14th Feb(Valentine’s Day)…Does it really matter?

“Observing MAD following of Western Occasions, our Cultural revival seems to be a Dream…

Let’s try to accomplish this revival and not go to grave carrying this dream”

Celebrating Valentine’s Day has been a notorious topic in Pakistan society and carries huge opposition from many segments.  Every year, we see insightful debates going on this topic as whether to celebrate 14^th Feb as Valentine’s day or  not? Yet we fail to see any agreement of society on this topic, government who is busy in Jamhooriyat and Aamriyat also has no time to declare any verdict. And I am talking about a society which consists of over 95% of Muslims…

While this blog is written in light of my overall experience of 14^th February as a Pakistani, talking about this year; I observed atmosphere (in Pakistan) via social media and TV Channels.  This year, so many people seem to so be busy doing something to celebrate this important/holy day. Special broadcasts were aired by the TV channels receiving loads of messages in which people expressed love for their loved ones.

We saw many companies trying to attract huge customers through attractive Valentine Day packages specially gift packages including souvenirs, flowers and chocolates. We saw special deals from courier companies, we saw attractive dressing of book shops and shopping malls; all flooded in the RED color. Be it TV channels or various super stores, everybody was interested just in selling their ‘Manjan’ and make most profit out of this wonderful opportunity...But excuse me, did anybody for a second thought of relevancy of Valentine’s day with Pakistani Culture/traditions, moral values and aftermaths for today’s generation??? I would regard this as unfaithful as a seller who raises his prices in Ramadan and is only interested in making money without caring for moral values and his religious/social obligations…

Many people say we are only remembering our parents, spouses and other relatives/friends on 14^th February, however this remains a fact that it mainly represents the romantic feelings amongst the  couples be it unmarried/Na-Mehram lovers OR husband wife. All Muslims would agree (whether they do this or not) to the fact that open/free mixing up of Na-Mehram men and women should be avoided in light of Islamic guidelines. Let’s consider one example for married couples from Quran Majeed:

Allah says: “It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of the fasts. They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them…” [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 187]

The word Clothing is a very important here if somebody wants to understand. Husband wife personal relationships must be kept secret from others. Clothes keep a “Parda” between you and society and are a mark of Sharm-O-Haya. Word Clothing depicts the fact that Husband and Wife should be Guardian of each other and all ways. Contrary to this, on 14th February we saw needless expression of love over the TV channels where Husband and Wives were openly expressing their feelings. Does this benefit us in any way?

Then we saw a clash event happened in Peshawar University. One group was celebrating ‘Haya Day’ and other was busy in Valentine’s Day. Both clashed and few students got serious injuries. In absence of any direction/guidance; openly letting young generation do whatever they want will keep such events going on forever…

Some people say that there is no point opposing these western trends in Pakistan society and we should be enlightened enough to accept what has already been practiced by many. Agreed! all this is a ground reality but if majority is doing it; that does not means its right...We must raise our voices within our capacities to save our culture...I m not talking in the air...’Kalma Tayyab’ written on the face of parliament house and Objectives resolution in our constitution, all these are not a joke; its a reality, better to realize sooner rather than later...Celebrating a day which has nothing to do with our society or culture...nobody to blame for, all involved are responsible in eroding our beautiful culture and traditions!

Maintaining our genuine things be it our Languages, Dresses or celebrating festivals should be our major aim in way of developing Pakistan. Because this path will never mortify us in front of anyone least it would provide us moments of pride every now and then. As Iqbal rightly said:

“Apni Millat pe Qayaas Aqwaam-e-Mughrib sey na ker

Khaas hei Tarkeeb mein Qaum-e-RASOOL-E-HASHMI(S.A.W)”

SPORTS

Observing worlds apart; feeling Differences…

From 2012, Qatar has started to celebrate National Sports day once a year. Every year second Tuesday of February is remarked as Qatar’s national sports day. The main reason is to promote healthy activities among its population, to portray Qatar as a rising and sports loving nation. Today the 11^th February, 2014 is Qatar National Sports Day and whole Qatar is observing a National holiday...Well before National Sports day, the environment was created to spread awareness among masses and to encourage them to participate in such activities .Radio and TV Channels were arranging special programs about the sports and sport day to involve common public. Companies started preparing their employees for sports activities and also arranged walking and sports events to make this sports day a huge success. While roaming in the Doha city for the last few days, we saw overwhelming preparation and passions for getting ready for National Sports day.

Today in Qatar, numerous sports events have been organized by Govt. and individual companies...Almost every major excursion/outing place including parks and shopping malls is active in one way or the other. People are playing and enjoying their favorite sports, Laughter & Clapping all around...I myself woke up by excessive shouting and giggles of a sports event organized right outside my building. Whether you believe it or not, they were preparing for many months (spending handsome money) shaping up this small playing space. Qatari Govt. is using all its resources to encourage sports and to become a heart of International sporting events...It’s a real treat to see a country taking steps in right direction. MasAllah, may prosperity continues....

Observing all these activities, somebody inside me was recalling the condition of sports and reducing sports grounds in Pakistan where we are used to of holidays due to Hartaal’s and Yaum-e-sog's and NO SPORTS DAY...I recall my childhood times when my elders used to tell me with pride that Landhi-Korangi in Karachi has the highest number of grounds/sporting space in whole Asia which is an old memory now. In our childhood times, we had many options of playing which are reduced with the passage of time. Now when I visit back home, I see children playing in narrow streets and really can not feel the compassion that we used to enjoy good twenty (20) years back.

At national level, we have come down from four(4) world Championships at a time(1994) to nothing in hand Today...We see fights and issues raising in our Olympic Committee which often leave us in embarrassment at world level. Then we see latest jokes happening with Chairman of PCB when our PM is trying to retain Najam Sethi at any cost. We see poor security conditions when no International team wants to visit Pakistan. We see grounds turning into the marriage halls. Are Personal ego, money and commercial benefits supreme than human nurture and National interest?

When comparing Qatar and many other such countries trying to emerge as shining names of  sports and comparing this with Pakistan. Many of our sportsmen are naturally  Talented born stars. We often see stories of people doing odd jobs and all of a sudden they represent and win for Pakistan at International level. The latest instant being the participation of Mohammad Karim in Winter Olypics at Sochi. Karim raised from unfavorable conditions (starting from home made skis) and finally competing at an international sporting event for Pakistan. When you ask their future plans, many of them are unsure because sport is perhaps least priority in Pakistan.

Really do not know when Pakistan will stop wasting its natural talent and give due respect to sports. May be after JAMHOORIYAT & AAYEEN KI SARBULANDI sweeps everything!

A ROBBERY IN KARACHI!

‘Remembering a robbery back in 2011’

I was robbed in Karachi back in 2011 at the Eid-ul-Fitar Chand Raat alongside my uncle while returning from EID shopping...They looted us at the gun point...This was my first such experience...When I look back, I re-call many small things and when try to sort out reasons behind them , I feel pity!

We had a happy round of shopping from the United King Bakery in Gulistan-e-Jauhar purchasing cakes and Nimko for the EID’s first day. We were coming back in a car which my uncle was driving. We were doing all sorts of Intellectual discussions which ranged from local situation up to the world politics. In the row of discussion, we were not very conscious of things happening around. Then, when we took a turn from Korangi Industrial area and suddenly we saw a motorcyclist knocking at the window glass shouting something loudly. My uncle tried to conceive what’s going on and a flash came in my mind that these are snatchers. I shouted at uncle to stop the car immediately ‘Gari rok dain, Lutairay agaye hai’. 

We were stopped at a very SUNSAAN PLACE and during the stopping process, I asked my uncle to solely Co-Operate with them in each regard and not try to cope them...It was a Gang of 6 Guys on 3 motorbikes. We surrendered and they shouted JALDI JALDI CASH NIKAL...Uncle raised his hands asked them to take whatever they can find and lost his mobile along with cash...Since I am an obedient kid right from childhood, So I straightaway took out my purse(since they were emphasizing on cash only) and handed over to that guy who came to my side and said ‘BHAI SARA CASH IS WALLET MAI HAI’...worthy to mention, my Gulf sim was also in that wallet (So, In that sudden imagination, I was having a full KHUARI while re-purchasing Qatar sim coming back in Qatar)...But that guy was so generous that he took his full time to take out cash and returned my wallet after taking all the money...”HATS OFF MATE, meri khuari bach gayeee”...Believe it or not my Nokia E-72 remained in between my legs and was saved amazingly...My Obedient nature paid me, I handed over only what they demanded while uncle lost everything he had, trying to be Hoshiyar with them...Gals and Guys, learn with this thing for YOUR TURN…

Snatcher’s Generosity, Some Observations

While in all previous instances of people being looted, they often say YAAR RAQAM TU PHIR AJAYE GI, WOH MERI SIM TOU DE JATA, YA WO MERA NIC/CARD TOU DE JAATA...Dacuu's have considered this behavior as we see in my case, the Gentleman returned my Wallet without demand and save me from queuing at sim counters and many visiting cards also were secured...

The other thing I noticed, at they Snatching time, the blood was all over their minds and they could trigger the button anytime during robbery...I think they were very young DAKUU'S coz they seems to be pretending this act and their voice was not complementing their actions. In fact they were fearful of counter attack...Thanks GOD they did not trigger!

In the end, they pulled out the Car keys and throwed it nearby...Uncle shouted O BHAI, CHAABI TOU DETA JA...Believe it or not, they stopped instantly and pointed out the place where they throwed the key...Well those thieves had ethics mate!

Reasons behind Snatching/Looting

Those Guys were aged around mid 20’s and must be compelled to do this job under certain pressures...I do not know whether they were able to take our snatched items or they were shot somewhere in the way...Such people mostly are driven due to social Injustice, lack of Merit/Opportunities, some political backing and Hunger...Or sometimes just for FUN...Whatever reason maybe, thorough re-thinking is required from all corners of society. As the time passes, we are indeed falling into deep crap...A society in which certain people take their own share of SADAQA'S forcefully from your pocket...

In Pakistan, different jobs are categorized based on pay scale and Glamour. Everybody wants to get a suited booted high pay job. If an educated person does not get some work, he also intends to do such things and is shy/shameful to work like working on petrol pump or in some restaurant. This is mainly because such professions are not regarded in our society and does not carry much respect. Why can not we realize that No work is Big OR small, the real thing is how you do any work…May we realize this sooner rather than later…

Message to Short Cut Guys

“Waqt-e-Dua hai...ajeeb waqt kuch hum pe para hai...Mazloom hee loot raha hai aur Mazloom hee lutt hai...” Distinctions are vanishing with time...Change in mental approach is required; government surely will not come foreword and seriously resolve these issues. People who are blessed also have greater responsibility to be aware of fellows struggling around. For people involved in such snatchings, “there are many other ways of earning/getting money and improving our economic condition rather than being involved in easy money which may have adverse impacts on lives of other people…Looting/shooting somebody might be a way of income for you, but it may sometime become life denting for somebody else”…

Above feeling is Dedicated To: All young snatchers/looters “Rather becoming a black spot to society, you must take lessons from our hard working labor earning Rizq-e-Halal who work day long but return to their homes with eternal satisfaction and pride”