I read somewhere that proper surnames are outlawed in Iraq, because Saddam Hussein thought they were ‘socially divisive’ and caused people to have superiority complexes or suffer from inferiority complexes.
So he made it so that the first name is own name and the surname is the father’s first name.
I was thinking it’s not a bad idea that, we should have a similar law in Pakistan because of the entire ‘zaat paat’ thing.
Most people are named that way anyway, like Saeed Anwar, Shoaib Akhtar, Ali Zafar, Shazia Manzoor etc. but if it was made a law, so called Sayyeds and other 'high castes’ wont have anything to show off about.
Surnames is just another western cultural practice adopted by us, in our culture people don’t usually have a surname just a two part first name, Abdul Haq, Bibi Nazo etc.
problem with your theory is that people who "adopted" from "western" culture are not the only the ones who are caught up in this zaat paat thing , personally I think that they are less inclined to indulge in these kinds of sentiments... It is the majority that lives in villages and wear dhotis not pants who also (note the word ALSO I am not saying they are the only ones) are very much guilty of the thing that you criticize....
I personally don't see anything wrong using surnames, neither I have read anything against it in Islamic books... root problem of this zaat paat resides not in western culture but somewhere else... what is that somewhere.... I will say.. good question !
And of all the people, Saddam Hussain? Can’t we find better role-models?
Making laws to suppress cultural issues like usage of surname or banning food at the weddings (I am still mad for not being able to serve food at my wedding, stupid law-makers) makes problems worse, force is not the answer. Bring awareness and masses will respond.
I’m not saying we adopted the zaat thing from the westerners but the surname system is another way of showing of about our tribes or caste, and it also ‘highlights’ our differences, if everyone in the republic had two simple Arabic names it will be another way of removing our differences, who cares if somebody is a Khattak or a Khatri (this is actually used in a derogatory way in my village).
well i think as far as ppl use surnames to portray a sense of superiority in some way its not a bad idea to make such a system for official names.
i dont agree with your view that surnames were adapted to from the western culture. infact our very own muslim and arab heritage has had quite a thing for surnames that define a persons entire lineage. even today in arabia the arabs have long names with all those of their father grand and great grand father included. one example that comes to mind right now which i learned about many years ago is that of the famous muslim traveller and explorer Ibn-e-Batuta whose actual name was: Abu Abdullah Mohammed Ibn Ahaad Allah Al Lawati at Tanji a.k.a Ibn-e-Batuta!
^^ God i hated that it ws very difficult for year three history. English ppl also call him Ibn e Battuta or may b its his short form name sorry u have already said tht
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*Originally posted by Haris Zuberi: *
well i think as far as ppl use surnames to portray a sense of superiority in some way its not a bad idea to make such a system for official names.
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Pakistan has already started that. Sometime back i read it in papers i guess that they wont add surnames in ID Cards & Passports now. Yet i cant confirm it.
PK Taz I disagree when u said “in our culture people don’t usually have a surname just a two part first name” There are hundreds of diffrent Casts in our culture.
I dont see a problem with a surname, its just ur identity, ur history, where u came from. As even in islam its said ke … God has divided us into diffrent parts of the world & diffrent groups so we can be identified. Nothing more nothing less. All ppl r equal.
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*Originally posted by pk taz: *
I hate it when people don’t agree with my views.
I’m not saying we adopted the zaat thing from the westerners but the surname system is another way of showing of about our tribes or caste, and it also ‘highlights’ our differences, if everyone in the republic had two simple Arabic names it will be another way of removing our differences, who cares if somebody is a Khattak or a Khatri (this is actually used in a derogatory way in my village).
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Its advised by our Prophet (pbuh) the we should use our tribe/caste/group names. so we can be identified and even one is converted from other relegion, he/she can still keep last or surname.
It was recently discussed by IRF (www.irf.org) founder Dr Zakir Naik.
Saddam himself comes from a not very well-known family. SO, he decided to cover up his shortcomings by implementing this ridiculous law for the whole country.
sorry u have already said tht 
