With reference to The Great Mosque of Xi’an (November 9), I would like to set the record straight.
The spread of Islam in China has been a great topic of research. I myself have done exclusive research on the topic. The story of Hazrat Saad bin Abi Waqas’ arrival in China has only been stated by Ibne Aseer (Ibne Atheer, as spelt by orientalists) in his famous book of historical accounts, Al-Kaamil — no other evidence could be traced through authentic sources. Hazrat Saad passed away at Aqeeque, seven miles from Madina, in 55AH (AD676) and was laid to rest at Jannat-al-Baquee, Madina’s graveyard. The folk tale of his death and burial in China has no legs in history. SOHAIL AHMED SIDDIQUI
Karachi
Our attitude is negative
With reference to Dr Viqar Zaman’s interview, Our attitude is negative (November 2), I would like to talk about a few bitter realities.
Dr Viqar quoted the President of a US university who said, American universities are rich not because America is rich. America is rich because American universities are rich. In reply to this, I would like to say Pakistan is poor not because Pakistan’s universities are poor; Pakistan universities are poor because learned Pakistanis (like Dr Zaman) serve in foreign universities to get rich.
Before criticizing one should realize what he has given to Pakistan and Muslims. No doubt we have a very complex and difficult system to adjust within but it doesn’t mean a person should escape from the system. Lets face it try to make things better do not wait for others. People like Dr Zaman are the ones who have to give thoughts and take actions as they are role models.
Since the birth of mankind, God didn’t send any angel to change the attitude of any society. It’s been done by the people through their capabilities gifted by God.
The golden and present examples of such people are Dr Abdul Qadeer, Dr Atta-ur-Rehman, Dr Abdul Wahab who inspite of severe difficulties served and serving Pakistan, they didn’t pack their bags and left for Singapore or any other developed country to cash their services against dollars.
With all due respect I would like to ask Dr Viqar Zaman, what contribution he made for the betterment of Muslims and Pakistan, may be some thesis or a few lectures, but that’s not enough. If he has some vision or long term plan, then what is he waiting for? No doubt criticism is the base of solving the problem, but for a solution one needs to take actions, not just sit in a sitting-room and giving an interview, or live in some developed country and pity our system.
If one has to change the system or society that individual has to work and serve within and for the system and society. If high profile personalities like Dr Zaman (who served mostly overseas) escape from the harsh realities of our system and society then who will save us and make our attitude positive? ALI A. JAMALI
Lahore
Free for all
Ms Mariah Siddiqui’s letter with reference to the piece, Free for all (October 26) is an attempt to contradict the points made in the said article. She has perhaps unconsciously confirmed the findings and analysis done in that piece.
NGO’s hardly make use of factual information in their work. The number of Afghan refugees in Balochistan, as mentioned by her is around six million — which by the way is the total population of the province (according to the 1998 census). This implies that almost all the Balochistan residents are Afghan refugees. No sane soul can believe it. In another instance she talks about the less recognized status of health and hygiene versus water and sanitation. It pertains to common sense that water and sanitation are integrally linked to improved health conditions.
It will be useful if the bare facts about the ongoing NGO extravaganza in Balochistan may be studied using first hard sources — not through the outlandish and grossly inaccurate tips which operators let out to safeguard their covert business interest in this grey domain! NOMAN AHMED
Karachi
