Dutch MP Geert Wilders, known for his anti-Islamic views, has chosen the word 'Fitna' as the new title for his 15-minute, explosive anti-Islamic film to be released in March. The word fitna is Arabic and occurs a number of times in the Quran, referring to spreading malice or having malicious intent.
According to Mr Wilders, “I insisted on using a phrase that’s also found in the Koran. Islam and the Koran are my ordeal. I use the term in an inverse sense… For me the poisonous Koran is fitna.”
The 15-minute movie will apparently contain an animated cartoon of the prophet Mohammed, and some Dutch media have suggested that the end will show Wilders burning a copy of the Quran.
Fearing an international backlash against the Netherlands, the Dutch government already has instructed its embassies worldwide on how to act after the movie has been released. Security at Dutch embassies is to be increased, while Wilders has been advised to go into hiding abroad after the movie is released. Wilders is already under constant security protection since 2004 because of threats to his life due to his very vocal criticism of Islam in the wake of the murder of Dutch film director Theo Van Gogh.
The debate between provocation and freedom of expression is a very interesting one and has been ongoing for quite some time now, but the question is where do we draw the line? There is a serious need for engaging in reflection and constructive dialogue over this. In the same context, what would we call this movie, freedom of speech or fitna?
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Obama: Threat to Pakistan?
I've seen a lot of support for Obama in the press and media, and especially by so many Pakistanis living in the U.S. While I like him compared to Clinton (and any Republican) on a number of important issues, what is really bothering me is his stand in support of bombing targets inside Pakistan territory if Islamabad is not willing to cooperate.
He said on Tuesday, “I never said I would bomb Pakistan. What I said was that if we have actionable intelligence against (Osama) bin Laden or other key Al Qaeda officials and Pakistan is unwilling or unable to strike against them, we should."
Striking targets inside the territory of a sovereign country? Is that not arrogance? And yet Pakistanis abroad support Obama. Why?
He said on Tuesday, “I never said I would bomb Pakistan. What I said was that if we have actionable intelligence against (Osama) bin Laden or other key Al Qaeda officials and Pakistan is unwilling or unable to strike against them, we should."
Striking targets inside the territory of a sovereign country? Is that not arrogance? And yet Pakistanis abroad support Obama. Why?
Monday, February 25, 2008
Out'bursts'!
By now six nights have passed since the result of the elections were announced, yet there is no reprieve from the loud noise of Klashinkov and TT bursts that seem to be echoing all over Karachi till the wee hours of the morning. I had no idea ordinary people had so much weaponry and ammunition to use with such impunity in expressing their jubilation that there is a total disregard for public peace or safety.
How exactly are we different from our tribal neighbours?
How exactly are we different from our tribal neighbours?
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Management Gem 1
One of the first things to frustrate me after taking on managing a team of people for the first time back in late 2005 was how difficult it was to be pleased with the work of other individuals. No matter what the task, I was simply never satisfied with the quality I expected. After a number of frustrating weeks I realized I was simply trying to create my clones here.
The key learning for me has been to realize that managing people is not about getting them to perform as good as you think you can, but as good as they can. It's been great fun managing since then and developing people by helping them to realize their own true potential.
The key learning for me has been to realize that managing people is not about getting them to perform as good as you think you can, but as good as they can. It's been great fun managing since then and developing people by helping them to realize their own true potential.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Origins of the word 'Assassins'
I was reading an interesting letter in Dawn yesterday, commenting on Jawed Naqvi's article tracing back the origins of the word Assassins. Accurate or not, it nevertheless gives an interesting version:
A breakaway section of the Fatimids (the followers of Nizam, the 19th Ismaili Imam) was trying to establish a sovereign Ismaili state independent of Egypt. It was after Imam Nizar’s (487 AH - 490 AH) murder that Hassan B. Saba, a staunch adherent, did not accept sovereignty of his brother, Imam Mustaali, who succeeded as 20th head of the sect and escaped to Persia making Persian Ismailis autonomous of Fatimids.
B. Saba’s (1034 - 1124) endeavor was to establish Nizari Ismaili ascendancy in Persia. Saba created a sect from a bunch of die-hard Fedayeens he collected, who after inhaling intoxicant potion of Hashish were prepared to offer lives at the order of the master. These Fedayeens moved freely in adjacent territories targeting their adversaries at will. Their targets were generals and statesmen or any prominent persons who were considered opposing them in achieving their objective. The Nizari sect rose in Persia as a result and its influence extended up to Syria Nusayriyya Mountains where they held many hill forts.
These Fedayeens were eventually named by the Crusaders as Hashishins or Assassins and with this appellation they became part of modern lexicon.
A breakaway section of the Fatimids (the followers of Nizam, the 19th Ismaili Imam) was trying to establish a sovereign Ismaili state independent of Egypt. It was after Imam Nizar’s (487 AH - 490 AH) murder that Hassan B. Saba, a staunch adherent, did not accept sovereignty of his brother, Imam Mustaali, who succeeded as 20th head of the sect and escaped to Persia making Persian Ismailis autonomous of Fatimids.
B. Saba’s (1034 - 1124) endeavor was to establish Nizari Ismaili ascendancy in Persia. Saba created a sect from a bunch of die-hard Fedayeens he collected, who after inhaling intoxicant potion of Hashish were prepared to offer lives at the order of the master. These Fedayeens moved freely in adjacent territories targeting their adversaries at will. Their targets were generals and statesmen or any prominent persons who were considered opposing them in achieving their objective. The Nizari sect rose in Persia as a result and its influence extended up to Syria Nusayriyya Mountains where they held many hill forts.
These Fedayeens were eventually named by the Crusaders as Hashishins or Assassins and with this appellation they became part of modern lexicon.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Excerpt from The Alchemist
"I'm the King of Salem," the old man said.
"Why would a king be talking with a shepherd?" the boy asked, awed and embarassed.
"For several reasons. But let's say that the most important is that you have succeeded in discovering your destiny."
The boy didn't know what a person's 'destiny' was.
"It's what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their destiny is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their destiny."
None of what the old man was saying made much sense to the boy. But he wanted to know what the 'mysterious force' was.
"It's a force that appears to be negative, but actually shows you how to realize your destiny. It prepares your spirit and your will, because there is one great truth on this planet; whoever you are, or whatever it is you want to do, when you really want something, it's because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It's your mission on earth."
"Even when all you want to do is travel?"
"Yes, or even search for treasure. The Soul of the World is nourished by people's happiness. And also by unhappiness, envy, and jealousy. To realize one's destiny is a person's only real obligation. All things are one. And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
They were both silent for a time, observing the plaza and the townspeople. It was the old man who spoke first.
"Why do you tend to a flock of sheep?"
"Because I like to travel."
The old man pointed to a baker standing in his shop window at one corner of the plaza. "When he was a child, he wanted to travel too. But he decided first to buy his bakery and put some money aside. When he's an old man, he's going to spend a month in Africa. He never realized that people are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of."
"He should have decided to become a shepherd," the boy said.
"Well, he thought about that," the old man said. "But bakers are more important people than shepherds. Bakers have homes, while shepherds sleep out in the open. Parents would rather see their children marry bakers than shepherds. "
The boy felt a pang in his heart, thinking about the merchant's daughter. There surely must be a baker in her town.
The old man continued, "In the long run, what people think about shepherds and bakers becomes more important to them than their own destinies."
"Why are you telling me all this?" the boy asked.
"Because you are trying to realize your destiny. And you are at the point where you are about to give it all up."
"Why would a king be talking with a shepherd?" the boy asked, awed and embarassed.
"For several reasons. But let's say that the most important is that you have succeeded in discovering your destiny."
The boy didn't know what a person's 'destiny' was.
"It's what you have always wanted to accomplish. Everyone, when they are young, knows what their destiny is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives. But, as time passes, a mysterious force begins to convince them that it will be impossible for them to realize their destiny."
None of what the old man was saying made much sense to the boy. But he wanted to know what the 'mysterious force' was.
"It's a force that appears to be negative, but actually shows you how to realize your destiny. It prepares your spirit and your will, because there is one great truth on this planet; whoever you are, or whatever it is you want to do, when you really want something, it's because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It's your mission on earth."
"Even when all you want to do is travel?"
"Yes, or even search for treasure. The Soul of the World is nourished by people's happiness. And also by unhappiness, envy, and jealousy. To realize one's destiny is a person's only real obligation. All things are one. And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it."
They were both silent for a time, observing the plaza and the townspeople. It was the old man who spoke first.
"Why do you tend to a flock of sheep?"
"Because I like to travel."
The old man pointed to a baker standing in his shop window at one corner of the plaza. "When he was a child, he wanted to travel too. But he decided first to buy his bakery and put some money aside. When he's an old man, he's going to spend a month in Africa. He never realized that people are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of."
"He should have decided to become a shepherd," the boy said.
"Well, he thought about that," the old man said. "But bakers are more important people than shepherds. Bakers have homes, while shepherds sleep out in the open. Parents would rather see their children marry bakers than shepherds. "
The boy felt a pang in his heart, thinking about the merchant's daughter. There surely must be a baker in her town.
The old man continued, "In the long run, what people think about shepherds and bakers becomes more important to them than their own destinies."
"Why are you telling me all this?" the boy asked.
"Because you are trying to realize your destiny. And you are at the point where you are about to give it all up."
Saturday, August 19, 2006
...
The boy knew a lot of people in the city. That is what made travelling appeal to him - he always made new friends, and he didn't need to spend all his time with them. When someone sees the same people everyday they become part of that person's life. And then they want the want the person to change. If someone isn't what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.
- The Alchemist
Paolo Coelho
- The Alchemist
Paolo Coelho
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Chained
Silly me, so much has been happening while I've been sleeping!
No wonder I can't see my published page on Blogger. If it hadn't been for Samina Perozani's article on the Science page in Dawn I'd have continued to think there was something messed up with the internet settings accessing Blogger from Pakistan.
It so happens that Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), as ordered by the Supreme Court, instructed ISPs around the country on March 2, 2006 to block all websites that contained the highly controversial blasphemous caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad previously published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. Result: blogger.com came under attack because a few weblogs hosted by this site contained these cartoons.
Yet another attack on the freedom of expression - not just as per the right granted in the U.N. Charter, but also in violation of the Constitution of Pakistan.
“Man is born free but everywhere he is in chains”
No wonder I can't see my published page on Blogger. If it hadn't been for Samina Perozani's article on the Science page in Dawn I'd have continued to think there was something messed up with the internet settings accessing Blogger from Pakistan.
It so happens that Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), as ordered by the Supreme Court, instructed ISPs around the country on March 2, 2006 to block all websites that contained the highly controversial blasphemous caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad previously published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. Result: blogger.com came under attack because a few weblogs hosted by this site contained these cartoons.
Yet another attack on the freedom of expression - not just as per the right granted in the U.N. Charter, but also in violation of the Constitution of Pakistan.
“Man is born free but everywhere he is in chains”
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