| September 22, 2006 | Friday | Sha'aban 28, 1427 |
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Appetite for oil
PIA Squash Complex
Delegation from held Kashmir
Chinese Muslims agitate
Man about town
Man killed for ignoring signal
Iranian invitation
C-130 flight safety
University professors’ fate in Iran
Picture perfect
Targeting the Baloch
Larkana court
Readers are requested to restrict their comments to a maximum of 400 words. We reserve the right to edit letters for reasons of clarity and space. Letters, including those by e-mail, should carry the complete postal address of the sender. The views expressed in these columns do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper.—Editor
POPE Benedict XVI sparked a crisis by a speech at Regensburg University the other day when he quoted 14th century Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus as: “Show me just what Muhammad (peace be upon him) brought that was new , and there you will find things only evil and inhuman such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.” It seemed to endorse a Christian view that early Islam was spread by violence.
The remarks offended the Muslims from Malaysia to Morocco. In Gaza and West Bank masked men hurled fire-bombs at the Anglican and Greek orthodox churches. The head of religious affairs in Turkey considered the remarks as “full of enmity and grudge” and the pontiff wasn’t welcome to Turkey.
The Vatican clarified that the pope did not wish to “carry out a deep examination of jihad and/or Muslim thought on it.” The pope also said he was ‘deeply sorry’ that his speech offended Muslims, though he stopped short of offering an outright apology. In any case, as Disraeli said: “Apologies only account for the evil which they cannot alter.”
Now that in the wake of Danish blasphemous cartoons President Bush is fighting the ‘radical Islam’, the citation from Emperor Manuel has touched the sensitive Muslim nerve, especially when Manuel was hardly an impartial observer of Islam, having fought losing battles against the Ottomans. The pressing necessity of time demands a dialogue, not a confrontation, between Christianity and Islam.
Karen Armstrong, the author of Islam: A Short History, observed it is difficult to believe that Benedict’s reference to an inherently violent strain in Islam was entirely accidental. He has, most unfortunately, withdrawn from the interfaith initiatives inaugurated by his predecessor, John Paul II, at a time when they are more desperately needed than ever. We simply cannot afford this type of bigotry. The trouble is that too many people in the western world unconsciously share this prejudice, convinced that Islam and the holy Quran are addicted to violence.
In this context President Musharraf told the UN General Assembly that we need to bridge, through dialogue, the growing divide between the Islamic and western worlds. It is imperative to end racial and religious discrimination against Muslims and to prohibit the defamation of Islam.
PROF (DR) P. NASIR
Gujrat
THIS letter is in reference to the one written by Tyrone Mascarenhas (Sept 20). I fully agree with Mr Mascarenhas that Muslims have a long way to go in understanding and discussing our own shortcomings. The burning, destruction, or any damage to a minority community within the Muslim world is simply unacceptable and against the tenets of Islam.
But Ahmad Deedat never disrespected Christianity. He stood up for Muslim beliefs, including the belief that Jesus was never crucified (Surah Nisa, 157). Ahmad Deedat was a world renowned scholar and orator who proved his mettle against the leading Christian scholars. Let’s hope education and reason prevail and we all learn to agree to disagree peacefully.
ALI QAZI
California, USA
I AM surprised by the Muslim reaction to Pope Benedict XVI’s inflammatory remarks against Islam and its Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). I feel that the Muslim world is overreacting to the Papal blunder. Human history is littered with insults made by people of one faith against another. The Holy Prophet Muhammad suffered harsher treatment in his own hometown and among his own clan while preaching the Words of Allah. But forbearance was the virtue of the Messenger of Allah.
ENGR. A. RAZZAK LOYA
Karachi
I AM sure that Mr Mascarenhas will be able to appreciate the difference in the status of the late Ahmed Deedat and Pope Benedict XVI. The latter is the highest official of the ordained Catholic clergy, the spiritual leader of several hundred million Catholics and an internationally accepted head of state.
The late Mr Deedat, on the other hand, was merely a private person who called people to faith, much the same way that millions of other persons around the globe go about preaching their religions. Indeed, Messrs Jimmy Swaggert, Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson have said far worse about Islam.
SALMAN RASHID
Lahore
REGARDING the editorial ‘What is Mr Bush up to?’ (Sept 18), it is obvious that the
US appetite for oil is the underlying cause of Mr Bush’s actions.
In a speech last year retired army Col. Larry Wilkerson, who served as chief of staff to Colin Powell, revealed discussions about “mounting an operation to take the oilfields in the Middle East, internationalise them, put them under some sort of UN trusteeship, and administer the oil and the revenues accordingly.”
This is why Bush doesn’t want Iran to have nuclear weapons; and why he wants Israel to clear out Hezbollah so that the US and its proxy Israel can bomb Iranian nuclear installations without fear of attacks on Israel.
Because of oil, Bush’s withdrawal plan from Iraq includes setting up permanent bases in Iraq, never mind that these bases would be indefensible once all the troops are out. Three historical facts bear
out this American appetite for oil.
In 1955, the CIA got rid of the democratic government in Iran and installed the Shah because Iran had nationalised its oilfields, kicking out Anglo-American oil companies.
In 1973 secretary of state Henry Kissinger and others in president Nixon’s cabinet promoted a plan for using US airborne forces to seize the oilfields of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi.
Finally, in 1991 George Bush senior drove Saddam from Kuwait out of concern for too much oil being under the control of an unpredictable dictator, not out of any concern for the Kuwaiti people.
In his latest book American Theocracy, Kevin Phillips, a former Republican political strategist, says that oil abundance has always been part of what America fights for, as well as with. Which is why the neo-cons have yet to learn a lesson from their misadventure in Iraq.
AJIT PATEL
Mumbai, India
I RECENTLY drove past Karachi’s PIA Squash Complex. I was horrified to see half of it had been torn down by a crane. Who had the audacity to order that? After all, PIA is a public company, not a one-man show.
As one of the two architects who designed it, I appeal to the chief judge of the Sindh High Court to take suo motu action against this.
Years back Air Marshal (r) Nur Khan took personal interest in its construction and ordered that all contractors’ bills should be paid within two days as he had committed Pakistan to host the international squash competition in 1976.
The project was completed in nine months and was inaugurated by the elected prime minister, Mr Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The project was nominated for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture but was automatically dropped when my partner joined the Aga Khan Committee.
The project was mentioned in international publications and magazines. A PIA handbook quoted international players and managers as saying that the Complex was a great sporting venue.
Unfortunately it was never looked after by PIA although I wrote letters to the management requesting them to allocate funds for its upkeep. No response came from them.
Who will be the next architect “to get a piece of the action”? Will the person be able to offer an award-winning design and get the ‘elected’ prime minister to inaugurate it?
A few days back I read a letter in these columns which was titled ‘Perks and privileges’. It said that an ‘elected’ MNA receives Rs32 million a year. Apart from a few, the rest are all crooks. So who should I appeal to?
NAVAID HUSAIN
Karachi
ON Sept 2 I had a chance to attend the sitting with the delegation from Jammu and Kashmir in MNAs hostel, Muzaffarabad.
It comprised politicians, lawyers and journalists from the other side of the LoC representing all the areas, including the Valley, Jammu and Ladakh. During the discussion almost all members of the delegation agreed to continue the interaction of civil societies of both the sides. It was also agreed that there is a need for holding open talks and discussions on different internal issues among the Kashmiris so as to create a unanimity of opinion and to give united front to the international community.
No doubt, the visit of this delegation to Pakistan and Azad Kashmir was a good gesture and a step forward in building people-to-people contacts. To show the same sprit there is a need for establishing a committee or a group representing all the sectors of public life in Azad Kashmir, viz, politicians, lawyers, journalists and students, that should also visit the Indian-administered Kashmir and hold discussions with different actors involved.
NAJUMUL SAQIB IQBAL
Muzaffarabad (AK)
IT was very painful to read about the agitation of Chinese Muslims outside the Saudi embassy for Haj visas (Sept 16). The accompanying picture was equally saddening.
It is common knowledge that Islamabad is a closer destination for the Chinese Muslims of Xinjiang than Beijing to seek Haj visas, and they have been coming to Islamabad for this purpose ever since the Karakoram Highway linking Xinjiang and the Northern Areas opened in 1986.
This year 4,000 to 6,000 Chinese Muslims came to Islamabad to get visas for Haj. It is surprising that no comment had been made by the concerned Saudi authorities concerned. Why are these Muslim brothers and sisters with meagre resources suffering in Islamabad, and why are the local Muslims who champion Islamic causes around the world keeping their silence?
Would the worthy members of parliament offer their support for the Chinese Muslims languishing in Islamabad? Why can’t the Saudis open a satellite office in their province so that they do not have to travel either to Beijing or Islamabad? Can they be accommodated at least one this time?
W. MALIK
Las Vegas, USA
MR Nadeem Anthony has been cynical and sarcastic in his rejoinder (Sept 13) to Mr M.P. Bhandara’s articles about Gen Ziaul Haq and Nawab Akbar Bugti. Ironically, his association with the HRCP could not keep him from being undemocratic by attempting to take away the scribe’s liberties, but Dawn upheld the right of both gentlemen to express their views and would hopefully publish mine as well.
It is appalling how some people can’t stomach the truth, be it about Zia, Bugti or anyone else, if it clashes with their prejudices. Mr Anthony ignored the fact mentioned in the article that even the Indian observer, Mr Khushwant Singh, was deeply impressed by Gen Zia and reversed his inimical views after meeting the latter. There is nothing wrong if the writer holds the former military ruler in great esteem — how could he lie about his personal experience — many other Pakistanis also do that.
This correspondent, too, based on inside information, believes the general was a God-fearing man. His adherence to principles is explicit from the way he sought Mr Bhandara’s permission to build a small mosque on the president’s office premises that were owned by the writer’s company, as opposed to Mr Bhutto’s forcible construction of a cinema and other facilities before him (Aug 17).
He is criticised by those who didn’t like his Islamist views. Contrary to Mr Anthony’s insinuation, he never punished anyone for personal reasons (as is also apparent from Mr Bhandara’s write-up), but only when they were perceived to be working against the interests of Islam or Pakistan.
Such persons’ bone of contention appears to be the Hudood laws, which he had enforced in good faith for the benefit of women and the wider society.
It is another matter that some of them got abused, as do many other Pakistani laws.
Regarding Nawab Bugti, even Dawn columnist Ardeshir Cowasjee had expressed similar opinion of him, as did several correspondents writing in these columns. Moreover, it is slanderous for Mr Anthony to suggest that the legislator described Mr Bugti in unfavourable terms just because the latter “can no longer deliver Sikh votes to him.”
The comments about Salman Rushdie being the Baloch Sardar’s favourite author etc are equally scandalous. Mr Bhandara must be feeling hurt, given the obvious sincerity with which he wrote those pieces.
While one is unhappy about the lawmaker’s attempt to question the ideology of Pakistan in the National Assembly recently (Sept 13), still one has tried to do justice, as must always be done.
IBNE INAYAT
Karachi
THIS refers to the letter by Khalil Zafar (Sept 20) about a man in Karachi who was killed by the police simply for failing to stop at the signal. A couple of months ago a similar criminal act was committed by the police in Lahore which resulted in the deaths of three students of Class IX. A student from the University of Engineering and Technology was also killed in the same manner by the police in Lahore.
As in the case of Karachi, we were told that the policemen responsible for committing the crime had been arrested and they would face a court of law. This newspaper carried a news item in this regard. However, I am sure that by now the policemen responsible for killing students in Lahore have been released. If anybody thinks otherwise, they can check the police records. I am equally sure of a quick return to duty by the guilty policemen in Karachi.
KHALID MUSTAFA
Lahore
PRESIDENT Musharraf has been invited to visit Tehran (Dawn, Sept 16). I most humbly request the president to immediately accept the Iranian invitation.
Pakistan, being a major Muslim country among the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), must express solidarity with the embattled president of Iran, Mr Ahmadinejad, by accepting his invitation.
If the US does not object to nuclear build-up by Israel, why should it object to Iran’s use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes? By accepting the Iranian invitation President Musharraf will help President Ahmadinejad to raise his head high in the community of nations.
JALAL SYED
Quebec, Canada
APROPOS of the photograph of the C-130 flight from Gilgit on the front page of Dawn (Sept 18), I would like the Pakistan Air Force to clarify the following:
a. Are safety seat belts provided (and utilised) for each of the passengers?
b. Are separate belted seats provided for each child above the age of two years?
IMRAN YOUNUS
Karachi
IT is disturbing to learn that President Ahmedinejad’s government has thrown out some 40 dissenting university professors and plans to separate more of them even though students have protested against the loss of competent and experienced faculty.
The president of Iran should realise that God allows a lot of freedom of expression, thought, and action which is why even atheists flourish and prosper.
When asked during the times of Hazrat Musa whether a good way to straighten out the Pharaoh would be to hold back his food and sustenance for three days, God replied that while the Pharaoh may not be a good ‘banda’, He wants to continue to be a good ‘Rab’.
So will the Iranian president provide good government that enriches people in more ways than one, or does he want to shut people out from all diverse views so that he is able to perpetuate his rule and his line of thought?
His actions are beginning to betray obscurantism and a high degree of authoritarianism all of which is a recipe for backwardness, nuclear enrichment notwithstanding.
DR MAHNAZ FATIMA
Karachi
I AM a civilian who is fortunate and has the privilege to be a resident of Malir Cantonment. When Karachi was falling apart after the heavens poured, the residents of this quiet and beautiful suburban town were enjoying the gifts of nature.
There was no flooding, road network did not collapse and water supply and sewerage system kept on functioning. The trees’ flora and foliage are in full bloom in the well-maintained parks and all over the area.
Well-planned roads and park lighting have added to the overall atmosphere.
The Malir Cantonment is ‘picture perfect’ located not away but right inside this maddening metropolis behind Karachi Airport. I wish I could invite all the citizens of Karachi to come hither and take a break.
Due to security controls it would not be possible but I would definitely request the Nazim of Karachi to visit the Malir Cantonment and take a look that things can be done, even in Karachi. I wish him success in his efforts.
AFAQ ZAFAR
Karachi
FOLLOWING the death of Nawab Akbar Bugti, innocent people are now being picked up in the middle of the night in Old Golimar, Malir, Lyari and other parts of Karachi because they are Baloch.
Peaceful demonstrators are also being arrested for exercising their right to protest. Nawab Bugti was a former chief minister and governor and a person who voted in favour of Pakistan. The manner in which he was killed will never be forgotten or forgiven by the Baloch.
SALEEM BALOCH
Karachi
THIS is to bring to the notice of the authorities concerned that there is no presiding judge in the Labour Court No. VIII, Larkana division, since the post fell vacant in July 2005.
I would request the chief justice of the Sindh High Court to take suo motu action to fill the post of the labour judge.
M. ANWAR CHANNA
Larkana
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