Hope is all we have...

Today we mourn the loss of lives in a recent event that has occurred in Islamabad. Our fellow students - our fellow countrymen in fact, have died a painful death - Nay, they have been murdered. Innocents as they were, their lives are now lost. We speak to you today out of a humble need. A need to communicate, not to instigate you against others. We speak to you today to shed some light on our situation.

We now live in dark times. Our schools are being targeted; our educational institutions are being bombed. Today, it is our schools. Tomorrow it will be our Masajid. Maybe even our homes. If anyone remembers, this is how many states were brought down (like Afghanistan) - the schools were targeted, and once they were gone, illiteracy spread. With illiteracy came doubt.

The people did not know WHAT they were facing, much less WHO they were facing. So I ask you… I beg you today... don’t give up hope, don’t give in to their demands. Doing so will insult the memories of those that have died so recently. Our only way to win now, is to be the light in the age of darkness, and to do that, we have to become successful. Our only way to thwart those against us, is to deny them the satisfaction of knowing they have broken us down.

We also want to talk about the things that are dividing us. We plead to you today to set aside all your differences. Forget about you being a Karachite, or your friend being a Lahori, or a Kashmiri or a Sindhi or whatever. These things do not mater now. We should be united. In that aspect, forget all about Sindhi’s, Balochi’s, Pashtu’s, Kashmiri’s or Punjabis. Think of Pakistan as one big school. Think of all the Muslims as all the students.

Don’t panic around and don’t be fooled. Don’t be mislead into believing things that are not true. Our only hope now is if we stick together. Our only hope now is if we support each other. Above all, don’t let propaganda and politicians and radicals and racists fool you and put a blindfold over your eyes. Do not insult the memory of those that have been killed by doing this. Know that we are under threat. Know that our time is now. Know that we have to do the best we can for ourselves. For our schools. For Karachi. For Pakistan.

Don’t fight with violence or vengeance. The moment you fight, that moment you give others a chance to fight back. At that moment they have won. They have made you lose control of yourself. Let us passively resist anything anyone throws at us. Fight with your MINDS. They don’t want us to study? We WILL study. They don’t want us to pray? We WILL pray. They don’t want all the Pakistani's to be united? WE WILL BE UNITED.!

What we are trying to make you understand is that we don't care who has done this. It could be terrorists or anyone else. The thing is: It doesn’t matter. This was the first step in many to come. We have to stop this before it has a chance to begin. Don’t let them brainwash you. Don’t let them break you. Stand your ground and be cut to pieces, just don’t ever give up your beliefs. Don’t let them make you illiterate. Do not become one of the sheep that follow the lies.

They could attack anywhere that is true. So what do you plan on doing? Will you just stop living? Will you let these heartless murderers break you down? Will you just hide behind the curtain of deceit and hope for the day someone lifts it? Will you let them indoctrinate your children into fear, a fear that drives them away from their realities, their beliefs and their lives. No is the answer to these questions. Cowards are not dealt with actions based on cowardice. Rather, they are dealt with emotion, courage and faith.

Let us take an oath today. Let us Promise that we will have the courage to study, to practice freedom of thought and expression, and that we will defy all that say that we are not allowed to believe what we would like to believe, so that years on, when the children of this country live in an air of freedom and glory, men will say, “This was their finest hour”.

The enemy we face today is not known. The enemy that is brewing constantly a plan of destruction and death for us is merciless. The enemy we face is deadly in its own right. The enemy we face today has its own evil geniuses. But don’t we have the guidance of the greatest Genius of them all? We indeed do. In the heavens, He is watching. A step forward is all the moment needs. He is watching ladies and gentlemen.

Do you realise? He is not God for nothing. He is waiting for men like us to take action. He is waiting for people like us to show that we are worthy of being called Muslims. A step forward, a step to show everyone that we will not be bullied into give up our freedom, that we will retain the right to stand-by our beliefs, is all I ask of you. That’s all you need to do. Help will then descend. Ranks upon ranks, deadlier than our enemy. Sometimes it is not enough to do your best.. Sometimes we have to do what is required. Do not give into their demands of following generic thinking.

And people, we would consider it humiliating to have failed without trying. Such is the magnitude of the war above us, the war between our minds and our consciousness. If we win, we shall never have such great a victory. If we lose, we shall never have such great a defeat...

Let us now have one minute of silence for the students that died. And this silence is not for the sake of silence. During this minute just think about what has happened. A bomb - an actual BOMB was dropped on students who wished no more than to be something in their lives. A package of pure, concentrated death was unleashed upon them. So let us, just for a minute, think about what has happened.

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How Education can bring revolution in Pakistan ?

Whenever educational system in Pakistan is discussed, an alarming situation is presented as if in the last 63 years nothing has been done in this sector. Generally speaking, many studies highlighted Pakistan’s educational system as deteriorating which fail to equip students with skills necessary for modern economy. I have not yet come across any western study which has appreciated Pakistan’s public and government run schools and institutions. Specifically focusing on the studies carried out after the year 2000, reforms and increase in resources in private schools and Madrassas have been suggested but in case of public and government run schools, devolution of powers from government to the community has been suggested. Interestingly, much work has already been done and today we would find participation of parents, politicians, community members and others in the affairs of public and government educational institutions. It seems that the western nations and International Organizations are bent upon taking over all the public and government run schools and pass over to the community. It is a bitter truth that the public and government run schools have lost their charm and private schools are gradually replacing them. Alone, in the month of June 2010, the Punjab government permanently closed down at least ten of its schools in highly populated areas of Rawalpindi district. Ironically, these schools were closed due to low attendance of the students but in the same areas, where these schools were located, the private schools are jam-packed and flourishing.

If we peep into the history, during the British rule in India (now India, Pakistan and Bangladesh), the British officially tried to spread modern education and Christianity in South Asia as well as other parts of the world. For the purpose, it was laid down in the Charter Act of 1813 of British Parliament that “It was the duty of this country to promote the introduction of useful knowledge and religion and moral improvements in India and that facilities be offered by law to persons desirous of going to and remaining in India to accomplish this benevolent design” In other words, to change the minds of South Asian people was the first and foremost need of the British to continue their rule. Due to the fact that the missionaries were settled under the protection of British Army, almost all the schools, convents, churches, chapels and cathedrals were located in the cantonment areas. Missionaries established institutions such as seminaries, educational institutions, hospitals and industrial homes etc and through these institutions society was greatly influenced in terms of socio-cultural, educational and economic activities. Due to the same reasons, in less than one and a half century the minds of almost all the top men and women were changed with modern approach. It is a matter of great concern that today, the people from same countries and other like minded people are not allowing the Pakistani government to control the schools and allow educational institutions to teach Islamic culture, traditions and the religion.

After the creation of Pakistan as first Islamic ideological state in the world, efforts were made on war footings to cement the Islamic colours in every walk of life. Education was given the prime importance and efforts were made to Islamize all educational institutions with provision for the protection of religion, culture and traditions of minorities. The architect and founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah even prior to the creation of Pakistan funded Muslim intuitions especially the chain of Islamia Schools located in various cities of India including Rawalpindi, Gujaranwala, Amratsar, Jullander etc. Keeping in view the importance of education, first educational conference was held from 28 November to 2 December 1947 at Karachi. On the occasion, Quaid-e-Azam said, “Under foreign rule for over a century, in the very nature of things, I regret, sufficient attention has not been paid to the education of our people, and if we are to make any real, speedy and substantial progress, we must earnestly tackle this question and bring our educational policy and program on the lines suited to the genius of our people, consonant with our history and culture, and having regard to the modern conditions and vast developments that have taken place all over the world. There is no doubt that the future of our State will and must greatly depend upon the type of education and the way in which we bring up our children as the future servants of Pakistan. Education does not merely mean academic education, and even that appears to be of a very poor type. What we have to do is to mobilize our people and build up the character of our future generations.”

Today Pakistani nation is at the cross roads; whether to follow the Islamic ideological education on the basis of which Pakistan was created or western education which stresses on western value. Ideological education is a gateway for upholding our religion, culture, traditions and achieving eternal life while the western education is a passport to worldly success in seeking employment in western and European world. In fact, the western nations are bent upon destroying the Islamic ideological educational system in Pakistan. One cannot doubt the intensions of all the donors as many among them seriously consider that Pakistani educational institutions require reforms and paradigm change at the grass root level. However, the donors need to realize that Pakistan came into being so that Muslims of North Western and Eastern zones of India can lead their lives both individually and collectively according to the tenants of Islam. If the donors really want to help Pakistan, they have to restore and renovate schools, colleges and other institutions with which our culture and heritage is associated. Ironically, throughout Pakistan there are chain of Islamia schools, Muslim schools and colleges, which were established in the late 19th century and early 20th century. In Rawalpindi city alone there are four Islamia schools and even greater numbers of Muslim schools but their conditions are pathetic. Such schools are intentionally being ignored by the authorities and their historic and magnificent buildings are turning into ruins due to disorderly wild growth of trees, illegal shops/hotels and occupation of schools’ land by corrupt elements.

We have mile stones in our new educational policy which include provision of free primary education by 2015, provision of free education up to Matric by 2025 and overall increase in literacy rate to 86 percent by 2015. These over ambitious milestones in National Educational Policy are not a new approach. In reality, if we look back to the policies framed in the past we would conclude that our policy makers had been making mere improvements in milestones without suggesting how to do it. Interestingly, the policy makers who are deputed the task of framing it are themselves not very sure how to reach the set targets. The plight of our educational system would remain unaddressed till the time the government honestly makes an effort to inject the spirit of ideology of Pakistan in our public and government run schools. To achieve this objective, government must take over the direct control of all educational institution and introduce standard quality education without any discrimination in syllabus and induction of teachers. One wonders, what could be the reason that our education department and the government have closed their eyes and are allowing public and government run schools as well as historic educational institutions to loose their identity.

Movie Review: Cast Away

Cast Away is wonderful is inspiring movie for those who are frustrated from their lives, beautifully written, acted and directed. The movie begins with the FED-Ex employee, the leading character,who believes in doing everything on time, He loved his job and life. He was married man, and his wife was professor at school and he has busy life, they had to celebrate the Christmas in a car  because the hero, Tom Hanks has to move to another city for meeting.

He was in plane, with four others employees. The plane crashed in an ocean because the pilots lost the track, and they couldn't stay in touch with the instructor on the phone. He survived in the tragic and fortunately, He got life saving boat, which took him to an Island.

The concept of movie was more motivating, the person struggling to keep himself alive. He had the gift of her wife, which was her pic in the locket, which was source of motivation for him. His struggle in an Island, remind of me of early human struggle in Old Stone Age. He lived for four years in that Island and he kept himself alive, there was a volleyball and he made him his friend, as if he is alive and talking to him, the conversations will lead the minds of audience. 

Tom Hanks, best ever performance, inspiring, motivating and wonderful movie for those who frustrated with life, when he loses all his home, suddenly a ship cross his way, and he was saved. On his return to home, he come to know that his wife has married with someone else, and he realized that she is guilty, it was just the matter of time, everyone thought he died in the plane, his friends and family buried him along with his pics and other stuff. 

Acting as outstanding, I fell in love with Tom. The best scene of Movie was when he was telling his experiences to his friend about how he felt there in Island and the only option he had was to breathe so that he can come back to see his wife

The music was very heart-touching, the back-ground music, Over all the movie is fantastic.

The Problems of Democracy

In the 21st century, After fighting two brutal world wars, All the peace scholars have realized that the only way of avoiding war is to bring the countries to real democracies, the more democracies we have, the lesser conflict we have in the world, It seems that this is been accepted as the global governance system.

The problem with democracy is we don't live in the flat sort of world, there exists real differences in terms of culture, religion and way of living, The global version of democracy preached by the USA is in direct conflict with our religion and culture, that is Islamic state of Pakistan.

In democracy, the sovereignty belongs to the people of the state but in Islamic state, the sovereignty belongs to the Creator, Almighty Allah, Who is the supreme authority, Many people disagree to this, I believe there isn't democracy in Islam, We are bound to do we are asked for, there isn't any sort of Public opinion or freedom of expression against the commands of the God.

Shari-ah  is the Divine system which will be protected by the God Himself and We cannot live the life by our own, Islam is religion with restriction which require self-control against Nafs and evil deeds.

There comes another argument, 'What is the limit of Human will power?'. Rational and scientific society might believe that its us, who change everything around us but the theologians would argue that we should not think about future, it is also something negative in terms of trusting the God.

Masses are non-religious, the expression of the masses will spoil the religion as institution and ultimately harm the society in terms of morality and ethics, the individual character will fall and the materialism will rise.

Quaid-e-Azam & Pakistan

Quaid e Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah- the founder of Pakistan, a nation that gained independence on 14th August 1947, had big plans for this country. Had it not been for the tireless and hopeful efforts of this man, our freedom would not exist today, we would not exist today. 

Our present situation is such that in a so called democratic state today, we are scared to shout out for our rights. Let us have a look at the Quaid’s first presidential address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan. This was the address whereby the Father of the nation spoke of the vision he had for the country and the main issues that he wanted the assembly to care for to strengthen the foundation that was to be laid for the country’s first constitution. 

In this presidential address he firstly talks about law and order and specifies that maintaining the judiciary of the country is imperative. 

The first observation that I would like to make is this: You will no doubt agree with me that the first duty of a government is to maintain law and order, so that the life, property and religious beliefs of its subjects are fully protected by the State.

Now, if we compare this statement with today’s reality, all we see is the dismemberment of the judiciary, the break down of law and order and absolutely no social security. Pakistan today, is termed as the most dangerous country to live in. 

Today no other country on earth is arguably more dangerous than Pakistan. (http://www.newsweek.com/id/57485)

The next issue that Mr. Jinnah went on to discuss was the vice of bribery and corruption and how he willed it to be flushed out of our people. He termed it as poison. The fact that every newspaper today is discussing the NRO and how conveniently it is being used by the venomous corrupt leaders of our country clearly indicates how closely we are following the vision of our founder.

Black Marketing was the next worst thing on the Quaid’s list who saw it as greater than the biggest and most grievous crimes. He wanted them to be severely punished. Now if one looks at the sugar crisis today and remembers the death of the eighteen miserable women who died in a stampede during a charity flour hand out in Karachi, one can wish for the punishment of those who have formed a food cartel in the country. The cartel controls, regulates and fluctuates the price at their convenience and at the cost of thousands of hungry stomachs. 
http://zoominlocal.com/ml-brampton-guardian/2009/09/17/#?article=542246

Nepotism and jobbery were the next on the founder’s list. He said he would never tolerate it. Today, the entire country is tolerating the legacy of feudal lords passing on their ministries to their children or relatives, husbands replacing their wives in power chambers, employees being hired via connections not eligibility. ‘Sifarish” and “parchi” are the norm now and the vision of those who sit in the Constituent Assembly today-or at least most of them, let’s not generalize. 

The Quaid then went on to talk about eliminating discrimination and promoting equality among the people, for this was the only way to create a happy and prosperous nation. He appealed to the people to bury the hatchets of the past, to abandon their differences and give everyone an equal status and opportunity. 

If you change your past and work together in a spirit that everyone of you, no matter to what community he belongs, no matter what relations he had with you in the past, no matter what is his colour, caste or creed, is first, second and last a citizen of this State with equal rights, privileges, and obligations, there will be on end to the progress you will make.

Let us bring ourselves to the now. We are a country which is breeding to three types of educational systems: the private schools for the rich and elite, the public schools for the poor and irrelevant and the madrassas for those would want their children to be the next Taliban generation. So we are looking at a country with three sections of the educated population. Then there are the lions of Punjab, the ignored Balochis, the rich Sindhis and the ‘terrorist’ Pathans. Not to forget the Sunnis, Shias, Boris, Ismailis, Hari Pagris, black Pagris and I’m pretty sure there will be more colorful Pagris in the future. 

The speech ended with his take on religion:

Now I think we should keep that in front of us as our ideal and you will find that in course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense, because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the State.

Now Mr. Jinnah was clearly in favor of a secular state. Many agree with this. More do not. In fact I don’t either. But nevertheless the Quaid wanted religious tolerance in this country and with the horric Talibanization in this country, the suicide bombings, the killing of female students-tolerance lives in the land of far far away. 

The Quaid also shared the message that he had previously received from the Secretary of State of the United States. 

On the occasion of the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly for Pakistan, I extend to you and to the members of the Assembly, the best wishes of the Government and the people of the United States for the successful conclusion of the great work you are about to undertake.


Now this symbolizes the worth of America’s acceptance of Pakistan as a free and independent state. It extended a hand of friendship and the Quaid endorsed it. But never did he envision the Pakistani president to be endorsing as heinous an American deal as the Kerry Lugar Bill at the risk of handing over what ever was left of our sovereignty and national integrity. 

I once saw an image of the founder on a local magazine called Akhbar e Jahan. He was crying tears of blood. As I read his speech once again talking about his vision for the country, all I can think of are hundreds who die in suicide blasts each day and how he would have cried over their blood.