Doctor, Can You Give Me Something for the Pain? loved the article as always

A

Why Aren’t Muslim Women Converting to Christianity? Answer: According to some `ulema` the punishment for leaving Islam is death. Yet it is these very same `Ulema` who tell us that the Prophet (PBUH) said `There is no compulsion in Islam`.

I am not sure but I think Pakistani law forbids you to convert if you are Muslim to any other religion. If you marry a non-Muslim it is the non-Muslim partner who has to convert.

What really stood out in this article for me, wasn`t all this `Islam is superior` kind of stuff, as that`s no longer new, but the author`s `I live in the west, and know true Islam, you Pakistanis know shit and act like Indians, therefore i am a better Muslim than you jahil half Hindu half Muslim unable to pronounce Arabic properly pindos` Kind of attitude. Where due to the authors own insecurities and self worth issues, he tries to become superior to the countrymen of his origin by being what is perceived to be a `better Muslim` and according to this logic, a better Pakistani than the people who actually live there, even though the author himslef doesn`t reside there, and is completely unaware of the realities of that land and its people. He judges all Pakistanis by his (unrealistic) standards (which are divine of course!!!) and knowing most of the country doesn`t meet them he then quite smugly proceeds to look down at them.

For the sake of Pakistan, I thank God that people like this author reside outside of Pakistan. If he is in Pakistan then he must be living in a very cocooned and distanced from the majority community, in which case he must be filthy rich to be able to afford to do that, and therefore even more distanced from the normal populace.

How does the author purport to be the `voice of the majority` Has he held a consensus? Did this claim come with some sort of an election victory? Which majority is he talking about, The Pakistani majority, the Muslim majority (in the country where he resides), or the Overseas Pakistani Muslim majority?

Through which art is a mental illness being shoved down your throat? And which mental illness?

Pakistani people are constantly under attack from our neighbours in the east for not being Indic enough, and from our western neighbours (and overseas Pakistanis) for not being Muslim enough. Having become accustomed to letting such abuse pass us by, it is tempting to see this article as from another ‘holier than thou’ expatriate/child of expatriate, telling us how Un-Islamic we are (which it is) and just let this pass too. However, I feel that this article warrants some sort of a reply, if only for the fact that the author is Pakistani (at least in origin).

As Pakistan is a majority Muslim country, people there are brought up with Islam, it is part of the backdrop to everything, they do not need to think about it, it is just there, pretty much the way Christianity is in the west and Hinduism in Nepal. Therefore people in Pakistan don’t feel the need to wear their religion on their sleeves, as Islam is a given.

Now within this, there are many hues and shades of Islam. For the most part they co-exist quite peacefully. And within every hue and shade there are various levels of practice and interpretation. Some people hardly practice, some people do, some people don’t fast, some do etc. Most are quite happy and content with their Islamiat, and their level of adherence to it. They are secure in themselves, and with who and what they are, they don’t feel the need to show their affiliation with Islam at every turn, as for the most part, the people they will encounter will also be some sort of Muslim.

Regards your views on culture, Islam came to the land that is now Pakistan to a very musical and spiritual people who have already had millennia of sophisticatedly and naturally connecting with the divine spirit. Through the ages the indigenous people (us) discovered that indeed, every aspect of a person’s life can be used to form a continual connection with the divine inside and the divine omni present. Through music, song, dance, breathe, exercise, and stillness to the mundane everyday tasks of work and daily routine, each one connecting you to the One worthy of connection.

The culture, language, environment, economy, and everything else were very different from that of the Prophet (PBUH) when Islam was revealed to Him. The people of this country for whatever reason accepted Islam, and decided to follow that faith, as in its purest form it is not much different from the purest form of the faith at that time (Sanata Dharma).

The people amalgamated the two philosophies where possible, to bring about a very South Asian version of Islam, something that is natural to them, as the people of this part of the world are much less naturally austere (for want of a better word) from the people of the land where Islam was revealed. This has happened not only in Pakistan, but in every other part of the world where Islam is now dominant, and you will see it has already started in Europe and the US, where the people there are coming into their Islam, so to say, with an Islam that works for them. This is the natural process and progress of a philosophy and if it’s worth its weight this is how it survives. The something about it as you say or the kashish as I would say, is what remains and every culture and country in the world keeps it alive in their own way and the way they know how.

Think about it, if an Eskimo was to accept this faith, it would be impossible for him to practice the faith identical to the followers in say Kuwait. Islam is much bigger than people’s pettiness and practices, it is also much more flexible than the current rigidity of the land from where it originally came.

Just as poetry can be used to connect to the divine (The Koran!) so it can also be used to describe every other emotion a human being experiences. And this is the same for every other way of reaching the divine i.e. dancing, singing, music, breathe, etc. Hence EVERY country EVEN Saudi Arabia has some sort of musical and dance tradition, these are often the cultural shows that you see on TV.

Where you see dancing on Eid disrespectful, others may see it as an expression of their joy on the occasion. If it is something you do not like, then do not partake in it. The same can be said about fashion shows, if the people concerned are not complaining then why are you? A fashion show is a very important way to display the cloth and fabrics made in our country, they help our ailing industries, who in turn employ millions of people (mainly poor). You have no idea of what is in that person’s heart, their intention, their wishes, their desires, their majboorian, etc. The fact is, you cannot judge, you don’t have the Theka or contract for entry into heaven.

May Allah bless you with tolerance not only for non-Muslims but for the billions of Muslims who exist on this earth that don’t share all your views. May Allah keep Pakistan from the many like you. Ameen!

The People\'s Poet Thanks for introducing his work. Very nice ghazals.

South Asia Needs a Bomb-less Deal Such lambia choaria takriraN for what? Bambari!!!

Lo ji, sitdo bamb, mardo sareya nuN, tebah karlo apney aap nuN, mot di bhyanak badbo lavo apney vatna`ch, khush eh hun haramkhoro!

vey hira mundi nuN pekey sadann valeo
Chamgadira nuN hamrang tey bandera nuN hamshakil kehn valeo
Rabb dey vastey nai, par insaniyat de vastey kissi kuNH vich dubb marjao
fitte kala munh toadha

Pakistan doesn`t need anymore reactors etc. It has the capability to defend itself and throw a couple of nuclear bombs in India, what more do they want???

India can throw all the nuclear bombs it wants in Pakistan the radioactive wind is going to blow into India anyways. And India isn`t so stupid to do that kind of stuff, as its concerns aren`t trying to blow Pakistan up but more about getting itself ahead where it counts.

India doesn`t need to blow Pakistan up because we are doing it ourselves (Nishtar Park anyone!!!!)

Why do Pakistanis need to `match` India? What other country do you know in the world that tries to match `bomb for bomb` another country thats 8 times its size?

When you both tit for tat each other, others (Gora`s, Amreekans, Cheenis) take advantage of you. Stop being taken advantage of and start the REAL work of progression of your dirt poor people. When you all have shit loads of money and no poverty then make as many bombs as you want.

Beghairat paagal Laantio

Taking the Lid off Sexual Fantasies Wow Doc,

You got a fab job!

Why I Believe in Re-birth I second number three, Mariam i find your reply confusing.

So basically if God knows the script of your life, then you are just going along passing time till you die. You`re every little move He knows about as He pre-ordained it. So when you die you will go to God and say, `Well my Lord, i did as you had written in my Kismet`

So much for choice and free will. If you are following a pre ordianed existence then you don`t really have a choice, as all your actions God knows about. So then why would he send anyone to Heaven or Hell? Why have this world in the first place then?

Nabendu Sahib, do you really want to come back to this world?

The Myth of Growth:Pakistan\'s Lost Opportunity If Pakistan is doing well, which the economists say it is, then why is (basic) health and (basic) education not improving and why are rural ppl still really badly off? Why are there not decent roads where we need them? Where did that Trillion Rupees go?

Opinionated Jaahilism LOL

very funny esp the frandship thing and

`Life would also be meaningless if you could utter two words of Urdu without a thick American accent and if you didn’t pretend that the T-shirt you got from Sunday bazaar actually came from Saks Fifth Avenue`

Keep on writing beta

Finding Kashmir\'s Pain in London Hai hai, typical hate filled Indian reaction on Kashmir... such venom and karvahat, only cause you know you`re wrong... the truth hurts... fact is many in Kashmir are not happy with Indian rule/massacre or status quo... theres nothing you can do about it, no matter how you package it many Kashmiris dont want to be part of India or even Pakistan...

At least Pakistanis can accept when our govt. has messed up, you guys are so twisted you cant bear the truth and believe everything that comes out of the mouth/ass of your govt. officials.

The `victims` of `terrorism` in India (we`ve had so many more in Pakistan) pale in comparison to the sheer number of people that the INDIAN ARMY has murdered, raped, torchered and abused, ask AMNESTY international (thats if they can get into Kashmir to monitor the situation!)...

And all you Shiv Sainak net choohas for a change instead of looking up anti Pakistan figures, take a look at the human rights abuses figures of the Bharat Army in Kashmir...

Now now now, dont start throwing figures about Pak army this and Pak army that and 1972 this and blah blah blah jihadi this and jihadi that, we already know that shit and heard it a million times over thanks to you guys, try keeping to the subject of just Kashmir and the Indian army, just for a change, can you do that? or will you explode cause you can`t handle your Karma finally moving towards a balance in your bitter twisted selves...

oh and another thing, DUR FITTE MUNH

If you`re Southern ask some Northerner for a translation ya bunch a laantis

Murtaza

A very nice article

Take care

Ally

The “GupShup” Culture So now all our problems are due to gup shup!!!

So i see the typical fascist South Asian attitude is alive and well in you!

Instead we will find that inferior races by dint of hard work will overtake and overwhelm our people


Which race is an inferior race?

Lahore in a Moment very well written, i liked it, makes me want to go back now!!!

Is the Koran Truly Amazing? Kaura #10

Inni karvahat tey karele`ch nahi eh!

Let him say what he has to, is that not what chowk is for?

Is the Koran Truly Amazing? I usually just read the last few Surahs of the Koran, mainly for personal comfort and peace of mind. I like the meanings especially the Surah about time Al Asr i think its called. There are a couple of questions i have, things that stand out in my mind. Why does the Koran keep on reminding us about being fearful of your Lord? Is it telling us about being fearful of the reaction of our bad deeds and its affect on our Karma? Or are we all going to burn in hell for some obscure sin?

It seems the mullas remind us only of all the punishment of this and that, and strike fear into our hearts, but the fact remains, why should you fear your Lord? It is the consequences of your wrongdoing that you should fear, not the one who is full of infinite love and wisdom. I cant understand the Arabic or the times in which the Koran was written, so i take from it what i can, i don`t agree with the Saudi like style of its interpretation but mainly what the words say to me when i read them.

I have stopped worrying about hell or being guilty, as that in itself is such a negative and destructive energy. I feel our scholars are very unenlightened and can learn a thing or two from our old peer bazorg and from Buddha.

Are We The Most Racist Of Them All? I have found that racism and prejudice comes from ignorance and lack of education. One of the biggest factors in racism is fear. People in the 70’s feared that South Asian people were taking over Britain, but now ‘Curry’ is the national dish and South Asians contribute so much to the economy. If you call up a call centre and say your name is Ahmed, more than likely the person on the other end will ask if it is spelt with an A or an E at the end. South Asian culture has become amalgamated itself into British culture and it’s no longer exotic, just normal. Most white British people wouldn’t really be too bothered if their child was dating an Asian or non white person. The people with the problem would be our very own Asian people.

No matter how hard the white person tries they will never be good enough, many see them as caste-less, with lower morals, and less God fearing, than our own people. Even if the person converts and starts to speak our language. But then, who is ever good enough for your child?

The inter-race prejudice comes, I feel, mainly from our own insecurities, our lack of self confidence, our lack of self esteem, to make ourselves feel good or better we put down our own people. And we will use any and every means, ‘they are darker’ ‘they are stupider’ ‘they are uglier’ ‘they are cow worshippers’ ‘they are cow eaters’ they are this that and the next thing.

These things are further compounded by stereotypes, Sindhis are chalak, Baluchis will rob you, Punjabis are loud and over emotional, Pathans are dangerous, Kashmiris are lazy, The bhaias are kunjoos etc. Over the recent years I have seen Pathans from Afghanistan come into the Punjabi countryside, which for Punjabi people is quite daunting, they live in their own bastiaN away from the villages and a million and one stories are spread about them. My Baji doesn’t like us to stop at the adda that is across from their basti as she feels the men look dodgy, untrustworthy and shifty (yes can you believe it, there is are people that look dodgier than Punjabi people!) Contrary to belief, not all Pathans are fair skinned sturdy people. Their women never come out and mingle with other women and in the soaring heating they still wear that all encompassing dress.

In Faisalabad there is a Pathan family that lives in my massi’s neighbourhood, all they do is have kids, every second day you would hear gunshots being fired into the air because they had another kid (tho that I hear has calmed down). They don’t speak Punjabi or even much Urdu, and my little cousin puts stones in a shoe box and shakes it around to imitate the sound of their language. Again even in the city they don’t mingle with other people as much and over the years, I have never got to know any of them but many of the other mohalla vallahs. Their lack of integration has encouraged even more prejudices, and my aunties openly wish them back to Afghanistan or NWFP. Although a lot of prejudice in Punjab against Pathans can also be due to historical reasons, with the Pathan invasions where they didn’t even spare Muslim people, so there is an historical lack of trust.

Even my sister who was born and brought up here, on a recent visit to Kohat to visit her Jeth, Jethani, said to me ‘…when I seen the sign Welcome to Punjab, I felt relief…’ though I think that was more to do with language and home comforts, although it has to be said that coming from Punjab, NWFP seems very conservative, intimidating, and unsafe, partly from the stereotypes we have and partly from what we see there.

Despite this at the end of the day we know its in our advantage to stick together as a nation, and we do co-operate and get on with it, one of the best examples of this would be the very dull and boring city of Islamabad. My cousins there have friends from all provinces, communication is in Urdu, but they have taught each other a word or two of each others languages and my cousins have explained a lot to me about Sindhi, Balochi, Pathan, etc. cultures, their similarities to ours and the little quirks that they have. I often enjoy meeting their friends as there are so many different kinds and always so many questions to ask. However, these are all people of a certain class and education level and probably represent the more refined parts of their provinces and culture.

An interesting twist to this is when Indians come to Pakistan, there is no prejudice just an amazing amount of curiosity, a curiosity that’s not so strong when people from two different provinces meet. Its almost like India (old des) is the new valait version 2 (but the valaities speak our language too).

Are We The Most Racist Of Them All? Kaura,

My parents and grandparents don’t/didn’t use the word desi the way it is used today in North America and India and by North American Pakistani people, as I mentioned below, the only time (even today) you’ll see the word desi in common usage in Punjab is in association with herbal medicine.

For the context with which the word desi is used today, there are many different words in our language. Examples:

English Punjabi

S/He is desi Eh apna/i pakistani/hindustani/Punjabi eh…
This is desi food Eh apna/Hindustani/Pakistani/Punjabi/kashmiri khana eh
Desi books and cd’s Punjabi kitabaN tey CDiaN
Desi issues Apney/apney logaN de masley

In this way the word desi is almost English. Think about it, when in Punjabi would you ever use the word desi, it is usually in a totally different way than in English, you would use it to say things like desi murghi, desi duva, desi hakeem, desi alaaj… but not desi loag, desi khana, desi kitabaN etc. the word desi isn’t used that way in Punjabi as it is in English, either in Indian or Pakistani Punjab.

If we ever talk to our parents and grandparents about India (very rarely – unless about some long lingering family dispute) then we would say des, as in our family it has come to mean their old village in India that they left eons ago.

You can say in Punjabi MeiN apney vatan challaN or MeiN apney Mulk challaN (I am going to my country) if we were going back to Pakistan for a visit or whatever. However, if you say MeiN apney des challaN, this has much stronger connotations, and would usually be said with a bit more emotion than just Vatan or Mulk. By saying des you are saying your land, your village, the part of the country you belong to, the part that you have an emotional attachment with, not just any city or village, but that which you pine for, long for, and feel for, your dharti, your mitthi.

Are We The Most Racist Of Them All? Sorry forgot to mention,

Pakistani term for other Pakistani is `Hum Vatan` as opposed to `desi`