ACHA Peace Bulletin11.07.01– Page #
ACHA PEACE BULLETIN http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACHAPeaceBulletin
A publication of Association for Communal Harmony in Asia (ACHA) http://www.asiapeace.org
Editors: Pritam K. Rohila & Azam Saeed
Guest Editor for this issue: Shantu Shah
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ACHA PEACE BULLETIN
(Volume III, No. 11, November 7, 2001 (Next issue, December 15,2001)
CONTENTS
Editorial
United we Stand, Educated we Excel, By Guest Editor, Rotarian Shantu Shah
Peace & Harmony News
Peace & Harmony Organizations
South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy & International South Asia Forum
Pakistan Peace Coalition (PPC)
Alliance for Peace and Justice
PakistanCitizen's Peace Committee Rawalpindi/Islamabad
Coalition for Peace and Democracy, Delhi, India
Sachetan Nagorik Samaj, Bangladesh
Inter-Community Peace Initiative
Rashtriya Secular Manch
Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy
Humanist International
Karnataka Citizens' Initiative Against War, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Opinions
Violence defined, Arun Gandhi
Afghan Crisis: Some Questions, M. Sadiq Swati
Greetings from Pakistan, Zubaida Hussain & Khalid Hussain
Choice for India and Pakistan, Omar Ali
Books & Journals
Asian Perspective
Policy Brief: Kashmir and the War on Terrorism, By Cynthia Mahmood
Voices Of Sanity. Reaching Out For Peace, (Eds) Kamla Bhasin, S. Kothari & B. Thapar
India's NUCLEAR Security, Edited by Raju G C Thomas and Amit Gupta
Identity MANIA: Fundamentalism and the Politicization of Cultural Differences, By T. Meyer
Changing The STREAM: a Backgrounder on the Women's Movement in India, by S. Chacko
Done Deals, By Udayan Gupta
The Bhagvad Gita: A Walk through for Westerners, Jack Hawley
Children
Conferences
December 27-29, 200, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India: Culture Of Peace
Environment
Events
Since October 17, New Delhi, India: Living Religious & Cultural Traditions Of Bhutan
Till December 14, Toronto, Canada: Samina Mansuri Works On Paper
Till January 19, 2002, New York, NY: From Goddess To Pinup: Icons Of Femininity In Indian Calendar Art
November 3-26, India & Pakistan: Noam Chomsky Lectures
Kashmir
Photographs of some architectural gems by Fozia S. Qazi
Season of weddings for Kashmiris
Poverty
Women
Co-Existence Courses, Conferences, Jobs, & Practical Resources
(For a copy send a blank email to pritamr@open.org with its subject as the word CO-EXISTENCE in the article title. Please limit your request to 3 articles)
REPORTS & ANALYSES
(For a copy send a blank email to pritamr@open.org with its subject as the UPPERCASE word in the article title. Please limit your request to 3 articles)
Bangladesh
The protection of MINORITIES, By A.H. Monjurul Kabir, 23 Oct 2001
India
Terrorism in PUNJAB: Understanding Grassroots Reality, by Harish K Puri, Paramjit Singh Judge, & Jagrup Singh Sekhon
Islam
On Developing Theology Of Peace In ISLAM, By Asghar Ali Engineer
Taliban's Split Could DITCH Pakistan, By Batuk Vora
A Pakistani's APOLOGY (to Afghans), By Daanish Mustafa
Jihad
The MUJAHID and His Driver, By Isa Daudpota, October 9, 2001
The TENETS of terror: A special report on the ideology of jihad and the rise of Islamic
militancy, By Robert Marquand , The Christian Science Monitor, October 18, 2001
RESPONSE for the call of Jihad, By S. Abdullah Tariq, October, 2001
JIHAD: 'The ultimate thermonuclear bomb, By Pepe Escobar October 10, 2001
Kashmir, India-Pak Relations
Hashim Qureshi's INTERVIEW, 29 July 2001
Mirroring NEIGHBOURS, By Naeem
Nuclearization
Walk Softly in NUCLEAR South Asia, By Zia Mian, October 17, 2001
Pakistan
Pakistanis' self-ASSESSMENT, By M B Naqvi
Musharraf On The BRINK, By Cedric Muhammad, October 9, 2001
Joining the international MAINSTREAM, by Ayaz Amir O5 October 2001
The TRIBAL way of life, by Yasmin Mustafa, O7 October 2001
Can Pakistan’ LEADER Hold On? By Mushahid Hussain, Oct 11, 2001
Afghan crisis: some QUESTIONS, M. Sadiq Swati, November 3, 2001
Secularism, Inter-faith relations
Mingling Of The Two OCEANS- Hinduism And Islam, By Asghar Ali Engineer
September 11 attacks in USA
COLLATERAL Damage: The forgotten Muslim victims of 11 September 2001
Attack On World Trade Centre And Its Implications, By Asghar Ali Engineer
Those DESI New York Blues, S. Shankar
Taliban & Afganistan
TALIBAN's Chance to Speak, By Sayyid Rahmatullah Hashemi
The BIRDS Have Stopped Singing In Afghanistan, By Feryal Ali-Gauhar
Terrorism, & US War Against Terrorism
Fighting the FORCES of Invisibility, By Salman Rushdie, October 2, 2001
The ALGEBRA of infinite justice, By Arundhati Roy, September 29, 2001
REPEAL evil with good By Mushirul Hasan, October 3, 2001
The United States, The West And The REST Of The World, By J. Galtung Sep 24, 2001
A Thousand "Glowing Deserts" To BLOOM? By I. K. Shukla
SAUDI Royals and Reality, By Thomas L. Friedman, October 16, 2001
The Battlefield In The American MIND, By Mark Danner, October 16, 2001
CLASH of Terrors? By Asghar Ali Engineer, October – 16-31, 2001
The New WAR Against Terror, By Noam Chomsky, October 24, 2001
The real VICTIMS of terrorism, By Dr Manzur Ejaz, November 11, 2001
Women
RAWA (Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan) on CNN, October 1, 01
The WOMEN's war , RAWA, October 4, 2001
Transnational FEMINIST Practices Against War, October 2001
Changing The STREAM: a Backgrounder on the Women's Movement in India, by S. Chacko
Transnational FEMINIST Practices Against War, October 2001
________________________________________________________________________
EDITORIAL
*United we Stand, Educated we Excel, By Guest Editor, Rotarian Shantu Shah, PE.
World has been entirely changed since the tragic events in New York, and Washington D. C. All of us have been flooded with email consisting of poems and philosophies: “Why Did we get to this?” as well as “What’s the Solution?” These are complementary questions.
“Nonviolence and Terrorism” are the words echoing all over. We have come to know the culprits and heroes. Among the disbeliefs, we see the signs of hope, like a silver line around the dark cloud. India, Pakistan, and thirty-eight other nations are united with the USA like “One World”, to root out the Terrorism. The goal is same, but ideologies differ to achieve the objectives.
America is at the crossroads of different cultures called a melting pot. All of us came here from somewhere in Asia, Africa, or Europe with different language skills, cultures, and faiths. We are first Americans since we became citizens, and second Asian, African, or European. Here we have a freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and also freedom to buy guns most of us do not like to own.
Many of us are horrified with the recent events. Many of were depressed following the attack on the World Trade center. Media repeated the horrific images several times throughout the week following the collapse of the World Trade Center.
Media has labeled it as the America’s New War, a war between the ideologies. It’s not just the America’s War, it’s a World War III. The ugly war not between the nations, but the war between the evil and the good.
President of Pakistan next day after the allied attack on Afghanistan, compared the terrorism with the roots of a tree. He said, if we eradicate the terrorists like plucking bad leaves from the tree, new terrorist leaves will grow. If we kill the terrorist organization, like cutting the branch of a tree, another terrorist branch will grow. However, if we treat the roots of the terrorism tree, we get rid of the terrorism. Understanding the root cause of terrorism is one way to make this world a more peaceful. Religions are being hijacked for achieving personal goals of very few individuals. This requires us that we unite, though we are diversified due to our different cultures, language, and national origin.
The other day I read an inspirational message on Terrorism and Nonviolence by Arun Gandhi, Grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and the founder of Mahatma Gandhi Peace Institute in Memphis Tennessee, in the Rotary Club. At the end of the meeting someone came to me and told me that my speech was political and not an invocation, I was supposed to give. Many think we are politicians, when we differ from their ideology.
Gandhi said, even if you are one in a minority opinion, it is important you express your opinion in a most simple manner. Time will come when others will understand your view point.
Those who think deeply for the answers to terrorism will certainly have a positive answer that education to our children is the way we get to the bottom of the roots of a tree that will bare sweet fruits.
Following the first Sunday of October 2001, USA has dropped more than 100,000 packages bearing the US Flag over Afghanistan, for the starving and sick men., women, and children It was a humanitarian mission. How long these 100,000 meals will last among several million starving people? Arun Gandhi said, “do not throw some crumbs to the hungry”. India has received approval from Pakistan to transport food aid for the Afghans over the land route. Proverb is: do not give a fish to a hungry man, but teach him how to fish. Like the President of Pakistan said, let us bring modern farming and irrigation to Afghanistan, to stabilize the nation that is going thru famine and crop failures for over three years and let us teach to the students in Madresas, science, geography, and math, rather than just the religion. Role of Muslim leaders should be to teach to the children of Madresas the true meaning of Islam, not the vengeance.
Let us all get united to educate the next generation among the third world diversified countries to make them excel. Since we are using international resources to make the Western World profitable and prosperous, it is our humble duty to bring the social equity among the haves and have-nots populations by the way of education to the children of the world.
Should we not attempt to bring the social equity among the third world countries whose resources we utilize to make us prosperous?
Should it not be our ultimate ideal goal for One United World and peace on the earth?
Are we polluting the environment of South Asia by our Bombs in Afghanistan?
I do not have the answers to the above questions. Let us work together to find them.
PEACE & HARMONY NEWS
*"War, whether it is waged with kamikaze planes, fleets of missiles and bombers, or starvation food policies, is a horrendous crime against humanity. It benefits no one other than the Masters of War. War in all its forms is an orchestrated atrocity that mandates our militant, unswerving opposition. But we should also remember that the day-to day grievances and injustices of our world will still need attention. Ultimately, our opposition must transcend current events. Alienation, poverty, disease, starvation, death squads, and terror-these and other atrocities stem from basic war mongering institutions. The institutions must become our lasting target," read a resolution was passed at anti-war rally in Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India. (From War & Peace, a report by Batuk Vora. Via Kanak Ravel krravel@home.com)
*South Asians groups and companies came together for Ahimsa Music Tour, at Cloud 9 Motel in San Francisco, to raise awareness and funds for victims of hate-crimes. "Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Jains all have something in common," noted UrbanGroove Co-CEO and Ahimsa organizer, Nihal Mehta. "Each of our people have been victims of violence for no reason. When one of us is attacked, we're all attacked. For each of us to feel comfortable in the United States, we must come together." The relief effort featured a mix of music artists ranging from the ages of 22-62 years in age and from the East and West Coast blending House, Techno, Hip-Hop, and traditional Dhol drumming. (via Dharmendra Vahlia DVahalia@sola.com)
*Battling hate crimes is priority for Bhishma K. Agnihotri, the first Indian ambassador-at-large in the U.S., according to an Oct 2 Indo-Asian News Service report from Washington, D.C. "Now is the time to get our act together, both to help those affected by the tragedy and to prevent NRIs from being targeted for retaliation," said Agnihotri, former chancellor of the Southern University Law Centre in Baton Rouge,Louisiana.
*To commemorate Gandhi Jayanthi, the South Asian Community Center for Education, Research and Action (www.saccer.org), in association with the Tamil Nadu Foundation offered a free seminar on Nonviolence on October 6, at the Tamil Nadu Foundation Hall in Chennai, India, according to an announcement received from Dr. S. P. Udayakumar spuk@vsnl.net, Executive Director of SACCER Action.
*Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Pakistani President Perzez Musharraf pledged October 8 to avoid escalating tensions between the rival countries in the wake of the US-led attacks on Afghanistan, during a 15-minute telephone conversation which centred on increasing cooperation in combating terrorism.
*India’s offer to aid Afghan refugees, accepted by Pakistan (Reuter)
India said Pakistan had accepted its offer of tents and blankets, and one million tons of wheat as humanitarian assistance for Afghan refugees and the two sides were working out the logistics. Pakistan already has some two million Afghan refugees, victims of famines and two decades of civil war in their country. Some 7.5 million Afghans are likely to need assistance in the fast-approaching winter, according to UN estimates. India’s offer was made in the recent but rare telephone conversation between prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and President Pervez Musharraf (India West October 19, 2001).
*The Left parties called upon all their units to mobilize people to hold protest demonstrations and meetings on October 12 all over India to demand a halt to the US attack on Afghanistan and to wage the struggle against terrorism in accordance with international laws, according to a report received via Sukla Sen.
*UN, Annan jointly bag Nobel Peace Prize
The Norwegian Nobel Committee decided to award the prize, in two equal portions, for the efforts of both to ensure an 'organised and more peaceful world'.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/oct/12nobel.htm
*A meeting was held on October 13 at Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, to develop plans for a human chain on October 19, near India Gate or Rajghat area “to express our solidarity with the victims (of September terrorist attacks in USA) and to demonstrate our protest against any form of war and counter attack,” according to the Institute’s Executive Director Prakash Louis,
Prakashlouis@hotmail.com
*Several women’s organization in India (Akhil Bharatiya Janwadi Mahila Sanghatana, Bharatiya Mahila Federation, Forum Against Oppression of Women, Women's Centre, Young Women's Christian Association, Stree Mukti Sanghatana, Awaaz-e-Niswaan, Forum for Women's Health, Vacha, and IWID condemned the terrorist attacks against ordinary people in the U.S. as well as “the unilateral wielding of arms in the name of alleged justice by the coalition of Western nations, recklessly bringing the world to the brink of a major war. “ They demanded an immediate stop to
the bombardment in Afghanistan and called for a UN-led initiative against terrorism. (Via Ammu Abraham, Women's Centre, Bombay.)
*Khaleda promises to protect Durga Puja festivities
The Bangladesh prime minister said troops would be deployed if necessary to ensure that the festival passes of peacefully. http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/oct/17bang.htm
*India to gift $1 million worth of anthrax antidotes to US
External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh said the India will also gift Rs 50 million worth of wheat to Afghanistan to be used for feeding the refugees. http://www.rediff.com/us/2001/oct/19ny13.htm
*US aid won't be used against India: Pakistan
Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar said in an interview: 'The weapons used by militants in Kashmir are all small calibre and not purchased from the United States.'
http://www.rediff.com/us/2001/oct/19ny19.htm
*Pakistan to allow in 10,000 ailing Afghan refugees
"We have been allowing entry of such people on humanitarian grounds and will continue the goodwill gesture. Within the next 24 hours we will receive some 10,000 Afghans for medical care," a top government official said on Thursday. http://www.rediff.com/us/2001/oct/19ny.htm
*Pak seeks Musharraf-Vajpayee meeting in NY
Asked if Pakistan has approached India for a Musharraf-Vajpayee meeting, a Pakistan official said it was Pakistan's proposal and it would soon be shared with the Indian authorities.
http://www.rediff.com/us/2001/oct/19ny5.htm
*Bangladesh assures India to protect Hindus
Bangladesh Minister of State for Religious Affairs Musharraf Hussain Shahjahan made the assurance when he met the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Mani Lal Tripathi.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/oct/22tara.htm
*Hurriyat awaits fresh proposal for talks
But, former Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said, the government this time must exhibit a deeper sense for resolving the dispute. http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/oct/23jk3.htm
*Brajesh Mishra to visit Dhaka
As the prime minister's emissary, Mishra's visit will be the first high-level contact with Bangladesh following the change of guard in early October. http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/oct/24bang.htm
*India, Pakistan rock bands perform together for the packed hall on October 24 at UN concert for world peace. Euphoria from India and Junoon from Pakistan were featured at the finale of the three-hour concert held in the UN General Assembly to mark United Nations D`ay. Their renditions included Vande Matram, Hum, Sha Na Na, Dhoom Pichck, Mantra, Satyameva Jayate, Dosti, Khudi, and Zamaney Key Andaaz.
*Hindus will be protected: Bangladesh
The assurance was given by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to Brajesh Mishra during a 45-minute meeting at her residence in Dhaka cantonment. http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/oct/27bang.htm
*Pakistan extends invitation to Vajpayee
http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/oct/30inpak.htm
*Pakistan releases 196 Indian fishermen
Pakistani officials expect India to release 292 Pakistani fishermen caught by Indian Coast Guard officials for a similar offence. http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/oct/30pak.htm
*Terrorism greatest human rights violation: Experts
Speaking at a seminar organised by the Institute of Conflict Management well known jurist Dr L M Singhvi said many supported terrorism in the past thinking it arose from human rights violations.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/oct/30ter.htm
PEACE Y HARMONY ORGANIZATIONS
*South Asian Network for Secularism and Democracy (SANSAD) and International South Asia Forum (INSAF), Dr. Hari Sharma, (604) 420-2972; sansad@sfu.ca
SANSAD & INSAF issued a public statement at a large public rally held on October 9 in downtown Vancouver, B.C., Canada. “There can be no end to ‘terrorism’ unless we accept the inseparable relationship between the violence produced and sustained by the policies of the United States (and its allies or puppets) and the violence of the ‘terrorists,’" The statement read.
*Pakistan Peace Coalition (PPC)
With the participation of the Coalition's member organizations consisting of democratic political parties, civil society groups, professional bodies and trade unions, organized a seminar on: "The Possible Socio-Economic Impact of Afghanistan War on Pakistani Society", in Karachi, on October 27, according to a report by B.M.Kutty. After the conclusion of the Seminar, the participants holding white flags, banners and placards with slogans against terrorism and war and in favor of peace, tolerance, held a silent, peaceful rally in front of the Karachi Press Club.
*Alliance for Peace and Justice, Pakistan
APJ planned to hold a National Peace Rally with the theme “No to War, No to Extremist violence, Demand for restoration and protection of civil and political rights” on November 6 at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi, according to a report by Aasim Sajjad Akhtar.
*Citizen's Peace Committee Rawalpindi/Islamabad
CPC held a seminar with representatives of PPP, PML, and Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party. Following the seminar, 80 or so people held a peace demo outside the Holiday Inn Hotel (Melody Market).
*Coalition for Peace and Democracy, Delhi, India
Coalition for Peace and Democracy consisting of women's organizations, students and teachers organizations, trade unions, peace groups, and people's organizations decided to organize a Peace March at 11:00 a.m. on October 30, starting from behind the Red Fort on the Ring Road, according to a report from Kamla Bhasin, Juhi Jain, Nirmala Deshpande and Syeda Hameed. They will walk through Darya Ganj and go to Feroze Shah Kotla. Leaflets in Hindi and English will be distributed.
*Sachetan Nagorik Samaj, Bangladesh
After visiting the areas affected by violence against Hindus and other minorities, some leading citizens representing Sachetan Nagorik Samaj, a civil society body, at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club called upon the elected representatives and political forces to ensure that “the minority people do not feel insecure.” Prof. Anisuzzaman, Prof. Syed Anwar Hossain, Ajoy Roy, Khushi Kabir, economist Prof. Mosharraf Hossain, Pankaj Bhattacharya, Prof. Mesbah Kamal and freedom fighter Ziauddin Tarek Ali were present at the press conference to urge all conscientious citizens to raise their voice.
*Inter-Community Peace Initiative, 20 Jaswant Apartments, Okhala,New Delhi-110025. Tel:6332583, 6324452, E-Mail: iqbalansari2001@hotmail.com
The ICPI has been constituted to work simultaneously for reform of the institutions of rule of law and for prevention and resolution of intercommunity conflicts through dialogue and other
peaceful methods, according to an appeal by D. Pancholi and Prof. Iqbal Ansari. It called for a meeting of Delhi based voluntary organizations/groups working in the field on October 9, at Gandhi Peace Foundation to discuss ways and means of coordinating theirefforts directed towards these goals.
*Rashtriya Secular Manch
Rashtriya Secular Manch, In collaboration with COVA, organized two day South Zone Convention
on September 29 & 30 at Youth Hostel, Secunderabad, according to a report by Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer, L. S. Hardenia , and Dr.Mazher Hussain received via R.R.Punyani bmrrpia@cc.iitb.ernet.in
*Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy
Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy held a meeting on September 29 at New Delhi, to call for building further people to people friendly connections while denouncing terrorism as well as the war on the soil of South Asia, according to a report by Batuk Vora received via Kanak Ravel" <krravel@home.com
*Humanist International
Humanist International issued a statement September 29 calling for a world without wars and violence and to build a universal human nation, according to a report by Juha Uski juhauski@dlc.fi.
*Karnataka Citizens' Initiative Against War, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
More than 200 people including 36 citizen organisations, human rights groups and various individuals united September 29 under the banner of 'Karnataka Citizens' Initiative Against War' to protest and condemn the American call for war against Afghanistan, according to a report by Pravin Shivashankar s.pravin@angelfire.com. The protest rally started from Banappa Park, Hudson Circle at 3:30 p.m. and reached Town Hall via Mysore Bank Circle and K.R. Circle. The participants called upon “the people of South Asia particularly to rebuild those civilisational links that have nurtured us for centuries without building up walls of paranoia, intolerance and mistrust that fuels exploitative contemporary geopolitical interests and perpetuates the dominant militarized political culture.”
OPINIONS
*Violence defined, Arun Gandhi, Founder Director, M.K.Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, 650 East Parkway South, Memphis TN 38104, Tel:(901)452-2824; FAX: (901)452-2775, email: andhi@cbu.edu, web: www.gandhiinstitute.org
Many years ago someone asked Mohandas K. Gandhi, to define violence in human society. What is it, the person asked, that moves human beings to so much violence. Gandhi enumerated what came to be known as the "Seven Social Sins." They are:
Wealth without Work;
Pleasure without Conscience;
Knowledge without Character;
Commerce without Morality;
Science without Humanity;
Worship without Sacrifice; and
Politics without Principles.
Recently, I added the eighth one
Rights without Responsibilities.
This is an interesting concept and one that should lead each of us to a great deal of soul- searching. What did he mean by these concepts; how are we involved in any or all of these; and, most interesting, what would the world be like if we had "Wealth with Work" and so on. Gandhi said true peace will come to the world only when mankind is able to transform these negative concepts into positive realities. Can we work towards it?
*Greetings from Pakistan, Zubaida Hussain & Khalid Hussain, Development VISIONS 48-A, Shalimar Colony, Bosan Road, Multan-Pakistan. Phone: 92-61-222609
These are sad days. Technology dictates that we all now live post September.
We empathize with those who lost dear ones. We are losing ours. For the Taliban are from amongst us. The political boundaries between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained porous through the ages. The bond of Islam is real. Cultural affinities are obvious despite distinct identities over the millennia.
Global media report Pakistan in danger of regressing to Afghanistan like anarchy. Our Generals and those outside Pakistan "waging peace" certainly believe so. The Army here has just gone through a public laundry wash for a bright liberal image.
However, people around here go about their life without feeling much amiss. It may be a new war for the rest of the world but for us Pakistanis it has been in the neighborhood for the last 22 years!
Still in the streets you hear reminders that Pakistanis are also now living post September. "Christendom is fighting the last crusade to finally subdue the Muslimdom to realize the Kingdom." "The clash of civilizations has begun".
It is indeed sad. It seems that those who have been controlling construction of realities continue to do so. These realities are constructed for us to subscribe. And live. Irrespective of the consequences in fear of those supplied to color these constructed realities.
Civilizations do not clash. They live together. When they do come into conflict they only interact to iron out differences for smoother living overtime. They never die. Do not, cannot annihilate each other in a violent clash. This is a lesson that all can relearn or refuse at their own peril. Civilizations will continue in their respective journeys leading hopefully to a common destination. Only time will tell which way of living may continue after how much adoption.
It is not Islam that is under attack. These are not Christians attacking Muslims. These are agents, midgets, mindless politicians, faceless bankers and shameless charlatans working in the service of a system to which all of them are slaves. This is the global political system working through the global economic and financial systems served by the most terrorizing armed forces in the world today.
Let's all fight terrorism. Let's challenge the established systems. Let's refuse subscription to constructed realities that only ensure continuation of exploitation, oppression and its intensification. Let's work to make the process of globalisation a dialogue between cultures, between civilizations. Let's work for fair trade, just law and ecological economics. Let's do it together. Simultaneously.
Globalization can also realize a new future, full of hope, for all of us.
*Choice for India and Pakistan, Omar Ali omarali50@hotmail.com
This crisis provides the people of the Indian subcontinent with the choice of continuing the slide towards nuclear annihilation or finally turning towards peace and reconciliation. If we are to continue some kind of "thousand year war" between India and Pakistan, then neither Hindus nor
Muslims will have a future. Instead of taking every event as an India-Pakistan fight to the death, we should try and figure out how to live in peace for a change. This peace is obstructed not only by extremist Hindu nationalists (whose hatred for co-existence is well known) but also by significant elements of the Pakistan army and "permanent ruling establishment". This seriously misguided bunch of "great strategists" first supported the Taliban to give us "strategic depth"
against India. And now that carefully nurtured group of fanatics has been stabbed in the back so that "India doesn’t take advantage". Everything we do seems to be seen through the lens of conflict with India. With an army govt. in power and all sorts of goodies flowing in from uncle am, this policy may be hard to change, but if we raise our voices, the hope for peace still exists.
BOOKS & JOURNALS
*Asian Perspective, a quarterly international journal, invites the submission of scholarly articles on all subjects of current interest concerning Asia -- including politics, economics, society, the environment, peace movements, and business -- for publication. The journal, now in its 25th year, is published jointly by the Institute of Far Eastern Studies, Seoul, and Portland State University's Hatfield School of Government. For further information, contact Prof. Mel Gurtov, Editor-in-Chief, at PSU (tel. 503-725-5974; e-mail mgurtov@AOL.com).," I include all countries and regions from the Russian Far East and Japan in the northeast to South Asia and Central Asia (Kazakstan, etc.) in the west. Though that is somewhat arbitrary, we have to stop somewhere.
Thanks for including my item on Asian Perspective.
*Policy Brief: Kashmir and the War on Terrorism, By Cynthia Mahmood, The Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame, PO Box 639, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA. T: 1-219-631 8832, F: 1-219-631 6973 Email: Culbertson.1@nd.edu, Website: www.nd.edu/~krocinst Available online and in print.
This policy brief focuses on finding a long-term solution to the conflict in Kashmir. The author, Cynthia Mahmood, is a member of the Core Faculty at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame. She is a specialist in the ethnographic study of violence, and conducted first-hand research in both Pakistani and Indian Kashmir, traveling along a substantial segment of the Kashmiri Line of Control interviewing militants, soldiers, survivors, and bystanders.
*Voices Of Sanity. Reaching Out For Peace, Edited by Kamla Bhasin, Smitu Kothari and Bindia Thapar (Smitu Kothari smitu@Princeton.EDU, C/o Eqbal Ahmad Foundation, P. O. Box no. 222, Princeton, NJ 08544 - 0222
Voices of Sanity presents a diversity of voices encompassing a myriad of written expression - analysis, emotion, anger, revulsion, hope. These voices range from Eduardo Galeano and Susan Sontag, two of the world's most politically committed writers to the reflections of Edward Said and Suheir Hammad; from the statements of activists who have been at the forefront of the struggles against developmental destruction to those who have experienced life in the trenches of conflict; from celebrated journalists like John Pilger and Praful Bidwai to Robert Fisk and Tariq Ali; from Fidel Castro to Jose Ramos-Horta; and, from so many friends all over the world grappling to come to terms with the violence of September 11 and its aftermath.
*India's NUCLEAR Security, Edited by Raju G C Thomas and Amit Gupta, Vistaar Publications, New Delhi, 2000; pp 323, Rs 595 (hardbound). Review Critical Options By Anirudh Deshpande, Economic and Political Weekly, October 6, 2001, Received via South Asians Against Nukes Digest. For a copy of the full text of the review send a blank email to pritamr@open.org with NUCLEAR as its subject.
*Identity MANIA: Fundamentalism and the Politicization of Cultural Differences, By Thomas Meyer, Mosaic Books, New Delhi, 200, 128 Pages, Rs. 250. Review via South Asia Citizens Wire http://www.mnet.fr/aiindex. For a copy of the full text of the review send a blank email to pritamr@open.org with MANIA as its subject.
*Changing The STREAM: a Backgrounder on the Women's Movement in India, by Shubha Chacko, Centre for Education and Documentation (cedbom@doccentre.org Tel: Bombay 2020019, cedban@doccentre.org Tel: Bangalore 5353397) 2001, Pages 164, Rs.190.
The book presents a bird's eye view of the various themes, campaigns, issues and struggles that have shaped the Movement and points you to further reading for a more exhaustive understanding. For a copy of the full text of the publisher’s note send a blank email to pritamr@open.org with STREAM as its subject.
*Done Deals, By Udayan Gupta, Harvard Busines School Press, Boston, MA, 2000, $29.95 Hardcover
Gupta, the former writer for the Wall Street Journal, conducted interviews with 35 major figures to provide inside scoop behind the venture capital industry, including evaluation of business proposals, partnerships and top management teams.
*The Bhagvad Gita: A Walk through for Westerners, Jack Hawley, New world Library, Novato, CA, 2001, $16.95 Hardcover. English translation written in simple and easy to understand language.
CHILDREN
*Children’s FILM-FEST will start in Hyderabad, India on November 14. A total of 162 children films will be shown to the audience including 100 children from the overseas at the week-long festival.
*CHILD TRAFFICKING, Independent (Bangladesh) www.independent-bangladesh.com, October 12 2001
If there is anything more reprehensible than women trafficking, it is trafficking that involves children. Fortunately, it appears that though the menace of child trafficking will persist for quite some time, now nations are more aware of this heart-rending evil and, what is truly welcome, more determined to do everything to end this unqualified violation of child rights.
CONFERENCES
*December 27-29, 200, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India: CULTURE OF PEACE, a special international
conference on the United Nations Culture of Peace and Nonviolence 2000-2010, is being organized by Jaipur Peace Foundation. Sub themes include various aspects of "Culture" and "Peace" informed bypeace education, traditions of nonviolence, inte-rreligious dialogue, and
conflict resolution. More info from NDADHICH@sancharnet.in
ENVIRONMENT
*Deadly war dust and environment (Afghanistan), by M. Rajivlochan, The Tribune, India, October 12, 2001
Consider the effect of America’s unrelenting bombing on the environment of Afghanistan. Over 50 missiles and many hundred bombs are being showered on that country each day. Quite apart from the heat and dust raised as also the direct killing of all life form, which comes in the way of the projectile and its sharpnel, these bombs will cause very long term harm as well.
The missile war-heads routinely contain depleted uranium, U-238, which is actually a radioactive substance with a half life of 4.5 billion years. That is, it will take this many years for it to lose half of its radioactive power. This is a copious byproduct of the manufacture of the far deadlier and radioactive Uranium-235 that is used in atom bombs and nuclear power plants.
*Detoxify the Corridor (chemical pollution in Gujarat, India), By Michael Mazgaonkar, www.indiatogether.org/petitions/hchem.htm
In the Golden Corridor of Gujarat, some rivers are becoming industrial sewers and workers are being put to indiscriminate health risks due to reckless waste management policies of companies like Hema Chemicals.
*Environmental Problems in Khulna City, Bangladesh, A Spatio-Household Level Study by
Ghulam Murtaza, Global Built Environment Review, Volume 1 Issue 2 August 2001, http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/acadepts/sporsci/icdes/gber/pdf/murtaza.pdf
*The Changing Nature of the Informal Sector in Karachi due to Global Restructuring and Liberalisation, By Arif Hasan, Global Built Environment Review, Volume 1 Issue 2 August 2001
http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/acadepts/sporsci/icdes/gber/pdf/hasan.pdf
*Pushing for diesel (India). But very soon it became clear that all the interested parties had only one thing to say: accept 500 ppm sulphur diesel as a clean fuel. Even public proponents of ultra low sulphur diesel like TERI recommended in its written presentation to the authority that EPCA should accept 500 ppm sulphur diesel - existing diesel in Delhi - as clean fuel. No other alternative was even proposed (see table: Who wants what?).
http://www.cseindia.org/html/cmp/air/cng/cng_ZeroIntellectuals.htm
CNG deadline extended till Jan 31: PTI
A three-member bench, comprising Chief Justice A S Anand, Justice B N Kirpal and Justice V N Khare, also ordered the government to start phasing out all diesel-run buses immediately.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/oct/18cng.htm
EVENTS
*Since October 17, New Delhi, India: LIVING RELIGIOUS & CULTURAL TRADITIONS OF BHUTAN, a joint presentation of Indian Ministry of Culture and the Royal Commission of Cultural affairs of Bhutan, features 183 rare pieces of arts and samples of culture , ancient images, models of modern textiles and handicrafts of Bhutan, covering the 9th though 20th centuries, at the national Museum.
*Till December 14, Toronto, Canada: SAMINA MANSURI WORKS ON PAPER, the first Canadian exhibition for a Pakistani artist, organized by South Asian Visual Arts Collective and the Institute for Women's Studies and Gender Studies, UT at 20 Willcocks Avenue, New College. More info from Rachel Kalpana James, Executive Director SAVAC: 416-542-1661or savac@lefca.com
*Till January 19, 2002, New York, NY: FROM GODDESS TO PINUP: ICONS OF FEMININITY IN INDIAN CALENDAR ART, an exhibit, curated by the collector and sociologist, Dr. Patricia Uberoi and the New Delhi based Pooja Sood, at IndoCenter of Art & Popular Culture. The show, featuring 90 calendar images from India from 1960’s & onwards, explores the multiple forms and functions of feminine imagery and the interplay of various symbolic meanings. More info from www.indocenter.org
*November, India & Pakistan: NOAM CHOMSKY LECTURES. Chomsky, a professor of linguistics at the Massachussetts Institute of Technology, and an activist who is looked up to as one of the truly inspirational figures of this century, will be for future generations what Ibn Rushd, Galileo, Descartes, Newton, and Russell were for earlier ones, will deliver lectures in India and Pakistan, Chomsky. His restless intellect has led him to embrace many fields including
linguistics, cognitive sciences, philosophy, psychology, social activism and politics, history and the history of ideas. Chomsky has maintained a radical stance that for more than fifty years has embroiled him in controversy. He first came to prominence in the political realm for opposing the
U.S. invasion of South Vietnam. In recognition of having given birth to the "Chomskyian Revolution" in mathematical linguistics, Chomsky was awarded the 1988 Kyoto Prize, described as the Japanese equivalent of the Nobel Prize. He is the author of over seventy books and over a thousand articles. Several books have been written about him.
INDIA
Nov 3, New Delhi. Peering into the Abyss of the Future, D.T. Lakdawala Memorial Lecture, organized by the Institute of Social Sciences, at FICCI auditorium.
Nov 4, Delhi. Language and the Rest of the World, S.K. Bose Memorial Lecture in Philosophy at St Stephens College.
Nov 5, Delhi, Militarism, Democracy and People's Right to Information,' organised by the National Campaign for the Peoples' Right to Information, at Delhi School of Economics.
Nov 10, Chennai. September 11 and its Aftermath: Where is the World Heading?' sponsored by Frontline and Media Development Foundation (MDF) and supported by 22 representative organizations, at Venue: Music Academy auditorium.
Nov 11, Thiruvanthapuram. Globalisation and Human Survival: The Challenges After the 11th of September,' organised by E.M.S. Academy Trust at EMS Academy.
Nov 20, Kolkata. September 11 and Its Aftermath: Where is the World Heading?' at Science City Auditorium.
Nov 22, Kolkata. Special Convocation at University of Calcutta for the award of Degree of Doctor of Literature (Honoris Causa) to Noam Chomsky, at Centenary Hall, University of Calcutta
PAKISTAN
Nov 24, Lahore. Searching for Universal Human Values: Prospects, Limits, Barriers, 3rd Eqbal Ahmad Distinguished Lecture, sponsored by The Friday Times at Khorshed Mahal, Avari Hotel.
Nov 26, Islamabad. Our Endangered Species, 4th Eqbal Ahmad Distinguished Lecture, sponsored by Dawn, at the National Library.
(For security reasons, it will not be possible to admit anyone without an invitation. Invitations are not transferable and identification may be required. To receive an invitation complete the form below and Mail it to chomskyvisit@yahoo.com
YOUR FULL NAME:
PROFESSION:
MAILING ADDRESS:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
SPECIFY ONE: LAHORE or ISLAMABAD
KASHMIR
Some recent photographs of some of the greatest architectural gems of Kashmir by Fozia S. Qazi fsqazi@smcm.edu can be viewed at her website www.smcm.edu/users/fsqazi (Via kashmir-global-network@yahoogroups.com)
*Season of weddings for Kashmiris
For over a decade now, terrorism has ravaged normal life in J&K. But come autumn, people try and forget the guns and bombs to stage weddings and celebrate with great pomp and revelry.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/oct/10jk.htm
WOMEN
*Indian Divorce Act (Amendment)
The Government today notified the Indian Divorce (Amendment) Act, 2001, which removes gender inequality among Christian women inherent in the British statutes. The Act amending the Indian Divorce Act, 1869, would be enforced with effect from October 3, 2001, an official release said. The Act has removed hardships to Christian women on account of gender inequality and
to estranged spouses on account of the need to obtain confirmation of the concerned High Court for giving effect to divorce decree or a decree annulling a marriage.(The Hindu, Oct.6)
*Widows versus tradition
When I was going to tie the knot with other man after the death of my first husband, I couldn't think whether I could share my kisses and hugs with my two little daughters or not, as I was going to a new destination which was unfamiliar for the innocent girls as well as myself. However, I had to decide sooner or later for my own interest as I was observing that my parents were under the pressure of the society and its tradition after the death of my husband. The feudal society, at which place I was brought up, a bloodthirsty and entirely inhumane, where landlords rule over their law-abiding subjects with a system designed to serve the former's interest. Specially, women cannot think with a free mind about their fate in this brutally-knitted stanglehold. (From an article by Shahzadi The Magazine http:/Dawn.com, 07 October, 2001)
*Training Camp of Another Kind
In Pakistan, defiant young Afghan women bent on reversing years of brutal oppression study and plan. To them, the conflict has no good guys. (Story by Rone Tempest, Los Angels Times, October 15 2001, http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-000082273oct15.story, received via rawa2@rawa.org)
*Adultery laws haunt Pakistani women
Many women in Pakistan have been falsely charged under Zina, or adultery laws.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/oct/23pak.htm
*Born to die
According to the latest census figures, female infanticide, foeticide and every other form of female infant genocide seems to be alive and kicking. Gita Aravamudan reports.
http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/oct/24spec.htm