Collision of Cultures

Re: # 21
mana,

I agree with you completely, but should not forget that pakistan has adopted many of the western ideas and technology to deliver on islamnic values.

The drones are flown from paki air fields and they deliver instant shehdad to the jihadis who value death more than life.

In the mumbai attack, the jihadis have used weapons not listed in the book ( it talks about slitting the throats ) like guns to kill the kafirs.

Please do acknowledge the progressive nature of pakistanis and in fact they are following your ideas.

It's a shame that we as pakistanis only adopt deviant and perverse legacy of the west and ignore all the progress. I would be willing to bet an arm and a leg that 99% of people celebrating St. Valentine's day in pakistan have no idea what they are celebrating; they only saw it in an hollywood or more likely a bollwood movie. If they want to westernize so badly then let them establish western education and well fare systems and skip St. Valentine's day and other perverse legacies. Pakistan was created as a muslim country, why have we forgotten that?

It's a shame that we as pakistanis only adopt deviant and perverse legacies of the west and ignore all the progress. I would be willing to bet an arm and a leg that 99% of people celebrating St. Valentine's day in pakistan have no idea what they are celebrating; they only saw it in a hollywood or more likely a bollwood movie. If they want to westernize so badly then let them establish western education and well fare systems and skip St. Valentine's day and other perverse legacies. Pakistan was created as a muslim country, why have we forgotten that?

Re: # 18
786,
"tribal customs which are sanctioned in the name of religion"

You're very unclear; I did define all the terms clearly. What do you want to hear? What precise tribal custom (disguised as religious sanction) are you having a problem with?

"I understand and respect your rejection of globalization, its the reasoning which makes me question."

You mean if religion has really opened my eyes (given me active 'Furqaan', not just idle brain-cells), its not okay?

Clarify.

Re: # 13

Tahir

Lets take your definition of tribal customs for pagan Arabia, correct me if I am wrong, in your opinion its OK for societies to accept tribal customs which are sanctioned in the name of religion while you reject customs or rituals that do not conform to the scriptures.

PS: I understand and respect your rejection of globalization, its the reasoning which makes me question.

Re: # 16
"Since you are 'working at grass roots level in Sindh', what love stories have you discovered in that ancient land, the place that gave our violent ChowQ Islam-bashers their identity?"

Now what is odd or offensive about my post?

You wish to know about what I do? Why, have you found a decent 'rishta' for me?

I'm amazed at your inability to know who I am. I mean, here I am with all this information about ChowQ, its founders, its current sponsors, its agents provocateur, their real names and previous lives, and much more! And YOU can't figure me out?

Don't despair; I don't expect you to fall in love with me. Just ask someone senior at ChowQ.

Yes, still unimpressed, no one should write or share their thoughts simply to impress people, but I guess not everyone's interested in logical discussion and sharing of views here....

Its obvious why you've avoided my main question in post #12, which was about your professional life. I really don't care about what people say about my writing or ideas and I do not mind criticism of any sorts, but when you are becoming personal (post #4), at least have the courtesy to explain yourself.

Re: # 12
"little more than 4 - 5 years"

Nearly seven years of interacting!

I've never seen you around here before. Perhaps a differnt nickname? Not knowing who I've faced and how, shows you don't know me at all. But don't let it bother you.

I wrote my first article way back in 2000. Still not impressed?

Peace.

Re: # 12
"I browsed through your i-logs which are 20 something of your 'ideas', not even proper writing"

47 as of today. When readable satire or truthful articles are banned by ChowQ, simple i-logs are more convenient to write (which are mostly edited work).

"6 galleries"

Eight!

"..and no articles (again, send me links if i'm wrong)"

Keep looking in the WRITERS section and you will get there.

Time up now.

Peace.

Re: # 11
786 (why 786?),

You're confusing three things now:

1) Purely tribal customs (e.g. of pagan Arabia)
2) Culture (enlightenment and sophistication acquired through education and exposure to the arts)
3) Values (the accepted principles or standards of a person or a group).

Values when preached by a wayward guru lead one to a moral disaster, but when revealed by the Creator, leads to peace and salvation.

Don't kill, don't steal, don't worship false gods, THESE are values.

Anyway, I've made my point regarding the V-Day. I condemn globalization, this McDonaldization of cultures.

Peace.

Tahir,

if you have been "here" (as in the online world of Chowk) for little more than 4 - 5 years, I think I know as much as you do about interactors.

I browsed through your i-logs which are 20 something of your 'ideas', not even proper writing, 6 galleries and no articles (again, send me links if i'm wrong) and even an hour hasn't passed...

I have been reading and your satire is still pretty lame, again, try harder...

Its true that muslims suffer from too much sleep, especially those spending their lives working in a corporate entity and fighting out their ideas online. I'll lie down in my good time but let's find out how active and aware you are? What kind of work do you do? which profession are you emmployed in? and how are you helping muslim communities other than arguing with people online? (Clear answers please)

Re: # 9

Tahir

With all due respect, religious connotations may be important from a emotional point of view but that does not alter the reality that Muslims have adopted traditions practiced by Arabs of that time in the name of religion. Sunnah-e-Ibrahimi is important to us because we are convinced by our belief systems that this is the way of God, but what about the remaining 4.5 billion people? To them, we are simply aping arab values and they maybe correct in their assumption for we have by our actions and words made God an arab who rejects all other values.

Re: # 8
Farigh (as in 'free') man,

With a little less than two years out here, what do you know about interactors?

I guess you'll have to start with reading all my articles, i-logs, galleries--and if you haven't hit your teens by then-- all of my interacts. You'll see the real face of the Islam-bashers!

Haven't you been reading? Satire comes easily to me; you really don't have to push me to do it. Rest assured, it will flow in your direction if and when I deem it fit.

Muslims suffer because they sleep too much. Don't forget to blow out the 'laaltain' before you lie down.

Re: # 6
786 (hexagram),

"Tawaf or what is now known as Hajj was practiced b4 the arrival of Islam."

Didn't it occur to you that you're comparing sunnah-e-Ibraheemi with Valentine's Day! Can't you differentiate between silly pop culture and religious injunctions?

Have some black coffee.

@Tahir- "Since you are 'working at grass roots level in Sindh', what love stories have you discovered in that ancient land, the place that gave our violent ChowQ Islam-bashers their identity?"

Firstly, I have discovered plenty of love stories in interior Sindh and Balochistan, since falling in love is not haraam and is not confined to urban areas or populations of Pakistan.
That's not why I work in the grassroots level and there is no romanticism in rural, backward areas of Sindh, you will not find that in my writing. Your silly sarcasm is duly noted, try harder next time...

Secondly, there is no Islam-bashing on Chowk, I haven't read it, except in the interacts of some inexperienced, four-walled minded fools who have nothing better than to do. If you think I'm wrong, send me the link of one anti-Islamic article on Chowk.

Lastly, to understand cultural dynamics and the role of religion is every thinking person's responsibility, especially one who is actively participating in the current, confused social environment of Pakistan.

Faris

Nice article, balanced, objective and well written. Thanks