Pakistan - The Land of The Pure
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One of my awesome followers DTR0005, requested me to write a hub on Pakistani Culture. While this hub barely talks about Pakistani culture, it gives you a little insight about Pakistan. I thought this hub was essential before I actually just talk about Pakistani culture. This hub even though very long, hardly does justice to a country like Pakistan.
Pakistan is a beautiful piece of land on the world map, one that is blessed with a thousand blessings. Filled with natural resources of all sorts, you would think that Pakistan would be the richest country in the world. However, even though blessed with every blessing, Pakistan has also been continually cursed with rulers, who hardly appreciated Pakistan for what it is.
Pakistan may literally mean, “The Land of the pure”, however, the pure just took and took and took from Pakistan, till there was nothing left to take. First Pakistan was raped and abused by foreign countries, then Pakistan’s own children raped her, stole from her, sold away her riches and left her at the mercy of criminals.
Divorced from India, a bold and proud mother born on 14th August, 1947, her children very quickly forgot the struggles it took to achieve this freedom. First they cut off her water, then her supplies, then sold off her oil reserves to Iran for a 100 years. Where would she have gone to? Who could she have asked help for? Her Ex-Husband, India, defamed her every chance he got.
Pakistan found herself to be a social outcast, she knew nothing of what to do with this newly found freedom. She was hurting, she was in pain. Her sons came in front and said they would help unite her children but all that took place was more hatred.
Pakistan was supposed to be a country where there was no hatred, no racism, no caste system, no sect system, yet Pakistan’s children had been influenced by India for oh too long. Even after the divorce they brought the disease of negativity with them. On December 16, 1971, this hatred caused Pakistan to be further divided when formerly known as East Pakistan, Bangladesh became independent.
Now Pakistan was left with just 4 provinces, Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and N.W.F.P (North West Frontier Province) including F.A.T.A (Federally Administrated Tribal Areas). Years after the residents of Sindh were Sindhis, the residents of Punjab were Punjabis, The residents of Balochistan were Balochis, however the residents of N.W.F.P were identity less. There were people of all sects here, who begged for identity of some sort. It is to be noted the there are several sects that exist in Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan but they exist under the province names.
On August 29, 2009, F.A.T.A became a separate province called "Gilgit-Baltistan". Making the total to 5 Provinces.
In Mid 2010, N.W.F.P, was given the name of Khyber-Pukhtoonkhawa, which left the other sects disappointed, who pleaded it be Hazara-Pukhtoonkhawa, or two separate provinces or be given a third name under which all sects could settle peacefully. Yet to no avail.
Fact remains that to this day, Pakistan’s children have no identity. You will never hear any one say, “I am Pakistani”, no never... You will only hear them say, “I am xyz belonging to abc sect”.
KASHMIR
At the time of division, Kashmir was supposed to be a part of Pakistan, with its Muslim majority but the Hindu ruler gave it to India. A war erupted and on October 24, 1947, Azad Jammu Kashmir was created. Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is a self-governing state under Pakistani control but is not constitutionally part of Pakistan. It has its own elected president, prime minister, legislature, high court, and official flag. The government of Pakistan has not yet allowed the state to issue its own postage stamps, however, and Pakistani stamps are used in the state instead. Azad Kashmir has it own Judiciary as well with Khawaja Shahad Ahmad as its present Chief Justice. (Source Wikipedia).
While the rest of Kashmir still remains occupied to this day by Indian militants. It is a major bone of contention between India and Pakistan.
NEIGHBOURS
China, Iran, Afghanistan and India, happen to be Pakistan's neighbours and yes I have named them by the degree of help that they have offered to Pakistan.
Afghanistan was against the creation of Pakistan yet Pakistan forgave it and helped it whenever needed. As a result, today we have several Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. Oh and they brought opium and other drugs to Pakistan and spread the disease of drugs and militancy and narrow minded extremism here.
We all know about India. With Iran we are 50-50.
China is just about the best friend, Pakistan has.
CULTURE
Each province has its own culture, completely different from the other province. It must be understood that long before Pakistan was created these provinces were small kingdoms, small countries. Each place is alien to another’s culture. Hardly any effort is ever made to fuse the identities and create anything under the banner of “Pakistan”.
In Pakistan, a woman is treated with utmost respect. No one will harass or approach her publically. Men give way and leeway to women at most occasions.
Women are considered as the pride and honour of the family. Especially because the women will continue the generation.
I could talk about the negatives but the media already does that for me.
CLOTHES
As you can see from the pictures each province has its own traditional attire. However, western clothing like, jeans, t-shirts, suits and dresses etc are also adopted by the Metropolitan cities like Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
RELIGION
Pakistan came to Allama Iqbal a great poet and writer in a dream, he enforced, Jinnah, the dominant Muslim Politician, to take initiative to create a separate country for Muslims, where they could practice their religion separately, without the interferences of any one.
It must be noted that before the British invaded ‘Hindustan’ (Pakistan, India and Bangladesh), Muslims, Hindus and Christians lived peacefully as brothers.
RACISM/SECTISM/COMMUNITY-ISM... DAMN IT, THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY ‘ISMS’
The divide and rule tactic by the British worked so well that to this day we divide ourselves.
“I belong to this community”, “I belong to that sect”, “I am white you are brown”, “I am brown you are black”, yes racism is very common, only it is subtle.
If a woman gives birth to two daughters , fair and dark, will spend her entire life forcing the ‘dark’ daughter to look fair somehow, whitening creams, whitening agents, the two sisters will never sit in public together because they will be judged. The white daughter will be loved by all. The dark daughter will be looked down up on, no matter how talented she is.
The idea of ‘white’ is beautiful is integrated in our thoughts and believe it or not, every one thinks like this. Even though I am sure many Pakistani’s are going to leave nasty comments for me to reveal this but it is the truth.
MODERN VERSUS ORTHODOX
Pakistan is divided into 3 kinds of people:
1. The Religious Extremists. (70%)
2. The Secular Extremists. (25%)
3. The Moderates. (5%)
* The above statistic is given according to my observation and not been taken by any journal or survey.
INTERCOURSE
Abstinence is required by both men and women until marriage, this is enforced by culture and religion. The idea behind it is that intercourse is the only thing that makes a man and woman want to get married to each other, otherwise honestly, who would want to buy a cow when you can get the milk for free. This is a very personal act, committed only when by husband and wife, it is approved. LBGT is neither encouraged, nor talked about, though it is present in the society, so is adultery. Any one caught committing an unlawful sexual act, may be penalised and/or ostracised by society in general.
PEOPLE
Pakistanis are the most heart warming, innocent, friendly, lovely people you will ever come across HOWEVER... These beautiful people have been corrupted by politicians and religious extremists.
By my personal definition, people who preach religion are called ‘Aalims’, these are men or women who have read the Quran and Hadeeth (Sayings and Acts of Muhammad S.A.W.) very deeply and therefore know the right way to go about things.
Next people who corrupt religion and brainwash people with negativity are called, ‘Maulvis’. Maulvis have to be the most criminal minded negative people, you will ever come across.
In the beginning of Islam, the only purpose of a Maulvi was to teach children or adults how to recite the Arabic Quran, to perform Nikah (Muslim Marriage Ceremony) and give the Adaan (Call for prayer). It was later that these Maulvis spread like a virus, preaching only negativity.
THE FAULT
The basic problem Pakistan faces is that the National Language is Urdu, which by the way is spoken by maybe 20%, most can not even speak Urdu. Oh and did I forget to mention that in all walks of life in Pakistan, you use English as a language. Oh and a third contradiction, the Quran happens to be in Arabic, a language that maybe 98% of Pakistanis do not speak or understand.
Do you get it yet?
Our Holy book is in a language we do not understand, a language that we can only read.
The Quran consists of 114 Chapters varying at lengths divided into 30 books. So what basically happens that most men choose to sit with the maulvis to get the basic idea of what Islam is about. These are the men, who have barely picked up the translation of Quran and understood it.
Quran is a beautiful book, which is balanced in every way.
Islam is a beautiful religion but Muslims are perhaps the worst followers. Only because they choose to purposely be ignorant of the teachings.
Everyday I come across men, who challenge my faith and I reply, “Only Allah knows, who’s faith is stronger, yours or mine. For your beliefs exist upon stories you heard in Mosques, while I spent the time reading the translation of the Arabic to understand what Quran says.”
Had Pakistan have Arabic as a national language we perhaps would have been much more successful. As currently, Pakistan neither belongs to the English world nor to the Arab world, we are just swiftly dangling in between.
THE MISUNDERSTOOD PAKISTANI
An average Pakistani is misunderstood always. Why you ask? Usually because his fellow Pakistani has usually done a Shameful act or Frauded someone.
I by all means, am a business woman and every day I come across foreigners who refuse to work with me on the pretext that I am Pakistani. This in itself makes a big statement.
POLITICS
Maulvis play politics using religion as excuse and unfortunately people are blinded enough to follow... This said the extreme secularist also enforce an image upon Pakistan that conflicts with our values and culture.
Ahhh... We have lovely politicians, only 10% of the population votes, these are usually illiterate people enticed to vote. While the self proclaimed literate class does not vote saying, “All of them are corrupt”.
I believe, “Either vote for a new person or vote for a politician who is perhaps a little less corrupt by nature”.
THE YEAR OF THE TOURISM
Pakistan is blessed with cynic beautiful valleys and picturesque beauty yet in the year of the tourism, there was so much terrorism that it became the year of the terrorism.
A PRAYER
Oh Allah I pray to you,
Along with me, please enlighten others too,
Teach us to live this land our mother,
Teach us to forego the criminal intention of another,
Oh Allah I pray to you, I beg on my knees,
Show us the light, the true path of love and peace,
Make us a nation of people so proud yet humble,
Make us a beautiful tolerant nation across which everyone wishes to stumble,
Banish the children who act like maggots to this beautiful land,
No black, no white, no brown, no yellow, we are a nation of people holding hand in hand,
Remember to give minorities their right,
Remind us our nation’s flag consists of green and white,
If we see a seedling we should water it to grow,
Remind us oh Allah, that we will reap what we sow,
Teach Pakistanis to make Pakistan, the land of pure again,
Teach Pakistanis to give back to Pakistan rather than using her for selfish gain.
Amen
Copyright © Qudsia Pervez
January 10, 2011
12:32
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Very good and thoughtful hub. I only had time to scan through this morning, but I will read more in depth later. One thing stands out. China is the new US of the East. Much of Africa, too, sees China as its best friend. Mostly, the "altruism" from China is motivated by hard-headed business sense. Be careful when giving them a carte blanche to your heart. For example, they are deadly enemies to many threatened creatures on the planet...Bob
Dear pisean282311,
Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Please accept my humble apologies if I offended you as an Indian but then again, history is what it is.
I find Indian people to be very genuine and peace loving, believe you me, Indians and Pakistanis love one another, it is just the politicians that create and fuel an imaginary hatred.
Dear Bob,
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I do hope you read in detail and let me know. Indeed China has reached where it has by showing incredible support and patriotism.
Thanks for the advise though, rule number one, trust no one, rule number two, help everyone. :)
hey i am not offended...i understand view points and history has two sides of same stories...same event interpreted in different ways..i am fine with it...i agree Indians and Pakistanis love one another and there is where i draw hope from. I believe we can have great relationship as two nations striving for betterment of ordinary people and I believe there would be peace in future ...Politics on both side works in expected lines but in today's internet based world when more and more people would come in touch with each other , politicians wont be able to play with emotions like they used to in past...sooner or later they would have to abide by larger want of masses and that is quest for peace and good future...I am excited to live in era where more and more Pakistani and Indians can communicate with each other.. I am sure future would be better for us as neighbors in terms of relationships...
Amen to that, pisean282311. :)
I look forward to that future. :)
Honestly, I wish history classes would stop teaching us about how India did this and Pakistan did that and focus on, "How can we stop history from repeating itself".
Oh wait, then that class's name would have to be changed to 'Future class', wouldn't it?
I like to be positive. :P
hey hub would fine me for too many comments on single hub :)...but yes i believe in potential,talent of pakistani...also i am looking forward to read more of your hubs...you are good writer and do express in very nice way..thanks
Hahaha, pisean282311, do not worry, you can comment as much as you like.
As a matter of fact, I welcome it. :)
Thank you for your lovely comments. :)
The very basis of the creation of Pakistan is communal hatred. i understand unless Pakistan will not change its attitude towards communal hatred and create a secular society and thinking among its people it will not be able to achieve internal peace and respectful existence .
Well, I can see that the "rift" between Pakistan and India is alive and well. That observation out of the way, I want to thank you for this piece. It is actually exactly how I hoped you would write it - from the heart and spoken with national pride. I believe the only way to ever truly understand someone from a different culture is to interact with that person - ask them questions. Americans are sometimes afraid to do that for whatever reason.
Regarding your paragraph on "Intercourse." You indicated that people who were found guilty of "unlawful intercourse" could be penalized. Can you expand on that a little? For example, what would be the worst possible penalty, what would be the lightest penalty, etc?
The vast majority of Pakistanis I have met (living the US) have been merchants and small hotel owners. That being said, the actual number of Pakistani people I have ever spoken with probably numbers under 10 - so that isn't saying much. I do remember commenting to a Pakistani motel owner about the sign above the desk - it was written in Urdu and asked the person if it was a verse from the Koran? I must say, that immediately produced a smile on the lady's face.
I really hope to read more about your country - specifically told from your perspective.
And one more question if you will... would you consider yourself to be what is sometimes known as the "well-off" minority in Pakistan?
Again, thank you - very informative and a very welcome hub.
One more question. My Moslem friends in the past have told me that the Koran must be read in the original Arabic in order for it to be fully appreciated. And I can understand there are many subtlties lost in translation from one language to another.
One Moslem I spoke to told me that Arabic was the "language of God" and that reading the Koran in anything but the original Arabic was useless. What are your thoughts on that - both personally and as a Moslem? The Roman Catholic Church used to insist on masses being spoken in Latin. Now I don't think Rome ever declared Latin to be the "language of God," but I can see where understanding the teachings of your own faith could be made very difficult if you don't understand the very vehicle in which in which it is taught. Are English or other indigenous language versions of the Koran readily available in Pakistan?
alamiftikharalg, this is to say, let's hope peace finally prevails over Pakistan.
However, my dear friend, you seem to have forgotten what gave birth to this hatred.
For centuries, Muslims (Mughuls) even though a minority ruled over everyone. It was when the Bristish came that they added fuel to fire and encouraged Hindus, who were in majority to take over.
Please note that when Muslims ruled, people of all religions, still practiced their respective religions, however, when Hindus took over they made life hell for Muslims and barely allowed them to practice their religion peacefully.
Pakistan was created for one reason, for Muslims to have a country, where they could practice their religion freely, without the interference of any one. Pakistan was supposed to be a secular state where every one could practice their religion with out being targeted or harassed.
I think, it is important we remember, why Pakistan was made. Not on hate but for love... For love of religion, for love of peace, for love of life and for love of common brotherhood.
@QudsiaP1 i agree mughals barring aurangzeb were secular..but it was not british who initiated down fall...they were beneficiaries of it..it was aurangzeb whose policies started rift between hindus and muslims...if dara would have been emperor instead of aurangzeb , things would have been different...there is very good book written by some western historian author on dara v/s aurangzeb...i am hindu and belong to family which suffered from aurangzeb personally...if aurangzeb would have been secular , mughals could have remained still strong...after aurangzeb , mughals became symbolic rulers while larger part being rules by others...maharasthas had substaintial territory other than mughals when brits started using situation to their advantage...so it is not 100% true that hindus made live hell for muslims...muslims ruled in India has been mixed...mughals till shahjahan were secular but there were invaders who looted temples , world's oldest university was demolished...so i hope you get my point of view too...we can't change history but we can understand that hindus , muslims are in the end humans and humans are inherently similar world over in how they feel , what they do...hindus , muslims are training..conditionings but one is better than other is myth...both have negatives and positives inside themselves...first mashjid in India was built in kerala by hindu raja...parsi when ran for life , they found home in India again by hindu raja...so hinduism is not as you wrote about it...yes I have lot of muslims friend out here and I have most of them to be morally upright , people of commitment...and also i have found some as not practising what they preach...i find same among hindus too , among jains too and among chrisitans too...so i guess we need to look from holistic point of view and not from religion based ...this is what i think..
In end what I can say is hindus and muslims are not enemies...they are humans who love life , want best for their family , want to conduct their lives in best possible way ..It is lack of interaction and different way of life which causes problem...If more and more hindus and muslims interact with each other on daily basis , in end we all are human beings...
DTR0005, since I am neither a law maker nor have been around for very long, I had to do a bit of research before answering your question about 'unlawful intercourse'.
In response to it, I found this article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adultery
Which admittedly not only tells about punishments but also talks about the comparison between the Abrahamic Religions.
For LGBT, the site would be http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gay_rights_in_Pakista
Under section 377 of the Pakistan Penal Code, it states:
Of Unnatural Offenses:
Section 377: Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than two years nor more than ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.[Source Wikipedia]
Punishment for Adultery comes under Hudood Ordinance, which basically covers important crimes, which it deals with severely:
1. Murder
2. Theft
3. Zina (A term used some what jointly for both adultery and premarital sex).
Now please, before you read the articles, please try to understand that some of the laws in Pakistan, actually most are quite conflicted, because these laws were enforced upon by an Islamist Militant Dictator Zia-ul-haq, who seemingly held women responsible for every crime.
The man believed that women were the root of all evil so while he gave several a leeway to men in most laws, women have seemingly always borne the brunt.
You will come across many a hypocritic laws, where many a women claiming to be raped have instead been charged with as a sex offender and the rapist enjoys his freedom.
We live in a twisted world, DTR0005.
Let me clarify though, there is no illegal activity, that is not performed her.
There are proper brothels and prostitutes, gay men and probably women. How do they all escape the eyes of the law you ask?
Sadly, the law is some what of a joke. If you have enough money and power. You can get away with anything.
From what I have observed, the law stands only for the poor, miserable, middle or upper middle class people.
Any one higher than that ladder is some what exempted.
As for my position on the social ladder. Alhamdullah (Arabic word for 'Thanks to Allah'), Allah had provided me with the basics and a good family. We are no Richie Rich but we are okay some where in the middle. :)
Dear pisean282311,
Thank you for keeping my words in check. :P
Well honestly, I was sort of explaining why Pakistan was made according to Pakistani history books but you are right. I should perhaps have given a perspective as an outsider, after all neither of us were present at the time.
I think history finds it easy to simply 'blame the British' because it is easier. If you observe I used the statement, "Adding fuel to fire", which subly indicated that things were not all well before but sort of became worse later.
The reason I mentioned Muslims and Hindus, is simply because the story is way easier to follow.
I am narrating an experience to an outsider who perhaps is unaware of both the Muslim and Hindu sects and imagine how tedious just explaining a little of it would be.
It is like when they talk about Hitler, it is always Nazis and Jews... Simple for the benefit of the people to make an account easier to follow.
I agree Muslims and Hindus are not enemies, neither is Pakistan and India. We are strong and we are one, only in this hub I talk about a time when we were not one, when the differences stood up higher than anything, when we were fighting but no longer are.
I hope you understand. Call me lazy, I like to stick to shortening accounts, otherwise, Hubpages would find itself, with a whole another book on the subcontinent by a 22 year old author.
I wonder if they would help me sell the e-book? :P
*Ponders about being the Pakistani version of Meyer/J.K. Rolling only with history...
I smell money. :D
well you should write a book...amazon pe sell ho sakta hai...go ahead...atleast you have one reader booked..and it is me :)
DTR0005, coming back to your next question regarding the Quran, please observe that the correct and closest English spelling starts with a "Qu" and not a "Ko" because Q is the English word perhaps closest to the Arabic letter. I am sure you would understand since you do understand French and all the difficult words. :P
Okay, sorry I got distracted.
Coming back, see it is 100% true that Arabic is the language of the Quran and thereby the language of Allah. I will never deny that but before I go into my perspective let me explain, why Allah chose Arabic, why Arab, why not America or India or Australia or even Pakistan?
Pick a map and you would find your self shocked as Mekkah, the Holy city of Saudi Arabia where the Kaaba is. Happens to be in the center of the Earth geographically.
A Christian, a Hindu, a Jew or any other person, needs to go to a place of worship to worship.
However, since Kaaba is present on the center of the Earth, all we have to do is point in that direction and we can pray absolutely anywhere, except in a washroom or near filth, sewage etc.
As a Muslim we believe that Allah is all around us, Allah is in our heart and our soul. Now you would question, then why Masjids (Mosques)?
Masjids were created so that several men can offer prayer together in one line, proving that no man is superior in the eyes of Allah. In a Masjid, a beggar can stand next to the president and pray. Masjids were created for joint prayer and so that all Muslim men can know the conditions and problem of one another and help if possible. To discuss and gain better insight of religion.
Men are encouraged and there is greater reward if they pray in masses. In comparison, women get equal reward even if they pray in seclusion, this is because sometimes she can not leave her children or new born or home and Allah did not want women to have to suffer.
In the eyes of Allah all men and women are equal, though of course the ones with good deeds hold a higher status.
Coming back to your question.
Quran was sent upon Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) because he spoke Arabic and because the locals spoke Arabic. Therefore, it was preached, taught and talked about in Arabic.
As the Quran and its teachings spread across the world, each Arabic Quran came with a translation. As far as my knowledge goes, the Quran has been translated in to 114 languages.
However, please note that each Quran contains the Arabic and the required language translation. You will never find a Quran, with only English or Urdu or French or German.
The Arabic is always mentioned for our better understanding.
The reason Allah asked Muslims to recite the Quran and the reason Allah told Muslims that they would be rewarded for recitation is so that a Muslim should be enticed into reciting the Quran. Note that I use the word 'recite' rather than 'read', the purpose is that everytime you read the Quran you must try to remember it.
DTR0005, Quran is not a book.
The Quran is a path of guidance.
How can you follow a path of guidance if you do not attempt to understand it?
The recitation of Quran is encouraged everyday so that everyday you learn and remember what is right.
Muslims pray 5 times a day. Fajr (Prayer before sunrise), duhr (Prayer after noon), asr (Prayer before sunset), Magrib (Prayer after sunset), Esha (Prayer after nightfall).
Today when I offered prayer, systematically I praised Allah, then I promised him to not cheat or fraud any one, to not harm any one. I begged for mercy and forgiveness.
I prayed Fajr in Arabic. I know all the Arabic by heart. However, I also know the translation of the Arabic, so that I can remind myself of what I promised Allah at the beginning of the day.
As a Muslim you are required to learn Arabic Verses like The 6 Kalmas (Verses of faith), The 5 Pillars of Islam, Eeman-e-Mufasal and Eeman-e-Mujamal (Verses that strengthen your faith), "Surah Fatiha", "Ayat-ul-Qursi", "Durood-e-Ibrahimi", "Attahiyat" etc.
These are Muslims verses that I was taught ever since childhood, however, my mother always stressed that I understood what I was saying.
Arabic is a beautiful language but it is not my mother tongue. Neither is it a tongue I speak or understand.
How am I to follow the word of Allah if I can not understand it?
The next time you come across a Muslim who tells you that Quran should be only read in Arabic ask them this.
"When you are unsure of something or you discuss Islam freely amongst your peers, do you use Arabic as a medium of conversation? Or your native tongue for better understanding?"
P.S. Of course that question is valid only for non Arabic speakers. :)
I have read the Quran countless times.
Earlier today when I read the Quran, I was on the 9th chapter called Surah Taubah. First I read it in Arabic, then I read it in English for better understanding.
I try to maintain a balance in everything in my life, as Allah is my witness.
I hope this answers your question, DTR0005. :)
Aww pisean282311, you are just the best. :)
Ms. Q,
Thank you for the information on the Quaran (notice I spelled it correctly)
I have read quite a bit about Islam and have had many friends in France and in the US who were at least "raised" as Moslems. I won't comment as to whether they followed the teachings to the letter - most did not. But neither did most Christians (including myself) loll. And let's not forget the Jewish people I have known and know - None of us were Saints. As Jesus Christ said, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Another favorite quote mine from the Gospels is "Let you who is without sin cast the first stone..." This passage has always struck me. The religious elders were ready to stone a woman for some offense (likely adultery) and this was Christ's response.
I have not read enough nor talked enough with other Moslems - I am certain the Prophet Mohammed was as kind and forgiving as Jesus Christ - at least I can only hope He was.
Ms. Q,
I notice that the penalty for what amounts to adultery, un-natural acts, unlawful intercouse, at least in Pakistan, is not hanging or other form of capital punishment. Though severe by Western standards, is not AS severe as in other Moslem nations. That is somewhat refreshing to know.. that is if I understood you correctly. I must admit today that my brain is a little fried....
DTR0005, as I have said countless times on countless occasions.
You must never judge a religion by the way its followers practice it.
DTR0005, if you read the old testament, you will find that Jesus predicted the arrival of "Ahmed" (Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.).
All the Abrahamic religions are continuations of one another.
Allah tells us that there had been at least 132 messengers sent up on every tribe for guidance. However, only David A.S, Moses A.S, Jesus A.S and Muhammad S.A.W were given books. Abrahim was given a scroll called Suhuf.
As I have been told, when Adam A.S (the first human being) opened his eyes in heaven, he saw the Kalma written there.
The Kalma is a testament of Islam which says, "There is no god except Allah and Muhammad S.A.W. is HIS last prophet" (Laa ilaaha illal Lahoo Mohammadur Rasool Ullah)
The world is an exam and Day of Judgment the result day.
Lol, DTR0005.
Forgive me, I did not mean to fry your brain but I can understand where you are coming from.
Considering I perhaps overwhelmed or rather over loaded you with information. :P
Though I hope my meaning and purpose was not lost in translation. :P
No, the meaning wasn't lost at all. I was just tired when I read it... lol
Wonderfully written. You found me, and that led me to you. Thank you !
I have always been fascinated with Pakistan and longing to see the country itself. I was actually offered a few opportunity to work there, but I was advised to turn down due to security reason.
So, I am glad I can get to know the country from your hub. So easy to read, organized and informative.
DTR0005, lol!!
Dear Ingenira,
You are most welcome. I had certainly enjoyed reading your hub. It was very informative.
Thank you for the encouraging comment.
Yes, it is unfortunate that so much talent and so many foreigners stay away because of this terrorism quotient but I pray and hope that in the coming times we achieve peace again. :)
HI, thank you for such an informative hub, I have learned more about Pakistan than I ever knew before, I never realised that the Quran was written in Arabic only, and so many other things that I didn't understand, fascinating, nell
Hi Nell.
Thanks for stopping by.
Honestly Nell, the original language of the Quran is Arabic and you get get translations in about 114 languages.
You got a way with words. However, I would like to clear that your votes play no part at all in the power structure. Almost all the important positions are pre-decided.
Thank you Ultimate Hubber. :)
Your comment has certainly made my day. :)
Nice work, its informative.
I think the biggest fault of our nation is that we dont know Persian along with Arabic. We are missing out Sir.Allama Iqbals messages.
Thank you for your comment Azhar Ranjha.
Faults lie within every state, I think it is about time we try to start fixing them. :)
Very nice QudsiaP1....I like your hub and your responses to the readers comments.....though I don't fully agree with all your personal views....however I do appreciate your sincere will to present true Pakistan.
Not indulging into these never ending arguments, I would only like to add here that whatever has been done in committed in the past by our predecessors to put today's Pakistan in a total mess.....let's only see how the youths can make tomorrow a better Pakistan and for that to happen they will have to make their vision very clear away from external help and believing in unlimited internal natural assets.....believe me it's all about managing theses to the best of the levels....and we can see a developed and prosperous Pakistan tomorrow....the need is that every youth today has to be a part of it's re-building process.....and I am very very optimistic.....that era is not far away.Thanks.
Thank you for your comment, gajanis786. :)
Though oh I do wish you would have indulged at least a little bit. We must know all sides of the argument if we are to proceed.
I too am quite optimistic about the future. I think the rebuilding has already begun, don't you? :)
Well you promised a few more hubs about Pakistan.. what do you think? - some of us are waiting...:)
Oh DTR0005, thank you for reminding me. I have been so focused on 'The Changing Lines' series lately, that I almost forgot.
I will work on something related to Pakistan soon. :)
I am really impressed the way you compile all the point about Pakistan.. There is so much to say that i am commenting after reading half of it. First i believe that religious extremists are not 70 % percent not the moderates are 5%. You may be agree that more that 5% are minorities... and then upper middle class and 50% of middle class they are not extremist and those which we call lower middle class they can't be religious extremist. You may be agree that there is no religion in their lives because many of them are struggling for their day to day survival, for food, for health etc etc.
One more thing I want to share; that I don’t think that Arabic language is a barrier in understanding Quran and Islam. Those who wanted to follow and understand can understand the translation. There are so many programs and translation on TV channels and Radio but you know problem is that many of us don’t even understand the translations because of illiteracy. Do you ever notice that so many of us are doing Umarh and Hajj these days without any change in life, I am not asking for big change I am just saying stop lying and stop cheating
I firmly believe that rising population is also a big problem. People have 5 and 6 kid (lower middleclass) and then they have nothing to eat, no school, no health and then these kids were given to madrassa where Maulvis exploit them. I remember asking my maid not to send his kid to madrassa instead send him to govt school or nowhere but not to madrassa…..
Last but not least.. You have done a great job..:)
Thank you for your comment.
What a great and very informative hub!
So well written and balanced. I also found the comments very interesting...
Thank you kindly sunsetofthenight, yes this hub brought in a lot of input from every one. I am glad you stopped by. :)
Great article - and great comments and discussion.
Enlightened.
I am an Indian and I wish could bring the Indian perspective as well you did. Will attempt one day though ;-)
Once again appreciations for the great job.
ps - Am a cricket freak and I love all your cricketers !
msivakumar thank you so much for stopping by.
Thank u Very Much Qudsia for Writing about Pakistan. Also Thanks for Showing Maps of Pakistan. The Photos of Pakistani People belong from different areas & Provinces r Very Cute and I also thanks u to Share some Important Informations about Pakistan. We Pakistanis Must introduced Our Cultures, Our Civilizations All around the World. God Bless u & God Bless Our Homeland Pakistan.
STARGATE
pisean282311 16 months ago
As Indian When I first read this hub , my natural reaction on your few lines about India was to counter you but you expressed what you consider right and I respect that..
Coming to Pakistanis at large , well I have few friends in Pakistan and they are wonderful people. Big hearted , nice and yes innocent too...I believe Pakistanis are very talented lot . I wish you and all Pakistanis all the best . Nice long hub. Thanks for sharing...