| April 13, 2006 | Thursday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 14, 1427 |
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Kuldip Nayer on Bhagat Singh
‘One-way traffic’
Good memories
Free of access
Cartoons: extreme reactions
Nishtar Park tragedy
Mayo Gardens
Writ of the government
Women pilots
Women and modernism
Karachi stampede
Teen Talwar
ON April 5 a letter was written by Syed Hassan Khan from Karachi regarding Bhagat Singh’s 75th death ceremony, which was celebrated by Mr Kuldip Nayer and other Indians in Shadman Colony, Lahore, where Bhagat Singh was hanged. Mr Nayer complained about the absence of Pakistanis on the occasion.
The reason he gave was that they were afraid of maulvis so they did not attend the function. He described the liberals of both Pakistan and India as cowardly. The fact is that Mr Nayer wrote me a letter from Delhi to celebrate the anniversary of Bhagat Singh in Lahore.
I arranged the programme with him on the phone. We agreed that on March 24 we would go to Shadman at 11.30am and light candles in memory of Bhagat Singh.
A meeting was also agreed to be held at 4pm, with me in the chair. The programme was confirmed by the World Peace Foundation, of which I am the president, on March 22 in the Gymkhana Club, where
Mr Nayer and M. Rajinder Sachcher, retired chief justice of Delhi High Court, were staying. On the morning of 23rd they consented to come to Gujranwala as my guests, where a function was to be held. Early in the morning on 23rd Mr Nayer rang me up to say they had no visa for Gujranwala; it was a holiday, so a visa could not be arranged.
The next day, I, along with my friends, went to collect our guests at 11:30am, as agreed, to take them to Shadman. It was raining very hard at 11am when I sent my driver to bring the gentlemen. He was told by the receptionist that Mr Nayer had left the room at 9:30.
I was astonished why he did not keep the pogramme as planned. I and my friend reached the Shadman chowk in spite of heavy rain. Later on, in the evening, Mr Nayer told me that it was a misunderstanding. He had left his room at 9:30am but he was sitting in the room of Mr Sachcher.
The receptionist did not know that he was in the other room in the same building. Due to this, we could not celebrate the function with him in Shadman. In the evening at 4pm a meeting was arranged by our forum, a seminar in memory of the martyrs of the independence movement.
Mr Nayer writes in his article (April 1,): “The hall was packed to capacity... the organiser was particular not to mention Bhagat Singh’s name on the invitation card. They did not want to come into the open. Still, it was brave of them.” The only objection Mr Nayer had was that we deliberately omitted the name of Bhagat Singh; this was done to enlarge the scope of the meeting, so that people should know that history of Pakistan did not start in 1947.
Speakers in the seminar, besides Mr Nayer, included many other Indian and Pakistani friends and dignitaries. We eulogised the sacrifices of Bhagat Singh and other martyrs, including Oudham Singh who shot at Gen Dwyer in London for what he had done at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. I have now narrated the whole story.
sThere was nothing to be afraid, and that includes maulvis and religious leaders. The event was adequately covered by the Lahore-based media.
CH JALIL AHMAD KHAN
Gujranwala
ON April 5 a letter was written by Syed Hassan Khan from Karachi regarding Bhagat Singh’s 75th death ceremony, which was celebrated by Mr Kuldip Nayer and other Indians in Shadman Colony, Lahore, where Bhagat Singh was hanged. Mr Nayer complained about the absence of Pakistanis on the occasion.
The reason he gave was that they were afraid of maulvis so they did not attend the function. He described the liberals of both Pakistan and India as cowardly. The fact is that Mr Nayer wrote me a letter from Delhi to celebrate the anniversary of Bhagat Singh in Lahore.
I arranged the programme with him on the phone. We agreed that on March 24 we would go to Shadman at 11.30am and light candles in memory of Bhagat Singh.
A meeting was also agreed to be held at 4pm, with me in the chair. The programme was confirmed by the World Peace Foundation, of which I am the president, on March 22 in the Gymkhana Club, where
Mr Nayer and M. Rajinder Sachcher, retired chief justice of Delhi High Court, were staying. On the morning of 23rd they consented to come to Gujranwala as my guests, where a function was to be held. Early in the morning on 23rd Mr Nayer rang me up to say they had no visa for Gujranwala; it was a holiday, so a visa could not be arranged.
The next day, I, along with my friends, went to collect our guests at 11:30am, as agreed, to take them to Shadman. It was raining very hard at 11am when I sent my driver to bring the gentlemen. He was told by the receptionist that Mr Nayer had left the room at 9:30.
I was astonished why he did not keep the pogramme as planned. I and my friend reached the Shadman chowk in spite of heavy rain. Later on, in the evening, Mr Nayer told me that it was a misunderstanding. He had left his room at 9:30am but he was sitting in the room of Mr Sachcher.
The receptionist did not know that he was in the other room in the same building. Due to this, we could not celebrate the function with him in Shadman. In the evening at 4pm a meeting was arranged by our forum, a seminar in memory of the martyrs of the independence movement.
Mr Nayer writes in his article (April 1,): “The hall was packed to capacity... the organiser was particular not to mention Bhagat Singh’s name on the invitation card. They did not want to come into the open. Still, it was brave of them.” The only objection Mr Nayer had was that we deliberately omitted the name of Bhagat Singh; this was done to enlarge the scope of the meeting, so that people should know that history of Pakistan did not start in 1947.
Speakers in the seminar, besides Mr Nayer, included many other Indian and Pakistani friends and dignitaries. We eulogised the sacrifices of Bhagat Singh and other martyrs, including Oudham Singh who shot at Gen Dwyer in London for what he had done at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. I have now narrated the whole story.
sThere was nothing to be afraid, and that includes maulvis and religious leaders. The event was adequately covered by the Lahore-based media.
CH JALIL AHMAD KHAN
Gujranwala
THIS refers to Irfan Husain’s ‘One-way traffic’ (April 1) on the trial of Afghan convert Abdul Rahman. Mr Husain argues as Muslims are allowed to preach Islam in western countries, so the Christians be permitted to propagate their faith in Muslim states.
On the face of it, the proposition seems sound. But the point he has conveniently overlooked is that western countries are secular states and not Christian ones, though the overwhelming majority of their citizens is Christian. Secularism demands that the state have nothing to do with the faith of an individual, restricting religion to one’s private life.
If a secular state acts to bar any person from adopting a certain faith, it can be challenged because it is violating the individual’s freedom to choose and practise a faith. A state that declares itself as a Christian or Jewish state, Muslims will not mind a ban on the propagation of their faith, for the religious state has the right to do so. Such is the situation in an Islamic state (and Afghanistan’s constitution declares it as an Islamic republic), where the ruler is bound to implement Shariah laws.
The Shariah does not force anyone to embrace Islam, and the presence of millions of non-Muslims in Islamic states is evidence of the fact. However, once a person after a thorough study and thinking, embraces Islam he loses his right to turn back. Being a Muslim one cannot have one’s own whims and wishes. One has to Submit to what Allah and His Prophet (peace be upon him) say.
Second, in almost 95 per cent of the cases the converts in western countries are those who are economically sound and well read. One cannot say that a simple-hearted and backward person has been [mis]led to a new faith taking advantage of his ignorance or misery. But the case is different in the working of Christian missions in Muslim or other states. In almost 100 per cent of the cases, they target the poor, the deprived and mostly illiterate people for conversion, as was the case of Abdul Rahman.
AMJAD MAHMOOD
Lahore
I LIVED in Karachi with my parents in the early 1950s and one of my childhood memories is my father browsing through Dawn every morning at breakfast. My favourite cartoon in the paper was the Gambols. Father would painstakingly explain to me the humour behind the caption of the day. Young as I was, I appreciated the humour and have ever since appreciated cartoons and the satirical humour that surround them.
Thank you, Dawn, for instilling in me an appreciation of good humour and a love of reading. The role of the newspaper, I know, is primarily to apprise the readers of current affairs. However, I think the role of a newspaper goes even further. It is journalism brought into the home and with journalism comes a unique awareness in all of us, no matter how young, of a wider community and a greater world than that which we see; experience and live in, on a day-to-day basis.
I now live in Australia and am thousands of miles away from Karachi. Nonetheless I make sure, every now and again, to check what is currently happening in the city where I spent my childhood. I have such endearing, happy memories of Karachi in particular, and of Pakistan in general as I spent my later childhood in such places as Multan and Sialkot. With kind regards and salutations to you all.
PATRICIA CONAGHAN
St Helens Park, Australia
In a recent column Anwar Mooraj (April 3) explained why he had stopped disclosing his e-mail address as a footer to his weekly column. The reason was that instead of getting relevant and informed feedback on the topic he had discussed, his inbox was flooded with junk mail — people trying to interest him in all sorts of get-rich quick schemes (or scams). In the process his PC was damaged beyond repair. Alas, this is the price one has to pay for encouraging freedom of access to writers.
But it may not necessarily be so. For given the number of actively responsive Dawn readers overseas (judging by the number of their letters to the editor),it would be a good idea for Dawn to start a newsblog as well as a comment section on their website. Here readers can send in their comments on, and debate, the day’s op-eds.
ASAD SIDDIQI
Lahore
THIS refers to Mr Zakir Ahmad’s letter ‘Cartoons: extreme reactions’ (March 19). I would like to add my full support to his views. Mr Kunwar Idrees seems to be more sympathetic to Christians than Muslims.
I condemn whole-heartedly the violence committed in Lahore and Peshawar in the name of Islam. But to expect Muslims to take insult to their Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) lying down is not to know the respect and love which every Muslim has in his heart for the Prophet of God.
Mr Zakir Ahmad is also right that the punishment for insulting the Prophet of God is death. Hafiz ibn Taymayyah, one of the greatest scholars of Islam, issued a ‘fatwa’ 700 years ago, condemning a blasphemer to death.
Iran issued a similar ‘fatwa’ against Salman Rushdi. It is a shame that a non-Muslim like M.P. Bhandara should have shown much greater sensitivity to the feelings of Muslims than Mr Kunwar Idrees.
Sikandar Kamal Khan
Mardan
MANY lives could have been saved after the tragic bomb blast at Nishtar Park if we had better civic sense. People thronged Nishtar Park unnecessarily after the blast which caused problems for ambulances trying to reach the place. Similarly, hospital entrances were crowded by onlookers.
In the aftermath of the incident, people torched a fire brigade/engine, broke traffic signals, pelted ambulances with stones and indulged in arson and looting. They destroyed the property of their fellow countrymen. No purpose was served by these acts of vandalism
KAZIM AIZAZ ALAM
Karachi
AS television screens started flashing the unfortunate news of the bomb blast at Nishtar Park, I agree, you could not stop the destructive action of the bomber but you could have restrained your temper.
With an increasing number of such unfortunate events, I would ask our political and religious leaders to educate the people on how to cope with such situations. Instead of displaying our anger by hindering their way, we should let ambulances and the police department do their work.
FILZAG. SIDIQI.
Wexford, Ireland
IT was extremely sad to see that another bomb blast has resulted in a number of deaths in Karachi. It was even more appalling that this horrific incident took place at a religious gathering. This bomb blast at the Jamaat-Ahle-Sunnat gathering, and the recent attack on a prominent Shia leader signifies that there a conspiracy to divide the Muslim community. All Muslims should stand united against such conspiracies.
ERFAN SHAKIR
Karachi
THE city authorities should not allow any public political or religious gatherings and processions if they cannot take full responsibility for its security.
Banning all such congregations will help save many lives. Its sad to watch on TV human body parts on the ground and on the roads after the bsomb blast at Nishtar Park. May God help the families of the deceased.
SABAH ADNAN
Manama, Bahrain
THIS refers to a letter (April 5) regarding Mayo Gardens by Mrs Suraiya Hafeez. The Railway administration is proud of its heritage and concerned, like public-spirited persons, such as Mrs Hafeez.
After careful deliberations it has been decided to aesthetically utilise and develop Mayo Gardens through the services of the renowned architect Mr Nayyar Ali Dada, without disturbing the original layout of the residential estate.
The revised master plan and architectural designs of the additional houses being built in Mayo Gardens are painstakingly planned by Mr Dada, maintaining and conserving the historical value of the colony.
Houses only with large surplus land around them have been selected for building new houses in the same design, so as to blend with the environment. Furthermore, every effort has been made to protect almost every mature tree.
The original houses have been preserved and complemented with the needs of the time as any visitor may see. It is assured that additional trees will be planted to add to the beauty and serenity of Mayo Gardens, soothing to the eyes of residents and to outsiders alike.
HUMAYUN RASHID
Deputy General Manager Pakistan Railways
Lahore
THE government wants to apprehend fugitives from unsettled areas in the north and establish its writ there. That is great. But a few days ago, we went with an NGO to visit a settled area in the district of Abbottabad. We were advised to be vigilant because there was a killer in the area who had killed many (people in an area) called Nara and had been sought by the police for the last 10 years.
The murderer we learnt now cuts hundreds of precious pine trees every year in broad day light and sells them. The police do not go after him. The writ of the government is not established in settled areas, what to speak of unsettled areas.
AYUB JAVED
Abbottabad
I WAS overjoyed to read about the four women fighter pilots inducted into the Pakistan Air Force. The chief guest at the ceremony held at the PAF Academy, Risalpur, remarked “The four have shown the spirit and courage to rise above the ordinary and break new grounds for others to emulate.”
I am a retired instructor of the PAF and can well imagine the challenge these young women would have faced to become the first female pilots in our air force. They have shown courage and leadership and have won the nation’s admiration.
NAZAR M. MALIK
Lahore
I WAS amazed to read the article by Prof Shahida Kazi (Magazine, April 9). The writer has equated dancing, mixing up and exposing women to the opposite sex as a sign of progress and modernism, while chastising those women who guard their modesty and do not let themselves to be exploited by men.
As a matter of fact, vulgarity, pornography, gambling and alcoholism, etc., have been in existence from times immemorial and these are certainly neither signs of advancement nor modernism.
On the other hand, Islam is a progressive religion which calls for education of both women and men from ‘cradle to the grave’. It protects all spheres and dimensions of human life, i.e., individual, family, society, mind, psyche, physical and spiritual well-being. It does not allow the strong to exploit the weak and does not permit men to exploit women.
Unnecessary mixing and dancing in the West has led to the destruction of the family system, incidence of Aids and a high divorce rate. Unfortunately, women are the main sufferers in all this.
PROF (DR) ANWAR UL HAQUE
Islamabad
I READ with horror the news of women and children dying in a stampede in Karachi. It was a heart-wrenching tragedy for the victims and their loved ones. However, what made me furious was that, according to the news report, Edhi ambulances and volunteers were not allowed to enter the building or to shift the injured. They were told that only mehrams could touch the women. This delayed the rescue work and several women could not be taken to hospitals in time.
What kind of society are we living in? Is it not barbaric to let prople die because of segregation? Is it not Islam which preaches that saving the life of one human being is equivalent to saving the lives of all of humanity? Does Islam not teach that causing the death of one human being is equal to killing the whole of humanity?
Those who prevented the rescue of the victims of this tragedy should be severely punished because their self-righteousness has been instrumental in the loss of innocent lives. My heart goes out to the relatives of those who lost their lives.
A. H. QURESHI
Cleveland, USA
WHEN I passed by Teen Talwar in Clifton, Karachi, the other day, I found several ugly spots on the structure. A famous national structure such as this, however should be kept thoroughly clean to give a good impression of our city and our country.
I hope the district nazim will see to the problem and give necessary instructions to not only clean Teen Talwar at the earliest, but also to keep all national monuments clean all the time.
NIZAM QURESHI
Karachi
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