Whenever I have the chance to read the Japanese history, I am always surprised by the miraculous achievements of this nation. During WWII, Japanese navy was beating the British around Burma, and fighting with Americans around Australian islands. Pearl Harbor bombardment was a suicide mission for those Japanese pilots, they knew, they will never come back, still they knocked out the American strategies. "It was failure of imagination"- as one investigator wrote in his book about Pearl Harbor. So, Japanese have always been beyond the imaginations, as we have witnessed in coming decades of WWII.
Japan is the only country among first world nations where suicide rate is really alarming. I had been reading the news stories about suicides in Japan. I could never imagine why do they actually kill themselves? I asked this same question to a Japanese girl few years ago. She said (more or less in her words), "We believe in ourselves, we believe in our abilities. Whenever we face the defeat, our trust on ourselves shakes. We fail to seek the shelter in our faith(religion) or social norms. That's how a Japanese person leads to the convincing decision of killing himself/herself."
It was very convincing for me. She applauded the Islam for deleting the option of suicide altogether, she mentioned it with out my introduction of our religious commandment about suicide.
Just one day after tsunami flooded the Japan, I had this gentleman leaving for Tokyo. He was very calm. I extended my condolence for such a great disaster in his home country. He appreciated my kind words with a mere smile. He was not sure if airports were yet functional, but he wanted to go to airport to avail first flight to Japan. He tried to tell me in his very little English vocabulary that, this disaster is not bigger than what we have seen in past (probably, he wanted to tell me that we will stand up again.)
The same day, I was reading the article that Gov. of Tokyo had to take his words back for pointing out that this disaster could be the divine punishment. CNN Beleif Blog
Japan has built mind blowing shock proof building. They would probably come up with tsunami proof towns as well. But my question is, would they ever challenge their own ego and come out of these nut shells to surrender their faith in themselves to God? Because He is forever, He is from ever.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Muslim radicalization in America- A wonderful experience to observe the US Congress hearing.
US House committee on Homeland Security held a hearing this last Thursday to investigate the radicalization in Muslim community. It was pretty hot issue in media, there were many voices in favor and not in favor of this hearing. Those who were reinstating idea of this hearing were presenting the different facts and figures to support the evidence of increasing radicalization in Muslim community of USA. The other side of aisle also had very strong argument that, this hearing is very racist act against just one community.
Any how, late Wednesday I made up my mind to explore this event by myself. I have been to Capitol building number of times, I have met few senators and house members in past too. But I never had been in the hearing. I knew, at times its very hard to get inside the hearing room because every hearing is open to public, and there are always limited seats. I called the secretary of committee to ask about any pre-registration or RSVP requirements. She told me, just be at the hearing room entrance at 9 AM.
As usual, in the morning, I was lazy and not ready to get up. So I thought, probably, being there in person or watching the hearing live on TV is same thing. After debating about 30 minutes, I found myself guilty of laziness. I did some ninja action and suited booted ready to go ...
I drove to the nearest parking place, that was Union Station. I parked my car there, paid 15 bucks for parking...It was raining, so taking the cab would have been not bad idea. I was late, didnt have patience to wait in ques to ride the cab one by one. I rushed to other side of circle and almost threw myself into one cab stopped on red signal. It was very short drive, hardly 5 bucks plus 2 dollars courtesy tip.
It was 9:10 AM. I entered into the corridor of Cannon building. I asked one police officer about room 311. Go straight, at end of hallway take left, and at the end take another left.
After first left, I found a big crowd, holding their cameras and setting up their microphones(off course not for me). I kept on walking, passed second left. This hallway was full of colorful people; beard, clean shaved, clergies, hijab girls ..blonds ...you could find every flavor. I was the last in the line to wait for entering the hearing room. At first, I cursed myself and blamed myself for all this failed exercise. I was still confused, whether I should wait or go back, because I knew, the room had hardly 100 seats. But with in minutes, I was in middle of waiting line, because people were still coming and coming. It took away the ashamed feeling of being last in the line. So, I decided to stay :).
Anyhow, people were debating very emotionally about the pros and cons of this hearing. Amazingly, most of non-muslims were against the idea of this hearing. I talked to about 15 different personalities. They all opposed the hearing, with just one argument: its against the American values. Journalists were trying to talk to random people and taking notes of their statements. There was a girl in front of me from GW University. She was doing undergrad in international relations. I asked her the reason to be here, she said, its very scary for her to see the members of congress discussing the Muslims in such a bad manner. I never expected to hear that she was Muslim. Her dad was from Palestine and mom from Italy. Her name was christian, but she had Kalima Tayyaba as her screen saver on her blackberry. So, we discussed the Middle East situation. I was very keen to know her point of view about the never ending dispute between Israel and Palestine. She was not in favor of two state solution. We both were fans of President Carter. I asked if she ever went to church with mom, yes she did. She was Muslim not because of her dad's religion. " I am Muslim because I like this religion, but I know I dont practice it as much as I could"- she told me. She left to attend her class after two hours of wait.
Most of the crowd moved to over flow room, where they decided to watch the hearing over close circuit TV. I decided not to give up. I was left with few more guys and girls. They were aides of different congressmen/women. They came to take the notes for their respective bosses.
We started another discussion, how the business is run over the capitol (this word is used for US Senate and Congress). These people told me very interesting stories, "You know, these guys have two different persona's. They are different on the screen and off the screen."- one of the aides to Congressman from Ohio told me. I asked, if they ever read the bulky proposed legislation before voting, " Some times they do, but most of times, they do not." another guy told me.
Anyway, I made my way to hearing room around 12 at noon. I was seated in the last line among the crowd of journalists. They were all working on their notebooks, sending live updates through skype/gmail chats to their headquarters. Every bit of information was transmitted live through their fingers.
Hearing Committee Proceedings:
There were four testifying people in chairs facing the congressmen; sheriff from LA County, one Muslim father who's son was radicalized, one guy from some Somalian advocacy group & one guy from some NGO (Dr.Jesse-never heard of him before).
There were 34 members of congress, facing these four gentlemen. Chairman of committee, Peter King from NY, was allocating 5 minutes to every congressman. Let me try to copy the exact wordings;
Chairman: 5 minutes to gentleman from Wisconsin.
Gentleman from Wisconsin: Thank you Mr.Chairman.....
Next he will use his 5 minutes to question and cross question these testifying people. Some of congressmen would just not ask any question, rather give their own comments over the issue. Chairman invigilate the time, and would not let them use more than five minutes. But, if anyone from their party needs some time to speak, they will say like this.
Gentleman from Wisconsin: 10 Seconds yielded to Gentleman from Georgia.
Chairman: 10 Seconds acknowledged to Gentleman from Georgia.
Gentleman from Georgia: Thank you......
The whole hearing was carried out in very partisan manner. Republicans were in favor of this hearing, where as every Democrat congressman grilled the chairman for holding this hearing. It was very interesting to see, how they actually beat the next person in a very sophisticated manner.
One of Democrats said, " I am astonished to see these four gentlemen sitting in front of us to testify on behalf of whole Muslim community, and I bet if anyone know them in their community except their family members. Sheriff from LA County, Can you please tell me, how can we assume the experience you had in your little county is true for whole USA? Can you all justify your expertise to sit infront of us? You guys are not even qualified to testify here."
There was big laughter in the committee room, and those four guys stayed quiet for some time, and then Sheriff said, " I am as elected official as anyone of you here."
The most interesting fact was, when one congressman from Texas started his time. He was Afro-American with gel back hair and beard. He said, I have been looked at airports as if I am terrorist. Just because I look like Muslims. I am not Muslim. But I can feel the pain, Muslims face every day in this country. Then he went on saying, I want the investigation of radicalization to start from early 20th century, when a white christian group K K K started their terrorism. They started killing innocent black Christians, claiming that only Whites have the right to pray to Jesus Christ. If you guys really want some fruitful result, open your eyes, and start the investigation from the beginning, not from the end.
Anyway, in short, It was awesome experience three hour experience. I was trying to address one irritating question in my mind, "Is there anyway, I could induce the same level of patience in Pakistan?"
Thakk gaye ho? Chalo Faiz ke aik chotti c ghazal suntay hain....
Any how, late Wednesday I made up my mind to explore this event by myself. I have been to Capitol building number of times, I have met few senators and house members in past too. But I never had been in the hearing. I knew, at times its very hard to get inside the hearing room because every hearing is open to public, and there are always limited seats. I called the secretary of committee to ask about any pre-registration or RSVP requirements. She told me, just be at the hearing room entrance at 9 AM.
As usual, in the morning, I was lazy and not ready to get up. So I thought, probably, being there in person or watching the hearing live on TV is same thing. After debating about 30 minutes, I found myself guilty of laziness. I did some ninja action and suited booted ready to go ...
I drove to the nearest parking place, that was Union Station. I parked my car there, paid 15 bucks for parking...It was raining, so taking the cab would have been not bad idea. I was late, didnt have patience to wait in ques to ride the cab one by one. I rushed to other side of circle and almost threw myself into one cab stopped on red signal. It was very short drive, hardly 5 bucks plus 2 dollars courtesy tip.
It was 9:10 AM. I entered into the corridor of Cannon building. I asked one police officer about room 311. Go straight, at end of hallway take left, and at the end take another left.
After first left, I found a big crowd, holding their cameras and setting up their microphones(off course not for me). I kept on walking, passed second left. This hallway was full of colorful people; beard, clean shaved, clergies, hijab girls ..blonds ...you could find every flavor. I was the last in the line to wait for entering the hearing room. At first, I cursed myself and blamed myself for all this failed exercise. I was still confused, whether I should wait or go back, because I knew, the room had hardly 100 seats. But with in minutes, I was in middle of waiting line, because people were still coming and coming. It took away the ashamed feeling of being last in the line. So, I decided to stay :).
Anyhow, people were debating very emotionally about the pros and cons of this hearing. Amazingly, most of non-muslims were against the idea of this hearing. I talked to about 15 different personalities. They all opposed the hearing, with just one argument: its against the American values. Journalists were trying to talk to random people and taking notes of their statements. There was a girl in front of me from GW University. She was doing undergrad in international relations. I asked her the reason to be here, she said, its very scary for her to see the members of congress discussing the Muslims in such a bad manner. I never expected to hear that she was Muslim. Her dad was from Palestine and mom from Italy. Her name was christian, but she had Kalima Tayyaba as her screen saver on her blackberry. So, we discussed the Middle East situation. I was very keen to know her point of view about the never ending dispute between Israel and Palestine. She was not in favor of two state solution. We both were fans of President Carter. I asked if she ever went to church with mom, yes she did. She was Muslim not because of her dad's religion. " I am Muslim because I like this religion, but I know I dont practice it as much as I could"- she told me. She left to attend her class after two hours of wait.
Most of the crowd moved to over flow room, where they decided to watch the hearing over close circuit TV. I decided not to give up. I was left with few more guys and girls. They were aides of different congressmen/women. They came to take the notes for their respective bosses.
We started another discussion, how the business is run over the capitol (this word is used for US Senate and Congress). These people told me very interesting stories, "You know, these guys have two different persona's. They are different on the screen and off the screen."- one of the aides to Congressman from Ohio told me. I asked, if they ever read the bulky proposed legislation before voting, " Some times they do, but most of times, they do not." another guy told me.
Anyway, I made my way to hearing room around 12 at noon. I was seated in the last line among the crowd of journalists. They were all working on their notebooks, sending live updates through skype/gmail chats to their headquarters. Every bit of information was transmitted live through their fingers.
Hearing Committee Proceedings:
There were four testifying people in chairs facing the congressmen; sheriff from LA County, one Muslim father who's son was radicalized, one guy from some Somalian advocacy group & one guy from some NGO (Dr.Jesse-never heard of him before).
There were 34 members of congress, facing these four gentlemen. Chairman of committee, Peter King from NY, was allocating 5 minutes to every congressman. Let me try to copy the exact wordings;
Chairman: 5 minutes to gentleman from Wisconsin.
Gentleman from Wisconsin: Thank you Mr.Chairman.....
Next he will use his 5 minutes to question and cross question these testifying people. Some of congressmen would just not ask any question, rather give their own comments over the issue. Chairman invigilate the time, and would not let them use more than five minutes. But, if anyone from their party needs some time to speak, they will say like this.
Gentleman from Wisconsin: 10 Seconds yielded to Gentleman from Georgia.
Chairman: 10 Seconds acknowledged to Gentleman from Georgia.
Gentleman from Georgia: Thank you......
The whole hearing was carried out in very partisan manner. Republicans were in favor of this hearing, where as every Democrat congressman grilled the chairman for holding this hearing. It was very interesting to see, how they actually beat the next person in a very sophisticated manner.
One of Democrats said, " I am astonished to see these four gentlemen sitting in front of us to testify on behalf of whole Muslim community, and I bet if anyone know them in their community except their family members. Sheriff from LA County, Can you please tell me, how can we assume the experience you had in your little county is true for whole USA? Can you all justify your expertise to sit infront of us? You guys are not even qualified to testify here."
There was big laughter in the committee room, and those four guys stayed quiet for some time, and then Sheriff said, " I am as elected official as anyone of you here."
The most interesting fact was, when one congressman from Texas started his time. He was Afro-American with gel back hair and beard. He said, I have been looked at airports as if I am terrorist. Just because I look like Muslims. I am not Muslim. But I can feel the pain, Muslims face every day in this country. Then he went on saying, I want the investigation of radicalization to start from early 20th century, when a white christian group K K K started their terrorism. They started killing innocent black Christians, claiming that only Whites have the right to pray to Jesus Christ. If you guys really want some fruitful result, open your eyes, and start the investigation from the beginning, not from the end.
Anyway, in short, It was awesome experience three hour experience. I was trying to address one irritating question in my mind, "Is there anyway, I could induce the same level of patience in Pakistan?"
Thakk gaye ho? Chalo Faiz ke aik chotti c ghazal suntay hain....
Monday, February 14, 2011
No revelation descends from on high, whatever rises, rises from the depth of human frustration.
--Marx (1818–1883), among the atheist philosophers of the ninteenth century, should be treated separately in his own right. To him the denial of God is not merely incidental, it is an integral component of his philosophy, with which religion is absolutely incompatible. With him, humans are like elements interacting with each other under the socio-economic laws which govern them. They must be set free from the religious interference which distracts their natural course. To Marx, revelation and inspiration lie beyond the vocabulary of philosophical thought.
Next to him is Nietzsche, with his own special domineering personality. His sabre-like pen impales God as his prime victim, until he pronounces Him dead; or, so he thought. In fact he knew no God, other than the God of the Christian dogma and it was Him that his sword of reason had murdered. Thus, Kierkegaard is proved so right in his warning to the priests to maintain a sullen silence about the divine mystery of Trinity; rather than invite trouble by venturing to defend it with instruments of reason.
Most of the atheist European philosophers of that age were, in fact, driven to the denial of God largely by the Christian Church, which had mystified God's image to the extent of absurdity. Among other atheist philosophers, Sartre (1905–1980) is perhaps the most interesting and playful. He knows how to coin simple phrases with profound ideas. At the helplessness of man in his freedom to shift for himself in a Godless universe, he exclaims:
'... man is condemned to be free.'
By this he means that the responsibility to make choices for himself, which lies on every human shoulder, is a challenge extremely difficult to meet. There is no one else to help him or guide his steps in the dreary wilderness of existence. Commenting on the episode of Abrahamas, he explains the presence of angels as a psychic phenomenon. To him, that Divine revelation which the angels brought to Abrahamas was no more than the anguish of his soul. Wrong as we may consider Sartre's explanation, we must pay homage to his fiery outburst of desperation and vengefulness. This applies far more befittingly to Sartre himself who may have suffered pangs of anguish and exasperation in the emptiness of his Godless philosophy. Revelation is the anguish of the soul, is indeed a profoundly revealing statement from the vantage point of an atheist—if atheists ever admit to possessing souls. Bernard Shaw is close to Sartre, but not quite, when he defines revelation as 'inner voices'—at best, a smart remark of a dramatist lacking the depth and force of Sartre's reflection! All said and done, Sartre fails to distinguish between inspiration and revelation, terms that simply do not exist in his philosophy; what does exist is the agony of soul—a tongue of fire that leaps out in occasional outbursts of desperation. No revelation descends from on high, whatever rises, rises from the depth of human frustration.
-- An excerpt from "Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge & Truth" by Mirza Tahir Ahmad
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Year 1911- Faiz Ahmad Faiz & Ronald Reagan
Faiz and Reagan both were born in the Spring season of 1911. I have always been deeply touched by the intellectuals born in the last half of 18th and first half of 19th century. The thing which attracted me to these two personalities was the fact that American nation is celebrating the 100th birthday of President Reagan, and around the globe, followers of Faiz are holding the gatherings to mark his 100th birthday as well.
Reagan is recalled as person who defeated the communism with his pro capitalistic policies in the USA and advocating very strongly among rest of world. Where as, Faiz, had been preaching the communism through out his life. It was probably his true love of life. He has seen the jail more than once in accusation of being a red flag loyal and rebellious to green flag in Pakistan. He has spent years in exile.
The two very opposite personalities yet share common ground in showbiz. Reagan started his early career as actor in Hollywood movies, where as, Faiz has been involved in writing stories and songs for films.
I am grateful to Reagan for bringing a peaceful end to cold war & confining the Russia back to its borders. And I have absolutely no words to appreciate the services offered by Faiz to the this world.
Peace granted by the efforts of Reagan is fragile, intellectual writings of Faiz will keep serving the world for ever. Both inspires millions, just one difference, Reagan is applauded in USA among Republicans only, but the lovers of Faiz are spread over the all continents of world. That explains the difference of a ruler and scholar in the plight of history
Reagan is recalled as person who defeated the communism with his pro capitalistic policies in the USA and advocating very strongly among rest of world. Where as, Faiz, had been preaching the communism through out his life. It was probably his true love of life. He has seen the jail more than once in accusation of being a red flag loyal and rebellious to green flag in Pakistan. He has spent years in exile.
The two very opposite personalities yet share common ground in showbiz. Reagan started his early career as actor in Hollywood movies, where as, Faiz has been involved in writing stories and songs for films.
I am grateful to Reagan for bringing a peaceful end to cold war & confining the Russia back to its borders. And I have absolutely no words to appreciate the services offered by Faiz to the this world.
Peace granted by the efforts of Reagan is fragile, intellectual writings of Faiz will keep serving the world for ever. Both inspires millions, just one difference, Reagan is applauded in USA among Republicans only, but the lovers of Faiz are spread over the all continents of world. That explains the difference of a ruler and scholar in the plight of history
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
illusion of outfits
Today, I shall be not talking about myself rather addressing the illusion I have observed around myself. The biggest dilemma I have seen others facing on this land of opportunities is the loyalty. Loyalty to their homeland, loyalty to their culture. There are very few, who can even differentiate the thick line between these two. Most of us have been confused about their culture and countries. For me, culture flows with civilizations, and civilizations were divided by their geographies. A common language knots the culture together. Countries can hold more than one culture and spread over different geographies. I have seen Hindu females covering their body and hair better any Muslim, yet, we strongly assume that its a Muslim attribute not sub-continental. I have seen people discouraging the jeans for female in opposing tone of calling it anti-islamic outfit, but they tend not to understand Shalwar Kameez is sub-continental dress not an Islamically designated outfit. Islam never defined the dressing, it has just defined the "Sattar"-cover. For me, they are living in the illusions, for those who challenge their loved ones outfits, must take the stand for their culture not religion. Love for your own culture is not going to challenge your love for your faith.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Pakistan in disguise of an Afro-Asian Saint.
I had been impressed by senatorial career of Vice President of United States of America; Mr. Joe Biden. He had been chair of very controlling senate committee on foreign relations before leading to Vice Presidency. Mr. President Obama carried him over his ticket to counter balance the deficiency of international know how. I would not expect such a pathless statement from a man of this credibility about Pakistan having the same kind of agitation as world has been observing in Tunisia and Egypt. I will not discuss his poor judgment about Iraq dispute.
But lets face the ground realities in Pakistan to compare with other agitating nations.
Major populated province of Pakistan is Punjab. They lack in any kind of leadership, mostly we have always imported the leaders from other parts of Pakistan, e.g. Bhutto from Sindh, Ayub Khan from KPK. At the moment, I can not find any person on the map of Pakistan, who can mobilize the masses against the corrupt but defined as democratic Govt of Pakistan.
The international community has been suffering from migraine of Afghanistan for more than a decade now. The result of billions of dollars and hundreds if not thousands dead bodies have not yet given them any good but a new terminology "home grown terrorism". None of back stage players in this puppet drama is willing to pull the strings that bad which can upside down the closing show in Afghanistan.
To be continued...
But lets face the ground realities in Pakistan to compare with other agitating nations.
Major populated province of Pakistan is Punjab. They lack in any kind of leadership, mostly we have always imported the leaders from other parts of Pakistan, e.g. Bhutto from Sindh, Ayub Khan from KPK. At the moment, I can not find any person on the map of Pakistan, who can mobilize the masses against the corrupt but defined as democratic Govt of Pakistan.
The international community has been suffering from migraine of Afghanistan for more than a decade now. The result of billions of dollars and hundreds if not thousands dead bodies have not yet given them any good but a new terminology "home grown terrorism". None of back stage players in this puppet drama is willing to pull the strings that bad which can upside down the closing show in Afghanistan.
To be continued...
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