JuryFury.com                                                                   Now Every 15th of the Month !
Online School of Politics

JuryFury Chat     I-Traderschool     QuietPoly.com    Contributors   Research     Future Discussions                  Oct. 15th, 2004
Areas of Interest



THE USA

American Foreign Policy

US House and Senate
US Presidents
State & Local Politics





Regional Politics
Politics of China
The British Commonwealth
Indian Subcontinent
Middle East
The European Union
Africa
Latin America
ASEAN
NATO
United Nations
The Non-aligned Movement
Eastern Europe
New Nations of the 20th Century



General Topics
Constitutional Law
Human Rights
Nuclear Disarmament & Treaties
International Warfare
Environmental Law
Peace Treaties
Economic & Social Alliances
International Organizations
Journalism & Media
Racism and Democracy
Women in the Workplace
Family Law
Courts and Practices
The Judicial System
Higher Education
Education and Government
Health Care & Insurance
Rights of the Disabled
Copyright & Working Online
Legal Representation
Legal Insurance
Pornography
Domestic Violence
Religion & Law
Workers Rights
Employers Rights
Prison & Life after
Social Organizations
Welfare & Poverty
Taxation and Democracy
Third World Aid Programs
Space Exploration
Alternative Energy
Petroleum Industry & Cars
Nuclear Power
Programs for the Arts
Sports Education
Policing the Internet
Privacy and freedom
Immigration
Food and Regulation
War on Drugs
War on Pharmaceuticals
Public Housing
Pollution and Control
Sexual Harrassment
Discrimination
Electoral Process
Consumers Rights
Investors Rights
Abortion
Death Penalty
Social Security

Gender & Sexuality




Grassroots Organization
ACLU
World Watch
Oxfam
UNICEF
United Negro Fund
Ford Foundation

(suggestions welcome at  our chatsite)




Law of the Economy

Join
I-Traderschool,
our sister magazine,
for debates and news.




Canada




To the Pakistani Community in Canada

by Javed Zaheer                    

                               

 

TORONTO, Oct. 5th, 2004:  In order to practically help community with sincerity, one must learn to respect and serve humanity in the real sense and honestly. Individuals of all ages must be prepared through awareness and education and by all possible ways and means to adopt a positive attitude and approach and always think of doing something for others. This spirit is badly needed today to fight and overcome selfishness, which gives our control to the beast and the devil inside us.

 
The fierce battle and determined struggle for survival and success lasts forever. Our eyes must be set on victory, which is never impossible if we remain on track and within the framework presented to us by The Almighty followed by proper guidance, good system and society. We must not learn, teach and preach to speak the truth only but must make sure that our deeds too contain and reflect the same, which is more important than just thinking and speaking.


Today, unfortunately, our deeds do not match our words in most cases.  Dishonesty has become our best policy. It has become part of our lifestyle to lie. This is the reality in most cases but nobody is ready to accept or confess.


Unfortunately, most of us only believe in verbal service and big talks. We give all sorts of ideas, tips and lectures to others, thinking as if we are very clever and intellectuals, but act only to achieve, protect and serve our vested interests. We pose to the world as if we are ready to sacrifice everything including our lives for others but in reality do nothing. This is why it is important to watch the deeds and contributions.


There are billions of people in this world and almost everyone, even the lunatics to some extent, knows about good and bad and right and wrong and are in a position to speak for hours on the subject. The big question is how many of them sincerely act on what they claim, preach and say? They know the truth, the law and principles but knowingly and deliberately ignore them just because they don’t want to disturb their set objectives, styles of living and thinking.


There are only very few whose words and deeds match. They do what they say. It takes a lot of courage to sincerely sacrifice everything for others without expectations. If you learn to live for others then not only you will enjoy your life but the purpose of your creation too would be achieved.


Now it is very difficult to become like the few fortunate ones but one must keep trying and do as much as possible. Every bit counts so no opportunity must be lost. Every single act with good intention must be appreciated, supported and encouraged.


As regards community service, the message of Maj Abbas of Muslim Welfare Centre appeals the most: Service to community is service to humanity. So it must be performed with this spirit. A lot is being done in this connection but due to lack of sincere efforts and intentions the results are disappointing. There is need to change our thinking, attitude and approach. There is a need to help each other in understanding matters and building of bridges for moving ahead.


We must bring forward those individuals who can meet expectations and win the trust and confidence of the people by their practical services. We must stop following all those, particularly religious, community and political leaders, who keep fooling us with their sweet and diplomatic tunes and do practically nothing. They cause more harm than good and are extremely dangerous for the people.


The role of the media in this connection is extremely important. Unfortunately, most of the local media of Pakistani origin have miserably failed to come up to the mark. Both the people and the concerned authorities have been badly disappointed. Ninety percent of their coverage is based on the dirty politics of back home. People are sick and fed up of such projection. They want the media to play a positive and objective role. 


The media must allocate maximum space for local issues, projection and coverage. They must sincerely help make bridges to create proper awareness and understanding. They can help find solutions to the problems faced by the immigrants, both of Pakistani and South Asian origins. They can also help introduce our culture and people properly in the North American region. This will help a lot in many ways.

 
Adjustment in the society and mainstream is the prime objective. There are many issues, which need to be highlighted and promoted. Instead of making issues a taboo, they must be tackled and solved sensibly. Narrow thinking creates conflicts and hatred, which aggravates matters. Such attitude must be avoided. Media must support people.


Efforts are being made by people and organizations to promote the South Asian community. It was due to these efforts that Brilliant Brains of the South Asian region like Dr Shanul Haq Haqqee, Dr Taghi Abedi, Himayat Ali Shair, Hifzul Kabir, Sohail Rana, Fahim Hamid Ali and hundreds of others were brought to light, introduced and recognized. They have not only made the community but Canada and the world proud because of their tremendous contributions. This process must never be stopped and the gems and talent in the community must be discovered and promoted. It was the result of such efforts that many South Asians including two Pakistanis, Wajid Ali Khan, MP, and Dr Shafiq Qadri, MPP, are in the power today.   


Recently, a meeting for promotion of the Pakistani community was held at the Maple Banquet Hall. Only leading members of the community with political and social sense were invited. Specifically MEDIA WAS NOT INVITED (Perhaps considered senseless, useless or harmful). Azam Gondal of Urdu Times Canada was the moderator.  Coverage of the event due to some sensibly strategic importance and exclusive coverage policy was seen only in the Urdu Times and Awam (The coverage of the meeting in both the papers was no doubt very good. It would have been much better if others too would have been allowed to cover it objectively.). Yet the media and the people were asked to believe in unity and promote it. What a cruel joke. This is how they believe in the policy of unity and promotion.

 
Their tall claim is that they serve the community. Something they don’t believe in and want others to do. With due apologies, this is why the community is suffering. It seems they are interested only in business and not welfare of the community.

 
One of the participants of the meeting was Shahid Hashmi, Chairman of Canpak Chamber of Commerce.  He praised the positive approach of the participants and hoped that they would carry the message to the people and serve them practically. He too missed the media in the meeting and said this would have made a great difference in projection of the event and the issues discussed.


Shahid Hashmi said: “I never lose hope and have been trying for the last many years to build bridges to bring the people closer through proper understanding and awareness, enable them to help each other and join the mainstream. I have been successful to a great extent despite many setbacks and hurdles.”


He said: “The community must come forward. People must take interest in certain activities, which are beneficial for the community. People do not extend help when needed while they expect the community and political leaders to take interest in their issues and problems. The turnout in federal, provincial and municipal elections are very poor and disappointing.  This attitude is very bad. A positive change is needed.”


Shahid Hashmi presented the following views and suggestions in the Open Forum arranged by Urdu Times Canada at the Maple Banquet Hall on September 26, 2004:


  • Bringing the community together is based on the efforts of the community’s leader.
  • The media plays an important role if they are not bias.
  • Personal influence should be used for the community as a whole and not for personal importance.
  • The need for a central information center (community center) is necessary for a well organized community at large, which is not intended for personal gain.
  • Be proud that we are Canadian and support the federal, provincial and municipal governments collectively and not individually.
  • Stop wasting energy, time, finances and resources to establish Pakistani political parties in Canada. There is nothing wrong in helping Pakistan but this could be achieved by creating step-wise projects i.e. providing finances, trade, products and services.
  • We must recognize our weaknesses and learn from our mistakes.
  • Recognize the credit where it belongs.
  • Do the right thing at the right time while keeping an open mind.
  • Rather than making everybody a leader in the community, check their track record (activities, behaviour and arbitration skills). It is also necessary to consider whether we are bringing the community closer or breaking it apart.
  • We are lucky to have Ghalib Iqbal as the Consul General of Pakistan in Toronto. He has a vision and under his leadership the Canadian Pakistanis are highly respected.
  • To achieve anything we need to be financially strong. I have suggested many times collection of just $1 per month from each Canadian Pakistani, rather than having high expectations and depending on few individuals to do any activity. By collecting $1 per month from every Canadian Pakistani in a trust account, we can build and maintain mosques, hospitals, community centres and many other important institutions. This notion will also help us take care of unfortunate incidents by implementing a proper system.

 

The Open Forum was largely attended. It was decided on the occasion:

  • Community be prepared in a planned manner to take full part in the federal, provincial and municipal elections so that the representations could be increased to a greater level. A committee be formed for nomination of candidates. People must take interest in casting maximum number of votes.
  • The importance of joining the mainstream be made aware and people asked to work harder for becoming its part at the earliest.
  • The young generation be helped to understand the Canadian society,  system and reservations and our culture, customs and values. They must be supported in moving ahead in a planned manner. This could be made possible through proper awareness and education.
  • Seminars, workshops, lectures and functions be organized for helping the community understand the set objectives and strategies and the importance of building bridges to achieve them.
  • All Pakistani organizations must cooperate with each other and work from a common platform. Differences must be checked and avoided.
  • The contributions and services of people and community leaders be properly acknowledged and recognized. They must be awarded and encouraged to inspire others, particularly the young generation.
  • Contacts and understanding with other communities be established so that the community is recognized, respected and supported at all levels.
  • Media be extended full support and made stronger in all respect so that the community’s voice could reach the public and the power corridors clearly and effectively. Unity in real terms be aimed and achieved.





About the Author(s):


See under Our Contributors to find out about the Author(s) of this article.
 


Yahoo! World News Headlines

Our Winners Club

Our Contributors

Research Links

Legal Advice

ALL Awards & Internships





Become an Activist

Join an Organization
Get Volunteerism Alert
Write Letters to a local Politician
Start your own Group




Applied Politics Projects
Suggest a Project
Start your Yahoo Groups
Get Internship Credit
Funding for Projects





Encourage Discussion

Join Juryfury Chat
Promote Juryfury.com
Join online discussion Groups





Be In the Spotlight
Let us Interview you :
Authors of political books
Activists
Journalists
Lawyers
Law Enforcement
Politicians
Politican Scientists





Be A Columnist

Get Internship Credit
Write twice a Month
Get Heard
Start a Yahoo Group






Advertise with Us
Books (Free)
Political
Social
Economics
Religious
Science





About Us

Our Staff & Contributors
Our Magazines
   Quietpoly.com
   I-Traderschool
   Juryfury.com
The Company






Our Address:
QuietPoly Inc.
240 W. Saunders. Dr. (#146)

Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Tel (928) 214-7365
quietpoly@yahoo.com