i've been thinking about skipping the farewell - for those of you who don't know what it is, it's the LUMS equivalent of the "prom", without the dates - anyway...been thinking about missing it. last year was great, it ran on for too long, but things went well - and we threw a good after-party. this year, the party might not even happen. apparently planning isn't the 2007s forte, thus they don't have money to do anything other then a measly dinner and a title! since all i was looking forward to was the party, i might as well skip the whole shingding if there isn't one, go home, get some time with the parents, something i haven't done in a while.
even if i manage to forget the party fiasco, and do attend the dinner, all dressed up in a sari, with hair all perfect and dressed to the hilt, i'm going to get bored halfway through the 430 titles. yep, 430 people will be called on stage to recieve a title - something people may or may not have suggested for them, mostly its a randomly picked song. we suggested that we could skip the whole title thing this year, why does everyone have to walk on stage like there's a parade happening. but when the organizers (the 2007s) suggested it to the rest of my class, supposedly things were thrown at them...which is just stupid!
so there went my brilliant plan of just having a concert and dinner, now we have to sit through at least 7 hours of titles (1 minute per person (yeah right!) = 430 minutes or 7.something hours). thus, i'm thinking about skipping it - after all, it's not a life altering experience...most of us will end up pissed at each other for one thing or the other, the food wil not be eaten (who can eat in a sari?) and the only tangible thing that we'll get will be that one picture we get taken by the photographer at the photo booth (which i've heard they also don't have money for!).
but i know that skipping it will mean i will have to hear the question "but why?" atleast a million times (ok, maybe just a few hundred) between the event and graduation...i'll probably make history - no one misses their farewell - and end up becoming the outcast in the group...no pictures to share, no "d'you remember blah" conversations...
so...still undecided... :)
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Monday, April 24, 2006
Raju...
For a creative writing class, we had to write about someone on the periphery of our lives - then we were told to alter it based on the feedback we got from the teacher/TA/class.
Original:
His day probably starts close to dawn, a trip to the market, a bike ride to LUMS. By the time the rest of us wake up and get to the store - for breakfast, or an early lunch - he's midway through his day, though you couldn't tell that from the way he reacts on seeing each and everyone of his customers. Always a smile, a reference to the previous week or the latest serial on TV. In the five minutes that you are in front of him, you have his attention, even if he has a backlog of orders he has to get to.
You would think, in all this talking, that he would mention his life, but he doesn't. That's because during the day, he's one of the students, not a worker in LUMS who has to go back to a life where he can barely support his family, but someone who relates to the average person in front of him. And for the students, thats who he is, he's the happy guy at the counter and if that's what he has to limit himself to, he will.
But if you sit in the store and try and look deeper, you'll see the stubborn spirit in him, the one that tells him to not care about authority and do things his way, you'll see the wistful looks at the new watches and mobiles everyone's sporting nowadays, the side glance at that hot girl who just ordered a juice, the stolen berries he just popped into his mouth and thinks no one noticed.
If you dig deeper, you can see who he is, and forget his circumstances, and that he's behind the counter and not in front of it. He really is no different than everyone else in this place, he doesn't have to try.
Altered:
The day starts close to dawn, a trip to the market, a bike ride to LUMS. By the time the customers start walking into the store - for breakfast, or an early lunch - it's midway through the day, but the smile doesn't reflect that. "Every customer is special, everyone must be talked to", the mantra goes through his head, "Orders can be caught up with later. Who's that new kid walking in the door? Never seen him before! Salam boss, freshie ho?"
You would think, in all this talking, that he would mention his life, but he doesn't. That's because during the day, he's one of the students, not a worker in LUMS who has to go back to a life where he can barely support his family, but someone who relates to the average person in front of him. And for these students, that's who he is. The happy guy at the counter...
"Raju this, Raju that"...the litany never stops. But somethings make it worth the while. The students treating him like he's part of the gang. Being at the front line, watching it all happen. Joining in the revelry as the LUMS teams beat GIKI again. All this makes it worth it.
It's hard sometimes. Watching all the kids go about their life without a care. A four year education gauranteed by their parent's bank accounts. But if he tries hard enough, he can be just like them, share a few laughs with the popular kids, eat the same food they eat, feel like he belongs.
But there's stubborn spirit in him, the one that tells him to not care about authority and do things his way, there are wistful looks at the new watches and mobiles everyone's sporting nowadays, the side glance at that hot girl who just ordered a juice, the stolen berries no one notices.
Dig deeper, and the real him is right there. Forget that he's behind the counter and not in front of it. He really is no different than everyone else in this place, he doesn't have to try.
I liked the original better - anyway - we don't get graded on assignments during the course, so have no idea how I did...but me is liking this class :)
Original:
His day probably starts close to dawn, a trip to the market, a bike ride to LUMS. By the time the rest of us wake up and get to the store - for breakfast, or an early lunch - he's midway through his day, though you couldn't tell that from the way he reacts on seeing each and everyone of his customers. Always a smile, a reference to the previous week or the latest serial on TV. In the five minutes that you are in front of him, you have his attention, even if he has a backlog of orders he has to get to.
You would think, in all this talking, that he would mention his life, but he doesn't. That's because during the day, he's one of the students, not a worker in LUMS who has to go back to a life where he can barely support his family, but someone who relates to the average person in front of him. And for the students, thats who he is, he's the happy guy at the counter and if that's what he has to limit himself to, he will.
But if you sit in the store and try and look deeper, you'll see the stubborn spirit in him, the one that tells him to not care about authority and do things his way, you'll see the wistful looks at the new watches and mobiles everyone's sporting nowadays, the side glance at that hot girl who just ordered a juice, the stolen berries he just popped into his mouth and thinks no one noticed.
If you dig deeper, you can see who he is, and forget his circumstances, and that he's behind the counter and not in front of it. He really is no different than everyone else in this place, he doesn't have to try.
Altered:
The day starts close to dawn, a trip to the market, a bike ride to LUMS. By the time the customers start walking into the store - for breakfast, or an early lunch - it's midway through the day, but the smile doesn't reflect that. "Every customer is special, everyone must be talked to", the mantra goes through his head, "Orders can be caught up with later. Who's that new kid walking in the door? Never seen him before! Salam boss, freshie ho?"
You would think, in all this talking, that he would mention his life, but he doesn't. That's because during the day, he's one of the students, not a worker in LUMS who has to go back to a life where he can barely support his family, but someone who relates to the average person in front of him. And for these students, that's who he is. The happy guy at the counter...
"Raju this, Raju that"...the litany never stops. But somethings make it worth the while. The students treating him like he's part of the gang. Being at the front line, watching it all happen. Joining in the revelry as the LUMS teams beat GIKI again. All this makes it worth it.
It's hard sometimes. Watching all the kids go about their life without a care. A four year education gauranteed by their parent's bank accounts. But if he tries hard enough, he can be just like them, share a few laughs with the popular kids, eat the same food they eat, feel like he belongs.
But there's stubborn spirit in him, the one that tells him to not care about authority and do things his way, there are wistful looks at the new watches and mobiles everyone's sporting nowadays, the side glance at that hot girl who just ordered a juice, the stolen berries no one notices.
Dig deeper, and the real him is right there. Forget that he's behind the counter and not in front of it. He really is no different than everyone else in this place, he doesn't have to try.
I liked the original better - anyway - we don't get graded on assignments during the course, so have no idea how I did...but me is liking this class :)
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Overload...
Finally, the overload concert pics are online. cool looking team, no? The two lines of people at the back are mostly security and roadies, the most important people in the Music Society :P
Friday, April 14, 2006
Thursday, April 13, 2006
...
don't shoot the puppy
who makes these game?? having said that - it is a must to get to level 14! hilarious!
who makes these game?? having said that - it is a must to get to level 14! hilarious!
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Sunday, April 02, 2006
overload...
last night was another insanely crazy night for the lums music society. the concert, was amazing. i'm too tired to write too much about how it went, but i've heard from people who were there - i was at the gate - that it was great music...and great security - YAY!
the band "overload" is different from the rest as it has in it, pappu saeen, who is plays the dhol. this was my first time watching him perform, and even though i was only there for the last ten minutes or so, it was really really awesome. hehe..that seems like an understatement here. there's really no describing the music, it's just great. there's a post on metroblogging lahore is you want to know more about him.
a huge thanks to the newly recruited security team who had the most difficult first day possible...you guys were awesome!!
the pic i'm putting up, i found on salman suhail's pc, hope he doesn't mind :P
pappu saeen
the band "overload" is different from the rest as it has in it, pappu saeen, who is plays the dhol. this was my first time watching him perform, and even though i was only there for the last ten minutes or so, it was really really awesome. hehe..that seems like an understatement here. there's really no describing the music, it's just great. there's a post on metroblogging lahore is you want to know more about him.
a huge thanks to the newly recruited security team who had the most difficult first day possible...you guys were awesome!!
the pic i'm putting up, i found on salman suhail's pc, hope he doesn't mind :P
pappu saeenSaturday, April 01, 2006
MC Apartment
Hey - After having seens Kurt's random attempts at trying to figure out where the MC apartment is, I finally decided to take pity on everyone trying to guide him and post the picture up myself :P
*finally got the postcard, the office says thank you*
Thursday, March 30, 2006
evaluation of last year
This is late in the year...I filled it out in Jan but didn't think I should post it, but it's just lying there so I will...
1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before? lemme see...did a lot of new things. most significantly, i rode a "fun bus" (so named by nicole, because they look like "fun"! you've probably seen them in websites about pk - they're all coloured and stuff) in karachi. most significantly because i'd never considered riding one till she suggested it.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? never make any :) - i just take one day at a time
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? one of my cousins, a boy :)
4. Did anyone close to you die? no...
5. What countries did you visit? romania, india, uae
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005? nothing, can't think of anything i'd want that i don't already have...
7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? september 27, 2005! opening ceremony for IC 2005 is something i'll never be able to forget...the sheer magnitude of the conference, and the emotions it brought out in the Pakistani delegation - woohoo!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? have never been caught smuggling in visiting aiesecers (always female!) who stay overnight in my room, about 12 or so to date, and if i'm caught 1500 rs fine per person/per night...and a visit with the disciplinary committee (something i JUST found out!).
9. What was your biggest failure? i let a friendship die out because i was too busy with everything else...
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? the usual colds, sore throats, a minor ear infection, a foot problem i have right now...nothing serious.
11. What was the best thing you bought? my nomad - which i have already broken!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? tori and delia - the hottest MC in the world! they've been through everything these last 6-8 months, and i've actually come to think of them as pakistanis!
13.Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? a friends...no names :)
14.Where did most of your money go? travelling
15.What did you get really, really, really excited about? winning LCP elections, both times!
16.What song will always remind you of 2005? the bunty n bubli soundtrack...sounds dumb - but it's so darn catchy!
17.Compared to this time last year,
I. are you happier or sadder? same same
II. thinner or fatter? fatter :)
III. richer or poorer? no change
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? hanging out with friends
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? getting scolded by parents...!
20. Did you fall in love in 2005? nope...
21. How many one-night stands? none...good girl!
22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? nopes...
23. What was the best book you read? hmm...all four of dan browns book - can't remember which one i read when though
24. What was your greatest musical discovery? james blunt!
25. What did you want and get? funky new wallet and the nomad
26. What did you want and not get? laptop! boohoo!
27. What was your favorite film of this year? bunty n bubli! i know - kill me!! it's funny!!
28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? turned 22, got a cool bag...
29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? a laptop!
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005? same old, same old...jeans and t-shirts...
31. What kept you sane? who said i was sane?
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? that guy in lost - the doctor..something fox
33. What political issue stirred you the most? the mis-management of resources after the earthquake took place. people were actually burning the clothes we sent because there were too many for them to use - had this been better managed, we might've been able to help more before it snowed!
34. Who did you miss? weirdly enough - fahd majeed, a friend who moved to the states!
35. Who was the best new person you met? met a lot of amazing people, but nicole was undoubtedly the best! superstar!!
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005: never assume how people will react.
1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before? lemme see...did a lot of new things. most significantly, i rode a "fun bus" (so named by nicole, because they look like "fun"! you've probably seen them in websites about pk - they're all coloured and stuff) in karachi. most significantly because i'd never considered riding one till she suggested it.
2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? never make any :) - i just take one day at a time
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? one of my cousins, a boy :)
4. Did anyone close to you die? no...
5. What countries did you visit? romania, india, uae
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005? nothing, can't think of anything i'd want that i don't already have...
7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? september 27, 2005! opening ceremony for IC 2005 is something i'll never be able to forget...the sheer magnitude of the conference, and the emotions it brought out in the Pakistani delegation - woohoo!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? have never been caught smuggling in visiting aiesecers (always female!) who stay overnight in my room, about 12 or so to date, and if i'm caught 1500 rs fine per person/per night...and a visit with the disciplinary committee (something i JUST found out!).
9. What was your biggest failure? i let a friendship die out because i was too busy with everything else...
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? the usual colds, sore throats, a minor ear infection, a foot problem i have right now...nothing serious.
11. What was the best thing you bought? my nomad - which i have already broken!
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? tori and delia - the hottest MC in the world! they've been through everything these last 6-8 months, and i've actually come to think of them as pakistanis!
13.Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? a friends...no names :)
14.Where did most of your money go? travelling
15.What did you get really, really, really excited about? winning LCP elections, both times!
16.What song will always remind you of 2005? the bunty n bubli soundtrack...sounds dumb - but it's so darn catchy!
17.Compared to this time last year,
I. are you happier or sadder? same same
II. thinner or fatter? fatter :)
III. richer or poorer? no change
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? hanging out with friends
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? getting scolded by parents...!
20. Did you fall in love in 2005? nope...
21. How many one-night stands? none...good girl!
22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? nopes...
23. What was the best book you read? hmm...all four of dan browns book - can't remember which one i read when though
24. What was your greatest musical discovery? james blunt!
25. What did you want and get? funky new wallet and the nomad
26. What did you want and not get? laptop! boohoo!
27. What was your favorite film of this year? bunty n bubli! i know - kill me!! it's funny!!
28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? turned 22, got a cool bag...
29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? a laptop!
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005? same old, same old...jeans and t-shirts...
31. What kept you sane? who said i was sane?
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? that guy in lost - the doctor..something fox
33. What political issue stirred you the most? the mis-management of resources after the earthquake took place. people were actually burning the clothes we sent because there were too many for them to use - had this been better managed, we might've been able to help more before it snowed!
34. Who did you miss? weirdly enough - fahd majeed, a friend who moved to the states!
35. Who was the best new person you met? met a lot of amazing people, but nicole was undoubtedly the best! superstar!!
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005: never assume how people will react.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
wacky...
i am so bored right now, it's not even funny. and i know most people will be thinking, why isn't she asleep yet (it's 3 am here), but i can't! i have to be up at 8:30 and get ready for the training session for our new members, and if i sleep now i won't wake up on time...and that can't happen. so i'll stay awake. tomorrow's pretty free anyway, so i can..
coming back to the point, i'm really bored. i've been playing "fish tycoon" for a couple of hours now, but it's not something you can do on it's own, so i also played AoE, checked my emails, prepared the sessions for tomorrow, updated the @lhr blog, and sorted out through 500mb of unsorted documents...but now i have nothing to do. so i went on google, and searched for "bored"...and very interestingly, i came up with this wacky website. i'm really tempted to try some of this stuff out now...
coming back to the point, i'm really bored. i've been playing "fish tycoon" for a couple of hours now, but it's not something you can do on it's own, so i also played AoE, checked my emails, prepared the sessions for tomorrow, updated the @lhr blog, and sorted out through 500mb of unsorted documents...but now i have nothing to do. so i went on google, and searched for "bored"...and very interestingly, i came up with this wacky website. i'm really tempted to try some of this stuff out now...
Friday, March 17, 2006
Sunday, March 12, 2006
if you're looking for a laugh...
all i had to do was tell naureen i liked guinea pigs...now i'll never be able to look at guinea pig's the same way ever again. check out "the guinea pig way" to see what i'm talking about...
Saturday, March 04, 2006
old pics...
while sorting out the many files that i have to upload/change/delete, i came across some pics from last summer...
first...rusty - found behind the tire of a car, brought to me while i was in a coffee shop by some friends and then stayed in my room in the dorms for two weeks, and then moved to islamabad for another couple of weeks before some moron drove to fast in a residential lane and probably didn't even realize he ran over a three month old kitten...anyway - found the two pics i took of him...
rusty
rusty and uzair (my nephew)
the other pictures are from the annual family migration to "dunga gali", a small city in the northern areas where my uncle has a house which gets filled to capacity during certain weeks in the summer...we only went for a few days 
this time - and as usual, nothing even remotely interesting happened - except for the leopards that attacked some village women and managed to kill a few goats, which resulted in my mom refusing to let any of us even venture outside the front door - thus making the already boring trip a maha-boring one! atleast we had our dvd player, books, cell phones on us. anyway - took these pics on the way back...the weather was really nice and the scenery was jst awesome...
first...rusty - found behind the tire of a car, brought to me while i was in a coffee shop by some friends and then stayed in my room in the dorms for two weeks, and then moved to islamabad for another couple of weeks before some moron drove to fast in a residential lane and probably didn't even realize he ran over a three month old kitten...anyway - found the two pics i took of him...
rusty
rusty and uzair (my nephew) 
the other pictures are from the annual family migration to "dunga gali", a small city in the northern areas where my uncle has a house which gets filled to capacity during certain weeks in the summer...we only went for a few days 
this time - and as usual, nothing even remotely interesting happened - except for the leopards that attacked some village women and managed to kill a few goats, which resulted in my mom refusing to let any of us even venture outside the front door - thus making the already boring trip a maha-boring one! atleast we had our dvd player, books, cell phones on us. anyway - took these pics on the way back...the weather was really nice and the scenery was jst awesome...
Saturday, February 25, 2006
johari window...
the johari window was invented by joseph luft and harrington ingham in the 1950s as a model for mapping personality awareness. by describing yourself from a fixed list of adjectives, then asking your friends and colleagues to describe you from the same list, a grid of overlap and difference can be built up.
saw kurt's...and thought it was an interesting thing to do... so here's the link to mine :)
in other news - i have three exams in the next 72 hours...
saw kurt's...and thought it was an interesting thing to do... so here's the link to mine :)
in other news - i have three exams in the next 72 hours...
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
...
i was recently emailed this statement a groups of islamic scholars released regarding the cartoons published in the danish newspapers. thanks ahmad :)
i still don't have an official stance on the whole issue, but this statement makes me feel slightly more positive about the muslim world and it's response...there are quite a few things in the statement i agree with, but some i don't...an interesting read...
i still don't have an official stance on the whole issue, but this statement makes me feel slightly more positive about the muslim world and it's response...there are quite a few things in the statement i agree with, but some i don't...an interesting read...
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Two die in Pakistan cartoon clash
"Pakistani security guards have shot dead two protesters in Lahore during unrest over cartoons satirising the Prophet Muhammad, officials say." Read more here
Most AIESEC Lahore members have been contacted and are safe, we're still trying to contact others.
Those who have families based in Islamabad are being contacted.
Most AIESEC Lahore members have been contacted and are safe, we're still trying to contact others.
Those who have families based in Islamabad are being contacted.
Monday, February 13, 2006
There's been some interesting debate amongst the LUMS instructors over the caricatures of the Prophet (sws). Here's some emails...
"I agree that freedom of expression is indeed a fundamental right of any
human being or society. However, limitations have quite often been used in
many laws and constitutions of democratic societies to uphold restrictions
on hate speech and obscenity. In French law, public speech or writings
that incite racial or religious hatred, for example neo-nazi ideas, are
prohibited on the same basis. Similarly, Article 5 of the German
Grundgestez ("basic Law") includes some restrictions on free speech, for
example personal insults or hate speech (Volksverhetzung). The Irish
Constitution categorizes "blasphemous, seditious, or indecent matter" as
that which cannot be granted the right of free expression. In fact, on
July 18, 2003 Dorota Nieznalska was sentenced to six months in Poland for
publishing an art work that showed a penis on a cross, which was
considered to be an insult to religious sentiments. Similarly, On January
5, 2005 another man was sentenced to a fine of about 5000 euros for
insulting Pope John Paul II. The European Convention on Human Rights
(November 4, 1950) sums up many of these restrictions on freedom of
expression:
The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and
responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions,
restrictions or penalties as areprescribed by law and are necessary in a
democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial
integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for
the protection of health or moralsfor the protection of the reputation or
the rights of others,for preventing the disclosure of information received
in confidence, or for maintaining the authorityand impartiality of the
judiciary. [Emphasis mine]
How exactly should the Muslims and their governments protest against the
publication of these cartoons is a separate question. The fact that some
Muslims resorted to arson is indeed wrong. But, it would be unfortunate if
that made the world forget the most important thing about free society:
that all humans have certain inalienable rights; but, they also have some
basic responsibilities. It is on the basis of this principle that we
regard calling a black man a nigger or a Jew a kike as indecency rather
than free speech as such, for all human experience has shown that, whether
we wish to criticize an idea or justify it, the all-important battle of
ideas can never truly be won without superior morality. The question,
therefore, is Couldn't the same ideas be expressed as effectively in a
decent way? Academic critiques on Islam and vociferous criticisms against
the Muslims by many renowned scholars (as Bernard Lewis for example, who
is still widely read in Pakistan) have shown us that they can be. However,
without responsibility, freedom can quite easily become what it was never
meant to be: indecency and oppression.
It must also be emphasised time and again that quite often it is we who
choose the shackles of slavery ourselves by the choices we make. It is
here that “Freedom is Slavery” (in Orwell’s words). Who is stopping the
Muslim world from making a strong statement economically? What is it that
we truly and really need from the West? Technology? Maybe. Maybe not. But,
at least, let's stop buying European products that are not our dire needs.
It became quite obvious after the Bajour bombing how much spine we have as
a people. Economic sense. Maybe. At least, that's some kind of twisted
justification. But, do we or do we not have any dignity? Can't we even
abandon the purchase of a few European luxuries to defend our Prophet's
sacred honour (sws)? Maybe I am just overreacting, but I don't think I saw
even half the emotion on this one that LUMS demonstrated in the wake of
the earthquake.
Asif Iftikhar
Lecturer, Islamic Studies"
Miguel replied to this (he's an instructor with the social sciences department and originally from portugal, though he's settled in Pk now).
"Thank you for your comments, Miguel. Since I completely agree that it is
not fair to make sweeping generalizations about any people, I apologize
for any statement that you might have seen as critical of all Europeans.
That was certainly not my intent. While suggesting a boycott of some
“European luxuries” I used the word “European” synecdochically and assumed
that it would be taken as such in the given context. Nevertheless, I
apologize if this point was not clear in my message. Furthermore, it would
be great if Muslims could make an impact on the concerned companies
directly. But, if that is not possible, I don’t see why it would be
against any democratic or civil norms to make our displeasure known to the
governments that “harbour” such miscreants as misuse the idea of freedom
to insult our Prophet (sws). The statement we’d be making through an
economic boycott would still be much more civil than “Either you are with
us or against us” rubric to illegally invade an independent country or
bombing on remote parts of an allied country to hunt down an elusive
phantom terrorist."
Best,
Asif
"I agree that freedom of expression is indeed a fundamental right of any
human being or society. However, limitations have quite often been used in
many laws and constitutions of democratic societies to uphold restrictions
on hate speech and obscenity. In French law, public speech or writings
that incite racial or religious hatred, for example neo-nazi ideas, are
prohibited on the same basis. Similarly, Article 5 of the German
Grundgestez ("basic Law") includes some restrictions on free speech, for
example personal insults or hate speech (Volksverhetzung). The Irish
Constitution categorizes "blasphemous, seditious, or indecent matter" as
that which cannot be granted the right of free expression. In fact, on
July 18, 2003 Dorota Nieznalska was sentenced to six months in Poland for
publishing an art work that showed a penis on a cross, which was
considered to be an insult to religious sentiments. Similarly, On January
5, 2005 another man was sentenced to a fine of about 5000 euros for
insulting Pope John Paul II. The European Convention on Human Rights
(November 4, 1950) sums up many of these restrictions on freedom of
expression:
The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and
responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions,
restrictions or penalties as areprescribed by law and are necessary in a
democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial
integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for
the protection of health or moralsfor the protection of the reputation or
the rights of others,for preventing the disclosure of information received
in confidence, or for maintaining the authorityand impartiality of the
judiciary. [Emphasis mine]
How exactly should the Muslims and their governments protest against the
publication of these cartoons is a separate question. The fact that some
Muslims resorted to arson is indeed wrong. But, it would be unfortunate if
that made the world forget the most important thing about free society:
that all humans have certain inalienable rights; but, they also have some
basic responsibilities. It is on the basis of this principle that we
regard calling a black man a nigger or a Jew a kike as indecency rather
than free speech as such, for all human experience has shown that, whether
we wish to criticize an idea or justify it, the all-important battle of
ideas can never truly be won without superior morality. The question,
therefore, is Couldn't the same ideas be expressed as effectively in a
decent way? Academic critiques on Islam and vociferous criticisms against
the Muslims by many renowned scholars (as Bernard Lewis for example, who
is still widely read in Pakistan) have shown us that they can be. However,
without responsibility, freedom can quite easily become what it was never
meant to be: indecency and oppression.
It must also be emphasised time and again that quite often it is we who
choose the shackles of slavery ourselves by the choices we make. It is
here that “Freedom is Slavery” (in Orwell’s words). Who is stopping the
Muslim world from making a strong statement economically? What is it that
we truly and really need from the West? Technology? Maybe. Maybe not. But,
at least, let's stop buying European products that are not our dire needs.
It became quite obvious after the Bajour bombing how much spine we have as
a people. Economic sense. Maybe. At least, that's some kind of twisted
justification. But, do we or do we not have any dignity? Can't we even
abandon the purchase of a few European luxuries to defend our Prophet's
sacred honour (sws)? Maybe I am just overreacting, but I don't think I saw
even half the emotion on this one that LUMS demonstrated in the wake of
the earthquake.
Asif Iftikhar
Lecturer, Islamic Studies"
Miguel replied to this (he's an instructor with the social sciences department and originally from portugal, though he's settled in Pk now).
"As a "European" and a Muslim let me elucidate some points:
First of all, as we are supposedly all inteligent and well-read people (we do attend a university) I'm pleased to see that very few people at LUMS buy the "Clash of Civilisations" theory (where do the Mediterraneans like me fit?). But it is as erroneous as to generalise about Arabs and Muslims as it is talking about a unified "West" or even a generalised "Europeans". There is a stark difference between Southern, Northern and Eastern Europe. Just because some countries have strong economic (and in the near future legislative) ties, does not mean we are "one".
Secondly, the vast majority of "Europeans" are against these cartoons, for the simple fact that they would not like their own beliefs to be ridiculed. Also, they know when newspapers are reprinting stories for the sake of "freedom of expression", or for the sake of making a quick buck.
Thirdly, all the newspapers that printed the cartoons are private companies that have very little to do with the governments ruling these countries. And although stopping consuming their commodities is a very good way to get the message through (hit them where it hurts), it will not directly affect these newspapers.
What is interesting is that during the Iraq invasion discontent Muslims all over the world had the possibility of having a bigger impact by boycoting American companies (many which contributed monetarily for the present administration's re-election campaign) and did nothing.
You see, it's always easier to burn a few flags than to stop drinking Coca-Cola ($1 million contributions) or Pepsi ($2 million), eating McDonald's ($0.8 million), using Windows ($0.7 million), Dell computers ($0.4 million), putting Chevron/Texaco ($2.4 million), or Exxon/Mobil/Esso ($2.8 million) in your car, or smoking Phillip Morris ($6.9 million).
By the way Asif, you're not overreacting, but asking the "burger-batchas" not to consume..."
and finally:"Thank you for your comments, Miguel. Since I completely agree that it is
not fair to make sweeping generalizations about any people, I apologize
for any statement that you might have seen as critical of all Europeans.
That was certainly not my intent. While suggesting a boycott of some
“European luxuries” I used the word “European” synecdochically and assumed
that it would be taken as such in the given context. Nevertheless, I
apologize if this point was not clear in my message. Furthermore, it would
be great if Muslims could make an impact on the concerned companies
directly. But, if that is not possible, I don’t see why it would be
against any democratic or civil norms to make our displeasure known to the
governments that “harbour” such miscreants as misuse the idea of freedom
to insult our Prophet (sws). The statement we’d be making through an
economic boycott would still be much more civil than “Either you are with
us or against us” rubric to illegally invade an independent country or
bombing on remote parts of an allied country to hunt down an elusive
phantom terrorist."
Best,
Asif
Saturday, February 04, 2006
for the past few hours i've been listening to the song "in rahon main" by a new band called burzakh - it's really good, one of those songs you put on repeat and then just keep listening to...
the past few weeks have been weird...nlc, transition, recruitment and some weird music society stuff has made me want to just get away from it all.
now that nlc is just 5 days away (feb 8-12), and most of the big problems have been resolved, i've managed to catch up with most of my emails, meet friends again and get back to blogging.
i still need to clean the room - i've cleaned parts, but the ones i still haven't touched are now getting anxious looks from my roommate who has to be the neatest person on planet!! i'll get down to it soon...before nlc...i hope :)
i really want to be there at IPM this year - so many people i know are applying for AI...good luck guys!
also, cricket fever is running high - y'know, the sort that draws every male in lums to the rec room and superstore so they can watch "just one more over", the one that makes people have one hour long conversations about bowlers, batsmen and wicket keepers like they're people they grew up with!
random thoughs running through my head - the most important must stay there...weird...
the past few weeks have been weird...nlc, transition, recruitment and some weird music society stuff has made me want to just get away from it all.
now that nlc is just 5 days away (feb 8-12), and most of the big problems have been resolved, i've managed to catch up with most of my emails, meet friends again and get back to blogging.
i still need to clean the room - i've cleaned parts, but the ones i still haven't touched are now getting anxious looks from my roommate who has to be the neatest person on planet!! i'll get down to it soon...before nlc...i hope :)
i really want to be there at IPM this year - so many people i know are applying for AI...good luck guys!
also, cricket fever is running high - y'know, the sort that draws every male in lums to the rec room and superstore so they can watch "just one more over", the one that makes people have one hour long conversations about bowlers, batsmen and wicket keepers like they're people they grew up with!
random thoughs running through my head - the most important must stay there...weird...
Saturday, January 21, 2006
...
...it's tough to believe it's been more than a year since i joined @. in another month the current team i work with will leave office and i'll start my next term, with a completely different set of people. it's a very weird feeling...
Thursday, January 05, 2006
wedding bells...
it's weird, in the last one month two people i'm really close to got one step closer to tying the knot.
lukhan baloch, the youngest of the baloch sisters and one of my best friends since 4rth grade got married. she got married to a guy that she loves. she's actually old enough to love a guy! i'm never going to think of lukhan as anything other than the person who i mercilessly beat (yes, yes...punches n all!), who showed up at my 11th b'day in the weirdest clothes imaginable, who used to loan me her "smash hits" magazines...someone i could have hour long conversations with on the phone..someone who lives in a different country now, someone who's moving even further away soon. i also feel it is my duty to point out that the picture in NO WAY shows lukhan in her true light, the picture i have from my birthday, however, does...if i didn't fear for my life i would upload it. i do, so i really can't. she's a hellfire, and she's going to come all the way back from the uk to kill me if she finds out i put it up...however, i shall be presenting her husband with that as a wedding gift...a little something he can use as blackmail the rest of his life...
the other person, my brother, didn't get married - but will be getting married at the end of this year. again, he's getting married to someone he loves...another odd thing - since all i can remember is him beating me up (mercilessly i might add) day in and day out since the first day i can remember. asides from the beating we havea great relationship - he tells me what to do, i don't do it, he gets pissed, i get scolded, sanctions are imposed, i sulk, i whine, i get my way (or not), we hang out, proceed to forget about the whole affair... :)
he made my first 2 years at college a living nightmare...he not only knew everyone, but had also moved to lahore for a few months in the middle. which meant that i had to deal with him telling me what to do IN PERSON! which is bad...i mean adeels temper is something best dealt with from a different postal code. still...he was in lahore - which wouldn't have been bad if he hadn't known the ENTIRE university. so imagine something like 10 friends of his calling him to tell him what i had been up to everyday...he always knew what i was up to...which meant i had to tell him everything myself. again not something i particularly look forward to...i've realised it's better to just let him find stuff out himself...he can deal with it whatever way he wants to...and since he now lives in karachi there are fewer chances i'll get killed while he's adjusting to the fact :)
it's weird - i'm now old enough that my best friends married, my brother close to it, and my sister has a daughter who's 3 years old...its time like these when i actually start wondering about where the heck i'm headed... :) more on that later maybe...
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