Today, August 14, Pakistan marks the anniversary of its independence. Over the weekend the Pakistani diaspora celebrated, although this report from Devon Street in Chicago suggests the party was a muted and anguished one.
This morning, I took a tour of the Pakistani blogosphere and found it, as usual, disappointing. A few bloggers offered bombastic statements of national pride. Others commented on the party preparations, or lack thereof. There don’t seem to be that many Pakistani bloggers to begin with, nor Pakistani-American bloggers for that matter (a fact that we deplore here at the Mutiny), so I wasn’t really expecting anything in particular; even so, the paucity of offerings, in both quantity and quality, struck me as symptomatic of, well, something.
We get a lot of anti-Pakistan mudslinging here on the comment threads, and though we try to keep up with and get rid of the most egregious and bigoted statements, the best way Pakistan’s image could improve would be through a flood of free, contentious, provocative, educative speech by Pakistanis and their friends. The Web is only one venue, of course, and it is obviously biased toward those with access to computers and the Internet, but to not make better use of such a ready resource is really a shame.
So it’s with pleasure that I introduce you, on this Pakistan Independence Day, to Watandost, the weblog of Hassan Abbas, a Pakistani former government official and writer who now lives in Boston. It’s a one-stop shop for news stories and web links that will be of interest to anyone who wishes for a democratic and peaceful Pakistan within a democratic and peaceful South Asia.
Abbas doesn’t write original content at his blog: he posts useful stories and lets them do the talking. However, he is the author of a book that I wish I’d heard of earlier. It’s called PakistanÂ’s Drift Into Extremism: Allah, the Army, and AmericaÂ’s War on Terror, and here is part of the review in the Boston Globe by Farah Stockman:
Although it is a political history, parts of Hassan Abbas’s new book, “Pakistan’s Drift Into Extremism,” reads like someone whispering family secrets. Instead of the crazy old aunt or the secret adoption, Abbas speaks intimately about the dizzying array of generals deposing presidents and presidents plotting against prime ministers that have whirled through the country’s 57-year existence. …
But this 267-page history is also part psychological profile of the larger-than-life personalities of the Pakistani army and their convenient love affair with extremist religious elements who gave birth to the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan. …
Abbas’s book is unique in that he is speaking as a Pakistani to his own people. In its most important form, the book is a truth-telling, undressing heroes, myths, and psychologies that school textbooks in Pakistan lionize. …
Abbas shows how, hours after its tumultuous birth as a nation separate from the largely Hindu India, Pakistan faced an identity crisis that has plagued it to this day. He shows how the two great tug-of-wars — between being Muslim or secular, being a democracy or a dictatorship — intertwined.
This, one senses, is the point of all the drama and history that Abbas regales his readers with, across the decades and fiascoes of Pakistan’s often back-stabbing, and occasionally virtuous, political and military leaders. …
The last chapter reads like a doctor writing a prescription. If Pakistan is to be saved from intolerant mullahs, it must make peace with India on Kashmir and reduce the role of the military in politics, despite the strong US support for Musharraf, a key ally in the war on terror.
“The people of Pakistan yearn for true democracy,” Abbas writes. “For this dream to become a reality, Pakistan’s military establishment has to take a back seat.”
If you are genuinely interested in the path to peace in South Asia, I recommend you bookmark Abbas’s page. I would love to know if readers have other resources to share. I would obviously love to hear from Pakistani-Americans reading this post. And if you have read Abbas’s book, I’d love to know what you thought of it.
Pakistan is a country in tough shape, for reasons that don’t need much repeating here. To the Pakistani political and military elite, I can’t wish much of anything good. To ordinary Pakistanis and the Pakistani diaspora, I wish a happy independence day and much fortitude.
Peace.
I certainly did not say that only Hindus beat their kids for kissing. There’s a section of Hindu society, as you well know, which supports the harassment of young couples in public in the name of ‘culture’.
Regions matter. I openly macked with a girl at a Gurgaon nightclub and at a bar in Bandra.
There are little Muslim villages like that all over West Bengal, which exist side by side with Hindu ones
Sweet but…India is also building a wall around Bangladesh to try to stop Bangladeshis from building more little villages. And bangladeshis are semi-hinduized for the most part. Many are recent converts during Brit rule.
And bangladeshis are semi-hinduized for the most part.
not in my experience. though it depends on what you mean by ‘semi-hinduized.’
also, let me be explicit, some bangladeshi practices, on average, resemble those of hindus. perhaps that means semi-hinduized. i don’t know (e.g., the use of a bengali nickname is normative). but most bangladeshis have contempt for hinduism, so it isn’t a “meet you in the middle” form of semi-hinduization.
Topcat,
No confusion with sharia here. There was a post on SM some time ago about couples in Mumbai on Valentine’s Day getting beaten up by police. There was a public outcry about it, however. There was also the case of the foreign couple who ‘macked’, in Risible’s words, at India Gate and were immediately deported. (And Risible, you’re right – I kissed my bf in urban areas and no one called the police). But if you want to deny the whole reality of this particular example, let’s take the Hindu hoodlums who violently shut down Deepa Mehta’s Water. They’re as dangerous and intolerant as many a Muslim fundamentalist.
Is Indian society strong enough at this point in history to openly sustain radically divergent viewpoints, and plenty of self-criticism? Yes. Are many, if not most, Muslim societies, at this point in history, too weak or corrupt or chaotic to do so? Yes. There I’m with you. It’s a far cry from saying this, though, to saying Islam can’t coexist with other religions.
but most bangladeshis have contempt for hinduism, so it isn’t a “meet you in the middle” form of semi-hinduization.
hehehe – a tribute to secularism if I ever saw one. Sometimes the truth does come out 🙂
But yeah Razib, I meant outward signs, eg. saris.
(And Risible, you’re right – I kissed my bf in urban areas and no one called the police). But if you want to deny the whole reality of this particular example, let’s take the Hindu hoodlums who violently shut down Deepa Mehta’s Water. They’re as dangerous and intolerant as many a Muslim fundamentalist.
No, I don’t doubt the reality, and i believe it should be condemned. But…I was in Delhi on Valentines Day, and the Punjabi women were out in force buying cards in South Extension, I even overheard one wondering what her hubby would get her. no protests at all there – so not its not like the radicals have the power to stop it entirely. Thats the benefit of the however imperfect democratic setup, no theocracy, etc. What IS disturbing is the Indian state banning films that particular constituencies might find offensive, eg. water, da vinci code.
Dharma Queen Since how long have you been to India? Also are you aware of the recent bomb blasts in Mumbai?
Ponniyin Selvan,
You asked “So, your point being ???”
I was looking for attention ;).
Wow! after reading the comments on this post, does someone still wonder why in the world minority feel insecure between us majority Indians?
Topcat,
Yes, am aware of the recent bomb blasts. If you are going to generalize from the few involved to all Muslims (again), please give it a rest.
Was last in India three years ago. Why?
Someone in a position to do so please inform Mr. Musharraf to remove his “Pakistani” troops from the NWF at once. What are they there for, anyway? “Terrorists”, I suppose? Musharraf is a terrorist on more than two counts I can say. The NWF can take care of itself to make sure no western “coalition terrorists”, as I call them, cross the land.
I can’t believe that Topcat (and others) are still belaboring the false fact that Islam cannot co-exist with other religions. The statement is blatantly absurd, because it goes against the very fundamentals of Islam. I am not going to post every reference here that refutes these ridiculous arguments; instead I am going to refer you several sources that include references from the Quran and Ahadith.
Islam is a Peaceful Religion Islam and Terrorism
A few references from the Quran that demonstrate the religion’s teachings on tolerance and freedom of religion:
Again:
In fact, a study of the Quran reveals that Islam advocates freedom of religion, not just to accept Islam, but to accept any other religion.
Also please see this article on freedom of conscience in Islam.
I also suggest that anyone interested in this subject read the book “Murder in the Name of Allah.” You can order it or read it online here. Here’s a summary:
If you do not have time to read this book, at least read the first chapter, if not that, at least read the part of the first chapter that begins with these words: “People who persecute in the name of religion are totally ignorant of the essence of religion. Religion is a metamorphosis of hearts.”
This is the Islam I believe in. Can I not co-exist with all the members of this illustrious discussion group?
I am certainly NOT defending the blatant misuse and distortion of Islam, nor would I ever agree with the terrorists and extremists who have systematically defiled Islam’s image. However, I will not waiver from my belief that a thorough, comprehensive study of Islam, based on the Quran, refutes any allegations Topcat and others (including fanatical Muslims themselves) make.
Islam is a message of peace. Of course, one must never confound the politics with religion. But Islamic nations have every right to defend themseleves in the face of relentless western imperialist behaviors with the excuse of fighting “terrorism”. Islam is a source of power for the young man who sees his land and that of his brothers decimated and ravaged by the enemy without mercy.
Islam cant coexist with other religions because according to islam: -christians are people who have incurred allah’s wrath -Idol worshippers like hindus are ignorant sinners According to the quran non-muslims (kafirs) are sinners and it is the duty of a true muslim to convert them. read this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafir
Here is an excerpt from quran: O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily God guideth not a people unjust.(5:51) This is an excerpt from Quran, chapter 5
Topcat,
I wanted some of the Muslims themselves on SM argue with you, as they have far more scholarly knowledge of their religion. Ismat has given some excellent points.
Sure, a lot of Muslim societies at present are quite violent in their expression sans mature democracies present within those societies. But I wanted to point you someone who was towering figure of peace, reform, justice, and nonviolence, and a Muslim from South Asia – Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, also known as Badshah Khan/ Bacha Khan/ Frontier Gandhi and his Khudai Khidmatgar. Khudai Khidmatgar was the largest nonviolent army ever assembled, close to 100,000. Some excerpts from Amitabbh Pal’s article [within quotes]:
If you grew up in Indian subcontinent/ South Asia, they is a beautiful folklore/ song, Kabuli Baba about a reformed Pathan bandit forming a fatherly bond with a small girl.
R.K.Khan – with your inflammatory rhetoric, you play straight into the hands of Topcat and those with views like his. Please do not defile your religion by associating it with young male dopes who think their violent and selfish ‘martyrdom’ will help their countries.
Topcat is not a scholar in this matter and so should keep his fingers away from the keyboard. Even Islamic scholars are having some trouble interpreting the message; but you, like an american or english ignoramus, think it’s all as simple as looking at a translation and that is it. Boy, don’t try to stir trouble. I have become inflamed on too many sites by people of your ilk. You are here for trouble rather than debate, I can see.
Kush,
Kabuli baba sounds a lot like Kabuliwallah – a wonderful story by Tagore, about a fruitseller from Kabul, stuck in Kolkata in order to make a living, and who is separated from his five year old daughter. He forms a bond with a little Hindu girl, who buys fruit from him. The Kabuliwallah, who keeps a handprint of his little daughter in his pocket, gets thrown into jail for something and comes out years later. In the last scene, he runs into the Hindu girl, now about to get married, who no longer recognizes him – as, Tagore implies, his own daughter will not. Heartbreaking. Is it the same story?
Kabuli baba sounds a lot like Kabuliwallah – a wonderful story by Tagore,
My bad, I meant Kabuliwallah. It was a typo, and also parts I got confused from a children’s song in India.
People hardly talk about Badshah Khan, and Kabuliwallah these days. The only one recently I heard from in English language media is Amartya Sen who wrote an Op-ed in New York Times 4-5 years ago and discussed all this. He even mentioned Kabuliwallah.
When Badshah Khan died, even the Soviet artillery was quiet so that the Pathans could mourn.
SM Administrator:
I would draw your attention to some ‘interesting’ entries on R.K.Khan’s blogspot. Some particularly distasteful remarks about Jews struck me. In fact, I feel downright sick to my stomach. I don’t know whether rabid antisemitism is enough to get someone banned, but I certainly hope so.
How can young Islamic men defend themselves? People are blaming Islam for everything, just what you’d expect given the zealous christian nature of the wests giants, US,UK. The crusade has not ceased for many of these white males. Even Ghandi, son of peace, was not advocating Zionist behaviors. Martyrdom and defense is not something exclusive to the Middle East. Asia should not defend itself? Maybe Topcat is one of those christian zionist evangelists, of whom there are more than 80M in the US alone..
I’m not an antisemite. Appellation/Classification Semite, as I am sure you are aware, is inclusive of Arabs as well. I am not an antisemite. I am anti-zionist Feel better?:)
Well Siddhartha, your reach-out thread has been very…er…informative. It’s all very real, maybe a little too real in here.
I guess this is for the Muslims posting here who claim that Islam is the religion of peace:
I want to be a Hindu who has the freedom to worship idols representing different divinities – I believe in the division of labor among divinities too. You can call it the caste system for gods. I also believe that Muhammad is not the seal of the prophets. Whether I believe in Hindu religious concepts is irrelevant. I merely want to preserve the right to worship who/what I want without interference.
How do you Muslims believe that a nation full of people like me should be treated? You (Ismat) have stated that the Quran states that there should not be compulsion in religion. Yet, the Quran (2:193) also states otherwise too. Do you believe that the Islamic statements that require a kafir to pay jaziya in a state of humiliation are wrong? Do you believe that the notion that a kafir must either convert to Islam or be killed is wrong?
I have read that there are Meccan verses that came earlier and are superseded by the later Medinan verses. During the Meccan period, Muhammad wanted to persuade(primarily) Jews to convert to Islam. But during the later Medinan period, he was militarily powerful enough to not require the path of persuasion. An analogy would be that the US was in an alliance with the Soviets from 1941 through 1945, but fell out and was in a state of hostility after that. It would have been ridiculous to tell an American scientist in say 1965 that he should share secret weaponry with the Soviets because FDR was an ally of Stalin. The people who would make that argument would be either subversive Soviets or disaffected Americans. No loyal American would have made that argument. It would be equally ridiculous to ask a Muslim to follow the Meccan verses when they were overridden by the Medinan verses. Is 2:256 a Meccan or Medinan verse? If it is a Meccan verse, and I have read that it is, isn’t it bad form to use it on a kafir?
PLEASE DO NOT ADDRESS “ALL MUSLIMS” OR “ALL HINDUS” WITH YOUR COMMENTS. RESPOND TO INDVIDUAL COMMENTS. INTOLERANT COMMENTS WILL BE DELETED AND COMMENTERS BANNED.