Adil Najam
This picture is carried today by both Dawn and Daily Times. Dawn’s title is “Still Heroes” and the caption reads: “Bronze statues of Quaid-i-Azam, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Allama Iqbal put on display at the Science and Technology Expo-2007 being held at National Memorial Museum in Shakarparian in Islamabad.”
A visit to the Museum is on the top of my ‘To Do’ list when I return to Islamabad end of the month. I hope they are still there.
My first thought on looking at the picture was to note how both Jinnah and Iqbal are wearing suits here (this penchant of ours – me included – to dress up these guys in the garbs of our desires has been has been quite a remarkable historical see-saw!). My second thought was to wonder what the folks at Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa might have to say – or do – about this. I hope there is significant security against vandalism here.
But even more than that, I wonder what these three men are sitting there thinking about what is happening today in the country they helped conceive. Late at night when the museum is closed and the statues come alive and walk about, what is it that they sit together and talk about?
“This is sad”, not said. Uff, a typo right off the bat, Allahu musta’an!!
Really, this is said. Unfortunately, what a waste of money! These sculptures are useless and complete israaf (extravagance). There is no need to “remind” people of what Iqbal’s and Jinnah’s ideas were by building their sculptures. If someone wants to learn from them, there are enough books, history texts, essays, and useless anniversaries, etc. These images don’t achieve much except waste public money. Just step out of the museum and see how this money could’ve been used beneficially.
This country doesn’t have the luxury to do such things, especially when these things achieve little. “Artâ€
This one is an analysis of the Minister Nelofer situation; http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/apr2007-daily/13-04-20 07/col3.htm
Even Pro-Mullahs are now getting a bit sceptical.
I always shy away from posts where people controvert and not converse. However, after reading Mr. Pervaiz Munir Alvi’s comments above I am impelled to write. I cannot agree more with what he says and there is no need to add anything more. May I give below two verses from Iqbal which may perhaps provide some food for constructive thought:-
“Khaam hai jab tak to hai mitta ka ik ambaar tou
Pukhta ho jai to hai shamsheer e be-zanhaar tou”
“Naheen tera nasheman qasr e sultani kay gumbad par
Tou shaheen hai basera kar paharoun ki chittanoon par”.
We can best honor the memory of the leaders to whom this post is dedicated by recalling what they said, and did, and why, and how that is relevant to our life today.
Gentlemen/Ladies: Dr. Adil Najam has provided us this forum to discuss and express our thoughts and opinions regarding matters and issues relating to Pakistan. He may have his own slant but that is not the issue here. The issue with me is that why we are unable to move beyond the subjects of India-Pakistan, Hindu-Muslim, Qadianies as non-Muslims etc. etc. Why should we invoke the perceived short comings of others to make a point in our arguments. Why finger pointing. Jinnah died nearly six decades ago, Iqbal died nearly seven decades ago, and Sir-Syed died who knows when. These leaders of ours were sincere lot and they did for the nation what they thought was right in the context of their own times. I ask this question to myself; what have we done for Pakistan and for our people lately. Pakistan is much much more than what these discussions here are about. Why are we still discussing and justifying the existence of Pakistan. To say that Pakistan is a better place than India, or vise-a-versa, does not prove any thing. From international standards both countries are in terrible state. Pakistan good or bad, it is our country and it is here to stay, God willing. Are we unable to see the full beauty of Pakistan. What about arts, literature, poetry. What about our social and economic issues. Are we capable of talking about any thing, any thing beyond religion and especially of others.