My Chronicles... http://www.asadasif.com/ My little world en-us Nucleus CMS v3.32 © Asad Asif Weblog http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.asadasif.com//nucleus/nucleus2.gif My Chronicles... http://www.asadasif.com/ Happy Independence Day! http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=23

Image

A very Happy Independence Day to the whole nation!
]]> Events http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=23 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0700 A Great Loss: Randy Pausch Is Dead http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=148
Randy Pausch
Randy Pausch in his last lecture at Carnegie Mellon university

Mr. Pausch knew that he was going to die in a couple months due to pancreatic cancer. He delivered the lecture on 18th of September, 2007 but it spread around the world like wildfire. I saw the video of the lecture through YouTube. While delivering the lecture, he was calm and humorous. The address was heartfelt and inspirational. I encourage students from any and all disciplines to watch the video.

Randy Pausch was known rather well in the academic community. He won numerous awards in the field of computer science. Time Magazine even added him to its list of 100 most influential people in the world.

I feel that the loss of Mr. Pausch is a great loss for the academic community. There are few people who will be remembered as well Randy Pausch will be.

May his soul rest in peace. Amen!]]> Education http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=148 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:32:04 +0700 Sharon Stone's folly http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=146
It goes to show how dumb (in the stupid sense) people can be. I wrote about the Chinese earthquake previously on my blog here and expected that such a tragedy would bring people across the world together in helping China. In fact, I didn't even knew of Sharon Stone until she opened her moth to say that the earthquake in China might be bad karma due to China's alleged treatment of Tibet. And I quote her:

"I'm not happy about the way the Chinese are treating the Tibetans because I don't think anyone should be unkind to anyone else,"..."And then this earthquake and all this stuff happened, and then I thought, is that karma? When you're not nice that the bad things happen to you?" - source

Does she also think that Katrina was a result of bad karma from the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan where millions of lives have been lost due to American policies? Or maybe Basic Instinct 2 with $70 million production cost resulted in less than $6 million in ticket sales is also due to karma?

I applaud the Chinese nation who unanimously condemned Stone and are trying to hurt her where it hurts the most: monetarily. Many Chinese cinemas (under UME Cineplex) have refused to show movies in which she has performed (and will perform in the future) and Christian Dior advertisements featuring Stone's image were also dropped from all ads in China amidst the public uproar. Even on previous controversial issues (e.g. cartoons of Prophet Muhammad), I have urged the people from not partaking in violent protesting. Instead, boycotting the products and making the perpetrators suffer economic loss is the best way to go around showing your protest. After all, in a capitalist world, what hurts most is an economic loss.

I also learned today that she has apologized for her comments but I strongly believe that the apologies are not sincere and are just the result of bad publicity she is getting now. So, for what it counts, her apologies are falling on deaf ears across China. After all, slapping deliberately and then saying 'sorry' is just not enough. I urge the Chinese government and the people to keep implementing the economic boycott where Sharon Stone is concerned.]]> Politics http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=146 Sat, 31 May 2008 14:52:45 +0700 War on Terror: The Issue of Reimbursement Payments http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=144 reimbursement payments are spent. That's right! Reimbursement payments.

What the US government sends the Pakistani government is mostly payment for expenses that Pakistan has already incurred in deploying and maintaining troops on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Last I read, a couple weeks back, Pakistan has over 100,000 troops deployed on that border - far higher than the total number of ISAF/NATO forces inside Afghanistan. Does the US government and particularly the US Senators creating all this noise over this issue think that stationing such a large number of troops on that border is cheap?

If so, they should consider the expenses of the NATO/ISAF forces inside Afghanistan which are far lesser in number but still have higher expenses than those reimbursed to Pakistan. They must not forget that Pakistan is a developing nation that doesn't has such large amounts of funds to invest in maintaining troop presence on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. In fact, there was very little troop presence on that particular border before the war on terror started. Thousands of Pakistani lives have been lost in this war for American interests- one of the reasons amongst a whole pile of reasons for the Pakistani publics disenchantment with America.

It is sad and disheartening to see the frequent mention of ISAF/NATO casualties across the border in Afghanistan but practically no mention of Pakistani lives lost right across that border on the Pakistani side when both sides are fighting the same war. Is the life of a Pakistani soldier so worthless?

On that note, I leave you with a thought provoking article from Dawn. I have marked specific parts of interest in bold.

‘Pakistan gets less than half of what it spends’: Anti-terror efforts

By Anwar Iqbal

WASHINGTON, May 27: What Pakistan gets as reimbursement for its efforts to combat militants along the Afghan border is less than half of what it spends, diplomatic sources say.

Under a programme known as the Coalition Support Fund, the US military reimburses Pakistan for terrorism-related operations, particularly by the army and the air force.

A US Government Accountability Office report issued last week said that of $5.8 billion in US support for anti-terrorism efforts in the Fata between 2002 and 2007, about 96 per cent had gone towards reimbursing the Pakistani military, three per cent on border security and one per cent on development aid projects.

Talking to Dawn, sources said the $5.8 billion Pakistan received from the CSF was reimbursement of what the country had already spent.

“It is not easy to deploy 100,000 troops in a troubled area,” said one diplomatic source. “Look, how the Americans are spending billions of dollars on maintaining troops in Iraq. If the Americans feel that the Iraq war is draining their resources, imagine how it affects Pakistan.”Noting that Pakistan has lost almost 1,000 soldiers in the fight, sources complained that the CSF does not compensate for the loss of life. There is no provision for supporting the families of the slain soldiers either.

“The life of every human being is precious,” said a diplomatic observer. “But the death of a Pakistani soldier gets no mention in the international media and that’s why people in the West feel that Pakistan is not doing enough.”

The CSF does not cover depreciation of equipment either, such as the Cobra helicopters used to monitor the Pak-Afghan border. The Pakistanis, however, are compensated for the money they spend on the soldiers, for fuel, ammunition and for flying sorties. Responding to the claim in the official US report that Pakistan was not spending the money it received from the CSF on development, a source said that this money was not meant for development.

“It is reimbursement and the Pakistanis are at liberty to use it for whatever they want to use it for,” the source said. “But the $750 million Pakistan is going to receive now is for the development of the Fata and the Americans will have every right to hold Pakistan accountable for that.”

Sources said that the continued criticism of the US reimbursement policy has forced the Bush administration to place new restriction on the disbursement of funds. “Payments have been delayed. Pakistan has not yet been reimbursed for some of the money it spent last year,” a source said.

Although put on the defensive by the US media and Congress, some Bush administration officials have recently pointed out that it was wrong to ask Pakistan to explain how they use the reimbursements.

US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte told a recent congressional hearing that what Pakistanis receive from the CSF is their money and the US cannot tell them how to use it.

But the GAO notes that the Bush administration has stepped up its oversight of the direct security assistance in recent months.

From 2004 to early 2007, it deferred or rejected an average of just over 2 per cent of Pakistan’s reimbursement claims. But for the most recent set of claims, between March and June of 2007, that amount jumped to 20 per cent.]]> Politics http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=144 Wed, 28 May 2008 23:03:24 +0700 Cheapest Air Kill http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=142
- - - - - -

The morning of 7th December was quite hazy, particularly at lower altitudes where the dust of Punjab plains mingled with the moist, cold air, giving the sky murky appearance. It was just four days since the 1971 Indo-Pak war had broken out. While the PAF was conserving its air effort in the early stages of war, IAF's intensity of air operations was building up at a fast pace.

Flight Officer Man Mohan Singh was ferrying a Gnat from Halwara, to beef up a detachment of No 2 Squadron at Amritsar where these aircraft were deployed to perform air defense duties. As Mohan was nearing home, the controller at Amritsar Radar asked him to delay his landing while a pair of Su-7s took off. After holding off for few minutes, Mohan resumed a northerly heading for the base. All of a sudden, the controller frantically shouted on the radio to announce the presence of interceptors in the Gnat's rear quarters!

Squadron Leader Farooq Haider, a veteran of the '65 War, was sitting as the duty controller in No 403 Radar Squadron which was located in the outskirts of Lahore. Watching the radar scope intently, he had picked up a blip as it approached Tarn Taran, south of Amritsar. With the adversary nearing its home Base, Farooq had to act fast. He commenced the interception with steady instructions on the radio.

"Your target now over Tarn Taran, heading 360; do not acknowledge."
"Target 20 (degrees) right, five (miles), turn hard left 360, do not climb; do not acknowledge."
" Target 12 o' clock, two (miles), go full bore; do not acknowledge."
"Okay, target is one mile ahead..."The IAF had been expecting PAF fighters to sneak in below radar cover. Thus, to be doubly sure about any undetected intruders, the IAF used a capability that it was well equipped for eavesdropping into pilot-controller conversation. Listening in to what was going on, the IAF controller was completely dumbfounded at the development, for he had not yet picked up the interceptors on his scope. It was no surprise, therefore, that his warning to Mohan sounded eerie, as if a specter was being reported. With the interceptors' distance rapidly reducing and shooting down of the Gnat almost a certainty, the controller gave a panic 'break' call. Mohan reacted as any fighter pilot would have done in that situation . He yanked back on the control column and threw in a very tight turn to shake off his pursuers.

Farooq noticed that the blip had disappeared from the radar screen shortly after maneuvering had commenced. Normally, he would have inquired about the fate of the target from the interceptor pilots within moments of shooting. The time, however, he had to be discrete. "Maintain radio silence and recover at low altitude," he called out. Meanwhile, Farooq and his fellow controllers wondered if the vanished blip meant that the aircraft had landed at its base.

India's Official History of Indo-Pak War, 1971, published thirty years later, covers the air operations with the diary of action which includes important events like air raids, aerial victories and losses on both sides. A keen reader would notice acknowledgment of the loss of a Gnat on 7th December 1971 in which, "the pilot tried to take evasive action when warned of Pakistani aircraft in the vicinity. He lost control and crashed *," The only inaccuracy with the account is that Pakistani aircraft were nowhere near!

Standing CAPs were a rare commodity due to excessive demands on PAF's limited assets. Farooq had, therefore, reacted to the emergent situation in a most ingenious way. He impulsively decided to fake an interception in the knowledge that his calls would be monitored. The thrill of playing a prank was better then getting frustrated at the sight of an enemy blip pacing away unscathed. In the event, Farooq's trick resulted in a bargain of great value, which can be gleaned from the amazing fact that not a gallon of fuel was expended, nor was a single bullet fired. Arguably, it stands as the cheapest kill of air warfare.

- - - - - -

(*)= Chapter X - 'The IAF in the West,' page 427.

- - - - - -

Glossary:

PAF: Pakistan Air Force
IAF: Indian Air Force]]> Military http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=142 Sun, 25 May 2008 22:58:15 +0700 This side of Pakistan http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=140 Disclaimer: The credit for this article lies with Tals Diaz and the Philippine Daily Inquirer. I am posting this here for informational purpose only.

Source

By Tals Diaz
Philippine Daily Inquirer

“When the doors of perception are cleansed, man will see things as they truly are, infinite.” –William Blake

“We are going to sky, who wants to come with us? We have gone to heaven, we have been the friends of the angels, And now we will go back there, for there is our country.” –Rumi, Sufi poet


MANILA, Philippines—From afar, they looked like vultures circling over prey. As we moved closer though, we saw them for what they really were—majestic eagles, hundreds of them, circling languidly over the terracotta-stained houses lining the streets of Karachi.

Truly, there are things that need to be seen up close to gain a much better perspective.

Mention the name Pakistan and immediately you evoke feelings of fear and awe. For you could say that the country has had its lion’s share of bad publicity. Largely due to a West-centric media, its PR portfolio reads like an eternal caveat: a nuclear-powered, hardline Islamic nation under tightfisted rule—certainly not the winning combination to inspire an entry in the “Must See Places on Earth” traveler’s list. Add 9/11 to that wicked equation, when Pakistan had become a victim of its own geography since the US focused its ensuing War on Terror on neighboring Afghanistan, and you’ll most likely dismiss the country as a dangerous land.

The only thing more dangerous, I believe, is perception that is bloated as truth.

So what is the story behind the headlines?What you won’t likely see on the news is the side of Pakistan that is far, far more worthy of being written about. It is a side that is more gentle than hostile, blessed with a rich cultural heritage and civilization that stretches back for thousands of years, and some of the warmest, most dignified people you could ever encounter in a lifetime of traveling. Behind the headlines, there are stories upon stories of fabled landscapes where ancient civilizations rose and fell, where the Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Sufi beliefs flourished for centuries, and where a great empire built architectural wonders that still stand to this day. Many of these stories shall remain mysteries to be unraveled by those few who dare to roam.

A journey to Pakistan is panacea for the “been there, done that” kind of jaded traveler, as the country remains unsullied by the mass tourism that’s pervading many Asian destinations today, like Bali, Thailand or Cambodia. There are hardly any pesky vendors shoving souvenir trinkets in your face, or stalls upon stalls selling T-shirts that say “All I got was this lousy shirt,” or taxi drivers fleecing naïve tourists for a quick buck. Traveling as itself recovers a sense of purity, as you’re left to discover the place without expectations born of a hundred others’ pre-marked itineraries.

A mighty art

One of the most fascinating aspects of Pakistan’s culture is a vibrant art that has fused itself with everyday life. Karachi, for one, is a moving canvas. Their masterpieces come in the form of eye-catching, ornately painted buses and trucks. I was craning my head to see these mobile art works that give new meaning to the phrase “pimp my ride.” Imagine cement trucks painted all over with eagles and roses—very cool. (And yes, they are much more souped up versions than our own jeepneys).

Over at the beach by the Arabian Sea, we saw camels languidly strolling about, bedecked in a pastiche of colors. Several vendors wearing traditional shalwar camiz peddled everything from freshly baked Naan, tea, kebabs, and jasmine flower bracelets. Women in their kaleidoscopic headdresses sat serenely on benches, watching the thunderous waves crashing on the shore. I later found out that swimming on the beach is not a custom in conservative Pakistani culture, and yet throngs of men and women gathered on the beach, in what’s perhaps one of the world’s oldest weekend pastimes, admiring the great blue beyond.

Cult of personality

My favorite city in Pakistan, henna-stained hands down, is Lahore, the capital of the Punjab province near the Indo border. Historically, Lahore was the cultural hub of the Mughal Empire, and its architectural vestiges are scattered throughout the city, sharing the limelight with Gothic Victorian and contemporary buildings to create a mood that shifts from modern to mysterious. So you could be imagining yourself in a scene from the “Ramayana” one minute, and then discussing global politics over milk tea in a quaint little restaurant the next.

Badshahi Mosque
Badshahi Mosque

Rising sublimely like a crown jewel amidst a sapphire sky in this mélange of a city is Badshahi Mosque, considered one of the world’s great architectural wonders. The mosque is also home to a Koran with 1,226 pages of spun gold.

Islam remains as a great influence of Pakistani life, and here I see just how much this religion inspires such creativity and peace. “90 percent Muslims believe that religion is a unifying force,” said Lt. Gen. Khalid Maqbool, governor of Punjab province in an interview, “It is a religion based on compassion, equality and tolerance.”

As I walked around the mosque awestruck by the ornately designed ceilings, two young boys came up to me and bashfully asked, “Why are you here?” I was a bit dumbstruck and could only lamely blurt out, “because it’s beautiful.” They seemed bewildered at this, and consequently asked me if I was Muslim. I said no, but before provoking further confusion, I said, “I’m supposed to take many photos to show them back in my country.” They seemed satisfied with this, and gamely posed for a photo before they scampered away.

Another must-see in the city is the famed Lahore Museum, which is in fact considered to be the best in the subcontinent. There are artifacts here that date back to the Stone Age, a testament of a land that was once home to some of the world’s oldest civilizations. Many of the art works on display are simply mind blowing, from carved ivory tusks depicting the life of Buddha, to miniature Sikh paintings, to Tibetan antique silver jewelry. A very rare sight on display is the “Fasting Buddha,” a far cry from the hefty reincarnations of the Far East, as this peculiar statue shows a much bonier, sunken-cheeked version of the Enlightened One. I was about to make a snarky side comment, but I suspected it already had enough of a ribbing.

Borderline

Every sunset, a boisterous spectacle happens at Wagha, about 40 minutes away from Lahore’s city center and at the border between Pakistan and India. Hundreds of men and women frenetically shout and cheer for their country as cheerleaders in their national colors wave flags around.

No, it’s not a football or cricket match, it’s the daily flag-lowering ceremony, a tradition that began in the late 1940s after the British had drawn a line separating the two countries. The guards on both sides carry out a show that’s part-Broadway, part-Monty Python as they try to outmarch, out-salute, and outperform each other. It’s the fiercest display of patriotism yet, and I admit I actually got teary-eyed at the whole experience.

So why the misperception?

With such a beautiful and culture-soaked encounter at every turn, the question remains—why the gross misperception? A single action that occured at the far flung, troubled regions (that are even difficult to penetrate) is picked up on TV, and the power of media is able to inflate it and convince many that the whole country is in conflict. (It’s something that even we Pinoys can relate to!)

I asked a few key officials and Pakistani journalists about their thoughts on their warped global image.

“It is very unfortunate that it is viewed this way. Perception is very misplaced,” said a source at the Karachi Press Club. “Pakistanis are very tolerant people, a few misguided people will think we are a nation of extremists.”

“When you go around New York selling a story about the positive side of Pakistan, no one will be interested. But with a bad story, everyone grabs it,” adds Major General Abbas of the Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR, the PR arm of the Pakistan Army). “From a distance, with an agenda, you misinterpret and twist, and give a spin of your liking. But most of the people who come here—and I refer to responsible officers, when they visit us, interact, get into a dialogue and discussion, they completely understand. They go back to their governments and ask for increase of aid, and more dialogue.”

Brigadier Muhammed Tariq Jilani of the ISPR likewise believes “It is the responsibility of those who come here and see things and when they go back, make an effort to correct the situation… to try to develop a better sense and understanding.”

For Lieutenant General Maqbool, more effort should be made in promoting the country in a positive light. “Last few years, we’ve been hurt by the image of terrorism, people are discouraged to come. Frankly speaking, we need to do a better job improving our media image, even to produce more movies.”

Through another’s eyes

I did not think it a coincidence that I caught the Pangea Day film fest, a celebration which sought world peace through the power of film, on Pakistani cable. One line stood out for me: “See the world through another’s eyes.” Perhaps the only way to gain a better cross-cultural understanding is to first challenge our fears wrought by perception.

The experience of finding beauty in the least expected of places not only transforms you, but makes you such a part of it that you bring the memory everywhere you go.

The strains of qawwali, or Islamic devotional singing, echo in the distance. In the fleeting moment, peace infuses the land.]]> General http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=140 Sun, 25 May 2008 15:30:33 +0700 Microsoft Windows XP Error: 0x0000009C a.k.a 0x9C http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=138
Any way, the thing I noticed most frequently associated with this error code is that just before it occurred, one of the hard disk drives in my computer system made a clicking sound which usually signifies hard disk failure. This lead me to check the hard disk drives extensively via disk check utility in Windows (chkdsk [drive]: /r) and some times, the utility reported bad sectors. Clearly, something fishy was going on.

I consulted Microsoft's KB articles and the help site resources for this error without any fruitful results. I searched on various forums and the suggestions to solve this error revolved around removing ZoneAlarm firewall software when clearly, this was a hardware error.

The plethora of random suggestions were very confusing and seemed more an attempt to guess at the solution rather than making an informed choice.Once, accidentally, when one of my SATA hard disk was clicking, I reseated the SATA power and data connectors which resulted in the computer getting stuck for a couple seconds before resuming normal operation as if the issue had never happened.

Since the error usually occurred after clicking sounds from my IDE hard disk (another one different from the SATA one), I replaced its power connector with another one and viola! The problem was solved for a couple weeks.

The next time I saw the 0x0000009C error, it was when I shifted the cables in my casing around to adjust SATA data/power cables for a new hard disk drive. It seems to me that the power connector on the IDE disk again got loose and caused the random clicking sounds and a restart due to 0x0000009C error.

From all this exercise over the period of a couple months, what I have deduced is that the reason for my encountering this dreaded error (0x0000009C) was simply crappy PSU molex/SATA power connectors. When they were fully seated and in contact with the male power connectors on the hard disk drives, the computer system worked fine. However, when they became loose, the caused Windows XP to inundate me with the [now] dreaded error.

Now, my disk drives run perfectly (after a replacement of the female PSU power connectors) and I have been living a 0x0000009C free life happily. I hope it is a 'happily ever after' kind of deal where I don't face this error ever again. :D]]> Computers http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=138 Fri, 23 May 2008 01:53:26 +0700 Earthquake in China of 7.9 Magnitude http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=136
However, the recent earthquake in China has shaken me out of my stupor and taken me back to the haunting memories of the earth quake in Kashmir in 2005. You can read my posts about it here and here.

It is said that a single picture speaks a thousand words. Look at these 50,000 words and see for yourself what shook me out of my stupor.

In this time of need of our Chinese brothers and sisters, I extend my deepest condolences for the loss of life that they have experienced. We, as Pakistanis, will remember our Chinese friends in our prayers and good wishes. May the souls of those who suffered and lost their lives in this earthquake rest in peace. Amen.

Relationships are turn asunder by death and injuries and times like these are the true test of human resilience. I am sure the Chinese nation will pull through the difficulties and make a new better path for themselves. Fortunately, the Chinese government has responded decisively and quickly without need of external prompting. This is extremely fortunate and speaks in itself for how much China has undergone a transformation for the better.

In all, I would ask the Chinese people to remain steadfast and have patience for loved ones lost. Remember the fond memories and symbolize the dead with those memories. Once again, my deepest condolences for your losses and the destruction incurred due to this natural calamity.]]> General http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=136 Wed, 14 May 2008 02:50:56 +0700 Enlightened Moderation: A Critics Approach http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=134
“Enlightened Moderation” as my leaders my saviors call it is a dogma that was created under the curb of America so that they could make each Muslim realize that whatever they do against our Muslim compatriots is justified. Justified because they don’t come under the umbrella of enlightened Islam and establishing its credibility by connecting the dots back to our Islamic lineage. This is a forced definition ladies and gentlemen that has overwhelmed the Muslim Ummah since 9/11 so the US could bag more Muslim countries widening there scope of targets and in tandem giving us patience pills which have “Enlightened Moderation” written on them which in effect have made us more impalpable.VHP (Vishva Hindu Parishad) and BJP (Bhartiya Janata Party), one of the most anti-Muslims parties were deeply involved in the 2002 Gujrat massacre where around 1000 Muslims were killed, much more obliterated and manhandled. Amnesty International doubted the local law enforcers and parties to be the convicts but US Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, John Hanford has a lot more pro-Indian take, he thinks that BJP isn’t dirty. Only 9 people from VHP were tried. Now isn’t this the most inhumane form of extremism, fanaticism and planned prejudice. Why didn’t Hanford proclaimed them as international terrorists or maybe extremists?

Back in 1970’s an outrageous group of guerillas aiming for the liberation of the eastern and northern province of Srilanka came into being, registering into the fraternity of terrorists by the name of Tamil Tigers. Mediation of Indians for the peace-keeping effort led to the killing of there Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 by a female suicide bomber. Now they aren’t labelled extremists by America. Why doesn’t America finds out a peace resolution for them? Why aren’t they titled ‘extremists’, just because they are oil-less.

Now in another instance where terrorism has reached pinnacle and survival of mankind is at stake is Sierre Leone. The African country has one of the richest diamond reserves that contribute very minimal to the country’s economy because of the smuggling of these diamonds by local terrorists to international diamond vendors. America wouldn’t resolve this.

Why we Muslims are termed extremists, does inundation of a state with oil qualifies it for the definition of extremists or fundamentalists. Even if we are Muslim fundamentalists what harm does it pose to Pentagon? Knowing what the basics of ones religion are, apparently and logically sets no threat at all. It must be realized that militants in Afghanistan who fought against Soviet under America’s direction were chosen because they had ideal geographical placing making it strategically ideal to impeach Soviet. They were Muslims coincidentally and this doesn’t make every Muslim fundamentalist an extremist. Religion was immaterial at that point in time since America had wanted frenzied manpower whose aggression would turn into maximum rampage. Even if the Al-Qaeda was atheist they would have been utilized the same way, in this case what sort of fundamentalism would have they been blamed for to capture their oil today? Some sort of Darwinism that needs to be redefined that even might not exists? What sort of moderation would they have been suggested. I don’t want to plunge into any blasphemy. All I am trying is to say that religions don’t have any role in curbing extremists or gruesome civilizations, it’s the superpowers that create them, associate them with there religions and further exploit them in terms of materials, disunite them so they don’t rise up and to hide public trials set dogmas for societies and definitions which are completely convincing to the victims.

I am a staunch believer of the fact that our religion is inherently enlightening; we don’t expect dictations on how to follow it or maybe customize it so America finds it great for its foreign policies and so that at the end of the day he is more acceptable.]]> Politics http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=134 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:14:59 +0700 Are You My Brother? http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=133 Pathan tribes originating from lost Jewish tribes and the concept of 'panah' [protection] which caused the Taliban's refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden to the USA after 9/11.

The American visitor even encountered ISI, the much feared Pakistani intelligence agency. He also got to meet some very popular singers like Junoon's Ali Azmat and various other actors and actresses. It also includes some nice songs and Pakistani cultural music.

The documentary gives an American perspective to certain issues. It reminds me of the perception of America and Americans in general as it was before 9/11. And that was very positive. But now times and circumstances are way different in a post-9/11 world.

Any way, without further delay, the links to each part of the documentary are given below. The documentary spans about one and a half hours long over fifteen parts. It is advised that if you do watch it, do so in one go.

Are You My Brother? - Part 01
Are You My Brother? - Part 02
Are You My Brother? - Part 03
Are You My Brother? - Part 04
Are You My Brother? - Part 05
Are You My Brother? - Part 06
Are You My Brother? - Part 07
Are You My Brother? - Part 08
Are You My Brother? - Part 09
Are You My Brother? - Part 10
Are You My Brother? - Part 11
Are You My Brother? - Part 12
Are You My Brother? - Part 13
Are You My Brother? - Part 14
Are You My Brother? - Part 15

Some portions are a bit repetitive but it is an interesting documentary, none the less!
]]> Politics http://www.asadasif.com/index.php?itemid=133 Fri, 7 Mar 2008 21:35:17 +0600