This article was forwarded by Mirza Ashraf;

Several prominent Indian journalists and writers have visited Pakistan in recent years for the first time in their lives.  I am sharing with my readers selected excerpts of the reports from Mahanth Joishy (USIndiaMonitor.com), Panakaj Mishra (Bloomberg), Hindol Sengupta (The Hindu), Madhulika Sikka (NPR) and Yoginder Sikand (Countercurrents) of what they saw and how they felt in the neighbor’s home. My hope is that their stories will help foster close ties between the two estranged South Asian nations.
Mahanth S. Joishy, Editor, usindiamonitor.com :  (July, 2012)

t was a true eye-opener, and a thoroughly enjoyable one at that.  Many of the assumptions and feelings I had held toward the country for nearly 30 years were challenged and exposed as wrong and even ignorant outright.

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 The Western and Indian media feed us a steady diet of stories about bomb blasts, gunfights, kidnappings, torture, subjugation of women, dysfunctional government, and scary madrassa schools that are training the next generation of jihadist terrorists.  And yes, to many Westerners and especially Indians, Pakistan is the enemy, embodying all that is wrong in the world.  Incidents such as the beheading of American journalist Daniel Pearl, 26/11 and the Osama Bin Laden raid in Abottobad have not helped the cause either.  Numerous international relations analysts proclaim that Pakistan is “the most dangerous place in the world” and the border with India is “the most dangerous border in the world.”

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(Upon arrival in Karachi) two uniformed bodyguards with rifles who were exceedingly friendly and welcoming climbed onto the pickup truck bed as we started on a 45-minute drive.  I was impressed by the massive, well-maintained parks and gardens surrounding the airport.  I was also impressed by the general cleanliness, the orderliness of the traffic, the quality of the roads, and the greenery. Coming from a city government background, I was surprised at how organized Karachi was throughout the ride.  I also didn’t see many beggars the entire way.  I had just spent significant amounts of time in two major Indian cities, Mumbai and Bangalore, as well as several second-tier cities like Mangalore, and none would compare favorably on maintenance and city planning, especially when it came to potholes and waste management.  This was the first surprise; I was expecting that piles of garbage and dirt would line the roads and beggars would overflow onto the streets.  Surely there is dirt and poverty in Karachi, but far less than I was expecting.  Karachi was also less dense and crowded than India’s cities.

My second pleasant surprise was to see numerous large development projects under way.  I had read about Pakistan’s sluggish GDP growth and corruption in public works and foreign aid disbursement.  This may be true, but construction was going on all over the place: new movie theaters, new malls, new skyscrapers, new roads, and entire new neighborhoods being built from scratch.  In this regard it was similar to India and every other part of Asia I had seen recently: new development and rapid change continues apace, something we are seeing less of in the West.

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 We were also able to do some things which may sound more familiar to Americans: bowling at Karachi’s first bowling alley, intense games of pickup basketball with some local teenagers at a large public park (these kids could really play), or passing through massive and well-appointed malls filled with thousands of happy people of all ages walking around, shopping, or eating at the food court.  We even attended a grand launch party for Magnum ice cream bars, featuring many of Pakistan’s A-list actors, models, and businesspeople.  A friend who is involved in producing musicals directed an excellent performance at the party, complete with live band, singing, and dancing.  This troupe, Made for Stage has also produced shows such as the Broadway musical Chicago to critical acclaim with an all-Pakistani cast for the first time in history.

Even the poor areas we visited, such as the neighborhoods around the Mazar, were filled with families coming out for a picnic or a stroll, enjoying their weekend leisure time in the sun.  All I could see were friendly and happy people, including children with striking features running around.  At no time did I feel the least bit unsafe anywhere we went, and we definitely went through a mix of neighborhoods with varying profiles.

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 Lahore is more beautiful overall than Karachi or any large Indian city I’ve seen.  Serious effort has gone into keeping the city green and preserving its storied history.  Historians would have a field day here.  In particular we saw two stunning historic mosques, the Wazir Khan and the Badshahi, both of which should be considered treasures not only for Muslims, Pakistanis, or South Asia, but for all of humanity.  I felt it a crime that I’d never even heard of either one.  Each of them in different ways features breath-taking architecture and intricate artwork comparable to India’s Taj Mahal.  These are must-see sights for any tourist to Lahore.  The best way to enjoy the vista of the Badshahi mosque is to have a meal on the rooftop of one of the many superb restaurants on Food Street next to the mosque compound.  This interesting area was for hundreds of years an infamous red-light district, made up of a series of old wooden rowhouses that look like they were lifted straight out of New Orleans’ Bourbon Street, strangely juxtaposed with one of the country’s holiest shrines.  From the roof of Cuckoo’s Den restaurant, we could see all of the massive Badshahi complex along with the adjoining royal fortress, all while having a 5-star meal of kebabs, spicy curries in clay pots, and lassi under the stars.  We were fortunate to have very pleasant whether as well.  This alfresco dining experience with two good friends encompassed my favorite moments in the city.

We did much more in Lahore.  We were given a tour of the renowned Aitchison College, which one of my friends attended.  This boys’ private prep school is known for its difficult entrance exams, rigorous academic tradition, illustrious list of alumni since the British founded the school, and its gorgeous and impeccably maintained 200-acre campus that  puts most major universities icluding my own Georgetown to shame.  Aitchison has been considered one of the best prep schools on the subcontinent since 1886.  However, it would have been impossible to get a tour without the alumni connection because security is very thorough.

Pankaj Mishra, Bloomberg:  (April, 2012)

…I also saw much in this recent visit that did not conform to the main Western narrative for South Asia — one in which India is steadily rising and Pakistan rapidly collapsing.

Even in Lyari, Karachi’s diseased old heart, where young gangsters with Kalashnikovs lurked in the alleys, billboards vended quick proficiency in information technology and the English language. Everywhere, in the Salt Range in northwestern Punjab as well as the long corridor between Lahore and Islamabad, were gated housing colonies, private colleges, fast- food restaurants and other markers of Pakistan’s breakneck suburbanization.…
Hindol Sengupta, The Hindu: (May, 2010)

Add this bookstore to the list of India-Pakistan rivalry. A bookstore so big that it is actually called a bank. The book store to beat all bookstores in the subcontinent, I have found books I have never seen anywhere in India at the three-storeyed Saeed Book Bank in leafy Islamabad. The collection is diverse, unique and with a special focus on foreign policy and subcontinental politics (I wonder why?), this bookstore is far more satisfying than any of the magazine-laden monstrosities I seem to keep trotting into in India. …

Yes, that’s right. The meat. There always, always seems to be meat in every meal, everywhere in Pakistan. Every where you go, everyone you know is eating meat. From India, with its profusion of vegetarian food, it seems like a glimpse of the other world. The bazaars of Lahore are full of meat of every type and form and shape and size and in Karachi, I have eaten some of the tastiest rolls ever. For a Bengali committed to his non-vegetarianism, this is paradise regained. Also, the quality of meat always seems better, fresher, fatter, more succulent, more seductive, and somehow more tantalizingly carnal in Pakistan. ….

Yes. Yes, you read right. The roads. I used to live in Mumbai and now I live in Delhi and, yes, I think good roads are a great, mammoth, gargantuan luxury! Face it, when did you last see a good road in India? Like a really smooth road. Drivable, wide, nicely built and long, yawning, stretching so far that you want zip on till eternity and loosen the gears and let the car fly. A road without squeeze or bump or gaping holes that pop up like blood-dripping kitchen knives in Ramsay Brothers films. When did you last see such roads? Pakistan is full of such roads. Driving on the motorway between Islamabad and Lahore, I thought of the Indian politician who ruled a notorious —, one could almost say viciously — potholed state and spoke of turning the roads so smooth that they would resemble the cheeks of Hema Malini. They remained as dented as the face of Frankenstein’s monster. And here, in Pakistan, I was travelling on roads that — well, how can one now avoid this? — were as smooth as Hema Malini’s cheeks! Pakistani roads are broad and smooth and almost entirely, magically, pot hole free. How do they do it; this country that is ostensibly so far behind in economic growth compared to India? But they do and one of my most delightful experiences in Pakistan has been travelling on its fabulous roads. No wonder the country is littered with SUVs — Pakistan has the roads for such cars! Even in tiny Bajaur in the North West frontier province, hard hit by the Taliban, and a little more than a frontier post, the roads were smoother than many I know in India. Even Bajaur has a higher road density than India! If there is one thing we should learn from the Pakistanis, it is how to build roads. And oh, another thing, no one throws beer bottles or trash on the highways and motorways.

Madhulika Sikka, NPR News: (May, 2010)

This may be hard to believe, but the first thing that crosses your mind when you drive into Islamabad is suburban Virginia — its wide roads, modern buildings, cleanliness and orderliness is a complete contrast to the hustle and bustle of the ancient city of Lahore, some 220 miles east on the Grand Trunk Road

Islamabad is laid out in a grid with numbered avenues running north to south. The streets are tree lined and flowers abound among the vast open stretches of green space.

Perhaps one of the most beautiful spots is the Margallah Hills National Park. Drive up the winding road on the northern edge of town to the scenic view points and you’ll see the broad planned city stretch before you.
It’s a Sunday afternoon and you could be in any park in any city in the world. Families are out for a stroll and picnicking on park benches. There’s a popcorn vendor and an ice cream seller. Kids are playing on a big inflatable slide. Peacocks strut their full plumage as people are busily clicking away on their cellphone cameras. Lively music permeates the air as souvenir sellers are hawking their wares. Off one of the side paths I notice a young couple lunching at a bench, a respectable distance apart from each other but clearly wanting to be alone.

So what’s it like here? It’s pretty much like everywhere else. On a quiet Sunday afternoon people are out with their families, relaxing and enjoying themselves, taking a break from the stresses and strains of daily life. For all of us this is an image of Pakistan worth remembering. I certainly will. 

Yoginder Sikand, Countercurrents.org : (June, 2008) 

Islamabad is surely the most well-organized,picturesque and endearing city in all of South Asia. Few Indians would, however, know this, or, if they did, would admit it. After all, the Indian media never highlights anything positive about Pakistan, because for it only ‘bad’ news about the country appears to be considered ‘newsworthy’. That realization hit me as a rude shock the moment I stepped out of the plane and entered Islamabad’s plush International Airport, easily far more efficient, modern and better maintained than any of its counterparts in India. And right through my week-long stay in the city, I could not help comparing Islamabad favorably with every other South Asian city that I have visited. That week in Islamabad consisted essentially of a long string of pleasant surprises, for I had expected Islamabad to be everything that the Indian media so uncharitably and erroneously depicts Pakistan as. The immigration counter was staffed by a smart young woman, whose endearing cheerfulness was a refreshing contrast to the grave, somber and unwelcoming looks that one is generally met with at immigration counters across the world that make visitors to a new country feel instantly unwelcome.

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By Henry Siegman in The National Interest.|

September 6, 2012

In this article the writer suggests that the two state solution is practically dead and Palestinians will be better off by demanding equal citizenship rights and thus exposing Israel’s apartheid policies.

The author writes:

“The Middle East peace process is dead. More precisely, the two-state solution is dead; the peace process may well go on indefinitely if this Israeli government has its way.

The two-state solution did not die a natural death. It was strangulated as Jewish settlements in the West Bank were expanded and deepened by successive Israeli governments in order to prevent the emergence of a viable Palestinian state. The settlement project has achieved its intended irreversibility, not only because of its breadth and depth but also because of the political clout of the settlers and their supporters within Israel who have both ideological and economic stakes in the settlements’ permanence.”

“Nothing would expose more convincingly the Israeli disguise of the one-state reality now in place than a Palestinian decision to shut down the Palestinian Authority and transform their national struggle for independence and statehood into a struggle for citizenship and equal rights within the Greater Israel to which they have been consigned. Only by declaring that Palestinians will no longer be complicit with their occupiers in their own disenfranchisement will Israelis be confronted with the need to choose between a two-state arrangement and a single state that sooner or later will lose its Jewish identity.” To read the complete article click on the link below.

http://nationalinterest.org/commentary/the-triumph-greater-israel-7438

 Mormons & Muslims Relations Plus Presidential Politics

Mitt Romney, a Mormon by religion, is a Republican candidate for president and may be our next President .I thought it may be appropriate to look at the relations between Muslims and Mormons and its political implications. Mormons play a very active role socially, economically and politically in the USA. As per Akbar Ahmed, author of Journey into America,” Mormonism is the fastest growing religion in the Western Hemisphere and surpassing Episcopalians or Presbyterians in the USA. Mormonism seems likely to become a major world religion, the first to emerge since Islam, according to some scholars.”  

Relations between Muslims and Mormons are much more cordial than Muslims relations with other religions. Even after 9/11 these relations remain strong. Mormons have very favorable opinion of Muslims. The Muslims living among Mormon communities speak very highly of them.  Although there are fundamental differences between the two religions, but there are some similarities. The Late Mormon Scholar Stephen J. Palmer writes in ‘Mormons and Muslims, “Without the least exaggeration, we may designate the Mormons as Mohammadans of the New World according to their origins and manner of thinking”. Mormons professors have prepared handouts for their students at Brigham Young University (BYU) outlining similar practices and rituals in Mormonism and Islam.

Brief History of Mormonism. In Palmyra, New York, in 1820, Joseph Smith claimed that God and his son, Jesus, revealed themselves to him  and was led by the Angel Moroni to the ‘Golden Plates,’ which had ancient writings of old prophets and were buried at Hill Cumorah. Joseph Smith was seventeen year old at the time. He translated these golden plates into English and that became the “Book of Mormon”. The golden plates were returned to Angel Moroni after translation.  According to Mormon faith, people of Western Hemisphere arrived here from Middle East 600 years before Christ and Moroni was their last prophet. The Church of Mormons is called” Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”. According to their holy text, a man can be elevated beyond prophet hood and become a God. Mormons believe they are restoring the true faith of Christianity. Some compare this to Muslim’s belief of restoring the true faith of Abraham.

Mormons faced extreme hardship and discrimination and moved from place to place in search of protection and shelter. They were allowed to settle in Illinois by a sympathetic Governor. They grew stronger in Illinois and in 1844, Joseph Smith declared himself as a candidate for the President of USA. Five months later he was killed by a mob, at the age of thirty eight. He was followed by Brigham Young, a very charismatic leader, but there was a split as some followers believed the hierarchy should run through blood line and Joseph Smith’s son should lead the Church. Some compare this split to Shia’s split in Islam.

In 1846, Young decided to move out of USA and led his followers to Utah, part of Mexico at the time. The Mormons progressed and created equivalent of a nation in Utah. In 1848, when Mexico ceded Utah to United States, the federal government gave autonomy to Mormons and appointed Brigham Young as the Governor of Utah. The Latter-Day Saints (LDS) became essentially a state within a state and were allowed to practice their religion according to their belief. Mormons call their migration to Utah, the Hijra and Salt Lake City is referred to as Mormon Mecca. Both are compared to Islamic history of Hijra and Holy city of Mecca. Young took fifty-seven wives, but polygamy was banned by the LDS Church in 1890, before Utah was allowed to enter the Union. In spite of the ban, polygamy is still practiced by some Mormons. Polygamy is allowed in Islam, but Muslims do not practice polygamy in USA, by respecting the local laws. Shortly after the death of Joseph Smith in 1844, New York Herald referred to him as “Modern Mehmet”. He was also referred to as “Yankee Mehmet” by his critics as a derogatory name, by scholars as a neutral reference and by some followers as a complement. In 1853 speech, Brigham Young compared Joseph Smith to the Prophet Mohammad. Thomas Monson is the current Prophet of Mormons. Muslims believe Muhammad was the last prophet, while Mormons believe in succession of prophets extending from Prophet Joseph Smith.

Some commonality between both beliefs include religion is a complete way of life, fasting during specified period of time, ablution before certain rituals, emphasis upon chastity and modesty in dress, prohibition on drinking and gambling and strong emphasis on family as a unit and source of transmission of religious and family values. Professor Arnold Green, history professor at BYU, wrote in 2001 essay that Mormonism’s  posture toward Islam has became more positive, today the two faiths have become associated in several ways, including Mormonism’s being called the” Islam of America ”.

Despite fundamental differences between the two religions, both sides want to emphasize on the commonalities especially family values and moral character. Salt Lake City has six Mosques. Muslims living in this city believe it is the best place to raise a family and is the ‘best kept secret”. The Mormon Church has donated $ 25,000 to the Mosque and other places of worship. According to a survey by Mr. Akbar Ahmed, 98 % of Mormon said they will vote for a Muslim for a public office, 96 % of Mormons and 85 % of the Muslims give Religion as first priority. When asked what is biggest threat to America? They said ‘ourselves’, followed by ‘immorality’, then economy and breakdown of family values. While describing American or Western values, Mormons use the term ‘Judeo-Christian-Muslim “instead of “Judeo-Christian”. Mormons has much more knowledge of Islam as compared to other Americans. During the survey one of the Mormon student referred to Prophet Mohammad as one of her hero. Muslims living in southern California in Mormon communities also express similar sentiments.  Some Muslim charity organizations are working  closely with Mormon charity organizations and Mormon Church has contributed money to Muslim Charities. This warm relationship and collaboration between the two groups has raised some eye brows among the critics of both, especially extreme right wing groups.

Politics trumps all other priorities and these relationships may come under strain and criticism due to presidential politics. Mr. Farid Senzai, Research Director of ISPU, writes in one of his article, Muslim Swing Vote, “While an anti-Muslim strategy may have worked in the past, it is risky because many agree that the outcome of 2012 election  will probably be determined in no more than twelve states. Although it is true American Muslims constitute small percentage of the national population, they are concentrated in key swing states of such as Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Florida. Republicans who found the Muslim community an easy target in the Primaries may find themselves in trouble in the states that may determine the winner of the election.” In Florida, a tossup state, in 2000 Bush won election only by few hundred votes, and 60,000 Muslims voted for Bush. In 2004 and 2008 the election margin was less than 2%. There are 124,000 registered Muslim voters in Florida and this number will be increased by 2012 Election Day. More than 60% of Muslims vote in block. Although Mr. Romney has aligned himself with the extreme right wing, but he has avoided hurling the toxic and hateful remarks upon the Muslims as Mr. Gingrich did. He has to do more and denounce forcefully Islamophobia and violations of civil liberties of Muslims in order to get critical Muslim votes in key swing states. Mr. Romney can take advantage of good feelings of Muslims towards Mormons and by addressing the genuine concerns of Muslims.

Muslim vote is not going to be automatic for Mr. Obama this time. Many Muslims feel betrayed by him by further imposing restriction on their civil liberties and keeping Gautama Bay open. Mr. Obama has not spoken forcefully against Islamophobia; he has not visited a Mosque since his election and is giving in to fear mongering. Muslims feel much more under siege under Obama administration than they felt under Mr. Bush. He has to address and remedy these issues in order to receive Muslims vote this time.

Muslim organizations and Islamic Centers should organize voter registrations in all states especially in swing States in order to make a difference and have Muslims’ voices heard. Muslim Organizations should send volunteers to critical swing states to maximize voter registration.

Fayyaz A. Sheikh

This rare and extremely important interview is shared by

Mr. Mehfooz-ur-Rehman

The interview was conducted in April, 1946 (1.25 years before partition)

To access, please click the two links below:

Abul Kalam Azad Interview Part I

Abul Kalam Azad Interview Part II