A Jihadi’s Tune: Salman Ahmad’s Musical Peace Process

Originally published by Aslan Media on February 22, 2011.

He is a musician, author, medical school graduate, philanthropist, and a jihadi. Salman Ahmad is an institution in his own right. Starting off in 1990, as a musician and founder of Junoon (“South Asia’s biggest rock band”), Ahmad has since continued to hum the same tune of peace, love, and Islamic mysticism. But most recently, his efforts are more concentrated towards restoring Pakistan’s image and the state of its people.

Ahmad’s successful rock band Junoon, meaning “obsession” in Urdu, created a huge buzz in the early 1990’s in Pakistan, winning a large fan base. The band’s unique fusion of Sufism and Rock music won the adoration of music lovers across the world, ultimately creating a totally new and distinguishable genre of music: Sufi Rock.

Sufism is the mystical sect of Islam that aims to connect with God by detaching oneself completely from the physical world. In an interview for Nazar, an online magazine focusing on the South Asian community by The University of Texas, Ahmad talks about the connection between Sufism and music:

“(Sufi music) is a foundation to build things on and then, obviously, so many influences, you know – Jazz, Classical Rock, Bollywood,” he said. “It’s an ocean of vivid colors – sound colors…”

The band had a successful run throughout the 90’s, with many of its songs adopted as anthems by Pakistani youth. The band also had its share ofcontroversies when it took a jab at government officials by creating politically charged songs.

Although the band officially disbanded in 2005, after two of the three band members left , Ahmad is still making waves under the Junoon label. Now residing in New York, he is busy performing all over the world and teaching an Islamic Music, Poetry and Culture of South Asia course at Queens College.

In 2005, Ahmad also stared in a BBC documentary film It’s My Country Too: Muslim Americans. This film focused on the lives of Muslims from different walks of life all across America. It is available to watch on Youtube, and its script can be found here.

From being selected by the United Nations as a goodwill ambassador for HIV/AIDS in Pakistan and performing at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway, to doing cross-cultural collaborations with the likes of Melissa Etheridge, Bono, Yale Strom, and more recently, the legendary Peter Gabriel, Salman Ahmad has been a musical crusader of peace and unity around the world.

Singing songs of love and harmony, he has found himself at odds with such global forces as the Taliban. Ahmad has used the power of music to spread a message of universal brotherhood and peace that is at odds with the Taliban’s extremist presentation of Islam. His efforts exemplify the true essence of Jihad: to struggle in the path of God and improve oneself, not the “holy war” waged by the Taliban in the name of Islam.

In the same interview with Nazar, he describes why he believes that the “Taliban hate music” (the Taliban believe that music is forbidden is Islam):

“Because they realize the power of Sufi music. It frees the soul, it frees the mind and there is no fear. When the lights are all turned on, you can’t be scared of anything,” he said.

Ahmad even took his argument all the way to Peshawar, a city in the northwestern region of Pakistan bordering with Afghanistan, to talk to the local government that had denounced all forms of arts in the region.

“I spoke with politicians as well as a radical Mullah known as ‘Mullah Electricity,’ who tries to convince me to give up music but doesn’t see the contradiction in his own argument when he starts singing devotional Islamic songs to me on camera, perfectly in key,” Ahmad said in an interview.

His inspiring journey from a Led-Zeppelin-loving-college-kid to the pioneer of Sufi Rock music, and now, ambassador of peace, is relayed in detail inAhmad’s autobiography, Rock & Roll Jihad, complete with back cover notes by Deepak Chopra. In his review, Chopra praises the book as “the fascinating story of the evolution of a new kind of planetary citizen.” And a planetary citizen he is. In the wake of the recent deadly floods in Pakistan, Ahmad composed and recorded a song Open Your Eyes with Gabriel to raise funds for the flood victims. But his humanitarian efforts are not limited to Pakistan alone. He is also a part of David Lynch’s Foundation Music. According to pledgemusic.com: “DLF Music brings together the world’s top and emerging recording artists to support the good works of the Davis Lynch Foundation’s stress-reducing, meditation-based educational programs.” The program has partnered with some of the best artists in the world, such as Maroon 5 and Neon Tress.

From his music to his extraordinary endeavors, Salman Ahmad has taken up the mantle of a defender of humanity and peace around the world.

 

The Caped Crusader: Fighting for Justice, Honor…and Islamic Propaganda?

Originally published by Aslan Media on January 27, 2011

You’ve seen them fight crime, rescue damsels in distress, leap across high-rise buildings, and unveil heinous terrorist plots all around the world. Yes, they are our comic book superheroes, whose flying capes have become symbols of heroism and fearlessness. These champions have been an influential part of our culture, evolving with society’s changing times. But a recent addition to the league of DC Comics superheroes has left a lot people questioning the company’s portrayal of society.

 

In the December issue of the Batman comic series, Bruce Wayne announced that he will be recruiting his allies in different parts of the world to fight crime under Batman Incorporated. For France, Batman picks a 22-year-old French citizen from Algeria, calling him “Nightrunner”. He is skilled at Parkour acrobatics and a strong opponent of violence in society. He was brought up by a single mother in Clichy-Sous-Bois, a French commune with a large population of Arab Muslims, where the 2005 French civil unrest originated. His determination to stay neutral during the conflicts in his troubled neighborhood, and his physical skills, make him a suitable candidate for Batman’s international league of crime-fighting heroes.

 

Nightrunner in DC Comics

 

But before he can embark on his heroic journey, he needs to fight the fury of disdain that is brewing up in the blogosphere against him.

Rightwing bloggers are ticked off because Batman’s pick for France is an Algerian Sunni Muslim. Nightrunner, whose real name is Bilal Asselah, is a French citizen but his ethnicity and religious faith have become a source of animosity for some on the Right. Warner Todd Huston, writer and owner of Publius Forum, criticizes DC Comics for taking political correctness to the extreme by recruiting a Muslim as Batman’s representative for France. His argument is that Batman should have chosen an “actual Frenchman to be the French savior,” because according to him, the civil unrest and tension in France is caused by none other than French Muslims themselves.

“The whole situation is a misreading of what ails France. The truth is, neither communist Union members nor “Neo-Nazi” parties are causing riots in France. Muslims are,” he says in his article. “Yet DC Comics is absurdly making a Muslim immigrant the “French savior”? This is PCism at its worst. Not only that but it is pretty condescending to France, too. France is a proud nation. Yet DC Comics has made a foreigner the “French savior.” This will not sit well with many Frenchmen, for sure. Nor should it.”

I am not sure if Huston is the expert authority on all things French, and neither am I, but common sense and an open mind would suggest that Asselah is a French citizen, and that puts him on a par with all his fellow French citizens. He asks why a “Muslim immigrant” cannot be a “French savior”. What exactly does religion have to do with your nationality? Is it not possible to be Muslim and French? Well, clearly that’s a heated question.

Another post on The Astute Bloggers, a blog that claims to be “exposing leftist propaganda,” says, “How about that, Bruce Wayne goes to France where he hires not a genuine French boy or girl with a real sense of justice, but rather, an “oppressed” minority who adheres to the Religion of Peace.” The blogger concludes the post by guessing that the writer of the comics, David Hine, “is taking out his leftist anger on France for finally taking the steps to fight back against creeping shariah and Islamic supermacism, by banning the niqab for starters.”

The rightwing bloggers argue that the Muslims in France are not integrated with the rest of the French society, and as Huston claims, they are at a constant war against the French nation:

“It has gotten so bad in France that in some parts of its cities, those parts controlled by marauding gangs of Muslim youths, whites never enter for fear of their lives. Not only that but not even police dare enter these areas. This dangerous situation does not seem anywhere near being solved. In fact, it’s just getting worse.”

The selection of a Muslim youth as the French savior might have raised eyebrows in France because of the country’s ethnic differences, but such a determined step by DC Comics should be taken in a positive light, and be welcomed by French and non-French alike. Surely setting a good example for youth is a positive thing. The Nightrunner character offers a role model for Muslim youth because of his rejection of violence as a means of protest. He should also be viewed as an answer to all the Muslim stereotypes that are propagated by the media; he breaks the mold.

An article in Death+Taxes, an indie music and culture magazine, outlines Hine’s motive to choose a Muslim character as Batman’s ally in France:

“The process of developing a story is complex and there are all kinds of things I looked at. The urban unrest and problems of the ethnic minorities under Sarkozy’s government dominate the news from France and it became inevitable that the hero should come from a French Algerian background.”

In fact, it’s standard in comics- our modern answer to the Epic tales of old- that the least likely individual is in fact thrust into the role of “savior”. Asselah went through a time of intense civil discord in his neighborhood, but unlike his friends who resorted to violence to fight for their rights, he remained neutral. Even after being caught up in crossfire between the Muslims and the French police, he promises not to take revenge. But his best friend decides otherwise, and dies in an attempt to torch a police station. Asselah’s journey from a passive observer of events to Nightrunner can be summed up in his own line from the comic series, “Even if stopping these murders damns me, doing nothing damns everyone else.”

That message perhaps resonates the most with those some call “moderate Muslims” (i.e. every Muslim in the world other than the handful of determined extremists). Doing nothing to stop the violence and hatred in fact fuels the conflict. Nightrunner sees his responsibility to “fight the good fight” as a response to his own peers’ bad choices. As the quintessential hero, Asselah strives to change the circumstances around him and manifests his vision of himself as the true citizen of France.  And, why isn’t he considered a true citizen of France?

A BBC News article reports that Baroness Warsi, a senior Conservative and the co-chairman of the Tory Party in the UK, believes prejudice against Muslims has become common practice in the UK. “Anti-Muslim hatred and bigotry is quite openly discussed,” she said about the attitude towards Islam in the country.

Baroness Warsi works to bring to light “what many Muslims privately complain about – that prejudice against them does not attract the social stigma attached to prejudice against other religious and ethnic groups,” the article said. The rightwing bloggers have applied the same mindset of prejudice and stereotyping towards the positive portrayal of Muslims through the character of Nightrunner.

What if a villain in the Batman series is introduced as a Muslim, what would be the reaction then? It would conform to the stereotype perpetuated by Conservatives; it would be an easy, thoughtless characterization. In fact, human beings and their motivations are more nuanced and it is far more likely that the over one billion Muslims in the world each fight in their own way for justice and truth every day. Doesn’t that make this superhero a far more accurate characterization?

The portrayal of Nightrunner as a Muslim superhero through various mediums of comic books, television series, action figures and film will help embed a heroic image in the minds of children, He will be the “good guy,” the hero for the underdogs, both Muslims and non-Muslims. When children grow up siding with the good guys, they themselves try to be heroes. And, having a narrative that looks at the actions of an individual, rather than grouping them with a stereotype, also educates children to look at people and their actions individually- to analyze what truly makes someone good or bad. What better than a Muslim superhero to break the cycle of prejudice and offensive labels against Muslims in the society?

 

Pakistan on the Runway

Originally published by Aslan Media on January 03, 2011.

This November, in a country dubbed “The Most Dangerous Nation in the World” by Newsweek , a group of high profile citizens and entrepreneurs met for a grand affair. The security was extremely tight and media was documenting every detail of the event. Amidst political instability and fears of terror attacks, the event participants were well equipped with blow dryers, hairspray, thread, and needles— to take care of any emergency.

The Pakistan Fashion Design Council held its second Fashion Week in Karachi from Nov. 10 to Nov. 13. (See the fashion here). The four-day affair exhibited the works of 24 well-established and budding designers for the Spring/Summer 2011 season. The designer looks were presented by local models on a long stretch of a simple white runway, which could have easily been mistaken for one of the coveted runways in Paris. The designers drew inspiration from a variety of themes, ranging from New York City to Kosem Sultan.

The flavor of the shows was a blend of both local and international with leggy models strutting down the runway in leather boots and a mini dress embroidered with ethnic prints, or gracefully showcasing long chiffon gowns. Pakistani designers have always had the added responsibility of catering to the international market, not just to increase their own profit but to promote a softer image of Pakistan. Local artists and entrepreneurs often feel the burden of managing Pakistan’s image in the global media, to show that Pakistan is more than just a safe haven for terrorists or a nation of religious fanatics.

According to the PFDC Facebook page, the Council will soon work with the French fashion federation, the Federation Francaise Pret-a-Porter du Feminin, and the Pakistani designers will showcase their collection in January 2011 for the Pret-a-Porter show in Paris. It is reported that the PFDC French advisor, Alexandra Senes, has already expressed her appreciation for the designs and has “fallen in love with Pakistan.”

Although the second day of the fashion week was marked by anxiety and news of cancellation because of a bomb blast that killed scores of people and sent tremors throughout the city, the organizers made sure that the show went on.

The fashion week also raised funds for the victims of the recent deadly floods in Pakistan. The first day wrapped up with a special show titled “Fashion Gives Back” where the designer looks from the show were sold at discounted prices at an exhibition to collect funds for the cause.

A joint effort of PFDC and Make-A-Wish foundation also made the wish of a young thalassemiapatient come true when she walked down the runway in a designer outfit with other models. The fashion week drew to a close with thank you notes, rounds of applause, and a promise to come back next year.

The efforts of the Council may not make the global headlines with as much fanfare as news of Pakistan’s instability often does, but hopefully they will resonate more than an ear-splitting bomb blast.

 

Review: Mooz-lum

Originally published by Daily Titan on March 01, 2011.

Stories of prejudice against Muslims have a tendency to be on the borderline of self-pity and a “holier-than-thou” perspective. A lot has been said about the challenges of living in America as a Muslim, especially in the racially charged aftermath of 9/11. But Qasim “Q” Basir’s long-awaited film, “Mooz-lum,” takes you on a journey of self-discovery of a young man in the midst of family, cultural, and socio-political chaos. It’s a story that offers truthful glimpses into the lives of people across America.

Based on actual events, “Mooz-lum” portrays the coming-of-age story of Tariq (Evan Ross) as he leaves for college. He was brought up in a Muslim household under the strict vigilance of his father Hassan (Roger Guenveur Smith). His mother Safiyah (Nia Long) doesn’t agree with Hassan’s tough upbringing method, and this creates a rift between the two, leading Safiyah to divorce her husband. Hassan sends Tariq to an Islamic boarding school where a painful experience leaves him scarred for life. He grows up to be a self-conscious and confused young man, and withdraws himself from his family. He considers college as a way to take on a new persona, while trying to distance himself from his Muslim identity.

His Muslim roommate tries to invite him to Muslim Students Association events, but instead he tries to fit in with college life by partying and drinking liquor for the first time. But even with his newly acquired identity, he feels lost. He is not sure of what he stands for anymore because his experience of growing up in a Muslim household had too strong an influence on him to make him oblivious to his faith.

The films adds an alternate track to the storyline in the form of the constant disagreement between the college’s dean (Danny Glover) and a young professor of comparative religion (Dorian Missick) due to the professor’s unconventional teaching philosophy.

The turn of events after 9/11 changes everything: the college policies, the attitude of the students toward Muslim students, and most importantly, him. It brings him closer to his religion, family and who he is.

But the film is not only about what it is to be a Muslim in America. It speaks to a wide range of people because of the variety of issues it addresses: a couple’s constant falling-out over the upbringing of their children, the anxious transition to college and the pressure to fit in, acknowledging and recovering from haunting memories, and the burden of struggling with an identity crisis in the midst of being confronted by two opposite cultures. The film touches beautifully upon these matters and draws the audience in as they shed a tear during heart-wrenching scenes or let out a cheer for the characters’ triumphs.

Veteran actress Long and new actor Ross (of CW’s “90210” fame) manage to deliver stellar performances, while Glover’s brief appearance in the film does not shine through.
Although the film’s title alludes to a common but incorrect pronunciation of the word “Muslim,” it manages to stay fairly objective by avoiding to stereotype one specific group of people.

“Mooz-lum” is also a great example of the power of a social media campaign. The film has had the Internet buzzing in anticipation since the trailer was first released. It was decided that the top 10 cities that get the most “demands” on Eventful.com would be selected for the film’s limited release. The film’s official Facebook page served as the anchor for all the promotions and information, and kept the people involved at each step. The film finally opened Feb. 11, with AMC 30 at The Block in Orange being one of the venues. The film’s Facebook page announced the film had a successful opening weekend with the “second highest per screen average in the country.” Due to the growing demand of people and positive reviews from critics, the film opened in more cities across the U.S.

You know a film has made its impact when it compels total strangers at the theater to share their reactions with one another by engaging in a hearty discussion. If that’s not a strong indication, then the huge applause at the end of a viewing in a crowded theater in Orange should vouch for itself.

The Confessions of a ‘tweeter’

Originally published by Daily Titan on October 2, 2010.

I have a confession to make.

Long before the average Joe jumped on the Twitter bandwagon, I made a vow to myself that I would never be a part of this frenzy.

I got multiple e-mail invites from friends and cousins to join Twitter but I sent those directly to the trash folder.

I am by no means an anti-social networking hipster; in fact, my social life on Facebook is booming. But the idea of reading mundane tweets about someone having poached eggs for breakfast just wasn’t exciting for me.

Well, of course the juicy tweets from celebrities promised a deep insight into their day-to-day lives, and that is why I found myself stumbling over their Twitter pages every once in a while.

But I didn’t need an account for that, so joining Twitter seemed pointless.

After all, who would want to read about what a crappy day I was having or what music I was listening to?

But now I follow around 364 profiles (and counting) on Twitter and give my newbie friends Twitter tutorials.

Hypocrite much? More like a conscious twit. I had to give in to my qualms about Twitter when my journalism professor asked all of his students to make a Twitter account.

Of course, from that point on, my tweets no longer merely consisting of news updates.

Late night study session rants and random thoughts were the order of the day. I had blindly jumped on the Twitter bandwagon too.

Although I still try to avoid using Twitter for announcing to the world that I am about to hop into the shower, I have discovered a new side of Twitter that makes it an indispensable social networking site.

It has changed the way people stay up-to-date with current news and voice their opinion to millions of people out there.

It has something to offer to everyone because of the wide range of profiles that one can follow.

From the New York Times to your local sushi place, every business is just waiting to be followed.

It is not just us, the average Joes and Janes, who find Twitter amusing.

Celebrities have been quick to regard the micro-blogging service as their literary salvation.

140 characters can’t exactly make or break their careers, but what they tweet makes a lot of difference and creates quite a stir in the industry.

Stars have made it a habit to tweet their breakups, upcoming projects or late night musings.

They claim to use Twitter to connect with their fans directly, but I think it also lets them clear away or confirm any rumors flying around about them.

Some celebrities take their Twitter rants to an extreme level and later face the consequences.

On Sept. 17, Lindsay Lohan took to her Twitter page to confirm the rumors that she had indeed failed a recent drug test and was working very hard to improve her condition. She also tweeted a sincere thank you to her fans for supporting her.

The recent celebrity to call it quits on Twitter is John Mayer, who claims that no one has created any “lasting art” on Twitter and calls the site “disposable.” Mayer has had his fair share of controversies and hopefully deleting his Twitter account will help him stop making any more controversial statements.

I realized the true strength of Twitter at the time of the recent deadly floods in Pakistan.

Local Pakistanis and the ones living abroad tweeted celebrities and international organizations asking them to raise funds for the flood victims.

The role of social networking sites was vital in raising awareness about the catastrophe because the initial coverage by the international news media lacked the depth and urgency needed to get a positive reaction from the rest of the world.

Celebrities such as Tom Cruise and Alyssa Milano started tweeting about flood relief initiatives.

And local bloggers in Pakistan joined forces through Twitter to visit flood-affected areas with food supplies and survival kits.

Twitter has the power to take a lone voice to millions of people, since tweets get “retweeted” and hashtags (# symbol placed with keywords) become trending topics.

Twitter is also an effective way to voice your opinion on an issue that you feel strongly about.

It’s an important tool for aspiring journalists to tweet their blogs and increase their readership.

Many of my classmates use Twitter to get news updates and find out what’s going on in the world.

With so many benefits, how could I have continued ignoring Twitter?

Some may regard it as the degeneration of effective communication and a waste of time, but it really depends on the individual – or twit if I may say – and how he or she uses it.

A tool used by both Snooki and the Dalai Lama would obviously have different uses for different people.

Now excuse me, I need to check out the picture Snooki just tweeted of her new hairdo.

The Coming of Zia

I am back after almost a year’s hiatus. No, it wasn’t planned. Nor was the comeback.

The world of journalism took me by storm and made me a stressful person. Along with college, internship and a new job, I had the added responsibility to come up with regular content for my college newspaper. But I was determined to revive my blog someday. This post is by no means a wholesome way to comeback and energize my blog, and also it does not promise that I’ll be blogging on a more frequent basis. While I take my time to slowly transition back into the whole feel of blogging, I will be posting my articles here that I have written for other publications.

 

Lust, or is it lust?

The only thing missing is my arm

When I said in my first post that I would blog about everything from handbags to political issues, I wasn’t merely fluffing up my post. Yes, the day has finally come that a mere handbag has prompted me to do new a post, and that too amidst my finals. I have once again fallen in love with a Marc by Marc Jacobs handbag. But the question is, will we end up together this time too?

Love Marriages the Halal Way: Is it Even Possible?

How often have we heard the phrase, “Psst…they are having an affair” and reacted with a gasp and raised eyebrows? How many times have we predicted that a couple’s relationship would be short-lived just because it is a love marriage? And how many of us have done this while gobbling biryani at their wedding?

Unfortunately we all have done it, or at least have encountered someone doing it. This behavior is somewhat understandable as we belong to an Islamic culture that forbids unnecessary interaction before marriage between members of the opposite sex. This aspect of Islam usually gives it a very conservative and unyielding image. But then why does the new generation hear the oft-repeated phrase from their parents, “Beta let us know if you like someone”? Isn’t necessary to know a person before you find out if you like that person or not? And isn’t necessary that to know someone you need to spend time together? A when you are spending time together to know each other doesn’t it come under the description of dating?

Before the readers label me as “ignorant,” let me explain why I think that getting to know someone is the same as dating. Of course you can meet someone in a professional setting and fall in love with each other, without the side order of all the dating and flirting. This would be an ideal setting where two likeminded people meet for professional or educational purposes, and gradually realize that they are perfect for each other. And with their parents’ consent they decide to marry. This method of choosing a marital partner is permitted in Islam too. But wait. When the two individuals realize in their hearts that they are perfect for each other, obviously they don’t merely keep it in their hearts. Coy hints are dropped randomly, the conversations get longer and deeper, and the discussions get more personal, and would eventually switch from business project proposals to the marriage proposal. The two individuals no longer meet solely for the purpose of discussing work or study issues. Their intentions for each other have changed. The relationship is still in its developing stage as the two are still trying to fully understand each other, and to bring the parents in the picture at this point would be too early. So when the nature of the meetings change from professional to affectionate, doesn’t it become dating then?

Well the answer to this is complicated. And that is why we have so many misconceptions and myths about love marriages in Islam. It is clear that Islam  allows us to choose the right life partner, but to go about it in an Islamic manner requires a lot of care and good judgment on our behalf. In this day and age young Muslims are open to the idea of love marriage instead of relying on the age-old concept of aunties acting as matchmakers. Of course arranged marriages still work, and probably have a higher success rate than love marriages, but the decision of marrying someone is the most important decision in one’s life and obviously this decision should be made by both the mind and the heart.

Pakistani families in America often rely on close family friends to find the right partner for their sons and daughters. Usually there is always this one aunty that knows the whole community and is responsible to find the perfect match for all the singles of the community. Doctors, lawyers and engineers are like hot cakes; usually high in demand and ending up with the best catch.  This method is deemed quite respectable, as both the families are fully involved in the whole process of getting the guy and the girl married. But of course there are some “rebellious” kinds that would rather choose their own life partner. The funny thing is that is not usually their family that gives them the label of a “rebel,” but it is the hushed discussions amongst the community members that make them so.

When my non-Muslim friends ask me about my “dating scene,” I tell them that I don’t date. They often think I am joking and insist that I tell the truth. I almost feel sorry for them when I give them a lecture on Dating in Islam 101, and the sly smiles on their faces turn into solemn expressions. Usually the awkward silence is broken when one person says, “Oh, I see. I like learning new things!” The expression on my face is calm and complacent, but deep down I am struggling to understand the whole concept myself.

I am grateful for being a Muslim because I believe that Islam is a religion that liberates us instead of oppressing us with rigid principles. It has made our lives easy by shedding light on every possible issue in the universe. It has defined our rights and duties, so why is there is still so much apprehension about choosing your own life partner? Clearly this problem lies in our mindsets and lack of understanding of Islam. There needs to be a change in attitudes, and Muslim scholars should come forward and explain this concept to the younger generation. We should not continue to shy away from such topics as the lack of knowledge continues to stir confusion and baseless accusations.

I hope that I myself come to grips with this whole issue before the rishta aunty sets me up with one of her latest catches and I would have no reason to argue.

I ain’t your saint.

My newfound wisdom:
The only thing you can do after everything has fallen apart is start over. Sometimes this is exactly what you need in life.

Think about it

Let her voice be heard.

Recently an article was published on the BBC website about a girl in Pakistan whose  family wanted her to be a suicide bomber. The article claims that there is no proof that her account is accurate, but the police consider it as valuable information.

She is only thirteen years old and comes from a rural, uneducated background. She miraculously managed to escape the nightmare that her brother and father made her go through everyday. Her story is inspiring, yet it is not unusual. There are probably hundreds of girls like her who go through the same nightmare every single day of their life. It’s unfortunate that we don’t have Anne Franks anymore, or else the tragic stories of these girls would inspire us all.

The girl who shares her story in the article deserves our attention. Not because her story is unique but because of her determination and courage to come forward and tell her story. I admire her because of her bold stand against Taliban and her audacity to question their motives. Her doubts about Taliban might not impress us, but we have to understand what background she comes from. The men in her family did their best to brainwash her and make her give in to the idea of suicide bombing as an act that is pleasing to God. She made the effort to think rationally, despite her lack of education and exposure to the world. She could have easily fallen through the cracks and buy in to her brother’s ideology. She could have been any one of those nameless suicide bombers that blow themselves up in the name of God.

But she did her best to break through that false ideology. She had faith in God’s message of peace and tolerance. She believed in the real meaning of Jihad, to struggle in the path of God, not the one that is usually translated as holy war in the news media. She rightly argued that anyone who kills innocent people, Muslims and non-Muslims, can not be called a Muslim.

People who violate the principles of humanity do not belong to any religion as they only work for their own interests. They give Islam a bad name when they justify their acts as Islamic, without realizing the implications. Or maybe they are too fond of the implications; probably all they want is chaos and hatred to ensue. I hope that amidst all this turmoil her voice gets heard around the world and make people realize that Talibanism does not equal to Islam.