The changing face of America
Aliya Anjum October 9, 2003
#40 Posted by pmishra2 on October 10, 2003 11:00:13 am
#24 Bharatvasi
The fraud HE used to be closet jihadist but now even that phase is over. Recently, he published a note explaining how sharia would solve all the problems of the world.
He has learnt a few long angrezi words, so he feels he can pass himself off as some kind of ``liberal``. In fact his output is full of the usual ranting of things ``owed to the muslims`` and how ``muslims are getting angry``. It never strikes him that people don`t give a rat`s ass when beggars ``get angry`` beyond calling the police in civilized communities or giving them a good beating in backward ones..
The fraud HE used to be closet jihadist but now even that phase is over. Recently, he published a note explaining how sharia would solve all the problems of the world.
He has learnt a few long angrezi words, so he feels he can pass himself off as some kind of ``liberal``. In fact his output is full of the usual ranting of things ``owed to the muslims`` and how ``muslims are getting angry``. It never strikes him that people don`t give a rat`s ass when beggars ``get angry`` beyond calling the police in civilized communities or giving them a good beating in backward ones..
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#39 Posted by Ahmadzai on October 10, 2003 11:00:13 am
Aliya Anjum:
If they did not spare a female like you , I don`t expect them to spare me at all (my passport indicates my place of birth as Mardan).
My family and I traveled to Orlando in January of 2002, that is, 4 months after 9/11. Yet our experience with Virgin Atlantic was great. We had a terrific time with the crew, who were giving away gifts to my children like anything. Many of their gifts were actually distributed by us later on among our relatives back home. The behavior was acceptable at airports too.
However, things were a bit different by the summer of 2002. We had no problems entering USA, but while coming back from a short trip to Canada (had a wonderful trip to Simco County), I had a rotten time with an Immgration`s young officer. He was questioning me so much that if my wife did not have her reassuring arm over my shoulder, I would have ended up sent to Guantanamo Bay due to my getting irritated.
I think that up to 6 months of 9/11, they were not as discourteous as they have been after that. I think that discrimination is much more there now than it was immediately after 9/11.
Yet many Pakistani friends have reported that they did not face any discrimination.
I will report personal experience again in winters when my family and I travel to the USA.
In the meantime, my advice to people of Pakistani origin would be to be prepared for the worst.
For Pakistani tourists, my advice is simple - avoid going to countries like the USA, Italy, and UK and go to countries like Malaysia, Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Iran, UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, etc. The reason is simple. If we have to contribute to the economy of other countries, why help those who ..... and why not help those who ....... :-)
If they did not spare a female like you , I don`t expect them to spare me at all (my passport indicates my place of birth as Mardan).
My family and I traveled to Orlando in January of 2002, that is, 4 months after 9/11. Yet our experience with Virgin Atlantic was great. We had a terrific time with the crew, who were giving away gifts to my children like anything. Many of their gifts were actually distributed by us later on among our relatives back home. The behavior was acceptable at airports too.
However, things were a bit different by the summer of 2002. We had no problems entering USA, but while coming back from a short trip to Canada (had a wonderful trip to Simco County), I had a rotten time with an Immgration`s young officer. He was questioning me so much that if my wife did not have her reassuring arm over my shoulder, I would have ended up sent to Guantanamo Bay due to my getting irritated.
I think that up to 6 months of 9/11, they were not as discourteous as they have been after that. I think that discrimination is much more there now than it was immediately after 9/11.
Yet many Pakistani friends have reported that they did not face any discrimination.
I will report personal experience again in winters when my family and I travel to the USA.
In the meantime, my advice to people of Pakistani origin would be to be prepared for the worst.
For Pakistani tourists, my advice is simple - avoid going to countries like the USA, Italy, and UK and go to countries like Malaysia, Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Iran, UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, etc. The reason is simple. If we have to contribute to the economy of other countries, why help those who ..... and why not help those who ....... :-)
#38 Posted by Romair on October 10, 2003 9:42:14 am
The experience on Virgin Air seems more like just bad customer service than anything else. I wouldn’t put it under the category of discrimination.
At the same time, there is a reality that one must accept: the atmosphere in the USA is changing for Muslims. They can accept this fact or they can be in denial. But it is there. One can go around trying to blame each other for it, or become completely anti-American, or a complete Uncle Tom. Or one can accept it, and try to control the situation constructively. Interestingly in Canada, the situation is different.
Pakistani-Americans have become an unfortunate part of a situation they had nothing to do with. Pakistani-Americans are one of the most successful immigrant communities in the USA. They are also one of the least criminal. Just go to any American jail and try to find a Pakistani. They had nothing to do with Sep 11. None of the hijackers was a Pakistani. Yet they are, all of a sudden, on the defensive.
I think the USA is one more attack away from a big social transformation. A survey indicated that half of the Americans feel all Arabs (even citizens) should carry special ID cards.
“a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll of Americans conducted September 14-15, 2001 found 49% of the public in support and 49% opposed to special ID cards for Arabs living in this country -- including those who are U.S. citizens. Persons were asked, ``Please tell me if you would favor or oppose each of the following as a means of preventing terrorist attacks in the United States . . . Requiring Arabs, including those who are U.S. citizens, to carry a special ID.`` (http://www.preventgenocide.org/prevent/removing-facilitating-factors/IDcards/)
This is despite the fact that not a single one of the hijackers was a US citizen or even a US Resident. Nearly all of them were Saudis, and yet Saudi Arabia has barely been touched, in any manner, by the USA. To blame the Muslim community in Saudi Arabia for 9/11 is fair. To blame the Muslim (or Pakistani) community in USA, in any form or manner, for 9/11 is pure racism and prejudice. No if and or but about it.
This should be enough of an indication to the Pakistanis in the USA that, instead of trying to place blame on each other, they need to at least accept the fact that things are changing, and will change drastically, if another attack occurs. And they will be one of the groups most affected, in such a situation. They can blame it on the mullahs in Pakistan or on Saddam Hussain, but those individuals do not live in the USA and are hence least bothered.
The Muslim immigrants to the USA have not had to go through the discrimination that other groups have had to go through. Muslims came to the US at a time when the society had civilized past discrimination. Hence they were treated quite well. The current situation, is, however, their first challenge. Jews and Blacks etc. were legally discriminated against for centuries. Many were torchered, etc. So, over time, these communities have learnt to unite when an issue affecting all of them comes to the forefront, even if they disagree on internal issues. Jewish Abdul and non-Abduls disagree with each other as much as Pakistani Abduls and non-Abduls, yet when their community as a whole if affected, they forget their differences.
Trent Lott and Limbaugh make one comment about Blacks and they get them fired. Michaeal Jackson mentions the word Jew in his song, and he is forced to delete it. Even Mel Gibson is not spared. These groups know that one has to nip the problem in the bud. And they have mastered that. And thus carry far more weight in the US soceity than their numbers would allow. This is the only way to survive in a pularist society.
Muslim-Americans should realize that, even though Jewish-Americans are so well-established in the US society, yet they are still extremely vigilant in smashing anything that has even the hint of anti-Semitism on it, in the bud. Jewish-Americans have realized, through experience, that if things are allowed to grow and left unchallenged, they can get out of control, and come back to haunt even the most powerful minority communities.
I think the reactions of Muslim-Americans, to the current situation, are quite predictable. One group is becoming more and more anti-American, while still living in the USA. Another is going to the other extreme, and is becoming more and more Uncle Tom, by blaming their own communities, thereby, perhaps, (incorrectly) hoping that when push comes to shove, they will not be counted amongst the Abduls. Both these groups are on a self-destructive path for themselves and for their community.
What is needed is a united leadership, much like the Black and Jewish leadership, that establishes its position in the US society through personal and community success stories, and accepts the fact that the social fabric of the USA is changing, and may change at a much larger level, against the interests of the American Muslims, if they don’t get their act together. Anyone who does not see this, is in a state of denial.
The worse affected group, if another attack were to occur, would be the Muslim children in school. Adults can generally handle the situation because they are well-established in the society. But how will the kids handle the situation? Will they be able to successfully convince their friends that they are the children of a non-Abdul who watches ice hockey? I doubt it. Will they also have to carry special ID cards?
No society in the world is free from discrimination. And all societies in the world are prone to act in strange ways when they are under threat, or under a perceived threat. The USA is no exception. This does not make the USA any worse (or better) than any other country. It just indicates that it is just like any other country. Invariably, in such a situation, the weakest communities suffer the most. The only way to protect one’s self, under such a situation, is to be so well-established in the society and so united, that the majority can only blame one’s community for the actual crimes the community has committed. And not for the crimes that someone else –be they inside or outside one’s country – has committed.
On the whole, the Muslim Americans, in general, and the Pakistani-Americans, in specific, are on their own. They have nothing to protect their position in the society, other than each other. Their countries of birth are not going to change their policies, just to please individuals who have willingly migrated out of the country and no longer pay taxes there. Nor should theri countries of birth change their policies, for that reason. Their interests should be focused towards the interests of those who have not left their country of origin. At the same time, this immigrant group is not united enough to demand their rights, in any way, in the USA. So they are now completely dependent on the well-wishes of their host country’s population. Uptil 9/11, their host country has treated them very well. And maybe, they still feel nothing has changed. But what will they do when things do start to change (I personally think they are changing already). Are they ready to live in an environment where they are guilty until proven innocent?
Even amongst brothers and sisters, one’s influence, respect etc. is based on the position one is able to establish. It is too dangerous to rely on the well-wishes of others for one’s position in the society. The Muslim-Americans and Pakistani-Americans need to be prepared to handle the situation, if another major attack occurs in the USA (which the CIA has stated, will occur). The best way to handle that situation, is to follow the successful strategies of Blacks and Jews in the USA, i.e. unite, establish yourself in the society not only at a personal level (which has been done already), but at a community level, and be ready to demand your rights when the situation gets tough. Not become anti-American to the point of trying to harm the USA. And most of all, by realizing, that when push comes to shove, the whole comminty will rise and fall together - both Abdul and non-Abdul.
At the same time, there is a reality that one must accept: the atmosphere in the USA is changing for Muslims. They can accept this fact or they can be in denial. But it is there. One can go around trying to blame each other for it, or become completely anti-American, or a complete Uncle Tom. Or one can accept it, and try to control the situation constructively. Interestingly in Canada, the situation is different.
Pakistani-Americans have become an unfortunate part of a situation they had nothing to do with. Pakistani-Americans are one of the most successful immigrant communities in the USA. They are also one of the least criminal. Just go to any American jail and try to find a Pakistani. They had nothing to do with Sep 11. None of the hijackers was a Pakistani. Yet they are, all of a sudden, on the defensive.
I think the USA is one more attack away from a big social transformation. A survey indicated that half of the Americans feel all Arabs (even citizens) should carry special ID cards.
“a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll of Americans conducted September 14-15, 2001 found 49% of the public in support and 49% opposed to special ID cards for Arabs living in this country -- including those who are U.S. citizens. Persons were asked, ``Please tell me if you would favor or oppose each of the following as a means of preventing terrorist attacks in the United States . . . Requiring Arabs, including those who are U.S. citizens, to carry a special ID.`` (http://www.preventgenocide.org/prevent/removing-facilitating-factors/IDcards/)
This is despite the fact that not a single one of the hijackers was a US citizen or even a US Resident. Nearly all of them were Saudis, and yet Saudi Arabia has barely been touched, in any manner, by the USA. To blame the Muslim community in Saudi Arabia for 9/11 is fair. To blame the Muslim (or Pakistani) community in USA, in any form or manner, for 9/11 is pure racism and prejudice. No if and or but about it.
This should be enough of an indication to the Pakistanis in the USA that, instead of trying to place blame on each other, they need to at least accept the fact that things are changing, and will change drastically, if another attack occurs. And they will be one of the groups most affected, in such a situation. They can blame it on the mullahs in Pakistan or on Saddam Hussain, but those individuals do not live in the USA and are hence least bothered.
The Muslim immigrants to the USA have not had to go through the discrimination that other groups have had to go through. Muslims came to the US at a time when the society had civilized past discrimination. Hence they were treated quite well. The current situation, is, however, their first challenge. Jews and Blacks etc. were legally discriminated against for centuries. Many were torchered, etc. So, over time, these communities have learnt to unite when an issue affecting all of them comes to the forefront, even if they disagree on internal issues. Jewish Abdul and non-Abduls disagree with each other as much as Pakistani Abduls and non-Abduls, yet when their community as a whole if affected, they forget their differences.
Trent Lott and Limbaugh make one comment about Blacks and they get them fired. Michaeal Jackson mentions the word Jew in his song, and he is forced to delete it. Even Mel Gibson is not spared. These groups know that one has to nip the problem in the bud. And they have mastered that. And thus carry far more weight in the US soceity than their numbers would allow. This is the only way to survive in a pularist society.
Muslim-Americans should realize that, even though Jewish-Americans are so well-established in the US society, yet they are still extremely vigilant in smashing anything that has even the hint of anti-Semitism on it, in the bud. Jewish-Americans have realized, through experience, that if things are allowed to grow and left unchallenged, they can get out of control, and come back to haunt even the most powerful minority communities.
I think the reactions of Muslim-Americans, to the current situation, are quite predictable. One group is becoming more and more anti-American, while still living in the USA. Another is going to the other extreme, and is becoming more and more Uncle Tom, by blaming their own communities, thereby, perhaps, (incorrectly) hoping that when push comes to shove, they will not be counted amongst the Abduls. Both these groups are on a self-destructive path for themselves and for their community.
What is needed is a united leadership, much like the Black and Jewish leadership, that establishes its position in the US society through personal and community success stories, and accepts the fact that the social fabric of the USA is changing, and may change at a much larger level, against the interests of the American Muslims, if they don’t get their act together. Anyone who does not see this, is in a state of denial.
The worse affected group, if another attack were to occur, would be the Muslim children in school. Adults can generally handle the situation because they are well-established in the society. But how will the kids handle the situation? Will they be able to successfully convince their friends that they are the children of a non-Abdul who watches ice hockey? I doubt it. Will they also have to carry special ID cards?
No society in the world is free from discrimination. And all societies in the world are prone to act in strange ways when they are under threat, or under a perceived threat. The USA is no exception. This does not make the USA any worse (or better) than any other country. It just indicates that it is just like any other country. Invariably, in such a situation, the weakest communities suffer the most. The only way to protect one’s self, under such a situation, is to be so well-established in the society and so united, that the majority can only blame one’s community for the actual crimes the community has committed. And not for the crimes that someone else –be they inside or outside one’s country – has committed.
On the whole, the Muslim Americans, in general, and the Pakistani-Americans, in specific, are on their own. They have nothing to protect their position in the society, other than each other. Their countries of birth are not going to change their policies, just to please individuals who have willingly migrated out of the country and no longer pay taxes there. Nor should theri countries of birth change their policies, for that reason. Their interests should be focused towards the interests of those who have not left their country of origin. At the same time, this immigrant group is not united enough to demand their rights, in any way, in the USA. So they are now completely dependent on the well-wishes of their host country’s population. Uptil 9/11, their host country has treated them very well. And maybe, they still feel nothing has changed. But what will they do when things do start to change (I personally think they are changing already). Are they ready to live in an environment where they are guilty until proven innocent?
Even amongst brothers and sisters, one’s influence, respect etc. is based on the position one is able to establish. It is too dangerous to rely on the well-wishes of others for one’s position in the society. The Muslim-Americans and Pakistani-Americans need to be prepared to handle the situation, if another major attack occurs in the USA (which the CIA has stated, will occur). The best way to handle that situation, is to follow the successful strategies of Blacks and Jews in the USA, i.e. unite, establish yourself in the society not only at a personal level (which has been done already), but at a community level, and be ready to demand your rights when the situation gets tough. Not become anti-American to the point of trying to harm the USA. And most of all, by realizing, that when push comes to shove, the whole comminty will rise and fall together - both Abdul and non-Abdul.
#37 Posted by pmishra2 on October 10, 2003 9:27:54 am
This article exemplifies the shamelessness and shallowness of the Pakistani elite class. For over 20 years they have happily tolerated and encouraged all kinds of ugly extremism, cohabited with the Saudi Wahhabis, allow the mass culture of pakistan to be permeated with anti-west, anti-jew, anti-hindu messages. While they tolerate and flourish in this atmosphere they want to be respected elsewhere!!!
It is truly a bizarre and hypocritical wish. If you live happily amongst murderers and tolerate them and say things like ``well, they have just cause``, maybe one day you will (AND SHOULD) be treated like a murderer. That day came in west after 9/11 (it came in India in the early 90s and specially after Kargil).
Personally, I think the reaction in the US to the irrational animosity in Pakistan towards the West is extremely mature. They are relatively few serious incidents and the educated classes have been extremely liberal in their outlook.
Just imagine if the position were reversed? I doubt if even a single american would be left alive anywhere in pakistan.
It is truly a bizarre and hypocritical wish. If you live happily amongst murderers and tolerate them and say things like ``well, they have just cause``, maybe one day you will (AND SHOULD) be treated like a murderer. That day came in west after 9/11 (it came in India in the early 90s and specially after Kargil).
Personally, I think the reaction in the US to the irrational animosity in Pakistan towards the West is extremely mature. They are relatively few serious incidents and the educated classes have been extremely liberal in their outlook.
Just imagine if the position were reversed? I doubt if even a single american would be left alive anywhere in pakistan.
#36 Posted by veeresh on October 10, 2003 9:12:34 am
Imagine!! America has changed so much more, this was a 747, made in Seattle.
::````An unwelcome passenger – a rat - forced Air-India to cancel its flight to Riyadh on Wednesday night, airport sources in Kochi said on Friday.
The cabin crew noticed the rodent scurrying around the plane just as it was about to take off from the Nedumbassery International Airport.
When all efforts to nab it failed, the flight was cancelled and the passengers asked to disembark. After a thorough fumigation, the rodent was found dead. ::````
(rediff)
::````An unwelcome passenger – a rat - forced Air-India to cancel its flight to Riyadh on Wednesday night, airport sources in Kochi said on Friday.
The cabin crew noticed the rodent scurrying around the plane just as it was about to take off from the Nedumbassery International Airport.
When all efforts to nab it failed, the flight was cancelled and the passengers asked to disembark. After a thorough fumigation, the rodent was found dead. ::````
(rediff)
#34 Posted by tahmed32 on October 10, 2003 8:57:06 am
Zahraj #38 Good post. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Fortunately, there are more muslims of your kind in the US than the ``fresh off the chocolate-less flight`` Aaliya types. In our area, we have muslim groups (mostly pakistani) doing monthly food drives for homeless shelters for example (and they are surprised to learn how many people are in far worse condition than them). Maybe Aaliya and his wife should start doing something like this: it will be good for their soul, and he will quit whining about ``no free chocolate``.
#33 Posted by arjun_m on October 10, 2003 8:26:08 am
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#32 Posted by arjun_m on October 10, 2003 8:26:07 am
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#31 Posted by arjun_m on October 10, 2003 8:26:07 am
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#30 Posted by veeresh on October 10, 2003 7:57:03 am
Harimau 21 you are a wicked Dravidian with no respect for Ethiopian Israelis or Moroccan Italians. You must be made to fly on Air Polisaro soon.
#29 Posted by aquaris on October 10, 2003 7:24:40 am
I read some where else.....
American has the worse sense of current history...they are a paranoid...mass consuming...and the most gullible of the nations...
they even do not want to know any thing about others...their main and only concern is themselves...to hell with others....
its a nation whose history is full of deciet and self -rightious aclaim for this deciiet..
Maleha Lodhi righly said in one of her interviews that they are just a FAIR WEATHER FRIENDs
they think the whole world OWES them their existenses that is why Just watch the FOX NEW channell...
how they lambast every one for not comming to thier help on thier terms to Clean up thier MESS..
....
#28 Posted by ZahraJ on October 10, 2003 7:16:38 am
[USA was a land that was created by immigrants, where the statue of liberty welcomed all the immigrants with open arms. The American nation one time boasted of the freedom of speech. ]
It still is; but when its natives` life is in jeopardy then it needs to put its foot down. I work in the Financial District. And, I have been in the area since 9/11. I can tell you that it was very uncomfortable in the days after the tragedy to commute and work in the area with the ferocious dogs, gunmen, national guard and others. There have been this hanging uncertainty....God forbid what if.... The New Yorkers deserve a special medal for the calmness and momentum they have shown to go on and on and on... In that respect, your above implication is very naive!
Aliya: On a similar note: According to Islam, muslims believe in peace and solidarity. Ironically, Muslims are the most fragmented, uncouth and uncivilized society in the world. Who are we kidding here? None of the Muslim Countries give a $hit about their natives.
They only know how to stone people, persecute women on fake cases of adultery, poke fingers on women`s head to cover, make demigods out of men, disrespect human beings in general and at the end chant on the bad west and the muzloom east/middle east.
[Today, America is retrogressing into an intolerant society that looks at the Moslem world with suspicion and growing hatred. ]
The Muslim World asked for it by not changing their direction and approach!
Your experience is a personal experience and no one can come and refute you since you felt mistreated. And, you have every right to share your perspective. Each person has their own experiences.
One of my cousins, a partner with an accounting firm, while traveling in the business class was questioned for putting his travel bag on an empty seat. This empty seat was near the hanging closet. The air-hostess became alert and started the interrogation. According to him, it was necessary for the sanity and well being of every one traveling in the plane therefore he co-operated and never showed resistance on any questions. And, he is a Pakistani American. The plane got delayed for an hour or so. The ferocious dogs were brought in to sniff his travel bag. Everything went fine, but the airplane staff had to do their due diligence. And, this was on a domestic flight.
Early this year, I got a pathetic service at one of the Hertz Counters in Boston. My reservation was made over the phone and I had very little time between getting my car and driving up to my destination in the outskirts of Boston. I was not familiar with the outskirts so I had taken an extra step to get Never Lost in the car. The blonde behind the counter completely ignored me as I approached the prestige counter. I have travelled long enough to ignore such tantrums, so I took her in a casual stride. She screwed up my reservation and all the pertinent paper work. By the time, I reached the car, an attendant came out to assist me. This attendant realized what the other woman had done with my rental agreement. The best thing that took place at that time was the alertness and customer service of this attendant. My mind was on my meetings and how much time I had left to reach my destination. Then I had to factor in the time it would take me to program the Never Lost. I was literally counting minutes and then seconds. Each minute was damn precious for me. Suddenly, this woman held my hand and asked me to take a deep breath and told me to rely on her for correcting the problem. Her confidence was very uplifting for me. She realized the time constraint I had and its impact.
This lady went out of her way to not only fix the problem but on the spot issued me a voucher for free future car rental. She also provided me with the number to complain about the other woman. And, specifically appreciated my patience with the blonde lady. She assured me that she will bring this to her boss` attention. I got her name and thanked her before I went on my way, at the mercy of the Never Lost.
Fortunately, this angelic woman`s service and the Never Lost made me put this episode behind me for a few hours(during my meetings). On my way back, I called Hertz and lodged a complaint. But I did not lodge a complaint with complaining about the bad service.
I lodged a complaint with praising the attendant who went above and beyond her duty and then stated the issue. I received 2 calls back within the next 12 hours with profound apologies. One was from the area head and the other one was from the airport supervisor of Hertz. They issued me a credit along with sending me another voucher for a free rental anywhere within the United States. During my conversation with the area head, he told me that he really liked the way I had lodged the complaint and appreciated the fact that I gave the devil its due. He gave me his name and number to contact him whenever I visit Boston in future and promised special rates on a prestige rental of MY choice. And, I was told repeatedly that they did not want to lose my business. They wanted me to use Hertz again. I can never imagine this kind of follow-up & excellent service anywhere else in the world. They did not owe me anything! It was my first time to even look into renting a prestige car through Hertz. I am also not a white in my complexion. In winters, my skin radiates with a peach-ish tinge, but in summers, I tan easily.
Words are not enough to tell you how my day began and how it ended. I caught my flight at the last minute on both sides of my trip. Then this fiasco took place early morning. To top it all, my flight back was ready to close its doors when I was found at the main counter with my sandals in my hand, hair all over the place and a flying jacket....I requested the main counter to page the flight to wait for me. The sweetest part of my adventure was that the airport staff complied. They let me board the plane by making the flight wait for me while I ran all the way in the above-mentioned halat through the security and the gates and landed near the main door of the flight. You have to take off your shoes/sandals while going through the security anyway so holding them in my hands ahead of time was certainly advantageous. I was at the airport at 7:00 p.m. My flight was to depart at 7:20 p.m. And, I was in the plane at 7:15 p.m.
Now, when I look back, I simply love that day and the fact that everyone was so cooperative and understanding. I guess it must be my charm :) As soon as I entered my flight, I was received with a sweet smile. And, as I took my seat after a very very long day, I thanked God for being in a country where I could demand my right as a human being and expect some action in return. And, as an immigrant, I still have far more respect and say in the US than any other Muslim Country on the face of the earth. I am not saying that its perfect, but the fact that as a human being you have value for who you are, REGARDLESS of your gender, your ancestry, and all other medals, is important to me. And, that`s what I appreciate and love about the United States of America.
So, we all have our share of challenging experiences!
It still is; but when its natives` life is in jeopardy then it needs to put its foot down. I work in the Financial District. And, I have been in the area since 9/11. I can tell you that it was very uncomfortable in the days after the tragedy to commute and work in the area with the ferocious dogs, gunmen, national guard and others. There have been this hanging uncertainty....God forbid what if.... The New Yorkers deserve a special medal for the calmness and momentum they have shown to go on and on and on... In that respect, your above implication is very naive!
Aliya: On a similar note: According to Islam, muslims believe in peace and solidarity. Ironically, Muslims are the most fragmented, uncouth and uncivilized society in the world. Who are we kidding here? None of the Muslim Countries give a $hit about their natives.
They only know how to stone people, persecute women on fake cases of adultery, poke fingers on women`s head to cover, make demigods out of men, disrespect human beings in general and at the end chant on the bad west and the muzloom east/middle east.
[Today, America is retrogressing into an intolerant society that looks at the Moslem world with suspicion and growing hatred. ]
The Muslim World asked for it by not changing their direction and approach!
Your experience is a personal experience and no one can come and refute you since you felt mistreated. And, you have every right to share your perspective. Each person has their own experiences.
One of my cousins, a partner with an accounting firm, while traveling in the business class was questioned for putting his travel bag on an empty seat. This empty seat was near the hanging closet. The air-hostess became alert and started the interrogation. According to him, it was necessary for the sanity and well being of every one traveling in the plane therefore he co-operated and never showed resistance on any questions. And, he is a Pakistani American. The plane got delayed for an hour or so. The ferocious dogs were brought in to sniff his travel bag. Everything went fine, but the airplane staff had to do their due diligence. And, this was on a domestic flight.
Early this year, I got a pathetic service at one of the Hertz Counters in Boston. My reservation was made over the phone and I had very little time between getting my car and driving up to my destination in the outskirts of Boston. I was not familiar with the outskirts so I had taken an extra step to get Never Lost in the car. The blonde behind the counter completely ignored me as I approached the prestige counter. I have travelled long enough to ignore such tantrums, so I took her in a casual stride. She screwed up my reservation and all the pertinent paper work. By the time, I reached the car, an attendant came out to assist me. This attendant realized what the other woman had done with my rental agreement. The best thing that took place at that time was the alertness and customer service of this attendant. My mind was on my meetings and how much time I had left to reach my destination. Then I had to factor in the time it would take me to program the Never Lost. I was literally counting minutes and then seconds. Each minute was damn precious for me. Suddenly, this woman held my hand and asked me to take a deep breath and told me to rely on her for correcting the problem. Her confidence was very uplifting for me. She realized the time constraint I had and its impact.
This lady went out of her way to not only fix the problem but on the spot issued me a voucher for free future car rental. She also provided me with the number to complain about the other woman. And, specifically appreciated my patience with the blonde lady. She assured me that she will bring this to her boss` attention. I got her name and thanked her before I went on my way, at the mercy of the Never Lost.
Fortunately, this angelic woman`s service and the Never Lost made me put this episode behind me for a few hours(during my meetings). On my way back, I called Hertz and lodged a complaint. But I did not lodge a complaint with complaining about the bad service.
I lodged a complaint with praising the attendant who went above and beyond her duty and then stated the issue. I received 2 calls back within the next 12 hours with profound apologies. One was from the area head and the other one was from the airport supervisor of Hertz. They issued me a credit along with sending me another voucher for a free rental anywhere within the United States. During my conversation with the area head, he told me that he really liked the way I had lodged the complaint and appreciated the fact that I gave the devil its due. He gave me his name and number to contact him whenever I visit Boston in future and promised special rates on a prestige rental of MY choice. And, I was told repeatedly that they did not want to lose my business. They wanted me to use Hertz again. I can never imagine this kind of follow-up & excellent service anywhere else in the world. They did not owe me anything! It was my first time to even look into renting a prestige car through Hertz. I am also not a white in my complexion. In winters, my skin radiates with a peach-ish tinge, but in summers, I tan easily.
Words are not enough to tell you how my day began and how it ended. I caught my flight at the last minute on both sides of my trip. Then this fiasco took place early morning. To top it all, my flight back was ready to close its doors when I was found at the main counter with my sandals in my hand, hair all over the place and a flying jacket....I requested the main counter to page the flight to wait for me. The sweetest part of my adventure was that the airport staff complied. They let me board the plane by making the flight wait for me while I ran all the way in the above-mentioned halat through the security and the gates and landed near the main door of the flight. You have to take off your shoes/sandals while going through the security anyway so holding them in my hands ahead of time was certainly advantageous. I was at the airport at 7:00 p.m. My flight was to depart at 7:20 p.m. And, I was in the plane at 7:15 p.m.
Now, when I look back, I simply love that day and the fact that everyone was so cooperative and understanding. I guess it must be my charm :) As soon as I entered my flight, I was received with a sweet smile. And, as I took my seat after a very very long day, I thanked God for being in a country where I could demand my right as a human being and expect some action in return. And, as an immigrant, I still have far more respect and say in the US than any other Muslim Country on the face of the earth. I am not saying that its perfect, but the fact that as a human being you have value for who you are, REGARDLESS of your gender, your ancestry, and all other medals, is important to me. And, that`s what I appreciate and love about the United States of America.
So, we all have our share of challenging experiences!
#27 Posted by harish_hyd on October 10, 2003 7:16:37 am
#9 by Romair on October 9, 2003 12:44pm PT
[Ashcroft being less extremist than MMA, which is less extremist than BJP]
What a joke!!!!!
[The only time individuals should be pushed into the sea is if they start carrying out massive human rights violations, like the BJP or Sapah-e-Sahaba do in Pakistan]
Another joke!!!!!!
[Ashcroft being less extremist than MMA, which is less extremist than BJP]
What a joke!!!!!
[The only time individuals should be pushed into the sea is if they start carrying out massive human rights violations, like the BJP or Sapah-e-Sahaba do in Pakistan]
Another joke!!!!!!
#26 Posted by bharatvaasi on October 10, 2003 7:16:25 am
HE in post 19 sayz ``keep the Muslim community satisfied ``
A question: When will it be satisfied?
It is a very telling statement and reeks of arrogance. It is a statement which tells us a lot about HE that he has some sympathies for the terrorists and their operational mode. I guess he would be happy if either the terrorists kill more kafr or if the mullahs and HE`s ilk are in power!
What a crying shame .....
A question: When will it be satisfied?
It is a very telling statement and reeks of arrogance. It is a statement which tells us a lot about HE that he has some sympathies for the terrorists and their operational mode. I guess he would be happy if either the terrorists kill more kafr or if the mullahs and HE`s ilk are in power!
What a crying shame .....
#25 Posted by jay on October 10, 2003 7:16:25 am
Aliya,
It is time to wake up and smell napalm. There is a war going on, it is called war against terror, it is a misnomer, it is war against islam. There was cold war, it was against communism which had an alternate view of social ordering, and islam is no different. World view of islam, the ummah and jihad are no different from unity of the proletariate and revolution through the barrel of gun.
The fact that no muslim country has any military worth the name, muslims will be defetade in a slow strangulation, through a process of iraquisation. First there will be sanctions, economic as pakistan is experiencing now. Them technology denial, and people movement restriction is part of that. There are 3 million products of madrassas in pakistan, homeland security is in pakistan to prevent their escape.
War on terror will be won by the herding the muslims and ruthless control of jihadic frontiers.
It is time to wake up and smell napalm. There is a war going on, it is called war against terror, it is a misnomer, it is war against islam. There was cold war, it was against communism which had an alternate view of social ordering, and islam is no different. World view of islam, the ummah and jihad are no different from unity of the proletariate and revolution through the barrel of gun.
The fact that no muslim country has any military worth the name, muslims will be defetade in a slow strangulation, through a process of iraquisation. First there will be sanctions, economic as pakistan is experiencing now. Them technology denial, and people movement restriction is part of that. There are 3 million products of madrassas in pakistan, homeland security is in pakistan to prevent their escape.
War on terror will be won by the herding the muslims and ruthless control of jihadic frontiers.
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