WITH reference to the article Blair out, demand Londoners, March 23, 2003, the lines that captured my attention were, “Did you all see those bombs falling, on TV? All the poor people! And what for? America wants to subjugate the entire region for the sake of Israel. They want to bring the Arabs to their knees.” These were the words of Samia, a 50-years old Egyptian house-wife.
Samia, if any Muslim soul has paid attention, Bush, today’s symbol of injustice, once in his address to his people used the word ‘Crusade’ for the enforced war. This is simply the case of a crusade, a Holy War that pits one religion against another. In fact, Pakistan can very well be America’s next target.
Muslims all over the world are in rage and fury and feel the pain in their hearts. Samia, in Egypt and I in Pakistan, share mutual emotions over the current situation. But when shall we wake up and unite? We must remember, Allah is the strength of a Muslim, and Allah is unconquerable!
SAADIA IQBAL
Suffering mothers
The article, Why Mothers Suffer, March 9, 2003, sounded quite unique and appreciable. Its uniqueness lies in the reality and truth of its subject.
Who can deny the fact that motherhood is the very name of suffering and sacrifice. Parents, especially mothers are responsible for a relationship that is always ready to undergo any sort of pain, agony and distress for the sake of her children.
The beauty of this mother / child relationship lies in the fact of it being so selfless and undemanding.
If a nation succeeds in realizing the importance of mothers, its destiny is bound to change. This is due to the fact that mothers are responsible for the future of a nation. It’s only by training and educating mothers in a better way that safe, sound and progressive future of a nation can be ensured.
Being females, mothers are treated as second-class citizens in most parts of the world. They are denied access to the rights and facilities, which have been universally granted to them.
RASHEDA RAUF
Lahore
Human resurgence
THIS refers to S.A. Abidi’s article Global dissent, March 16, 2003. Voices of dissent around the world in protest of US policies are proof that humanity is still alive and aware of its responsibilities.
Human history is the history of civilizations. It is impossible to think of the development of humanity in any other terms.
Undoubtedly, we are witnessing the emergence of ‘universal civilization’. The idea implies in general the increasing acceptance of common values and beliefs by people throughout the world. More specifically, there are some things, which are common and superficial.
Human beings, in virtually all societies share certain basic values. These include the common belief that murder is evil and war is destructive.
People in most societies have a similar moral sense; a minimal morality of basic concepts of what is right and wrong. Obviously, Samuel’s wrong assumption about civilizations’ clash was nothing but an effort to provoke West against Muslim world.
While at one hand American policymakers have become increasingly assertive as a result of power and development. At the same time, people in massive numbers are voicing their dissent as a power and hope, hope that is epitomized in the slogan ‘No to War, Yes to Peace’.
This human resurgence embodies acceptance of development and peace, rejection of war and narcissistic mentality. This resurgence in human voice and pervasive has been successful in affecting Bush’s policies.
Democracy is promoted, but not if it brings Islamic intellectuals to power. Nonproliferation is preached for Iraq and Iran, but not for Israel and India. Aggression against oil-owning Kuwaitis is massively repulsed but not against non-oil owning Bosnians. Double standards in practice are the unavoidable price of universal standards of principle.
Therefore, American policymakers should realize the voice of humanity. There is a need for them to rethink about their policies, and about their intentions in Middle East. It is necessary for people to learn to live side by side in peaceful interchange, learning from each other, mutually enriching each other’s lives. War of civilizations is the greatest threat to world peace, and an international order based on civilizations is the surest safeguard against world war.
