‘Walaikum’

(Published 7.6.2009)

http://dailynationalcourier.com/national_courier/jun2009_daily/07-06-09/artical/artical1.htm                       

Palestinians, and for that matter Muslims, had nothing to do with the holocaust. Hitler, certainly was neither a Muslim nor an Arab. He belonged to white Arian race. The 2nd World War was fought in Europe and yet a separate homeland for Jews was carved in territorial Arab and that too in and around one of the three most sacred cities of Islam, Jerusalem, at the cost of displacement of millions of Palestinians. How would you react if Pakistan insist on resettling nearly 4 million of IDPs rendered homeless by ongoing military action in Swat and other areas of our NWFP province in the USA, or for that matter any other country of the world? Would that be fair? Mr President in your speech you emphasized on tolerance- the most basic pre-requisite of which is freedom of expression and thought without which there would be no need for tolerance in the first place.

When the most powerful man on the earth speaks one must listen, and listen attentively simply because his wish is actually a command in disguise no matter how humble his words or how soft his tone may sound. Despite feeling unworthy and incapable of commenting on US President Barack Hussein Obama’s speech at Cairo University I have decided to do just that in the absence of any critical comments from leaders of the Muslim world, that makes up almost one-sixth of the humanity today.
I am somewhat perplexed at the indifference of the Pakistani media to highlight some of the finest points of President’s Obama’s speech which was primarily directed at the Muslim world. It is particularly more painful to see that our media has failed to discuss President Obama’s views on democracy and matters related to it. Here is what he said, “Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election. But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. Those are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere.
“There is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is clear: governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments - provided they govern with respect for all their people. This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they are out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power: you must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.”
Mr Obama not only accepted a nation’s right to “gives life to its own principles and traditions of its people; accepted the people’s right of freedom of expression and thought; respecting their views about how to be governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; a government that is transparent and one that doesn’t steal from its people and the freedom to live as one chooses”. All these fine principles of conscience, including a government that doesn’t steal from its own people, are also enshrined in our own Constitution and laws and yet they fail to protect the vast population of this country from ruthlessly exploit day in and day out. I offer my heartfelt thank to Mr Obama for aptly choosing Cairo, the informal capital of Arab world in particular and Muslim world in general, for giving democracy a human face and to send a clear message to the un-elected, totalitarian, despotic and pseudo elected heads that rule the Muslim world that their strategy of ruling their people through fear and mass exploitation would not be tolerated any more.
Mr Obama also seems to be issuing a stern warning to unscrupulous leaders everywhere when he talked of holding American managers accountable for their “failure to spend public’s dollars wisely, reform bad habits and to do their business in the light of day to help revive the vital trust between people and their government”. And since the speech was delivered in Cairo it may be safe to assume that the warning was specifically directed at the leaders of the Muslim world when he said, “To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history…”
Mr President you have also uttered soothing words while seeking “a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect. A new beginning “based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and of your responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear”. You have also said that “given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail and of defending America respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law”. You have advised Palestinians, with whom Muslims the world over share unbreakable and inviolable religious bond, to abandon violence as if stone-throwing Palestinians have any match to nuclear armed, expansion-ambitious and militarily aggressive Israel- an undeclared nuclear power.
Palestinians, and for that matter Muslims, had nothing to do with the holocaust. Hitler, certainly was neither a Muslim nor an Arab. He belonged to white Arian race. The 2nd World War was fought in Europe and yet a separate homeland for Jews was carved in territorial Arab and that too in and around one of the three most sacred cities of Islam, Jerusalem, at the cost of displacement of millions of Palestinians. How would you react if Pakistan insist on resettling nearly 4 million of IDPs rendered homeless by ongoing military action in Swat and other areas of our NWFP province in the USA, or for that matter any other country of the world? Would that be fair? Mr President in your speech you emphasized on tolerance- the most basic pre-requisite of which is freedom of expression and thought without which there would be no need for tolerance in the first place.
I would like to end my column by quoting the part of your speech Mr President that impressed me the most, “… I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. Those are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere.” God bless you Mr President.