacher, or guru, fell into a river and emerged three days later saying he had experienced a conversation with God. His message: The sects, castes and conflicts of the prevailing religions of the area did not reflect eternal truths.

``There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim,`` Guru Nanak Dev proclaimed.

He planted the seeds of an egalitarian faith and was succeeded, in turn, by nine more gurus. The tenth guru, Gobind Singh, created the tradition of five visible emblems of Sikhism: uncut hair and beard, a comb worn in the hair, a steel bracelet, a specific style of undershorts and a ceremonial sword to be carried at all times.

This guru also completed work on a book of sacred writings. As he was dying in 1708, he declared to his followers that the text itself would become their guru.

Sikhs have often been embattled in their homeland. A translation of one of the faith`s most commonly recited prayers includes graphic references to that history:

Think of and remember the unique service rendered by those brave Sikh men as well as women, who sacrificed their heads but did not surrender their Sikh Religion; Who got themselves cut to pieces from each of the joints of the body; Who got their scalps removed; Who were tied and rotated on the wheels and broken into pieces; Who were cut by saws; Who were flayed alive; Who sacrificed themselves to keep the dignity of the Gurdwaras.

That sense of danger may have contributed to the creation of the Akhand Path. A commonly accepted explanation is that once Sikhs found a safe place to start reading, they could never be sure where the next opportunity would arise, said Manjit Singh, executive director for Washington-based Sikh Mediawatch & Resource Task Force.

``Once they started, they would read it uninterrupted until it was finished,`` he said.

The Suris – Ani and her husband, Kanwar – moved to the United States 15 years ago from India. They came to Dallas in 1990. Mr. Suri owns several transmission shops and a couple of freight ships. He is among the smooth-shaven and short-haired Sikhs. It`s been a challenge to explain to his children the difficulties of balancing his reverence for his faith with his need to fit into the society in which he lives, he said.

``It`s hard to explain to a child why you aren`t wearing a turban,`` he said.

Hari Pritam Singh is a vice president of the North Texas Sikh Temple. He was one of fewer than a dozen people at the Suris` home for the start of the Akhand Path. Like Mr. Suri, he has short hair. But he wore the full turban when he came to Dallas from England in 1978 and tried in vain to find a job in the oil industry.

``When I got my hair cut, I got three job offers in the same week,`` he said. ``One was from a company that had turned me down before`` when he wore the turban.

Guruinder Singh Ahluwalia works for a local computer company. These days, Mr. Ahluwalia said, his turban and beard may attract questions but not discrimination. Assembling Sikhs for the Akhand Path and for prayer is supremely important, he said.

``We are taught that the gathering of the sangat [congregation] is of a higher order than the guru himself,`` he said.

Tanvir, the Suris` 14-year-old son, was given an important role for the end of the reading. He held a horsehair brush that he waved back and forth in the same way that a fan would have been waved over the living gurus of centuries before.

``We`re losing it [long hair and turbans] not because we`re losing our faith, but because we want to fit in,`` he said. ``[Turbans] are like yelling `I am a Sikh and I`m proud of it.` We`re still proud.``

Tehjal, the Suris` 8-year-old daughter, skittered around the house with her friends, but took time to pay attention to the rituals.

``It`s kind of different to me. It`s like, I`m an American,`` she said.

But the intense adult attention on the sacred text did spark an interest in her, she said.

``I wish I had learned to speak that so I could read it,`` she said.

About 100 people showed up at the Suris for a prayer service that started shortly after the end of the Akhand Path. Most of the women arrived in flowing, iridescent Indian-style dresses. Most of the men`s fashion sensibilities seemed set more by the Gap. After about two hours of prayers, the party started and the Suris could begin to wind down.

Was the intense effort worth it?

``I feel proud and satisfied,`` Mrs. Suri said. ``I was a little hesitant because this is a religious thing, and I didn`t want anything to go wrong. I think God is great.``

Her husband had admitted his wife had been the driving force behind hosting the ceremony. But he had reached a new understanding of how his faith fits into his very American lifestyle, he said.

``It made me realize that this is the beauty of this country,`` he said. ``No matter what religion you follow and what shape and what form, you can still enjoy all that and still stay part of the mainstream.``

Chowkstaff

I dont appreciate the censorship of the word

``defeatist``!

-YLH

Chowkwallahs,

I dont understand this attitude. One of you (Kabuliwallah, who really should have known better) is accusing Sarwari of influencing me and affecting my thought process. The other (Ahmadb, who just cant see optimistic Pakistanis loving their country), is accusing me of not letting Aisha Sarwari stand on her two feet.

When will these suspicions of ``collusions`` and ``malignant influences`` subside?

Is it really that surprising to know that two people think alike?

-YLH