*(http://paknews.com/letters.php?id=1&date1=2002-09-06)
It was 5 ‘o’ clocks in the morning, after saying fajar prayer I turned on my computer to talk to Wayne. It was 8’o’ clock in the evening for him, and he was back from his college, some computer institute in Dallas, Texas U.S.A.
It all began with his letter “to my sister in Pakistan,” which he wrote me in response to my small article, I had written almost a year ago on paknews.com. He contacted me because he wanted to know about Islam, Pakistan, Muslims and their reactions about Sep 11. He, like thousands of other Americans, was in rage. He started hating Islam and all Muslims without distinguishing between any of us.
While I am neither a perfect Muslim nor the best Pakistani, I tried. I tried to tell him that not all Muslims, just like human beings are alike. Pakistanis and Pakistan is strictly against terrorism. We condemn the killing of innocents in the name of Islam, no matter what religion they follow, and no matter whosoever give fatwas against it.
When I was a little kid and was learning the Quran from my mother my memories are of being taught about love, affection and forgiveness. To help, to be kind and to be the best possible example of tranquility. And that’s exactly what our holy prophet (m.p.b.u.h) was, he brought peace and harmony into the world and that Allah Himself is all merciful and the compassionate. Until now I had a firm belief that to live and let live, to love and being loved is what Islam proclaims, my father , my mother, my teachers , no body ever told me that hatred could be the part of any religion, especially mine!
But now when I turn around I see these men with turbans and beards, who claims to be the contractors of Islam, who do say “LAILAHA ILLALLAH” like I do but after that, all they speak of is hate, to kill, to destroy and I don’t understand, are there some new surahs revealed (nauzobillah) or are they in direct contact with God?
Whatever they say or do to provoke us, there could be nothing, absolutely nothing that could justify the brutal, thoughtless killing of innocents. And I refuse to accept them as my leaders and their zero tolerance as my religion.
This is a known fact that Muslims are in crisis, in Kashmir, in Bosnia, in Palestine and in several other territories around the globe, and there is so much that U.N. and the superpowers could do to stop that terrorism but they are doing nothing more than just silently spectating. This enrages Muslims but then again, this is not the way.
Wayne was telling me that he had made a new friend in college who was Muslim and I was so happy that he does not hate Muslims anymore - at least not all of them. Through Wayne I learned how patriotic Americans are, they are easy going, fun-seeking and a peace-loving people. They are nice and friendly, they love their freedom. I also came to know that they do not have any control over whatever decision their govt. and their heads of state make, especially regarding foreign policies, sometimes they are not even shown the true picture. Isn’t it amazing that CNN for America is altogether different from CNN for the rest of the world.
I respect Americans as I respect humanity without any prejudices of religion, color, country, language or ideology. But I salute those Americans who stood by Muslims in this hard time after Sep 11, the priests and bishops who gave asylum to the Muslims in their churches to protect them from angry American extremists.
Wayne and I belong to two opposite worlds we have nothing in common except that we both are humans, but this is a strong relation, the strongest indeed. Thus we share the same sweet dream, the dream of better existence of mankind, and we look forward to the day when our children join each other to celebrate their diversity instead of fearing it. The day of endless peace, when world is a greater place to live, when war is a forgotten word.
This letter is a followup to Shomylah’s Letter to the Editor titled “My Dear Americans” almost a year ago. Since her letter to Pakistan News Service, she has been featured in 2002 issue of Glamor magazine and numerous other media sources.]
:hula:PAKISTAN ZINDABAD:hula:*