Adil Najam
PIA print advertisement from the 1960s (Originally uploaded by PakPositive.com which is a blog that highlights the positives aspects of Pakistan).
Let me continue with the ‘Image Pakistan’ theme in choosing the picture for today. I find this advert for PIA absolutely fascinating; both for what it says about how PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) saw itself and how it saw Pakistan (or wanted Pakistan to be seen).
Was this the reality of Pakistan before theso-called ‘darhi wallahs’ took center stage? Or was this ‘image’ of Pakistan as much out-of-sync with the reality of what was Pakistan then, as the image of the bearded-gun-totting-bomb- throwing-jihadi-Pakistani is today?
Speaking of ‘image’ and ‘brand’ the Association of Pakistani Professionals (AOPP) has recently launched an initiative on the subject and held a thoughtful and thought-provoking event on he subject in New York on June 3. I was asked to moderate part of the program, and found the discussion to be mature, reasoned and reasonable–something we should have more of.
Dear Mr. Ijaz,
-If you really see fumes coming out of someone’s head, please call for medical help!
-Anyone who tries to impose their will on others is a problem. So, yes, if someone imposes a rule that women CANNOT wear a burqa or chador, then, yes that is intolerant too. No one is suggesting that all women should be forced to wear tank tops. But if someone wants to, who am I – or you – to object.
-You are right, lets keep it simple. Lets also not insert fake religiousity into things. Religion is a personal and I have no right to impose my religious ideas and interpretations on you; nor you on me. That is what tolerance is about. And, please, do not insult the Prophet by calling him a Mullah.
-There was no also no computer in Medina 1400 years ago; does that mean using a computer is also prohibited!
-You are right on the final paragraph. Women, and men, should do what THEY want, and if they wish to wear hijab that this entirely their right; just as it is their right to wear tank tops if they want.
-By the way, from your comment you seem to be one of these ‘Cool Angraizee people’ yourself. So, please, lets keep the namecalling down.
dont know what is meant by a tolerant society or people? aint these liberals intolerant as well especially when the fumes are coming out of their heads upon seeing a bearded mullah/muslim? since when a woman wearing a tank top in a scoiety has become a reflection of freedom, intolerance in that society? dont you think that woman wearing a tank top can also be offensive to people in a society? was this kind of action allowed in the very first muslim society which was built in medina by our beloved Prophet Muhammd P.B.U.H? Would he or first four caliphs allow this kind of mass advertisement of this material in the society? Or did Prophet P.B.U.H or first four caliphs allow this kind of action? If yes then can somebody quote one example? However, we have many examples in which nakedness was discouraged when it is done in Public. So what do liberals or “cool english medium guys and gals” have to say about the biggest Mullah Prophet P.B.U.H. Just keep it simple – no need to insert fake philosophical discussions to convolute/hide the issue.
Now to the question if this ad is in sync with our scoiety’s behaviour and trend – not sure. But I think it does reflect the urban society behaviours to some extent. But who cares? even if it is in sync with the behaviours in different classes and fabrics of the whole Pakistan’s society. My wife, sisters and mother would not want to wear tank top even if the large segment of society is running around in bikinis. “Cool Angraizee people” forget a very simple fact that women have brains and hearts (qalb e saleem) too, they do not always have to follow their husbands and fathers when Qura’an and Sunnah are there like day’s light for their guidance. They take hijab by choice not by force.
how ironic, when a chiristian pastor or a jewish has a beard, they are not called with names such as mullah or fundamentalist… but when a muslim decides to follow the path of their beloved prophet (PBUH) they are instantly turned into terrorists or fundamentalists… how ironic… isn’t it… especially when our own people has such views for us, to whom are we suppose to blame it for… May Allah Bless us all with wisdom… Ameen
I think the image is a tribute to Pakistani as it was in 1960s and not because it shows a female in a tank top and that is a liberal. It is a tribute because it shows a society, which was tolerant and their religion was not threatened by woman in a tank top. It shows a society, which respects freedom of choice and expression.
Hashir Zuberi, you said: “This approach, in the context of Pakistan’s society, is rather hypocritical, because the vast majority of Pakistani men and women (I’m not sure where you personally stand) would not want their wives, daughters or sisters to even be represented in this way, much less be involved in such endeavors.
”
Have you ever stopped to think what the “wives, daughters or sisters” would like to or want to do? and not what their husbands, fathers and brothers would want them to do.
This is the main problem with our society. We treat women as if they’re incapable of choosing what’s right or wrong for themselves. We tend to define their morals and reality. How disgraceful. Our society disgusts me in more than a few ways. This is just one of the examples.
Let women decide and choose what they want to do.