JUMAH KHUTBA- “Pakistan ka Matlab kya? La ilaha illallah!”

By Majed Iqbal- Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatahu,Inshallah you are all in the best state of health and Imaan.Please take time to send durood upon the Priophet (saw) especially on the Day of Jumah.

Abu Hurrayrah (Radi Allah Ta’lah Anhu) narrated Allah’s Messenger (Salallahu-aleihi-wasallam) said, “The person who recites eighty times on Friday (the following Durood) immeadiately after Asar Salah, before standing up from his place, eighty years of his sins will be forgiven by Allah and the reward equivalent to eighty years of worship will be written for him- Allahuma Sallay Ala Sayyidina Muhammadin Nabiyyil Ummiyi wa Ala Aalihi Wa sallim Tasleema“

Ya Mashar al-Muslimeen

In the last years. months and recent weeks none of us have failed to notice the dire situation which our brothers and sisters have been facing in Pakistan. News Stations have been beaming in pictures directly into our homes of the horrors that have been going on in the country.

Whether this has been former President of Pakistan Musharraf’s unstinting support for America after 9/11 to invade Afghanistan using Pakistani airspace and land or Musharraf’s role in the lal Masjid operation to build a hatred in the minds of Pakistani’s for those who call for Shariah in the country.

Hillary’s Tour to Pakistan- “We don’t really trust your country!”

  By Majed Iqbal- US secretary of state Hillary Clinton completed her three day tour of Pakistan in the last week of October attempting to win the hearts and minds of a population which has become instrumental to Americas War on Terror.

Many Pakistani commentators dubbed her visit as a ‘charm offensive’ to re-build that ‘trust deficit’; a long overdue initiative to ease tensions with the Pakistani masses that have been having second and third thoughts about their ‘use and abuse’ partnership with the US since its inception in 2001.

The tour saw concentrated efforts in dialoguing directly with the public on a range of issues which the people of Pakistan were thinking about on Pakistan- US relations.

Hillary Clinton’s “people to people” diplomacy — with journalists, students and common people, which included town hall meetings in a “no holds” barred question and answer session at a university in Lahore were part of a new packaging.

This was possibly an approach to re-build that trust in an open and transparent way, a somewhat ‘revolutionary’ step away from more clandestine approaches with Government ministers and opposition figureheads to manipulate political will.

Clinton, who professes deep personal affection for Pakistan and its people, was aiming to be cautiously optimistic in her visit to maybe change as many hearts and minds among Pakistanis.

ASIAN IMAGE ARTICLE- Pakistan “In-dependence” Day

Published on the Asian Image Website

By Majed Iqbal- Pakistan Independence day will be celebrated in full swing today by the young and the old to mark the day which saw the formation of Pakistan in 1947. Pakistanis will be jumping with joy with festivities, speeches, and remembrance of the sacrifices made to bring the country into existence.

Without a doubt, the feeling of being liberated and having a homeland to be able to live freely and choose a lifestyle suitable to your culture, history and civilisation is unmatchable to anything.

However, if one was to pause and reflect on even just the last decade or event the last year of the country’s history, those jumping with celebratory independence passion would stop in reflection.

Pakistan has been subject to foreign intervention, and that’s not referring to the ‘insurgents’, but to America since 2001, and has been the subject of threatening behaviour from White House officials which has even made Pakistani Parliamentarians jump out of their seats.

Beyond Obama’s speech in Egypt

 By Majed Iqbal- Earlier this month, the American President, Barack Obama visited a number of Muslim Countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in efforts to open up a new chapter of US and Muslim relations.

Barack Obama’s speech in Egypt was watched internationally from East to West, in light of all the pressing issues that had hit our screens in the past years like the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, America’s silence on Gaza and the recent open drone attacks in Pakistan under the guise of fighting Americas “war on terror”.

Surprisingly, in his speech it was not US- Arab relations discussions that were being alluded to. Instead the primary focus was referenced as developing ‘Muslim’ relations with the ‘Islamic World’.

“I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect”

Some were taken back by his speech and hailed it as a new direction in policy towards the Muslim world which seemed to be ripe with positive gesture and promises of a new era of relations. Was America admitting its failures? Was America admitting that the Iraq war was wrong? Was America admitting that its War on Terror was ill-devised which has caused devastation in key parts of the Muslim world?

COMMENT- Pakistans 20-20 Victory- Is it time to Celebrate??

By Majed Iqbal- Yesterdays Twenty twenty cup Final saw un-precendented coverage worldwide as Pakistan beat Sri-lanka in an 8 wicket match victory.

Pictures and video footage beaming in from Lahore, Peshawar, and Karachi on the Pakistani news networks showed crowds rejoicing after a historic win which saw Pakistan defeat the odds and answer back to the world that they are still a cricketing force to be reckoned with.

Even before the Final, a day before, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday urged the country’s cricketers to give of their best in the final of the World T20 against Sri Lanka on Sunday and win the title for the nation. The President even called up captain Younis Khan in London and reminded him that the country was passing through a very difficult phase and victory for Pakistan could provide some cheer, media reports said.

As crowds rejoice madly in the streets of Bradford, Luton, Manchester and London in unison with Pakistanis back home, it is worthwhile reminding them that a match victory can never quell the chaos and devastation that Pakistan is currently going through.

Oakley speaks out against America’s Colonisation of Pakistan

By Majed Iqbal- ‘We’ve alienated them tremendously. Whether we agree or not” says former US ambassador to Islamabad Robert Oakley. Airing his views on Americas role in Pakistan, Oakley was responding back to a host of views presented by Obama and his team on dealing with this ‘hotspot’ in the world which has drew international attention in the last years.

Americas increasing role in Pakistan through the Bush administration and the man of ‘change’, Obama, the new President of America who singled out Pakistan in his presidential campaign and within days of coming into office resumed drone attacks has clearly highlighted that Americas next target is Pakistan

“If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won’t act, we will” Said Obama in 2007 outside the Woodrow Wilson Centre in his Presidential run up campaign.

Oakley, who served in Islamabad from 1988 to 92, has criticised Americas approach to Pakistan airing views which present a clear picture of a structured policy to colonise Pakistan.

VIDEO- Why do Pakistanis resent America?

Pakistan has been at the crux of the War on Terror and has been described as an indispensable ally by the Americans. However, the Pakistani population has been distant from the government and showed signs of concern on the special relationship which the US enjoys. The following video questions America and its policies towards Pakistan and the Muslim World in general.

 

Will America allow countries like Pakistan to develop its own Political future? Watch the video further.

ASIAN LEADER Article- America uses Pakistani Airbases to strike at Pakistan’s Citizens

The following article was published in the Asian Leader newspaper exposing the collaboration of the Pakistani government with America in using Pakistani soil to launch strikes both within Pakistan and Afghanistan; something which the Pakistani government ha s been in denial about for years.

The article challenges the notion about the independance of the newly democratically elected government of Pakistan. Who is calling the shots? is is islamabad or Washington?

Read the full article on the blog here. Alternatively, access the newspaper online on the Look Asia Website

America uses Pakistani Airbases to strike at Pakistan’s Citizens

 By Majed Iqbal- What has been speculated by many and under denial for years by the previous Musharraf government and now the new Zardari government has now come to surface. Pakistani soil and airspace has and is still being used by America to launch strikes both in Afghanistan and in Pakistan.

The US was secretly flying unmanned drones from the Shamsi airbase in Pakistan’s south western province of Baluchistan as early as 2006, according to an image of the base from Google Earth.

The image, that is no longer on the site but initially obtained by The News, Pakistan’s English language daily newspaper, shows what appear to be three Predator drones outside a hangar at the end of the runway. The Times also obtained a copy of the image, whose co-ordinates confirm that it is the Shamsi airfield, also known as Bandari, about 200 miles southwest of the Pakistani city of Quetta.

Iran ready for dialogue with US?

By Dr Mohammed Zahid- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said he would welcome talks with the US as long as they were based on “mutual respect”. Speaking on the 30th anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Iran, he said Iran would welcome change from the US as long as it was “fundamental”.

“The new US administration has announced that they want to produce change and pursue the course of dialogue. It is quite clear that real change must be fundamental and not tactical. It is clear the Iranian nation welcomes real changes and is ready for dialogue in a climate of equality and mutual respect” Mr Ahmadinejad said at a rally in central Tehran attended by tens of thousands of people.

Ahmadinejad’s remarks come a day after US President Barack Obama said he was looking for “openings that can be created where we can start sitting across the table face-to-face”.

“I think there’s the possibility, at least, of a relationship of mutual respect and progress,” Mr Obama said, but “it’s time now for Iran to send some signals that it wants to act differently.”

Picture Story- Thousands protest against Military action in Swat- Pakistan

By Majed Iqbal- Thousands gathered together in Swat to protest against the Military action  in the area which has seen hundreds of lives lost. The protest demanded that the government withdraw the army from the area and lift the curfew which has made life difficult for the residents.

Despite the Governement PR on convincing the Pakistani population that the country must fight Americas war on Terror to root out ‘extremism’, demonstrations like theses have clearly profiled the sentiments of the people in the heart of the ‘conflict’ zones that they no longer buy the lies sold to them.

Zardari’s government has seen no change from that of Musharraf’s and continues to pursue American Policy blindly despite the peoples resentment and displeasure.

It’s time to look beyond Obama

   By Waseem Aslam- The inauguration of Barrack Obama was a true 21st Century world event, with live coverage being beamed all across the globe. Obama for many is not just a replacement for George Bush but a real sense of hope for the future – this includes many in the Muslim world.

A charismatic speaker who has a way with words, it is easy to see why so many are drawn to the new President of the Untied States. Add on top of that the fact that he is the first Black President then it is little wonder the world is in such awe of Obama.

It is however, imperative that Muslims across the globe look at Obama in the cold light of day and not with rose tinted glasses. Despite the fact that he has promised to close Guantanamo Bay (which was due for closure anyway) his attitude towards the Muslim world is little different to that of the Bush administration. It must not be forgotten he pledged to follow the Taliban into Pakistan and has pledged 100% backing for the state of Israel, both financially and politically.

Many of these issues require a more detailed discussion; however, one thing the Muslims who are dumfounded by Obamamania can learn from the man himself is the idea of self reliance. The core message of this campaign was for average Americans to help themselves and thus help America.

ASIAN LEADER ARTICLE- Zardari awards Boucher for ’services’ to Pakistan

The following interview was published in the Asian Leader Newspaper looking at the new adventures of President Zardari of Pakistan on his shameless worship of American Foreign policy.

The full Interview can be read here on the blog and can also be read on the Look Asia website.

VIDEO- President Obama’s Inaugration: The ’street view’ from Pakistan

Despite the charm, charisma and passionate style of orchestrated Speech which Obama has been characterised with over his last months on the Presidential run-up scene, many have decided to see beyond the bravado.

The promises of ‘Change’ and a ‘New America’ have been met with warmth by Americans who have witnessed the Economic Downturn, international adventures in Foreign lands costing trillions of Dollars and an America which has lost international credibility and world standing.

Other countries, especially where America has been interfering in the domestic affairs of their country have met yesterday’s Presidential inauguration sceptically.

The Video above gives  a snapshot picture of the street view from Pakistan on their views on Obama and whether they believe that a ‘change’ is inevitable with a fresh new face in the White House.

COMMENT- Zardari confers Prestigious award to Boucher for ’services’ to Pakistan

By Majed Iqbal- President Zardari decided to begin the new year of 2009 by rubbing further salts in the wounds of the people in Pakistan. US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher was given the prestigious civilian award Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam  for his ’services’ to Pakistan.

These services include meddling in the affairs of the government of Pakistan , use of Pakistani airspace to bombard the border areas in air raids which have killed thousands of innocent civilians and displaced further tens of thousands from their homes in FATA, setting up of over 50 FBI offices to monitor and detain those who question the actions of the government as detailed in the Amnesty International latest report where over 550 have been reported missing,  and for playing a pivotal role to bring a change in government through the removal of the previous Presidnet, Pervez Musharraf.

President Asif Ali Zardari conferred Hilal-e-Pakistan to Joe Biden and Quaid-e-Azam Medal to Richard Boucher praising their unflinching support to Pakistan in helping the country in recent years through diplomatic channels

Soon after receiving the award Boucher insisted that US air attacks against Pakistan would continue.