Martial Law in Pakistan
Emergency as proclaimed by Musharraf’s regime is just a pretty word to replace a visibly harmful noun “Martial Law”. Without being partial, it can be easily said that the current step by General Musharraf’s government is in fact an imposition of Martial Law and not that of an emergency.
Emergency, under the constitution is proclaimed by the president whereas in our unfortunate case, a sitting Chief of Army Staff has proclaimed so. When an army chief takes this step, it is Martial Law and not an emergency. Emergency can be declared by a president due to various reasons. Reasons could vary from a harsh natural calamity to external threat to internal turmoil. Whereas, here the general got scared of the possibility of Supreme Court giving a decision, making him ineligible for the seat of presidential candidate. Not that, Musharraf’s regime had any eligibility from the beginning; this decision would have greatly exposed the hollowness of his regime and have further strengthened public confidence in judiciary.
A strong judiciary is a corner stone of every developed nation. Judiciary in Pakistan has always been dealt harshly by the elite and army and mostly used as a tool to gain legitimacy rather then looked at as an institution, whose strength gives strength to the nation. It is in the interests of Pakistan and its army that the country has a strong judicial setup but its not in the interest of Musharraf and his cronies that the judicial activism in Pakistan progresses further. The first one to have got a hit would have been Musharraf and then his cronies would have been left helpless against empowering judiciary and as a result, most of the members of Musharraf’s government could have ended up in jails.
Trying to save its own hide by claiming to be the sole person in Pakistan who can carry out War on Terror along with the international coalition, while ignoring the fact that his actions are greatly damaging the institutions in his country. While it is western world’s greatest misconception that Musharraf is the only person on Pakistan’s soil who can lead the country’s public and the army against terrorism, it is Musharraf’s greatest mistake to have invoked public against himself.
In the past, public opinion was in Musharraf’s favor, largely due to the very unpopular civilian regimes of 90′s. However, times have changed, and due to the greatly autonomous media and unlimited sources of information access, public has educated itself to figure out regime’s faults. And historically, it has always been observed that dictatorship leads to the disintegration of institutions and as a result, public trust on institutions fall and eventually country either ends up with an anarchy or a revolution.
Pakistan is at the brink of both. Further turning of events might take Pakistan to a failed state and as a result, US requiring to take further action towards disarming Pakistan of its nuclear arsenal. Or, Pakistan could revolve and throw the dictatorship away and bring the rule of the people, by the people, for the people. I would not be lying when I say here that such a revolution would be in everyone’s interest except the terrorists.
I say this, because larger population of Pakistan is peaceful. However, due to certain harsh and unjust policies of Musharraf’s regime has made certain areas of Pakistan vulnerable to extremist mindset. Such policies and its effects could only come to end with an end of Musharraf’s regime. However, to attain this goal, the world must help the people of Pakistan by giving a strong message to Musharraf’s regime.
This message should first incorporate an unconditional with drawl of the proclamation of emergency (Martial Law) and then should invoke Musharraf’s regime to ensure free and fair elections in Pakistan, according to schedule.
For this purpose, a petition has been created at this URL. Please sign it so that this motive could be developed into a strong force as well.
Join the Conversation
Thanks a lot for writing this article. I’ve signed the petition and hope that others will do the same and spread the word.
Signed it.
Your petition doesn’t handle special characters, but I don’t think that matters, at least I hope not.
I’m kinda torn personally.
It’s either military rule under Musharraf or brutal Taliban-style Shariah in Pakistan.
Against any Marshal Laws in Pakistan. the poeple of Pakistan cannot tolerate constant military putschist Generals. Since the first puschist Gen. Zia’alhagh, the country knows a deep crisis of democracy.
I’ve signed too. Hope enough people will sign to stop this.
I want to know if Daniel’s comment is correct: Is it either martial law or Shari’a law?
To answer Chaya and as a result to comment on Daniel’s response.
Martial Law and Shariah Law are two completely unrelated things.
Martial Law > Law enforced by an army chief, by suspending the constitution of the country. This subjugates the authority of judiciary and parliament loses its power completely. There is no constitutional provision for such a law but it is mostly imposed because an army general has the strength of armed forces with it.
Shariah Law > It is a law, derived from Quran and teachings of prophet Muhammad. Shariah is the coded form of the laws derived from these two sources. While the laws given in these two sources are not amendable, but the coding of the laws could be changed according to consensus. Shariah law can not be declared by an army general or an individual. If it is to be implemented, it is to be adopted by the majority of the population, which is the basis of democracy.
By declaring Martial Law, Musharraf has placed the constitution in abeyance. It has no relation with Shariah Law
Daniel didn’t say this…. sigh!
I have signed. I wish you the best and hope you get a democratic government. I would not like to see Sharia Law in your country because it is a most violent law. Fight for freedom of conscience, freedom press, and freedom of speech. Thank you.
I think what some are alluding to is Islamists gaining control of Pakistan and implementing Sharia. I don’t see this happening, I explain here (http://dunellanoestachato.blogspot.com/).
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another dictator doing exactly what america doesn’t want. you’d think all these “bought” dictators in all those conspiracy theories would listen to america more.
and I agree w/ phillip, may human compassion and freedom keep away the horrors of sharia law.
Bob, we can’t even get our puppet Israel to obey, much less Egypt that we pay billions to.
you have that backwards rancher, america is israel’s puppet. maybe its THEM who can’t get US to obey? its hard to workout at times.
By declaring Martial Law, Musharraf has placed the constitution in abeyance. It has no relation with Shariah Law
I think s/he was asking whether martial law and shariah law are the only two options that Pakistanis have, not whether they’re different things.
Musharraf wants those to be the only options as it will force the international community to choose between supporting his authoritarianism and giving control of his country to radical islamists (effectively giving nuclear arms to allies of the Taliban, I’m not talking about ex-cricket star Islamists but the provincial traditionalists who make suicide bombs).
That is why he is systematically destroying an possibility of an alternative from emerging. His actions clearly demonstrate that he has never intended to transition to democracy in Pakistan, if he had then he would have gladly given up his position as army chief. That fact that he insists on holding both concurrantly prove his goal was not to be the leader of Pakistan but to maintain the capability to restore his dictatorship by force at will.
Never underestimate the hostility those on the extremes of the political spectrum have for the middle…
When banding about the choices as being between Military Dictatorship or Theocratic Dictatorship we seem to be forgetting Benazir Bhutto.
Friends, think and pray to your Creator before acting. I will be your friend for as long as you’re peaceful. However, I clearly understand that sometimes we must choose between two evils. As a result we must defend ourselves. Let’s hope that you will not have to come to blows. May God bless you in your wholesome endeavors.
To Bob: American is Israel’s puppet??? LOL LOL Guess who is pulling the strings at the State Dept. It isn’t Israel. Try that Middle East country upon whom the U.S. depends for oil! And not only that, Saudi Arabia is the one who provides text books in Islamic schools in the U.S. Guess where I live.
“Try that Middle East country upon whom the U.S. depends for oil!”
Which one?
“Guess where I live.”
Dearborn Michigan?
Rancher asked:
“Dearborn, Michigan?” Not even close!!
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This is what it’s all about…
nothing more or less.
Address by Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto
Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan
at the Fourth World Conference on Women
Beijing
September 4, 1995
Madam Chairperson,
Mr. Secretary General,
Distinguished Delegates,
Sisters !
Pakistan is grateful to the Government and the people of China for hosting this Conference. We have been deeply touched by the warm welcome and gracious hospitality.
I pay a special tribute to the Secretary General of the United Nations and Mrs. Gertrude Mongella, the Secretary General of the Conference for their tireless efforts in organizing this meeting.
My dear sisters, ladies and gentlemen!
There is a moral crisis engulfing the world as we speak, a crisis of injustice and inaction, a crisis of silence and acquiescence.
The crisis is caused by centuries and generations of oppression and repression.
This conference, therefore, transcends politics and economics. We are dealing with a fundamental moral issue.
This is a truly historic occasion. Some 40,000 women have assembled here to demand their rights; to secure a better future for their daughters; to put an end to the prejudices which still deny so many of us our rightful place in society.
On this solemn occasion I stand before you not only as a Prime Minister but as a woman and a mother—A woman proud of her cultural and religious heritage, a woman sensitive to the obstacles to justice and full participation that still stand before women in almost every society on earth.
As the first woman ever elected to head an Islamic nation, I feel a special responsibility towards women’s issues and towards all women.
And as a Muslim woman, I feel a special responsibility to counter the propaganda of a handful that Islam gives women a second class status.
This is not true. Today the Muslim world boasts three women Prime Ministers, elected by male and female voters on our abilities as people, as persons, not as women.
Our election has destroyed the myth built by social taboo that a woman’s place is in the house, that it is shameful or dishonourable or socially unacceptable for a Muslim woman to work.
Our election has given women all over the Muslim world moral strength to declare that it is socially correct for a woman to work and to follow in our footsteps as working women and working mothers.
Muslim women have a special responsibility to help distinguish between Islamic teachings and social taboos spun by the traditions of a patriarchal society.
This is a distinction that obscurantists would not like to see. For obscurantists believe in discrimination. Discrimination is the first step to dictatorship and the usurpation of power.
A month ago, Pakistan hosted the first ever conference of Women Parliamentarians of Muslim world.
Never in the history of Islam had so many working women and elected representatives gathered together at one place to speak in one voice.
As over a 100 delegates from 35 Muslim countries gathered together, I felt an enormous sense of pride that we women had each other for strength and support, across the globe and across the continents to face and oppose those who would not allow the empowerment of women.
And, today, I feel that same sense of pride, that we women have gathered together at Beijing, at this ancient capital of an ancient civilization to declare: we are not alone in our search for empowerment, that women across continents are together in the search for self-esteem, selfworth, self-respect and respect in society itself. In distinguishing between Islamic teachings and social taboos, we must remember that Islam forbids injustice;
Injustice against people, against nations, against women.
It shuns race, colour, and gender as a basis of distinction amongst fellowmen.
It enshrines piety as the sole criteria for judging humankind.
It treats women as human beings in their own right, not as chattels. A woman can inherit, divorce, receive alimony and child custody. Women were intellectuals, poets, jurists and even took part in war. The Holy Book of the Muslims refers to the rule of a woman, the Queen of Sabah. The Holy Book alludes to her wisdom and to her country being a land of plenty.
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) himself married a working woman. And the first convert to Islam was a woman, Bibi Khadija.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphatically condemned and put an end to the practice of female infanticide in pre-Islamic Arabia. The Holy Quran reads:
When news is brought to one of them, of the birth of a female (child), his face darkens and he is filled with inward grief what shame does he hide himself from his people because of the bad news he has had. Shall he retain it on sufferance and contempt, or bury it in the dust. Ah ! what an evil choice they decide on (Surah Al-Nahl, Ayat-57, 58, 59)
Ladies and gentlemen!
How true these words ring even today.
How many women are still “retained” in their families “on sufferance and contempt” growing up with emotional scars and burdens.
How tragic it is that the pre-Islamic practice of female infanticide still haunts a world we regard as modern and civilized.
Girl children are often abandoned or aborted.
Statistics show that me now increasingly outnumber women in more than 15 Asian nations.
Boys are wanted. Boys are wanted because their worth is considered more than that of the girl.
Boys are wanted to satisfy the ego: they carry on the father’s name in this world.
Yet too often we forget that for Muslims on the Day of Judgement, each person will be called not by their father’s name but by the mother’s name.
To please her husband, a woman wants a son. To keep her husband from abandoning her, a woman wants a son.
And, too often, when a woman expects a girl, she abets her husband in abandoning or aborting that innocent, perfectly formed child.
As we gather here today, the cries of the girl child reach out to us.
This conference need to chart a course that can create a climate where the girl child is as welcomed and valued as a boy child, that the girl child is considered as worthy as a boy child.
When I was chairperson of the South Asian Association of Regional Countries, SAARC declared 1989 as the Year of the Girl Child.
Six years later, the girl child’s vulnerability continues.
And it continues, not because of religion in the case of Pakistan, but because of social prejudice. The rights Islam gave Muslim women have too often been denied.
And women are denied rights all over the world, whether developed or developing.
All over the world women are subjected to domestic violence.
Often a woman does not walk out for she has nowhere to go. Or she stays and puts up with the domestic violence for the sake of her children.
We in Pakistan have started a public awareness campaign against domestic violence through the mass media to inform women that domestic violence
is a crime and to alert men that they can be punished for it.
Often women, in many a society are tortured, not only by men, but by women in-laws too, for financial benefits from the woman’s family.
Sometime a wife is killed by her husband or in-laws so that they can gain another wife and more dowry.
Dowry system is a social ill against which we must raise our voices and create greater awareness.
Women are not only victims of physical abuse, women are victims of verbal abuse.
Often men, in anger and frustration, indulge in the uncivilized behaviour of rude and vulgar language against women.
Unfortunately, women at times also use vulgar language to denigrate another woman.
So we have to work together to change not only the attitudes of men but the attitudes of men and women.
Women have become the victims of a culture of exclusion and male dominance. Today more women than men suffer from poverty, deprivation, and discrimination. Half a billion women are illiterate. Seventy per cent of the children who are denied elementary education are girls.
In Pakistan we are concentrating on primary education for girls to rectify this imbalance.
We are concentrating on training women teachers and opening up employment avenues for women.
It is my firm conviction that a woman cannot ultimately control her own life and make her own choices unless she has financial independence.
A woman cannot have financial independence if she cannot work.
The discrimination against women can only begin to erode when women are educated and women are employed.
If my Father had not educated me or left me with independent financial means, I would not have been able to sustain myself or to struggle against tyranny or to stand here before you today as a special guest speaker.
If the girl child is to be valued, if the wife is to say “No” to domestic violence then we owe a special obligation to creating jobs for women.
That is why we in Pakistan, set up in 1989 the Women’s Bank.
A Bank run by women for women to aid and assist women in setting up their own enterprises to gain financial independence and with it the freedom to make one’s own choices.
Today 23 branches of the Women’s Bank in Pakistan help working women.
Our major cities are marked by enterprises set up by women: bakeries, restaurants, boutiques, interior decoration.
We have lifted the ban on Pakistani women taking part in international sporting events.
In 1997 we host the Second Muslim Women’s Olympics. Special sporting facilities are being set up to encourage participation by Pakistani women in sports.
And Pakistani women are playing a significant role in defusing the population bomb in Pakistan.
One hundred thousand women are to be trained to reduce Pakistan’s population growth levels and its infant mortality levels.
When I visit poverty stricken villages with no access to clean drinking water, it gladdens my heart to see a lady health visitor, to see a working woman amidst the unfortunate surroundings.
For it is my conviction that we can only conquer poverty, squalor, illiteracy and superstition when we invest in our women and when our women begin working. Begin working in our far flung villages where time seems to have stood still and where the Bullock not the tractor is still used for cultivation;
Where women are too weak from bearing too many children.
Where the daughters are more malnourished than the sons for the daughters get to eat the left overs.
Where villagers work night and day with their women and children, to eke out an existence;
Where floods and rain wash out crops and destroy homes;
Where poverty stalks the land with an appetite that cannot be controlled until we wake up to the twin reality of population control and women’s empowerment.
And it is here that the United Nations and its Secretary General have played a critical role.
Distinguished Delegates !
Some cynics argue about the utility of holding this conference.
Let me disagree with them.
The holding of this conference demonstrates that women are not forgotten, that the world cares.
The holding of this conference demonstrates solidarity with women.
The holding of this conference makes us determined to contribute each in our own way, in any manner we can, to lessen the oppression, repression and discrimination against women.
And while much needs to be done, each decade has brought with it its own small improvement.
When I was growing up, women in my extended family remained behind closed walls in village homes. Now we all travel to cities or abroad.
When I was growing up, women in my extended family all covered ourselves with the Burqa, or veil from head to foot when we visited each others for weddings or funerals— the only two items for which we were allowed out. Now most women restrict themselves to the Duppatta or Chadar and are free to leave the house.
When I was growing up, no girl in my extended family was allowed to marry if a boy cousin was not available for fear of the property leaving the family. Now girls do marry outside the family.
When I was growing up, the boy cousin inevitably took a second wife. Now girls do not expect their husbands to marry again. From the norm, it has become the exception to the norm.
When I was growing up, women were not educated. I was the first girl in my family to go to university and to go abroad for my studies. Now it has become the norm for girls to be educated at university and abroad when the families can afford it.
I have seen a lot of changes in my lifetime.
But I hope to see many more changes. And some of these changes I hope will flow from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights calling for the elimination of discrimination against women.
I hope some of these changes will flow from the Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination which Pakistan signed last month.
Of course there was resistance from many quarters.
But we are determined to move forward in fulfilling our dream of a Pakistan where women contribute their full potential.
Distinguished Delegates !
As women, we draw satisfaction from Beijing Platform of Action which encompasses a comprehensive approach towards the empowerment of women.
But women cannot be expected to struggle alone against the forces of discrimination and exploitation. I recall the words of Dante who reminded us that:
“The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of moral crisis.”
Today in this world, in the fight for the liberation of women, there can be no neutrality.
But my dear sisters, we have learned that democracy alone is not enough.
Freedom of choice alone does not guarantee justice.
Equal rights are not defined only by political values.
Social justice is a triad of freedom, of equality, of liberty:
Justice is political liberty.
Justice is economic independence.
Justice is social equality.
Delegates, Sisters !
Empowerment is not only a right to have political freedom. Empowerment is the right to be independent; to be educated; to have choices in life.
Empowerment is the right to have the opportunity to select a productive career; to own property; to participate in business; to flourish in the market place.
Pakistan is satisfied that the draft Platform for Action of the Fourth World Conference on Women negotiated so far focuses on the critical areas of concern for women and outlines an action-oriented strategy for the solution of their problems.
However, we believe that the Platform needs to address the questions of new and additional resources, external debt, structural adjustment programmes, human rights of women, protection of women entrapped in armed conflicts and the realization of the right to self-determination of the territories still under foreign occupation and alien domination.
It must also seek to strengthen the role of the traditional family as the bedrock of the society. Disintegration of the family generates moral decay. This must be arrested.
The Platform is disturbingly weak on the role of the traditional family. This weakness can lead to misinterpretation, and even distortion by opponents of the women’s agenda.
We have seen much progress. The very fact that we convene in Beijing today is a giant step forward.
But new clouds darken the horizon.
The end of the cold war should have ushered in peace and an era of progress of women. Regrettably, the proliferation of regional tensions and conflicts have belied our aspirations. As in the past, women and girls have again been the most direct victims of these conflicts—the most helpless, and thus the most abused.
The use of rape as a weapon of war and an instrument of “ethnic cleansing” is as depraved as it is reprehensible. The unfolding of this saga in different parts of the world, including Jammu and Kashmir and
Bosnia Herzegovina has shaken the conscience of the entire international community.
The enormity of the tragedy dwarfs our other issues—urgent though they are. This conference must, therefore, express its complete solidarity with our sisters and daughters who are victims of armed conflict, oppression, and brutality. Their misfortunes must be our first priority.
Madam Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen!
I come before you to speak of the forces that must shape the new decade, the new century, the new millennium.
We must shape a world free from exploitation and maltreatment of women.
A world in which women have opportunities to rise to the highest level in politics, business, diplomacy, and other spheres of life.
Where there are no battered women. Where honour and dignity is protected in war and conflict.
Where we have economic freedom and independence.
Where we are equal partners in peace and development.
A world equally committed to economic development and political development.
A world as committed to free markets as to women’s emancipation.
And even as we catalogue, organize, and reach our goals, step by step by step, let us be ever vigilant. Repressive forces always will stand ready to exploit the moment and push us back into the past.
Let us remember the words of the German writer, Goethe:
“Freedom has to be re-made and re-earned in every generation.”
We must do much more than decry the past. We must change the future.
Remembering the words of a sister parliamentarian Senator, Barbara Mikulski, that “demography is destiny”, I believe time, justice and the forces of history are on our side. We are here in Beijing to proclaim a new vision of equality and partnership.
Let us translate this vision into reality in the shortest possible time.
Thank you Madam Chairperson.
She is a corrupt bitch who should be publically executed. Give me a dictator over these fuckwits who claim to be legit when they are not. At least a dictator is true to his title.
Agreed Jina.
It’s ironic how no one bothers to note that under her rule the Taliban rose to prominence, yet she presents herself as a pioneer for women’s rights hahahahahahaha
The Taliban was under afgan rule… do you really see what is going on? Here’s more about what is going on… http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/news/?NewsID=1129
a call to kill Christians? Why is this? What are the hard lined Islamist so against Bhutto rule? Is it because she is a woman? What about the children of Pakistan?
I would love to hear what the Taliban thinks of Bhutto and her speech at the UN? Maybe they won’t because they preach too much intolerance and hatred.
Go read the very link you linked us.
Hardline Islamists have problem with everyone, why should Bhutto be an exception?
WTF? Make up your mind on what you are asking… what does this have to do with anything?
Yaa women’s right… kinda like saying how Hitler protected the Jews… Bhutto did nothing for the women in her country and nothing for women’s right in the Muslim world. All she did was steal money from the poor and fuck up her country and then ran away to save her ass.
As Danial said, it was under Bhutto’s rule that Pakistan funded and armed the Taliban… and wasn’t her government the only one that recognized the Taliban government as a legit Afghani government or am I wrong?
The Taliban wants to kill her.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article2744790.ece
Man, open your eyes!
The Taliban want to kill lots of people, including Shi’as. What’s your point?
My point is this — islamic extremist want her dead. That doesn’t sound like support to an old friend.
My point is this — the words she speaks is for democracy. She is telling musarif to keep the tenents of Democracy. She is saying not to shut it down. She is saying she is not afraid of the extremist and we shouldn’t be either!
My point is this — She is taking a stand against two ways of thinking… the first being that of Dictatorships and the second is religious extremism both system which damage women and children of the not only Pakistan but the world.
My point is that nobody is talking about General Zia ul-haq. He is the one that is after Bhutto because of religious views. Musarif is because of power. That’s my point.
My point is I don’t want Christians killed in Pakistan, you know I don’t want Muslims to die in Pakistan either. What does the Muslim believe when it comes to unconditional love?
Who can give me an answer and when you do I’ll tell you why it would be a good idea to include the children in that always.
Here’s a story about my own journey into Islam but I have remained a Christian. It just fits me.
Anyway here is the story…
Mychal’s Island
The sun was trying to shine between the shifting gaps of the clouds. The paint on my roller dripped with white oil base paint as I began my ascension up the aluminum extension ladder. The top of the ladder was tied high and tight to the flagpole. Upon reaching the tip of the pole, I balanced my weight evenly on the ladder and began applying the new coat of paint to the pole’s pinnacle. It was then that I noticed cars parked in the lot. They belonged to students that attended the nearby high school. My thoughts drifted to them. After they graduate, many of them may see action in Afghanistan. I was happy to know that these students would see the American flag, school day after school day, waving proudly in the wind.
I started to hum God Bless America and it dawned upon me that we hum and sing to God with a hope that he’ll bless our country. We don’t sing and hum to a country that blesses God. How blessed I am to be in a country to worship a God as I please. How fortunate I was living in a country that did not force me to worship the country itself, such as China, or Cuba. I was joyfully humming that I lived in a country that did not force a stated religion upon the masses, such as Afghanistan.
War. That one word brings me discomfort because it brings the threat of so many of our young losing their lives. So many American families’ hearts may be broken as young American soldiers don’t come marching home again. I again thought about the high school students nearby.
The pole painting continued as I descended. I thought of my father who served his country, as a gunner on B-17′s in WW II. I remembered him sobbing one night in 1977 as he talked of his older brother Lawrence and his childhood humor that was lost when Lawrence died. Lawrence was killed at the age of 25 somewhere in the Sea of China. My brush slid more paint onto the pole. The paint cried down rolling lines of liquid reminding me of the tears that ran down my father’s cheeks as he reminisced about his missing brother.
Down the ladder I painted the pole until I reached the last rung. I then stepped off the ladder onto the green soft grass of the island. It was then that I noticed there wasn’t a plaque erected to honor this little patch of land. My mind quickly drew up images of some haloed candidates.
St. Michael’s Island? The name was strong and brave. I could see St. Michael fighting the forces of evil as the devil and his legion of demons escape back deep into the flaming ice cold pits of hell. Yes, St. Michael’s name fit this cause but it didn’t fit for the occasion. St. Michael is aligned with victory. The flag that will fly on the island will not arise out victory but out of one the most horrendous tragedies that America has ever experienced. His name was too victorious for this sad little island.
Kateria’s Island? The name beat bright. Kateria was an Indian squaw also known as the Lily of the Mohawks. She came to know Christianity through the Jesuit missionaries, and she kept to her newly found Christian faith as she struggled through much resentment, rejection, and brutality from her own Mohawk people. I believed that I had found a saint to name the island after, Kateria.
With a few final strokes of paint to the flagpole’s concrete base, the painting of the pole had come to an end. As an artist gazing upon his new masterpiece, I gazed up upon the white flagpole. It was then that I saw a suffering moth stuck to the pole’s sticky paint. I tried to remove the moth by pulling him from the pole but that only made matters worse. His wings tore away from his body. To relieve his suffering, I placed him under my shoe and crushed down.
It’s two brown wings remained stuck to the flagpole’s paint. Their dark brown color reminded me of a Franciscan’s robe. A name for the island the struck me. It was the name of the Franciscan priest killed by falling debris from the twin tower collapse on September 11th. I had captured the name for this grassy nameless island, it seemed to be the reason I painted the pole. FDNY fire chaplain, Mychal Judge.
Fr. Mychal Judge
Father Judge was the son of Irish immigrants. He was a sensitive man — full of compassion and love. He gave away gifts given to him to the poor. He is mentioned as a living example of Christ to everyone who came into contact with him. Many have said “where Father Mychal was, Jesus was there also in the form of Fr. Mychal’s message of love and forgiveness.” It is also said that he was a very patriotic American in which the song, “God Bless America” was often sung as the closing hymn after he served mass.
Though his loving service to those with AIDS and to the firefighters of New York, Father Mychal will always be known as a living testimony to his faith. He was killed in the mist of calamity and chaos performing the duties of his Catholic faith.
Raising the flag
The sticky paint on the pole was now dry, the wind was calm, and the day was partly sunny. A Knight of Columbus presented the brand new flag from its box. He clipped the flag to the flagpole’s white pull-rope. A Franciscan friar, Brother Dominic, who belongs to the same order as Father Mychal Judge, was present in his brown Franciscan frock. One other man, Rusty, was also present at the ceremony.
The four of us began the ceremony by reciting the pledge of allegiance. The Knight easily pulled on the new rope raising the American flag to the top of the flagpole where it paused briefly drooping stars and stripes along with our thoughts and feelings. Brother Dominic began to read a special prayer that he personally had written to honor Father Mychal Judge.
A lone bird chirped in the distance as Brother Dominic began to read his prayer, “O God we stand before you this afternoon in deep humility and sorrow. The terrorist attack on our nation September 11th has saddened all civilized people. Our prayer is that hatred and animosity will be banished from the face of the earth. Today we wish to honor all the brave men and women who have given their lives in the search and rescue mission that terrible day. We also want to single out Fr. Mychal Judge OF, who died while administering the last rights to a firefighter. God have mercy on his soul and all the innocent victims of this horrible tragedy. We trust in your providence, knowing you hold all of us in the palm of your hand.”
The knight then handed Brother Dominic the flag pole rope. Brother Dominic then pulled on the rope and the new flag descended to half-staff. “May I close with the peace prayer of St. Francis which Fr. Mychal had said many times during his life?” Dominic said tying the rope to the flagpole. “Lord make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred let me show love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not seek so much to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, in pardoning that we are pardoned, and in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
And in unison under the motionless flag, sitting at half-staff, we all made the sign of the cross. “In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.” Under my breath, I said in my sorrowful silence, “Father Mychal, pray for us all, as we try to live the words that you and so many others of peace once spoke. May this unholy war be won by those who live in the humbleness of Jesus Christ and to those who defend the lives of the innocent in America and the whole world. Let them know victory.”
After The Ceremony
As we drove away, I glanced into my rearview mirror and saw the half-staff flag. I thought about my son who was about to turn ten. I hoped that by the time he was of fighting age, America, strong and free, would again be living in peace with the universe. Peace?
As To Console
It was the Friday after the flag ceremony. My soul was confused and lost in a sea of fear. I watched report after news report broadcasting questions about Islam, jihad, Islamic Martyrs, and war. I felt that the people of Islam just didn’t understand Christians and they didn’t know that Christians are called to Love. And many Christians do that very well.
To assuage my fears of Islam that day, I found myself inside a mosque located north of Cincinnati. My feet folded under me as I sat Indian style on a long red Persian rug at the rear of the mosque’s prayer room. I wore a blue and gold Notre Dame sweatshirt, which brought glances my way. The glances came from men sitting with me on the wide-open floor of the mosque. They wore garbs of green, gold, brown, purple and black. Others were clothed in what they wore for the day, as one man wearing his mechanic’s uniform from work.
The prayer room of the mosque was spacious. My eyes drifted first to the mosque ceiling. I couldn’t help but notice the large chandelier hanging from the center of the ceiling’s arch. It was the biggest and most beautiful chandelier I had ever seen. A large eight-pointed star sat imprinted on the lower horizon of the mosque’s ceiling. The ceiling’s trim encircled the inner room high and was adorned with black and gold print in wild Arabic flavor. The movements of men bowing up and down before God leveled my eyes back to the prayer floor. As time and movements continued on, new arrivals to the mosque filled the empty gaps of the red rugs until there were over two hundred men awaiting the start of Friday’s Jumma.
Suddenly, a skinny man with a long black beard began to sing. We arose on the first pitch and formed into several long rows. I blended within the last rank as a song in Arabic lifted into the mosque’s atmosphere. The song was a song of prayer from the opening chapter of the Koran. The singing ended as we replied “amin,” which means “amen.” The singer then sung the Ayat, which is a verse of his choice from the Koran. We all replied Allahu Akbar, which means “God is the greatest.” The singing moved our every motion, twice placing our foreheads to the ground to honor and give prayer to Allah. When the prayer was over we sat side-by-side on the prayer floor to listen to the day’s sermon or khutba.
Intensively, I listened to the cleric defending his faith against an article that was written by Cal Thomas, which was in that Sunday’s Cincinnati Enquirer. The cleric spoke of the article’s quotes from the Koran and stated that Mr. Thomas had chosen to bash Islam. The cleric tried explaining to the congregation how Mr. Thomas had taken verses from the Koran out of context. It reminded me of how often the Bible is taken out of context by Christians or others that look to degrade Christianity to promote their own agendas. The cleric then reminded his flock to remain knowledgeable to the Koran, to understand that religious persecution has been going on for centuries, and that Islam teaches cohesiveness not war with other religions. At the end of his message, he reminded his flock that the leaders of Islam in America have the best interest of all in mind.
That Friday’s Jumma ended as the cleric finished his khutba. The lines of men sitting arose slowly and started walking towards the shoe racks before exiting. It was then that a Muslim caught my attention as he flashed an uplifting assuring smile of compassion towards me. It was then that I wanted to shout who I was — a Christian. I wanted to assure them that my faith is the faith of unconditional love and that I and all Christians are called to love them all. My heart ached to mimic loudly the words that Mother Theresa once spoke, “Moslem, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Communist, we are all children of God.” But I remained silent. The Moslem with the uplifting smile flashed through my heart. I departed the mosque in silence. My soul was much more free and hopeful. My soul came to console the men of Islam but was consoled by one of them through an empathetic smile. My fear was relieved.
As To Understand
A week later I was detailed to Engine 34 located in the neighborhood of Clifton. About noon the door of the firehouse opened, and into the firehouse kitchen walked in an off duty firefighter, Haki. He was on his way to a mosque located down the street from Engine 34. He had just stopped in to say hi. I told him about my venture into Islam, which led him to explain the misconceptions about Islam and he also mentioned that a couple of our fellow firefighters had made derogatory comments about his faith.
The next day after I worked my shift I called Haki on the telephone and said that I would like to pray with him at his mosque. My prayers would be threefold: To pray for a binding unity of all religions in America as we enter this time of unholy warfare, to pray for racial unity in Cincinnati, and to pray for reunification to a racial split that occurred in our local firefighter’s union. Haki asked me to pray only for guidance, as in, without proper guidance unity couldn’t ever be achieved. Guidance to unify would become my prayer.
That next Friday, at a convenience store in Clifton, Haki, was with his son and daughter awaiting my arrival. I joined them at the small table where they were sitting. We discussed and talked fire department politics, which soon turned into a discussion about religious faith. Haki’s eight-year-old daughter listened to every word under her white cotton lace vale.
“Are you a Moslem?” she asked me.
“No.” I replied.
“I think you should become a Moslem.” she continued then asked, “Why won’t you become a Moslem?”
I paused searching for an answer. I did not want to go into a dissertation on the differences between Islam and Christianity with such a young girl. Haki then broke into my silent unanswered searching answer, “Kids are so truthful!” he exclaimed.
I looked under her white vale into her questioning brown eyes. With a wide smile directed towards her I replied , “It’s because I believe that I make a pretty good Christian.”
“Oh then, that’s good.” she said as if she accepted me as who I was, as if she understood. Calmly she went back to paying full attention to her strawberry ice cream cone.
As To Love
Haki was not far from me as we prayed in the Clifton mosque. Within this mosque prayers for guidance for my local’s reunification were made. I bowed my forehead to the ground. The cleric then spoke his khutba, which revolved around the relationship between mankind and evil.
The cleric discussed the strategies that the evil one uses, such as; persistence to overcome a person to do evil, destruction, maximizing the destruction, acting against Allah’s word, sexual temptations, feelings of helplessness and anger during illness and afflictions, corrupting leaders and those in power.
And his five answers (which he went into much detail) to combating evil were: Hold fast to the Koran, seek refuge in Allah, prompt repentance, clearing up doubtful and unexplained matters, and reciting certain verses from the Koran which are known to be effective in the warding off of evil.
The cleric ended his khutba with “May Allah guide us and help us all.”
The Jumma was now over and all present arose to their feet and began to exit the mosque. It was then that a man who was praying next me asked if I was a Muslim. “No,” I said then continued, “Out of love I have come to pray with my Muslim friend.”
The man then gave me an accepting nod and said in a very American way, “That’s cool.”
I walked back out of the Mosque and put on my shoes. It was here with my shoes still in my hand that I met the cleric who spoke that day’s khatba. We briefly compared the likenesses of Christianity and Islam and I walked away from our conversation with my shoes now on my feet still unclear about Islam. I felt that something was still missing. I knew that we have many likenesses, but where we must clear up doubtful and unexplained matters between us, where the answers for true and lasting peace and acceptance are to be found, is deep within the subject of unconditional love. I then asked myself — are we alike when it comes to deeply loving each other?
As Christian, I am called to Love God with my whole heart, soul, and mind. I am also called to love my neighbor, whoever and whatever his religion may be as I would like to be loved. I am to love my enemy and to pray for those who persecute me. In this way I act as a true child God in Heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good and he sends rain on the just and unjust too. This leaves me alone with the big question that Christ has called all to answer: “If you love only those who love you — What good is that?”
I feel as a non-Muslim, I have no right to say what a Muslim believes when it comes to the doctrine of love. But through love questions must be asked for understanding. Christianity does not stop me from understanding his faith through truthful questioning. I do know that the Muslim does not want to live in fear, does not want to be discriminated against, does not want to feel unprotected, does not want to be hated, and that he wants to be loved, and accepted, and understood, and trusted. Don’t we all? Why let shatans stop us? We all know Satan runs and hides when truth rises from the dead.
A smile of compassion, a child’s innocent wonder, a hope for truth, and a desire for unity and understanding through finding commonality are acts that any true Christian would understand as acts of love… And through loving all who are Christians and non-Christians we find God the same.
So, I must say to all that need to hear: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. God is Love.
I would like to add that if you ever go and visit Father Mychal’s Island in Cincinnati that you say a prayer for peace then set your sails in the strong winds of faith and put out into the deep unconditional love. At least try to.
I am blind and want to see also… the seas of different faiths are choppy when placed in one ocean and it looks like it will be a wild ride for many working to find unity and truth and love and mercy in this ever changing, ever turning world we call Mother Earth. May God guide us all safely through… through Jesus Christ my Lord.
Amin
My point is that Bhutto in on a mission to save Pakistan from becoming a despot for her government to use religious extremist to further enslave the Pakistanians into a forever pit of violence to the women and children!
My point is my Allah help Ms. Bhutto and may Allah protect the Christians and Moslems and Jews of Pakistan.
That’s my point.
I don’t understand. She sounds like a great woman! Why are some people here criticizing her?? It is to Pakistan’s credit that they elected a woman. Now that she is back, what is she going to do?
Bhuto was corrupt but still has lots of supporters. Hillary is corrupt so who are we to judge? I do believe that some sort of power sharing deal between Musharrif and Bhuto would be better than any Islamist extremist. I can’t see Pakistan turning into Iran but then I don’t see Turkey going that route either. I could be wrong about both.
Chaya and Peter, you two are extremely naiive and clueless about Bhutto and Pakistani politics in general.
Perhaps you two need to be educated on why Bhutto is not the job for this here:
Corruption of Benazir Bhutto”
You consider this worthless cunt a “great woman”? Someone who pillaged and plundered the country?
Rancher, you said:
I am confused as to what you mean, would you mind elaborating?
Danial I understand your frustration. I was around and paying attention. Supporters of Bhutto and Clinton are either willfully blind, OK with corruption, or ignorant. You got links, so do I, White House Travel Office firings, Cattlegate, Vince Foster’s death, missing billing records, and the most disturbing of all, Filegate. So, we deal with what we have. We seem to have alternatives to Clinton, far short of Military Dictatorship or Theocratic Dictatorship, and yet Americans may vote for corruption, maybe believing all politicians are corrupt. Palestinians chose terrorists Hamas over corrupt Fatah. What other choices do the Pakistanis have other than Bhutto, Musharrif, or Sharia?
Tamara:
I mean if given the chance will they will implement a Sharia based theocracy? Like Iran. One that has a Supreme Leader who picks a Ruling Council, which runs everything.
Mr. Peter Deane, that was a good letter. I’m glad that you met nice and humble Muslims. I, too, have met excellent Muslims, who belonged to the sane human race. What you might not understand is that these nice and humble Muslims were nice and humble because they were submitting to the dictates of their clean conscience, which was given to them by the God of Love. Believe me when I say that they were not emulating Muhammad! Before the infamous day of 9/11, I, too, thought that Islam was the Religion of Peace. Now, I know that Islam isn’t the Religion of Peace. Do nice and just Muslims believe that it’s okay for men to marry at least four wives? No! Muhammad gave permission for men to marry up to four wives, but good Muslims understand that it’s unjust for men to have at least four wives. Muhammad was a hypocrite. He married more that four wives. Do nice and humble Muslims believe that they should hate Jews and Christians? No! Muhammad taught that they should never make friends with Jews and Christians. Besides having several wives, do good Muslims believe that men can also have concubines? No! Muhammad had at least nine wives and two steady concubines. Muhammad taught that Muslim men may beat their wives. Do nice Muslim men beat their wives? Of course not! Sensible Muslims know that it’s a cowardly and cruel act to beat women. Muhammad beheaded his opponents for the slightest provocations. The good Muslims that I have known would never do this. Muhammad taught that women are inferior. How many good and humble Muslims believe this? There aren’t any! Muhammad married his son’s wife. Any good Muslim will tell you that marrying a son’s wife is incest. Muhammad did it because “it was pleasing to Allah.” That Allah, he sure had some kinky ideas, didn’t he? Muhammad was avaricious. He confiscated one-fifth of war booty, and would give the rest to his violent army. The good Muslims that I have known would never do such a thing. Muhammad raped slave girls. Again, the kind and humble Muslims that I’ve known would never do this. So, you see, the nice, kind and humble Muslims of today are more Christlike than many so-called Christians that I have come across. Personally, I don’t see why they don’t call themselves true Christians, and not “followers of Muhammad.” Jesus Christ was the antithesis of Muhammad. Jesus taught some pretty hard stuff like: “Do good to those who persecute you.” “Pray for your enemies.” “Forgive your enemy.” “If someone stikes on the cheek, offer him the other.” Now, do you see why we don’t have very many authentic Christians? Of course, I have seen some good Christians who were pretty much Christlike just as much as some Muslims who were imitating Jesus Christ without their knowing it. They certainly were not imitating Muhammad. Now, you and the good Muslims know that some evil Muslims are emulating Muhammad, and that of course is creating a big problem for everyone, yes, including the Muslims. Those jerks are not only killing Jews, Christians, and Hindus, but also each other. All sane people know that they’re crazy. Those crazies certainly don’t belong to the sane human race. They are true followers of Muhammad.
Rancher, Pakistan already had one since 1962.
http://www.cii.gov.pk/
No, I mean one that Muslims listen to or some Basiji knocks you upside the head, or worse.
And now she has been arrested.
Well vigilante groups flourish, unfortunately.
I think it’s interesting Phillip would claim
Since, it is a fact that Christianity believes that everyone is automatically tainted by the original sin unless they become Christian and that they will go to hell unforgiven if they don’t become Christian, quite a contrast to the rightious among the “people of the book” in 3:113-114.
“forgive your enemy” is not unique either, it can be seen in 2:190-193.
9-11 is not what Islam is about, here’s an example of a Christian equivalent, a look at the LRA:
Here’s a pleasant little Catholic group of course, they only killed
Every creed breed those who create abominations in its name. You may want to consider the things people have done under the title of “Christian” before the next time you assert that the Al-Qaeda is represenative of typical, observant Muslims (who they haven’t already blown up).
Racher,
Have you ever been to Iran or Pakistan, or do you even know anyone personally who has been there or is from there? Because you seem quite ignorant of what Pakistan is really like and has been like since its seperation from India, on the basis of religion itself.
Also, I have replied to the comment you left on my blog.
Tamara. No I don’t know personally anyone who is currently in Iran or Pakistan. If I did that might or might not lend me some insight on what is going on politically in those countries. You talk to ten Americans maybe three can find Pakistan on a map and maybe one can tell you who the Speaker of House is or what our current policy on Iran is. So knowing an American could lend you to know certain things like what Brittany is doing but probably would fall short of any political insight.
Ignorance? Oh yes I am ignorant because I know I can’t trust much of the editorial censored news from the Main Stream Media. Who do I get primary reports on the facts on the ground? Bloggers like you that I rely on for what you see is going on around you. You may not like it but my eye is now on you. You are now a source of information for me and as you seem ready for intelligent debate I look forward to learning much from you.
Iran I know something about because I believe we have been at war with Iran since they first invaded American territory. They are currently killing our troops in Iraq. Them I know. Do you think I am ignorant of the Basiji? What makes you think I am ignorant of Iran?
Pakistan I know less of. The question that we have been asking here in a round about way is: How powerful is the Taliban, given an election would they take power? How powerful is Bhuta? Musharrif has the support of an army with mixed loyalties, how tenuous is his power? What can I do besides the petition to advance my cause, which is giving power to the people regardless how stupidly they may use that power, like Venezuela.
Also thanks for your reply on your blog, I will respond to that, soon I hope. But it’s 4:26 AM here and I need to get a little shuteye. Good Night.
So where are the idiotic Bhutto supporters now?
They can’t handle the fact that their little hero is a corrupt tyrant that has been plagued with corruption and such?
Good to know and hey….i wanne say thanks for the usefull knowledge.I just love it!