Together We Shall Win: On 30th March, 2011 tum bhi ek deep jala dena!

Came across this amazing page, made by an amazing friend. Copy-pasting here:

For decades, we have seen our countries drowned in hatred, negativity and animosity for each other. Many of us lucky enough to have friends from across the border, have often wondered why.

30th March 2011 marks one of the biggest sporting events in the history of South Asia. It’s a great delight that the subcontinent has half the chance of Winning the ICC 2011 World Cup!

Today two friends from Pakistan have promised their two Indian buddies to support their team in the final if it wins the semi. They’ll do the same for Pakistan! . Whatever happens in the semi-final, this World Cup has to come to the Indian Subcontinent, and we will ALL cheer Together!

Friends from both sides of the border, join us in this pledge of solidarity, this honest gesture of love and peace. It’s time to throw the negativity aside and demonstrate compassion and kinship that transcends boundaries.

Let’s enjoy the Semi-Final on March 30th 2011, support our teams to the fullest, and ensure that it would be just the beginning to a grand finale.

For Together We All Shall Win!~Long live cricket and cross border friendship!

 

Show your support by inviting your friends, and on Twitter by including #TWSW and http://tinyurl.com/Indo-Pak-Peace in your tweets!

Let cricket, love, peace and mutual co-existance be the winner on 30th March, 2011

Apnay aangan mae nafrat ki,
Yeh jalti aag bujha dena.

Ham pyar ki, shammaiN Layae haiN
Tum bhi aik deep jala dena.

Jo khet jala voh apna tha
Jo khoon baha voh bhi apna tha

Jo kuch bhi huva achcha na huva
Ab waqt hy oosko bhula dena
Ham hath hawa ke bhaijaingay
Khushbu Lahore ki mitti ki

Tum bhi Ravi ki lahron per
Dilli ke phool baha dena

Apnay ghar ki diwaron ko
Uncha karna sab ka haq hy

Lekin jo diwarain dil mae haiN
Voh sari aaj gira dena

Voh pyar bhala kab rukta hy
Diwaron se talvaron sae

Ham dur sae hath hila daingay
Tum dur sae hi muska dena !!

Khush-hal raho dilshad raho
Tum phoolo phalo aabad raho

Ham tum ko duaayaiN daitay hain
Tum bhi ham ko yeh duaa dena

Yeh pyar khuda bhagwan bhi hy
Yeh pyar hi Masjid Mandir hy

Jo sabaq sikhayae nafrat ka
Voh Masjid Mandir dha dena !!

Lahore 21.03.2001

There was a happy occasion of meeting of two sides of nationals at Lahore on 21.03.2001. Indian delegation was represented by The Servant of the people Society also known as Lok Sevak Mandal. The founder of this Lok Sevak Mandal was Lala Lajpatrai in 1921

One of the Pakistani Doctor Khalid Javed had written a poem in love and affection for the people of both the country. He then requested Mr Satyapalji the group leader to convey his message to the people of India, the true feelings of Pakistanis for Indians. On his return to India Mr Satyapalji had published this poem in several Indian Newspapers. This poem was appeared in Gujarat Samachasr London on 24.01.2004 submitted by Shree Chandubhai Matani Leicester

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Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Charity Fundraiser : Express Tribune, The News

Express Tribune:

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s voice and heartwarming melodies intoxicated the audience at a much-awaited fund raiser Tuesday night, with die hard fans singing along and swaying to the music…

Syed Ali Abbas Zaidi, president PYA, in his address to the guests gave a heart-felt and dedicated message. He added, “We are here to raise funds, but despite that, we’ve had politicians and bureaucrats asking us for favours to let them in for free. We have taken a lot from this country, but now it is time to give something back.”

The News:

The purpose of this event was to initiate school renovation drive. As per UN, 10,000 schools were destroyed by floods. Top politicians, businessmen, diplomats and celebrities were in attendance as Rahat mesmerised the audience with his melodious tunes. Mahesh Bhatt turned up with Indian delegation to grace the occasion..

Pakistan Youth Alliance Chairperson Syed Ali Abbas Zaidi delivered a speech, which made the audience emotional, he said “pointing at ‘decision-makers’ of our society who were seeking free passes for a charity concert, is this the example elders of our society are setting for our future generations? We have been harassed by politicians and bureaucrats for obliging them in a charity concert. We have taken a lot from this country, lets try to give something back now!”

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Bulleh for our times

First published in Islamabad Dateline

Mystifying is the turn of time, indeed. Refuted by clerics of his time, the same Bulleh Shah who was refused burial in his community graveyard is quoted by contemporary mullahs and holds worldwide reverence today.

Same can be said for all mystic poets who lived to challenge the rigid interpretation of religion prevailing in their times.

One wonders if he would have been charged for blasphemy and assassinated like Taseer or Bhatti if Bulleh were to say ‘whatever is in the heart’  in our society at present — mou’n aye baat na rehndi aye.

His words elevated his stature after death and today only few dare to challenge the great Bulleh Shah as he lays peacefully in his grave in Kasur. Elite of the city pay handsomely to be buried near the man they had once snubbed.

Bulleh Shah’s poetry is mainly colored with the philosophy of re-union with the beloved — God. He believes in serving humanity and loving beyond regions and religions, something that he does not separate from worship of God.

We can relate to him as he was a product of our society. His overwhelming audacity and almost arrogant critique of the religious orthodoxy strikes upfront. His poetry is filled with direct attacks on mullahs:

Mullah and the torch-bearer, both from the same flock
Trying to give light to others; themselves in the dark

Bulleh Shah was a humanist. He provided solutions to sociological, political, cultural and religious problems of the world around him.His words preach religious tolerance and teach the art of agreeing to disagree peacefully — something that is the need of the hour in our times as well. He embarked on the mystical journey to search God whilst describing the turmoil his homeland, Punjab, was passing through.

His poetry highlights mystical spiritual journey through four stages of Sufism — Shariat (Path), Tariqat (Observance), Haqiqat (Truth) and Marfat (Union).

He starts from the rules defined by Islam, and eventually ends up where he accepts the existence of God, everywhere, with no bias between different religions, finally experiencing union with God.

Pointing at someone else’s faith would only unveil how weak one’s faith is. Picking up guns, instead of pens to enforce your way of thinking would never have an effect that the likes of Bulleh Shah had, through their soul-searching and heart-melting poetry.

O’ Bulleh Shah let’s go there
Where everyone is blind
Where no one recognizes our caste (or race, or family name)

Unfortunately, we have not provided high accolade to this great mystic poet in our educational curriculum. He is known to the youth only through artists like Abida Parveen, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Saeen Zahoor, Junoon and Noori.

And if questioned, how Bulleh changed me? Almost every time I hear Abida Parveen giving voice to his words I can imagine him singing and dancing to please the beloved, losing his caste, because love never had a caste or sect. I find myself dancing with him, at times. I find myself criticizing the authority our society has given to clergy.

In Pakistani society, hatred and differences are usually magnified and celebrating diversity is the need of the hour. Bulleh’s message if properly infused can fight extremism and inspire about a positive change which is much needed in these troubling times.

Neither Hindu nor Muslim,
Sacrificing pride, let us sit together.
Neither Sunni nor Shia,
Let us walk the road of peace!

When inquired with Raza Rumi, an intellectual and writer based in Lahore, about his views on the importance relaying the message that Bulleh Shah gave, he replied, “Bulleh’s poetry reflects his rejection of the orthodox hold of mullahs over Islam, the nexus between the clergy and the rulers and all the trappings of formal religion that created a gulf between man and his Creator. His message is clear and pertinent for the current crisis in Pakistan where the clergy has occupied public space and is nurturing a culture of intolerance.”

Bulleh’s poetry and its innate message can be a rallying point for a progressive Pakistan where humanism can prevail. In the current dark times, we have to reclaim Bulleh Shah and introduce the rich, plural heritage of Pakistan to the youth and younger generations.

Tear down the Mosque, tear down the temple
Tear down every thing in sight
But don’t (tear down) break anyone’s heart
Because God lives there

The world is becoming polarized, with hatred being fed to masses everyday, on religious and ethnic grounds. Instead of burning it down, we have to repair the damage done — stitch by stitch and any such voice which attempts to build these ideals should be glorified if we dream to make this world a better place for coming generations. One such voice is that of Bulleh Shah.

How true were his words about his own physical death:

Bulleh Shah asaa’n marna naahi; gor pya koi hor!  [Bulleh Shah! I will not die; someone else lays in the grave]

Syed Ali Abbas Zaidi

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Na mann behooda girde: I dont roam aimlessly!

Master Rumi’s words always find a way to pierce into your heart and make your soul dance to the divine music that his poetry composes.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan needs no introduction.  His voice can be referred to as a beckoning — in realm of  a mystical journey towards englighment, love and ecstacy.

The combo can make tears roll down your cheeks like you were some place else.

Na man behooda girde kocha
Wa bazaar megardam
Mazaj-e-ashiqee daram paye
dildar megardam

Khudaya rahm kon bar man
Pareeshan waar megardam

Khata karam gonahgaram
Ba hale zaar megardam

Sharabe showq menosham
Ba girde yaar megardam

Sukhan mastana megoyam
Walay hooshyaar megardam

No I am not roaming aimlessly
around the streets and bazaar
I am a lover searching for his beloved

God have mercy on me
I am walking around troubled

I have done wrong and sinned
and am walking around wounded

I have drunk the wine of desire
and am strolling around beloved

Though I may seem drunk
I am quite sober

- Source

Also,

Gahe khandam, gahe giryam, gahe aftam, gahe khezam,
Maseeha dar’dilam paida vaman beemar mi gardam.
Biya jana inayat kun wa maulana e Rumi ra,
Gulame Shams Tabrezam qalandar waar mi gardam

Laughing at times, crying at times, falling at times, rising at times,
The savior is at the doorstep of my heart, yet like a sick man I wander.
O Beloved! Come and help your Maulana Rumi
I am a slave of Shams Tabrizi, enraptured I wander.

Munshi Raziuddin’s version updated:

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To George Fulton and to hope

Dear George Fulton,

I grew up watching your amazing show ‘George Ka Pakistan’ on TV. You did an exceptional service to promote Pakistani culture and unveil the face of Pakistan, quite often ignored by the International media.

We, Pakistanis bow in respect of you and your work for this country. Let there be no second thoughts on that.

Today I read your emotional piece of Express Tribune. You have decided to call it quits and break up with your love, Pakistan.

George, the defining moment in your bumpy relation with Pakistan as mentioned by you was Salman Taseer’s murder which was cheered by thousands. Hope died for you with Salman Taseer being buried six feet under, with crowds garlanding Qadri, with thousands on streets glorifying a murderer. To be honest, it made me very sad too as I realized how polarized Pakistani society was and how extremist ideology stems deeper than we think it does.

But what made me did not lose hope was these amazing amazing men, women and children vowing to further the cause which took Taseer’s life. There were a few hundreds of those, out in streets, in Kohsar Market everyday, paying homage to the late Governor and among them was this beautiful little girl, who after your departure, I name ‘hope’.

And you are right. Our Intelligensia might still be protecting, projecting and ‘using’ extremist militant proxies to gain geo-political mileage in the region and beyond. But, George, which Intelligence agency in the world isn’t involved in ‘dirty’ games, seeking ‘under-cover’ advantage for its rather absurd objectives? Some of those have been spotted in Pakistan too. I remain to be a vocal critic of using ‘religion’ for anything political and there are many like myself, who openly criticize our Intelligensia’s politicization and abuse of this great religion. So, I am yet to lose hope there too.

We have been used, abused and left alone, more than once. We have sacrificed 30,000 only in the last decade to this ideology. We have lost top politicians like Benazir Bhutto and even, generals to this cancer. We have sailed through the worst humanitarian crisis in all of modern history and we still stand a strong chance in cricket world cup 2011 after all the drama.

It was never meant to be an idealistic perfect world; yes, our society still needs to introspect and build majority consensus on various socio-political and religio-political fronts but at the least we have something to begin with. [read: How long can we remain apathetic?]

The atrocious murder of Butt brothers, in Sialkot, had thousands protesting against it. The brutal murder which transformed your love into hopelessness had thousands protesting against it — my point being that though outnumbered, we still had some standing for sanity. We still have hope.

I know things are not perfect here. I know we discriminate between our citizens on the basis of faith, the very reason for which our forefathers demanded for a separate homeland. I know we are shrouded with too much noise as we embark on an ideological battle to redefine Pakistan. I know you leave us in melancholy and there’s nothing but love, from here, as always.

My last words for you would be to remain ‘friends’ after your divorce with Pakistan. Hope will remain to lighten our chests till the last man stands and we promise to infest hope in you, in your lifetime.

Love & warmest regards,

Syed Ali Abbas Zaidi

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