The Disturbed I liked this one. The writer succesfully painted the picture. I loved the decription of the rain. I could almost feel the rain tapping gently on my window- this is work of a good writer

Chicken Biryani I was not very impressed by the story. From the moment it began, I could predict the ending. A fairly simple irony was dipicted. The overused, reaching towards the end, the negative emotions melt away, the overwhelming relief and security and just then 'poof'.

The Choice of Leading a Gay Life I'm glad that the debate of homosexuality has finally come to the fore. The entire incidence has directed the countrys attention to this issue- an issue that has always been swept under the carpet. Keep the debate alive- till the shock subsides.

Live Earth - A lesson to be learned Re: # 1

Never underestimated the power of awareness. Live Aid of the 80s generated immense awareness to the general public. Most of the western public is aware of the Aids crises due to its association with huge concerts and celebrities such as Geldof and Bono.

Live8 generated further awareness about African poverty crises not to mention the amount of money generated.

And to the author of this article, I do agree- in fact, it is such a coincedence, I was having the same conversation with a friend a few days earlier. I would love to act on this.

The Invisible Men Paks is the land of the kings- it`s a country where hard work and struggle for your bread and butter is looked down upon with pity rather than pride. A single mother, working and raising her children at the same time, is only looked down upon- rather than applauding her for her hard work and spiritual strength and stamina, other married women feel better about themselves, they gloat with immense pride at their easy lives; a completly contrary attitude is seen in the west.

As a result, for those of us who own no land have to work hard for ourselves and our families. We need the appreciation of our hard work in financial and social terms. That is why, we rather struggle in the west, knowing that our hard work will pay off eventually.

I know a couple who own a house worth qaurter of a million pounds, you would think that its a home of some investment banker- no, the wife works in catering at her local hospital and the husband works at a car factory.

That would never be possible here in pakistan.

The Power of Positive Thinking Re: # 3

``They feel, rightly, that they have no control over their lives, their futures or their destiny and thus there is no sense of civic pride, politeness, altruism, a desire to help others, improve their communities etc. ``

I completly agree.... i want to add so much to this but i just don`t know where to start.

however, i think my sentiment can be summed up in one fact, that the above illustrated sense of despair is truely a result of a `un` free society.

Globalization and Human Relationship
#5 - my point exactly.

``This world belongs to the whole human race and all living beings. ``

Then it is a good thing that the human race has chosen to lead more international lives. One son in Australia, the other in Europe and the parents in India- it’s a wonderful story. The parents have raised their sons to be independent and explore a world greater than themselves; therefore expanding their knowledge and souls and collecting experiences, making these individuals far more interesting human beings.

Globalization also implies the disappearance of nationalities and borders and the localization of cultures. What should it matter now, where human beings live- I say we should terminate boundaries and the useless parade of nationalism. It`s got us nowhere in the last two hundred years, where will it get us now?

Let`s attempt at being citizens of the world- see where it leads us!

The Day We Killed Bob Woolmer pool of blood, vomit... hmm... doesn`t sound like a heart attack to me or even poisening, sounds more like ODing to me.

also.. education does not necessarily teach discipline, don`t blame the teams lack of discipline on lack of education. Lack of discipline is generally the pakistani culture. Our nation is very lazy.

Karachi: The Descent Into Alienation After some years of living abroad I decided to move to Karachi this time instead of back to my home town of Islamabad. I thought that since I am a writer interested in the discourse of the media who loves cities, Karachi would be the best option; sure! It is on the dangerous side but how bad could it be?- boy was I wrong!

Every single person I had met in Karachi had been robbed on gun point, and they did not speak of it with fear but with a hint of humor. Rather than voicing their discontent to the people in charge, they just adapted to their situations by purchasing cheap phones to take on the street. Their attitudes were shockingly apathetic, in the five months that I was in Karachi there were about three bombings, normal to the Karachites, a city crises for me- but I was the only one amongst my friends to feel like this.

Not only is Karachi filled with lawlessness and disorder, the pollution levels are unbearable. Our largest commercial center has poor sanitation and abysmal drainage systems, high levels of noise pollution due to heavy traffic and worse of all not a single tree in sight! I remember the Hum TV office, a savvy building on chundrigar road faced a pool of rotting garbage and plastic bags.

People are just living in such poor conditions. I feel that the people of Karachi rather than just adapting to these situations must do something about this, the blame game will not work.

It is not normal to be robbed and live in a state of constant fear. It is not normal to live in such high levels of pollution and dirt.

It is sad that the most culturally rich city of our country is an inhumanly place to reside.

Now that I have moved back to Islamabad, I never take it for granted and nor do any of my Karachi friends who come over to visit.

Why Aren’t Muslim Women Converting to Christianity? First of all your conclusion is completely different to the title of your essay. I thought we were talking about Muslim women converting to Islam?

Second of all, statistics are never a 100% accurate; there is tendency towards decontextualization of the issue. Therefore, bringing context back into the discussion posed in your title; My question is how are you so sure about this? Are you actually stating that in the history of the world no Muslim woman has ever converted to Christianity? I know three women, and they`re both from Karachi. But, it’s never publicized, out of fear. Like domestic violence, this is another issue Muslim would keep silent about.

Thirdly, the point that I have a problem with is when you state:

``I guess what he is saying is that Islam doesn’t put emphasis on the “HOTNESS” of a woman, but rather on her character``

So are you implying that Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism etc emphasize that a woman must dress up as sexily as possible to be virgin and saint like? What are you talking about?! Christianity and Judaism belong to the Abrahamic religions, they believe in the same Prophets as muslims do, you should give them respect in your melodramatic arguments.

Your perception of the world is divided by either Islam, or sexual perversion.

For people like you, every act that is performed in expression of ones identity-much like what serious Muslims attend to achieve- that is different from your principles, is not just wrong, but in fact a sexual perversion.

If you want to educate people about the magnificent nature of Islam, then you will have to try to state your ideas without insulting other religions, misinterpretating them by deeming them inferior and perverting the actions of a modern individual. It is not your right or place.

Western Sitcoms: A Reflection of Our Society? This is a long forgotten article as I had sent this almost a year ago. I appreciate all your positive comments.

I do understand that such shows are for pure entertainment; but alas, i`m a sociologist afterall. I can`t , but help and ponder how the reltively insignificant can be significant

all in all, the fact that we as can assimilate such the essentially western influences and relitivise them, for our own social and cultural progress is what matters. I was simply bringing such a notion into the limlight.

Thanks everyone.

peace.

Value of a Citizen ``Recently, leader of the Liberal Democrat party (third largest party in UK) had to resign just because he admitted to having drinking problems (though nobody had seen him drinking in public). ``

I`m not quite sure about your statement above. I am not defending Mushraff just suggesting that you may want to rephrase.

All the british politicians drink in public, naturally its their culture. They all drink in parties and meetings after work, as did Musharaff. Therefore, why should drinking be an issue in public? as there is no other means of it. In fact, the leader of the Liberal Democrat Party had to step down because he was drinking in `` private``, and thats where the problem begins for him- an alcoholic is a problem as opposed to the occasional binge drinker.

Catch 22 1/2 I must commend you on your interdisciplinary approach to your argument. Successfully identifying the political and historical causes and measuring their effects through popular culture. It is very rare that I get to see a sociologically sound argument. :)

Happy New Year !

Peace…

Faith No More Correction: ` Keep us updated once it is complete`

Faith No More I second all the positive feedback you have recieved for your moving piece. I am very interested in the documentary your planning, please do keep us once it is complete.

Contemplation of our selves is what this artical provokes, which is pertinent and necessary on the eve of the New Year.

Happy New Year to you and everyone :)

Peace...

Maulanas cry foul over a ’suhaag-raat’ #9


``If I were in the place of the author, I would rather say, I enjoy nude scenes, and scenes showing lovemaking, though I am a Muslim, BUT would always abstain from calling it the right thing. I consider it is wrong, though a smaller kind of wrong... and hence, not doing much harm. ``

What in the world are you ranting about there??

You really expect a professional journalist in a press conference to say all that rubbish?!
Why are you using the term ‘enjoy’? Your missing the point.

People are different and with Islam containing a diverse number of followers, there will be different opinions. In this day an age, it is possible to be a practicing Muslim and - read carefully here- NOT OBJECT to such scenes. When you do not OBJECT it does not directly imply that one enjoys such scenes of pleasure. Such scenes do not necessarily instigate sexual pleasure for everyone; rather, it is so common now a days that some, if not all are fairly nonchalant. Or, one may not even enjoy such scenes and press fast forward instead, but he/she may not object.

I agree that there is a difference between ascribed faith and practicing it. However, next time in the future, do not assume things to be black and white just because your religion tells you so. It is rude and unfair to imply that the author `enjoys` watching such films because she does not have a problem with it.

And finally, our dear maulana’s , the zenith of ‘practicing Muslims’ are big consumers of prostitution and sexual abuse cases.

Peace...