A Failed Education I agree with romair: we need to physically do something about our country`s education system.
our literacy rate is a major hurdle for development...we need NGOs (because the government seems to be doing nothing about this issue ) that are willing to impart education to those who cant afford to pay for it..i know there are few such facilities in low-income areas.. money is definitely an issue because if the govt. would finally put some aside for education, it would help a great deal in re establishing ghost schools and making new operational ones. but that, we know is not about to happen.
i agree with the author that we need an education system that incourages critical thinking and doesnt just thrust the positive non-controversial issues into our face, but even before we get there, dont you think there is a dire need to increase literacy? i guess that sounds kind of tongue in cheek but think of all those kids who are begging and working for meagre wages, just because they werent born rich enough to get an education..

The Blackout Shandana: wow..you have no idea how much that means to me coming from you..

atifhassan: glad this influenced you in such a way...

Read this quote in the Toronto star yesterday by French philosopher Jean Baudrillard:

``The skylines lit up at dead of night, the air-conditioning systems cooling empty hotels in the desert and artificial light in the middle of the day all have something both demented and admirable about them. The mindless luxury of a rich civilization, and yet of a civilization perhaps as scared to see the lights go out as was the hunter in his primitive night.``

MohsinA: Im not looking down on the west - i live here and like i said i like the country etc. By no means am i saying that the authorities are blameless for the countless blackouts in pakistan either. Im just saying that in a strange sort of way, we are lucky to not have so much technology in our developing countries because it makes us more human. I know it sounds romantic but hey its my take; we can agree to disagree no?
nonetheless youre right about the reason being that it has never happened to them before...i just find it scary that a blackout becomes a catastrophe..

doublec: sigh. I heard state inspectors were doing their rounds to check for price gouging and spoilt food etc.. but i guess some people still took advantage..like T said, they were few and far between thankfully.

Black Days in Karachi I heard about the spill but had no idea it was this bad...lets hope the authorities will wake up and do something about the situation apart from pretending everything is hunky dory..that is so typical...i guess all we can do is hope and pray that these ``officials`` will move their asses and do something.

The Blackout
thankyou syd, T again. But Syd, why should`nt people be calm ? i mean its just electricity... the world did exist pre-electricity and life does go on...kher i agree its a different world..and yes the people were extremely helpful and thats the one thing that i realize about canadians.. theyre very gallant

bmk; actually i did send them this piece, its not like they picked it up from my ilog ..but just didnt expect it to get here so also posted it there (ilog)
nonetheless bmk thankyou very much for the words of encouragement - they mean alot.

tahmed sahab, sigh...canada bohot khoobsurat hai maggar rozi jahan le jaati hai wahan chale atay hein..how i wish we lived somewhere in NovaScotia or even a greener part of toronto and especially not in a multi storey apt. building but kya karein...i by no means wish to defame Canada. It is a wonderful country with wonderful people and inshallah if i every get the chance i will explore it more.

Azure: merci. couldnt agree more.

The Sheep Dilemma omyGod !
i went through this exact same phase recently and actually its something thats stuck with me. Im sorry I refuse to see the positive side of fashion...creativity is good, art is good, but fashion...or capitalism for that matter - i dont see the benefits outweighing the disadvantages
which prompts me to ask you.what are u doing at IBA?! i guess i sound judgemental...just wondering why you wouldnt pursue creative writing or something..

Madiha, if youre interested, I read about Thorstein Veblen, a political economist who coined the word ``conspicuous-consumption`` in my sociology class (im not dropping names, i had to study this guy!). He talks about how people attach meaning to economic goods , and they (clothes, jewellery etc) start saying who you are, how rich you are etc.

Carnage and Casuality Re: Romair in response to your post #99

kAABA, THE CRATOR, AND THE QURAN ARE ALL ONE
WOULD IT NOT HAVE BEEN GREAT, IF THE MUSLIMS WERE ONE

IN SOME PLACE THERE IS SECTARIANISM AND IN SOME NATIONALISM
IS THIS THE ONLY WAY TO PROGRESS IN THIS ERA ?
IQBAL

KAFIR FOR A DAY

When Ali Bin AbiTalib, became the Caliph of the then Islamic world, he appointed Maalik Bin Ashtar as the Governor of Egypt. Bin Ashtar was summoned by Imam Ali and given the following instructions before leaving for Egypt:
``You will govern two kinds of people, Those that are your brothers in faith, and those that are your brothers in creation - be equally fair and
just to both``
This is the just Imam I follow, and for this reason a section of militant Muslims crazed with the Wahabi ideology and financed by petro dollars, want to declare the Shias as non-Muslim or ``kafirs``
There is another Muslim community who has already been declared as kafirs by the Supreme court of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (a.k.a. God almighty) This is the Ahmadi or Qadiani community. The fact is that you have to condemn them in order to get a Pakistani passport.
On July 6, 2003 I decided to spend the day with these brothers and sisters to share in their ``Jalsa Salana`` in Toronto. The event comprised of Quran recitaiton, speeches by religious and non-religious personalities, recognitions and a delicious lunch. Prayer arrangements were excellent for both ladies and gents. Administratively, I have yet to attend a better programme.
Over lunch, I sat with a Qadiani gentleman and his guests. We talked at length on commalities and differences in our belief system. He explained that they DO believe in the finality of Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family), and that Mirza Ghulam Mohammad of Qadian was a messiah (the final reformer or Mahdi)
I totally disagreed with him, as this is contrary to my belief as a Shia. However, I did not grab his collar and try to burn his clothes while he was still in them (Ahmadi killings near Lahore 2000 while trying to pray in a Sunni mosque). He did not threaten to kill me while I pray in my mosque (Shia killings in Quetta mosque 2003). We parted heaving learnt from one another of the beauty of diversity in Islam, and mutual respect for each other and our views.
I felt proud in associating with the Ahmadi community. I know it was something to be proud of, for I found that it is better to be perceived a kafir and still struggle to find God, than be a Muslim from a MAD-ressa and graduate in the only subject they teach - HATE!!!
Read Reflect and distribute

Syed Sohail Raza
Toronto

Carnage and Casuality UmerMurtaza:
OBL`s fed has shia groups ?! The taleban are responsible for the mass murder of shia hazaras among other things...i seriously doubt he has shias under his wing..

HisExcellency:(62)
Thanks for that post. It gave me some valuable information..it is very heartwarming to see so many concerned sunnis...

Carnage and Casuality Re: Naqshbandi..

You dont have to agree with what shias believe in. Similarly, noone can say who a kafir is and who isnt. Thats for God to decide.
Just be tolerant and accept the differences.
We dont preach and we dont begrudge people who dont share our views, then why should that treatment be meted out to us?
I dont know of such an extremist shia group that you talk about, but im sure there must be because quite frankly and unfortunately theyre everywhere - then again there are wahabi sunnis right? thats the sunni extremists..
The bottom line is there are differences but its important to be ok with that. You said you cant pray behind them, i find that a little extreme but i understand it..

Carnage and Casuality Thanks everyone for your feedback especially Temporal, ally, RZaidi, ahmedzai

PM:
<>
My first instinct was to laugh..and then cry! How can you believe such things? I have no idea how and why these myths spread. Im sure it was some version of chinese whisper,but how can people believe them ..
I have compared Korans with sunni friends so i can confidently say that there is NO difference. The difference may be in the interpretation of certain verses but thats the extent of it.
heres a link if anyone wishes to explore this further: http://www.shianews.com/hi/articles/islam/0000161.php

<>
Blood?! i guess since we beat ourselves up (not others mind u :)) they associate blood with our food...pretty imaginative i`d say! but honestly, i`d like to know who spreads these and how too...

here are some more misconceptions refuted:
http://www.hansot.com/discuss/_discuss/00001365.htm

Misconception #2: Some Shia consider Ali as God. Response: Not true. It is disbelief to even think of such a thing. During the time of Ali, some pagan groups called Gholat did consider Ali as Lord. When he found out, they were burned to death.

Misconception #3: Shias have different declarations of faith and they add to the call to prescribed prayer. Response: The declaration to become a Muslim, as administered to non-Muslims, is the same. Some Shia add to themselves, ``Ali is a friend of God (PBUH) or Ali is a spiritual leader of God,`` after the call to prescribed prayer, but not as part of the call to prescribed prayer.

Misconception #4: Shias do not perform sunnah prayers. Sunnah prayers are non obligatory prayers performed by Prophet Muhammad. Response: Shias do perform non-obligatory prayers, 36 cycles per day in total, but call it nawafil and not sunnah.

Misconception #5: Some Shia believe the Angel Gabriel made a mistake and prophethood was meant for Ali and not Muhammad (PBUH). Response: Not true. No Shia thinks of such false claims. ``Only demented minds think of such questions.``

Misconception #6: Shias slander and ridicule the first three caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman) and Prophet Muhammad`s wife, Ayisha. Response: Shia consider the first three caliphs as great companions and good Muslim administrators, but not spiritual leaders (imams). Imam Jafar Sadiq, whose mother and grand mother came from the line of Abu Bakr, said of Abu Bakr, ``He gave me birth twice.`` Ayisha is respected by Shias as the ``Mother of Believers,`` as Ali respected her when he sent her back from Basra to Madinah after the Battle of the Camel. If some Shia do slander the three caliphs and Ayisha, they do it out of ignorance and should ask God`s forgiveness.

Misconception # 7: Shias combine all five prayers into one prayer in the evening. Response: Not true. In Shia mosques, whether in Iran or the USA, all five daily prayers are performed. Some working Shia do combine noon and afternoon and evening and night, but Shia scholars recommend performing them separately. Such combinations may not be ideal, but better than not praying at all. How can a Sunni who does not pray at all be better than a Shia who combines prayers? Misconception # 8: Shias do not pay zakat (poor-due). Response: Not true. They not only pay 2.5% left over from savings as zakat, but also an additional 20% as khums or general charity. However, they prefer to pay directly to the needy rather than corrupt government (in Pakistan, Gulf and western countries).

Carnage and Casuality First of all, i want to thank Patrick Masih for writing this..

isnt it ironic how sunnis dont openly condemn these things? I am thankful to people like Naqshbandi and ally who expressed their condemnation but where is everyone else?

I am very proud of being a pakistani despite the fact that I have had relatives killed simply because they were shia. Many of us have had to fled to foreign countries because of similar threats. But i would still love to go back and live in pakistan - sometimes though i ask myself if i really should be this patriotic?

I know i belong to a minority group. But somehow i am proud of that because the minorities in pakistan - the christians, parsis, ahmedis, shias - have contributed to the fields of education tremendously. Moreover although they have faced so much repression, they continue to support their country unconditionally.

Im sorry if i am acting rather immaturely and emotionally by writing the above, but somehow, seeing the pillars of my community butchered because they subscribed to non-wahabiism really affects me. And i did witness it personally.

I just want to clarify a few misunderstandings that educated sunnis have asked me about.Since childhood i was asked these questions and time and again i have clarified them, questions like:

- do you guys spit in your food?
No. This was asked of ``niaz`` or food on which we pray fateha(prayer) over. No we donot spit in our food, otherwise how would we eat it? (The Sipahesahaba website has proclaimed that we make our men put their ``stuff`` in it - i have to marvel at their imagination while feeling disgusted at their hatred)

- do men and women perform sexual acts on ashura in the imambarga?
Yes as ridiculous as it sounds, people actually believe this.. i think it stems from the agakhani practice of holding hands when praying certain duas (dont see anything wrong with that) combined with the fact that we switch off all lights on the night of ashura to mourn iman hussain. No we donot do any such thing. I would invite anyone who has the opportunity to please attend one of these majlises and see for themselves that all we do is remember our slain imam and mourn. The lights are switched off because it gives a sense of ``sham-e-garibaan`` eve of the poor which is what we refer to ashura night as.

-didnt you kill imam hussain yourself and are now weeping over it?
No. Yazid had imam hussain and his family killed (please see shianews.com for a detailed account)

-you guys emphasize hazrat ali more than the prophet
No. We believe the prophet was in fact the last prophet but we believe hazrat ali deserved to be the first caliph and his right was usurped. Once again, its a belief - you may not agree with it, but thats no reason to kill people who do. We emphasize the 5 panjitan - The prophet, hazrat ali, bibi fatema(d/o the prophet) and the prophet`s grandsons Imam hassan and Imam hussain. We praise and love and revere the prophet just as sunnis.we have milads too btw

- you pray twice/once a day
No.we have five times just like you guys. see shianews.com for details

-you dont believe in the Koran/you have a different Koran
Nope. Exact same as other muslims. every word is the same.

I would like to point out here that most shias dont agree with hurling abuse on the caliphs, infact i was never told the sunnis were different or the 4 caliphs were negative - i wonder why sunnis are fed so much damaging information about shias.

I remember the days when my memon neighbours would come to our majlises wearing pink and red and noone looked at them twice. I remember the days when sunnis came to our jullooses, our majlises to hear about imam husain.I remember them sending us niaz because they commemorated ashura too. Imam husain is the sunnis as much as he is the shias, but in their hatred of shias, the wahabis have created this anti-husain phenomenon that ripples through the entire sunni community - even my tolerant friends have strange ideas about shias.

I`d like to emphasize what naqshbandi said : this does not apply to all sunnis - it is the extremist wahabis who spread such damaging information about shias and are responsible for killing not only shias but christians and ahmedis as well. Just because we dont agree with their views doesnt mean we deserve to be killed. I just wish the tolerant sunnis would try and erase these misconceptions and speak out.

ana,
this is great. I remember someone asking you on unplugged to write of your experience as a Pakistani Christian...although Im unsure if this is your experience, some instances in your story are very poignant(like the funeral, the muslim boyfriend, the punjabi) .. hope to see more of these!

Cable-Unable hilarious!
especially the first half..
I had no idea Najam Shiraz had jumped on the mullah bandwagon..
waisay isnt music haraam? wonder how they justify their passion for both islam and music...

Pakistan and India - Lets Compromise ``jehadi’ groups trained in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir cross over to the Indian side to fight and instigate the ‘religious’ war, which has killed nearly 70 thousand persons``
I dont understand...the author went to this extent to say that infact Pakistan is training jehadis`, even citing the number of dead people..why do some people on this board insist that ``crossborder terrorism`` is a myth pakistanis dont accept?? yes some dont but as far as this article is concerned -how clear can he be?

A similar incident happened here in toronto.Just like the ``educated`` indian audience applauded, when an article was published by a pakistani condemning - pakistan`s sponsoring the jehadis, and welcoming the present thaw in relations, as it averts the threat of a nuclear war - he received alot of hate mail by the ``educated`` Pakistanis calling the writer ``unpatriotic``...
We have our faults but so do indians. We have jehadis you have SS.
Lets hope something concrete and positive comes out of this recent development - its easier to hate than to accept each others faults and move on.
Let me initiate this - I love Indians! I really have nothing against them. I just think most of us are reacting exactly the way the hatemongers and politicians want us to..

Exploring the Eternal Jihad: Islam vs. Sexuality
``The Muslim man, he is all the talk only, this and that, about the Jihad, and how special he is, but really he is stupid, he only beats his wife and he can`t beat anyone bigger than him.``

indeed

Pakistan Today I don`t think the writer is talking about the Qabacha played by Behroz Sabzwari. Tanhaiyan aired in the late 80`s and the writer refers to a 70`s play.

The Recompense Mr.Anjum,
I don`t think you expected better feedback than what youve been getting with a plot that revolves around sh.t!
Nonetheless you amalgamate two extremes. The ``good`` worship of God, and the one utterly dirty, ``najis`` thing ie sh.t
The concept of placating, if you will, of God through an abominable thing like sh.t which is as unpure as God is pure is incredulous, yet novel. We shudder at the thought of eating sh.t and perhaps that was your purpose..to make us shudder :) but to eat sh.t in return for a blessing - thats strange!