PKKH Exclusive| by by Sarmad Gilani

As the dust is slowly settling on Markandey Katju’s comments about Pakistan, the typical responses have come out from the usual channels. However, this incident is not just another typical cross-border tantrum from India. The fact that Katju is a former Supreme Court justice speaks volumes about the mindset of people who are bestowed with the prestige and trust of apolitical and trusted posts. India is deserving of many sympathies after this outburst, because it exposes the fragility and insecurity of its patriots.

The content of diatribes from Katju, Shashi Tharoor, and other Indian “intellectuals” is a re-hash of the same narrative that depicts Pakistan as a failed state deserving of being put out of its misery. And, of course, the notion that India is a proud secular state and an emerging power player. Anyone familiar with the corporate world knows that for someone to be given a promotion, they must demonstrate that they are now working at the level of the higher position. Just as Turkey’s bid to enter the European Union is heavily scrutinized, India too must be thoroughly vetted before it can be seen as the UN Security Council-worthy Asian power that it claims to be.

Katju and his like-minded compatriots preach from the pulpit to their neighbor from a perceived position of superiority. In the spirit of Aman ki Asha and friendship, we offer this examination to him free of cost. Mr. Katju, this one is on the house.

Mr. Katju, as you are a distinguished former justice of the Supreme Court, we shall first compare you to your counterparts in the club of established world powers. Ruth Bader Ginsburg has served on the U.S. Supreme Court since 1993. She recently traveled to Egypt to witness that country’s transformation after Hosni Mubarak’s fall. She was asked if that country should look at the American constitution as a guide. America is, after all, the all-powerful champion (and enforcer) of democracy. Had an Indian like yourself been in her position, the references to Gandhi would have started flowing, and the self-praise of diversity and secularism would be oozing from ear to ear.

What did Ginsburg do? With sincerity and humility, she offered South Africa as a model, because its modern constitution was predicated on freedom and equality. She said that the American constitution was written without the input of women, and paved the way for slavery and discrimination to continue, and was not a suitable example. Despite the many hurdles Egypt faces, Ginsburg said she was inspired by Egypt and its efforts towards a better society.

She didn’t dwell upon the ills in Egyptian society, or the extremists seeking to turn Copts against Muslims, because Egypt is in a transitionary phase. She instead very humbly recalled her own country’s growing pains and offered encouragement to the Egyptian people.

The most you could muster, Mr. Katju, is to demean and belittle the existence of a sovereign state and arrogantly offer a scenario where India would absorb its ‘Jurassic Park’ neighbor. Pakistan is well aware of its troubles, and is on the painful but necessary path of tackling them–a journey that India has yet to commence, thanks to ideologues like yourself. Rather than obsessing over your westerly neighbor, you should be concerned with the epidemics of violence against women, HIV/AIDS, human rights abuses in Kashmir, and countless insurgencies, all of which the Indian media hide behind a facade of glamour and harmony.

You continued on about India’s own problems, as “old values are collapsing” amidst impending turmoil, and the curse of caste and religious-based politics. How is this possible in the legendarily secular and diverse Republic of India? Quite ironic for you to admit this about your own country and still see it as a beacon of hope, yet paint Pakistan as a failure for its troubles as it evolves, just as all states do.

Respectfully, your reasoning for Pakistan being dead-on-arrival is illogical. Putting aside your utter disrespect for Pakistan’s existence by referring to it as merely part of India, the claim that the region’s diversity necessitates pure secularism is a non sequitur. While all major religions preach peace, Islam has proven its practicality as a political system. Unlike the intolerance shown by the Catholic monarchs of Spain, the Moors and Ottomans gave protection and freedom to minorities. Jews in both Muslim Spain and the Ottoman Empire thrived and kept their cultural identity alive while living in relative peace.

It is important to note that Islam has proven itself, yet Muslims do not always represent it–otherwise any Islamic state would lend itself to be a citadel of scholarship and tolerance for all. This is what Shamshad Ahmad hinted at–a governance problem, not a statehood problem. It is disingenuous to ridicule a vehicle for stuttering when pilot error is to blame. The same holds true for Pakistan and its current ruling crop.

Indeed, disingenuous describes much of what you have said. Blaming all of the subcontinent’s communal rifts on the British is a prime example. For the sake of argument, let us assume that the historical Hindu persecution of Muslims is nothing more than a by-product of British mischief. If the modern Indian state truly is secular and progressive, then why do Hindu terrorist groups such as RSS, VHP, and Bajrang Dal continue to enjoy free reign? Surely the British are no longer pulling the strings.

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde was lambasted for having the audacity to admit that saffron terror was responsible for anti-Muslim violence, and he has paid the price as his exit from politics seems all but certain. If these groups and their ideology are nothing more than post-colonial baggage, then India needs to sort out its own problems in its “secular” society rather than lecturing to others.

The notion that having a state religion cuts off industrial access to raw materials is puzzling. Perhaps you could lend your economic wisdom to religious studies departments in universities around the world so that we can all benefit from a better understanding of these theories. While on the topic of industries, however, it is important to remember that India benefited from inheriting much of the British bureaucracy and industry, while Pakistan was left to fend for itself. Yet, the perseverance and tenacity of the Pakistani nation–one which you do not recognize–has always pulled the country through all obstacles and on the way to success. One would hope that India’s continuous disrespect and arrogance is not rooted in insecurity, as this does not befit a nation seeking greatness and stature.

If you want to be respected and see your country as a global player, at least, try to learn from those who had made it before you. History is full of arrogant nations that did not respect the sanctity of its neighbors, so do not think that India is the first. For a lesson of what can happen to such nations, refresh your memory about the regime that believed the Sudetenland and neighboring German speaking lands should be absorbed into their grand state.

They borrowed the swastika from your culture, in case you need a hint.

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PKKH Editorial

In the last couple of days Aasia Andrabbi, Head of Dukhtaraan e Millat, who was under the arrest of the Indian Army was admitted in Soura Medical Institute, Sirinagar under heavy deployment of forces, to undergo surgery, she is still under custody. Today Fahmida Soofi of Mutahida Majlis e Mushawarat and also part of Dukhtaraan e Millat has been arrested.

Brute Indian hegemonic thinking could not have chosen a better time to highlight their ugly ideology warped in the torn cloth of Democracy and Secularism. India has been playing havoc with the lives and properties of the Kashmiris for a whole month now since the hanging of Afzal Guru; curfews, bullets, assault, pepper bombs, this is what India has for Kashmir. But now this is the height of apathy and lowliness; to start laying their hands on the daughters of Kashmir; has India gone schizophrenic; is it not inciting war; does India have the least of humanity?

We question our fellow citizens, was the Women Day meant for glamour and pomp only, were we to celebrate it for brands and with celebrities in our morning shows only and lets the women in less-privileged places, and in oppressed populations carry on with their usual dilemma, with not even a word of condemnation.

Asia Andarabi and Fahmida Soofi are symbols of a freedom struggle by mothers, wives and daughters who have suffered and seen the abduction, torture and killing of their loved ones. These are not glamorous figures of fashion or economic prosperity but they are still figures of virtue, patience, faith and perseverance; they are still symbols of the bravery of raising voice in the face of tyranny, torture and brute force.

Why does the world celebrate the Women Day? Why does the world even celebrate Humanity, if it will never come to its cries? PKKH deeply feels the dichotomy in our values and our practices, for PKKH the Award of the Year for Women Day goes to Asia Andarabi and Fahmida Soofi, we pray for their health and safety and we put the question to our mainstream media to celebrate these women instead of celebrating immodest Indian film figures in every news bulletin.

We condemn the arrest of the political activist of Kashmir, we condemn the arrest of our sisters and daughters, and we condemn the Barbarity of India. The Prime Minister of Pakistan is in India today, it is a good opportunity for him to raise his voice for our oppressed sisters, of a state that India has occupied unlawfully, against the will of its people.

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PKKH Editorial

Islam makes every human life sacred and provides legal security to the lives, property and respect of all individuals. Anyone living inside the premises of an Islamic state is in in the security of the state, and the non-Muslim minorities enjoy special treatment as they are our guests of another religion and it becomes a matter of our prestige to protect them the more.

Today more than a 100 houses were burned in a mob attack on a Christian community at the Badami Bagh area in Lahore. The attack was supposedly retaliation against a member of the community for having made blasphemous remarks. The alleged man who had committed this act of blasphemy is under arrest and a case against him has been registered. But as yet no case has been filed against the unlawful act of the mob.

Does our religion permit mob violence and this act of terror against a peaceful, hard-working community of our nation? The truth is that Islam condemns such an action; there is no punishment for an individual without due process of policing and trial. The right way to deal with this matter was to condemn it peacefully and wait for the trial.

It is also vital at this time of anarchy that has already wrapped the whole country in waves of terror, bombing and killing of innocent all over the country, to keep our calm and refrain from fueling this act with political point-scoring and making it a matter of divide between the majority and the minority. The nation needs to show its unity at this point and recognize the fault lines which may have been used by various forces to destabilize the situation of the country.

At this difficult time, when the shelters and belongings of a poor community has been destroyed, we appeal to the nation to stand behind the Christian community just like we have stood behind our brothers of Abbas Town, Karachi. The same way charitable organizations and individuals are expected to come forward for the rehabilitation of the families of Abbas Town; we expect them to come to the aid of our Badami Bagh community too.

“Father Aftab in Faisalabad, who is part of the peace committee comprising Muslim and Christian religious scholars, says that the police are to blame for “criminal negligence”. According to Father Aftab, community members had alerted the police that the accused required extra protection, given the nature of the case, but the required level of security was not provided.” (Source.)

Yes Father Aftab is right, the police is to be blame and so is the mob. We urge the government of Pakistan to take strict action against both:

The Prophet Mohammad [Salalahu alai hi wa salaam] said: “Beware! Whosoever oppresses a Muahid (i.e. Non-Muslim living in Muslim land with agreement) or snatches (any of) his rights or causes him pain which he cannot bear, or takes anything from him without his permission, then I will fight against such a (muslim) on the day of Judgement.” [Sunnan Abu Dawud, Volume No. 3, Page No. 170, Hadith No. 3052] and while we resolve to stand behind our Christian community, feeling the plight they are going through, we must also not forget the external forces that are proving adamant in not leaving any leaf unturned in their bid to de-stabilize economically and psychologically the peace-loving , hard-working people of this country. And as an ending note, PKKH urges our Liberal friends not to start with their rant against the anti-blasphemy law now,, and not to go to all lengths to prove upon us that we are a backward-looking, conservative people; no we are a forward-looking conservatives.

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PKKH Editorial

“Because Chavez doesn’t lie. Because Chavez doesn’t sell out. Because Chavez is the people. Because Chavez is truth. Because all of you are Chavez. We all are.” Hugo Chavez in a charismatic electoral speech. – Source

The whole of Venezuela is in tears, while the major media outlets on the payroll of Imperial American Establishment are loathing a fearless, patriotic and above all an independent ruler of the South American oil giant, late Hugo Chavez, 58. He died of cancer after a two year battle with the callous disease.

Much tribute has been paid to honor Chavez for what he did. What remains incomprehensible is why the pro-Imperialist media is lying? What is the motive? Is it because Chavez was a dictator? No, he always came through elections into power. Was he a tyrant? No, no contemporary today has been more charismatic than him. Was he a bad president? If so, then why did people choose him so many times? Even if he ruled incorrectly or harmed this or that sector, what can explain the trust people have shown in him?

In 1922 oil was first discovered in Venezuela. Venezuelans imprudently thought that the golden key to all of their problems was solved. It was not to be. Within fifty years the country transformed into one of the wealthiest countries of Latin America. But, the crash of 1989 oil prices failed it and brought it in conflict with America. Why?

The country being in proximity to America was open to molestation from the day oil was discovered. Economic Hitmen (EHM) were brought in to usurp by most immoral of manipulations. They are the front line attackers to take booty for Imperial America. Their job is to convince, through lobbying, false prospects and even bribing, the ‘third world’ victim to accept unpayably huge loans from American banks or institutions like IMF or World Bank. Since the country cannot pay back the super power, they have to give the “pound of flesh” back by surrendering their resources, sovereignty or both.

Venezuela was a playing field for American EHMs to make fortunes, and they did quite well, documents John Perkins, one such EHM. The bonanza of 1973 oil embargo literally ‘quadrupled’ the national budget of the country, and drew EHMs to sell them loans for vast infrastructure projects. As we noted 1989 oil price crash brought the honeymoon to a halt and ugly face of EHMs was exposed when they couldn’t rid of Chavez in 1990s who challenged Bush administration’s bullying policy to make a farm out of the oil giant. Since oil in post-9/11 situation was as important as it can be, In 2002, the way Iran’s Mossadegh was ousted, so was the fate of Chavez. But he remained relentless. And, he made a comeback thanks to support of his people. His survival was not, however, without luck. And therein lies the rationale for so much anti-Americanism in the third world: US literally wanted to “take care” of Chavez once for all, like it had killed Omer Torrijos or Saddam Hussein. But, wrote Perkins, 2004 Iraq war came in their way and they couldn’t fulfill their mission.
Whatever the case maybe, Chavez stood his ground by his country, knowing that a hostile America was after his life. He did not just fight American imperialism but worked really hard for the economy, welfare and education. The real question is: Has Chavez transformed Venezuelans in his own image as ultimate resistance fighters? Time will tell!

PKKH Exclusive | by Mehwish Qureshi

Kashmiris have been living under Indian military occupation since decades. Confiscation of private land; imprisoning  individuals without any legal  process and physically abusing them under incarceration; demolishing homes and property; placing  entire state under curfew for weeks; destroying shops and businesses; shooting and killing civilians –  is the common practice of Indian Army in Jammu & Kashmir.

As a result of continuing illegal and illegitimate actions by Indian government and army, Kashmiris started resisting in every possible way they could. Categorized as Separatists – those who talk about the Freedom and Sovereignty of Kashmir are always dealt with brutality. Since 1947 till date – whenever Kashmiris tried to raise their voice for their basic right of Freedom — they were dealt with very ruthlessly and brutally. The war and oppression in Kashmir has not stopped for even one day since 1947, and that it went into a relentlessly high gear since 1989 and continues unabated.

It comes as no surprise that the Indian media accuse Kashmiri Muslims for attacking their Army personnel , instead of reporting that the resistance and protests of Kashmiris are  in response of Indian brutalities and injustice. This method of reporting is a part of continued efforts of de-legitimization of the struggle of the Kashmir’s for freedom from the yoke of genocidal oppression and violence.

To live under oppression plus occupation and submit to injustice is incompatible with human nature. Resistance and Protest not only is a right and a duty, but is a remedy for the ones who are being oppressed. Even if not as a strategic activity, one needs to resist as an expression of —and insistence on —human dignity. Therefore, according to all human and legal norms, all natural and international law and jurisprudence, the Kashmiris have a legitimate right to response.

In the Indian occupied Kashmir, youth are not living in the usual Teenage Dream; they face the daily prospect of being detained indefinitely, without charges, as adults, under existing law in the state. The law, called the Public Safety Act is horrible enough.

The story of the youth of Kashmir comprises of broken promises, shrinking of democratic space and denial of any meaningful participation in a genuine democratic exercise. The last 21 years have seen unprecedented pressure on Kashmiri youth, as they are the ones who have borne the brunt of the conflict. Thousands have been killed, jailed and many continue to languish in jail. This has made a huge impact on a generation that grew up after the year 1990.The impact of violence on the minds of the youth over the last two decades is playing an important role in making their ideologies.

Controversial laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), denial of the delivery of justice and merit are other important benchmarks which intensifies their belief that Jammu and Kashmir was never treated as an ‘integral part’ of India, unlike claimed by the Indian government.

Resistance to occupation and oppression can and should take many shapes. The Kashmiris are using multiple strategies and tactics to resist and protest against the unlawful occupation of the Indian army in Kashmir. The youth of Kashmir is raising voice at social media platforms to let the world know what is happening in their homeland.

‘Graffiti’ is another modern and non-violent medium for them to express their feelings and spread the word. Graffiti writing seems to be one of the efficient ways for to register their thoughts and express what they feel for the oppressors. It makes their presence felt, for it is an extremely effective means of conveying the message.

It is believed that Graffiti in Kashmir has been an influence taken from Palestine, especially the post Intifada era. The graffiti culture became a new medium of expression after arms and stones in 2010. Graffiti expresses the common sentiment shared by all Kashmiris over illegal occupation. Need for freedom is an aspiration which continues from decades. More the oppression, stronger is the resentment.

‘El-Horiah’ is a famous group involved in Graffiti work in major areas of Kashmir. On the condition of anonymity, one of the members of this group spoke to us. He says:

‘Graffiti is everything for me. From a hobby and interest to medium of expression – it is everything. I started making it when I met The Socrates who had started it in 2008. He started graffiti bombing with random letters later developed his fonts to bigger size of 3 feet. I, after looking at various movements and struggles going around the world saw graffiti as a medium to let my voice heard. At same time I realized that no such activity was going on in Kashmir. Fortunately I met “The Socrates” who taught and made me aware about various things. Later we formed “El-Horiah Graffiti Crew”. (El-Horiah is an arabic word which means freedom). Now we are trying to form a culture of graffiti in Kashmir. We came with a project “concert canvas” after forming this crew; our aim in the project was about social uplift, political satires and murals, and on-going issues in Kashmir. We remain least concerned about the artistic and skillful look of Graffiti. Our motive is to convey the message and make people aware of the facts.’

When asked about the significance of active support of youth in the struggle of Kashmir’s Freedom and social uplift, He said:

‘For the survival of any movement or struggle everyone has to work hard. Contribution of everyone is vital cutting across the age bars. But youth, if you closely observe, in every struggle – be it Occupy Wall Street struggle, Arab spring or any other struggle, mainly it was the youth who led the movements, similarly here in Kashmir, youth are leading the movement. In short whole infrastructure of struggle can be led by our youth.’

‘Moreover, Indian media has launched psychological and information warfare against us. They are very selective and biased. So these pieces on walls educate people especially tourists, minds of whom are fed with lies and wrong information conveyed by India.’

‘There are some sincere people among Indians who are supporting our cause. Their voice is suppressed whenever they try defending us. We salute those peaceful minds who support us and wish them best of everything, for preaching truth and honesty to their masses.’

Talking about Pakistan, he said: “Unfortunately Pakistan is going through a very critical situation. There is a conspiracy of Zionists to disintegrate it on sectarian, ethnic and regional basis. So it is the duty of Pakistani nation to expose this nefarious design. Pakistanis need to work together for its reformation, need to stand united and honest. Stable Pakistan is necessary for the peace of entire region. Fight against terrorist groups who propagate terrorism and suicide attacks by killing innocent people. “

The Kashmiri Youth proves by his words and his art that perpetual oppression and denial of all civil opportunities have not succeeded in stunting his intellectual maturity and broad outlook into the global scenario. He proves that barbed wires and guns cannot entrap the hearts and the minds of living human beings and that as long as the fire of Freedom ignites the souls of these young aspirants, Kashmir is Kashmir and not India.

Mahwish Qureshi is a Peace & Political Activist with a strong belief of Socio- constructivism through the mirror of Islamic System. She is currently working in the field of Training & development and can be reached at missterriouss@gmail.com . She tweets@Ms_Terrious

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PKKH|Editorial

On his confirmation vote by senate for the next CIA Director, John Brennan, on 6th Feb.,was welcomed with 12 hour non-stop filibuster by Senator Rand Paul, son of 2012republican nominee, Ron Paul. (As per Wikipedia: “A filibuster is a type of parliamentary procedure where debate is extended, allowing one or more members to delay or entirely prevent a vote on a given proposal.”) Rand’s major contention was the element that keeps Pakistan volatile and shaken: drones – but not on Pakistani soil, but on American. He had asked the President’s office whether the President of USA could use drone attacks for killing an American on US soil without a trail: yes, replied the office in a very indirect fashion. Rand’s filibuster ended when president’s office returned a very short, precise answer to Rand’s question: No, the president cannot kill an American on US soil without a trial.

The issue of drones is pertinent to Brennan, because he’s “the architect of the drone program,” and as per a Foreign Policy analyst, “is the only one who can fix it.” Dubbed as ‘counter-terrorism Czar’, and profanely so, as the ‘Holy Ghost of the trio of Obama’s (un)Holy Trinity’, he is the one to inform the President of the worst nightmares, as he says: “The issues that I speak to [Obama] about are life-and-death.” He usually goes up to the President to tell such news as the death of a senior official, or capture of a high-valued information. However, as a new CIA chief, his areas of concern will expand many times. Interestingly, TIME reports, “Brennan was blocked for the CIA job in Obama’s first term by those on the left who thought he was too close to the prior Administration’s controversial counterterrorism tactics.” He was notorious among liberal circles for his role in “enhanced interrogation tactics” — ‘read torture’; which is not a good label that a CIA field agent, who faces paradoxical moral questions, would like to shield himself with, especially in a high- profile cover around the president. Brennan’s selection must not be cheering them up a lot.

What is difficult to understand is the credit given to him for being a “priest-like figure,” most likely to talk about ethics when killing ‘suspects’. If he’s the man who decides who gets targeted and who doesn’t, then who else is responsible for so much civilian deaths and the chaos it has brought. Who else is then responsible for the illegality of the many aspects of drone program, such as not allowing the suspect a fair trial, if Brennan is the architect and shadow-governor of this program?

He was once asked by Stephanopoulos: “Do you stand by the statement you have made in the past that, as effective as they have been, they have not killed a single civilian? That seems hard to believe.” His reply: “What I said was that over a period of time before my public remarks that we had no information about a single civilian, a noncombatant being killed. Unfortunately, in war, there are casualties, including among the civilian population.… And unfortunately, sometimes you have to take life to save lives.” (‘This Week with George Stephanopoulos’, April 29, 2012.) Is he really ‘informed’ even yet?
OR! Do the architects of death sit behind their lavish decor, dictating the deaths of thousands of unaware humans, thousands of miles away, without even giving a thought to what the human toll on the other side will be? nor how they destroy the peace, culture and sanity of a previously peaceful people? Brennan’s new position has raised the eyes of many in Pakistan, where the drones have been devastating the lives and livelihoods of people and communities on a daily basis; turning peaceful, innocent civilians into vulnerable prey for criminals and terror outfits. The US and Brennan as CIA chief are responsible for crippling the lives of thousands of families in our North, and need to pay for the rehabilitation of the townships and homes they have ruined and put to trial their men for each civilian innocent that has unlawfully been killed. Perhaps that would be the first step towards morality for the US and Brennan, though it won’t ever be enough to put back what has been destroyed and lost.

Entangled in Stone pelting rage of Kashmiris, Afzal Guru Blow Back, India now embraces its worst nightmare.

Report by Tabish Qayyum & Zainulabedin Ameer

Disguised as youth playing cricket, at least two ‘Fidayeen’ unleashed a brazen attack at a CRPF camp in Srinagar’s Bemina area this morning (10.45 am) carrying lethal weapons in sports kits. This attack is being noted as the most audacious attack after three years, taking the Indian occupational forces completely unaware.

As Kashmir was observing a strike by separatists groups demanding return of ‘Afzal Guru’s’ body, the attack took place in the vicinity of a public school in Bemina area of Srinagar; children in a nearby playground were unharmed. The attack was only directed at Indian forces at the CRPF Camp, according to the emerging reports. Sources in Kashmir are confirming that the Indian forces have still been unable to neutralize the attackers completely as yet. Omar Abdullah broke the news in J&K assembly by admitting ‘five CRPF servicemen causalities with few injured’. “It was a suicide attack,” Omar Abdullah, the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, told the state assembly.

This is being considered a high scale attack in Srinagar that houses the most number of troops and security, in fact; the whole city presents itself as a large military camp. Azhar Qadri, a journalist who lives about 500 meters from the camp in Bemina, said that he woke up to the sounds of shooting and thuds. “I heard sporadic shooting for about 20-25 minutes,” he said. “And the thuds sounded like grenades.” The school children were immediately closed in, so there was “no loss to property or life,” the school’s principal, Tanzim Wahidi said. None of the school children or staff was hurt. “We have a residential colony nearby and children come from there into school grounds,” he added. “This was an attack on the peace of Kashmir,” S. M. Sahai, the inspector general of police in Kashmir, told journalists.

Sources say that unidentified gunmen lobbed grenades at the entrance of the CRPF camp and followed up with gun fire as they stormed the camp. CRPF’s injured troops and others running for cover can be seen in live feeds on Indian channels. Indian security forces claim two of the gunmen have been killed while it is not certain if there are any more surviving gunmen. There are also some reports of few more attackers; the area itself is a highly secured one and with several sensitive points with government officers living nearby.

Statements upon the incident have just started pouring in from various quarters of the Indian administration. Mehbooba Mufti condemns the violence and says violence is not the solution. Umar Abdullah provided a summary of the incident to the House. While common Kashmiri people on social media are praising the resistance fighters who see this as a reprisal to the Indian attitude since Afzal Guru’s hanging, whose body has not been returned to the family, causing major rifts and protests in Kashmir. No Group has accepted the responsibility yet but the evolving pattern is ‘Hall Mark’ of LET, often dreaded for its daring assaults on Indian forces. ‘This is a signature attack of Lashker e Taiba (LET)” said Afadul Mujtaba, DIG Central Kashmir. ‘Fidayeen’ attacks were first time noted after Kargil war between India and Pakistan initiated by Kashmiri freedom fighters which saw most fortified camps, bases and installation being attacked by few ‘Fidayeen’ fighters.

PKKH Exclusive | By  M. Zainulabedin Ameer

One of the major objectives of a government is to provide security to all its citizens, equally. Last week, Pakistan witnessed yet another incident where minorities (Christians) were persecuted. More than a hundred homes were destroyed in arson. The law enforcement apparatus apparently warned the residents of Badami Baagh (Joseph Town), Lahore, in advance, allowing the residents to escape a frenzied mob, rather than cordoning off the town to protect the residents and their property. It appears that the police paved the way for lunatics to fulfill their pyromaniac designs, which led to further chaos over the next few days. Christians in various cities of Pakistan took to the streets supported by political parties.

For the first time, Pakistan saw peaceful Christians become violent, and it seems that elements within this otherwise peaceful community are now taking on characteristics of the political parties supporting them. In Karachi (Zainab Market area) Christian protesters attacked shops and vehicles in the area that prompted owners to come out into the streets too. If it were not for the timely arrival of police and rangers, there could have very easily been a severe clash. Despite this, it took hours to bring the situation under control. A similar situation prevailed in Lahore and other areas of Pakistan.

TTP and LeJ are Now Punching Bags When We Live in Denial:

Having described the recent events above briefly, the only reasonable question to ask is: why has the number of cases involving alleged blasphemy increased under the present government? By what we see, sheer negligence and lack of commitment are the root causes. However, among the most bizarre explanations we hear are from officials using LeJ and TTP as punching bags. Surely, our public has seen the footage of violence; do those grinning at the cameras while torching property look anything like TTP or LeJ? The answer is ‘NO’, and that’s simply because it’s very easy to incite mob violence on the basis of blasphemy, which means that the issue should be the government’s top priority and litigation over accusers and mobs must be made tighter.

While many allege that this situation was deliberately designed for political gains from some quarters of the ruling coalition, the fact remains that if there is room to exploit a law or conditions, people will do so. It is perhaps pertinent to ask what the government has done for passing bills for greater scrutiny of accusers and also for bridging gaps and easing tensions between communities.

What has the supposed interfaith dialogue achieved?

The Interfaith dialogue process was meant to be a way of increasing understanding between the leaders and followers of different faiths. Apparently, not much has been achieved, as allegations of blasphemy are on the rise. It’s pertinent to add that under the current administration, while an increasing number of people are getting away with all sorts of crimes, accusing someone of blasphemy is the easiest to seek revenge. However, it’s possible that many allegations have some credibility simply because leaders in non-Muslim communities have not bothered telling their flock where the boundaries of free speech lie. Additionally, Muslim leaders have not done their bit in conveying properly and unambiguously laying out the confines. While we have pointed out part of the problem here, it is also our duty to propose a solution. And, you’ll see that revoking blasphemy law doesn’t need to be a part of it.

Blasphemy is Often a Result of Sheer Ignorance and May Not Be Deliberately Committed:

It is no secret that people make all sorts of inappropriate remarks thanks to their own ignorance. This is not largely because they mean to be blasphemous; rather, it’s largely out of a very casual attitude that has a great deal to do with western influence and their blasphemous ways. Jokes about sacred personalities are common in the west, and people here are influenced by them, especially those who have a so-called liberal lifestyle. Let’s not forget that even Muslims too have fallen to blasphemy allegations, and to be very clear about this, scholars do not emphasize enough on what we should or should not say/do.

Some Muslims and well-read people might argue that the limits are obvious. However, in times like these, when people, especially the youth, are confused with differing messages in the print and electronic media, we need to make things crystal clear, for both, Muslims and non-Muslims too. Additionally, we hardly hear much from Ulema about protecting property in times of protest. There are few institutions that make it a point to emphasize on this, but largely, the much-needed inculcation is lacking. It is the need of the hour to make things blatantly clear to all followings, and for Muslims especially, proper Islamic law and codes of conduct must be taught not just in Islamic courses, but also as part of Jumma Khutbas.

Revoke the Blasphemy Law or Tighten Other Laws for Better Governance?

With strong arguments for doing away with the blasphemy law altogether being touted by ill-informed and naive so-called liberals, we have to say that revoking the law makes no sense at all, because if done, all the concealed and deliberate slander of sacred personalities of Islam (that does occur) will be done openly. However, there should be no room for false accusations. So, there are two things that should be done:

Educate all communities about blasphemy and what it means to revere ALLAH, the Quran, His Messengers and Holy Books, including those of other religions. Muslims themselves are supposed to have respect for all places of worship and sacred texts of other religions, and sadly, many of us as Muslims fail to realize this.

In order to educate all communities about blasphemy and inform everyone about where the boundaries lie, leaders in each community must play their roles in educating their flocks; ideally, they must invite scholars of other religions into their areas of common gatherings (not necessarily in their places of worship) where the invitees can speak and clearly demarcate these boundaries.

Strengthen the law to scrutinize credibility of an accuser so that there is no room for false allegations. Proof and proof alone that can stand in a court of law should be allowed. Testimonies about the character of the accuser are pivotal as well as the accuser’s past social record. Additionally, all those in charge of enforcing security must be held to account in times like these, and they must provide security to all sides. Mob justice and false allegations should carry strict punishments including life imprisonment and the death penalty simply because these two are forms of premeditated murder.

The best time to enforce these two points is now, starting with punishing those who created mayhem at Badami Baagh, as well as those who destroyed property in their protests. If we have strict implementation of law and thorough and unbiased investigations, false allegations will not occur. Additionally, with practical interfaith dialogue as briefly prescribed above, there will be fewer individuals uttering something out of their own ignorance or misunderstanding.

M. Zainulabedin Ameer is an Independent Research Analyst who tweets @zain1430

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Ghareebah is dong her Masters in English , a passionate Indian Muslimah,  in  search of  higher truths.

PKKH Editorial

“When I come back from Palestine, I probably will have nightmares and constantly feel guilty for not being here…”

This was Rachel Corrie, 23, from Olympia, Washington, on hersenior-year college assignment, as an activist with ISM (International Solidarity Movement), in Rafah, Gaza, but she never went back…

Rachel was in Rafah, in Gaza, in 2003, at the time of the ‘second Intifada’, where in Rafah alone, according to B’Tselem, and Israel non-government human rights org., about 1,700 homes were demolished resulting in 17,000 people becoming homeless between 2000 and 2004. Rachel with 7 more ISM activist had been protesting everyday, for these 2 months, in front of Israeli bulldozers that were shattering the home of the helpless Gazans.

As it had happened, within 2 years of Israel’s inception, Israel had occupied 50% more land in Occupied Palestine than mandated to it by the UN. And of all this land that it had occupied it had dragged the civil population out into the squeezed left-over West Bank and Gaza, where most of the population has been living in permanent Refugee Camps for all these year.

But the Greed of Israel never ends, and as a perpetual policy Israel is systematically clearing and adding in more land from West Bank and Gaza, by walls, more settlements and bulldozing whatever feeble houses the Palestinians possess. Every day houses are downed this way and in the process as the residents protest, deaths are a common phenomenon to occur.

Rachel had settled in with a family in one of these houses that had come in close-range of demolition. This was local pharmacist Samir Nasralla’s family, and that day, the last day of Rachel’s life, she knew that their house was going to be demolished, so she stood right in front of the bulldozer.

After Rachel had been crushed to death, as the bulldozer ran twice over her body, the Israeli government out-rightly denied any responsibility for her death, which had been cause, according to autopsy report, ‘by pressure on the chest (mechanicalasphyxiation) with fracturesof the ribs and vertebrae of the dorsal spinal column and scapulas, and tear wounds in the right lung with hemorrhaging of thepleural cavities. IDF said the driver didn’t see Rachel.

But apparently the Israel government has lied, as Rachel and her 7 friends were trained for ‘safety’in protesting. They had been trainedto take precautions like ‘Wear fluorescent jackets’, ‘Don’t run’, ‘Don’t frighten the army’, ‘Try to communicate by megaphone’, ‘Make your presence known’; and Rachel and her team had been doing all this for their last  three-hour confrontation with the IDF bulldozers, before one of them played upon her life and body.

Rachel Corriewas a regular girl from a regular family, who had happen to be in this part of the world where humanity is being crushed by an inhumane, tyrant force, and Rachel couldn’t take it; she couldn’t shun it off from her mind as a status quo to be taken as routine matter. For Rachel the conditions of the people of Gaza, and the atrocities they had to face every day, was unacceptable, inhuman and disgusting; and she just knew that humanity cannot go on like thisIn one of her emails to her mother, she wrote:

‘…One of the core members of our group has to leave tomorrow – and watching her say goodbye to people is making me realize how difficult it will be. People here can’t leave, so that complicates things. They also are pretty matter-of-fact about the fact that they don’t know if they will be alive when we come back here.I really don’t want to live with a lot of guilt about this place – being able to come and go so easily – and not going back.’

Anti Islamic Propaganda: New Fronts for the Pakistani Youth

PKKH Exclusive | by Syed Asad Shah

Anti-Islam propaganda under the guise of free speech is not a new thing anymore. There are hundreds of websites which publish anti Islam material in an attempt to malign the teachings of Islam. By the time our religious scholars and people adapted to the World Wide Web, these elements found a novel battleground in the form of social networking websites. Very soon this highly interactive and popular forum came teaming with misinformation. Thanks to the growing extremism and intolerance in our society incidents like ‘Badami Bagh’ have always provided a fodder for these Anti-Islamic elements.

On Facebook – the most popular social networking website today – one often encounters an anti-Islamic page or profile. Until recently, they have been sprouting their hatred for Islam in English language. However, a sudden shift in their strategy was noted when they started to spread misinformation mainly in Urdu language typed in Arabic transcript. It isn’t certainly because of the love of Urdu language or their Pakistani identity. It speaks of something sinister, a strategy to reach out to the maximum of the Pakistani youth. After analyzing the posts of a few Anti-Islamic pseudo-liberal pages on Facebook, one finds a striking similarity in them. The way of addressing the people, grammar, writing style, fake stories of how-I-left-Islam share a common pattern. An outright similarity in the names of the profiles of those who often share contents of these pages is visible even to a cursory eye.  Interconnectivity between two different pages propagating the same ideology is obvious in many cases.

Once you dig deep into the mystery of the people behind this campaign, you get a feeling that an indigenous and organized campaign like this cannot run without proper funding. You’ll find people advertising on websites that they need skilled workers for translation & type in Urdu, offering handsome wages.  You’ll find that their campaign is not limited to Facebook; they are present on World Wide Web as websites, on Twitter and surprisingly on YouTube as channels too.

I call them pseudo-liberal because they are certainly not liberals. Liberals and leftist groups and parties have been a part of the mainstream politics of Pakistan since the early 70’s. They often oppose policies of religious groups and criticize constitutional amendments but they have never lowered themselves to the use of dubious identities. (Traditionally Liberals had a limited circle, while in this case Pakistani youth in a broader perspective is being targeted, which is an alarm, and calls for probe in this fast changing phenomenon.)

A question arises here – Why are they targeting Pakistani youth? The answer is simple; today our Pakistani youth is vulnerable to anti-Islamic propaganda like never before.  Most of the youth know very little of Islam and are mainly dependent upon local Religious scholars who many times, interpret  issue differently, which leaves young minds more perplexed about what is real Islam and the know-little ones get easily prone to alternatives, which may be just as faulty but warped in the gloss of modernity. In addition, the Seculars often draw comparisons between religious and non-religious societies by mentioning the law and order situation. People with a lesser understanding of geo-political issues are easily led to believe that religion is the root cause of all problems.

A close examination of the whole scenario reveals that the enemies of Islam and Pakistan are utilizing a two-pronged strategy for their attack. On one hand they support extremist outfits like TTP and LeJ, who carry out act of sabotage in the name of God which in turn vilify and create an aura of indifference to the real message of Islam.  On the other, they are targeting our youth with misinformation in an attempt to keep the pot of confusion boiling. Sadly a number of young minds are becoming their victims. Not many months ago I met a 16 year old blogger on Facebook from Karachi, proudly calling himself an atheist and criticizing Islam for intolerance and killing in the name of Religion.

An outright ban on such Facebook pages and websites is not a solution as some will suggest. What’s needed is a comprehensive approach to counter this type of propaganda. Educating our youth about the teachings of Islam, fostering tolerance to the people of other sects as well as religions and raising awareness about the changing strategies of Anti-Islamic & Anti-Pakistan elements may provide a solution much needed in these dismal times.

The writer is Social Activist and Web Researcher

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PKKH Exclusive | By  Dr A. A. Siddiqui

Another flavor of a failed leadership now comes to an end, with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan looking forward to the Elections, 2013 in a few months to come. With almost every field nearly collapsing during this disastrous regime, the education in Pakistan has suffered considerably more, not in apparent stats and figures, but in purpose and outcome.

Education can be defined as the process of learning, to improve the understanding of life to make it easier for survival. Along the years, unfortunately, the meaning of Education has drastically shifted, from the process of learning to the process of memorizing, in a way that has blocked mindsets from understanding how life changes and how it can be made better.

Being an Islamic Republic, the importance of education in Pakistan should have been as decreed by the Islamic law; that is compulsory for both men and women.

The first verses, with which Islam is revealed:

Recite in the name of your Lord who created -
Created man from a clinging substance.
Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous -
Who taught by the pen -
Taught man that which he knew not.
[Al-Qur’an Chapter 96, verses 1-5]

The very first revelations marking the issuance of this religion, mention the words; recitation, teaching, use of the pen; therefore marking the importance of learning and educating in its manifesto.

Historically, several events related to the Muslim Civilization revolve around the necessity of education, and how it has affected those in power. The ultimate fall of the Mughal Empire also speaks of the lack of religious education causing deterioration in public and strategic matter and eventually laying the grounds for opportunists to win over their kings.

Pakistan’s foundation laid for the sake of a separate nation for Muslims was a breakthrough from the era of the British rule over the Subcontinent. Islam was the motive as well as the requirement, for the Muslims of that time to demand a separate homeland, where they could practice freely and their kids would go to schools that teach the Qur’an and not Catholicism.

The ideology was held on to when Pakistan was founded, and the first constitution was laid. In December 1947, the primary outline of education was presented. Nationalism was emphasized upon in comparison to ethnicity, and a syllabus that supported Islamic values was proposed. Hence, Arabic was the second language being taught since secondary school, for better understanding of the Qur’an and Hadith. To preserve Islamic literature, even Persian was available to be taught in higher classes. As an option of other languages, provincial languages were not given a name, to avoid ethnic diversity between the masses.

This outclass structure of education was not only simple, but also fore-sought the development of Pakistan as a strong Muslim nation; one that was lacking; a nation, the absence  of which was much felt in the two world wars that brought the Muslim nations to a collapse.

But there were certain entities sulking in animosity, sensing the pace at which Pakistan was rising, causing this country to face war in less than two decades of its foundation.

When the first war struck, the bonds of language and belief had held the people together, and no blow was strong enough to break this nation. Slapped in the face with failure, this strong shield of union did not go unnoticed by the adversary.

Hence, the next blow came, not upon the defense system, but on the unity of the people. What followed was the sudden change of events; the first strike coming from the East, demanding a change in the language policy. This debate rapidly gained heat, and within a few years, a tragedy struck the nation, where Pakistan witnessed the loss of a major portion; in the name of ethnicity.

This dark era in the fate of Pakistan did not last long, however the blow to education was not repaired. In 1972, Z. A. Bhutto called for the Nationalization of all institutions. However, his stance proved to be an error; lack of supervision led to disorganization and mayhem within the education sector, causing adverse effects that were not anticipated. Granting the students the rights to mingle in politics gave them a gateway to divide themselves into several groups and to put forth immature demands. This led the academic sector to collapse completely.

Hence, the purpose of getting education for the sake of the benefit of the nation was transformed into the sake of self-benefit, bringing rise to ethnic division as well as sectarian differences. Arabic lost its value and Sindhi was introduced in secondary schools; bringing the process of understanding the Qur’an to a halt.

In his book, Denizens of Alien Worlds: A Study of Education, Inequality and Polarization in Pakistan, Dr. Tariq Rahman criticizes the initial selection of nationalism over ethnicity, also claiming that the process of “Islamizing Education” endorsed intolerance and militancy among the generation. Ironically, he forgets that in the post war scenario, none of these two policies were maintained, that led to insignificant discrepancies surfacing among the masses, causing the unwanted apprehension between provinces that we face today.

Removing Arabic grammar from secondary schools was a blunder; the outcome of which we witness at present in the forms of several religious groups, too inclined within their own selves to worry about the deteriorating condition of Islam day by day. The rise of religious intolerance has since then been falsely imposed upon religion itself, instead of fixing the lack of religious education, which is the absolute solution.

The pre-Islamic period is a stark example of ignorance; where even learned, wealthy Arabs were drowned in the lowest forms of inhumanity. Girls were buried alive, or sold away as slaves. Women had no right to divorce, whereas men could marry whoever they wanted to. Corruption was at the rise and there was absolutely no concept of honesty. Through this era, Islam brought rights to women and slaves, and issued strict litigations for the violators. Education was made compulsory, regardless of gender, for the benefit of the society and the Ummah as a whole.

It is tragic to witness Islam being dragged about mercilessly by ignorant antagonists, backed by the actions of equally ignorant extremists. The frustrating part being the fact that there has been a thorough decline in religious education since the past two decades, which has not helped in this fight against terrorism but has, in fact, only made it worse. Anarchy is on the loose today, as the masses continue to witness catastrophes one after another, unable to search a way out. How is a way out even possible, when the very little bit of Islamic teachings left in primary school syllabi are criticized in the name of “minority rights”?

Topped with the sour garnish of biased stories by the mainstream media that continues to feed this fallacious picture of Islam to the common people, the ultimate dish isn’t even presentable enough to be accepted. Blinded by the smell of money, the media has lost the purpose of spreading accurate information, and is too occupied with the task of spreading hate and a pathetic display of lies about a religion so pure.

Today, the lost ideology calls out once again, in desperation. There is a dire need for revising the educational policies and reviving the lost teachings of Islam from educational institutions. This is where conscience and perception breeds, and the youth of today do not need to fall in slumber reading Shakespeare’s sonnets, instead they need to wake up and witness the world through the eyes of Shah Waliullah.

Dr. A. A. Siddique, pharmacist/ freelance writer; interests: religion/human psychology; blogs at http://wwe.deadpoetsanctuary.wordpress.com/

PKKH Exclusive | by Mhummad Umer Toor

Advocates of the arbitrary, man-made dogma called Secularism – who want to push religion into the abyss of private matters – blame Islamic fundamentalism for the lack of protection of life, property and liberty of non-Muslims, especially in the Pakistani context. Instead of  openly blaming religion or revelation as such, since “it is politically incorrect to talk against religion,” they are seen using adjectives such as ‘religious fanaticism’, or ‘religious intolerance’ misrepresenting the universal human problem of pathological intolerance for which religion can be a good cover, but is not the actual cause – far from it.

Intolerance leading to unjust violence or harm is as irreligious as suicide or homicide or fornication, if not worse. Then why shout your throats out against religion, and use the straw man argument of ‘religious intolerance’, in such sensitive, psycho-pathological scenarios where irreligious acts are committed in the name of religion, like the recent tragic Christian arson? It is just a show put up against the public importance of religion by our Liberal opponents. The misuse of the love for religion is a possibility, just like all other noble ideas & concepts can be exploited with perversion, but the solution proposed by Islamophobes, i.e., to secularize our laws and our society, does not end or undo intolerance as such but ends up in maligning the rival of secularism, merely: religious worldview.

Let us speak of a correct historical precedent of Islamic behavior towards non-combatants, let alone citizens of an Islamic state.

In 1860, former supreme commander of Algeria, Abdel Qader (ra), was in Syria. He for decades had fought the French in Algeria. Seyyed Hossein Nasr writes about him in his book Heart of Islam:

“… Amı¯r ‘Abd al-Qa¯dir, the great Algerian freedom fighter and Sufi sage; his opponent, a French general, wrote back to Paris saying that fighting against the Amır was like confronting one of the prophets of the Old Testament … The example of the saintly nature of these men and the manner in which they treated their enemies as well as noncombatants, no matter what the other side was doing, is of the utmost importance for Muslims as well as Westerners to remember in the present-day situation.”

How saintly was the Ameer’s conduct? It was Syria, 1860; A mass of angry, infuriated Muslims had encircled around 3000-4000 Christians and some French. It was called Druze uprising. Sheikh Qader with his veteran fellows rushed to the place and risked his own life a great deal and protected non-Muslims, including the very people against whom he had waged jihad earlier. He admonished Muslims that what they were doing was utter disgrace of Islam. His timely intervention and resolve to face his own brethren saved thousands of civilian and innocent lives. That news spread like wildfire around the world.

The French and even the Americans remembered the nobility of the Ameer. In America, a couple of cities were named after Ameer, one in Iowa, and the French honored him with their medals.

It becomes clear, then, that it is either lack of knowledge of the true religious standards, or outright hatred of religion & its anti-secular essence that motivates secular-fundamentalists to blame the cure – i.e., religiosity – than to utilize it.
Ameer’s example of Islamic compassion is nothing but a product and a proof of goodness that holistic nurturing of Islamic life and thought has – the very formula of which is as much under attack by drunk mobsters who burn Christian houses as is under attack by profane secularists who think wrongly. Achieving harmony and middle path, a hallmark of a traditional Islamic man and society, is becoming difficult to achieve and more religious training in morals and character is required today than ever.

Muhammad Umer Toor is a wanna-be philosopher in distant future. Based in Lahore, with a BSc in Business, he blogs atwww.toorumer.blogspot.com.  He can be reached at i.umer.toor@gmail.com

PKKH Exclusive | Dr. A A Siddique

1366 years after the first pilgrimage to Madinah, another seemingly familiar pilgrimage took place, when a comparatively greater number of Muslims, left their homes and properties, to inhabit another land, in search for freedom, of mind, conscience and religion.

Nationhood, from a Muslim’s point of view, is like that haven where one can survive in peace. To every Muslim, religion i.e. Islam comes not only as a formal belief, but as a way of life. It is for this reason, that every Muslim demands a place where s/he can practice his/her Deen freely.

This connection of nationhood with religion is like an equation where one variable defines the other. In Islam, the person who dies defending his country is as much a martyr as the one who dies leading his whole life in the way of Allah (swt); provided that the country is a Dar-ul Islam. Throughout history, there have been examples where Muslims have conquered lands, and established Islamic Nations, that stand out as models of nationhood and its dependence upon religion. This allows Nationhood to extend to other Islamic countries, for example in this way, the Pakistan Army has been blessed to serve other Muslim Nations notably Yemen, Kuwait, Bosnia, Iran, Somalia, and Afghanistan; and continues to defend them even today.

It should, however be kept in mind that Pakistan is to this day, the only nation to have been founded in the name of Islam; resonating the example of the Holy Prophet’s journey to the City of Yathrab hundreds of years ago, in search of a place of refuge where he could practice and spread Islam as per the word of Allah (swt), as life in Makkah, under the rules of the callous kuffars was harsh and practicing Islam there was nearly impossible.

When the Holy Prophet (saww) settled in the City of Yathrab (now known as Madinah), he founded an open way, not only to perform Islamic rituals easily, but also spread the word of Islam to the outside world. The Prophet (saww) chose to stay in Madinah, and even after the conquest of Makkah, he returned and spent the rest of his life there.

Similarly, it wouldn’t be wrong to call the independence of Pakistan as another fight for Islam, parallel to one that took place a thousand years ago. Living a life in miserable conditions, these Muslims were tired and dejected by the everyday insults and confrontations with the Hindus that they would have to face. The subcontinent was in itself a large empire, once being ruled by Muslim kings that after their downfall collapsed and broke into several states. Muslims and Hindus, although lived together in harmony, a wire of tension was always ready to trip them into fights.

This was the reason that the Two Nation Theory was proposed, triggering a nation into existence. What followed was a bloodshed witnessed as the Hindus and Sikhs went on a killing rampage, wiping Muslims off like grass.

Scores of Muslims lost their families, properties, and lives, as women saw their husbands sliced into pieces before their eyes; it wasn’t easy to claim this piece of land, but the reason made it worth all the pain suffered, because the reason wasn’t political or geographical but based on finding a nation worth dying for.

Hence, it is pertinent to keep in mind that losing the base would cause this nation to collapse.

Unfortunately this is what is happening today; a display of heedlessness that does not seem to end, so much so, that there are people who have started to believe that the separation of the subcontinent was a big mistake.

Passing such absurd remarks, these people fail to imagine living a life where you are supposed to love a country; where the meat you eat is condemned, the ballads you sing are against your beliefs and your places of worship are barraged with debris and you cannot fight back, as you are in the minority; powerless, and insignificant.

A nation that does not respect your religion cannot be worth risking one’s life for. And the creation of Pakistan was in this regard, a blessing for the Muslims of the Subcontinent as it gave them all an identity that they could be proud of.

From being named as an Islamic Republic, the essence of Islam can be found in every minor to major achievements of Pakistan that connect it to nationhood with strong threads woven with reverence. From highways to ballistic missiles, all monumental things are named after Islam’s great heroes, allowing one to recall the golden history and be proud of it. The constitution of Pakistan also resonates with the Islamic Shariah; however, lack of implementation has caused this country to plummet into the dark alleys of lawlessness.

Even though the major population of Pakistan consists of Muslims, the essence of Islam is day by day fading away. In this situation, it is ridiculous to expect things to improve without focusing on religion; the foundation upon which Pakistan still stands today.

Unfortunately, at the moment, this compatibility between nationhood and religion can be felt lacking not only amongst Muslim countries, but also within. Several thousands of Kashmiris and Palestinians have died and continue to die in this fight for a nation, where Islam would rule, but ironically, nationhood has transformed into a cold picture of nationalism, causing Muslim nations to create boundaries against each other, and form allies with open enemies of one another.

As for Pakistan, a country that faced external threats and wars with India and found itself in the vortex of global war of power struggle is again being pushed into a state of meltdown from within. Enemies that failed to intimidate beyond borders have found traitors within. Exploiting the fault-lines of Sectarianism and Ethnicity, these mercenaries and their lethal operations will fail again to dent the valor of this nation. To stop this virus from spreading, the antidote in the form of Islam with its tranquility must be brought into practice.
It is high time to realize that the foundations of this state get its nourishment from the core of Islam, and depriving it would only result in a barren land.
“Pakistan not only means freedom and independence but the Muslim Ideology which has to be preserved, which has come to us as a precious gift and treasure and which, we hope others will share with us.”

Muhammad Ali Jinnah
23^rd of March is the day when through these words, the two nation theory was brought into view by the Quaid, and behind that man stood a sea of Muslims ready to submit their lives for the sake of a nation where their following generations could live a life in peace.

At the present, this spirit of nationhood has been lost, and can only be felt through the eyes of a Kashmiri or a Palestinian, who lives every day facing the enemy in the eye. A Muslim can never compromise upon religion, and for this reason, it is mandatory upon us to rise with the same valor displayed 75 years ago; to call for the rights of nationhood that the Kashmiris and Palestinians rightfully deserve. In these words of Allama Iqbal, the reminder calls out loud to awaken the Muslim nations from slumber so they could rise and unite in submission to Allah (swt), as promised through the protection of religion through nationhood.

O sleeping bud, wake up to a narsissus-like vigilance over the world,

Rise, for griefs have devastated our haven;

Let the lament of the morning fowl and the dawn call of prayer wake you up;

Rise, the fire-eaters are at work and the fire-balls hang in the air.

Rise from heavy slumber, from heavy slumber arise!

What an ocean is thine that is silent like a desert?

What an ocean is that which swells not and falls like a lake?

What an ocean is it that knows no storms and whales?

Rise like a tidal wave from the split breast of the ocean!

Rise from heavy slumber, from thine heavy slumber arise!

Beware of the West and its bewitching coquetry!

Beware of its disloyal charm and its Michiavellian malice!

The world lies desolate from the savagery of the West!

O builder of the Sanctuary, take up the task of building a new world!

Rise from thine heavy slumber, from thine heavy slumber arise!

From thine heavy slumber arise!

Sir Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

Dr. A. A. Siddique, pharmacist/ freelance writer; interests: religion/human psychology; blogs at http://wwe.deadpoetsanctuary.wordpress.com/

PKKH Editorial

Pakistani pilots of 32 Wing Sargodha, after an investiture ceremony in which they received the Sitara-E-Juraat.
(left to right)

Squadron Leader Najeeb A Khan,
Flight Lieutenant Imtiaz Bhatti,
Flight Lieutenant Cecil Choudary,
Flight Lieutenant Yousaf Ali Khan,
Flight Lieutenant Amjad Hussain,
Wing Commander Anwar Shamim,
Flight Lieutenant Saad A Hatmi and
Squadron Leader MM Alam.

Mirages III – MM Alam was a squadron leader

F-86 Sabre

Obituary

“shaheen teri parwaz se jalta hai zamana

apnay baazoo-e-parr se isay aur hawa day”

The aura of professional superiority surrounded his persona until he lived. People reminiscing about him describe him as a soft spoken man with revolutionary beliefs; a short structured person whose technical prowess raised his stature to a level, where his presence commandeered respect. Commodore Mohammad Mahmood Alam’s professional integrity is an invaluable lesson for every inhabitant of Pakistan.

Venerated across the globe as the pioneer of aerial dog fight in Asia, Alam was a thorough professional whose F-86 Sabre flying skills had no parallel. Beneath the inquisitive hawk eyed twinkle, the ideology of Pakistan coursed within the blood of the son of Pakistan whose un wavering loyalty to his country knew no bounds.

Commodore M.M Alam is hailed as the only fighter pilot whose prowess earned him the prestigious title of an ace within the shortest period, which any combat fighter has ever received yet. His unbeaten record of shooting down five Hawker Hunter fighters in air-to-air combat in less than sixty seconds, with the first four within 30 seconds has been become a golden episode that would presumably outlive the end of time. Acknowledged by friends and foes alike, Alam’s valor became a source of inspiration for the generations that followed his path to become air warriors.

Born in July 6 1935 in Calcutta, Alam completed his secondary education from Dhaka and joined Pakistan Air Force in 1952. Judging Alam’s proficiency on F-86 Sabre, he was sent to France to develop his caliber on the Dassault Mirage III, along with Flight Lieutenant Farooq Umar. Later on M.M Alam commanded the elite Mirage Squadron, the only one in the Pakistan Air Force. A two times recipient of Sitara-i-Juraat for his inspiring feat of gallantry; Alam underwent various foreign courses and got deputed in Syria later on.

He was once asked, “Why he didn’t get married?”

Alam replied, “I am married to the skies.”

According to his peers, this was the legend that used to eat, sleep and drink aerial combat and it was as if he never left the cockpit even when he was in his room.

His combat escapades weren’t limited to aerial domain. After his retirement in 1982, M.M Alam served alongside Ahmed Shah Massoud forces during Afghan War against USSR. It is said that M.M Alam was taken hostage by the Russian soldiers, but he managed to escape. The camaraderie that developed with Massoud lasted until Ahmed Shah Massoud was assassinated.

M.M Alam’s lungs were tainted with cigarettes smoke since his days at PAF. In the later years, he developed serious pulmonary issues due to which he was frequently admitted in hospital. He breathed his last in PNS Shifa Hospital on March 19, 2013.

God willing, amongst the legions of Ghazis, he would proudly tread in hereafter.

PKKH believes in the resilience of men of honour like Commodore Mohammad Mahmood Alam. The narratives of these men, who sacrificed their present for their nation future, are a reflection of their conviction in the ideology of Pakistan. With a rekindled fervor, let us vow to reconsider the sacrifices rendered by our elders for the protection of the sanctity of Qaraardaad-e-Pakistan, and consider it as an impetus to work for the protection of our ideological boundaries.

Eid ul fitr Karachi august 18 1947

PKKH Editorial

As the 23^rd of March approaches us, and we turn the pages of history to remind us how the miracle of the birth of a nation-state was possible; and how history is actually made within the churns and jostles of everyday life; we see idea and fervor on every page and we see determination so hard, that would not have been, if not for an underlying irrevocable faith.

As the mood of the equilibrium between powers around the world was being altered and major event had started to show up as early as 1935; like Germany and USSR playing proxy war in Spain and the swift advancement of Japan as an undefiable invading forces gulping China, and now aiming for Mongolia and for Russia; the British Empire had its concerns shifted more towards the global scenario. With the intent to secure calm and confidence of the Indian people the British acceded to the 1937 elections as mandated by the Government of India Act 1935.

These elections, though held in 11 out of 17 provinces, proved to be an eye-opener for the Muslims of the sub-continent, and more so a blessing in an ugly disguise. Because the Hindu leaders of the Congress, which had the general support of the Muslims until now, and who had won majority in this election, could not conceal its Hinduvta thinking anymore; they rushed to uphold extremist Hindu ideology upon all the population, failing to conceal hatred and enmity they had harbored against the Muslims all along.

Jinnah was heart-broken for the atrocities committed by Hindu majority upon an overwhelming Muslim minority; inside him the dream of a united secular India was shattered. In this same event the Muslim League, what had been striving for a broader support by the Muslim masses until now, found itself to have become the single pivot of Muslim hope, as the Quaid decided to embrace it.

Poet philosopher Iqbal had corresponded with Jinnah all through this time and Iqbal had urged Jinnah to lead the Muslims out of the trap of a united democratic India, where the Hindu majority would constantly suppress the Muslims.

In 1940, at Lahore, when the Pakistan Resolution was passed, it was announced clearly by the Quaid and his assembly that United India was not an option, he said:

“No constitutional plan would be workable or acceptable to the Muslims unless geographical contiguous units are demarcated into regions which should be so constituted with such territorial readjustments as may be necessary. That the areas in which the Muslims are numerically in majority as in the North-Western and Eastern zones of India should be grouped to constitute independent states in which the constituent units shall be autonomous and sovereign.”

Underlying this simple history, are some simple facts that cannot be altered by stubborn denial. A united India with Hindus, Muslims and people of other religions all living together would have to be secular; as that would be the only guarantee for the religious and cultural independence of large masses of the Muslims. But only, since that had become a practical impossibility, had the Quaid and the Muslim masses behind him gone for an independent Muslim majority state; wherein secularism does not remain a democratic necessity, as there is no possibility for Muslims to suppress Muslims.

Yes there may have been a need to be secular among the sects between Islam and the ~2% minorities within the Muslim majority in Pakistan, and that secularism is a part of Islam itself. Islam safeguards the religion, culture and all legal and civil rights of non-Muslim minorities.

In fact the Quaid was just as secular as Islam is; Islam gave the declaration of peace and reconciliation to humanity, it gave the manifesto of treating the minority as a privileged select under special custody and protection of the Muslim majority. But this is only as long as this minority is not allowed to distort the Islamic religious and cultural values of the state and its people, as such an act would be equivalent to snatching the very identity for which, 66 years ago, events had been moved by ardent processions of millions of Muslims around the Sub-Continent; for a separate Muslim homeland; to make a history that cannot be made every day; a history that is born by volumes of fervor, zeal and activity, and mountains of resolve and faith. For at such a U-turn, the Quaid would have turned in a fundamentalist too, as he fundamentally believed in an Islamic state:

‘What relationships knits the Muslims into one whole, which is the formidable rock on which the Muslim edifice has been erected, which is the sheet anchor providing base to the Muslim Millat, the relationship, the sheet anchor and the rock is the Holy Quran.’   (Address At Islamia College Peshawar)

PKKH Exclusive | By Ayesha Akhter

Ever since the advent of Muslims in the subcontinent through Bab ul Islam – Sindh, around 1300 years ago, they have acquired their own separate outlook of life in terms of culture, traditions and norms thus establishing a nation, distinct from those already residing the land, from the onset. Muslims throughout the history have waged a sustained struggled to maintain this distinctiveness. Despite of many attempts of playing on the religious beliefs and concepts of Muslims, they have successfully upheld their discrete identity due to the efforts of reformers like Mujaddad Al’f Sani, Shah Wali Ullah and many others eminent ones.

Lately the 1937 elections were a major setback and the Muslims finally came to know that Hindus of the subcontinent will never be treating them amicably and the efforts to assimilate Hindus and Muslims as a nation are futile because of the fact that their roots, culture, norms and traditions are completely different from each other. In the presidential address of the annual session held at Allahabad in 1930, Allama Iqbal, clearly stated about the demand of a separate homeland for Muslims in the following words:

“As far as I have been able to read the Muslim mind, I have no hesitation in declaring that, if the principle that the Indian Muslims is entitled to full and free development, on the lines of their own Indian homeland, is recognized as the basis of permanent communal settlement, he will be able to stake all for the freedom of India……. The Muslim demand for the creation of a Muslim India within India is therefore perfectly justified.”

Under the leadership of Quaid e Azam and Allama Iqbal and many other eminent Muslim leaders, Muslims demanded for a separate homeland in unequivocal terms. Pakistan resolution that was passed on 23rd of March 1940 further paved way and proved as a landmark in the history of Muslim freedom struggle expressing their unflinching efforts for the achievement of a homeland as a single nation which was motivated by their Islamic faith.

Pakistan – an ideological state which was conceived as an Islamic state under the dynamic leadership of Quaid e Azam on 14th August 1947. One of the most important tasks after the conception of the state was formulating a constitution and the father of nation has clearly mentioned about the nature of the constitution in following words:

“The constitution of Pakistan has yet to be framed by the Pakistan Constituent Assembly. I do not know what the ultimate shape of this constitution is going to be, but I am sure that it will be of a democratic type, embodying the essential principle of Islam. Today, they are as applicable in actual life as they were 1,300 years ago. Islam and its idealism have taught us democracy. It has taught equality of man, justice and fairplay to everybody. We are the inheritors of these glorious traditions and are fully alive to our responsibilities and obligations as framers of the future constitution of Pakistan.” (Broadcast talk to the people of the United States of America on Pakistan recorded February, 1948.)

Despite of the fact that the Quaid envisioned Pakistan to be a democratic state, he called it an Islamic state in unequivocal term and stressed upon the equality and justice to be exercised in the newborn state. The constitution of Pakistan that has been designed on Islamic lines as has been unambiguously mentioned by the father of the nation, clearly states Pakistan to be an Islamic republic where the sovereign authority is rested with Allah subhanhuwata’ala, while the power to rule the state has been delegated by Allah as a “sacred trust”. Democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice are to be exercise in the state as enunciated by the Islamic principles. The constitution clearly states equal rights for the minorities and to enable Muslim to fashion their lives according to the teachings of Quran and Sunnah. The vision of Quaid that how he wanted Pakistan – The newly acquired homeland to be is explicitly mentioned by him several times:

“We do not demand Pakistan simply to have a piece of land but we want a laboratory where we could experiment on Islamic principles.”(In 1946, Quaid-e-Azam Islamia College Peshawar)

In his message to the frontier Muslim Students Federation on 18th June 1948, he said:

“Pakistan not only means freedom and independence but Muslims ideology, which has to be preserved which has come to us as a precious gift and treasure and which we hope, others will share with us.”

Beside setting clear lines about how the state will functioning as  a state, the constitution clearly has stresses upon the fact that the state will be Islamic in nature, where Muslim will be able to model their lives according to the Islamic injunctions. According to Quaid, Pakistan is not just a piece of land to acquire freedom, but it has to be the state which is purely based upon Islamic ideology. Jinnah despite of calling it a democratic state has never hesitated to call it as Islamic nation,  establishing that this piece of land wasn’t acquired on the linguistic, ethnic or cultural basis rather it was the land that was purely acquired by the Muslims.

“You have to stand guard over the development and maintenance of Islamic democracy, Islamic social justice and the equality of manhood in your own native soil. With faith, discipline and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve.” (Address to the officers and men of the 5th Heavy Ack Ack and 6th Light Ack Ack Regiments in Malir, Karachi February 21, 1948)

There is no place of secularism or any liberal ideology in the constitution of Pakistan. It has to be a land whose emblem is “La Illa ha illallah Muhammadur Rasool Ullah”, a  land that denotes Muslims, a land that denotes their identity, a land where the shariah is implemented in its true essence, a land which stands tall among others as a single nation uniting others as well, a land which is the gift from Jinnah to the Muslims to ordain their lives according to Islam. A land where irrespective of whatever you are, you are known as Muslim. A land where the rights of minorities are fully safeguarded; a land where you are  not Pathan, Punjabi, Sindhi or Baloch rather you are a Pakistani; a land, where the binding force of the people is Islam.

‘What relationships knits the Muslims into one whole, which is the formidable rock on which the Muslim edifice has been erected, which is the sheet anchor providing base to the Muslim Millat, the relationship, the sheet anchor and the rock is Holy Quran.” (Address At Islamia College Peshawar)

Ayesha Akhtar is a doctor in making, she is also a researcher and have in depth knowledge of Islamic creeds. She tweets @a4ambitious and can also be reached through her blog Doctoricious.wordpress.com

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Analyzing the ‘Sole Spokesman’

PKKH Exclusive | By Aneela Shahzad

Ayesha Jalal in her book ‘The Sole Spokesman’, first published in 1985, has presented a sharp scrutiny of the personality of the Quaid Muhammad Ali Jinnah; alleging him to have made such political decisions that suited his personal ambition of making Pakistan, while in doing so, he deliberately set aside the interests of the Muslims who were not to be a part of the Pakistan-to-be.

According to her, Jinnah claimed to be the sole spokesman of all Indian Muslims, not only in provinces where they were in a majority but also in provinces where only a minority was represented; and that the political geography of the subcontinent guaranteed that there would always be as many Muslims outside a specifically Muslim state as inside it.

In the first chapter of her book, she asserts, “The Cabinet Mission sought to solve the problem of British strategic interests in India by ‘giving both the claimants some part of what they wanted…’; a Pakistan trimmed to the bone (Scheme B), or a central government stripped of most of its real powers, and not ‘worth much’ (Scheme A)… Once the Cabinet had given the go-ahead (in March-April 1946), the way was clear to offer Jinnah the alternatives of a small Pakistan with sovereign rights and treaty relations with Hindustan, or a larger Pakistan… inside a federation with Hindustan.”

She furthers her argument by counting the many merits that would come with a Pakistan inside a larger Hindustan; there was to be no union legislature, and any question at the center on which the two federal units failed to agree would be referred back to their respective group legislatures; agreement would not be imposed by central dictate, but by agreement between two federated governments; the Muslim-majority areas would have complete control over all their affairs except those specifically given to the center; and at the center ‘they would meet the Hindus on a level where it was States which counted and not the number of individuals in them.

Ayesha argues that in making an East and West Pakistan with ~95 million Muslims inside, the Quaid had left the same number or more, helpless at the hands of the Hindus in Hindustan.

The rhetoric embraced by Ayesha Jalal seemed attractive to many, and her stance has been widely quoted by those who hold the liberal and secular ideology in Pakistan; to advance their interest of denouncing the very need of Pakistan’s existence and to build the idea that a secular India has been better off in safeguarding the interests of its multiple minorities than a ‘mutilated’, ‘moth-eaten’ Pakistan spree with divides and decadence, has been.

But there are some serious issues that have to be taken in regard about her work. Most ironically, Ayesha has based her full analysis from within the bookish accounts of official correspondence between the select elite representatives of the Hindus, Muslims and the British. Secondly, her towering conclusions are extracted from all that had happened between 1946 and 1947, i.e. from the Cabinet Mission to the making of Pakistan. Was history made in two years and between three men? Could Jinnah have been the sole spokesman without the consent of all the learned members of the League, from all over the Subcontinent, behind him?

It is an irony that the writer can talk about provisions offered in the legislation, disregarding the hard fact that in a democracy, legislation is a continuously evolving phenomenon, depending upon no other factor more than of ‘majority’. One cannot blindfold oneself of the reality that legislature does not give the provision of rioting, apartheid and war, but these still happen. That if the Quaid would had secured all the rights that the Muslims of the subcontinent did not even deserve as a minority, the Congress could have voted those rights off in its first session. A writer, who can fancy for a federating unit within a larger India, might have some explanation then, as to how India has federated Kashmir so far or how it has not turned the province of Hyderabad that it forcibly snatched from Pakistan into a Naxalite Center of Terror.

Perhaps if the writer would have taken her reference from only as early as the 1937 elections, she would have known the reasons for the Quaid to forsake the Congress in the first place and the reasons why the Muslims from throughout the subcontinent denied the Congress as their representative and gathered around the Muslim League and hence around the Quaid as their sole representative and their sole spokesman.

The history of the birth of this nation-state Pakistan, conceived in the name of Islam, was not written in closed rooms, as the writer might have presumed; but the fact is that it was written by the vehement commotion stirred throughout the Muslim community of the subcontinent. It is an irony to note that the provinces that were eventually not to be a part of the separate Pakistan were the ones most vigorously active in the political and public support of this state-to-be. The United Provinces of Agra and Oudh (present Uttar Pradesh) are considered as the place of origin of the Pakistan Movement; Bombay, Aligarh, Delhi, Patna, Lukhnow, Calcutta, Allahabad and many central cities saw grand processions around the Quaid and other leaders of the League.

The question is why where all these Muslims so enthusiastic for Pakistan and the answers are two; firstly the Muslims of the subcontinent were knit in the dream of a separate homeland which was to become a fortress of Islam, wherein their worldview of a pure practicing Islamic culture was to become a possibility and they did not care which parts would eventually not make it into the final map. Secondly the Pakistan that was in the perception of the League was not compromising the Muslim majority states that are within India now. The map for a Sovereign Islamic State presented by Chaudry Rehmat Ali as far as 1940 shows the vision harbored by the leaders:

The Map given by Choudhary Rahmat Ali, M.A., L.L.B., and Barrister-at-Law; on 8 March 1940, he proposed a new scheme for the establishment of Pakistan, Bangalistan East Bengal and Osmanistan.

Ayesha argues that the British and the Congress went on to every step to make a compromise with the League but every time they moved forward Jinnah would raise the bar higher and demand more. She draws a picture of a vicious, stubborn man, lacking the foresight required to see the hell he was pushing his people towards. In her ending notes, she says:

“But Pakistan’s founding fathers were so imbued with the politics of rancor against India that they failed to realize that in giving up all say in India’s affairs by becoming a separate state and simultaneously choosing to foster enmity with India, they willfully created a dangerous situation for Pakistan.”

Does she mean to say that by staying inside India as a province, Muslims would have been safer and would have enjoyed more civil liberty then they do in Pakistan? Yes they could have been, but only by subsiding into an identity of Indian only and by disowning the Islamic identity. In fact, Ayesha makes it clear that in her sight, for Muslims to seek an identity on the basis of their religion, was their gravest misdoing and they would have been better off in being Indian then being a majority in Pakistan. She says:

“Before 1937, Muslim politicians made sense (to me); they were Indians who wanted safeguards as Muslims against Hindu majority rule. After Jinnah, the two nation theory formulation and demand for parity took center-stage; after 1937-38, many Muslim politicians became Pakistanis and stopped making sense.”

The truth is that both schemes prepared by the Hindu-British connivance, were devised to leave the Muslims in a calamitous position; Scheme B: ‘a Pakistan trimmed to the bone’, meant freedom and sovereignty at the cost of a miserable economy and a compromised army; OR Scheme A: ‘a central government stripped of most of its real powers’, meant to give all possible concessions to the League on paper now, and once they are part of India, India would be sovereign and not any of its minority.

Does it suit a people to choose meager Resources over Freedom; does it suit the Mard e Momin to forsake his Kuddi and Kuddari for the fear of food and comfort? Ayesha sees the same events with a different angle, for her Indianized Islam, which really means amalgamation into their culture, was not a heavy price to be paid; she therefore expresses confusion over why the Muslims turned into Pakistanis after 1937; for her, after seeing all the atrocities that the Hindus were capable of, the Muslims should have kept fighting for more legislature, declaring the Hindus as their permanent kings for their permanent superiority in number.

It is ultimately upon the reader now to decide if Jinnah wronged us for making an independent sovereign Islamic Pakistan; or is it the likes of Ayesha Jalal who want to wrong us of our freedom and our sovereignty, and who think that after 3 wars, Kashmir and conniving interference into our soil, we should seek safe-haven in the laps of Cruel Mother-India, Again!!

Aneela Shahzad is an editor at PKKH.tv and can be contacted viainfo@pakistankakhudahafiz.com,  and you can also find her at Aneela Shahzad’s Blog.

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