Heroes.... I wonder

Heroes - a word that always drew a picture in my mind as men in colourful spandex, flying to the rescue of the people, protecting them from the bad guys or fighting crime. Just a myth I always presumed… who would ever stand up to save anything or anyone if their safety was being compromised? Selfless – another word that has completely lost it’s meaning in the world of today… do heroes exist? Does selflessness exist? I wonder. “They” always say it takes one person to make a difference, one person to stand up for his/her belief, one person who can start the change in this world. “Be the change you want to see” – does all this have no meaning? Just rambling on such pseudo intellectual crap doesn’t make one any better than the rest. Why do we human beings so easily talk, but when it comes to acting upon the words…well lets just say ”Havaii Firing” gets nothing done, gets you nowhere, and changes nothing . “Actions speak louder than words” – right on. Sure, it’s easy to sit in the comfort of our own homes, air conditioner on, laptops and PCs connected to the internet, Plasma TVs running the same heart-breaking news on every channel and us… sitting and saying “that is terrible”, “what horrible people”, “wish we could help”… hah. What we really mean is, “wow it is sad, but what can we really do about it”… right? Yes people, sitting in front of your televisions, discussing what “they” (whoever THEY are) should be doing or should have done…doesn’t mean anything, doesn’t help those in need, they don’t need our sympathy they need us to make a difference. What about when you’re sitting with your TV tray, eating scrumptious meals, while watching people all over the world starve, suffer, cry helplessly…Would you give up one car or one television just to fill that one family’s stomach? Stop that one family’s tears? I wonder. Ok I think I made my point there. Back to my discussion on Heroes, but before that a brief history about myself. Grew up in a typical burger environment, or rather as I like to call it my “bubble”, where everything has always been shiny, colourful and happy…and till the end of my teenage years, I didn’t really think I needed to help anyone out… yes I was too self absorbed. For me it was important that I go shopping, live up to what society expected of me, hang out with my friends and everything else that a normal human being would/should consider extremely shallow. Then it hit me, who says I have to be this way? Nurture? I don’t think so, Nature? I highly disagree… So what most of us really are, are just soulless, high maintenance zombies strutting around as if the world starts and stops with us. Time for a reality check I said to myself, and now I am determined to make those like me realize…that the world needs us, Pakistan needs us, the people need us. If we just give up a tiny portion of our luxury, we could make one family’s life so much better …wouldn’t you want to be a part of that? Not everyone is a bad guy, sure there are some who are morally challenged and get a kick out of robbing people, but all of them are not that way. Mostly, they are people who are just desperate to make ends meet, to provide for their family, to just survive on a day to day basis. And us? Lavish dinners, parties and what not…think about it with an open mind, if you will… Do we really need to have massive dinners where we cater to filling the stomachs of people who probably would never appreciate the food beyond 15minutes? I’ve been around the world and seen the way people live their lives there, very practically…watching every penny they spend…do they need the $5 pack of biscuits or would the $1 pack be sufficient… Their weddings are limited, simple…yet memorable, their birthdays and other such occasions? The same. There is not one day that goes by when I do not see the people of Pakistan, or should I say “Pakistan” (by our definition – the 1% that we are) become more and more pretentious. It’s all about what one is wearing, where one eats or where one is seen…I’ve met people who can barely make ends meet, yet they like to keep up that pretence just to be accepted into “society.” Hmm SOCIETY, this could bring me to my next point but I think I’ll save this topic for a rainy day, because that seems to be an issue on a whole new level….anyway moving on. I apologize for constantly wavering off my actual point, so here goes. Heroes – a reality. Not men in colourful spandex flying around with their magical horse or dog by their side, you don’t need any make-belief super powers to be a hero; you just need to believe in your cause and work hard to make it a reality. If this was the world of Marvel comics, MRP would be a whole new force, with Fawwad Afridi being the leader of the team. Mission Rescue Pakistan (MRP) was just a dream not too long ago, and I distinctly remember Fawwad talking about it excitedly, passionately optimistic, and I had thought to myself at the time, “I wonder” He stood strong, gathered his army of selfless individuals all who shared the same dream – to work towards a better Pakistan. It took this one person to start a movement of nothing but peace and unity, it took this one person to walk on the path and lead the people to a better future… clearly many have followed. MRP came about with no religious or political affiliation, when this one citizen of Karachi, rose to the challenge, when the world shot negative accusations towards Pakistan, Fawwad decided it was time to show the world that Pakistan is not what they believe it to be, it is not what the media portrays and the people of Pakistan will not stand by and let this false assumption spread like wild fire. The power to be a hero is in our hands, as MRP has clearly proven, but can we spare a tiny part of our life and time to contribute to this cause? I think so! What the world is going through at this point in time, what Pakistan is going through…can be fixed, all is not lost. We as the people of Pakistan, have to stick together and make a difference, MRP has given us this opportunity in a silver platter… so the time has come, for Pakistan to act upon this… (And I mean us, the 1% of Pakistan who have had all the luxuries in the world), it is time we gave something back to the people of this country; it’s time we make Pakistan what it was dreamt to be. It is truly refreshing seeing this handful of educated, hardworking, selfless citizens; take a step towards becoming the voice of the people. Hearing those crying for help, lending a helping hand…MRP is a breath of fresh air, and it makes me proud to see how well they’ve done already, if this isn’t heroism I don’t know what is. Good luck MRP, keep doing what you’re doing! By Sarah J.K

SUCCESS OF MRP PEACE WALK

By the grace of ALLAH, the peace walk 2009 was a success. The team members had undoubtedly made exemplary efforts in organizing this event. By 11:00 Am, the venue was buzzing with patriotic citizens who were being hospitably welcomed by the core team members and the volunteers of MRP. A large Pakistani flag was pinned to the table in one corner on which the citizens were being requested to jot down their signatures and patriotic messages. Free tee-shirts, MRP stickers and Pakistani flags were generously distributed among the participants of the walk. A Pakistani citizen who had arrived with his daughter and wife told a member of MRP that his family had been up till late night to make hats, posters and charts with patriotic slogans on them. The event was also given media coverage and several TV and radio channels had arrived with their camera crew to permanently capture the spirit of patriotism of the MRP PEACE WALKERS on their tapes. Peace walk started at 12:00 pm sharp with the collective voices of all Peace Walkers singing the National Anthem. Doves were released in the air. School children from DHA phase iv also participated in the event. Principal of DHA DEGREE COLLEGE phase 8 Mrs. Nasreen Nasir participated in the walk along with other senior teachers of the renowned college. The arrival of National heroes such as Jahangir Khan and Shoaib Muhammad, doubled the morale of the walkers. MRP CORE members were assisted by MRP volunteers who diligently helped in completing small tasks and welcoming citizens. At the End of the walk, speeches were made by guests and fellow citizens. Throughout the walk, the peace loving people of Pakistan kept singing patriotic songs and hollering slogans of PAKISTAN ZINDABAD. MRP whole heartedly thanks everyone who stood by us in this event, those who support the cause and off course each and every patriotic citizen of Pakistan. REPORTED BY: Summiyah Malik (MRP Volunteer)

Why Do they Blow up !!!

There is a weakness in everyone. I am not defending either the taking away of education from women or the killings. I'll say some words and I want everyone to atleast think about it. What does an unclear mind with nothing to live for does when it is backed into a corner? What would EVERY ONE of YOU do if people killed YOUR FAMILY , KILLED UR YOUNG SONS, RAPED UR MOMS, ABDUCTED UR DAUGHTERS ... SLAUGHTERED UR FATHER in front of your very eyes? And what would be YOUR step when you want to go over to the Security forces for registering reports of that crime and realise that its the law-makers themselves who have authorizes the bloodshed ? How would YOU seek out justice ? If you had a simple life, a small home, with a life that barely scrapes through, what else would you want other than to take revenge, to let out the hate that has built up in you ? Think not with a clear level-headed mind ... think with a mind that is already ravaged of life's niceties, a mind that is already not happy with the affairs of state, not happy with how the Super Powers run the ruthless game of monopoly? How will THEY make themselves heard? Try to imagine a scene where your 4 yr old daughter's body is drilled with machine gun fire ... try to imagine what would you want to do the guy who killed her. Imagine what would you do when you realise you cant bring the authorities who authorize this, to justice. That is how THEIR minds work. Remember, great injustice leads to great violence. It's easy for us to make rational comments but it's not so easy for THEM! Remember the Treaty of Versailles after the World War1. Remember how Germany was unfairly stripped off its rights. Remember the uprising of the Nazis, of Adolf Hitler. Remember the Concentration camps and the blitzkrieg all over Europe by Nazi armies. Germans were an oppressed and frustrated nation. They needed a passionate character like Hitler; who's ideals were full of flaws ... but it gave the nation a hope. What resulted was PURE VIOLENCE AND A WAR SO DREADFUL people still recall it with shivers. 12 million dead people. And that's just what was REPORTED ! Like Hitler's views of revenge and aggression werent right, even the views of Talibans, Al-Qaeda and the supporting militants in Pakistan are not right. But they are born of a staggering injustice to the muslims of their part of the world and the rest. Why is it so easy to brainwash a muslim to blow himself up and fight for the cause ? Because it's damned easy to make him realise how much the muslims are in pain all over the world and how nobody cares. It's easy to make him drool over fake xpectations of Shahadat over a cause that is in EVERY WAY totally correct! Bosnia, Kosovo, Sarajevo, Kashmir, Palestine, Gujarat .... what is happening to Muslims out there? How much progress has been made to solve it? Now think about East Timor and think how quickly it was separated from Indonesia. Think about East Pakistan. How quickly it was separated from the West Pakistan. Think about Israel. How the whole world calls them great democratics and the Hamas, a mere terrorist organisation. Think about how our own Pakistani Government calls Kashmiri freedom fighters as not one of our priorities. Think about how all the powerful Arabs have already sold their souls to the West. What has an average poor Muslim got to lose? Nothing really, but he gains SHAHADAT ( that is what he wrongly thinks, but in his view, he thinks that way nevertheless ). The whole world knows the key to solving the terrorist problems. Remove the injustices of the world, and you cut the power of terrorist organisations. The leadership of these organisations might be evil, but the recruitment would dry off when they dont have the artillery to pollute and brainwash a muslim mind. That is when the people will openly come out and condemn terrorists who blow their people off. Right now, the muslim masses are in a dilemma. How can they condemn n put a stop to organisations that associate themselves with Islam ( right or wrong is beyond the point), when they see Zionists, Americans etc killing Islam and muslims in almost every part of the world ? Condemning the shutting down of schools n the killings wont matter to those organisations ONE BIT ! Who will you be protesting to ? The Government? They are already carrying out their best efforts to finish terrorist networks, which is a stupid move, as my whole write-up suggests. I have laid down my views on this whole issue. I dont support Talibans or any organisation that likes blowing people up. But I have tried my best to make you people think the way i think about this. THINK ABOUT IT. Hamza Ahmed Khan

PRESS CONFERENCE

WHO WE ARE: Mission Rescue Pakistan (MRP) is a neo-generation, non-political movement, driven by responsible and like minded citizens who realize their responsibility and necessity to contribute towards addressing social issues crippling our society today. As individuals we may not feel that we have much power to effect change, but collectively, we can make a difference. OUR MISSION: • To promote Peace • To create awareness of our social responsibilities as Pakistanis • To advocate freedom of patriotic expression, transparency and accountability • To promote and perform community services for the poor and less fortunate, irrespective of their gender, caste, color, race or religion. EVENT: “Peace Walk” at Seaview, on 15th Feb’09, at 11’o clock, from McDonalds till Floating Ship. WHAT WILL HAPPEN: We will set off in single file at a slow steady pace, from the clearly marked “Starting Point” few meters ahead of McDonalds till “Finishing Point” at Floating Ship Restaurant. What's The Point? Most walkers agree that simply being outdoors for an hour with your own thoughts can be quite uplifting, stimulating, relaxing, who knows - everyone is different. And as there is no other agenda than Peace, each walker brings and takes away with them peace from their own perspective, by gathering under One Flag. A great opportunity to gather like droplets, from all walks of life, to form a wave and send a message to the world that we want nothing but Peace. Peace Begins at Home - ‘Change Begins in Me’ ASSURED PARTICPANTS: Different Educational Institutions, Schools, Colleges, Celebrities, Organizations and Private Sector firms are participating in the event. We have been speaking to public at different forums, such as schools, shopping malls, seminars and Sunday bazaars, where we have gathered a very positive response. SUPPORT FROM OUR MEDIA FRIENDS: To help us spread Peace Message, by successfully portraying a softer image of Pakistan to the world. A small step towards peace - starting with this one

Message from UMM TAQI - GAZA

Asaalam Alykum, My dear sisters and brothers I wanted to take this opportunity to send you a message from the sisters and brothers in Gaza. Please hear our situation and tell everyone that you know and dont know. When the Zionists attacked us on 27th Decemeber 2008, they not only attacked Hamas, they not only attacked the Muslims of Gaza, they attacked Muslims evereywhere. They attacked Islam in the hope that they will weaken it and ultimately destroy it and ummat Mohamed (saw). And they will never stop here. They want the beloved Al Aqsa, they want the West Bank and believe me when I tell you that they want the whole of the middle East. But they will never succeed. They will never remove the light of Allah insha Allah. Our situation is dire but our eman is strong alhamdulillah, even though we have no water to speak of, and when we do, it is polluted and diseased. We have no money to buy mineral water. When we find the money those that sell it say that it is too dangerous for them to travel out to get new supplies. We have no gas, and have not had for the last four months. We cook the little food we have on real fires that we have learned to prepare. Our men have lost all of their jobs. They spend their days at home now. My husband can spend a day just going from place to place just for the basic need of water. He usually returns empty handed. There are no schools, no banks from which we can withdraw our money. Few hospitals are open for our wounded. You are constantly aware that you risk your life when you go out and when you are indoors. They give us a curfew between 1-4pm. We can go out, they say, in safety to get your supplies, but that is a lie. They have often used that opportnity to add more shuhada to their list. We eat one day rice and one day bread. Meat and milk are a luxury. They are using chemical warfare in the areas which are on the borders. They are killing us by bulletts and tanks and B52s, but they are also killing us slowly by starving our children, inflicting undescrible diseases with their chemical warfare and laughing as our suffering becomes prelonged and unbearable. All this and we are being told that people demonstrate all over the world. Masha Allah. the fact that you go to embassies and leave your homes makes us feel truely that we are not alone in our struggle. But you go home at night and lock your door. We cannot do that. I have to leave my home on the second floor every night and stay with my sister on the ground floor. Should there be an attack, it's quicker to leave from the ground floor. But the ummah is asking where are the Muslim armies, where is the victory, and where is our true leader who will save us from this death. Where are the armies (juush) of Salahadeen Ayubi? Do not look to the UN, they recognised Isreal in 1949 as a state and sealed our fate as it is today. Do not turn to America or Britain, did they not invade our ummah in Iraq and Afghanastan. Call the armies in Egypt, in Syria, in Turkey, in Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan. In Bangladesh, in the Gulf, in Indonesia and in Libya. Where are they. Are they content to watch women scream for their help as they bury their young children. Are the screams of their sister and brothers falling on deaf ears. We have a right to eat and drink in safety and security, we have a right to laugh and live in hope, do we not? Yes we are tired. When we hear rockets and bombs and see planes that fly too close to our building, I scream with my young son and my husband feels helpless. The brothers will know what it must be like to feel helpless to protect the honour and lives of your family. It kills something of him inside. We often wonder when will they sell our land cheaply, will it take one thousand or two thousnad deaths. We wait to see. The Isrealis have started to plan where their settlements will be in Gaza. This is what we have become. In all this there is no one but Allah (swt) that can save us. Dont forget us because you are all that we have now. Your sadeqat is not reaching us,and we are really not in need of your money, and when they open borders it only reaches a few who can do nothing with it because we risk our lives just to buy food. They will kill anyone, anyone even if he is a five year old child carrying food for his family. We want to live from the sweat of our men, not from the sweat of others because we are dying. Keep up the work of Allah and pray and work for the victory that will come soon and rescue our ummah everywhere insha Allah. May Allah swt make us steadfast in our deen, during struggle and during ease. Ya allah bring us the victory soon and restablish Islam as the authority by which we live, Ya allah send us the sons of Sllahedeen, the army of Islam to rescue mohamed's (saw) ummah from the oppression under which we live. Ya Allah protect our children and remove the zionists from our land. Ya Allah witness today that we account our rulers, we pray that you return our true leader the Khaleefah soon. Ameen. Hamza Ahmed Khan ( forwarder ) P.S - forward this anywhere u can !

PEACE WALK 2009- Poster

Students are requested to take print outs of this poster if they can and distribute them among friends in schools and colleges. Just click on the poster... copy-paste it on word and take the prints. THANKS.. Sumaiya

Visit to Mubarak Goth

Dear all, Last Sunday, January 25, 2009, four members of Mission Rescue Pakistan (MRP), Fawad, Mirza, Faris and Naveed left for Mubarak goth, a coastal locality with a population of 1600 people. The village is located 70 kilometers from Karachi, on a drive of thirty minutes from the main road leading to French Beach. The landscape of Karachi's coast changes dramatically as the rough hills of Balochistan surround the road to Mubarak goth on all sides. Similar to the majority of Pakistan's rural environment, small goths comprised of poorly thatched huts and gypsy families are found living near the road. There are some patches of greenery but the entire area is arid and unfarmed. A power-station as well as the road to Sonmiani Beach is crossed. Pakistan navy monitoring stations are also clearly seen on top of the hills. Belonging to the relatively comfortable urban population of Karachi, it is the duty of concerned citizens to aid marginalized segments of society. This was the simple purpose of MRP's visit. There are many usable household items that are discarded by people since they are no longer required. These include clothes, crockery, furniture, toys, books and bags amongst other things. In the present cold season, one can witness numerous communities protecting themselves with meager clothes and beddings. This is worst for those living at the coast since freezing winds from the sea require warm jackets and blankets in order to work and sleep without getting sick. Collecting clothes, blankets, daal, rice and biscuits from friends and family, MRP members set out to contribute their minor share to those in need. Naveed's roaring '79 diesel Chevy was filled to the brim while Fawad's Cultus was packed with goods and was navigated with great creativity by three people sitting in the front two seats. Naveed has been visiting Mubarak goth for the past few years and learned about the socio-economic conditions of its residents. It is an ordinary coastal village with men mostly employed in fishing or working as daily wage laborers in Karachi. Only Balochis live here and surprisingly, the settlement is almost 150 years old. However, not only are the basic necessities of life such as water, electricity and gas unavailable, there is no clinic or properly functioning school in the goth. Wells are used for drinking and washing, wood and gas cylinders are used for cooking and even while situated in close proximity to a power-station, there is no electricity in the village. There remains an old building for a clinic but no doctor or nurse is available and drugs placed there have either expired or disappeared long ago. In case of an illness or emergency people rush to questionable doctors at Maripur, that is forty minutes to an hour away by road, depending on the means of transport. The school building is dilapidated and poorly furnished. Classes are non-functional since a teacher visits only three times a week for half a day. An elder member of the village voluntarily teaches some children on his own. Numerous flags of Pakistan Peoples Party were visible at Mubarak goth. When asked, Shiraz Ali, Naveed's contact in the village mentioned that teachers and doctors have been promised for them. PPP members had mobilized this village to vote for their candidate in 2008 elections and like the rest of Sindh, swept all the local and provincial seats from Mubarak goth and its adjoining areas. Roadwork en route to the village is obvious to any visitor as well as the signboard for a Public Health office. Hopefully, this year will bring viable changes to the lives of poor masses in Mubarak goth. MRP members had coordinated with Shiraz prior to their arrival for distributing the donated items. We were stopped at the entrance to the village since the residents are very careful of allowing strangers inside. Government negligence, rampant tourism and commercialization of Sandspit, Hawksbay and sea-view have polluted the coasts of Karachi. The amazing coast of Mubarak goth is an untouched beauty and it is commonsense to preserve its pristine value. It is wise to discourage opening of shops and visits of families by the truckloads to this village, even if it means loss of income by providing services to customers. Development does not necessarily mean commercializing and tourism because fishing, farming and other methods are available for the uplift of people in rural and coastal areas. Other than a handful of brick houses, all shelters in Mubarak goth are made up of typical coarse wooden beams and palm fronds. The usual scene of children playing without shoes and women carrying firewood as well as dirt paths and mounds of seaweed was present. MRP cars were parked near Shiraz's humble authak or guesthouse, found in villages all over Pakistan. Shiraz is currently finishing is intermediate exams and also looking for a job in Karachi. Unlike other men in his village, he has no wish to spend his life in the fishing business or becoming a laborer in the city. His dream is to study, at least obtain a B.A. and work in any government or private firm to improve his community's living standard. The distribution began with handing out warm blankets and shawls to women Shiraz had identified as the neediest in the village. As there were very few items as compared to a proper distribution, we did not note the placement of each item. But we did take care for handing out clothes and food to those only in desperate need. Children of all ages began to gather around as we were handing out clothes. There was a limited quantity for distributing and we did our best to provide everyone present with a shalwar kameez, shirt, jeans or sweater. Children were lined up and asked to leave after receiving clothes. Adults were grateful for any assistance provided and left immediately after collecting their share. Within the hour, the entire stock of provisions had been disbursed among 15 – 20 families. We conversed with Shiraz regarding the conditions of his village. In his mind, the only solution for improving Mubarak goth's situation was for their young ones to get educated. He said that only after someone from the village gains a Bachelors or Masters Degree and earns a handsome salary will others follow suit. Parents are as yet unaware of the benefits from education or do not justifiably trust a degree to bring income into their households. This view is especially difficult to challenge in contemporary Pakistan, where people even with higher education are suffering from unemployment. In a society where one must necessarily lie, cheat and frantically elbow others aside, an honest education does not really guarantee a beneficial future. Nevertheless, Shiraz insisted that a successfully educated person would change the mindsets of adults and would be expected to also contribute in the education of his younger siblings. Similarly, he said that only when someone becomes a doctor from the village will its residents receive healthcare. Shiraz's conclusions may be correct but it does not absolve the duty of Sindh ministries for Health and Education. After all, their sole purpose is to provide doctors, nurses, medicines, teachers and school supplies to every village, town and city of the province. We visited the beach and were awe struck with its crystal clear water. A chain of hills ended here as well and were excellent for a hiking trip towards the greenish blue sediments of the ocean. On our way to Mubarak goth and return, few items were delivered to poor women and old men walking on the main road. Sunset on the ride back home was melancholy, as the dire poverty and helplessness of the village weighed heavily on us. MRP's contribution was minor but significant in the country's present state of severe economic crisis. A social divide between the rich and poor is increasing daily. The time is near when there will be two sorts of people left: one who will produce / consume corporate products, grandiose shopping plazas, books and military arsenal while the other will be servants and spectators to all these "developments". Our singular goal must be to assist those who are being deliberately left behind in this system. If distributing small quantities of blankets and food are where we must begin, then let us dedicate ourselves to this mission with full passion. Pakistan needs to be rescued not from Hindu-Zionist aggression or CIA plans to dismember its provinces but from the debilitating threats of inequality, injustice and illiteracy within its own boundaries. - Faris Kasim, January 29th, 2009

Disconnect

POSTED IN A DISCUSSION BOARD ON FACEBOOK BY SEHER ZEHRA. ‘Disconnect’ is a word that rules my life these days. It is that form of survival that we all have adopted at various points in our lives when faced with situations we can do nothing about. When the pain is linked to an unbearable reality, which you cannot control, the choice becomes quite simple. Either you let that situation torment you, or you mentally and emotionally disconnect yourself from it, thus consciously numbing yourself to your surroundings and getting on with life. Being a Pakistani, and having lived through times of social turbulence which has now, become our identity worldwide, I can vouch that the people of Pakistan mastered this art of survival many years ago. In the recent times, with the fear of terrorism, violence and crimes either in the name of religion or unemployment and poverty intensifying, there is no part of Pakistan where people did not have to mentally attune themselves and shun their fears in order to maintain some normalcy in their lives While the disconnect felt by us living in Pakistan is underlined with the fear of disaster striking us at any instant, Pakistanis living abroad too experience a disconnect, albeit, of a different kind. Although, they listen to the breaking news of the latest disaster striking Pakistan with sympathy and concern, it is but natural that their lives, at least on a day-to-day level are less impacted by Pakistan’s problems. Sadly, I have noticed that, for some of the expatriate Pakistanis these senses of emotional and mental disconnect from their roots gradually and subconsciously develop into an abandonment of their identity. For these Pakistanis their ‘Pakistani identity’ is only confined to the green passport, that too seems like a cumbersome burden to them, as they would rather have a passport which commands more respect with immigration officers across the world, and one which doesn’t attract suspicion at the very mention of its identity. Conversely, I have also seen and would rather be like the expatriates who, although fewer in number, are passionately patriotic and feel for Pakistan like it truly is their own. Although they may not be a part of the country’s political process or civil society, but they contribute to the betterment of Pakistani society in their other unique ways. Furthermore, I agree that Pakistani nationality does attract unwarranted and undesirable stereotyping and scrutiny. The very mention of ‘Pakistan’ triggers thoughts of terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism, but speaking on an individual level as a part of this society; I know that this negative image stands true neither for me and nor for the majority of moderate and liberal citizens of this country. When I hear people talking about Pakistan, as if it was a thing of the past or, at least will be very soon, I shudder with fear. Living as a free, respectable Pakistani citizen, when I think about the misery of the unfortunate Palestinian, Kashmiri and Bosnian people and their yearning for a homeland, I thank God for blessing me with Pakistan. Admittedly, life in Pakistan is extremely trying and living abroad as a Pakistani poses many challenges, but despite everything, I have tremendous admiration for my country and my nation. Being a true optimist , I have a firm believe in the future of Pakistan as Arthur Schopenhauer once said” The task today is not so much to see what none yet has seen, but to think what nobody yet has thought about that which everybody sees.” sameen

True Account of a Mother in Gaza

From: Rania Kharma this is what my sister wrote from Gaza. This is the fifth day of the Israeli military operation on Gaza called 'Cast Lead'. Horror and destruction is everywhere. There are things that are not well reported in the news, feelings!! I have three children, a daughter Nour who is 14, a son Adam who is 9 and another son Ali who is 3. We live in an area in Gaza city that used to be described 'safe'. Nowhere is safe anymore. My children cannot sleep and I cannot help them. The feelings of helplessness and guilt (which always accompanies your inability to protect or at least comfort your children) are stronger than those of fear and horror. My daughter was telling a journalist on the phone yesterday that she had never got the real support she sought from me whenever there was a shelling. I was shocked!! I felt so guilty because my daughter felt my fears. But is it not normal to be scared after all?! Adam is asthmatic and he uses a ventilator. Due to the stress and the pollution resulting from rubbles, he is getting more frequent asthma attacks and there is no electricity for his ventilator. Each time he has an attack, we have to put the generator on for him and then put it off. There is no enough fuel to keep the generator on and we have no idea till when this is going to continue. Ali has no idea what this is all about. All what he does is scream in fear whenever there is a bombing and when it is over, he uses his imagination to tell stories about 'qasef - bombing'. The kids do not sleep. We spend our days and nights in one single room with my sister-in-law and her daughter. You feel the stress and fear. You can see it on everyone's face. Last night I was thinking about all this. I do not want anyone of my family to get hurt and I thought if anything should happen, I pray it happens to me and not my kids. Then I thought I do not want my kids to see me torn into pieces. The scenes on tv of people killed are so terrifying and I know what it means for children to see such thing. What I really want is for all this to end and for me and my kids, to live just like anyone else in the world. I want to get rid of the feeling of guilt towards my kids. Was I mistaken to have kids in the first place? Do not I have the right to be a mother? But am I really doing a good mother's 'job' in being the source of comfort for my kids. I know it is not my fault but I also know that I live in Gaza and Gaza has never been a healthy environment to raise children. Was I that selfish to think about my own feeling to want to be a mother and ignoring my expected failure to protect my kids? Nirmeen Kharma Elsarraj

Real Face of indian Democracy

EVIL TRIUMPHS BECAUSE GOOD MEN DO NOTHING Please pass this message to all the people you know Meet The Real Terrorists… (they are still proudly walking free on the streets of India ) -- A tribute to Fr. Edward Sequeira Today the whole world is talking about the terror attacks on India by Pakistani terrorists. Every TV channel in the world, every newspaper is filled with the heart-breaking stories and pictures of the tragedy that began on the night of 26th November 2008. The government of India has very generously granted lakhs of rupees to the families of the deceased. US has sent their representatives to promote peace talks between India & Pakistan . Every person in the world has condemned the terrorists and their disgustful acts. Signature campaigns and public demands have caused top government officials to resign. Today, the police are claiming that all terrorists are either dead or arrested. There is no need to fear, none of them are on the loose. But, is that really true? Allow me to take you back to a few incidents (I call them 'terror-attacks') that happened right here in India , just a few months ago. Only it wasn't in Mumbai, but another lesser known state Orissa. Priests were killed. Beaten up. Hammered and left bleeding naked on the streets to die. - Nuns were raped. - Children were burnt alive. - Christians killed and cut to pieces. - Rajni Machi, a 20-year-old HINDU girl, who was rejected by her parents because she was the eldest of 7 girls (the parents wanted a son), adopted by Fr. Edward Sequeira, was gang-raped by HINDU fundamentalists, and burnt alive. - Hundreds of Churches & villages burnt and destroyed - 60,000 plus Christians fled to the forests, with no food, no shelter, no sufficient clothing to keep them warm in the bitter cold. - Volunteers from Mumbai and other parts of the country not allowed to go and help the victims. - No provisions were allowed to be sent to them. - Even today, 1000s of these poor, helpless Christians are hiding in the cold, dangerous forests, with no one to help them. Now tell me are these fundamentalists any better that the terrorists? I say no, they are as much a terrorists as the ones who came from Pakistan . In fact, even worse. The terrorists who attacked Mumbai, attacked their enemies. The Indian fundamentalists, attacked their own brothers - fellow Indians. And these terrorists in Orissa are still roaming around boasting about their great deeds. The Chief Minister of Orissa, Naveen Patnaik still sits on his throne. The attacks in Mumbai have ceased after 3 days. The attacks in Orissa still continue. Will someone do something? Can we demand justice for the suffering? Or is that reserved only for the elite class of Taj & Oberoi in Mumbai. Some of those who were caught in the Taj and Oberoi have been saved and given a second chance in life. Can the people of Orissa expect the same? Many of you reading this are in different parts of the world. Some of you are in the US . Can someone take this message to the US President? Will they force the government of India to send the army to Orissa and other parts of India that are under attack? What will you do? Will you just forward it to a few 'safe' friends and forget about it? Will you take a stand to talk to every person you can about this injustice? Will you promise not to stop spreading this message till Orissa is freed of terrorists? We need a country that is free. Will you join this freedom struggle like Gandhiji once did? I will.