More than two million Muslim Americans voted for President Elect Obama. This was a historic vote in which 90 percent of the Muslims vote went to the democratic candidates. This was in spite of Mr. Obama reluctance to be associated with any main stream Muslim organizations such as CAIR, MAS, American Muslim Task Force. He was careful to such an extent that he never came any where near a mosque or a Muslim gathering. His campaign sacked the Muslim coordinator.
Young Muslims campaigned enthusiastically for Obama even though two Hijab wearing women were removed from the a Obama rally by the his campaign workers. He refused to acknowledge his Pakistani and Muslim friends from college days. Despite all this Muslims voted for Mr. Obama. Their vote was taken for granted by the democratic party just like in the past African American voters were taken for granted.
Of course Obama's campaign collected record number of campaign contributions from rich Muslim physicians and businessmen. These persons were happy to have the fundraisers in their luxury homes and photographs taken with the different senators, congressmen, and governors. They tried to prove these surrogates that they are the good Muslims, the secular Muslims, and do not care for the mosques or majority of Muslims who have beards, wear hijabs, and frequent these mosques.
Guess what these secular Muslims got for their money; the glossy pictures and thank you notes. They did not any appointments that matter even on the transition team. On the other hand other communities who invited Obama and his surrogates to the synagogues and churches instead of their elegant homes, got the appointments that matter. According to all the Internet traffic and blogs of progressive citizens that I have seen, Mr. Obama is being already called the first Jewish president of the USA.
I hope that the secular Muslims have learned a lesson. You cannot disown others and call themselves as good Muslims. Muslims in USA have a common destiny and cannot achieve their goals without connection to the mosque and regular Muslims.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Monday, December 8, 2008
What a Waste - Jumma Khutbah
About 300-700 Muslims come to pray on Friday at each mosque. They are captive audience of the Imam and his speech (khutbah). However, I notice usually the attendees tune out what Imam is saying in the first five minutes. The Imam usually tells them how bad they are in their practice of religion. He talks about Hijab for woman 90 percent of the time. However, he does not tell the men that things like beard is also Sunah and pronunce them as Kafirs. Imagine what will be the reaction of a young girl who takes time of work on Friday and hears this. She is likely to stop coming. She needs encouragement. I have found that woman start wearing Hijab on their own when they are ready and are not motivated by Khutbahs.
The Imam's is usually a recent immigrant with poor command of English. It is almost impossible to undersatnd him. He thinks he knows it all about Fiqah and Sunnat. However, his knowledge is rudimentary. According to traditions of the prophet, the Khutbah should be shorter than the time it takes to pray. However, the average Imam holds the audience with his monlogue for 30 minutes instead of a schedule of 15 minutes. The audience are looking at their watches because they have to go back to work. He moves from subject to subject without any direction or central theme. If he was teaching a class instead, all the students will drop out.
I have seen congregations aroused by a young Imam with English as his native tongue. I have seen how the word spreads and mosque gets very active. However, most of the mosques in USA are usually taken over by so called conservative immigrants and they do not like to part their authority. These trustees are usually no where to be seen when the mosque is being built by avearge muslims; however, they appear on the scene immedately after the infrastructure is complete.
What we need is to encourage young bright Muslims to study religion here in United States and not in places like Saudi Arabia. We have to collect funds to award scholarships to these students. Furtermore we have to make the Imam's salary attractive for these bright persons after they graduate.
The Imam's is usually a recent immigrant with poor command of English. It is almost impossible to undersatnd him. He thinks he knows it all about Fiqah and Sunnat. However, his knowledge is rudimentary. According to traditions of the prophet, the Khutbah should be shorter than the time it takes to pray. However, the average Imam holds the audience with his monlogue for 30 minutes instead of a schedule of 15 minutes. The audience are looking at their watches because they have to go back to work. He moves from subject to subject without any direction or central theme. If he was teaching a class instead, all the students will drop out.
I have seen congregations aroused by a young Imam with English as his native tongue. I have seen how the word spreads and mosque gets very active. However, most of the mosques in USA are usually taken over by so called conservative immigrants and they do not like to part their authority. These trustees are usually no where to be seen when the mosque is being built by avearge muslims; however, they appear on the scene immedately after the infrastructure is complete.
What we need is to encourage young bright Muslims to study religion here in United States and not in places like Saudi Arabia. We have to collect funds to award scholarships to these students. Furtermore we have to make the Imam's salary attractive for these bright persons after they graduate.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Saudis - The Real Satans of the World
I went to Makkah and Medina during Ramadan for Umrah. Makkah has five star hotels around the Haram which charge 900 dollars per night during Ramadan and they were all fully booked. Just a few yards from these hotels, I took 100 packets of juice and fruit to handout one Iftar time. I was mobbed. People came from all directions to get a packet of juice, a banana, and and an orange. I could not have imagined the poverty in the great Saudi Arabia which is milking the world with 80-145 dollars per barrel for the oil. I was so upset at lack of dignity these people have to suffer in a rich state that I could not bring myself to do it again. I also remember the solemn and sad faces of Pakistani and Bengladeshi cleaning crew with green and orange uniforms cleaning the roads and courtyard outside the Haram in 125 degree heat for a mere 130 dollars per month. I was ashamed for all Muslims, including me, for tolerating this situation in the land of Prophet Mohammad and Abu Bakar who spent nights looking for needy persons.
I am told the plight of the Pakistanis and Bengladeshis in Dubai is not different from Makkah. The arabs do not pay the wages. I was pleased and proud to be back in the USA. I do not know why the common man in Pakistan blames USA as a Satan nation while the real satans live in the arab countries. I can practice my religion and freedom of expression is much better in USA than in the Arab countries.
Update on December 7, 2008
Todays Washington Post story confirms my observations. See below.
A Critical View of Saudis' Treatment of Foreign Help
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/06/AR2008120602149.html
I am told the plight of the Pakistanis and Bengladeshis in Dubai is not different from Makkah. The arabs do not pay the wages. I was pleased and proud to be back in the USA. I do not know why the common man in Pakistan blames USA as a Satan nation while the real satans live in the arab countries. I can practice my religion and freedom of expression is much better in USA than in the Arab countries.
Update on December 7, 2008
Todays Washington Post story confirms my observations. See below.
A Critical View of Saudis' Treatment of Foreign Help
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/06/AR2008120602149.html
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Humans and Cats
In 1968, while at the University of Southampton in England, I first learned about the love of cats by the people who live in the West. During my first week in Southampton, I went to Hafeez Sheikh's house. He used to live in a bed sitter (a bedroom in a house). The owner of the house (landaldy) was an elderly lady. She had three cats. Each cat ate different kind of food. On days she had to go out with her husband, it was Hafeez's job to give them food at specific time and at different stands in the kitchen. The cats were her life and occupation.I still remember the story that after a few years Hafeez went back to Southampton to visit the landlady. She spent the major part of the encounter talking about the death of the one the cats. She only mentioned in passing about the death of her husband during the same period. Based on this event, we used to joke about this that Western persons have more love for their cats than their spouses.
During the time the kids (Faisal and Nassir) were growing up there was always discusion about a pet in the family. However, being the dad, I always used to overrule about adopting a cat in the house.When Faisal got married, his wife Fatima got a cat from a nurse who used to work with her. Initially, I thought it was such a bad idea. Then the cat started coming to our house and we started sitting the cat while Fatima and Faisal went on vacation. I finally started enjoying the cat named Billy. She would come and sit in my lap and went to sleep in the lap like a baby. Tanzila and Fasial were very jealous about this. At night, the cat will come and sleep in our bed.
When Fatima moved to New York for her residency, Billy started staying at our house on the weekends because Faisal travels to Brooklyn every weekend to be with Fatima. This developed into a strong bond between the Billy and Tanzila, Nassir, and I. Billy would get up when I went to the bathroom in the moring and wait outside the bathroom door. When I went down stairs, she will lead me to fridge in the kitchen and anxiously wait for her favorite food tuna taken out from the fridge and put in the bowl. It was and still is a ritual.
Billy is a beautiful cat and only three years old (30 years human age). Lately, Billy has not been herself. She seems tired and does not have a good appetite. Faisal finally took het to the vetenary doctor last night and found out she has lost two pound in weight, which is alot for a small cat. This morning when Fatima called from New York called and told me that Faisal is really sad at his house because the vet has called him to give the bad news. The test results showed that Billy has renal (kideney) failure which is a terminal disease for the cats. This was a major shock for all of us. We do know that the only practical choice now is to pu Billy to sleep with an injection. However, we are not sure what Fasial is going to decide. So now I have come a full circle and compare myself to the landlady at Southampton. Life is funny.
During the time the kids (Faisal and Nassir) were growing up there was always discusion about a pet in the family. However, being the dad, I always used to overrule about adopting a cat in the house.When Faisal got married, his wife Fatima got a cat from a nurse who used to work with her. Initially, I thought it was such a bad idea. Then the cat started coming to our house and we started sitting the cat while Fatima and Faisal went on vacation. I finally started enjoying the cat named Billy. She would come and sit in my lap and went to sleep in the lap like a baby. Tanzila and Fasial were very jealous about this. At night, the cat will come and sleep in our bed.
When Fatima moved to New York for her residency, Billy started staying at our house on the weekends because Faisal travels to Brooklyn every weekend to be with Fatima. This developed into a strong bond between the Billy and Tanzila, Nassir, and I. Billy would get up when I went to the bathroom in the moring and wait outside the bathroom door. When I went down stairs, she will lead me to fridge in the kitchen and anxiously wait for her favorite food tuna taken out from the fridge and put in the bowl. It was and still is a ritual.
Billy is a beautiful cat and only three years old (30 years human age). Lately, Billy has not been herself. She seems tired and does not have a good appetite. Faisal finally took het to the vetenary doctor last night and found out she has lost two pound in weight, which is alot for a small cat. This morning when Fatima called from New York called and told me that Faisal is really sad at his house because the vet has called him to give the bad news. The test results showed that Billy has renal (kideney) failure which is a terminal disease for the cats. This was a major shock for all of us. We do know that the only practical choice now is to pu Billy to sleep with an injection. However, we are not sure what Fasial is going to decide. So now I have come a full circle and compare myself to the landlady at Southampton. Life is funny.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Roohi Siddique
I did not want this blog to become an obituary column. The last two posts were about my father and his cousin. However, I cannot in my right mind pass on the opportunity to memoralize the life of my friend and wife of dear univesity of engineering and technology (UET) Lahore alumnus Mohammad Siddique,
On August 18, 2008, I was driving some where in Pennsylvania enroute from Toronto to my home in Maryland that I got a call from my son that Roohi and her sister Tahseen died in atraffic accident in California. This was shocking and beyond belief. My wife Tanzila got really crazy on hearing the news becuase she like so many in the community considered Roohi their best friend.
Roohi and Tahseen died on August 17 were the victims of a head on collision by a young driver who was tring to overtake the car infront of him on a single lane road. I like many hundres of Roohi's other friends pray that Allah make it easy on her in the grave and raise her among the lucky ones who will go to Paradise.
Roohi was born on December 5, 1951 in Pakistan. She graduated with an MA in Pakistan studies from the famous Quaid Azam University in Islamabad, Pakistan. Thereafter she taught at a preparatory school in Islamabad until she got married on December 11, 1979 to Mohammad Siddique and moved to USA. She is survived by her husband of 29 years, son Yasir who is at dental school in Maryland, daughter Shabina who his doing her residency in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins, and two grand kids.
The last time I met Roohi was a couple of weeks earlier before her death. She came with her husband for a meeting I had arranged for the UET alumni at my home. She came at the door and said and jokingly said that she was not invited but she decided to come; however, she can leave if I want her to. Of course we would never let her leave. She was the life of the party. This was in evidence during her funeral prayers which was attended by more than thousand persons. Talking to some of them, I found out that all of them considered her as their best friend.
The thing I most admired in Roohi was her optimistic view of life. She lived the life to full. She always had a smile on her face. She was the one who can be counted when you were in need of support. She transfered these traits to her kids and many other kids she used to take care of at her home.
Her love of Politics and Pakistan was in evidence at every fundraiser for the politicians or functions of the Pakustan association. She or her husband Mohammed Siddique were the main orgainzers of the Pakistan Association. She was an ardent supporter of the democratic party and involved with the local politicians. It was unusual to Montgomery County Isiah Legette and other county officials to be present at her funeral.
I will like others who read this blog to leave their comments here. I will update the blog from these scomments at a latter date.
On August 18, 2008, I was driving some where in Pennsylvania enroute from Toronto to my home in Maryland that I got a call from my son that Roohi and her sister Tahseen died in atraffic accident in California. This was shocking and beyond belief. My wife Tanzila got really crazy on hearing the news becuase she like so many in the community considered Roohi their best friend.
Roohi and Tahseen died on August 17 were the victims of a head on collision by a young driver who was tring to overtake the car infront of him on a single lane road. I like many hundres of Roohi's other friends pray that Allah make it easy on her in the grave and raise her among the lucky ones who will go to Paradise.
Roohi was born on December 5, 1951 in Pakistan. She graduated with an MA in Pakistan studies from the famous Quaid Azam University in Islamabad, Pakistan. Thereafter she taught at a preparatory school in Islamabad until she got married on December 11, 1979 to Mohammad Siddique and moved to USA. She is survived by her husband of 29 years, son Yasir who is at dental school in Maryland, daughter Shabina who his doing her residency in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins, and two grand kids.
The last time I met Roohi was a couple of weeks earlier before her death. She came with her husband for a meeting I had arranged for the UET alumni at my home. She came at the door and said and jokingly said that she was not invited but she decided to come; however, she can leave if I want her to. Of course we would never let her leave. She was the life of the party. This was in evidence during her funeral prayers which was attended by more than thousand persons. Talking to some of them, I found out that all of them considered her as their best friend.
The thing I most admired in Roohi was her optimistic view of life. She lived the life to full. She always had a smile on her face. She was the one who can be counted when you were in need of support. She transfered these traits to her kids and many other kids she used to take care of at her home.
Her love of Politics and Pakistan was in evidence at every fundraiser for the politicians or functions of the Pakustan association. She or her husband Mohammed Siddique were the main orgainzers of the Pakistan Association. She was an ardent supporter of the democratic party and involved with the local politicians. It was unusual to Montgomery County Isiah Legette and other county officials to be present at her funeral.
I will like others who read this blog to leave their comments here. I will update the blog from these scomments at a latter date.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Colonel Jamaluddin (Indian Medical Service)
Sajeela Khan, daughter of Col. Jamaluddin has submitted this post. Col.Jamaluddin, was a cousin of my father Sheikh Karim Baksh. I think this post is a natural follow on to my previous post about my dad. I will be glad to add additional information from others to this blog. Please leave the information in the form of a comment to this blog.
Colonel Jamaluddin was born in Amritsar, to the well known family of Hakim Ghulam Jilani, on May 22nd 1891. His father Sheikh Abdul Aziz was in the postal service with a jurisdiction extending from Poonji and Chilas to Jullunder. He was one of four brothers with no sister, and was educated at Randhir College, Rawalpindi. When the time came for the older two to be sent to England for higher education, their Mother insisted they get engaged to be married. At the time both brides to be,daughters of near relatives from Kapurthala, and Amritser, were barely eleven years old and still playing with dolls. Col Jamaluddin’s mother brought the young girls over,to keep her company on their long travels from Poonji and Chilas and to live with her as she had no daughters. During that time, a plague at Kapurthala broke out taking a toll. Most of Col. Jamaluddin’s relatives were lost, including the siblings and parents of Col Jamaluddins wife.
Col Jamaluddin was the first Muslim to graduate from Edinburgh in 1914 and was selected in the Indian Medical Service. On his return to India, He received a red carpet reception from the Maharaja of Kapurthala. His father in law had been the Maharajah’s Chief minister, and the family had lived in the prestigious area of Feel Darwaza (Elephant Gate). His daughter, Salima, was born in 1918 in Amritsar. His son, Jamil Akhtar, was born in Busra, Iraq, where Col Jamaluddin was the Captain in charge of a hospital. The second son, Group Captain Said Aziz, was born in Dehradoon. Col Jamaluddin took a leave of absense in order to return to Edinburgh to complete his medical degree to also become a civil surgeon. His wife was expecting their second daughter in 1922, so they came back to Agra in time for the birth of Sajeela. His youngest son Salar was born in Campbellpur, in 1929. The youngest daughter Safina was born in Ferozepur in 1931, where he was the Civil Surgeon.
In 1927 Col Jamaluddin had been posted as Civil Surgeon in Lahore. Mr Kirpalani was the Deputy Commissioner and Sardar Teja Singh was the Sessions Judge. All three Indians were posted together for the first time. With the help of a French architect who was their mutual friend, they planned the community of Model Town, as a retirement abode. Innitially, ModelTown was divided into three parts with a Mosque, a Temple and a Gurduwara as a center point to worship, surrounded by three blocks of housing each. Land at the center of the development was left vacant for recreation and community service centers.
Col Jamaluddins service throughout his career was exemplary. In Lyallpur, the Jamaluddin Gate was constructed in his honor.In 1938 he was transferred to Jallunder as Civil Surgeon. He was always pampered by the Maharaja of Kapurthala, and invited to play tennis in his royal court and ride elephants on the golden hoda along with his family. In 1941, during his posting in Fort Sandeman, as a Surgeon in the Military, his first granddaughter was born to his daughter Saleema. During the Partition in 1947, Col Jamaluddin opened the Walton Camp in Lahore and took early retirement to manage and treat patients at the camp. He was posted as Director of Health, Govt of Pakistan in Karachi. His voluntary services to the community continued as President of the ModelTown Society from 1950-56.
Col Jamaluddin died in December 1972 and was buried in Model Town. May his soul rest in peace, Amin.
Colonel Jamaluddin was born in Amritsar, to the well known family of Hakim Ghulam Jilani, on May 22nd 1891. His father Sheikh Abdul Aziz was in the postal service with a jurisdiction extending from Poonji and Chilas to Jullunder. He was one of four brothers with no sister, and was educated at Randhir College, Rawalpindi. When the time came for the older two to be sent to England for higher education, their Mother insisted they get engaged to be married. At the time both brides to be,daughters of near relatives from Kapurthala, and Amritser, were barely eleven years old and still playing with dolls. Col Jamaluddin’s mother brought the young girls over,to keep her company on their long travels from Poonji and Chilas and to live with her as she had no daughters. During that time, a plague at Kapurthala broke out taking a toll. Most of Col. Jamaluddin’s relatives were lost, including the siblings and parents of Col Jamaluddins wife.
Col Jamaluddin was the first Muslim to graduate from Edinburgh in 1914 and was selected in the Indian Medical Service. On his return to India, He received a red carpet reception from the Maharaja of Kapurthala. His father in law had been the Maharajah’s Chief minister, and the family had lived in the prestigious area of Feel Darwaza (Elephant Gate). His daughter, Salima, was born in 1918 in Amritsar. His son, Jamil Akhtar, was born in Busra, Iraq, where Col Jamaluddin was the Captain in charge of a hospital. The second son, Group Captain Said Aziz, was born in Dehradoon. Col Jamaluddin took a leave of absense in order to return to Edinburgh to complete his medical degree to also become a civil surgeon. His wife was expecting their second daughter in 1922, so they came back to Agra in time for the birth of Sajeela. His youngest son Salar was born in Campbellpur, in 1929. The youngest daughter Safina was born in Ferozepur in 1931, where he was the Civil Surgeon.
In 1927 Col Jamaluddin had been posted as Civil Surgeon in Lahore. Mr Kirpalani was the Deputy Commissioner and Sardar Teja Singh was the Sessions Judge. All three Indians were posted together for the first time. With the help of a French architect who was their mutual friend, they planned the community of Model Town, as a retirement abode. Innitially, ModelTown was divided into three parts with a Mosque, a Temple and a Gurduwara as a center point to worship, surrounded by three blocks of housing each. Land at the center of the development was left vacant for recreation and community service centers.
Col Jamaluddins service throughout his career was exemplary. In Lyallpur, the Jamaluddin Gate was constructed in his honor.In 1938 he was transferred to Jallunder as Civil Surgeon. He was always pampered by the Maharaja of Kapurthala, and invited to play tennis in his royal court and ride elephants on the golden hoda along with his family. In 1941, during his posting in Fort Sandeman, as a Surgeon in the Military, his first granddaughter was born to his daughter Saleema. During the Partition in 1947, Col Jamaluddin opened the Walton Camp in Lahore and took early retirement to manage and treat patients at the camp. He was posted as Director of Health, Govt of Pakistan in Karachi. His voluntary services to the community continued as President of the ModelTown Society from 1950-56.
Col Jamaluddin died in December 1972 and was buried in Model Town. May his soul rest in peace, Amin.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
My Dad Haji Sheikh Karim Bakhsh
My dad Sheikh Karim Bakhsh was born on February 28, 1900 in Kapurthala, Punjab, India. He was eldest child and had two younger brothers and two younger sisters. He was 6 feet tall, of fair complexion, and had blue eyes. He was married some time around 1920 -1921, and had ten children who survived childhood. Eight of them are alive. However, my eldest brother Abdul Khaliq and younger brother Abdul Majid have passed away.
My grand dad, Noor Ahmed, was not well off and had operated a small general store in Kupurthala, India. Despite this, my dad completed his high school education (12 grades), which was rare in those days. My dad’s uncle, Abdul Aziz, who was the family patriarch, and employed in a good position in the Indian Post and Telegraph Department, helped him to get a job in his department. However, my dad got big break in his life when his uncle, Abdul Aziz, sponsored his trip to Scotland around 1921-22, a few months after he got married and left my mom with his parents. He accompanied his cousin Captain Jamal Din (Abdul Aziz’s son who later became a Colonel in British India Army) to Edinburgh.
Colonel Jamal Din qualified as doctor in the Indian Medical Service in 1912 from Edinburgh and returned to India. Maharaja of Kapurthala had a grand reception for Colonel Jamal Din when he returned to India from Edinburgh. He served in the Indian army at Amritsar, Basra, and Dehra Dun among many places. It is interesting to note that one of his kids was born in Basra in Iraq where all the fighting is going even now.
Now going back to my dad journey to Edinburgh. He was sent to keep company of Captain Jamal Din who was to get training and pass the Member of Royal College of Gynecologist examination. Captain Jamal Din’s wife, and three kids Saleema, Jamil, and Saeed also accompanied him. My dad utilized his time in Edinburgh to pass part 1 of the Institute of Electrical Engineers examination. He could not complete the final part of the examination because he had to come back to India because Captain Jamal Din’s wife was pregnant with Sajeela Khan. His wife did not want to have the baby in UK. This is quite a contrast to the recent practice where people come to have babies in the west.
After his return from Edinburgh, he was appointed as engineering supervisor in the Indian Post and Telegraph Department. He continued his education by correspondence and finally became graduate member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers London some time around 1928-30. However, by this time by Indian Post and Telegraph Department standards he was too old at 30 to be selected as a young officer. He was subsequently promoted as assistant engineer and progressed thru the ranks to retire as deputy chief engineer in the Pakistan Post and Telegraph Department, at Karachi, in 1956
The book, “History of the Pakistan Telegraph and Telephone Department” has following observations about my dad:
“Mr. Karim Bakhsh was a selfless and a scrupulously honest officer and a very hard working one. He was serving as a Assistant Engineer Phones in Delhi for the Maintenance of the Connaught Place (New Delhi) telephone exchange. After partition, The Pakistan Post and Telegraph Department requested M/S GEC to send their representative for exchange installation work at Lahore but they declined. Mr. Karim Bakhsh was then deputed by the Directorate General to take the work in hand.”
“In spite of all the handicaps, the equipment at Lahore Cantonment, Lyalpur, and Rawalpindi was installed during 1948 and 1949 ahead of schedule. Mr. Karim Bakhsh was awarded three advance increments by the Minister for Communications for important installation work done by him. After partition, Mr. Karim Bakhsh was promoted as Divisional Engineer.”
His reputation for hard work, integrity, and honesty was such that even after his retirement, one of his former German colleagues sent him airline tickets and money after his retirement to perform Haj get his advice on starting telecommunication network in Saudi Arabia.
After retirement, to support me and my other siblings thru college, my dad moved to Haripur, Hazara and worked at telephone factory, until 1961. Thereafter, he came back to Karachi, and lived there until he died on August 13, 1984.
My wife Tanzila who saw her later in Karachi, remembers him for white beard and piercing blue eyes. She does not remember him raising his voice. He used to sit out side in the veranda, always reading. He also walked every where and never had a car. Her most vivid memories is having breakfast at 6:30 or 7:00 AM. He will take the plates and cups out, and set the table while Amman made breakfast in the kitchen. He will always have a fried egg and toast. People used to get come medication from him. He used to practice Homeopathic medicine and gave out little white pills.
My niece Assiya has reminded me that her grandmother from the other side had so much faith in him that she would only get better with his medicines. Sajeela Khan, the daughter of Colonel Jamal Din tell me that my dad was a dear cousin friend of her father.
I believe his legacy his unique work to help Pakistan after his birth to establish telecommunication system under tough and demanding conditions when the British experts left the country. The Ghausia Masjid in PECHS Pakistan near the house he lived which he helped build. I still remember him walking around the neighborhood and knocking at the doors to get donations for the mosque, and being chased out by servants and dogs. The Ghausia Masjid is a vibrant institution. However, his main legacy was his siblings and children whom he helped raise and educate against all odds. One his younger brother, whom he raised like a son, went on to become famous physician who help treat and cure thousands from the deadly disease of Tuberculosis.
All of his sons followed him in the engineering profession.
I also wanted to integrate the following information from my nephew Zouhair Khaliq into the write-up but due to lack of time and am for the present leaving it alone below.
My Dear Uncle HaiI
I read the portrait of Abbaji with deep emotion and fond memories! I wastraveling last week in Barcelona as part of the attendance at the annual3GSM conference and was unable to write back.There is a great book called the "History of the Telecom Industry inPakistan" written by Mr. Yousaf Raza, which incidentally mentions withgreat respect not only Abbaji as one of the pioneers of Telecom inPakistan but my father as well. There is I believe still a part of theLahore Telecom Exchange which bears Abbaji's signature as he certifiedthe operational readiness of the exchange.
The book mentions that Shiekh Karim Baksh was instrumental in launchingthe first "electronic" exchange in Pakistan while Shiekh Abdul Khaliqwas the pioneer in launching the first "digital" exchange in Pakistan.(Incidentally I was involved in the launch of the first "GSM cellular"exchange in Pakistan - carrying on in the 3rd generation the pioneeringwork of two distinguished people!)
Everywhere I go in Islamabad even today I am very proud to be known bythe old timers here as the son of Shiekh Abdul Khaliq and the grandsonof Shiekh Karim Baksh- which just shows the legacy they have created -honesty, integrity, dedication and sincerity- none of which one canpurchase
My own memories of Abbaji are mostly around the time I was away studying in England. He would write long letters full of advice (sometimes correcting my grammar and also objecting to my admittedly terrible handwriting!!) and support to me regularly and I would look forward to receiving them and reading them. Although never overtly affectionate he always showed the most caring attitude both in his letters and when I went to visit in Pakistan. His advice and suggestions are as relevant and valuable to me today as they were then, as I sought to find my wayas a young person. His words always guided me to the right path at a time when I was surrounded by all kinds of new distractions.
What I will never forget is the afternoon that he passed away. I wasalone in our home in Islamabad, Ammi having flown to Karachi with thegirls at the news of Abbaji having fallen and hurt himself in anaccident, as he walked back from Ghausia Masjid after prayers, as hewould insist on doing 5 times a day. Abbu was on tour in Japan and I had stayed behind as I had just started a new job. I came back early from work that day and fell asleep on my bed and dreamt that Abbaji came upto me, put his hand on my shoulder and then stepped back and waved. I woke up immediately with the phone ringing and my Khala was on the phone to tell me that Abbaji had just passed away a few minutes ago. I canonly guess the extent of his love and care as he came to say Khuda Hafizto me in that final moment! I will always remember him with thegreatest of respect and admiration. I am so very conscious that I am theeldest of the eldest son of a great and humble man and that I mustalways live up to his legacy!With fond regards
Zouhair Khaliq
My grand dad, Noor Ahmed, was not well off and had operated a small general store in Kupurthala, India. Despite this, my dad completed his high school education (12 grades), which was rare in those days. My dad’s uncle, Abdul Aziz, who was the family patriarch, and employed in a good position in the Indian Post and Telegraph Department, helped him to get a job in his department. However, my dad got big break in his life when his uncle, Abdul Aziz, sponsored his trip to Scotland around 1921-22, a few months after he got married and left my mom with his parents. He accompanied his cousin Captain Jamal Din (Abdul Aziz’s son who later became a Colonel in British India Army) to Edinburgh.
Colonel Jamal Din qualified as doctor in the Indian Medical Service in 1912 from Edinburgh and returned to India. Maharaja of Kapurthala had a grand reception for Colonel Jamal Din when he returned to India from Edinburgh. He served in the Indian army at Amritsar, Basra, and Dehra Dun among many places. It is interesting to note that one of his kids was born in Basra in Iraq where all the fighting is going even now.
Now going back to my dad journey to Edinburgh. He was sent to keep company of Captain Jamal Din who was to get training and pass the Member of Royal College of Gynecologist examination. Captain Jamal Din’s wife, and three kids Saleema, Jamil, and Saeed also accompanied him. My dad utilized his time in Edinburgh to pass part 1 of the Institute of Electrical Engineers examination. He could not complete the final part of the examination because he had to come back to India because Captain Jamal Din’s wife was pregnant with Sajeela Khan. His wife did not want to have the baby in UK. This is quite a contrast to the recent practice where people come to have babies in the west.
After his return from Edinburgh, he was appointed as engineering supervisor in the Indian Post and Telegraph Department. He continued his education by correspondence and finally became graduate member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers London some time around 1928-30. However, by this time by Indian Post and Telegraph Department standards he was too old at 30 to be selected as a young officer. He was subsequently promoted as assistant engineer and progressed thru the ranks to retire as deputy chief engineer in the Pakistan Post and Telegraph Department, at Karachi, in 1956
The book, “History of the Pakistan Telegraph and Telephone Department” has following observations about my dad:
“Mr. Karim Bakhsh was a selfless and a scrupulously honest officer and a very hard working one. He was serving as a Assistant Engineer Phones in Delhi for the Maintenance of the Connaught Place (New Delhi) telephone exchange. After partition, The Pakistan Post and Telegraph Department requested M/S GEC to send their representative for exchange installation work at Lahore but they declined. Mr. Karim Bakhsh was then deputed by the Directorate General to take the work in hand.”
“In spite of all the handicaps, the equipment at Lahore Cantonment, Lyalpur, and Rawalpindi was installed during 1948 and 1949 ahead of schedule. Mr. Karim Bakhsh was awarded three advance increments by the Minister for Communications for important installation work done by him. After partition, Mr. Karim Bakhsh was promoted as Divisional Engineer.”
His reputation for hard work, integrity, and honesty was such that even after his retirement, one of his former German colleagues sent him airline tickets and money after his retirement to perform Haj get his advice on starting telecommunication network in Saudi Arabia.
After retirement, to support me and my other siblings thru college, my dad moved to Haripur, Hazara and worked at telephone factory, until 1961. Thereafter, he came back to Karachi, and lived there until he died on August 13, 1984.
My wife Tanzila who saw her later in Karachi, remembers him for white beard and piercing blue eyes. She does not remember him raising his voice. He used to sit out side in the veranda, always reading. He also walked every where and never had a car. Her most vivid memories is having breakfast at 6:30 or 7:00 AM. He will take the plates and cups out, and set the table while Amman made breakfast in the kitchen. He will always have a fried egg and toast. People used to get come medication from him. He used to practice Homeopathic medicine and gave out little white pills.
My niece Assiya has reminded me that her grandmother from the other side had so much faith in him that she would only get better with his medicines. Sajeela Khan, the daughter of Colonel Jamal Din tell me that my dad was a dear cousin friend of her father.
I believe his legacy his unique work to help Pakistan after his birth to establish telecommunication system under tough and demanding conditions when the British experts left the country. The Ghausia Masjid in PECHS Pakistan near the house he lived which he helped build. I still remember him walking around the neighborhood and knocking at the doors to get donations for the mosque, and being chased out by servants and dogs. The Ghausia Masjid is a vibrant institution. However, his main legacy was his siblings and children whom he helped raise and educate against all odds. One his younger brother, whom he raised like a son, went on to become famous physician who help treat and cure thousands from the deadly disease of Tuberculosis.
All of his sons followed him in the engineering profession.
I also wanted to integrate the following information from my nephew Zouhair Khaliq into the write-up but due to lack of time and am for the present leaving it alone below.
My Dear Uncle HaiI
I read the portrait of Abbaji with deep emotion and fond memories! I wastraveling last week in Barcelona as part of the attendance at the annual3GSM conference and was unable to write back.There is a great book called the "History of the Telecom Industry inPakistan" written by Mr. Yousaf Raza, which incidentally mentions withgreat respect not only Abbaji as one of the pioneers of Telecom inPakistan but my father as well. There is I believe still a part of theLahore Telecom Exchange which bears Abbaji's signature as he certifiedthe operational readiness of the exchange.
The book mentions that Shiekh Karim Baksh was instrumental in launchingthe first "electronic" exchange in Pakistan while Shiekh Abdul Khaliqwas the pioneer in launching the first "digital" exchange in Pakistan.(Incidentally I was involved in the launch of the first "GSM cellular"exchange in Pakistan - carrying on in the 3rd generation the pioneeringwork of two distinguished people!)
Everywhere I go in Islamabad even today I am very proud to be known bythe old timers here as the son of Shiekh Abdul Khaliq and the grandsonof Shiekh Karim Baksh- which just shows the legacy they have created -honesty, integrity, dedication and sincerity- none of which one canpurchase
My own memories of Abbaji are mostly around the time I was away studying in England. He would write long letters full of advice (sometimes correcting my grammar and also objecting to my admittedly terrible handwriting!!) and support to me regularly and I would look forward to receiving them and reading them. Although never overtly affectionate he always showed the most caring attitude both in his letters and when I went to visit in Pakistan. His advice and suggestions are as relevant and valuable to me today as they were then, as I sought to find my wayas a young person. His words always guided me to the right path at a time when I was surrounded by all kinds of new distractions.
What I will never forget is the afternoon that he passed away. I wasalone in our home in Islamabad, Ammi having flown to Karachi with thegirls at the news of Abbaji having fallen and hurt himself in anaccident, as he walked back from Ghausia Masjid after prayers, as hewould insist on doing 5 times a day. Abbu was on tour in Japan and I had stayed behind as I had just started a new job. I came back early from work that day and fell asleep on my bed and dreamt that Abbaji came upto me, put his hand on my shoulder and then stepped back and waved. I woke up immediately with the phone ringing and my Khala was on the phone to tell me that Abbaji had just passed away a few minutes ago. I canonly guess the extent of his love and care as he came to say Khuda Hafizto me in that final moment! I will always remember him with thegreatest of respect and admiration. I am so very conscious that I am theeldest of the eldest son of a great and humble man and that I mustalways live up to his legacy!With fond regards
Zouhair Khaliq
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Siblings Age and Religious Practice
I have always wondered if there is a correlation between the age of siblings and their practice of religious rituals. This is particularly important in large families where difference of ages between the eldest and youngest sibling can be 20 years. In the normal life cycle, most people start practicing the rituals, as they grow old. The eldest son or daughter is born and raised when the parents are young and not so involved with the religion. By the time the last kid arrives in a large family, the parents are entering the middle age and usually more religious. It is well-documented fact that the home environment has a major impact on the child. Therefore, the younger sibling is more than likely to be more observant of religious rituals. I have tested my hypothesis on different families. The hypothesis seems to work.
The hypothesis can be also applied on the broader population of Pakistan. I have found that the younger persons in Pakistan generally have long beards and can be classified fundamentalist in the contemporary sense of the word. In contrast, persons who are older and were born before the Partition seem to be less religious. Even when they grow old they are still 50 percent Muslims. Like me, they practice the rituals but cheat and lie in their dealings withother human beings. The younger generation is either 100 percent Muslim or are secular Muslims. It would be interesting to know if others share my views on thesubject
The hypothesis can be also applied on the broader population of Pakistan. I have found that the younger persons in Pakistan generally have long beards and can be classified fundamentalist in the contemporary sense of the word. In contrast, persons who are older and were born before the Partition seem to be less religious. Even when they grow old they are still 50 percent Muslims. Like me, they practice the rituals but cheat and lie in their dealings withother human beings. The younger generation is either 100 percent Muslim or are secular Muslims. It would be interesting to know if others share my views on thesubject
Crystal Gift Packages
Our dinning room hutch cabinet is full of crystal wares that we have received as gifts from persons who visit us for dinner or come to stay with us as guests. These crystal look beautiful. However,there is a limit to the number of these crystal dishes one can use in the house. I am sure we will never use most of these gifts. The only beneficiary of this gift giving is the manufacturer of the crystals like Mikasa. Some times we pass on these gifts when we go to other people houses without even opening them. The only change being a new wrapping paper. The package keep traveling from house to house in its eternal journey without ever being used. There is always a danger of giving the gift back to the original purchaser by accident.
Another tradition which has developed over the years is of giving men dress shirts or kurta shalwar as a present. I have found that these items also stay in your dresser. Usually the shirts do not fit at the collar or at the sleeves. In addition, how many kurta shalwars you need to wear in USA. You only have two Eids in a year. I am so happy that the new wedding invitations specifically ask that no boxed gifts be brought to the wedding or some other occasion. The wedding couple collects checks or cash that they either use to buystuff or some other needs. However, they miss out on some of the memorable gifts, which become precious with time.
I still have anduse four of the six glasses that my friend gave us as wedding present 35 years ago. These glasses have traveled most of the world in our luggage. The other two broke sometime back. The glasses are not expensive but with time they have a history.I remember back in Pakistan, the relatives used to give unstitchedcloth as gifts for the wedding. The cloth material also used to be passed on from wedding to wedding. Perhaps, now we have replaced the cloth with the crystal. It would be nice to get some feedback about your experience withcrystal gifts.
Another tradition which has developed over the years is of giving men dress shirts or kurta shalwar as a present. I have found that these items also stay in your dresser. Usually the shirts do not fit at the collar or at the sleeves. In addition, how many kurta shalwars you need to wear in USA. You only have two Eids in a year. I am so happy that the new wedding invitations specifically ask that no boxed gifts be brought to the wedding or some other occasion. The wedding couple collects checks or cash that they either use to buystuff or some other needs. However, they miss out on some of the memorable gifts, which become precious with time.
I still have anduse four of the six glasses that my friend gave us as wedding present 35 years ago. These glasses have traveled most of the world in our luggage. The other two broke sometime back. The glasses are not expensive but with time they have a history.I remember back in Pakistan, the relatives used to give unstitchedcloth as gifts for the wedding. The cloth material also used to be passed on from wedding to wedding. Perhaps, now we have replaced the cloth with the crystal. It would be nice to get some feedback about your experience withcrystal gifts.
Benazir Bhutto
The death of Benazir Bhutto has evoked memories of my reaction to her father's death in 1979. I was in Montreal and was in a dilemma of either going to Pakistan to work with my friend Hafeez Shaikh or to join Bechtel Corporation in California who had offered me a job. I had to leave Montreal since we had already sold our house and fed up with the daily turmoil of living there and achieve fluency in French. Montreal, Quebec is the only place in World where you had to pass conversational and written French test to become a Professional Engineer. Having spent my weekends and evenings learning French and passing the French test after a couple of attempts I was ready to live in Montreal. However, then came the ruling that Faisal would have to go to a French school because I and Tanzila were both not schooled in English in Pakistan. That is when cookie crumbled and decision to leave Montreal was made in the fall of 1978.
One of my colleauges told me about the hanging of the Zulfiqar Bhutto when I walked into my office in 1979. I felt that Pakistan will bein turmoil after his death; therefore,I immediately went to see my chief engineer and turned in my resignation. The rest is history. It is amazing how an event in Pakistan turned the course of our whole family's life. Allah has mysterious ways. I do not know how many lives will change because of Benazir's death. How many families will decide to live abroad and not go back to Pakistan. It is a shame and military dictators have to be blamed for all this. These are the people who were not able to be admitted top professional schools and universities in Pakistan and went on to Kakul Academy after high school. What do you expect from these dictators with 12th grade education.
One of my colleauges told me about the hanging of the Zulfiqar Bhutto when I walked into my office in 1979. I felt that Pakistan will bein turmoil after his death; therefore,I immediately went to see my chief engineer and turned in my resignation. The rest is history. It is amazing how an event in Pakistan turned the course of our whole family's life. Allah has mysterious ways. I do not know how many lives will change because of Benazir's death. How many families will decide to live abroad and not go back to Pakistan. It is a shame and military dictators have to be blamed for all this. These are the people who were not able to be admitted top professional schools and universities in Pakistan and went on to Kakul Academy after high school. What do you expect from these dictators with 12th grade education.
Direction for Muslim Prayer- Qibla- Kabbah Locator
Muslims pray five times a day. During the prayers, they face the Kabbah, the holy mosque in Makkah. It is a chore to find direction of Kabbah, Makkah using different devices like compass etc., specially when you are traveling. I found the following useful website which helps you locate the direction quickly on your computer.
http://www.qiblalocator.com
Just click on it. Then put the address, city, zip code of your house or other location where you want the Qibla direction. The dirction of the Qibla alongwith an aerial photo of the property (your house) will be shown on the screen. No need to calculate or use compass etc.
http://www.qiblalocator.com
Just click on it. Then put the address, city, zip code of your house or other location where you want the Qibla direction. The dirction of the Qibla alongwith an aerial photo of the property (your house) will be shown on the screen. No need to calculate or use compass etc.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Non Muslims Allowed in Medina
I found the following information on the website. Until this time, I did not know that Non-Muslims can visit Medina with special permission. I am not sure if the average MUslim in Pakistan knows about this.
The Madinah Marriott hotel is grandly situated on King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Road opposite the new Imara House. This full-service property offers spacious accommodations and superior facilities in a central location approximately four hundred fifty meters southwest of the Alharim Mosque. The Holy (Prophet's) Mosque is one half mile from the hotel with complimentary transportation available. Madinah is one of the three holiest cities of the Muslim faith and non-Muslims are not allowed to stay overnight within the city. As the Madinah Marriott is located inside the city limits, the hotel must fully comply with all local laws and ordinances. Under certain special conditions, non-Muslims may obtain a special permit to visit Madinah during the day. For additional information regarding daytime visits, it would be best to contact appropriate city officials. There are a number of hotels within a fifteen minute drive of Madinah that can accommodate non-Muslim travelers visiting for the day.
The Madinah Marriott hotel is grandly situated on King Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Road opposite the new Imara House. This full-service property offers spacious accommodations and superior facilities in a central location approximately four hundred fifty meters southwest of the Alharim Mosque. The Holy (Prophet's) Mosque is one half mile from the hotel with complimentary transportation available. Madinah is one of the three holiest cities of the Muslim faith and non-Muslims are not allowed to stay overnight within the city. As the Madinah Marriott is located inside the city limits, the hotel must fully comply with all local laws and ordinances. Under certain special conditions, non-Muslims may obtain a special permit to visit Madinah during the day. For additional information regarding daytime visits, it would be best to contact appropriate city officials. There are a number of hotels within a fifteen minute drive of Madinah that can accommodate non-Muslim travelers visiting for the day.
Civilan Nuclear Power Plants in Pakistan
The average Pakistani has been hoodwinked by the media and the politicians about the contribution of Abdul Qadeer Khan to the Pakistan. He is the metallurgist who stole plans from Holland and were sucessful in getting a nuclear bomb made in Pakistan. The so called first Muslim nuclear bomb. In the process he also transmitted bomb making techniques to rogue states Nrth Korea and Libya for personal gain. He lived lavishly in Islamabad. All the material for his house onstruction was imported from overseas.
What the average person in Pakistan does not know of the price paid by Pakistanis for this bomb. Due to this bomb making aventure all civilian nuclear power plant construction in Pakistan stopped since 1979. Pakistan was left with a single civilan commercial nuclear power plant in Karachi with a meagre capacity of 150 MW. The west refused to provide nuclear technology to Pakistan. Pakistani scientists and enginees trained for nuclear power were frustated and left Pakistan.
In contrast, South Korea decided to go for civilan nuclear power and since 1979, has built 18 nuclear power plants with a combined capacity of over 20000 MW. This enabled South Korea to use the electrical energy for productive use. South Korea is considered a newly developed nation with 100 percent literacy, exporting cars, color TVs, and computers. South Korea is militarily also very strong and build a bomb any time within a matter of months since it has the infrastructure.
Pkaistan on the other hand is left with a traitor Abdul Qadeer Khan who is providing trade secrets to the media. The average man is suffereing the electrical power shortage in the form of load shedding. The industry is running under capacity due to load shedding. Inspite of a talented pool of engineers and scientists, the international companies have shied away from investing in Pakistan.
Thank you AQ Khan for making all this happen
What the average person in Pakistan does not know of the price paid by Pakistanis for this bomb. Due to this bomb making aventure all civilian nuclear power plant construction in Pakistan stopped since 1979. Pakistan was left with a single civilan commercial nuclear power plant in Karachi with a meagre capacity of 150 MW. The west refused to provide nuclear technology to Pakistan. Pakistani scientists and enginees trained for nuclear power were frustated and left Pakistan.
In contrast, South Korea decided to go for civilan nuclear power and since 1979, has built 18 nuclear power plants with a combined capacity of over 20000 MW. This enabled South Korea to use the electrical energy for productive use. South Korea is considered a newly developed nation with 100 percent literacy, exporting cars, color TVs, and computers. South Korea is militarily also very strong and build a bomb any time within a matter of months since it has the infrastructure.
Pkaistan on the other hand is left with a traitor Abdul Qadeer Khan who is providing trade secrets to the media. The average man is suffereing the electrical power shortage in the form of load shedding. The industry is running under capacity due to load shedding. Inspite of a talented pool of engineers and scientists, the international companies have shied away from investing in Pakistan.
Thank you AQ Khan for making all this happen
Friday, July 25, 2008
Pakistan Energy Crisis
University of Engineering and Technology Lahore Alumni Association (UET-AA) is holding a half-day long seminar on the role and prospects of private sector in mitigating power shortage in Pakistan, on October 12, 2008 at Washington DC. The seminar will have panel discussion on:
1. Alternative sources of electrical power generation in Pakistan including, but not limited to, the use of wind and solar energy.
2. Guarantees and legal framework required for the international and local enterprises to invest in the Pakistan energy sector.
The focus of the seminar is to share experience and put forward constructive ideas that can help eliminate persistent load shedding, which is seriously affecting the population and industrial production in Pakistan. Interested Alumni and their friends, who would like to participate as panelists in the discussion are requested to send e-mail to mailto:toabdulhaisheikh@yahoo.com by August 15, 2008 indicating the topic of interest.
1. Alternative sources of electrical power generation in Pakistan including, but not limited to, the use of wind and solar energy.
2. Guarantees and legal framework required for the international and local enterprises to invest in the Pakistan energy sector.
The focus of the seminar is to share experience and put forward constructive ideas that can help eliminate persistent load shedding, which is seriously affecting the population and industrial production in Pakistan. Interested Alumni and their friends, who would like to participate as panelists in the discussion are requested to send e-mail to mailto:toabdulhaisheikh@yahoo.com by August 15, 2008 indicating the topic of interest.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Another Life to Live
If I had another life I would choose to become an army officer rather than studying hard to become an engineer. Then I would not have to leave Pakistan in search of employment and higer studies. I would live in the posh defense housing society with servants and orderliesinstead of cleaning my own house and cutting grass in my yard on the weekends in USA. I would not have to worry about money and real estate. Army would have provided me with free plots in the defensesociety and and Maarabas.
I could have staged a coup and become thepresident. If not the army dictator would have appointed me head ofa large institution or even vice chancelor of a university where Icould abuse the poor elite Ph.D professors with an iron hand.
I would have taken care of my brothers and sisters by awarding themhuge defense contracts. I would have sent my sons and daughters tostudy at Harvard and Stanford. The universities would have admittedthem even if they were not good students for political correctness.Every few months I would go to Saudi Arabia to cleanse my sins byperforming Umra as a VIP on government expense. Then I will come backand do party in the defense and gymkhana clubs.
I could have staged a coup and become thepresident. If not the army dictator would have appointed me head ofa large institution or even vice chancelor of a university where Icould abuse the poor elite Ph.D professors with an iron hand.
I would have taken care of my brothers and sisters by awarding themhuge defense contracts. I would have sent my sons and daughters tostudy at Harvard and Stanford. The universities would have admittedthem even if they were not good students for political correctness.Every few months I would go to Saudi Arabia to cleanse my sins byperforming Umra as a VIP on government expense. Then I will come backand do party in the defense and gymkhana clubs.
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