This is the concept of dowries the engrez have: “dowries — such as jewelry, clothes, cars and money — are traditionally given by the bride’s family to the groom and his parents to ensure she is taken care of in her new home.” How sad is the bold part yes?

Even though the custom was outlawed more than five decades ago, it is still widely practiced, with the groom’s family demanding even more money after marriage, leading to mental and physical harassment that can drive the woman to suicide. In the worst cases, she may be murdered by her husband and his family, often in so-called “stove burnings” where she is doused in kerosene and set on fire.

“The Angry Brides game is our way of throwing a spotlight on the nuisance of dowry,” said Ram Bhamidi, senior VP and head of online marketing for Shaadi.com, a matrimonial website with two million members. “According to a 2007 study … there is a dowry-related death every four hours in India. We condemn this menace and have consistently run campaigns on social media to help create awareness of the issue.”

The name of the app, available on the group’s home page, is a spinoff from the globally popular “Angry Birds” game. Its home page shows a red-clad, eight-armed woman resembling a powerful female Hindu goddess. Underneath, there is a caption: “A woman will give you strength, care and all the love you need … NOT dowry!”

To play the game, users have to try and hit three dodging grooms: a pilot, builder and doctor. There is a wide array of weapons to choose from, including a stiletto shoe, a frying pan, broomstick, tomato and loafer!

Each groom has a price tag, starting at 1.5 million rupees ($29,165). Every time the player hits a groom, his value decreases and money is added to the player’s Anti-Dowry Fund, which is saved posted on their Facebook page.

“Since we launched the game last week, more than 270,000 people have liked the app. Both men and women seem to be playing it,” said Bhamidi.

Coolness! J

‘I have been an A grader throughout my life and now a possible B grade is giving me terrible nightmares’, Faiza, a Pakistani medical student in USA was telling me.  She was worried about her grades and told me about her sleepless nights despite immense hard work. She wanted to stand first in her class. For me, she is already an extraordinary girl. Being from a conservative family and studying at a medical school in United States is an incredible dream for many.  She is already a leader and role model for many girls in her family and friends but Faiza is not satisfied with her current situation.

The problem is not only with the students, but parents as well. They would queue outside ‘top schools’ for many hours in order to enrol their children for admissions. Sumera, another good friend from Lahore, worries about the performance of her son, who is a super active ten year old kid. He grabs decent grades despite being a ‘happy-go-lucky’ child and that is what bothers Sumera. She thinks he can outshine the rest if he gives a little more time and attention to his studies. She wants to see her kid at the top of the world and be a ‘star’.

The competition is not limited to education either. In every walk of life, we want to excel and beat the queue by any means possible. Be it the most luxurious car or high-tech cell phones, designer clothes or branded jewellery, we want to have the best of the best available. In career, everyone wants to have the fortunes of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. Nothing satisfies us more than overtaking the crowd in trivial things and possessions.

I remember one of my professors once said, ‘Be a leader in your field and if you fail, create a new field and lead’’.  Everyone knows about ‘Neil Armstrong’ who stepped on to the moon, but no one knows about the second one who stepped twenty minutes later. The stories of cut-throat competition in the markets are prevalent, asking to move up the ladder by hook or by crook.

The issue is not only with Pakistanis. In Korea, the issues like which university to choose, which company to join and who to marry, depend quite a lot on your performance in the high school examination. One exam almost shapes the entire life of the person and the repercussions are drastic. Children’s days and nights revolve round exams more than any healthy activities, and the teenage suicidal rate in Korea is the highest in the world.

So is the world all about being at the top? And more importantly, those who have big achievements in their portfolios are they satisfied with their lives? Or do they want more? These questions need to be pondered upon? No one is happy with this fast paced life. Everyone looks for the missing pieces in the puzzle of happiness. So it comes down to the phenomenon of contentment. We need to draw a line where we feel contented. That is when we can enjoy all what we have and stop looking for more. There is no problem with the notion of standing out in the crowd and having a few extra feathers in the cap. The problem comes when it becomes the only motive of life.

The solution was given by Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) centuries ago by saying ‘In matters of deen (righteousness/virtues) look at those who are higher (better) than you and in the matters of the world (material things), look at those who are lower (less fortunate) than you. This simple solution will fill one’s heart with contentment. Thanking God for what you have will give you the option to enjoy it to the full.

Being first is not important at all times. In my opinion, the role of the Michael Collins was most important; he orbited the moon in Apollo 11, and brought back Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin safely to the earth. He went to the moon, not to step onto it, but to bring those back who landed there. Sometimes staying behind the scene and playing role is much more important than coming to the lime light.

1. Muhammad (PBUH)

The first word for which I checked the search trend was Muhammad (PBUH) and was glad to see that Pakistan is ranked as number one in the world to search about the word “Muhammad (PBUH)” where as 5 Pakistani cities topped the first 5 spots.

Pakistan is ranked as number third in the world to search about the word “Islam” on Google in 2011.

3. Quran

Pakistan is at number one spot in the world to search about the world “Quran” on Google where as Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore are respectively 1st, 2nd and 3rd cities in the world to search about the word “Quran” on Google in 2011.

4. Education

Pakistan is the also ranked as number one country in the world to search about the world “Education” on Google in Year 2011.

5. English

Pakistan is the ranked number one for searching about “English” on Google in Year 2011 whereas Karachi and Lahore are respectively 1st and 2nd in the list of cities which search more than any other city about the same word in the world.

6. Scholarships

Pakistan is also ranked as number 5th for searching the word “Scholarships” on Google in year 2011 whereas Islamabad & Lahore are respectively at 4th & 5th spot.

Else than above mentioned Pakistan is ranked as 1st for searching for the term “Jobs” & “Peace”, 7th for search the term “Information Technology”, 2nd for searching the term “Physics” & Thesis.

All these results show a positive side of us. Every society and every nation comprises of good and bad people. From one search term it can’t be assumed that we Pakistanis are using internet solely for negative purposes. There are more search terms in which Pakistan is among top 10 countries in the world. We being Pakistanis should try to highlight our strengths too.

Benazir Bhutto succeeded twice as prime minister of Pakistan from 1988-1990 and 1993-1996. Thus, she was the first women prime minster in the whole of the Muslim world. On both occasions, she was removed from premiership on the alleged charges of corruption, bad governance and misuse of power and following bad economic policies which generated more poverty, inflation and unemployment. These charges never proved in any court of law.

No wonder she was a ferocious fighter and committed leader to the cause of democracy. Before her departure for Pakistan, I still remember her words vividly, which she spoke at Dubai Airport on October 18, 2007. She said, “though death is staring into my eyes, yet I would go back to my country in order to liberate people, liberate country from the shackles of dictatorship and shackles of extremism and terrorism”. She said that in her last speech at Liaqat Bagh “I put my life in danger and came here because I feel that my country is in danger”. This shows her leadership mettle as leader is the one who is never sacred of trials and tribulation in the journey of democratic struggle.

She was fearless leader despite the fact that she had suffered personal grief with the death of her father, brothers and thousands of workers who challenged the brutal rule of Gen. Zia. Lived five years of solitary life in jail, she knew that there’s no physical come back for speaking truth despite all such personal trials and tribulations. With every passing day, her faith in democracy neither wavered, nor her desire to see democracy return to the country and flourish.

If we take a closer look on the role she played for nation and its people, you will find so many feathers of success to her cap. She gave missile technology, agosta submarine to our navy, she established women bank, women police stations, and women affairs ministry was founded during her first stint in 1988. All these steps suggested that she was committed to the goal of women empowerment in every walk of life. She always encouraged women to participate in politics. She appointed women judges and thousand of lady health visitors to reduce infant mortality. She also spearheaded the moment to make Pakistan polio-free.

Her services for the country were not only confined to the welfare of women, but also her numouros steps on socio-economic front. During her regime, Qasim Port and Steel Mill were expanded; she launched the Keti Bunder and Thar Coal projects, with a view to overcome energy crisis in the country and thereby generates thousands of jobs. She gave jobs to jobless, took steps to improve the system of education and provide health care to people at their doorsteps. In order to eliminate poverty of rural masses, she provied lands to landless haris so that could they improve their lot and live descent and honorable life.

Benazir in her book “Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy and the West” spelt out her vision and new political philosophy which was based political, economic and social democracy, underpinned by good democratic, accountable and judicious governance system. In her book, she criticized west for derailing democracy in the Muslim world and supporting dictatorships which finally paved the way for extremism and talibanisation in the country. In order to rid the country of dictatorship and extremism, she had to negotiate with Musharraf and singed agreement in the form of NRO, for which BB was criticized by her opponents though many analysts believe that had BB not singed NRO with Musharraf, democracy would not have returned to the country.

BB believed in the politics of reconciliation as she learnt over the years that confrontation amongst political forces had derailed the democratic process. It was in this context, she singed CoD in 2006 with PML N in order to strengthen democracy and rule of law.

I believe that, the legacy of PPP can never be shaken as it is the party which has emerged after so many sacrifices, based on basic fundamentals of human needs and their belief of strengthening and empowering the individuals, institutions, and democratic forces is stronger. Nevertheless, it’s the high time that the present government rectifies their flaws, and addresses the needs of drowntrodden as per BB’s dream and philosophy.

Today BB is no more with us, her death wasn’t the only loss of Pakistan, but the loss of hope, determination, and courage that had exists within us, within you, and within me. That is what we lost on 27^th Dec, 2007. There are so many conspiracies with regard to her assassination, some says it was Al-Qaida, some say establishment, maybe agencies, or maybe the current government? Whatever the truth is no one knows, but what we should really need to know here is that, BB laid her life for true democracy. Irrespective whether you like it or not her last wave from her car was out of love for her countryman who were languishing under the darkness of dictatorship.

Though she is not with us but she has left with us her rich potical and an intellectual capital in the shape of her ideas, her philosophy of democratic, developmental and secular Pakistan where everyone, without discrimination on the basis of cast, color and religion, can live free life. As she rightly said in her book that, “one can kill the person but not an idea”. So, let us pledge to work for the preservation and promotion of her democratic ideals in order to turn Pakistan in tolerant and vibrant society. Let’s continue her dream. Let democracy do not die with her death in Pakistan.

Due to proper evaluation system, government soon realized the mistakes of the movement.  Villagers lacked technical skills to build bridges and roads.  So government provided technical support and training required for the projects.

Grass root level leadership evolved as a reason of this movement, which lead to the development of Korea on many fronts. Corruption wasn’t a problem in this project, as population was involved in it, and the residents carried out the projects themselves. They also contributed financially to the extent they were able to do. The collective participation brought in transparency and better utilization of resources. The change went from rural to urban areas of Korea, whereas it is usually the other way around.

Korea today has become one of the top growing economies in the world, with national income of $ 20,014 per capita, (remember in 1960, Korea was at $79, and Pakistan was $91).  This is despite the fact that Korea has no natural resources, and it relies only on its human resource.  It is now one of the most advanced countries in internet usage, banking system and industrialized nation.

About ten Pakistani students (Masters/PhD researchers) attended this workshop. All of us had a consensus that this model cannot be copied directly considering our culture and traditions.  Our villages are usually big, and we lack consensus on leadership and projects. We are heavily divided and our women don’t work usually as labour workforce in building the bridges and widening the roads. So we need to make certain changes in this model and in our society too, for our growth and development.

In Pakistan, ‘actions must speak louder than words’, so the projects must be aimed at ‘doing more-talking less’ spirit.  The basic element in these projects should be consistency and continuity, learning from past experiences and improving with time. We can learn from these experiences as we are a resource rich country. We don’t have the problem of poverty similar to that of Koreans, our infra structure is not very up to the mark, but we do have something to build upon, so we don’t have to start from zero.

All we need is to participate on community basis, helping ourselves, and taking bold initiatives. When this movement started in Korea, a lot of people criticized it, but government continued persuading villagers to take part in the development process, and it yielded results. The evaluation of projects was step-wise and better performing villages were rewarded on the basis of merit. This helped a great deal in raising awareness and competition level.

Saemaul Movement members hold a briefing session with locals in Tanzania, to explain the concept and meaning of the Saemaul Undong

Korea has started to implement this project in African countries. While other countries prefer to perform charity work, Koreans are trying to engage villagers by asking them to contribute equally.  For instance, the project of establishing a goat bank is very good idea. Villagers are given goats, to raise, and when they breed more goats, the original ones are returned, thus establishing a live-stock bank.

Most important notion to learn is the reforms of the mind-set, to ‘we can do it’. Starting by simple, small projects, doing something tangible, will lead to something better and bigger eventually. We think of big projects first, but sometimes we need to think ‘small’ and ‘in the box’.  Making  roofs for homes, kitchens in houses, toilets, small water reservoirs, improving sanitary conditions,  building small bridges, improving water supply and sewerage systems- eventually the change will be getting bigger and visible which will help in improving the living standards.

Another point to focus is to increase the income of villagers, to stop urbanization. We believe in giving alms and charity,  but instead we should focus more on trying to make poor people earn more money. Increasing their income will change their mentality. As I mentioned earlier, Saemaul Undong wasn’t focusing on education and public health in the start, because people were mostly concerned about food and shelter, but as the movement went on to bring the change, people started thinking about education, health, learning opportunities and community life. Koreans did that successfully and now their rural life has almost all the facilities of their urban life so more and more people are preferring rural life.

In short, collaborative efforts will bring change, and rural development is the key to sustainable development even in the industrialized nations. Following are the words of President Park Jung Hee,

‘Unless the residents have a desire of self-help for the change of their life, even if they wait for 5000 years, there will be no change. If the village residents try to change their life now, even with little support of government, they will be able to change their life in 2-3 years’.

These simple words underline the spirit of the movement. No one will bring change for you, if you don’t want it yourself. And small consistent changes, will lead to a big and visible transformation. More importantly, ‘ do more, talk less’

Presumably, there spawned a wave of an unprecedented political tsunami which is now appearently spreading throughout the country. Imran khan, our supposed hero. The captain. The leader.
He was a great cricketer, is a classy gentleman with an ever so charismatic personality and exceptional leadership skills.
But is he a politician?
Politics in Pakistan as we know it, is a filthy dangerous swamp filled with creatures of the dark who are absent of values and morals compared to the likes of Imran khan. But in a more recent past we find him seeking the assistance of these very creatures of the dark. After the succes of Imran Khan’s Lahore rally, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf suddenly found itself in recruitment mode politicians, dirty or half-dirty lining up to join the PTI.
While Imran khan embraces this opportunity to take his party to the next level, critics ask the question,
“Is Imran khan trying to serve old wine in a new bottle?”
I say well, even if he is what’s wrong in that?
Isn’t that how Pakistan was made? When Jinnah moved from congress and joined PML.
A few years ago Imran khan was asked on BBC’s Hard Talk.
“If according to you, every leader in Pakistan is corrupt and should be removed, who would you replace them with?” Today, Imran Khan is answering that question by replacing them, with their political descendants.
He recently welcomed a latest edition of noteworthy politicians into his party who belonged to other parties before him.
From day one, all Mr. Khan has been talking about is how justice is the key to solving all the problems this country faces today.
So much so, he even named his party PAKISTAN TEHREEK-E-INSAAF for that purpose.
But is he really true to what meets the eye? Or is he yet another supposed hero in making like the ones before him who never really did anything for the poor majority of Pakistan while feeding on their votes and leeching off of their hard earned money.
Even if he is, is Justice really the solution? Doesn’t look like it to me.
Ever since the restoration of the CJ everyone assumed that things will change. Justice will be served. But has that happened? If you ask me, NO!
It has not! People still get assassinated for no reason.
Random bomb blasts still occur killing people who have or want nothing to do with their politics. We see news clips stating “court takes action against target killings”
Then why are we still hiding in our homes? Scared there might be a bullet out there with our name on it.
Or a 15 year old boy with explosives strapped to his chest waiting to say those golden words and depart from this life along with scores of people.
Has Imran khan ever condemned those attacks? I’ve never seen a statement from his side condemning any kind of terrorist attacks what so ever.
But then again there’s a high probability that the politicians who do appear in media and condemn these attacks are the ones responsible for it in the first place.
I don’t know how or why, maybe it’s just because of the cricket, but the average Pakistani today, in his heart, has started to believe that Imran Khan might bring the revolutionary change this country needs, but his actions on course suggest otherwise. According to critics he talks the talk but doesn’t walk it.
Imran khan seems to be the perfect candidate to lead this country out of its misery and the curse of corrupt politicians. But does he have what it takes? .
Handling pressure when the cost is ur pride for a cricket game or a few dollars worth of winning is easy, compared to handling internal and external pressure of running a country when the cost could be loosing your life by the hands of agencies or terrorists. Is he ready for that kind of pressure?
According to critics such as the famous news anchor Nusrat Javed, it’s not his cup of tea.
It’s one thing to be a fair captain on the Cricket ground but to become the leader of a nation that is so confused as to what’s right and wrong or good or bad for them, Imran Khan is in for the ride of his
Lifetime. Will he come through? Or will he give in to the pressure. Will this Tsunami live up to the expectations it has manifested in people’s hearts most importantly even if everything goes accordingly and Imran Khan comes to power. Does that guarantee a solution to our never ending problems?
There seem to be more questions than answers in this case and only time will bring the answers us Pakistanis seek.

The anonymous activists behind this powerful website rightly say that money has taken over politics and that a group of high-level bankers and industrialists exert their influence on both sides of the electoral playground. This can be summed up in an allegory, “They win, whether the coin lands on heads or tails”.

This synopsis of social and economic control of the world’s populace
at the hands of a few multi-billionaires with common agendas is what
directly coincides with the reality-based concept of totalitarian
bankers and lobbyists playing their favorite game of transcontinental
geopolitics to intake trillions in income and enjoy a bit of dummy
control along the way i.e. controlling governments and their economies
through stock exchanges and monetary organizations.

This advanced more rapidly after the demolition of the former Soviet Union which took along Communism’s leftovers to be buried in the sands of Afghanistan.

Keeping China as a Communist power aside, the capitalist world at
large is now also following in the footsteps of its Russian Communist
counterpart. It has been burying itself in the sands of Afghanistan
also. Trillions of debt for waging wars in Iraq and especially
Afghanistan resulted in exceeding the limit of domestic loans from the
Federal Reserve.

Naturally, the cost of living in the United States of America became less and less affordable for the ordinary public.

The activists who have been calling for an end to capitalism ignited a
fire that swept across America from Zuccotti Park on Wall Street, New
York to San Franciso on the West Coast. A few days later, protests
erupted in no less than 82 countries across the globe. Thousands upon
thousands of people raised slogans against feudal capitalism, whereas
those in the Muslim world availed of this opportunity by demanding
imposition of the Islamic economic model.

Financial hegemony by satanic bankers in Wall Street and the City of London had to be rebelled against sooner or later. Now that people have been taking strong notice and action against these clutches, it is highly
surprising where Pakistani media is amidst all these developments.

I would not like to talk about the American media at large, since almost
its entire mainstream is itself corporate and agenda-oriented. It
takes injections of small millions in each channel to shush them.

On the contrary, alternative news channels such as Russia Today,
Iran’s Press TV and China’s Xinhua are giving regular coverage. Russia
and China have their own pro-Communist leanings.

What about Iran though? Iran’s President Ahmadinejad recently gave another statement that the US is trying to frame his country on false terrorism charges simply to divert world attention from the latter’s crumbling socioeconomic endeavors. Will this massive “Anti-Capitalism Spring” succeed in uprooting the evils of capitalism? Time will tell. For now, as far as our Pakistani media is concerned, I feel no hesitation in
only assuming that someone might be funding/prohibiting it from airing
these most crucial geopolitical events.

A few headlines and sliding tickers on screen will not do. Our media is acting sluggish and ignorant. What is it that the Pakistani media fears? Why are there no proper talk shows on this issue and where are our local ‘golden boys’ of economic affairs to explain the worldwide resentment and uprising against capitalism?

Translated by Professor Sam Hamod, Ph.D.

Recollections of My Life: Col. Mu’ummar Qaddafi, The Leader of the
Revolution. April 5, 2011.

In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful…

For 40 years, or was it longer, I can’t remember, I did all I could to
give people houses, hospitals, schools, and when they were hungry, I
gave them food. I even made Benghazi into farmland from the desert, I
stood up to attacks from that cowboy Reagan, when he killed my adopted
orphaned daughter, he was trying to kill me, instead he killed that
poor innocent child. Then I helped my brothers and sisters from Africa
with money for the African Union.

I did all I could to help people understand the concept of real
democracy, where people’s committees ran our country. But that was
never enough, as some told me, even people who had 10 room homes, new
suits and furniture, were never satisfied, as selfish as they were
they wanted more. They told Americans and other visitors, that they
needed “democracy” and “freedom” never realizing it was a cut throat
system, where the biggest dog eats the rest, but they were enchanted
with those words, never realizing that in America, there was no free
medicine, no free hospitals, no free housing, no free education and no
free food, except when people had to beg or go to long lines to get
soup.

No, no matter what I did, it was never enough for some, but for
others, they knew I was the son of Gamal Abdel Nasser, the only true
Arab and Muslim leader we’ve had since Salah-al-Deen, when he claimed
the Suez Canal for his people, as I claimed Libya, for my people, it
was his footsteps I tried to follow, to keep my people free from
colonial domination – from thieves who would steal from us.

Now, I am under attack by the biggest force in military history, my
little African son, Obama wants to kill me, to take away the freedom
of our country, to take away our free housing, our free medicine, our
free education, our free food, and replace it with American style
thievery, called “capitalism,” but all of us in the Third World know
what that means, it means corporations run the countries, run the
world, and the people suffer. So, there is no alternative for me, I
must make my stand, and if Allah wishes, I shall die by following His
path, the path that has made our country rich with farmland, with food
and health, and even allowed us to help our African and Arab brothers
and sisters to work here with us, in the Libyan Jamahiriya.

I do not wish to die, but if it comes to that, to save this land, my
people, all the thousands who are all my children, then so be it.

Let this testament be my voice to the world, that I stood up to
crusader attacks of NATO, stood up to cruelty, stood up to betrayal,
stood up to the West and its colonialist ambitions, and that I stood
with my African brothers, my true Arab and Muslim brothers, as a
beacon of light. When others were building castles, I lived in a
modest house, and in a tent. I never forgot my youth in Sirte, I did
not spend our national treasury foolishly, and like Salah-al-Deen, our
great Muslim leader, who rescued Jerusalem for Islam, I took little
for myself…

In the West, some have called me “mad”, “crazy”, but they know the
truth yet continue to lie, they know that our land is independent and
free, not in the colonial grip, that my vision, my path, is, and has
been clear and for my people and that I will fight to my last breath
to keep us free, may Allah almighty help us to remain faithful and
free.

c: Col. Mu’ummar Qaddafi, 2011/05/04

Copyright Col. Mu’ummar Qaddafi, – Mathaba.Net

Racism’s effects are called “racial discrimination.” In the case of
institutional racism, certain racial groups may be denied rights or
benefits, or receive preferential treatment. According to the United
Nations conventions, there is no distinction between the term racial
discrimination and ethnicity discrimination.

The important point is why I was compelled to think or write about
it??? It’s because of recent killings of Urdu-speaking population.
Beheaded bodies, kidnappings & so on…terror everywhere. Some people even killed in a bus after they were identified as Urdu-speakers.
Tracking back this to the statement of a high official of Sindh in
later months of 2010…

“The situation in Karachi will worsen and a large number of
Urdu-speaking people will lose their lives if these ethnic groups
(Pakhtoon, Baloch, Punjabi and Sindhi) come forward and make an
alliance”.

Such a biased statement full of racial discrimination by a responsible person holding a high-profile post was not expected. This statement has made the Urdu-speaking population to feel unsecured, irrespective of the political interest to any political party.

The majority of Urdu-speaking people in Pakistan are those who
migrated from British India. They left their properties & all other
stuff to breath in an independent atmosphere under the Flag of
Pakistan. History shows that these patriots have sacrificed a lot in
the struggle for independence.

Currently, 7.5% of the Pakistani population – about 13.5 million
citizens – identify themselves as ‘Urdu Speakers’. Of this number,
over 8.5 million reside in Sindh and over 4 million reside in Punjab
and Islamabad. The vast majority reside in urban areas. Karachi is at
the top of the list among the cities with the largest approximate
‘Urdu Speaking’ Populations which is about 6,500,000. (Figures are
estimations based on the 1998 census of Pakistan and are rounded up to
allow for slight population growth since the time of the report).

It’s very ironic that after so many years of Independence, these
Urdu-speakers are still facing Racism. Today every nation condemns
Racial Discrimination & above all Islam it self forbids racial
segregation. Islam is the most anti-racist and anti-prejudicial way of life. Islamic history testifies to the openness Muslims have shown
towards people of different cultures and religions. Within their own
ranks, sincere and practicing Muslims have always kept their hearts
and minds open to their brethren, no matter what their background.

As a Pakistani Nation, it’s a high time for us to be united in order
to fight against the current situations Pakistan facing. We all should condemn & oppose the racial discrimination. We must show that we believe racism to be cowardly, shameful and beneath contempt. Our best weapons against racism are our common sense and our unity against racist violence and exploitation.

Our goal is social equality for all people. We will achieve this after we do away with all the
institutions that depend on racism in order to exploit us. Racism is
motivated by greed and perpetuated by power and ignorance.

The Statement & the current law n order of Karachi, that made me think & write this all is a Wake-up Call for all the Urdu Speakers to
condemn this racial targeting & to show unity amongst them. Also other ethnic groups & communities should show their kind gestures &
solidarity to the Urdu-speakers so that they don’t feel segregated &
alone.

Some mourned this tragic incident while others found this as a laughing stock. In some eyes Salman Taseer was the hero and for others it was Mumtaz Qadri. Some termed this murder as barbaric and insane while others termed this as an act to save the respect of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Whatever that was it was a murder of an innocent “innocent till proven guilty” by any competent court of law or even Federal Shariah Court. Moreover not to go far Islam clearly states that

“Murder of a human being is just like killing all human beings”

Islam never encourages the murder nor even does it encourage harming any Muslim. It has been stated in Sahih Bukhari

“A Muslim is a person from whose hands and tongue other Muslims don’t get troubled”

That killing was never justified and was a barbaric act and should be condemned by every one at all forums. After the murder the matter was taken to court which after hearing of 8 months sentenced Mumtaz Qadri to death twice. Special Judge ATC-II Syed Pervez Ali Shah declared the judgment in the high-security Adiyala Prison in Rawalpindi. The court also imposed fines of Rs100, 000 each for the two convictions of murder and terrorism.

Qadri held the unrepentant look he has maintained since confessing almost immediately after the murder. Those in court reported that on hearing the death sentence Qadri smiled, thanked Allah and said his dream had come true.

Dismissing Qadri’s pleas, the judge said: “A proven blasphemer is wajib-ul-qatal (liable to be killed). He cannot be forgiven. Only the Holy Prophet (PUBH) himself can forgive him. However at this stage two questions arise. Firstly, can a person who is leading a sinful life be termed an apostate? Secondly, if he is deemed an apostate, then who will execute him? Obviously individuals cannot be given the authority to judge someone an apostate, infidel or non-Muslim. Moreover, individuals can not be allowed to execute the punishment on such persons because it will pave the way for anarchy, turmoil, restlessness and lawlessness in society. Therefore the defence plea in this regard is not helpful to the accused.”

Rejecting the defence’s plea that the murder was a result of sudden provocation, the judge remarked: “The statements of the governor about blasphemy laws were published in 2010, and the murder was committed on January 4, 2011. Further, it was not the plea of the accused that the deceased made these remarks in his presence. The accused himself put a provocative question to Taseer as he was coming out of a restaurant in Kohsar market and it was not the deceased who provoked the killer.”

Advocate Shujaur Rehman, one of three defence counsels, complained that his side was denied the opportunity to counter the prosecution’s concluding remarks. Qadri’s lawyers were also unhappy at the timing of the judgment, claiming they were not informed that the court would announce its verdict on Saturday. “The court conveyed the verdict to Qadri in the absence of his lawyers”, said the advocate.

According to Rehman, the defence was also not given time to file an application in court arguing that terrorism charges could not be levelled against Qadri.

Since Taseer’s assassination, only one prominent Pakistani politician has openly called for changes to the blasphemy legislation. This man, the Minister for Religious Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti, was also murdered, and since his death no politician has raised the issue publicly.

Again like the killing some hailed this decision and some termed this as un-Islamic. Some went to streets in favor of decision and other went to streets for agitation. The supporters of Qadri not only get the shutters of the shops down forcefully but also threatened to Kill the judge to gave the decision. My question here is “are these Islamic teachings”? Has Islam ever supported barbarianism and fanaticism?

Therefore the conflict between to factions of society is still there and no one from our Islamic circles came forward to clarify that who did right and who did wrong. Though the court has given its decision but still all competent, knowledgeable scholars and muftis should come forward to clarify the status of both Mumtaz Qadri and Salman Taseer. They should clarify whether blasphemy law is right or wrong. They should clarify without any bias or fear that whether the remarks of Salman Taseer were right and if not then do Islam give any individual right to murder anyone without taking him to court.

Without going into merits and demerits of this decision and without any doubt I feel that this decision is a step forward for all justice system and from an act of barbarianism and injustice we have moved to an act of justice.