Zeeshan Suhail

Greetings from Pakistan! (And no, I havent gotten married)

2009-06-16T01:01:00.011-04:00

I've been in Pakistan for nearly ten days now, and while most of the days were in Islamabad, relaxing with friends and family, I was reminded of how dire the situation is on a constant, day-to-day basis. There are police checkpoints everywhere. The checking would add at least 5 or 10 minutes to your commute, in a city that is pretty small - compared to Lahore at least.

While I was in Islamabad, the Pearl Continental Hotel in Peshawar (the only 5 star hotel in the entire Northwest Frontier Province just an hour north of Islamabad) was bombed, in very much a similar style to the recent bombings at law enforcement agency offices in Lahore, as well as the Marriott Hotel bombing in Islamabad of last year. Combine the two, and you have nothing but mayhem - a terrorist's dream come true. Many of my friends and colleagues reminded me to take good care when I visited Pakistan in January 2008. Lahore had just experienced its first major terrorist attack during my visit at the time, when the police contingent outside the Lahore High Court was attacked by a suicide bomber. Imagine the fear in our hearts when we realized this was a short distance away from my cousins' law offices.

My family and I went out to dinner to the now-renovated-and-open-for-business Marriott Hotel when I was in Islamabad last week. To call that place a fortress is an understatement. I wonder if Israelis live in as much fear of terrorists as we civilian Pakistanis do now? I mean, there was a checkpoint down the road from the hotel, then one in front of it. Cars are simply not allowed inside the hotel complex anymore (I wonder where the valet service took our car that night?). We walked through a 15 foot barrier of sand, water and concrete, through metal detectors and then finally down a newly constructed ramp that brought you right in front of the hotel doors. A lobby that once buzzed and hummed with energy was now a barren wasteland. I could even hear the silverware clanking, something impossible if you were ever there when the lobby restaurant's singer sang old film songs and the dozens of guests chatted while foreigners conducted business.

My father has solemn memories of the hotel from last year. He often went there for dinner or high tea and the staff recognized him - some of whom lost their lives in the tragic attack. One of the waiters serving us that night survived. What questions, or memories, must haunt them? I shudder to think and hesitate to ask. Needless to say, dinner is bittersweet. It might be a world class establishment, but unfortunately, its recent history will always guide its future.

I arrived in Lahore on the weekend and feel as if ive been stuffed inside a brick oven! It's so hot that I can honestly feel the heat seeping into my skin from the sofa, for example. Westerners cannot understand the lifestyle here, because they are so accustomed to air conditioning. Well, that's a joke here, since the electricity doesnt work half the day - literally! It's called loadshedding and happens in India as well, but it wreaks more havoc across the border, here in Pakistan, because of the dire economic situation.

Speaking of which, the budget was just announced and education accounts for barely one percent of GDP. Industrialized nations budget between three and five percent for education, so we have a long way to go, definitely. The World Bank came out with a report (or some sort of assessment) which I cant locate for now, but the two important conclusions from the article I read were that 1) Madrassah enrollment accounts for around one percent of student enrollment in educational institutions. ie, madrassah students should not be looked at as a credible threat to the country or international security, for that matter. And 2) Private schools are increasingly taking on the challenges that the public sector has shied away from. Private school students have shown superior performance and overall more "bang for the buck".

It should come as no surprise that there is yet another increase in defense spending. Power to the army! I can understand why we need to increase it (can we get some serious support to fight the Taliban, please?), but please, someone explain to me why the U.S. needs to do so? The military-industrial complex in the U.S. that a former U.S. President warned of (Truman? Eisenhower?) is very much a reality in Pakistan as well. Read Ayesha Siddiqa Agha's work for some fascinating insight on this topic, but meanwhile, i've become a staunch supporter of at least direct support to the Pakistani army. They're the ones on the frontlines, fighting this raging insurgency in the country's north. They, along with other law enforcement officers/officials, will always be prime targets. They need true and real assistance. A simple bullet proof vest will go far.

I was pleasantly surprised - and a bit taken aback - when I saw an ad in the local paper for a company that produced these and other vests and devices that might protect law enforcement officers. Great to see that the product is in the marketplace, but why must this company advertise these goods? Is it not logical that the army definitely needs these, no questions asked? I remember an episode of Larry King Live from last year when the American entertainer, Cher, was making the rounds in the media drumming up support for helmets that soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan should use considering the roadside and suicide bombings they were fast becoming victims to. Well, now our soldiers need them too. I'm surprised no one is asking these logical questions and demanding these devices be mandatory. In due time, I truly hope.

And lastly, it's become customary for my South Asian friends to tease me about my age and marital status (i'll be 28 in September and am single). At about my age, South Asian men and their families embark on a journey to find a suitable spouse for the "candidate". Marriage is essentially a social contract in South Asia, as well as the Arab world in general. Spouses (or couples, by extension) are not just friends and companions but also agents of social change, in that, they build bridges and establish linkages among families. This was especially common in the Mughal/medieval times when marriages were almost solely done by virtue of family background. As long as there were similarities between prospective spouses, the rest could be worked on.

So alas, this brings me to my predicament. An eligible bachelor, on vacation for several weeks in his native hometown, yet no word of marriage, or even an engagement? Some of my South Asian friends inquired - half-jokingly - about my "plans" for this trip. My answer of "rest, relaxation and recreation" did not go far with them. For now, I am not letting this issue stress me out. I enjoy what independence I have and am hopeful for the future. A positive approach should do me well, I think!

On that upbeat note, I part ways. Since there is plenty to update you on, i'll try to write soon...

Thoughts on Alliance of Civilizations Istanbul Forum

2009-05-23T20:02:00.004-04:00

I initially compiled these thoughts just days after I arrived back from attending the Alliance of Civilizations Istanbul Forum, but they're officially being published on the World Bank's Youthink! blog now. Thanks very much to the supportive editor at Youthink!, Saadia Iqbal Leal!

As always, feedback appreciated. The event truly was remarkable and the people gathered there could easily steer the world away from the problems it currently finds itself in - only if we maintain and sustain our efforts in the arena of intercultural/interfaith dialogue.

"Class Dismissed" - Short documentary on Swat Valley, Pakistan

2009-02-27T17:28:00.003-05:00

After watching this 14 minute documentary chronicling the last hours before an 11-year old girl's public school in Swat Valley, Pakistan, is closed, I must say, I am very saddened and depressed by the whole situation. I've been reading news about how schools are closing down, week after week, by the dozens, but it never really hits you until you see visuals. Thanks to the documentary, I now appreciate the struggle of women the world over who yearn to be educated.

Ziauddin is not your typical male, and his daughter - or family, in general - are not your typical family. He is a social activist who wants his daughter to be a politician. She, on the other hand, wants to be a doctor. And both dont want to leave Swat! I salute their courage. Not much is left of their once serene valley. I had the pleasure of visiting the northern areas of Pakistan, specifically Swat and some other cities nearby, in 2001, and was blown away. Such beauty! Those images will be eteched in my mind forever.

Tragically, Balakot - the city which is traditionally considered a gateway to the North - was destroyed nearly completely in the October 2005 earthquake. And Swat - well, we know what's happening there now.

My hope is that the New York Times and other media outlets continue to focus on this story. No one should ever live in fear. Please take a moment to thank the Times for this video. I dont agree with a lot of their journalistic viewpoints and policies, but when any one does good, a little encouragement goes a long way.

Fear of living here, fear of going back home

2009-02-16T23:27:00.003-05:00

I just read this piece in the International Herald Tribune, and the violence back home in Pakistan has never hit home this close.

Thankfully, we dont live in Swat. Lahore is not in the northern areas of Pakistan and is not (as) violent, but I have often thought about hypothetical scenarios where I go back, and God forbid, am whisked away in the dark of night, never to be hard of again - only if my family paid a ransom large enough.

These are nightmare situations expats must think of. If this article is to be trusted, my vacations back home will be far from peaceful.

I still recall my last visit, in January 2008. Lahore was the last bastion of calm and serenity. This all changed when the Lahore High Court bombing took place, killing many police officers. My cousins were in the vicinity. Their law offices' glass windows were shattered. My "vacations" would never be the same.

I half-jokingly mentioned to someone recently how I would have to be careful speaking english in future visits to Pakistan. My American accent would invite unwanted listeners. But what to say of the fear in my heart? Would that invite unwanted paranoia? I leave that to you to decide.

Jerusalem Post article: Hagana weapons cache found in Hod Hasharon synagogue

2009-02-08T22:01:00.003-05:00

Does this not remind you of all the allegations made by Israelis that Hamas hides/operates in/within civilian areas? Do I smell hypocrisy? Seems like enemies really do learn from one another - and that some things never change.

NYT op-ed: Why the Muslim World Can’t Hear Obama

2009-02-08T09:42:00.002-05:00

This op-ed piece is perhaps the closest any mainstream media outlet will come to echoing my sentiments on America's new president - Barack Obama.

Several months before he even won the election, his rhetoric on Israel (Jerusalem will be the undivided capitol of Israel, he said to an AIPAC audience) and his silence on Gaza (only one President at a time, he said) disappointed me. For someone who has made the english language beautiful again, these statements - and absence of them - makes little sense to me.

I am cautiously optimistic. I will give him the benefit of the doubt, because he was Illinois's "junior senator". He does not have all the requisite foreign policy experience one might need in his position. But he has the resources at hand to help solve these problems. I will give him time. Many more will, as well. But for how long? The world can't wait. Actions speak louder than words.

Jump into the deep end - i'm finally back!

2009-02-08T00:38:00.005-05:00

Knowledge is power, and I always hope to empower those who visit my blog in the hope of quenching their thirst for knowledge. I offer my apologies for not updating the blog as regularly as I can/should, since so much has happened that is dear to me, yet I still relegated my duty to empower and let it slip to a lower priority. I am sorry.

But, the good news is that I am back! And with a bang, I hope? My good friend from the UN, Dalai Fazio, a capable, accomplished young graduate of Rutgers and Seton Hall's Whitehead School, has started a great blog on diplomacy and power, titled, quite aptly, "Conversations on Diplomacy and Power Politics". He was awfully kind in asking me to engage in a dialogue for a podcast on the current scenario in India-Pakistan relations, with a focus on relations in the aftermath of the Mumbai attack. Please visit the blog and listen/download, comment, and feel free to spread the word, if you deem it worthy.

Meanwhile, I will update my blog more regularly. Should you come across issues, articles, thoughts that deserve a wider audience, please let me know. Some voices deserve - and need - the greater amplification, and I am happy to provide an alternative platform.

Award-winning Benazir Bhutto photo

2008-07-10T11:20:00.003-04:00

I thought this photo was quite amazing. At first glance, one cannot make out who it is, but the jaw structure and facial features are a dead giveaway for those of us familiar with Benazir's photos and her tenure as prime minister. I must confess, she was beautiful.

Citizens Foundation event/fundraiser - 7/10

2008-07-01T23:41:00.002-04:00

First ever US envoy to OIC

2008-03-06T23:20:00.004-05:00

Only time will tell what this announcement means for the OIC or the Islamic world in general, but for now, it is a good move and Cumber deserves our support!

Pictures of the Pakistan I know

2008-03-06T22:16:00.004-05:00

Sometimes I look at photos capturing the sights and sceneries of countries that are foreign to me and that I know the media will never tell me about and that our schools will never teach about.

So, it comes as a welcome and pleasant surprise that people have taken it into their own hands to inform us about people and places in lands far away and hitherto undiscovered, or at least less widely known. My friend, Adeel Rahman, is always the ultimate discoverer of hidden treasures, so I dedicate this post to him - and thank him profusely!

Enjoy these pictures. They may not be of people, but at least show monuments and structures and landscapes of Pakistan in their true glory.

Four articles of interest

2008-03-04T20:49:00.005-05:00

I have rarely been quoted in the media, but apparently when I have, it's been decently substantive! So, with much pleasure, I'd like to share some articles where the authors either interviewed me or just asked for general comments.

1) India Currents article on thoughts after attending a Homeland Security roundtable on post-9/11 civil liberties and human rights issues.

2) PBS Newshour feature on thoughts after an Americans for Informed Democracy conference in 2006.

3) CUNY Graduate Center colleague Mr. Marriah Star's article on social entrepreneurship.

4) The Nation contributor and friend/writer/journalist Jayati Vora's piece on the youth-led movement to restore democratic rule in Pakistan.

As always, feedback much appreciated!

Back to the blogosphere!

2008-03-02T17:57:00.003-05:00

Finally! Back after quite a hiatus!

I must say, it took me a good several days to get back in to the routine of things after returning from my hectic trip to Pakistan (first three weeks of this year). It was the mundane things which took the longest to get used to (cooking/preparing food, cleaning, laundry, groceries, etc.) - even though I was gone only three weeks! - because in Pakistan, it's all done for you by others! Many have commented on why I would ever want to live in New York when I left so much behind in Lahore. But, that's a story for another day.

For now, I will keep things short and post three great analytical pieces my friends Muntasir, Arif and Jumaina wrote on the post-elections situation in Pakistan. I have yet to write about my trip a few months ago, but will do so with some photos, very soon.

Until then, happy reading!

Muntasir's piece is on the South Asian Magazine for Action and Reflection's website, titled "From a Musharraf policy to a Pakistan policy".

Jumaina's piece is on the Henry Stimson Center's website (where she is a Research Associate with the Regional Voices: Transnational Challenges project), titled "Power of the ballot: political transition in Pakistan".

Arif's piece is on The Guardian's website (UK publication), titled "Partnerless in Pakistan".

Updates from Pakistan!

2008-01-07T03:09:00.000-05:00

I just arrived in this magnificent city days ago and while it may have only been two years since my last visit, a lot has changed. And im not surprised! The story of our economic prosperity has yet to reach the Western media, so allow me to tell it :)

There are so many trade centers and shopping plazas here that parking has become a major issue. So are the countless cars on the streets of many of Pakistan's cities. The new money that's flooded homes and businesses is reflected most evidently in cars and clothing.

I am still trying to fathom how Islamabad, the capitol, is getting the world's first 7 star hotel. It's actually 5 stars for technical reasons but how is this possible in Pakistan, and why Islamabad of all cities?

Anyway, on to some socio-political issues. Benazir's assassination has caused obvious political turmoil, but what the Western media has yet to report is that this time around, a lot more has been affected. With the rioting and violence that ensued shortly thereafter, many people have experienced a tremendous loss in amount of gas, water and electricity to their homes. Pipes carrying either of these commodities were damaged in the riots (yes, they are above ground, not underground like in many other parts of the world), so even doing a simple thing like writing an email has been troublesome. Wedding season is in full swing and people have had to rent alternative power supplies which run on petrol. Prices of candles have gone up nearly 300%. Wheat is in shortage, so bread is expensive too. People are basically waiting and hoping and praying for rain so the dams produce something, anything.

And this is the story for everyone. The rich can minimize it because their money can afford them that level of comfort, but even they are affected. My aunt's husband is now retired, but was the highest-ranking official in the federal government's law department/ministry, and they have barely had hot water to cook, bathe, etc. for the past month.

The general sentiment in the public has been overwhelmingly consistent regarding Benazir's death: She may not have been the country's best leader, but she was extraordinarily brave, courageous and very charismatic. She was at least one option for the masses. Scotland Yard is investigating but everyone knows it's a farce. Elections have been delayed. People are trying to get by.

I have been taking lots of pictures, so I will try to upload those as well, but the portrait I can paint without over-generalizing is that poverty still affects so many people. Most of the aid from the West has gone straight to the army with nearly zero accountability. Testimony to the enrichment and consolidation of the army in civilian life is the presence of grandiose housing societies/colonies for senior army officers. Their presence in NGOs cannot be underscored either. What work does an armed forces person have in civil society? Stay on the borders, please! Standing at a traffic light makes one realize how fortunate those of us are who have the means to lead a decent life. If only others were given that chance too.

I will try to update soon, and might add minor addendums to previous posts in future posts.
As always, please pray.

Bhutto on peace?

2007-12-28T22:37:00.000-05:00

Yes, ironic, I know. But after reading this piece she wrote on peace, i've begun to gain a newfound respect for the woman.

Bhutto is dead. Long live Bhutto.

Views on Post-Bhutto Pakistan

2007-12-28T09:29:00.000-05:00

Many friends have messaged me (through all means! phone, facebook, email...) inquiring what my thoughts were on the current socio-political situation Pakistan finds itself in. Thanks so much for your concern amidst this chaos and turbulence.

The fact is, my views are not too different from the views the majority of Pakistanis (around the world) hold - that this event inspires shock, awe, disgust, pessimism and fear. Just when we thought the end of the "State of Emergency" would bring some stability with the prospects of elections just around the corner, things actually took a turn for the worse.

My question, though, is why should Pakistanis be surprised by this twist of fate? Bhutto never had a good reputation to begin with. After being ousted in 1990, she returned in 1993 - only to wreak more havoc. If she did finally return, why didnt she "pay her dues" (literally; no pun intended...) and start afresh, with a clean slate?

Instead, the masses remember her as the woman who looted, raped and pillaged the country. I remember her time in power, and was in awe of her persona. She was charismatic. If one looks at pictures of her from her college and young adult days, you can foresee that she was destined to do great things; not necessarily positive things, but great nonetheless.

And so, today, I am baffled again as to how the Western media is celebrating Bhutto's life. Why, I ask? Yes, she's liberal, progressive, a smart female and the scion of a major political family, but she's also corrupt, greedy, hypocritical, and power hungry. She is one person whose thirst for power and wealth rivals only that of General Pervez Musharraf. I looked to both of them for hope - Bhutto in the 1990's and Musharraf post-9/11 - yet neither stepped up to the plate.

So, I would like to make a humble request. Two, perhaps. For those of you affiliated with the media, please refrain from celebrating her life. It was not worth it. Can anyone recall any of her achievements? At least Nawaz Sharif connected the entire country with a network of highways and beautified the cities of Punjab in his quest to make them the "Paris of the East". Bhutto effectively created an elite class that is politically and socially so secluded from the masses, she could very well be christened Marie Antoinette.

Did Bhutto really intend on coming back to her homeland to "serve" her people? I consider such an action to be highly dubious. If her track record is any indication, she was all set to take the country by storm again. I'm sure she slept so peacefully at night knowing that her largely illiterate voters were to be taken advantage of again. When will my countrymen learn?

My second request is that we pray for her soul. I dont care what political stance one may have, such an event is not only reprehensible and worthy of our highest condemnation, but has led to the breaking of a family and the loss of a mother for three teenage children. No one should ever have to go through this agony. This violence that has emerged in the past few years in Pakistani politics has frightened me beyond words. It is amazing how dissent and divergent opinions can do so much harm to someone. Disappearing people, drive-by shootings, kidnappings are all accepted forms of treatment meted out to people who question authority. It's as if we've forgotten the nature of democracy - yet we yearn for it so intensely?

With Bhutto's passing, we have lost a major battle in the war our masses are fighting to gain democratic control of the country. She was a beacon, maybe not of hope, but a beacon and a trailblazer nonetheless. I will make no predictions about the upcoming elections and instead, am hoping against hope that we finally see some fresh leadership emerge from somewhere, somehow.

It is this very leadership deficit that has brought us to where we are today. In an article I wrote just weeks ago for The Epoch Times when Musharraf declared the State of Emergency, I mentioned in it how many of my generation never even considered a career in public service. So strong was the social stigma against politics; those who pursue it as a profession are probably either illiterate or wealthy, effectively excluding countless people from creating a better future for the country. Clearly, this most harmful trend must be reversed, lest we see the country's law and order situation spiral so out of control that we never see it regain a stable footing.

Lastly, an update from the ground: I have been in conversation with my family back in Pakistan including my father in Islamabad and my mother and sister in Lahore, and both parties basically paint a picture of a barren wasteland. These cities are large, vibrant and dynamic and so to hear of them as being devoid of cars on their streets, with no gas stations or convenience/general stores open is quite odd. Not a soul can be seen apparently. Till yesterday, phones and internet were not functioning.

A friend in Karachi said that the evening following Bhutto's death, there was a wedding in the family that was canceled at the last minute. When news broke of the attack in Rawalpindi, people in Karachi closed businesses immediately and run for dear life. My sister told of another wedding she attended where the groom's procession only included seven people - even close relatives were not present!

The three day mourning period ends Sunday and I imagine that by the time I arrive in Islamabad Monday afternoon, things should be heading back to "normal". I have never heard of nor seen such a day in Pakistani history. This one event will have reverberations across coming generations, let alone mine.

I think this might be my last blog entry till departure (Sunday morning, 12/30), but I will try and update with relevant articles and other resources as and when possible. I return three weeks from now, God willing.

Again, many thanks to all those who've communicated their thoughts and concerns. You've all been like a pillar of support to me in these trying times. As if it's not enough that I am going back to my homeland for a three week vacation (which is crazy in itself!), I now am under this constant tension. The burden, I fear, will not be lifted soon.

Prayers for peace,

Zeeshan

Bhutto killed in attack

2007-12-27T09:17:00.000-05:00

Pakistanis around the world are still trying to make sense of this horrific situation. Thanks to all those who have expressed concern and thanks even more for the prayers. Surely, they will not go un-answered.

I travel to Pakistan this weekend and arrive in Islamabad, amid tight security, I assume. Keep me in your prayers as well!

I was never a fan of Benazir and, in fact, thought she did more harm to Pakistan than good, but under no circumstances should such treatment be meted out to any individual.

"From Him do we come, and to Him shall we return..."

The Citizens Foundation fundraiser event - 12/1

2007-11-21T21:19:00.001-05:00

My article on Pakistan's current state of affairs in The Epoch Times

2007-11-20T09:56:00.000-05:00

Can't write in detail now, but as always, comments and feedback gratefully accepted! Hopefully, it should appear in the hard copy version of the paper in a few days. Please pick up a copy if you can!
The article is here.
Many thanks to National Editor for Epoch, Genevieve Long, whose passion for a prosperous and peaceful Pakistan will go far in helping bridge gaps and build bridges in US-Pakistan relations.
Happy reading!

Resources on State of Emergency in Pakistan

2007-11-11T11:17:00.000-05:00

My email inbox has been overflowing with different resources on the State of Emergency in Pakistan, declared last weekend by General Musharraf. It would be a great travesty if I didnt share them. Please do feel free to leave comments with more resources and I can update later. And also please feel free to give any feedback - constructive and/or destructive! - and it will be accepted with gratitude.
Long live the voice of the people!

=====

From my friend Salman Ahmed Usman:

Some internet news sources on Pakistan :

www.pkpolitics.com is updated almost round the clock with latest news and videos of news bulletins and political talk shows. The website is currently also providing full coverage of Emergency Plus in Pakistan in audio format at pkpolitics.com/audio/emergency/ . This includes latest analysis of various hosts from Geo and ARY, including Dr. Shahid Masood and Kashif Abbasi. Also check sister website http://pklatest.com/

Live Geo news (audio only) on www.geo.tv

A number of Pakistani channels at www.jpjc.de. After registering, scroll down to the 'Live TV Channels' section.

Geo TV/ ARY live streaming at www.pakistanvision.com. Click 'Live stream 1' or 'Live stream 2' link on the left hand side.

Geo News live streaming at: http://watchgeotv.info/

Live streaming of Aljazeera English at: http://english.aljazeera.net/English . Click the 'Watch Now' link on the left hand side of the page.

DawnNews live streaming link on their website www.dawn.com

=====

NYT blog entry comparing Musharraf and Abe Lincoln: http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/musharraf-and-lincoln-in-their-own-words/

=====

Petitions being circulated:

http://www.gopetition.com/online/15064.html

http://www.avaaz.org/en/emergency_pakistan

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/legalcourts/

=====

Some anti-Musharraf articles in the Columbia Spectator (Columbia University newspaper):

Pakistan and the U.S.: a Devious Relationship

Pakistan and the American Dream

=====

Some blogs with regular updates:

http://pakistanmartiallaw.blogspot.com/

http://emergepakistan.blogspot.com/

www.PakistanPolicy.com

======

For those of you based in New York, you can sign on to a google group for regular updates at: http://groups.google.com/group/emergency_newyork?hl=en

Updates on State of Emergency in Pakistan

2007-11-03T23:52:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to thank everyone who has expressed concern over the recent disappointing development in Pakistan.

Things seem to be calm; internet and phone are okay for now, though all TV and media seem to be shut down. No unrest as such. At least this is what i've heard.

I can only point to one authoritative source of information and that is the blog page set up by the folks at the South Asian Journalists Association (SAJA). Check out more info here, which is thankfully being updated as well.

Please keep Pakistan and Pakistanis in your prayers.

Madhuri Dixit - the legend - makes a comeback in Aaja Nachle

2007-10-24T23:21:00.001-04:00

And the legend is back!

Madhuri Dixit - Bollywood's leading lady of the 80's and 90's - is making a comeback worth the wait! She's been gone only five years or so, but from the looks of it, she hasn't changed a bit. In fact, this video - which is hopefully reflective of the film in its entirety - is proof that wine only gets better with time.

Cant wait for the film - Aaja Nachle - to come out in a few weeks. Until then, enjoy this brief teaser and marvel at the legend that is Madhuri Dixit.

Thoughts on Ahmedinejad visit to Columbia

2007-09-27T22:28:00.000-04:00

These may be a bit late, but some of my random thoughts have been succinctly summed up aptly in this article authored by my friend Jayati Vora, a Columbia U./SIPA alum.

I know there are divergent views on his speech both at Columbia and at the UN, so i'll save those for my visitors who can voice them in the comments section, but I will say that President Lee Bollinger of Columbia U. was in fact, the real disappointment in this whole affair. He stooped pretty low and displayed a certain arrogance that is uncharacteristic of people of such stature.

Columbia's students must be dumbfounded as to how they should feel after this interesting event on their campus.

In any case, Jayati's article sums up my views quite well.

Arsalan Iftikhar NPR radio show on 9/11 anniversary

2007-09-17T21:54:00.000-04:00

Friends,

Arsalan has blazed a trail as one of the great voices of the Muslim American community, not just as a representative of the Council on American Relations, but now as Contributing Editor and Columnist for Islamica Magazine.

Visit this link to hear some of his thoughts on the recent 9/11 anniversary. I wish I could post more on the event, but just havent had time. Arsalan does perfect justice to what millions would like to say, but dont have the opportunity or access to media like he does.

Here's wishing him luck and success in all endeavors he undertakes!

Young Innovator in Coexistence Award: Radeyah Hack

2007-09-09T19:58:00.001-04:00

I'm on youtube now too! Wow - this is a first! All thanks to my colleague from the CUNY Graduate Center, Marriah Star. He's taken a great interest in AID's social entrepreneurship work and is clearly vested in making it widely known and accessible to as large an audience as possible.
Thanks, Marriah!