“There is a journey during which, it’s not the legs that ache but the heart” (Aik safar woh hai jis mein, paoon nahin, dil thakta hai) are the words from late Urdu poet Ahmed Faraz which came to mind on hearing of Governor Salmaan Taseer’s murder in Pakistan by a person assigned to be his bodyguard. On January 4th the life of Pakistani Punjab’s brave and charismatic leader ended at the young age of 66. A liberal to the core, Salmaan left behind his wife and six children from Pakistan plus what is known as his “Indian connection”. Condolences go out from the heart to all of them, not only for their huge loss but with sincere apologies for the behavior of a segment of the Pakistani population which actually proceeded to congratulate his killer.

This scribe never met Salmaan Taseer or knew his immediate family. But I do know for a fact that there still remains a small but significant secular population in Lahore and in other cities of the Punjab province which should not be overlooked by outsiders. In Pakistan, the debate on whether the spring “Basant” kite festival should be celebrated or not, as it approaches every year, is a case in point. In spite of many obstacles the beautiful people of Lahore turn out in the thousands on their rooftops telling the religious extremists to “go fly a kite” by doing just that. The people of this city also love to eat well and dance to the rhythms of their rich Dhol (drum) based music.

Added to this secular mix was the very witty and the fun loving Salmaan Taseer, a self-made man who not only allowed his Daily Times newspaper to uphold its journalistic independence against some serious odds, but also kept projecting the liberal face of Pakistan, sadly one which appears to be even more endangered after his death. And one has to ask that question: What did he die for?

Asia Bibi is a Christian woman accused of blasphemy in Pakistan. One is not exactly sure of the details of the charges against her, but in Pakistan these charges resulted in her getting the death penalty. Although one has to admit that it would be extremely foolish to indulge in “blasphemous activities” in the religiously and politically volatile environment in that country today, what should be questioned is the accuracy of the charges, especially against non-Muslims living there. Are people being accused just to settle old scores, because they may be competitors or just because they possess an independent mindset? And is trying to get a pardon for someone who is accused of “blaspheming the Prophet” reason enough to kill him or her (like Salmaan Taseer)? Is this how one should show the love of our Prophet as Malik Mumtaz Qadri, the man who openly admits to killing Taseer has done? All the late Governor did was question the Blasphemy Law and how it is implemented. Is just questioning a law blasphemy now? And is protecting religious minorities in Pakistan, in this case Asia Bibi reason enough for someone like Qadri to become judge, jury and executioner?

The biggest disappointment to our liberals has been the recent attitude of some Barelvi religious leaders in Pakistan. The Barelvi School in Islam is one to which a majority in the country adhere to. Till recently, it was thought that the Barelvis would remain a strong liberal counterweight to the more conservative minority Deobandi and Wahabi schools in Pakistan. Now, after the Salmaan Taseer killing, it appears that the Barelvis too have become attracted to extremist ideas in spite of their stated opposition to the Taliban in the region.

The only positive outcome following Salmaan Taseer’s assassination has been the political emergence of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the co-chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) currently residing in Britain. In a recent speech young Bilawal strongly backed the rights of minorities in Pakistan and condemned extremists including the killers of Salmaan Taseer. But as one who had decided to stop supporting the younger Bhutto’s after his mother Benazir’s assassination, it is time to add that good governance is the extremist’s worst nightmare. The question is, will the PPP led government in Pakistan ever be able to provide that deterrence and if so when?

2011 is the centenary year of Urdu poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz, one of the finest writers that have emerged from the region since Ghalib. Many events are planned to honor this great south-Asian liberal-progressive writer this year worldwide. It is ironic that the year should also start with the murder of Salmaan Taseer who was the nephew of Faiz’s wife Alys. May the brave Governor now rest in peace. For that reason, and for thought connectivity let us leave with Faiz Sahib’s writing in (attempted) translation with just a few lines from his poem “Nisar mein teri galyon kay…”: “ This life dedicated to you oh streets of my homeland where, the custom now is that no one should keep their head up high. Those that love here and openly want to express that love, instead must avert their eyes; protect their body and their life.”

For Mr. Shahzad or his backers, this message needs to be sent: Your attempt to kill innocent people was despicable and Pakistani-Americans hope that they throw the book at you.

The message here is delivered loud and clear, especially to Muslims worldwide. There is a scene in a Mosque in this movie that will raise some eyebrows.

He is a musician, a follower of the late John Lennon, a strong proponent of India-Pakistan friendship, a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, and someone who is the religious extremist’s worst nightmare.

Syed Kamal’s recent death marks the near-closing of an era during which four male actors ruled Pakistan’s Urdu film industry.

The idea in my book that people who cut themselves off from their roots will bleed is taken from a Pablo Neruda poem which says just this. People in the Diaspora take it literally to mean that they must not blend in with their acquired home.

A voice of first or second generation immigrant motherhood, trying desperately to be protective by passing on fading family traditions.

South-Asians will be especially pleased to find that the film’s first image is one of their own as the striking expression of Faran Tahir.

With the passing of Iqbal Bano, the Urdu (and Persian) speaking world has lost one of its finest Ghazal singers.

It was late when I drove back to Sacramento that night but Faraz Sahib appeared to me to be as fresh as a morning breeze and completely in his element.

In 2000 only about 800,000 children went to school in Afghanistan. Today said Mortenson, 6.4 million kids are in school in that country out of which 2 million are girls.

Writer Shoieb Yunus successfully grasps growing up in a multi-religious Karachi of yesteryear where one lived in harmony.

Brick Lane exposes the core of a complex immigrant dilemma. Asians who move to the western world often live with this dilemma and just choose to ignore it.

If one enjoyed “The Raiders of the Lost Ark

This time the duo attempts to explain the difference between a Bong and a Bomb aboard an airplane to Amsterdam in a post 9/11 environment.

Jamil Dehlavi's film “Infinite Justice

Whether it is the Iowa win for Obama or the New Hampshire one for Clinton, their vision for America’s future is becoming far more important than race and gender.

How does a US Congressman learn about helping the Afghan resistance to the Soviet Empire in 1980? By listening to Dan Rather on TV while soaking in a Jacuzzi full of young women.

Khalid Hosseini, like many Afghan’s is a poet at heart. Here with the assistance of screenwriter David Benioff, the essence of The Kite Runner remains intact

After 9/11 it was Benazir Bhutto that took up the banner of democratic hope in Pakistan, stressing the need for cross-cultural exchanges, religious harmony and how to make peace.

This effort is not about dwelling on what already happened but what's possible; to change the future of some girls and women in Southern Punjab.

Sony Picture’s “Saawariya

The “Us and Them

Either Writer-Director Rajnesh Domalpalli is one of the luckiest first filmmakers around or true contender for future international movie fame.

Are the Pakistani and Muslim community here in America ready for raunchy American teenage humor?

Alumni of NED University, founded in 1921, are gathering on September 8, 2007 in Silicon Valley in their largest ever NEDian convention.

A Pakistani-American walks down a road in India named after his great grandfather.

Kaju’s past leads to the year 1984, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards.