Wednesday, April 30, 2014

JZ'S ARTICLE: MOST OF US ARE CRUEL & SINNERS, KNOWINGLY & UNKNOWINGLY

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MOST OF US ARE CRUEL & SINNERS,
    KNOWINGLY & UNKNOWINGLY

BY JAVED ZAHEER, FREE EXPRESSION AWARD WINNER
            TORONTO: Most of the human beings are cruel and sinners, knowingly and unknowingly, and remain in the state of loss. Yes, cruel and sinners. They are cruel to themselves and others including the near and dear ones. They are sinners because they keep disobeying and displeasing God, opposing, ignoring, treating badly, harming and killing innocent, helpless and good people, violating rules, breaking laws, committing sins, crimes and mistakes.
            Yet they are not ready to accept, understand, realize, admit and confess this and consider themselves to be pious, good and fit for heaven. Yet they think they are the best ones and God is pleased with them, although their conscious keeps pricking them and restless.
            How costly the misunderstanding and disobedience are proving they don’t understand. They don’t understand that God is pleased with only those who believe and do good works and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance (Reference Chapter 103 Al-Asr---Quran).   
            There are signs and symptoms which tell us about such state of human beings. The answers and solutions are in the original holy books of God.  Devil, a committed enemy of mankind, is a barrier between God and people. Evil temptations and lustful desires are his weapons. Removal of this barrier ends evil influences and enables us to reach and understand the truth, good and God. The holy books help do this by creating a barrier between us and devil. It shows us the path to God, good and heaven.    
            WHO IS CRAZIER? Imagine about a person who is highly respected, recognized, qualified, knowledgeable, skilled and professional and a psychiatrist or psychologist or counsellor as well and a schizophrenic or lunatic compares himself with that person and says:
“What is the difference between us? Are we both not insane and doing the same thing? You think I am crazy and ill and I think you are crazier and more mentally sick than me. I am not in my senses and do things without sensing right or wrong or good or bad, realization and understanding and you are doing them with full senses, a set mindset and understanding? If I need a doctor then you need both specialist and a spiritual healer?”  
One of my distant relative, a very literate, knowledgeable and well-established person, suffered huge business losses and as a result became a mental patient. He became aggressive and abusive. Even his family and almost all relatives got fed up of him.
One day he came to my house and my mother gave him shelter. Understanding his condition and situation, we handled him accordingly and took good care of him. Initially he was good with us but as the time passed and his mental and overall health condition worsened he became very weak and more abusive. Still my mother ordered us to never misbehave with him and always try to take good take care of him.  Despite his worsening condition, he respected my mother.
He lived with us for over two decades. When my mother left Pakistan for USA, he left the house on his own will and lived with his family---stepbrothers and sisters. He did not stay there for long, vanished and one day we got the news that he passed away.
            HINDU DOCTOR: When he was with us, I took him to an international medical conference so that he could be seen and his case presented and discussed. We met a Hindu doctor there. He showed interest in this person and started chatting with him. Being a schizophrenic, the person picked up a flower vase on the table and started talking. When the doctor asked him as to what he was doing, he replied: “Don’t disturb me. Can’t you see I am talking to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and discussing important matters and issues to solve world problem.”     
            The Hindu doctor asked again: “Is she listening and replying to you. If not then stop and listen to me. I am your friend and interested in helping you by knowing you and your problems?”
            The person became silent and started staring at the flower vase. At that moment, the Hindu doctor took out the idol of Hindu god from his pocket, started worshipping and then kissed it with great respect.
            The person who was watching the flower vase stopped and started observing the activities of the Hindu doctor. Suddenly he started laughing loudly, then stopped and took the idol from the doctor and asked him: “What are you doing doctor? There are millions of such idols, statues and toys made and sold by people for few cents and dollars in the markets and on the streets. Is this god listening to you and answering? Please tell me. I too want to talk to him and get problems solved. If not then stop and listen. Don’t fool me by giving stupid answers. I may be mad but definitely not a fool.”
            The Hindu doctor was left stunned and speechless. Instead of the doctor, the person started questioning and grilling him in his abusive style and finally told him: “Doctor, I see that you are more sick then me. Don’t waste my time. I am an army general and have an appointment with world leaders to discuss policy matters. They are my ally, think and act like me and understand me. It is you who should go and see some specialists and spiritual healers. It is you who need guidance, help and treatment. Stop fooling the world, your people and yourself.”        
            The puzzled Hindu doctor’s face became red with anger and forehead wet with sweat. No answer from him could satisfy or convince the mentally disturbed person, who was bent upon proving the Hindu doctor as insane, crazy and mentally sick. 
            Sensing the situation, I took the doctor aside to say sorry and goodbye and then took the person away from there. Seeing the reaction of the doctor, I asked him as to why he was disturbed. The doctor said: “Don’t worry. While treating the mentally sick persons, we too become somewhat like them---crazy and mad. While dealing with them, this happens.”
            ANOTHER DRAMA: This mentally sick person nearly created another big scene. One day I received a call from the office of Pakistan International Airlines Chairman. Secretary of PIA Chairman was on the line. She said: “Is Gen Nizamuddin there? Air Marshal Daudpota, PIA Chairman, wants to talk to him.”
            I immediately realized what happened, told her that Nizamuddin was not present and asked her why the PIA Chairman wants to talk to him or meet him.  
            She said: “Air Marshal Daudpota could not recall knowing any retired Gen Nizamuddin and has agreed to meet him at the place (park) and the time given by the retired general.”
            I then told the secretary: “Thanks God that I picked up the phone and all of us have been saved from great embarrassment. Nizamuddin is not a general. He is a mentally sick person and a schizophrenia patient. Since he passed a good life before becoming a schizophrenic, he knows how to deal with all sorts of people including VIPs.”
            The secretary was shocked and said: “He spoke so well and with confidence. He impressed us and that’s why Air Marshal Daudpota agreed to meet him. Thanks you saved us all.”
            The doctor and schizophrenia patient story is a great lesson for all of us to learn. It points toward many grave mistakes, faults, stupidity, cruelty and sins that we commit knowingly and unknowingly in our daily lives and how God has taught us to seek true forgiveness for the wrong, sins and mistakes we commit, enjoy His blessings and protect ourselves from His anger and wrath.  
            All the original holy books are full of examples, guidance and commands. We know and understand most of these yet we fail to follow. We believe in God and good but also knowingly disobey Him and commit mistakes, sins and cruelties. We dislike and hate the devil yet we please him the most by becoming slaves of temptations and desires. We know the right and wrong yet we put ourselves on the wrong track and PATH TO HELL.
            We need to stop blaming God and others for our faults, mistakes, sins and cruelties. We need to start analyzing our thinking and lifestyle and understand, follow and implement what God wants us to do.  The holy books are Books of Guidance. They have the keys to open all the locks including our brain, understanding and heaven. They are the pharmacy which contains all the spiritual medicine. They contain prescriptions from God---The Healer.
            Those who deliberately distort the divine messages and hide the truth are quacks, criminals, sinners and cruel. We must remain alert, understand, avoid and expose the quacks and criminals. The holy books are constitution to regulate our lives.
            God has taught us through examples in the shape of Surahs (Chapters) and Ayats (Verses) in the Holy Quran as to how to remain on track, seek forgiveness from Him, escape from His anger and wrath and benefit from His blessings.
            Surah # 1 (Al-Fatiha): In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful (1)
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, (2) The Beneficent, the Merciful. (3) Owner of the Day of Judgment, (4) Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help. (5) Show us the straight path, (6) The path of those whom Thou hast favoured. Not (the path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray. (7)
            Surah # 2 (Al-Baqara) Verse 286: Allah tasketh not a soul beyond its scope. For it (is only) that which it hath earned, and against it (only) that which it hath deserved. Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget, or miss the mark! Our Lord! Lay not on us such a burden as thou didst lay on those before us! Our Lord! Impose not on us that which we have not the strength to bear! Pardon us, absolve us and have mercy on us, Thou, our Protector, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk. (286)         
            Surah # 3 (Al-E-Imran) Verses # 147 & 148: Their cry was only that they said: Our Lord! forgive us for our sins and wasted efforts, make our foothold sure, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk. (147) So Allah gave them the reward of the world and the good reward of the Hereafter. Allah loveth those whose deeds are good. (148).  Prayers made by companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at the Battle of Uhud.
          Surah # 7 (Al-Araf) Verse # 23: They said: Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If thou forgive us not and have not mercy on us, surely we are of the lost! (23). Prayers of Prophet Adam and Eve.
            Surah # 21 (Al-Anbiya) Verse # 87: And (mention) Dhu'n-Nun, when he went off in anger and deemed that We had no power over him, but he cried out in the darkness, saying: There is no God save Thee. Be Thou glorified! Lo! I have been a wrong-doer. (87). This surah has references of many prophets, their prayers and mention of blessings of God.
            Surah # 23 (Al-Mumenoon) Verses # 116-118: Now Allah be Exalted, the True King! There is no God save Him, the Lord of the Throne of Grace. (116) He who crieth unto any other god along with Allah hath no proof thereof. His reckoning is only with his Lord. Lo! disbelievers will not be successful. (117) And (O Muhammad) say: My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for Thou art Best of all who show mercy. (118).
            Due to lack of proper awareness and understanding of the divine messages, guidance, instructions and commands, Muslims are easily provoked and made emotional. They get involved in senseless and foolish arguments, discussions and debates and waste their precious time and energy.
            Surah # 112 (Al-Ikhlas) Verses 1-4 has closed all doors for foolish and senseless discussions. The commands are crystal clear and very easy to understand. They are the best answer to the queries of those who keep questioning about God and keep promoting the distorted versions:  “Say: He is Allah, the One! (1) Allah, the eternally Besought of all! (2) He begetteth not nor was begotten. (3) And there is none comparable unto Him. (4)”
            In order to ensure that they do not become cruel, sinners and astray, Muslims must focus on becoming true believers and only worshippers of one God (Allah). They must understand the following divine message of Surah # 9 (Al-Tawba):   
          Surah # 9 (Al-Tauba) Verse # 129: Say: Allah sufficeth me. There is no God save Him. In Him have I put my trust, and He is Lord of the Tremendous Throne. (129).
            Interestingly all believers of the God including Christians, Muslims and Jews agree that the God of the three is the same but disagree with the divine messages of the same God thus portraying and making Him disputed. Influenced by distortions and venomous propaganda, they keep arguing and fighting with each other. 
            The commands and divine messages in the holy Quran clear all the confusions. Yet they fail to agree and understand. The enemies of mankind and humanity are taking full advantage of this situation and pitting all the believers including the three against each other by creating hatred. We need to focus on ending this situation so that all could love each other, live in peace and learn to live and work together.     

            JZ’S PROFILE:  Joined Journalism Profession in 1974 (Daily `SUN’, Karachi) and still serving as a professional journalist (2014). Javed Zaheer, Free Expression Award Winner (Awarded by National Ethnic Press & Media Council of Canada—NEPMCC. Award presented by Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, Canada), Desi Idol Recognition Award Winner (Presented by North American Desi Idol), Member/Honorary Director of NEPMCC, Veteran Active Member (VAM) of Toronto Press Club, Ex-Member of The National Club and The Ontario Club, Honorary Editor of English Weekly `Pakistan Abroad’, Canada, ex-Chief Editor (Honorary) of English Weekly `The Ambassador’, Canada, ex-Chief Editor (Honorary) of English Weekly `DAWN', Canada, ex-Senior Sub-Editor of English Daily DAWN, Pakistan (From 1986-1999), Chairman, CANOPI, Director of Children Dignity Foundation (CDF---Canada & Pakistan) and Honorary Director, Canpak, Chamber of Commerce, and Honorary Director Information, Pak Seniors Forum (PSF), is contributing purely on Voluntary and Honorary Basis in order to serve all people and communities. Contact: (416)696-0981/jazamedia@hotmail.com To read more JZ’s exclusive articles, please visit: www. nepmcc.ca and nationalethnicpress.com (Editorial Sections. Scan years from 2004. Visit www.javedzaheernews.blogspot.com for latest exclusive articles.--- JZ'S MOTTO: SERVE HUMANITY IN REALITY

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

JZ'S ARTICLE: FROM SIR WITH LOVE, THANKS FOR RESPECT



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FROM SIR WITH LOVE,
THANKS FOR RESPECT
BY JAVED ZAHEER, FREE EXPRESSION AWARD WINNER
            TORONTO:  Good teachers are like angels and one of the best blessings of God. Most of their students remember, like, love and respect them. This is the best reward they get for their invaluable contributions and services.
            Best teachers are the ones who by all means fully focus on the students so that they could become really responsible, respectable and shining examples of the family, community, society and the country they represent. They are the ones who then become true leaders, voice and strength of the people, champions of humanity and source of encouragement, inspiration and motivation. Their goodness and greatness is that they never forget their teachers and mentors.  
            Parents are the best teachers and rightly fit in this category. Their children are their students. It is the bad society, company and peer pressure which makes them bad.  Good parents become very good teachers and friends of the students. They understand, guide and help their students in the school or tuition centres become good and best.
            The unmarried ones of good nature and character and deeply in love with teaching profession give their best to the students. Fortunate are all those pupil and people who get such good and best teachers at all levels of education and life.
            PROUD TEACHER: Afzal Khan Nayyar is one such teacher. He toured London (England), Dubai and Karachi, Pakistan, recently and that tour became memorable for him. He could not dream or even imagine that he would get such warm welcome, great love and respect from his ex-students. Most of them are all well settled with some becoming VIPs.
            Afzal says that the love and respect he got from his ex-students even after a big gap of over 30 and 40 years has made him proud that he chose the education profession and became a teacher.
            With glow of joy in his eyes, he said: “They have proved that in our culture, family, community, society, and country still teachers, elders and seniors are all greatly respected. They understand the importance of values, love, care and respect. I thank all those who showered much love and greatly respected me. I can never forget their hospitality, generosity and love.” 
            A.K. Nayyar, who is 74, planned the tour from January 18 to February 25, 2014, to meet his sisters, near and dear ones, friends and ex-students. They were all missing him and wanted to meet him. As far as ex-students, friends and their hospitality, love and respect are concerned, it was a wonderful tour. They were all very loving and caring.
             SAD NEWS: Afzal was anxiously preparing to start his tour on January 18, 2014, when a very sad incident shocked him a day before. His younger sister’s son, Waqas Khan, associated with Express TV as a technician, and was supposed to receive him at the airport was brutally murdered by terrorists, who pumped eleven bullets into his body when even after being attacked he tried to overpower them and snatch the gun, in an armed attack on their media van on January 17, 2014. His two other colleagues were also mercilessly killed.
            LONDON:   Afzal Khan left Toronto, Canada, on January 18, 2014, and started his tour from London, England. His school days friends, Syed Saeeduddin and Syed Naseeruddin, both brothers, invited him to visit them. He remained there from January 19-25, 2014.
            Rukhsana Pasha, his ex-student, through the friends came to know about his visit to London and went to the airport along with her husband to receive him. They met after forty six (46) years. She took him to her house for breakfast and had a very good time there.
            She then took him to Syed Naseeruddin’s house. Naseer showed him the tourist and historical places in London including Trafalgar Square, London Eye and 10 Downing Street. He stayed at Syed Naseeruddin’s house for five days. Both Naseer’s son and daughter are doctors, gave him nice company and took good care.
            Syed Naseer’s elder brother, Syed Saeeduddin, used to come every evening to meet him. He took him for dinner at the famous Spicy Corner restaurant.
          DUBAI: On the morning of January 23, 2014, he left for Dubai.  Syed Naseeruddin and his wife Zakia Saheba bid him farewell at the Heathrow Airport.
            He was supposed to stay in Dubai for five stays but had to cut short his visit due to the brutal murder of his nephew in Karachi. Tariq Khalil, his ex-student, came to know about his Dubai visit and reached the airport to receive him. He stayed there for the night. Tariq’s family took great care. After breakfast he left for airport to board the flight for Karachi, Pakistan. Afzal Khan Nayyar met Tariq Khalil after 33 years.
            KARACHI: Afzal Khan Nayyar reached Karachi on January 24, 2014, and stayed there till February 24, 2014. From airport, he went straight to the house of his younger sister, Akhtar Begum, a retired teacher and the mother of brutally murdered nephew Waqas, and stayed there for ten days. His niece Hira, and other family members, despite stricken by great grief and the tremendous irreparable loss, took great care.
            He then moved to the house of his other younger sister, Dr Kishwar. Her husband, Mustufa Kamal is also a doctor. Their daughters Aiman and Saman are university students. All of them gave him good company.
            From February 13, 2014, onwards Afzal Khan’s met his old friends and ex-students. His three close friends---Prof Khawaja Qutubuddin, Syed Muhammad Naseem Asmi (Younger brother of Saleem Asmi, ex-editor of Daily DAWN, Karachi, Pakistan) and Taufiq Bilgrami came to know about his presence in Karachi. They met him and recalled the glorious past.
            When the daughter of late Aiz Azizi, an artist, a social activist and his old friend, came to know about him she took him to her house and introduced him to her whole family. Azizi’s son became very emotional on seeing him and said: “I feel like seeing and meeting my dad.”
            On February 13, 2014, he visited the Bahria University, Karachi, where he was received and welcomed by Vice Admiral (Rtd) Khalid Amin, Director General of Bahria University. Khalid Amin is his ex-student and met Afzal Khan after over forty (40) years. Other ex-student were also present there including Col (Rtd) Nasir Hussain Zaidi, Dawood Shah, son of a former air commodore, and Khalil Najmi, Organizer, Ex-Student Activities of formerly Pak Base Masroor School and now upgraded as Pak Base Masroor College         
            Farah Kanwal, principal of the Pak Base Masroor College, welcomed them and showed them the college. Afzal Khan also addressed the students of the college, introduced himself and spoke about his association with the college.
            Afzal Khan, the ex-students and guests then met Air Commodore Ilyas, Base Commander, Masroor, where they were warmly received, given reception and showed round the place.  
            On February 14, 2014, Vice Admiral (Retd) Khalid Amin took Afzal Khan to the naval ship `Shamsher’ where a dinner was organized for the ex-students and families. Afzal Khan met some of the ex-students after over 30 years.         
            Khalid Memon, President of Asian Canadian Association (ACA) Canada, was also present on the occasion. Later that day, Afzal remained a guest of Khalid Memon and was entertained the whole day.
            On February 15, 2014, the ex-students organized a dinner for him at the Village Restaurant, Karachi.
            On February 17, 2014, Prof Qutubuddin took him to the Karachi Arts Council where he met his school classmate Prof Sehar Ansari after 13 years. Prof Sehar Ansari is an internationally renowned poet and working on a senior position in the Karachi Arts Council.   
            Before leaving Karachi for Toronto, he met in the last few days Ejaz Mahmood, ex-Member of National Assembly, Sindh, and Syed Nooruddin Qadri, a businessman, both of them school classmates, and Khalil Ahmed Khalil, Advocate, Sindh High Court, and a poet. Khalil was his neighbour and presented him his book `Jihad-e-Sukhan’, a collection of his poems.
          ABOUT AFZAL KHAN:  Afzal Khan Nayyar is now 74. He belongs to Hyderabad Deccan but was born in Bombay (Mumbai), India, and migrated along with parents to Pakistan in 1949 and settled in Karachi. He is married to Taqia Afzal Khan. They have five children (Three girls and two boys) and all of them married. They have become grandparents of many grandchildren. Afzal Khan then migrated to Toronto, Canada, in 2003. He is lives at Dawes Road in East York.
            Afzal Khan is a well-educated person. He is M.A., B.Ed. and LLB. Since 1960 and   throughout his life he remained associated with the education profession.
            From 1960-1966, he was a teacher at Aga Khan Boys Secondary School, Garden East, Karachi. From 1966-1973, he was a high school teacher at PAF Model School of Masroor Base, Karachi. From 1973-1975, he was a teacher at the high school of Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) in Sui, Balochistan. From 1975-1988, he served in his own teaching centres.
            From 1988 till 2003, he was principal of Kalyana Academy (Secondary School) and for two years principal of Ismail Allahwala Boys Secondary School of Dehli Punjabi Saudagaran.
            Afzal Khan is a renowned and respected community leader and social activist and keeps serving the people and contributing tremendously. Despite old age and illness, he is found at most meetings, events, places and with people.
            Since 2006 he is general secretary of PICAS (Pak India Canadian Association for Seniors), a recognized south Asian community organization.
            He is joint secretary of ACA (Asian Canadian Association) and was also its cultural secretary from 2006-2013. Since 2008, he is media coordinator of Rang Manch, a drama society formed by Jawaid Danish. He is honorary adviser of Ummeed International and an active senior member of Pak Seniors Forum (PSF), whose founder and president is Syed Muhammad Iqbal.
            Afzal Khan Nayyar through this article wants to thank individually and collectively all for giving him so much love and respect.
            MESSAGE: Whether it is the teaching profession or any other profession or position and role we must always remember that we can only expect love and respect in return if we love others and give them due respect.
            The case of Afzal Khan Nayyar and his wonderful experience is an example for us. Always be remembered with good memories rather than being forgotten as a rotten. We have to win the love of others and earn respect. So give importance to values and promote love and respect to live and work together in the real sense.
            Friends are like families and families are part of community and society. This is how we can promote and achieve unity between all members and communities, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. It is the goodness that matters to achieve greatness.
            JZ’S PROFILE:  Joined Journalism Profession in 1974 (Daily `SUN’, Karachi) and still serving as a professional journalist (2014). Javed Zaheer, Free Expression Award Winner (Awarded by National Ethnic Press & Media Council of Canada—NEPMCC. Award presented by Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, Canada), Desi Idol Recognition Award Winner (Presented by North American Desi Idol), Member/Honorary Director of NEPMCC, Veteran Active Member (VAM) of Toronto Press Club, Ex-Member of The National Club and The Ontario Club, Honorary Editor of English Weekly `Pakistan Abroad’, Canada, ex-Chief Editor (Honorary) of English Weekly `The Ambassador’, Canada, ex-Chief Editor (Honorary) of English Weekly `DAWN', Canada, ex-Senior Sub-Editor of English Daily DAWN, Pakistan (From 1986-1999), Chairman, CANOPI, Director of Children Dignity Foundation (CDF---Canada & Pakistan) and Honorary Director, Canpak, Chamber of Commerce, and Honorary Director Information, Pak Seniors Forum (PSF), is contributing purely on Voluntary and Honorary Basis in order to serve all people and communities. Contact: (416)696-0981(416)696-0981/jazamedia@hotmail.com To read more JZ’s exclusive articles, please visit: www. nepmcc.ca and nationalethnicpress.com (Editorial Sections. Scan years from 2004. Visit www.javedzaheernews.blogspot.com for latest exclusive articles.
         JZ'S MOTTO: SERVE HUMANITY IN REALITY