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Friday, November 30, 2007

Jum'ah Journal

You have all probably listened to the debates of the presidential hopefuls of both sides here. I did not listen to all of the debates but some I did.
I am impressed by the individual hardwork each one of them must have done to be able to say a few things about all the different and varied subjects they were questioned on. All offered a definite 'policy' or a set of answers to these questions no matter who was aking and no matter how the question was being placed.
I have always enjoyed the air of 'democracy' in this process of 'election' and when in England I saw the same thing there too but much less expensive than it is here in the states.
It is only natural for me to think of the Pakistani president who
1.succesfully dissolved the opposing (or possibly opposing) Judiciary (Suppreme court)
2.Equally successfully enthroaned a new Judiciary
3.made his retirement from Army an event for the nation
4.made sure that all the decisions taken during the Martial Law are made "unchallangable' (Such as sacking of all those Suppreme court Judges who refused to accept Martial Law as legal.
5.Entrusted the authority of dissolving the Martial Law in the (future) president
6. And it is expected, so far, that the Martial Law will be lifted on the 15th of December
Has performed a remarkably swift job of accomplishing all that in a short span of TWO WEEKS and got himself sworn-in as (civilian) president of Pakistan. (there may be more than 6 counted things of this period)
This would be 'officially' his third term, but I am sure, after 5 years (if he does survive that period) he will say this was his first term because he is becoming president as a civilian for the first time (and the previous 8 years will not be counted) and he will impose himself for another 5 years and make it 'look' legal)
I understand the difference of democracy in a young country like Pakistan and old one like USA and I'll give you the difference of educational levels of the people and everything but does that still sound reasonalble to you? To me this is mockery of democracy.
On the one hand I admire this man's undaunted self aggrandizement, and on the other absolutely condemn his methods of high-handedness and the deftful use of totalitarian authority to achieve his goal of remaining president of Pakistan "one way or the other".
But , the curtain has not yet dropped on the political drama of Pakistan.
I continue to pray for Pakistan and request all the readers to do the same.

Monday, November 26, 2007

Shariah vs Saudi Law

I know so much has already been said about the 'Lashes', I cant add much , but in these discussions unwary non-Muslims get the impression that Saudi monarchs promulgate "Islamic Law" and get confused. There are "Lashes" for "Khalwah" (even though, it is questionable khalwah sitting in the car), lashes for going to news media and so on. One gets the impression in the end, that is the only way of punishment in Islam (So it is barbaric, and indeed Saudi law seems to be so). It only goes to prove that you cannot take one 'sample' out of a 'whole' and try to make for its justification which is only "Just' in the background of 'whole'
A young woman's dignity and life is ruined permanently by the very authorities that ironically have a duty to presreve those things for every subject in their rule.
Sad, indeed.
Stories from Pakistan are not so different unfortunately, especially of the 'Waderas' and such old established institutions, which should have been demolished in Pakistan in 1947 or soon thereafter.
When will the sun of freedom rise in Pakistan!!!

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Late Jum'ah journal - My first Thanksgiving

Reason for the delay, I was traveling as in the previous 'delayed' notes
Some of my family members got together on Thursday, for Turkey Dinner with all the typical American traditions.
This was the first time I had such an experience. (I am sure many of you have had this experience) My heart has been warmed with love, May Allah keep her heart always warm who did it and her husband's as they both worked hard.
I have been in USA for 38 years and Alhamdulillah now have my own "family" and this experience which I had only seen on the TV before, (Remember moiles like "Trains,Plains and Automobile---Should have added 'pains' or other such prigrams) I had not had it personally. So I'll give anything to "get home for such a great get together of the family' for no other purpose than just to be thankful to God for what He has given us in the form of 'Family'. This is indeed a unique 'celebration' and would recommend it to you all.
Of course Musa and Issa were the most enjoyable sources of love and togetherness. May God bless them both and their parents.

Monday, November 19, 2007

What is fraud?

Suppose a patient comes to see me, there is a charge for the visit or "fee".
Then I refer the patient for consultation with a specialist, because of his disease. The consultant charges his fees for consultation, again happens to be me, because of my specialty.
Then I order X number of tests some of which I perform and charge my fees that I am entitled to as a consultant, as I do those tests having been trained for it
Strictly speaking I have done everything according to my training, yes. I am wearing so many hats at one and the same time so I can get away with this (unethical peformance) fraud? Somebody is going to catch me some day of which I am absolutely certain.
Martial law is imposed by COAS.(One hat)
COAS gives authority to the President (second hat on the same head) to dissolve the Martial Law.

Similarly under the martial Law when there is no freedom of speech, no freedom of media, and all the existing Judiciary is sacked to establish (his own) new judiciary, etc. etc. how do you expect "fair Elections". Which country in the world will recognize such elections?
And yet that is what we see in Pakistan happening, the world watching in dismay and mildly criticising (Is it because it is a Third World Country (third class country?)
May be Musharraf should declare that only those should come out and vote if they are casting their votes in favor of Musharraf. Well this may sound like a ludicuous exaggeration but can you deny the truth it is carrying?
I will never forget the air of indignation and conceitedness on the face of the Pakistani president saying,
"Dont ask and dont demand the same type of democracy as you have; we are learning and doing very well"
"Dont ask and dont demand the same level of human rights you have....."
As if human rights ar'nt the same with Pakistani humans (are they less human Mr. president?)
Poor Pakistanis.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Jum'ah Journal

What is an extremist?
One who advocates or exercises extreme measures (for example for political gains), one who believes in extremes, etxc.
What is being done in the name of "future democracy" in Pakistan by General Musharraf is such steps that one can sit back and wonder how long is it going to last. I understand Mr. Negroponte is in Pakistan now to bring about some change thought to be a 'new formula'. I hope something will work for the betterment of Pakistan. Already two children and an adult have lost their lives to the brutality of police, since 3rd of November (the day this Martial Law was imposed under the new name of 'emergency'). The present day politics in the world has seen many new terms come out sometimes saying one thing meaning exactly opposite ( freedom of Iraq).
Hali said (M. Altaf Husain Hali marhoom)
"Insan ko ikhfa kay liyay nutq mila hay"
(Man has been given the power of speech for concealing the expression)

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Veterans Day thoughts of a non-veteran

When retiring from the vet. Hospital four years ago, I had several 'thoughts' which were never gotten out in the open, so now here it is.
Once again I state clearly and unambiguously, I was proud to 'serve' those who served the nation. And I join the nation in the salute for them today.
I feel it was a unique opportunity for me to work in the Vet. hospital where I experienced the relationship with those patients who were generally less priviledged, less well-to-do (not all) and comprising special component of the American society and my patients ranged from as high a rank as a 'general' to the lowest rank of an ordinary soldier. Majority were genuinely dependent and thankful to the healthcare they were being offered although some indeed overusing and even 'ab-using' that priviledge. I, personally, was never put off by those 'demanding' type of veterans. (Yes I have criticisms of patients and of administration)
There were courageous, medal winners and all, seeking healthcare with us even if they had enough insurance to cover 'private' healthcare. I openly and unhesitatingly advised them to use private care if and when I thought it was in their best interest (I cant call it completely unethical).
In general I admired the veterans as such and despite all my criticisms of the quality of care being delivered to them, I am of the opinion that the Veterans Affairs Hospitals and such related institutions do have an important part to play which they are doing to their best (may not be the best by some standards) to maintain. (Not giving much thought to the media coverage of the Walter-Reed Hospital, for I think it is a good institution)
As a physician I enjoyed the respect given to me by my colleagues and coworkers along with the patients. During my residency, I rmember, when I rotated in VA hospital I found my teacher addessing the patients as 'sir', which I learnt later why it was so and I had already taken up that habit anyway.
Yes it is true the Veterans who were in the army once just 'did their job' but they indeed put their 'neck on the line', got maimed and mutilated, lost an eye or an ear or some body-part in the battle or just lost the psychological make-up and so on. So if we give them 'free healthcare' are we really doing them a favor? or perhapse trying to 'give back' something in compensation. This is very hard to balance. I being a non-veteran cannot really be a good judge.
I shall reserve my comments for the next Vet. day insha-Allah, about my relation ship with PVA (Paralysed Veterans of America) and my experience in looking after their interests along with other colleagues who I have a great admiration for.

Friday, November 09, 2007

Jum'ah Journal

Listening to the American opinions we see two opposite sides 1. Support Musharraf for he has done well and alternative is unacceptable because it is Al-Qaeda-Fundamentalist Islamic etc. 2. Musharraf has done damage, he is not fighting terrorists he is fighting Judiciary and dragging Lawyers putting them behind bars and not moving towards Democracy at all. Get him out and let the People of Pakistan get a chance. I fear there is that McArthyism underpinnings. They want to advance" democracy" at all costs even if it requires supporting dictators. There is presumption that if Musharraf is removed his type of 'iron hand' may be difficult to find in 'civilians (No matter what Bhutto says). There is widespread covering up of truth with all kinds of lies in the world today and the people think they can all get by without the lies being exposed (Not realizing or even knowing that they are so thinly veiled). Is the philosophy of using brute force to suppress extremism the right thing? Has any thought been given to sitting on the table, sorting out differences? Have Ulama of Pakistan any opinion about how to engage in dialogue? Have all the consequences of this military advancement on our own people considered? We have experience of fighting our East Pakistani brothers, dont we learn from mistakes? America uses brute force for everything because they have the force and power and are prepared to spend for it as long as they are in control. Why should Pakistan follow that philosophy? What do they have, other than "kashkol"? Just think of it. Extremist idiologies have been affecting Muslims from the very beginning, but they all die out given time. I know Ali , May God be pleased with him, dealt with the Kharjiyah and lost his life to them but he first sent the best faqeeh of his times to argue with them and resorted to fighting only when all alternatives were exhausted. Unfortunately Muslims have been plagued with such extremists throughout their history. Admittedly this is a difficult situation but what I see is that non-Muslim forces utilize Muslim divisions to their advantage. I am just a concerned Muslim and a concerned Pakistani-American. I know that majority of Ulama are intelligent reasonable sophisticated individuals and can argue with the extremists in better ways. I dont know why they dont come forward? Are they scared too?