Eminem - "Not Afraid" Clean Cover by Sparsh Shah (PURHYTHM)

Good Parenting and Interfaith marriages

By Mike Ghouse

Good parenting and interfaith marriages |http://interfaithmarriages.blogspot.com

Once your kids turn 18, you would know if you have failed or succeeded as a parent. I am pleased to share the two sides of the coin.

On Friday the 18th day of March 2016, it was a joy to officiate an interfaith marriage between a Muslim bride and a Mormon groom.  What transpired there was a joyful union of not only of the man and the woman but of their families.  I am pleased to share a few good things after the ceremony. I hope some of you can relate with it, and some rejoice it knowing that there are so many great parents out there.

Some of the most beautiful moments of the weddings that I cherish were; the statement made by bride’s father, "My daughter took complete charge of this ceremony; it's all her planning." He was very proud of the fact that his little daughter is so capable. The Mother of the Bride on the other hand was standing quietly and admiring her daughter’s freedom and independence.  I wish I had taken her picture, she was standing right in front me absorbed in her daughters happiness.  The Grooms parents acknowledged how they have raised their son to be open minded about fellow humans. Of course I can relate with his faith, one of my best friends was a Mormon. Groom’s mother was serenely happy and the father felt proud of seeing his son making a great choice.

This is the ultimate achievement of good parenting that your kids are independent and are ready to live their lives on their own terms. When you off spring becomes free, it is the ultimate in joy!

On the other hand, if your kids fear you, you are missing the beauty of the relationship, but don't lose hope, you can start the process of restoring the relationship now.

In one of the interfaith weddings I officiated a few years ago, a Christian man turned Atheist was marrying a Hindu girl, and his parents had disowned him and did not want to talk with him unless the girl is converted. (Conservatism is a part of every religion).  It took some counseling and the father agreed that he will attend the wedding ceremony if I call on Jesus as witness, and groom agreed to live with it.  After all that is the whole purpose of interfaith marriage ceremony, to give a semblance of their faith in the sermon.  After the ceremony, the father who was standing aloof in the corner, walked up to me and gave a big hug and joined his kids in the celebrations. Thank God, the tenseness between the families evaporated.

You may consider watching the movie “2 States” with English subtitles; it is one of the finest Bollywood movies made about a tyrant father restoring his relationships with his son. However the main plot of the movie is humor that comes with inter-ethnic marriages.

Good parenting involves a good relationship. Here is the litmus test; If your kids are excited to share their story or talk with you without fear, you are a damn good parent, and you are blessed with the relationship to cherish for a life time.

Discipline yes, punishment no.

I never spanked or screamed at my kids, there was no need for it, but, I am glad their mother gave them the discipline while freedom was my thing.

It tears me apart when a few men shout at their kids, let alone beat them up. What a shame it is, they are incapable of respecting their own offspring, what will they respect then?

One of the greatest lessons I have learned from my ex-wife was to keep love to discipline ratio to be above 4: 1, that is, give them love and hug four times before a disciplinary command. It worked well for me even though I was a failed disciplinarian, I just couldn't be tough, particularly with my girl, when she responded with Yes Sirs, nor was it with my boy, I could not stand humiliation on his face.  Now, as a Grandfather I watch him deal with his little son, and what a joy it is for me that he treats his kid with patience, logic and reason, and the little sucker responds to him, just like he did with me. I am all smiles.

A few men have the arrogance to believe, that, unless you scream and frighten your kids, they don't learn, that is baloney!  Imagine working for a boss who screams at you, thank God that is a disappearing breed now. I had one like that in India.

What is the need to control kids?  Instead you ought to think about these to restore your relationship with your family members;

Take the pledge!

"Let them be who they are"
"Let me get out of their way"
"Let me shed my arrogance to teach them"
"Let them make mistakes and correct themselves"
"Let them be independent"
"Let them make their own decision”
“Let me be a good listener to my kids”
“Let me not interrupt them while they are talking”
“Let me believe them when they say even the most outrageous things”
“Let me be their friend”


It is never too late, both the parent and the kids desire, want, and seek this, take the first step and enjoy the relationship with your family members.



Mike Ghouse
(214) 325-1916 talk/text

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker, Interfaith Wedding officiant, and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam, politics, terrorism, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine, motivation, and foreign policy. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. Visit him (63 links) at www.MikeGhouse.net and www.TheGhousediary.com for his exclusive writings.
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My Unforgettable Visit to Agra. 

By Shah A Siddiqui

I am writing about some very remarkable and interesting journeys of my life, and I would love to share those memories and incidents with my readers.

I remember when I was a young boy, someone had told me that the black mole in the middle of the foot arch will keep me traveling, and it is a fact. Since 1978 I started my traveling, and the first stop was India, where I was posted on a diplomatic assignment. During my diplomatic life I enjoyed visiting and staying abroad. After exploring India from West Bengal to UP, AP, Rajasthan, my next stop was Poland, a beautiful country of Eastern Europe. After Poland I visited Russia, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovak, Holland, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Canada and Bangladesh. My traveling did not stop even after I immigrated to the United States. Due to the nature of my job, I already traveled and explored three-fourths of America and Puerto Rico. I think traveling is a blessing.

When I was posted in India on a diplomatic assignment from 1978 to late 1984, I utilized my holidays to tour historic places all around India.  I have many precious memories of my visits from Capital New Delhi to West Bengal. I seldom missed a chance to avail of any holidays. I was single when I was posted to New Delhi, as such I used to hang out with a group of like-minded bachelors. It was my first posting abroad in a country where the ‘officials’ of both Pakistan and India rarely treat each other well. We were not allowed by the host government to leave the city without ‘special permission’ and visa on our passports despite holding a diplomatic passport. The reasons are very obvious- our mutual hostility towards each other. Even the Pakistan High Commission staff that enjoyed diplomatic immunity would be required to possess a special security permit to move around in the city. The Pakistani government treats the Indian diplomats with the same protocol and yardstick.

To start with we planned to visit Agra on the invitation of a local host from a locality ‘Gali Bara Hakeeman.’ I cannot forget the hospitality of that kind host Mohiuddin, who took us around the Agra city and Jaipur. It was the night before ‘Holi,’ the Indian festival of joy and colors. Our group of three friends traveled by train, and it took six hours to reach our destination. I usually preferred to travel by train in India because the Indian Railways system was nice at that time.  Passengers could enjoy different sceneries and stopovers at many railway stations and could interact with different people during their travel time.

My host had made excellent arrangements at his residence at Gali Bara Hakeeman. The house was built in old style with a large courtyard, green trees, and flower plants. Our room relatively larger, was adjacent to the living room where the host family played carom board and cards. It was a great fun time for all of us because even at night the young boys were out playing, dancing to music the way we in Pakistan celebrate ‘Chand Raat’ before Eid. After dinner at around 10 pm my friend took us for a small ride around the neighborhood. We all were surprised to see the exuberance and excitement of Holi that night. Young girls, boys, men and women of all walks of life were together enjoying their time regardless of their religious affiliations. I saw Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims were playing with colors and throwing the vibrant powdered color at each other, singing songs and dancing in the streets and parks. It was unbelievably that we all were remain awake until 5 o’clock in the morning, yet woke up at 8 a.m. I cannot forget the breakfast prepared at home. It was not a breakfast delicacy, but a lavish feast with the diversity of different dishes such as feerini (rice pudding), Aalo bhaji, Suji halwa, Puri, Nihari, Haleem, Naan, sweets, kachori and delicious chai.

My mother had told me about the Holi when I was a child that it is the  holiest festival of Hindus yet it is also glamorous and with unbelievable festivities all around India. What my mother told me was now in full play before my eyes, though the celebration of Holi I was watching and also read in the press but seeing is believing. It was incredible. We had clearly told our host that we would not participate in the throwing color ritual, nor anyone should attempt to be physical for throwing and rubbing colors on our faces due to driving reason that it would spoil our attire.

However, despite all these warnings and please somehow we all engaged ourselves in that ritual that cannot be celebrated without the diversity of colors to be thrown at the people around you.  We all three friends and our host Mohiuddin with his brothers and friends threw colors to each other. Despite precautions, we could not spare ourselves with rainbow up colors and we got our dresses already painted with various kinds of pigments. We hastily rushed to the market to buy new shirts, etc. but to our utter disappointment rather repugnance before the market closed and for good reasons the entire community was as sleep.  

The next morning, we left the house early to enjoy breakfast in a restaurant on our way to see Taj Mahal. We were desperately searching for any dress shops so that we could change our spoiled apparel and head for Taj Mahal. The shops used to open at 10 am so just after breakfast we went to a nearby shopping center, which was about 20 minutes away from the restaurant. It was interesting that we entered in a ready-made store and whatever we choose for trial, we bought right away and threw away our ruined shirts in the store’s trash can.

I the hindsight, I regret the decision for discarding the color spattered shirts which, if, kept could have been a life time souvenir and memento to be shown to a friend and children in the coming time. Moreover, I could feel and smell the love of our host, who spent 3 days with us and made our trip a memorable.

It was about noon time when we arrived at the Taj Mahal. It was amazing to see the Taj Mahal in front of me. I had read about Taj Mahal in the books and magazines and seen it in documentaries, but in reality, I found this ancient historical building much more beautiful. The sudden feeling of awe made me speechless and I was captivated by the majesty of that imposing monument. The Taj Mahal edifice was decidedly a feast to the eyes as its beauty was beyond the description. The monument to its beauty, elegance and unique structure covered with floral and mosaic figures is one of the wonders of the world and has been enjoying the status for many many years now. I will quote here, “Taj Mahal Muhabbat ki ankhon se tapka hua woh anso hay jo dunya ke gaal pe jam ke reh gaya hay.”(The Taj Mahal is like a drop of tear from a lover’s eye lid which has frozen on the cheek of the world).

This monument is very precious and beautiful and is included in the Wonders of the World. This dome was completed in 1648 and was open to the public. Its beautiful art work with precious stones under the dome and around the wall will mesmerize you. The Arabic calligraphy has no comparison as it has been beautifully engraved with precious stones such as lapis, jade, crystal, Lazuli, amethyst and turquoise. The four minarets at the four corners of the floor are visible from afar. You cannot imagine the skills and techniques of the engineers of the 16th century who worked for 22 years to complete this dome. At that time, there were no heavy earth moving equipments, trucks or bulldozers. Lifting heavy stones of marble must have been a life threatening issue, but the laborers had to work.

The visitors and  archeological  experts claim that the shimmer and the whiteness of the mausoleum have gone with the passage of time, and it is also mentioned in history that the British government and their officials also played their part to deface the Taj Mahal, who chiseled out precious stones and Lapiz, Lazuli, amethyst and other costly stones from the wall and interior dome. After more than 330 years after its construction, Taj Mahal is still bright and milky as what a normal eye can observe, but from the eyes of experts the Taj is losing its beauty and splendor day by day due to acid rain caused by air pollution due to the development of various nearby  industries. I think it could be hard for the public to stare directly at Taj Mahal that time when it was allowed for the public after construction. While a normal person can feel the shine and the milky attraction of the building because the Taj Mahal is totally built of white marble.

I saw myself, the left over pieces of the black stones which were there behind the Taj Mahal across the Jumna river. It is believed that Shah Jahan had planned to build another Taj Mahal with black stones next to an existing monument of white marble and it is seems to be a myth which has been picked from the book by Jean-Baptist Tavernier, who was one of the first European visitors to Taj Mahal. Emperor Shah Jahan’s son Aurangzeb Alamgir (Abul Muzaffar Muhi-ud-Din Mohammad Aurangzeb) was a die hart Hanafi Sunni Muslim fanatic.

The famous Islamic religious decree known as a “Fatwa-e-Alamgiri”, (The Religious Decrees of Alamgir) was written and adopted during his time. In a matter of conduct and lifestyle Aurangzeb Alamgir presents a contrast with his predecessor and even his successor. He was deeply religious minded emperor, believing in simplicity and austerity. He discarded the plan of his father, of building a new Taj Mahal with black stones. Perhaps this could be one of the reasons for Aurangzeb Alamgir to depose his father Shah Jahan being obsessed for mighty buildings and imposing monuments at the cost of people.

Everyone knows that the Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his third wife Mumtaz Mahal, and just after completion of this monument Shah Jahan was deposed by his son Aurangzeb, who put him under house arrest till his death and buried him in the mausoleum next to his wife.

It is said about Taj Mahal that if, someone did not see Taj Mahal during a night of the full moon then he was deprived of a magnificent spectacle of a lifetime. Yet I am one of those fortunate people who had this rare and unique opportunity, not only the sunlight but also at night with a dazzling light of a full moon basking that grand building in which Shah Jahan’s most beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal is resting in eternal peace. Historically, we all know that Aurangzeb not only deposed Shah Jahan but also made him a captive in a nearby building called Musamman Burj in the Red Fort in Agra from where the wretched monarch and founder of Taj Mahal use to see Taj Mahal the: monument of his dream and culmination of his abiding love for his most favorite wife. What a rise for a downfall!

The captivating spectacle in a night basked in the scintillating glare of the full moon has always been embedded in my mind and soul.  That unforgettable scene is still fresh as if I am still sitting on the lush green grass of the Mughal Garden’s Char Bagh and intensely watching with awe and undivided attention that amazing phenomenon known as the Taj Mahal. I have no words to describe the beauty of this wonder of the world and a symbol of love. Hundreds of couples were kissing and hugging each other in this romantic night. Hundreds of photographers were lined up to capture that moment, which will come again after a month with a full moon.

Taj Mahal faces south and moonrise starts from the east and it takes hours to come over the top of the monument. I was thinking that this is the best place for the lovers to come and renew their love under the shadow of this great monument where the two great lovers are buried forever. On the other hand, it came to my mind that this Mughal emperor was a King and had access to all sorts of wealth, so he made a mausoleum for his wife in her memory called "Taj Mahal” after death, but what if a poor man dies, despite a lot of love and affection for his wife he cannot even erect a 10ft pillar of love in the memory of his wife. What a beautiful line of a poem is this “Aik Shahenshah Ne Banwake Haseen Taj Mahal—Ham GareeboN Ki Muhabbat Ka Uraya Hay Mazaq”  

 I was compelled to think that behind this majestic and beautiful monument there is a sinister story hidden behind this love story that Shah Jahan ordered to mutilate the hands of all the artisans and laborers who built the Taj Mahal so that the workers cannot work somewhere else to build the same kind of “glorious building”. It is also a matter of repentance that while these expensive and costly monuments were built from the public money, those emperors of that time did not think of building educational institutions, hospitals and public service institutions.

By seeing the Taj Mahal, a longtime dream of my life had come true. There were many more historical places to see and for me to admire, but due to paucity of time it could not be possible during my stay in India. Our next target was Agra Fort, which is about 3 km away from the sister monument of Taj Mahal.

 This Red Fort of Agra was originally built in the 11th century by a Hindu Sikarwar Rajput, according to historians. Sikander Lodhi was the first Sultan of Delhi who shifted his office and residence to Agra and lived in the fort. It was the second capital of Sikander Lodhi’s era till his death in the fort in 1517. After his death, Ibrahim Lodhi, the son of deceased ruler Ibrahim Lodhi governed the country for 9 years from this historic fort. Ibrahim Lodhi was defeated and killed in the first war of Panipat in 1526, and after the fierce fighting of first Panipat, Mughal emperor Babur seized and captured the fort and the palace where Ibrahim Lodhi used to live. Emperor Humayun was crowned in this fort in 1530. Later Sher Shah Suri defeated him in 1540 and remained in the fort till 1555 when Humayun recaptured the fort. One Hindu King Hem Chandra Vikramaditya defeated Humayun and conquered the fort and after winning Agra, Hem Chandra started for Delhi to oust the Mughal emperor from Delhi, but Mughals defeated the king Hem Chandra under the leadership and command of Mughal emperor Akbar in the second war of Panipat in 1556.

The renovation and expansion started of this fort when Akbar moved into this fort in 1558. The fort we see now, was a brick fort known as ‘Badalgarh’ and when Akbar captured this fort, it was in a very bad condition and there were a lot of structural damage. Emperor Akbar ordered to rebuild the fort with red sandstones and it took 8 years to complete with 4000 laborers.  This wonder of the world came under UNESCO in 1983.

 There are hundreds of sites inside the fort one can explore and learn about this magnificent fort.

I saw the historical Shish Mahal, Darbar e Aam, Darbar e Khas, Moti Masjid, and Nagina masjid. Moti Masjid was built by Shah Jahan with white marble and Nagina Masjid by Aurangzeb. Nagina Masjid was specially build for the ladies of Mughal family members. Dewan e Khas, built with semi-precious stones from inside, where Akbar and later Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb used to come and meet their special royal guests. When you go to Diwan e Khas, the balcony, where the Mughal emperors use to show up to hear the public grievances, is quite elevated from the ground and the decorations of the balcony with stones are still very impressive upon the mind. Graceful stone carvings on the walls and moldings have been done uniquely.

This fortress has two historical gates, namely Delhi Gate and Akbari Gate. Akbari Gate is the main entrance to the Fort. When we were walking out from the Shish Mahal, I heard that the local guide was telling a group of tourist about the house arrest of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan by his own son Aurangzeb in this fort, and the guide was pointing the specific place where the Mughal emperor was imprisoned. The place called Musamman Burj, a tower with a beautiful balcony, is believed to be where Shah Jahan after 8 years of imprisonment and later buried next to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal in the Taj Mahal. I visited the same place where Mughal emperor Shah Jahan used to stand up and see the mausoleum of his wife through the eye lid holes of the Musamman Burj. It was a very poignant moment for me when I thought for a while, the love of the king for her and his isolation from the outside world, and he was even not allowed to go to see his beloved’s tomb.

 The world has seen the pomp and show of all the Mughal emperors from Jalal Uddin Akbar to Bahadur Shah Zafar and their splendor era of ruling the subcontinent for hundreds of years.  And even after the end of their imperial rules in 1857 the world can feel and witness the grandeur of Mughal imperialism.

 It was around 7:30 pm and started getting dark and we decided to end our visit for the day. We all were tired due to the very long visit. It was a very interesting, informative, and unforgettable trip to Agra with my friends and I cannot forget my host Mohiuddin for his all types of hospitality and excursion and I would say that because of my friend’s support this trip became extremely memorable.

 My next trip was Sikandarabad, Agra and very soon I will write an account about this historical city.
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My Two Questions to Maulana Tariq Jamil
By Shah A Siddiqui

I have mentioned below a link of a video lecture by Maulana Tariq Jamil, a very well known Islamic scholar ,dated July 10, 2014 “Roshni Ka Safar”

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x218zfc_roshni-ka-safar-molana-tariq-jameel-full-on-ptv-10th-july-2014-11th-ramzan_shortfilms

Maulana Tariq Jamil, is a great scholar and he has more than hundred of thousands of his followers in Pakistan and around the world. Time to time I also like to hear his lectures on different topics. He is a fantastic narrator of Islamic history and he also exaggerates the incidents like the other ‘Aalim’ ‘Moulvis’ ‘Zakirs’ etc. etc. as you can see in this video where he realized at one point and accepted.
Since my childhood, I read and heard in some Friday prayers khutba/sermon, and in some small religious gatherings by Moulvis that in Islam photograph is prohibited and one should not have his photograph.
In this lecture of Maulana Tariq Jamil, he narrates an incident when Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddiq (R.A) sends Hazrat Hasham Bin Aas to Syria on his behalf to see and invite the King Kaiser. When Hasham Bin Aas arrives in Syria and meets the King Kaiser, he (Kaiser) opens a box and draws out some photographs of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) and some others. Kaiser shows a photograph to Hasham Bin Aas and asked him that if he recognizes any one of them who are in the photograph. Hasham Bin Aas surprised to see the photograph and cried with tears when he recognized the picture of Hazrat Muhammad (SAWS) and said, “Yes, I can recognize one is our beloved prophet Muhammed” and who else? King asked, Hasham Bin, Ash said that two others are Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddiq and next to him is Hazrat Omar.
I have 2 questions after watching and learning the lecture of Maulana Tariq Jamil:
Q-1. Was the photography Camera available at that time when our Prophet was alive?
Q-2. If the photograph is prohibited in Islam, then how come our Prophet Muhammad(SAWS) and Hazrat Omar and Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddiq has their pics?
I require to make myself and educate about this lecture and scenario, what Maulana Tariq Jamil has narrated. Due to lack of knowledge I could not understand his lecture or ‘bayan’ so I shall appreciate it, if someone who has any approach to any Islamic scholar and Aalim or any one who has vast knowledge in Islamic history can explain to me and answer my question.
Please pardon me if my questions hurt any follower of Maulana Tariq Jamil. I respect him from the bottom of my heart and I love to hear his lectures, but at this point in this video what he narrated about the situation, I am totally confused and fail to understand.
I cannot follow any Maulana, Mullah or Aalim just because he is Aalim, Mullah or Maulana, and I should not stick with him blindly because hundred of thousands people are following and hearing his speeches. I will follow any Mullah, Moulvi and Aalim when I would be able to understand him.
I am awaiting reply to my questions above, by some intellectual scholar, who takes in knowledge in Islamic history.
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http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x218zfc_roshni-ka-safar-molana-tariq-jameel-full-on-ptv-10th-july-2014-11th-ramzan_shortfilms

Gilgit Baltistan should be recognized as part of Pakistan: Siraj Butt

 Interview by Shah Alam Siddiqui

Mr. Siraj Butt the Founder and President of the “Karakoram Thinkers’ Forum” and a prominent popular leader from Gilgit and Baltistan territories is leading a movement for the attainment of the rights for his people within the framework of the constitution of Pakistan. The ‘Karakoram Thinkers Forum’ has been functional since 1998. During the course of the past 26 years, he has met many politicians, public figures, intellectuals, journalists, writers from various walks of life to articulate and disseminate his campaign. This movement, if we may call it as such is essentially not political in nature as in case of the traditional political parties.

His mandate and aim is to mobilize the world opinion in order to solicit support and to awaken the conscience and to highlight the deprivation and denial of the justified rights to his people enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan.

Talking to this correspondence in a special interview Mr. Siraj Butt emphatically asserted and explained his point of view and goals in broader details which are as under:

1.       The people of Gilgit and Baltistan are not recognized as the citizens of Pakistan. They have   no right to vote in elections.

2.       Even we don’t have any share of representation in the Azad Kashmir Assembly with which we are geographically affiliated.

3.       We are under the FATA rules applied to various areas in Pakhtunkhwa province.

4.       We have no seats in the Senate and National Assembly of Pakistan or in the Assembly of Azad Kashmir state.

5.       Like other states such as Jammu & Kashmir, Swat, Hunza and Chitral the people of Gilgit Baltistan have not been given a special status.

6.       When asked what rights the citizens of Gilgit and Baltistan are entitled Mr. Butt said,” we want our people to be governed by our own administrators, technocrats, civil servants and the academics and not by those sent from Islamabad.

7.       Pointing out the glaring discriminatory behavior of both the Federal Government of Pakistan   and the State of Jammu and Azad Kashmir, he said that the District Commissioners are appointed by Islamabad in various departments while the local people are ignored.  

8.       Highlighting the strategic significant of Gilgit Baltistan, he said, these are our local Scouts who protect and safeguard that part of border which is all mountainous and difficult to move around.

9.       It is ironical, he contended, and that even our Scouts are under the control and command of the GHQ. We are not given senior posts in the local militia called Gilgit Scouts.

10.   He explained that Gilgit Baltistan has its border with China, India, Russia and Nepal. The historical Silk Route or Karakoram Highway passes through our territory and connects Pakistan and China. The river Indus flows down to Pakistan through the valleys and the mountains of Gilgit/ Baltistan and is a main source for water and electricity to Pakistan. Tarbela Dam is built on river Indus which provides electricity to our country Pakistan. Despite these monumental services and its geographical and strategic importance, our people looks like slaves and majority of them is extremely poor. They have no permanent sources of Income because there are no industries in our areas. Besides, meaningful mentionable developmental plans have never been put in place in the Gilgit Baltistan.

So, my mission and mandate of my organization is to highlight the backwardness of my people and extreme inattention and negligence demonstrated by Pakistani government and Azad Kashmir authorities. It is high time, he emphasized that this vital and highly important part of Pakistan should have the mandate to establish self-government system, so that my people can look after their own affairs like other provinces and contribute towards prosperity, progress and unity of Pakistan like other nationalities. If Punjab, Baluchistan, KPK and Sindh provinces and states have their own local governance why the people of Gilgit and Baltistan are being deprived of the same rights?

Concluding his statement, he asserted that “we the people of Gilgit Baltistan are as patriot and committed to the unity of Pakistan as the rest of the population is. All that we want is the local administration to be run by our own people and allocation of enough funds for the progress and development of those distant valleys, where the majority of people survive on simple farming and serving the tourists for their living. “That’s the basic objective of establishing Karakoram Thinkers Form”, Mr. Butt emphasized.

He pointed that the Gilgit Baltistan area is extremely valuable because of the presence of vast reservoir of precious minerals which if excavated and properly refined, can fetch a great chunk of foreign exchange for Pakistan. Besides this will go to a large extent in providing employment to the local people which in return alleviate their poverty and deprivation.

One of the extremely important suggestions that Mr. Siraj Butt put forward is to establish the custom and octroi posts within the Gilgit Baltistan territories. He disclosed that it was being planned to set up these custom posts in Nowshera in Pakhtunkhwa province which he described is a vicious conspiracy to deprive our people for a legitimate revenue which was their right as the cross border traffic of both merchandise and tourists and other travelers take place between Gilgit and Baltistan and China. He implored the Pakistan federal government to take not note of this glaring injustice and give the right to collect the tariff to Gilgit and Baltistan which was indispensable for the uplift of our people.
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Shah A Siddiqui is a freelance Journalist, Critique Writer, Columnist & Bureau Chief,
Weekly Muslims Abroad, Urdu Times and Pakistan Abroad, based in Dallas, TX

6^th Annual Holocaust and Genocides Hosted by

Americas Together Foundation

It was my first ever attendance in an event organized by Mike Ghouse under “America Together Foundation”.  The evening was full of grief and anguish because it was a memorial issue of Sikh genocide in India in 1984. The slide presentation was very touching and pinching the heart of the audience as there were some images of the unfortunate massacre in New Delhi. While I was watching that the slides I couldn’t control my tears. The picture of the massacre came in front of my eyes when I was in New Delhi and I experienced that horrible genocide of the Sikh community in the secular state that claims to be the “world’s largest” democratic state. 

I met first time with Dr. Amarjit Singh, who came to attend this event, especially from Washington to deliver his speech as Keynote Speaker. In his address he stated that the wounds they received in 1984 are still fresh because the perpetrators were not taken to justice. Dr. Singh said that India called itself a “largest democracy” which is a farce, adding that even today members of American governing bodies are not permitted to belong to Punjab and Kashmir so that their brutality could not be displayed. He further emphasized that the Sikh community is still awaiting for the justice from the International Court because hundreds of people have disappeared whose whereabouts are yet unidentified, he added.

Beside his detailed speech the Bangladeshi speaker Hasan Mahmood delivered his speech on the sufferings of the people of Bangladesh in 1971. His lecture was based on blames of Pakistani army and government regarding the accused rape of women during their independence war with Pakistan during 1971.  He also said that the Pakistani government did not apologize for their crime in Bangladesh, which I refuted in my 4 minutes of speech on the massacre of Biharis and non-Bengalis Urdu speaking population in Bangladesh during March to December 1971 by Mukti Bahini and Awami League workers.   In my opinion, this was not a one-way street, both sides were involved in the massacre of human beings in Bangladesh.

There should be an independent investigation by any third party who was not involved in that conspiracy of creating a new country from invasion and breaking a country in a part. Enough is enough, now it is more than 41 years and both the countries should look forward to work together for the prosperity and development of their people. We cannot get any progress if we hold hatred in our soul for each other. The politics should be separated and weigh upon the uplift of the poor population of both the countries. We need education, economic development, healthcare, food and clean water for our people.

I am positive that Insha Allah one day both the countries will be able to sort out their problems and focus on the needs of the people of our country.

The sad part of this event was very obvious that the Sikh community could feel the absence of other community to support their genuine cause.  It is very shameful for us that we have no courage to stand up for moral support in such an event where Sikh community was gathered to remember their martyrs of 1984 who were brutally massacred in New Delhi and other parts of the country.  While I was sitting on the table of speakers, I was ashamed that only three Pakistanis were there in the hall one was a Resident Correspondent of Daily Jang, GEO and Pakistan Chronicle, Raja Zahid Khanzada, another was the President of Karakoram Thinker Forum Siraj Butt and one more Pakistani. I did not see any Hindu, Buddhist, Christian or any Sri Lankan, any Palestinians, Jews, Bangladeshi, you name it - none of them were in the hall for the support of Sikh cause.  We should understand that if we do not feel the pain and anguish of others, then no one will stand with us too.  We should read the writings on the walls, I am sure when Indian Muslims will come up with their memorial day, to remember the genocide of Muslims in Gujrat, there will be no one except a few from the Indian Muslim community to wipe off their tears. 

There was a gentleman, who came up on the stage and registered his complaint about the Shia killings in Pakistan which is a shame for us. Unfortunately, this guy also left from the hall after registering his complaint to Mike Ghouse, the President of the event. He should bring his friends to this memorial event to show his support as a Muslim or Pakistani or Indian so that their fellow citizens could feel that other community members are supportive of their cause. I did not see any representation of any Ahmadi Muslims in that hall to support our Sikh brothers. How can they expect that other community members will stand for them to support their cause?

We should think as human beings and not as a member of a religion, caste or country. We are first a human being - then we are Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jew or Ahmadi, Shia and Sunni. God created all of us as a human being first. It is we, who divided ourselves in different cast and religion. Islam teaches us a lesson of equality, not division.

The event was nicely organized by Dr. Harbans Lal, Mike Ghouse and their team who worked hard for this event and this team is working continuously since last 6 years to spread the brotherhood and harmony among the different cultures and religions under the flag of “America Together Foundation”.

I congratulate Mike Ghouse, Dr. Harbans Lal and his team.

Shah Alam Siddiqui

Columnist/Critique Writer, Freelance Journalist

Social Worker,

Shah A Siddiqui with other delegates of the convention in Dallas,TX

                                       

                                                     Genocide Convention organized by Mike Ghouse in Dallas,TX

                                               

                                                         Shah A Siddiqui busy in consultation with Mike Ghouse  

Build a Wall. Ban All. Or Change the World for the Better. 

Urooj Alam Grundmann, a resident of Frisco, TX a former teacher, and now a mother of two with a simple mission: Teach young minds of their power to impact the world.

As a mother and former teacher, I understand the effect that prejudice and ostracizing can leave on the most valuable and vulnerable members of our world- children. And as a Pakistani-American, I am well aware of the present atmosphere of controversy, rife with disdain for anyone who may be identified as Muslim, Middle Eastern, or Pakistani. With some of the most prominent people in the news today openly making comments against other human beings based on their religious beliefs, ethnic background, or heritage, it has become personally important to me to teach acceptance and open-mindedness to my own children. While potential heads of state argue about how to best alienate and label the masses to fit their political agendas, the constant barrage of ignorance is sure to seep into young impressionable minds, only further dividing our country, creating barriers, and perpetuating inequality.

Education is the torch to end the shadows of ignorance. The children growing up in this era need a word of encouragement in making this world a better place- the kind of place they want it to be, which is why I decided to write and publish How Will You Leave the World Better Than You Found It? The message of this book is simple yet deeply crucial to raising thoughtful and conscientious children who will go on to become the game-changers, leaders, and role models of the future. This book highlights moral values such as small acts of kindness, ingenuity, and honesty using rhyme, rhythm, colorful illustrations, and simple questions posed to its readers.

What People Are Saying

“I love that it points out to my children that they can make a difference just by being kind to others and treating everyone and everything with respect.” -Annie D., New Orleans, LA

“I loved this book for embodying the notions of love and tolerance for all human beings as well as consideration for our planet earth.” -Farooq K., Fort Worth, TX

How Will You Leave the World Better Than You Found It? by Urooj Alam Grundmann 

Binding: Paperback

Trim: 8.5 X 8.5 Pages: 30

List Price: $10.00

Contact: Urooj Alam Grundmann alamgrundmann@gmail.com for Review Copies

Media Kit: www.uagrundmann.wordpress.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorUrooj Twitter: www.twitter.com/AuthorUrooj

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Amazon: How Will You Leave the World Better Than You Found It?

Fond Memories of Benazir Bhutto                

      

By Shah A Siddiqui     

                                                                              

I first met with Benazir Bhutto (Shaheed) at the Foreign Office in Islamabad,Pakistan. It was the summer of 1976-1977, if I am not mistaken, when Benazir Bhutto used to come to the Foreign Office for study and training purposes after finishing her formal studies in England. It was her father’s ambition to see her as a political figure in Pakistan, but Benazir was interested in joining the Foreign Service. However, later on, the daughter brought the dreams of her father, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, into reality, and the world saw her as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, twice.

During this period of time, luckily I was in charge of the Foreign Office Library which was across her office room. She was given a room for study purposes, which at the time was also used as a duty officer’s room on the ground floor of the building, close to the reception area and security office. The Foreign Office building used to be the Hotel Shaherzad, but after its renovation it was one of the most beautiful office structures belonging to the government.

I cannot forget Benazir Bhutto as I met her for the first time in the Foreign Office, when she asked me to look for some books for her to study. She handed over to me a handwritten slip with names of books that she intended to read. Her personality as a young lady was amazing and very astonishing for me. She was in jeans with a white kurta type shirt, holding a cigar in her left hand. She was a very skinny figure. I noticed that she used to return the books after three or four hours, before she left the office. Being a daughter of the Prime Minister, she did not seem to show an ego. I saw her most of the time in a good mood, except on a few occasions when she was seriously busy, reading over a cup of coffee.

Whenever she arrived at the office, she buzzed my desk to get her some books. There was not a fixed time for her to report to the office; she had her own schedule and perhaps was allowed to come any time during office hours. She never spoke to me in anything other than English, however one day she ordered me, “Sab, char books lana.” She handed me the list of books as usual as she spoke those words. I was surprised to hear only these couple of Urdu words from her during that last one week. One day, as I was standing in the lobby talking to a security officer, she came around 10 AM, which was very unusual. She waved at me, and I rushed to her office. “Madam, is everything fine with you?” I inquired. “Why, Mr. Shah? You were not expecting me at this time?” she replied with a question. “Madam, it is too early according to your schedule, that’s why,” I answered. Later on I came to know that she had to join a meeting between the Director General (Eastern Europe) and the Hungarian Ambassador in the Foreign Office.

It was a very short-term training for her because she hardly attended the Foreign Office, for a total of about two weeks. All of a sudden she stopped coming to the Foreign Office for some unknown reason. It may have been a political situation in the country. Uprising against Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had started, and at last he was thrown out from government, imprisoned after a military coup by General Zia-ul-Haque, on July 5, 1977.

In the third week of January 1978, I was posted abroad on diplomatic assignments until 1994, when I resigned from the Foreign Service due to some conflict. I saw Benazir Bhutto as Prime Minister of Pakistan twice during my different assignments abroad, but never had a chance to see her or meet her in Pakistan. I used to watch her on TV and noticed very rapid changes in her personality after she came to power as the first female Prime Minister of Pakistan, and of the Islamic world.

It was unbelievable to me when I had a chance to receive her with my wife at the University of Illinois, Chicago, sometime in the late 90’s. She was there to deliver a lecture to the South Asian Students group. This was happening 23 years after she had left the Foreign Office at her then young age, where I had been assisting her in the library. I heard and read in books about Zufiqar Ali Bhutto’s sharp memory, that he would remember anyone he met. He even remembered the color of the shirt or tie the person was wearing during a meeting with him. As his daughter, this same quality was apparent in Benazir Bhutto. When she arrived at UIC, my wife, Noshi, greeted her, as did I, wondering if she would recognize me. After a couple of steps, she asked me, “Aap, Shah Sahib, yahan kia kar rahe hain?” I was so happy and proud to hear my name from her after almost 23 years, and it was most surprising that she recognized me right away.

It was a very happy and memorable moment of my life. It was the first time meeting with Benazir Bhutto, that day in Chicago, after leaving the Foreign Office. Later, in 2000 or 2001 she was kind enough to even give an interview for my then local TV channel, “PAKWATAN TV.”

Unfortunately, those would be the only, and last few times I would meet Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto. My wife and I were very upset that day, when we heard of the bomb blast assassination in Rawalpindi. The Pakistani nation will always remember such a genius, wonderful and great leader of the country, and I cannot forget those days working in the Foreign Office, or the meeting at UIC, and the interview for my TV show. She will always be remembered fondly in my heart and in the hearts of millions of Pakistanis.

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”Islamic Republic of Pakistan” Should be renamed as “People’s Republic of Pakistan”

By Shah A Siddiqui

It is a shame for Pakistanis to keep the name of the country on the ground of “Islam” and also apron string the ‘Islamic’ with the country’s name. Simple “Pakistan” or “People’s Republic of Pakistan” is very appropriate according to the ongoing pity situation of the country. Is there any logic to keep the name “Islamic Republic of Pakistan” and humiliate the religion. In that respect there are several Muslim countries in the world who could be better Muslims than us and better governance are being carried out, but they are not using the religion with their country’s name. There are 57 countries in the world who are Muslims by the Muslim population, but they did not choose the string of Islam with their country’s name. What went amiss with the leaders of Pakistan that they are humiliating the Islam since last 67 years in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Are the leaders performing their responsibilities according to the constitution of Pakistan and Islamic Shariah? Our nation had been adjudged the most corrupt state in the list of 97 countries and stands at 7th ranking, should we proud for being a citizen of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan? Each and every political leader of this state is corrupt, except a few. Ripping off the country’s economy, looting the wealth and filling their suitcases with money out of the pocket of poor countrymen. Is this Islamic Republic of Pakistan, where the Imam masjid rapes the innocent young girls and boys in their ‘hujras’ and ‘madrasas’ where the poor parents sends their children to get an Islamic education. This is Islamic Republic of Pakistan, where the Baloch leader and a member of the parliament support the killing of seven women by burying them alive. Should we proud to be a citizen of the ‘Islamic’ Republic of Pakistan, where Muslims of different faction slaughtering each other every day in the name of Islam. Is that Islamic Republic, where the minorities have no freedom to live their live according to Islamic teachings and their churches, temples are being put on fire and their houses are being burnt. Same with Ahmadi minority, facing the persecution and being killed by their fellow Muslim citizen. Does Islam permits you to celebrate cultural shows and musical evenings when the one part of the country suffering from drought and people are dying due to hunger, unavailability of clean water and health care? So far, more than 250 people died, including 70 children in a village Thar in Sindh province. Hazrat Umar was not sleeping at night time and he uses to travel around the city to recover out if any inhabitant is sleeping without taking his meal. Pity on those leaders who claims to be a Muslim and posses a high seat in the society but acting anti Islamic way. The Parliamentarian amended the constitution and made article 62 & 63 workable, but the leaders made fun of its own rules and trashed these articles during general election held in 2013.

Did the father of the nation Hazrat Quaide Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah ever mentioned in his speeches during his struggle to achieve a country for Indian Muslims to be an Islamic country? Never. He was interested to take a separate sovereign state on the basis of two nation theory, but he clearly referred in his addresses and writings that the country Pakistan will also be a land for those non-Muslims who desire to dwell with serenity and self-respect. Quaid e Azam had clearly outlined his vision of Pakistan in an address to the Constituent Assembly, delivered on 11 August 1947.He spoke of an inclusive and impartial government, religious freedom,rule of law and equality for all. Where are the Pakistani Muslims now, are they respecting the vision of their Father of the Nation. How this nation can respect Quaide e Azam’s vision when they have no self respect and have no respect, even as a Muslim, for the teaching of the Quran and the Sunnah.

Is that Islamic Republic of Pakistan, where the mausoleum of their Father of the Nation Mohammad Ali Jinnah had been changed into an hourly rented “Prostitution room” by the local management and when it was brought out by a local TV anchor, no action was taken against those culprits. Where the morality stands of these Pakistani citizens of the “Islamic Republic of Pakistan”

The Pakistani nation is trying to pose as a fundamental, principled and honest Muslims, where they go to the mosque five times a day for prayers and every day a new mosque being built at the corner of each mohallah but the heart and minds of those Muslims are being more polluted with sins, where 3 months baby girl is not being spared to rape and 9 month baby boy get arrested in a murder incident , Is it not an insanity of a corrupt Muslim society.?

There are hundred of thousands of reasons to condemn the use of Islam for the country. Just look around the world and see the Muslims, who are the citizen of their country like Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, UAE, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and many more, as I said there are about 57 Muslim countries in the world but only one crazy Muslim country we can see in the globe whose terminology towards Islam is just opposite. These 57 states are not labeling Islam to prove that they are Muslims, but ‘Alhamdu Lillah’ the people and the government are better than us and they are in the airstream of the development according to the advanced universe. We take in examples of Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, UAE and Brunei. 

Bribery, kidnapping for ransom, robbery and killing in broad daylight in front of law enforcement agencies is very common. Our government has failed to control the law and order in the country. Taliban's are spreading every where in the country and killing people, but the security forces are paralyzed.

These countries I have mentioned are Muslim nations, but there is one more country in the world who is not a Muslim country and their formation is founded on freedom of all forms, it is the United States of America, thousand times better than any so-called Islamic state. In the USA I can go to mosque without fear of bombing, with freedom of religious activities, freedom of speech and above all the Masses are most humble and kind. The people of Pakistan and the leaders of Pakistan always curses to the USA but they are also dying for coming to enjoy the freedom and clean water, clean food and welfare society and education. USA is not a Muslim nation, but its organic law and government are tolerant and always their heart is receptive to take anybody from any religion or country, Every religion is free to perform his rituals and worships in the USA. Can a Pakistani citizen feel free to do all these, if he is not a Muslim and even if one is Muslim by different faith will face hardship and persecution to perform his rituals. Sunnis will kill to Shia, Barelvi will kill to Deobandi. In the United States everyone is free to perform his religious ritual and festivities and this is what Islam teaches us. This country is more Islamic than Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the most sacred place in the world. In KSA not a single person can overstay beyond his visa regardless of your religious affiliation, but in America one can enter legally, illegally, the person just got in a shelter and get all facilities what a human being needs, from food to health care and education. Is this gesture, not more than Islamic countries. So it is not necessary to keep a ‘dum Challah’ of Islam with the name of Pakistan.

70 percent leaders does not pay the tax, they steal electricity, they steal gas, they steal water for their luxury castles and their mills and factories. The poor honest citizen suffers for their bad deeds. The leaders take Millions of rupees as a loan and later they get waived their loans, is this the teaching of Islam?. I will not hesitate to blame the general public also, who are not pious or chaste either. The responsibility goes to the common men also. They are not taking any interest to uplift their life style and control the corruption in the society. I know In Karachi and Lahore and many other big cities, people steal electricity by a hook from the main line and they steal gas also. Most of the restaurant owners steals gas and water by bribing the City officials.

The country should be free like it was early 70’s before the corrupt Kath Mullahs hijacked the country in the name of Islam and running their notorious business and ripping of the country. Before Zulfiquar Ali Bhutto’s era, Islam was not alive in Pakistan or people were not allowed to go to mosque in that free society? There use to be celebration of Miladun Nabi and Majalise Aza, and Procession of 10th Muharram, everywhere without any fear. Muslims, Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus all were living in peace and in an environment of brotherhood. Every Muslim has his own responsibility for his good deed ad bad deed, if he goes to the bar to drink alcohol or he goes to the night club to enjoy his evening, he himself is answerable to God. Still, when Talibanization is going on in Pakistan, there is alcohol, female prostitution, male prostitution, Qahba Khana everything is running but underground which is open to everyone. When the Talibanization is on the top, in Pakistan the “Male Prostitution “ is equally growing with the Islamization. There are hundreds of stories in the media that Talibans are using and molesting young, handsome boys during their training as a suicide bomber. Where the Islam is?

The responsibility goes to the Pakistani citizens who are posing like an extreme Muslim and the other side they are more dirty from inside. Being a Muslim they are feeding their own citizens the dead meat of donkeys, dogs, horse and dead chickens beside their regular 5 time prayers.

The system will not be cleaned until the people get himself clean, and honest. The country needs to clean and reforms the system in Police department and Judicial and bring them to justice, specially the Judges like Choudhry Iftikhar, should not be spared to live a free lavish life in the bullet proof car provided by the government. He was the Chief Justice of Pakistan and was a most corrupt Judge in the judicial history. If the Judge and police are corrupt in the society, you cannot bring welfare in the nation.

It is, therefore, my humble request to the corrupt leaders of Pakistan to stop insulting and humiliating ‘Islam’ and change the name of the land and keep it simple “Pakistan” or “People’s Republic of Pakistan”. A bunch of states in the universe has changed their state names in the past years and I am certain it will not harm Islam or Muslims, but at least by our characters and behaviors the name of ‘Islam’ will be relieved to be insulted or humiliated.