Dear sir/Madam,
How to bring back –Pakistani, economic, political Stability?

Tensions in Pakistan have been rising; the political instability surrounding both the presidential and parliamentarian is inclusive with the increase in militant activity within Pakistan, which led suicide attacks in Pakistan. Following Benazir Bhutto’s assassination on December 27, the external forces are working within their planning and span of control in Pakistan to destabilize the whole country. It is very much clear that more and more restriction could only be possible to impose on Pakistani ruler if the internal circumstance turns in to bad to worse. In order to compel Pakistani government to accept more condition due to gloomy socio-political condition, indirectly helping to disrupt the security situation to implement more rigid and brutal action, so that socio-political unrest increase shaking /deteriorating confidence in administration, so that people and administration could not get together to settle their grievances at large and Pakistan could be declare as the world’s “most dangerous nation”. To achieve further political gain. Such as, submission of 11 point demand draft by the USA for future implementation of His planning to attain more and more control on Pakistani administration and force them to work, accordingly, even at the cost of sovereignty of the country and against Pakistani people’s aspiration.

Since the creation of Pakistan the Pakistani people are left at distant from the corridor of power so that the ruling elite can do what they wanted to do in favor of their interest, leaving the Pakistani people at the mercy of circumstances. As this policy is denial of right of Pakistani people to rule their country according to their aspiration and desire to built this country, which can provide equal opportunity to all without any discrimination for the establishment of welfare society. Only the society base on tolerance, equality and justice can be the real guarantee for the prosperous and strong Pakistan there for your intention is invited to the crucial movement which could be the point of distraction or disaster.

We have already lost the major part of Pakistan in 1971 simply to save the centralized sole power to exploit this country by the ruling elite they let the country break in part then allowing the masses to rule this country democratically. In the present circumstances we are again dragging our sovereignty at stack for the external interest in the name of national interest, instead of our interest i.e. the interest of Pakistani people at large.

Events affecting current socio-political situation are:

• In March 2007, Musharraf suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry
• In July, security forces raided Islamabad’s Red Mosque,
• On October 6, Musharraf was overwhelmingly reelected President while still ,
acting, as Chief of Army Staff.
• On November 3, Musharraf declared a state of emergency and dismissed
Chaudhry once again,

• In late November, Musharraf removed his uniform, appointing General Kiyani as
the new Chief of Army Staff, and inaugurated as civilian president.
• On December 27, nearly two weeks after Musharraf ended emergency rule,
Benazir Bhutto was assassinated at a campaign rally.
• More suicide attacks within country may more have to be followed. Violence and military
activity in the tribal areas has risen significantly.

The current socio-political system did not have accountability and transparency, therefore, both the presidential and parliamentary members ,have greater than before the uncertainty, the instability, and Musharraf’s loss of credibility. Political uncertainly has been compounded by a simultaneous rise in militancy, which has fed into the ongoing sectarian violence throughout Pakistan and the Security situation in Pakistan is evaporating, this fact was made clear in January when refugees flooded into Afghanistan from Pakistan, the former being perceived as providing a safer environment.

In spite of who wins, all of the leading candidates will likely pursue similar policies to Musharraf, with contrary levels of aptitude. Stability will be maintained by the army with force, mainly certain stability that General Kiyani brings to the leadership will not be complete, however any of the candidates for Prime Minister will face the same challenges, discrepancy in their presentation will be in the precincts, this election will bring in change of faces not the change of socio-political system in Pakistan as expected by the people of Pakistan and essential for the country.

Perhaps the more important factor than the selected one has the process to be followed, and whether the people feel their voices are being heard and their participation encouraged. Since the creation of Pakistan the Pakistani people are left at distant from the corridor of power, so that the ruling elite can do what they wanted to do in favor of their interest, leaving the Pakistani people at the mercy of circumstances. As this policy is denial of right of Pakistani people to rule their country according to their aspiration and desire to built this country, which can provide equal opportunity to all without any discrimination for the establishment of welfare society. Only the society base on tolerance, equality and justice can be the real guarantee for the prosperous and strong Pakistan there for your intention is to invite, to the crucial movement which could be the point of distraction or disaster. Many innocent people are dying every day-week and every month. Because of bombast, suicide attacks and target killing in Pakistan the factual condition is that nothing happened in this world without any reason, the need of the time is to redress the grievances of the people and eliminate the reason the route cause.

The right way to reverence to Martyr is to eliminate the causes after the incidents. If we can redress the route cause after the suicide killing, we can save many lives in future. The only way out is the change of system the route cause of all kind of grievances within society, the time is to empower the Pakistani at grass route level to eliminate the socio-political injustice and strengthen the unity within the society at large, and closing the door for outsiders or intruder to penetrate in our society because of social unrest.

Unfortunately, despite the significance of the democratic elements, only the power full elite are fitted in power and Pakistani are always left at the mercy of circumstances again and again… As this policy is denial of right of Pakistani people to rule their country according to their aspiration and desire to built this country, which can provide equal opportunity to all without any discrimination for the establishment of welfare society. Only the society based on tolerance, equality and justice can be the real guarantee for real peace and progress in the society. Therefore, Change of socio-political system is inevitable to empower the Pakistani at grass route level for rapid industrial and agriculture development.

See http://www.idp.org.pk

Ilyas khan Baloch

Islamic Democratic Party

Assalam Alaykum

This open thread idea is great! Okay, so theres this big case here in the tri-state area regarding possible deportation of the imam of the largest masjid (mosque) in NJ, Dr. Shaykh Mohammad Qatanani. I personally know the Imam, and Masha Allah, he has dedicated his life for the community at large.

If MuslimMatters could write a possible article about that, that would be great. As part of the grass roots campaign, we want to get as many people as we can aware about the case. As of now, he has many supporters including Senator Bill Pascrell and prominent clergy members of other faiths.

There is an online petition that you could perhaps link to so people could sign and show their support. For more information about the case, you can email me or check it out here: http://www.aafusa.org/imam_qatanani_story.htm

Jazakallahu Khairun

Here’s an interesting op-ed from today’s NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/23/opinion/23berman.html?ex=1206936000&en=5725721c634b4060&ei=5070&emc=eta1 .

Well, what grinds my gears is the media lynch mob that went after Rev. Jeremiah Wright. No one even took that time to take an objective look at his statements and consider their merit.

See: http://www.antiwar.com/henderson/?articleid=12553

Meanwhile, John McCain was again, given a free pass by the liberal media for his association with two vicious and radical right-wing Christian preachers who pronounce bigoted and hateful rhetoric against Muslims, Catholics, and others.

I’m sorry, but such hypocrisy really irks me.

@ Amad: What do you think Muslims should do in this election?

Something EASY YOU can do to CHANGE the world:

http://muslimology.wordpress.com/2008/03/23/money-talks-dawah/

Br. Amad

I think it will kill the dems if we endorse them as a group. But we can always help them as individuals.

What we can do more forcefully is to educate people about mccain. There is a lot wrong with this guy, and people need to know that.

I am sorry to say it, but this time- we have to primarily focus on negative marketing. We should also not highlight the Muslim experience until the elections are over.

That’s my thoughts. One thing I am sure about- the best thing to do is that CAIR sits down one day and decides a plan of action. I am very fond of the saying “there is barakah in ijtema.”

Yeah I know Manas, that was my stupid comment of the day.

I got a question for everyone:

You know when you get up at Fajr to make wudhu, your body temperature is a little funny, especially since it’s cold this early in the morning.

So that if you do wudhu, you will find yourself with a runny nose, sneezing and having difficulty in salaah. It’s not a cold or a flu but just temporary. This happens to me a lot.

Any remedies for getting rid of this?

^Amad can you do a post on this PLEASE!?

This really needs to get around ASAP bro. This was a really complex ridiculous case of some crack dealer convert named Mubin Shaikh who ruined the lives of some young Canadian Muslims.

SubhanAllah… that ‘pope baptizing Muslim’ irks me sooooooo MUCH!

Every single week, hundreds of Christians are becoming Muslim but NONE of it gets in the media.

And here we have some random ‘Muslim’ guy who, like br. Amad mentioned, was never really even a Muslim and he became Christian and look how it gets on headlines.

In my opinion, it’s propaganda, specifically chosen to be aired on Easter!

Allah knows best

The headline ought to read, “Munaafiq comes out of closet, becomes Mushrik.”

Siraaj

“I just came across this video a couple of minutes ago, and it brought a lot of thoughts to mind……”

JazaakAllah khayr for an insightful contribution. I believe that a lot of what you mentioned is important to think about and consider. Although I was very young at the time of this video I do recall how things were before the “commercialization” of dawah (as you put it). There was a time when the masaajid in the community were the place to turn to in order to learn and bond with your brothers/sisters but now it seems as if the focus has shifted to more global and widespread ventures. I don’t necessarily think it is something bad but it just makes you wonder if it is the hype surrounding these ventures that attracts the numbers or is it the want/need to seek knowledge that was prevalent before?

I believe part of this goes back to the need for more “grassroots” dawah, which one of the MM staff touched upon in a previous post. The correct attitude and beginning stages of seeking knowledge need to start in the community. I am not downplaying the need for nationwide classes, conferences, and speakers but I don’t think that one is able to extract the most benefit from them if they can not find basic nourishment at home.

Must read Keith Ellison interview:

http://www.counterpunch.org/waj03242008.html