Pakistan's Contributions Must Be Recognized.

It has been a misery for under developing nations like Pakistan who have sacrificed a lot for critical global issues and when it was time to recognize their efforts, the world turned its back over them leaving them helpless in their own world.

Pakistan in particular has been a major victim to this cause, If we go through the global history of the past few decades we will find out how badly the position and the importance of Pakistan has been compromised by the international community which has brought nothing but hollow gaps in between the relations of the world especially the west with Pakistan.

I can put in frame various references to support my case at hand but I guess history itself is the best evidence we can have over this issue.

The war on terrorism presents a clear cut picture of what has been happening to the third world nations on the name of saving the humanity. Pakistan heavily contributed along United States Of America during the 80's but was left alone after the cold war knowing the after effects of the events which are now evident to us in the form of terrorism.

Hence after 9/11 Pakistan was again brought in a condition in which it had no choice then to fight for the whole world against the worst dilemma of the 21st century i.e Terrorism.

Pakistan yet again stood on the fore front for the world to fight against the militants and their malevolence. Not only this but Pakistan has been a major victim to this disease. Pakistan has lost 3,117 security forces members in the world's struggle against terrorism. According to the rough statistics around 30,000 casualties have been reported in Pakistan during war on terrorism and the suffering still continues.

Keeping in mind of what has been mentioned above one may find it quite astonishing it he/she sees a government leader from a country like United Kingdom claiming that Pakistan has been supporting these militants and is somehow funding them.

I believe releasing such statements will yet again start creating gaps in the bilateral relations of the west with Pakistan and will act as a demoralising agent for Pakistan in its efforts on the war against terrorism.

We have seen healthy realtions between the west and Pakistan during Musharraf's era and now we know it that its possible on the basis of common understanding.

There fore I believe that contributions made by Pakistan should be recognized equally rather then being criticized on basis of certain baseless facts given by the self proclaimed biggest economies in South Asia.

PAKISTAN ZINDABAD.

This time for AFRICA.

The FIFA world cup 2010 has finally taken a start off, and what could have one expected,this time it is not taking place in europe neither in the south or north american region, for all the football maniacs out there this time its for Africa.

The least expected South Africa is hosting this year's football world cup and being a bit critical regarding this year's venue,certain issues have arisen like small crimes, local weather and environment. As far as the crimes are concerned there have been news regarding robberies from tourist's hotel rooms, for which the government has taken certain measures. Secondly the weather around the country is quite cold which could bring in some health issues.

But yet again there are many positive aspects that lie aside by taking this year's world cup to South Africa which include lethal issues like racism and the importance of Africa in todays world.

Hence all we can hope for is another exciting world cup and this time its all for AFRICA.

The "K" Factor!

The caption speaks for itself. I have been working on the most commonly used term of 21st century i.e terrorism and have surely come upto certain conclusions regarding it. I under few more articles will be presenting those outcomes that I have extracted from the research I have made.

Now moving directly over today's topic The "K" factor. When I related this title to terrorism the first thing that struck my mind was Kazakistan and other central asian states as they have played a major role in exploiting these wild elements, but i wont be attacking the kazaks or uzbekis here.

There stands to be another group in Muslims known as Kharijites. I hope many of you would be aware of this term incase not then Kharijites is being regarded as that schismatist in Islam who were majorly involved in creating disputes between Hazrat Ali(A.S) and Hazrat Muawwiya(R.A), for which Muslim community still suffers. Kharijites do not accept the enitity of other Muslim sects and clearly regard them as Kaafirs ad consider their belief as the only sacred belief to Allah.

Taking the above scenario in mind if we look at the mindset of Tehrik-e-Taliban and its splinters functioning in Pakistan we will find out that they carry a very similar mindset. They do not support any sect let it be shiai-sm or sunni-ism. They have their own beliefs ands faiths which uptil now have proved quite disturbing and mind boggling for the rest of the society persisting in Pakistan. We have seen that what has happened in Swat even when nizaam-e-udul( Ordinance for peace) was being implemented there, we are still looking at what is happening in Southern Punjab and Waziristan, blood is being shed ruthlessly and humanity is suffering on a whole.

I think the current scheme of Talibans in Pakistan somehow holds vast interests over khariji ideology, as somehow these militants have declared a war over the Muslim Ummah, which was being done earlier in the history during Salahuddin's era when he had to fight the battle against the crusaders and these kharijites too at the same time.

The picture that worries me more is that this particular "k" factor is being funded and encouraged by some key intelligence agencies for their own interests which has and will be causing more and more problems if proper and firm steps are not being taken by the present government against it.

Pakistan Zindabad.

US will ‘do more and announce more’ for Pakistan: Holbrooke

US special representative Richard Holbrooke has indicated that the Obama administration would “do more and announce more” to assist Pakistan’s development in various fields.

Briefing the US State Department, Holbrooke said, “We are doing more, we will announce more, we want to do as much as the Congress will support, but Congress writes the cheques.”

The envoy praised Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Kayani for deciding to participate in the upcoming round of strategic dialogue in the US. He said strategic dialogue was not possible without the participation of the army. He also praised the Pakistan Army for its successes against terrorists in Tribal Areas.

Holbrooke described the agenda for the strategic dialogue as the fight against al Qaeda and improved bilateral relations between Pakistan and the US.

He said the US would also discuss with the Pakistani delegation issues related to the distribution of water and power. “Beyond the strategic broad-range discussions, we want to move into operational things like water, energy,” he said.

The US envoy also praised the government for arresting Mullah Baradar.

Holbrooke said the dialogue in the US on March 24 – to be led by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi – “marks a major intensification in our relationship”.

He said US officials would visit Islamabad on the Pakistani government’s invitation for the next round of the strategic dialogue. He said the round of dialogue to be held in Pakistan would be meaningful and not a mere photo session.

No surgical strike on terror camps in Pakistan: Indian Govt

India today ruled out the possibility of any surgical strike on terror camps inside Pakistan, but asserted that adequate measures would be taken to ensure its interests are protected.

"No, no," Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju, said when asked about the possibility of surgical strikes on terror camps inside the neighbouring country.

He told reporters here, "We will take adequate measures to see to it that our nation is safe, our citizens are safe, and our interests are safeguarded."

While expressing hope that Pakistan will act against terror camps operating from its soil, he said India will also ensure that its interests are protected and the nation is secure.

"The first responsibility is towards ensuring adequate security towards which we are leaving no stone unturned.

Terror Strikes Karachi Again!!!!!!

As per it was expected in Karachi, the seventh largest city on earth has once again suffered a terrorist attack on the 10^th of Muharram, the day when a religious procession was being carried out for the heroes of kerbala, a suicide blast took place at M.A Jinnah road right in the heart of the procession. The death toll has gone in multiple figures where as the number of injuries has touched the 100 mark. The attack was being condemned by all the political parties and governing bodies residing in the nation. We also got few aggrieved messages from London by our beloved politicians for those who lost their lives in this attack.

Now the main reason why I am writing this article is just to highlight and link the event with the current situation of the region specially the tensions between India and Pakistan. Lets consider this option if some how as being said by our very up to dated interior ministry that local organizations are involved then just tell me what would they get out of it, destabilizing Karachi wont get them anything, now what we have to look at is who will be getting the major benefits by destabilizing Karachi.

I think that at least any local power wont get any pros. If said that it will act as a plus for ANP in the upcoming inter Karachi elections, then I think that person is not at all aware of the well established reputation of MQM with in the city.

Who else then? I believe that foreign hands are involved here and to a great extent those hands could be of our so called economically booming eastern neighbor. Why am I saying this? It is pretty clear at the moment that certain elements were trying to target the city and these are fake Indo-American Talibans who are working on a foreign agenda.

But another question arises here, what are they getting by doing this. This is what they are getting.

1. Destabilizing Karachi (The metropolitan city and a major business centre of Pakistan)

2. Getting Pakistan’s army on defensive approach.

3. Proving American propaganda right that the war on terrorism resides in Pakistan only.

Now according to the confirmed sources it is being said that TTP(Tehreek e Taliban,Pakistan) is being funded by certain foreign sources which include the all time famous CIA,RA&W and Mossad, which means if interior ministry comes up with the statement that TTP is involved in the Karachi happenings then it is quite clear that Indo-American involvement is surely there and this whole scenario is being created to get Pakistan and its law enforcement agencies in a bad spotlight again and to start pressurizing Pakistan to allow US intervention within the country and finally the dirtiest part is to further divide the major sects in Islam which in my perception has not been achieved by those who look Pakistan with a ghastly approach.

The main reason for writing this article is not to create suspicions, it is just to warn you all that now evil has its eyes on us and they wont let go if any opportunity comes their way there fore lets get united again and lets show the world what we are capable of.

PAKISTAN PAINDABAD.

Quran and Sunnah Propagation Mission

O you who believe! Be careful of your duty to Allah, and be with the truthful(Qur'an: Chapter 9, Verse 119)

Misconceptions Explained

Dr. Shahid Athar M.D.

World renowned Sunni Scholar

In the interest of Islamic unity, I must deal with the questions rather than shun them. Please note that Imam Jafar (peace be upon him), founder of the Shia school of law, was the teacher of Imam Abu-Hanifa (peace be upon him).

Misconception #1: Shias have a different Quran. They add another 10 chapters to the original Quran.

Response: Not true. I have checked many times Quran kept in Shia homes and mosques. I still find it the same as the original Quran. More recently, I took care of an Iranian lady patient hospitalized here. I saw a copy of the Quran by her side. I borrowed it from her and browsed through cover-to-cover. In Arabic it was the same as our Quran. Of course, since I did not know the Persian language, I can't say much about the translation. It is a sin to even say that the Quran can be changed or added to by Shia when God protects it.

Misconception #2: Some Shia considers Ali as God.

Response: Not true. It is disbelief to even think of such a thing. During the time of Ali, some pagan groups called Gholat did consider Ali as Lord. When he found out, they were burned to death.

Misconception #3: Shias have different declarations of faith and they add to the call to prescribed prayer.

Response: The declaration to become a Muslim, as administered to non-Muslims, is the same. Some Shia add to themselves, "Ali is a friend of God (PBUH) or Ali is a spiritual leader of God," after the call to prescribed prayer, but not as part of the call to prescribed prayer.

Misconception #4: Shias do not perform Sunnah prayers. Sunnah prayers are non-obligatory prayers performed by Prophet Muhammad.

Response: Shias do perform non-obligatory prayers, 36 cycles per day in total, but call it Nawafil and not Sunnah.

Misconception #5: Some Shia believes the Angel Gabriel made a mistake and prophet hood was meant for Ali and not Muhammad (PBUH).

Response: Not true. No Shia thinks of such false claims. "Only demented minds think of such questions."

Misconception #6: Shias slander and ridicule the first three caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman) and Prophet Muhammad's wife, Ayisha.

Response: Shia considers the first three caliphs as companions and administrators, but not spiritual leaders (Imams). Imam Jafar Sadiq, whose mother and grandmother came from the line of Abu Bakr, said of Abu Bakr, "He gave me birth twice." Ayisha is respected by Shias as the"Mother of Believers," as Ali respected her when he sent her back from Basra to Madinah after the Battle of the Camel. If some Shia do slander the three caliphs and Ayisha, they do it out of ignorance and should ask God's forgiveness. (As we have witnessed how Imam Khomeini The Shia bravely declared death of Salman Rushdie -The author of Satanic Verses who abused the wife of Prophet Ayesha and Shia Leader declared blasphemy, just for his Fatwa the whole western countries became against Iran. See how much price did Shia pay to defend Ayesha - while Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE etc. etc. as the Sunni government were silent they did not defend Ayesha. Now who loves Ayesha?)

Misconception # 7: Shias combine all five prayers into one prayer in the evening.

Response: Not true. In Shia mosques, whether in Iran or theUSA, all five daily prayers are performed. Shia do combine noon and afternoon and evening and night, but Shia scholars recommend performing them separately. Such combinations may not be ideal, but better than not praying at all. How can a Sunni who does not pray at all be better than a Shia who combines prayers? For more details please click to see...

Misconception # 8: Shias do not pay zakat (poor-due).

Response: Not true. They not only pay 2.5% left over from savings as zakat, but also an additional 20% as Khums or general charity. However, they prefer to pay directly to the needy rather than corrupt Sunni government.

Misconception #9: Shias practice temporary marriages (Mutah).

Response: Mutah (temporary marriages) was allowed during the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and he himself practiced it. Ibn Zubayr was born out of the temporary marriage. Later on Caliph Umar prohibited it due to social reasons as the Islamic world was rapidly expanding. Shias discourage Mutah but do not consider it prohibited. Some do abuse this. As a temporary privilege during travel, it is better than adultery. For more details please click to see...

Misconception #10: They consider Imams infallible and above the Prophets.

Response: Not true. All prophets are born Prophet but as mentioned in Quran about Abraham that after passing the test, a prophet becomes a leader (Imam). Muhammad (PBUH) is the Prophet (Nabi), Messenger (Rasul) and leader (Imam). Imams are carriers of the message of Islam. Shias consider Ali only as an Imam and not prophet.

With the little knowledge I have, I have tried to do my best as a Sunni in defending my Shia brothers in Islam with the hope and prayer to God Almighty that He will "instill love in the heart of the believers" and bring us closer to each other so that we jointly can fight our common enemy, Satan and his followers.

May God forgive my mistakes in this article and this book (Amin).

"Knowledge is better than wealth because it protects you while you have to guard wealth. It decreases if you keep on spending it but the more you make use of knowledge, the more it increases. What you get through wealth disappears as soon as wealth disappears but what you achieve through knowledge will remain even after you."

Dr. Shahid Athar M.D. is Clinical Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indiana, and a writer on Islam.