musaafir-e dasht

I had always seen the beauty of my country in pictures, but beholding It with naked eye was an altogether a different experienc - a humbling one it was! I can never forget those awe-inspiring moments spent with husband in those serene lands where, for the first time in life, I felt the joy of being so close to nature... I had once read somewhere, "there's no wifi in forest, but you'll find a better connection." For the first time in my life I experienced that 'connection' which had hitherto remained hidden from my perception. The sight of the mountains and sky high trees covered with clouds early in the morning, and the sound of the Neelam River flowing, that came from somewhere deep down was an experience, that will forever remain etched in my memory. I will always remember how it felt like standing against the picket fence in the backyard of the resort where we were staying in, gazing at the magnificent beauty of the far away mountains of Kashmir, only the ...

source I could not sleep last night. Have only had one or two such restless nights in my life before the last one... I feel so sick of television and the noise that comes out of it is getting unbearable with every passing day. Sheer cacophony. But there is so much going on in the country at the moment that nobody in the family would dare to unplug the idiot box, which continues to transmit its idiocy into our lives. Anyway, this post is not about the hazards of the idiot box. I will have ample occasions in the upcoming days and years to rant about them when I will practically try to get rid of this device in my life with the help of Allah SWT and those around me. This post is about my country, which is probably going through the toughest of times in its history. The events that have materialised lately should plunge all of us into the thinking mode. The issues that are haunting my mind at present are as follows:  1. Who is Tahir ul Qadri? We know he is a self-procl...

Just came across this excerpt from a book A Sense of Seige: The Geopolitics of Islam and the West   here , about the pseudo intellectuals, which sadly Pakistan is rife with: This is a real tragedy. These intellectuals are unable to question their positions and their assumed mission because they have no intellectual, academic or informative resource other than the West to rely on. Western sources are their only assets; and once their link to these sources is lost, they will be abandoned in the middle of a desert. Sadly, these intellectuals are unable to find the spiritual energy and intellectual courage necessary to save themselves and their countries, to preserve their roots, because that would mean denial of what has become their identity. In this case, “the decisive hour,” as defined by Marx -- a concept that evolved into “class suicide” -- takes place, when a part of the ruling class separates itself and joins the revolutionary class. These intellectuals ultimately expect th...

As I write these lines, I can hear some newscaster giving live coverage to PTI's gathering in Karachi... It is so weird that now these so called political leaders have resorted to actually arrange for musical concerts in order to entertain the public of Islamic Republic of Pakistan for winning their votes. Or their hearts, perhaps? How receptive our hearts are to the beating of these musical instruments that we will be lured in to vote on the basis of such electioneering tactics!? Probably now Allah will impose on us someone who suits our degenerated 'taste'.  This is so very frustrating. 

Excellent advice by Mr Suleman Ahmer, CEO, Timelenders. I so wish we paid heed! By Suleman Ahmer, 24 January 2010 Addressing the energy crisis of Pakistan through modifying the national behavior Pakistan is facing a severe energy crisis the negative impact of which is being felt at all levels of the society whether it is economic, social or unfortunately on the level of the national integrity by contributing to the elements that fuel terrorism like unemployment and severe financial deprivation. The government has embarked on an awareness campaign which I believe will have only limited success as it hinges a lot on legal enforcement like clamping down on late marriage events in Karachi to forcing businesses to shut down by 8:00 pm. The issue of legal enforcement in Pakistan is marred by the presence of massive corruption in our legal and enforcement frameworks and the high ingenuity of Pakistanis to find creative ways to go around laws which they believe are hurdles. The alternative ...

  source So now he returns as a politician. Another change of appearances. Some more perpetuation of the evil that is essentially similar in nature. As my readers know I do not indulge in political discussions but I would urge all of you to read this very thought-provoking post on the topic at Uni's blog . I won't blame the masses if they make yet another wrong decision by electing the ex-general. Our history is replete with such experiences of something which is far more profound than just an 'error of judgment' on the part of the masses. We are habitual of doing that. Moreover, we all know that the strings are pulled elsewhere... What is ineteresting for me, however, is that how Allah SWT chooses to disgrace some people. Lal Masjid , Dr Aafia, The Bajaur Madrassah, you name it, are still waiting for the spectacle of disgrace which is sure to come from Allah for 'some' people. Let them return. Let yourself wait with patience and see how the noose would be ...

An amazing bayaan by Shaykh Kamal urging us to reflect on our present conditions as a people. Hope in the Times of Despair Source: http://alsafh.wordpress.com/2010/08/20/hope-in-times-of-despair/

I have no words to "comment" on the barbaric act committed by people possessed by demons (yes, no normal person could do so in normal circumstances!) in Sialkot. Are we as nation on the verge of madness? Have we become so blind that we are unable to see any of the 'signs'? Do we intend to leave no stone unturned for incurring Allah's wrath? Was the earthquake not enough to pierce through the veils of ghaflah that we have covered our soul completely? Aren't the recent floods enough to hint at the fact that we have have crossed the limits of heedlessness. Imagine: the first 'ashara of ramadan-e kareem. The first ten days of enjoying the boundless rahmah of Allah SWT. And here we are, witnessing some of the most heinous crimes against humanity... I feel sick! See this: http://blog.criticmagazine.pk/2010/08/murder-of-two-brothers-in-sialkot-is.html. 

On the current suicides and suicidal attempts by our fellow country men. People who are just like us... Orya Maqbool Jan's harf e raaz

So, it did feel like hell broke loose yet again on Karachi when hundreds of shops were burnt as a supposed aftermath to the Ashura blasts. Families ruined. Businesses lost. And death prevailed. No, those who burnt the shops and markets were not those who were in the procession. Rather they had nothing to do with those were busy mourning the deaths of their dear ones. They were quite 'known' people. People who had planned it all before hand. People who made sure that they use chemicals when putting the markets to flame. People who claim to own the city. And let us not go very far - those who remember hearing the video I posted on my blog sometime back, regarding the surreptitious Blackwater activities in the city, would also remember who was aiding them establish a stronghold here... Ironically, not a single person had the courage to take names - names of the people, names of the organistaions involved. Media - what to say of it but et tu,...

... bohat se marhale he~ subh ke hingaam se pehle Just came across this article on Dr Aafia Siddiqui in Weekly Pulse , Islamabad. Thought of sharing it on my blog.

August 14, 2009. My country completed sixty two years of its life and I, twenty four years of my life. Together. For the fear of m aking this post turn into a hodgepodge, I would like to reflect upon both the events separately... *** خدا کرے کہ میری عرض پاک پر اترے" وہ فصل گل جسے اندیشہ زوال نہ ہو" source August 13, 2009. The moment, I steppe d into the University, lo ud, blaring music accompanied by screaming and shouting of both girls and boys, welco med me. I shook my head in disappointment - something I have been now doing for the past five years - and headed towards the department. And yesterday, I realised, how decent a people we were! Alhamdulillah. On a departmental level, no useless activity was to take place. Our teachers had planned an intra-department discussion on the topic, 'The Pakistan we have. The Pakistan we want.' I am quite sure of the fact that this was THE most decent, educative and fruitful activity that must have taken place on the campus yes...

Yet another independence day, but this time it is not free of the gloom and despair that seems to be rising with every passing day in our country. How it relates to poetry, you might wonder. Let me ask, how does it not? Everything that goes around a genuine poet bears its marks on his soul. If a poet is not sensitive to his surroundings then he must review and think deeply about his art. He must think if his art blinds him to what goes on around him or does it provide him with insights that others probably lack. If a poet is able to absorb the sorrows of the present in his self, wisdom will follow. Only then he would be able to successfully look back into the past and come up with a vision for the future. This of course reminds us of none other than Iqbal, who once said about his art: “Mein, keh meri ghazal mein hai aatish-e rafta ka suraagh Meri tamam sarguzasht kho’ay hu’on ki justuju” Think about it! -N.A. In Us

I do not write much about politics nor do I like 'discussing' politics with people. I have developed a certain aversion to the process that people call 'arguing'. Probably that is why, I am not a very good public speaker. However, not writing or discussing about politics does not mean I do not think about it... =) That, I do. I am no analyst, nor do I wish to be one. But some recent events have compelled me to write a few lines about two scholars who were martyred just a couple of days ago. So here's a short post that I just wrote... Aurya Maqbool Jan on Dr Naeemi's martyrdom. Read on. I personally, however, feel that Maulana Orakzai's killing was also a part of the chain events. i.e. the way it all happened. Right after the martyrdom of Maulana, Dr Naeemi was made the target. And apparently the TTP operating in Orakzai claimed the responsibility of carrying out the suicide bombings. Imagine the audacity. It shows that it was all a planned attempt to creat...

The current situation of the displaced people of Swat reminded me of the following poem by Shaykh Sa'adi rahimahullah , which was there in our Persian syllabus. Although the poem is about the famine that struck Damascus - as a result of which massive devastation of life occurred -, I am able to relate it to the situation of those who have become 'displaced' within their own homeland: Chunaan qehet-saali shud ander damishq Keh yaaraan faramoosh kardand ishq (When famine struck Damascus, lovers forgot their love) Chunaan aasmaan bar-zameen shud bakheel Keh lub tar na kardand zar'ae wa nakheel (When heavens became stringent with waters, the lips of the seed and date trees remained parched) Bay-khuusheed sar chashma-hayi qadeem Namaanad aab, juz aab-e ashk-e yateem (Ancient rivers dried up; no water but that of the orphan's tears was left) Nabuudi bay-juz aah bayweh zani Agar bar shudi duudi az ruuzani (No voice except for that of the widow's rose from casements lik...

It's psycholinguistics - semantics tomorrow and I am terribly, terribly facing the problem of lack of concentration. I am reading newspapers, writing emails and see here I am on my blog too. My mind's roaming somewhere in Swat ... no in the refugee camps perhaps... and I am not able to take so many things out of my mind. This is the bigger picture. On a small scale level, another portion of my mind is roaming in some other places. I wander... I wander... And I wander... the journey seems endless....

I remember when I was a child, once going through some very old family pictures I came across a picture in which two extremely beautiful pathaan children were sitting outside a traditional shop of some household items. I remember asking my mother with great fascination as to who these kids were. She told me that when she and my father went to Swat after getting married they took the picture there. And then she started telling me about Swat - the beauty of the place itself and its inhabitants. I also remember she promised me that we will visit Swat sometime soon. A promise that she never fulfilled though. :) But the picture never ceased to fascinate me. Never. The innocence. The beauty. The carelessness. The tradition. And what not. And then came a time when we collected all those pictures in a huge plastic bag and dumped them somewhere in the store-room on the first floor. And today, another picture flooded my mind with the memories of that old picture which once fascinated me endless...

After waking up and before settling down to study in the morning, I thought I should first have a look at today's papers. With everyone around in the house sleeping soundly (yeah it's a lazy Sunday morn), I thought this was the best time to get my hands on both the English and Urdu newspapers... ... I wasn't expecting anything 'good' to have happened but still there was a hope that something positive might have taken place. But no! Similar statements from the PM and the army personnel. Scores of people dying. Scores of them being displaced - have we ever thought what pain this little phrase Internally Displaced Refugee carries in it... ... I shook my head and opened my books with a heavy heart. Lately, I have developed a great distaste for 'discussing' things; specially the current political and military situation in the country. I feel that when we talk too much about it, we lose our ability to think and feel deeply as to all that's going on around. F...

Poet: Faiz Ahmad Faiz http://mosaafir.blogspot.com/2005/12/tragedy-of-errors-is-it.html

It is extremely frustrating to see the abysmal condition city has fallen into. People from the up-north are being almost exterminated. Ethnic cleansing. Do we purge ourselves of our own people? I cannot think beyond this... What about those whose entire families consist of people of various ethnicities? I do not know why but I fear the situation might get worse. Language has never been a problem for the 'people' of Pakistan and that I can say with immense confidence. Why? Because we have been living since ages in localities where no one seems to be even bothered as to the language you speak. It is not an issue. However, it is of course a big issue for those who have 'hired' people to create deliberate unrest in the city. Something is definitely wrong due to which "things fall apart/ the centre cannot hold..." What is that 'something', I think each of us must pose this question to ourselves. For how long will we be able to enjoy living comfortably in ou...