The Pakistani Spectator

Would you please tell us something about you and your site?

My name is Arzoo Zaheer. I am originally from Pakistan and have been living in Canada for around 13 years. I don’t care much about nationalism and geographical boundaries since I see Islam as my real identity. I love to enjoy different cultures and like making lots of friends, Alhamdulillah. I love reading religious texts, literature (non-fiction and fiction as long as it’s a mystery novel) and poetry.

I created my first blog, Cercatore’s Congeries (www.orion2007.wordpress.com) so I may discuss issues which spark my interest. This blog was created in the wake of 9/11 in an attempt to overcome bias that was perpetrated against Muslims. The mainstream media was constantly promoting negative stereotypes and thus encouraging racial profiling.

After doing some religious readings and examining the world nowadays, I realized that education, not military aggression is the key to change. I personally believe it is very possible to have peace in this world as long as both sides respect each other’s rights and beliefs.  “Live and Let Live” is my personal philosophy.

If you have time, do read my first blog post, “Why do the East and West Fight?”

http://orion2007.wordpress.com/2007/10/

I am a very serious minded professional. As a Muslim woman, I realize that being independent is extremely

important for me and my family.  So, to complement my career, I also blog

professionally:  www.pharmaclips.wordpress.com

As a Muslim woman, I am very serious about learning self defense. I have briefly studied martial arts (Karate and Taekwando) in a professional dojo. Due to the lack of funding, I was unable to continue learning in an actual dojo. However, I continue to learn at home.  I have a small gym in my own room. I review the lessons I learned from professional teachers and continuously try to increase my athletic abilities. I like creating my own Katas/Patterns and love studying the martial arts pressure points. I am currently reading the book “Dim Mak; Death-Point Striking” by Erle Montaigue.

I also write poetry and perform it on stage whenever I get an opportunity and time. I have always been a science person so I never paid much attention to this beautiful art of poetry until around 3 years ago.  At that time, I was going through exceptionally hard time due to certain racist incidents that I faced.  So, in anger I wrote my first poem “Knock Knock” in defense of my headscarf (hijab).

http://serenepoetry.wordpress.com/2008/12/20/knock-knock/

9/11 had a tremendous impact on me and the people around me.  As an aftermath of 9/11, Muslims were stereotyped and profiled in Canada. You must have heard about the Toronto 18 case where 18 Muslim men were just picked up from their homes on false charges of terrorism. 8 have been released now and only 10 are left. I am hoping they will be freed soon inshaAllah. A lot of bad stuff is actually happening in Pakistan now which totally saddens me. Due to the psychological impact of these events, I started using poetry as a means to heal my pain and that of others. Poetry was actually one of my worst subjects in high school. Even though I knew about poetry techniques and was capable of interpreting very tough poems, I would still not be able to write one good piece.  After 9/11 Allah (God) blessed me so that somehow, poems started flowing out of me and that’s it.  Whenever, I get a chance to perform on stage, I go there with the intention of making a positive change in people hearts and minds.

At the current moment, I am working on composing my first book of poems “Intertwined Raindrops”. Back in Pakistan, I remember reading this story about a raindrop that is afraid of falling from the sky. In fact, all the raindrops were afraid of falling from the sky. So, one raindrop actually decides to take the first leap and jumps. And the rest of the raindrops follow its lead. And thus it rains. I want it to rain for the weak; I want the weak and needy to be blessed.

You may view some of my poems on my blog: www.serenepoetry.wordpress.com

I love talking about politics but only from a humanitarian perspective. I try being vocal about political matters by communicating my thoughts to the Parliament and by signing petitions. See my blog: www.politicalchitchat.wordpress.com

I am thinking of opening my own small business, so I am basically doing research on it. This would be in addition to a full-time job, inshaAllah. www.accesscanadianworkforcenow.wordpress.com

For me, reaching the destination does not matter. However, embarking on a new journey does matter. And Allah knows well.

Do you feel that you continue to grow in your writing the longer you write? Why is that important to you?

Anybody who is interested in gaining and implementing knowledge must venture forward and write about what they have learned. Islam teaches us that writing is a very powerful tool and a weapon of defense. Strong writing is a very powerful way of influencing a person’s mind and thoughts.

I definitely feel that writing about certain subjects would one day cause me to take relevant action in the community. So, from heart to ink and paper to another heart and ink and paper and eventually, it will rain again, I think.

I’m wondering what some of your memorable experiences are with blogging?

Several actually:

1. The first time, my poetry was discovered by some editors of poetry journals/magazines.

2-An invitation I received from the creator of Biocrowd to become a member of their online community (http://www.biocrowd.com/)

3-Comments on the story about the stoning of Asho.

http://orion2007.wordpress.com/2009/01/02/does-islam-allow-raped-women-to-be-punished/#comments

4- People from around me, who had no idea of who I am started respected me after reading my blog.

5-I can say things on the blog that I wouldn’t say in real life.

6-I got to know several other bloggers who have a diverse set of experiences, the knowledge of which may prove beneficial to me since it would stimulate my grey cells.

What do you do in order to keep up your communication with other bloggers?

Rarely, I email my favorite bloggers. Most of the time, I write on their blog and make comments about their posts.

What do you think is the most exciting or most innovative use of technology in politics right now?

Blogging and Youtube. I have seen videos on Youtube that paint a realistic picture of politics, not the mainstream version of it, like we see on CNN and CBC. You should all subscribe to the Real News Network on Youtube. Once the information is on the web, there is no way stopping it from spreading. Also, blogging really opens one’s mind. A blogger who is talking about beneficial and fruitful information learns to respect her/himself in the long learn while developing and maturing as an individual.  And Allah knows well.

Do you think that these new technologies are effective in making people more responsive?

Well, in order for somebody to be appropriately responsive to a post, that person must have done his/her research about the subject. Internet technologies such as Youtube are not only beneficial but can also prove to be harmful. One really needs a good heart and mind, plus proper amount of education through books and schools before one decides on embarking on learning from Youtube or Blogging. So, yes these technologies are very effective in making people more responsive but at the same time, one needs proper schooling as well as a proper network of people, in order for one to implement what one has learned.

What do you think sets Your site apart from others?

Dunno! Me, I guess. J My site is unique b/c it demonstrates what goes inside my own brain, which is totally different than that of any single person on this earth.

If you could choose one characteristic you have that brought you success in life, what would it be?

Striving to become a good Muslim. Saying Alhamdulillah during hardships and good times. Staying patient and repenting about one’s sins. Acknowledging one’s weaknesses and struggling to correct them. These are the things that bring “real” success in this life and the hereafter b/c success of this life is only temporary but that of the hereafter is forever. So, I always try focusing on doing the right thing as best as I can, given the circumstances. I try. Nobody’s perfect. Even as I write this, I feel ashamed of my sins. So, I am hoping that nobody looks up to me.

What was the happiest and gloomiest moment of your life?

I have been through a lot and living in the post-9/11 era has it’s challenges.

Gloomy moment: My best uncle Tariq passed away. I did not know how to grieve because he died in Pakistan and I was in Canada. So, I cried in my room and didn’t know what else to do about it. It was not only gloomy but quite a crazy moment too.

Happiest moment: Every time I read my poetry, I feel happy and alive. And when somebody comments about it (whether positively or negatively), it makes my day. J

Sometimes, I feel that being “happy” and “gloomy” is just there and that Life is all about “moving on” and striving to be better. So, Alhamdulillah (Thank God).

If you could pick a travel destination, anywhere in the world, with no worries about how it’s paid for - what would your top 3 choices be?

1-Pakistan. (My family is there)

2-France (ideal for honeymoon, if I got married. I would love to try the ferry ride. It is utterly romantic.)

3-Australia or Saskatchewan in Canada

What is your favorite book and why?

I have been influenced by many authors. In high school, Shakespeare was my favorite author. Just recently, I read a book “The Kitchen” by a Japanese author “Banana Yoshimoto” who is now my favorite non-fiction author.  But my favorite book is the Quran. Why? Because it tells me of things I do not know of, it is thorough and it feels like home. I don’t just want to read the Quran, I like to analyze it and understand the context behind it. See: www.tafsir.com.

Here is one poem that was inspired by some Quranic verses.

Oasis Or Mirage

Note: This poem was inspired by some verses of the Quran, which I read in the darkness of the night. Somehow, the verses, magically, transformed into this poem as I tried to comprehend the meaning behind them. The poem just impatiently stumbled out of me and I have no idea how and why? I was so overwhelmed that I closed the book and tried to just breathe.  Between thinking and catching my breath, I totally neglected to jot down the verse number.

Learn to discover this world through thy eyes

If thee comprehend fully, a vast OASIS will emerge

Avoid understanding the world via others’ eyes

If thee do so, verily thee will view only a MIRAGE

O yea, the roles will flip, infinitely

So pay head, my league, pay heed

BeLieve, in thyself

InQuiRe, the “patterns”

And just BE, truly thySELF

No need to understand

No need to comprehend

For sometimes, ceasing to understand is the answer

Recall! the patterns of oasis and mirage

oVERlap INFinitely

like waves of a sea

Differences, Similarities or Relations?

BeLIeVe, in thyself

InQuiRe, the “patterns”

And just BE, truly thySELF

No need to understand

No need to comprehend

..

..

..

Just remove thy lens, oh thee who view an endless mirage

And humbly wear a different lens today

Just to clearly view an oasis

By: Arzoo a.k.a Cercatore

P.S. Cercatore is my pen name. It is Italian for “Seeker”.

What’s the first thing you notice about a person (whether you know them or not)?

Intellect . How smart is that person really!

Humour

& the fact that that person is only Human.

Is there anyone from your past that once told you couldn’t write?

Yea, it’s interesting you asked me this question. I had this high school teacher back in Pakistan. As a teenager, I once read this story of a girl being raped that was published in some Pakistani newspaper. Since it was totally disturbing to read about this, I jotted my thoughts down on my personal diary. I passed it around to my girl-friends in the class. And somehow, the word got to my English teacher that Arzoo has written about this rape incidence. So, I am sitting in the high school grounds along with my class fellows and eating some food when I am approached by my English teacher who took my diary from me. I never got it back. I am pretty sure it went to the Principal who confiscated it like forever, without any explanation as to why. Did they not want me to speak out about it? What was the message propogated by this action? I do not know but I do know that I got scared and that I stopped writing. I always looked up to this English teacher and the fact that she is the one who confiscated my book from me, due to some written words on a piece of paper, is totally baffling. Lord! I don’t know what I did wrong. I was just speaking out and I was made to feel guilty about it. Crippling the Freedom of Speech of a young student was the worst thing to do.

I do not know how things have changed in Pakistan since then. I haven’t visited my country for around 13 years now. But I do think that Pakistan’s educational places as well as political arena need to be more open to speech. Also, in certain households, women are considered secondary.  I have seen this first hand. I believe this needs to change. A lot of time, the Pakistani and Canadian culture wrongfully associate oppression of women, honour killing, domestic abuse etc. to Islam. It is very sad that they are not aware of the truth. I have read about the position of women in Islam and I know that these acts are not allowed.  Women are spiritual equivalents of men and thus they should be respected as such.  Read the books: “Women In Islam” by B. Aisha Lemu and Fatima Heeren. Also read “Women in Islam vs. Women in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition: The Myth & The Reality” by Dr. Sherif Abdel Azeem.

Saying this, I must comment that Pakistani people are utterly beautiful and lovely people. I just think that the system needs change but then again, any system of any country has it’s deficiencies. I think it is the government’s duty to empower women and to convey the message that women ought to be treated with respect and that they have a right to speak out for themselves and a right to be heard and taken seriously. Insha’Allah.

How bloggers can benefit from blogs financially?

It is definitely possible to benefit from blogging, Alhamdulillah. I know somebody who is earning around $300 per month extra from blogging. That’s a total of $3600 per year, enough to start and continue a serious investment. But never launch into it heads-on. There are lots of scams out there. I had some time on my hand so I did read about this.  Hmm! I can’t say anything for sure but I would recommend that you read this book “Super Affiliate Handbook” by Rosalind Gardner. http://superaffiliatehandbook.com/

It is very informative. I bought it for around $30 CAD. It talks about how to profit as an Affiliate. Definitely worth a read but I would advice everybody to be careful. There are times when people ask you for credit card information. Make sure that it is a protected site. Sometimes you will see a little lock at the bottom of your web-browser; other times it would actually say it is SSL protected.  One more potential hazard Rosalind discusses is that sometimes people might edit your URL for a product and re-route the payment process to their URL. So it is best to cloak the URL. If somebody is serious about making money online, then I would recommend Rosalind’s book.

Is it true that who has a successful blog has an awful lot of time on their hands?

Hmm! Not always, sometimes yes. I started out since I had some time on my hands and I didn’t want my knowledge to just go down the drain. I am pretty sure that there are some hard working people who actually make time to post on their blogs during their busy routines. I personally try posting at least one post per blog per week. It is definitely tough to keep it up but one should definitely try. At the current moment, I am running into problems because there are too many blogs to work with but I have to keep trying, that’s the only way. Alhamdulillah (thank God).

What role can bloggers of the world play to make this world friendlier and less hostile?

Good question. I don’t know, perhaps speak from the bottom of their hearts and perhaps speak the truth after doing some soul-searching.

Educate, Learn, Share and be open-minded. And Allah knows well.

Who are your top five favourite bloggers?

A Place of Refuge: http://criticalmood.wordpress.com/

Blind Strike: http://blindstrike.wordpress.com/

Daniel Abdal-Hayy Moore Poetry: http://ecstaticxchange.wordpress.com/

Islam in China: http://islaminchina.wordpress.com/

Disconnected Verses: http://disconnectedverses.wordpress.com/

Dream Essence: http://dreamessence.wordpress.com/

ConsultaGlobal: http://consultaglobal.wordpress.com/

A Student’s Guide to Effective Learning: http://www.slaeguide.blogspot.com/

Amorelicious: http://www.amorelicious.com/

Poet Gulag: http://muses1001.wordpress.com/ (I have read this poet’s readings in the past and found them to be amazing. There are no posts there right now but that’s alright. It still makes the list b/c I know of its past contents)

Is there one observation or column or post that has gotten the most powerful reaction from people?

Yes, actually, a lot of time people reach my blog by searching for following material:

Politics, Islam, Philosophy and Photoshop.

Here are the top posts of my blog along with the number of times these have been viewed ever since the blog was created.

Hume and Aristotle on Reason, Feelings a1,201

Moral Responsibility, Determinism and Fr1,034

Importance of Keeping a Promise474

Hume and Korsgaard on Practical Reason450

Socrates—A Moral Ironist345

No Need to Pay to Photoshop!308

Eat to lose before and after workouts299

Fire at Gas Pump–You Don’t Need a Match296

Reputation Defender288

Socrates and I on Representational Poetr257

Want To Be A Genius?253

Hungry Cat Wakes Up Owner217

Virgin Women as Reward for Good Men per 212

How, In My Opinion, World Peace May Be A173

Avoiding Letting Your Frustrations Out o139

Does Islam Allow Raped Women to be Punis136

What is your perception about Pakistan and its people?

Hmm! this is a tough question because I have not visited Pakistan for around 13 years.  I can only answer based on what I know from personal experience. My family members are really sweet and simple people. I am pretty sure that other Pakistanis are good people as well. Allah knows well.

Have you ever become stunned by the uniqueness of any blogger?

Yes.

Islam in China: http://islaminchina.wordpress.com/

Disconnected Verses: http://disconnectedverses.wordpress.com/

A Place of Refuge: http://criticalmood.wordpress.com/

What is the most striking difference between a developed country and a developing country?

Let me rephrase this: How can a developing country become a developed country?

I have thought about this since I was a kid. It’s a very intriguing question. Couple of pointers, but nothing definite:

1-Faith and persistence

2-Ample number of concerned leaders and concerned public. Every person should try realizing their own worth. If people don’t know what they are worth, then they don’t know how to make a change. People may not strive on a political arena but as long as they are striving on a personal arena, than it will lead to change one day inshaAllah. I am saying this from personal experience.

3-Willingness to forever expand business strategically

4-Communicate and learn from others. Build allies.

5-Learn from other countries. Communicate.

I can give you examples why I think there should be more collaboration going on between countries.

Example 1: Canada’s Housing system is pretty bad. People here are stuck with giving mortgages for a very long period of time before they can own the house. It is quite enslaving, actually.

In Pakistan, even our servants had really big houses. Subhannallah. Canada can learn something from Pakistan with regards to housing.

Example 2: Taxes. The province of Ontario of Canada plans to introduce harmonized taxes in Canada. Harmonized taxes will raise the household expenses tremendously. Perhaps the government is hoping to stimulate the economy through these taxes but overall the consumers will bear more burden than the producers/distributors of a product. This way the gap between poor and rich will continue to increase.

I talked to this professional Accountant a while ago. He has a combination of experience from Canada and Middle East. I believe what he said: “Middle Eastern countries are far more better than the Canadian countries with regards to taxes.” I don’t know how exactly the Middle Eastern countries do this but the Canadian government should try learning about taxes from the Middle Eastern countries.

Example 3: Reciprocally, certain eastern countries can learn from the West when it comes to educational material, scientific research, technology and freedom of speech. And I have to say this. Some western countries are actually better than some Muslim countries when it comes to Women’s rights and their involvement in the community. This is pretty sad because Islam liberated women a long while ago but some Muslim countries still don’t get it.

6- Stop Looting Resources: West has to stop destroying the smaller countries, like Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria etc. Looting people of their resources is a sin. Why do you think Iraq was having trouble with its economy before the war? It is because she was put under brutal and unfair sanctions.  The sanctions crippled the economy so it was easier for the Bush administration to wage war over Iraq. Shame on Bush and his allies! I am actually quite annoyed at the Pakistani government for letting America play its game of exploitation of the weaker countries. Pakistan should have taken a stand against this all. When I was young, my mom used to tell me how India tried invading Pakistan and the army fought back and resisted. That was the right thing to do. Nobody has a right to go into somebody else’s land and take away their resources. It is correct to resist and it is correct to help those who resist an illegal war or an illegal occupation.

So, these developing countries will definitely become strong if these bigger countries like States stop exploiting them for their resources.

I guess that’s it. Allah knows well.

What is the future of blogging?

The future of blogging is great as long as the Internet remains free. Blogging can actually revolutionize freedom of expression when it comes to political arena whether it is within pharmaceutical sector or political sector. Transparency matters. Education matters. Therefore, blogging matters.

I know some Canadian biotech/pharma companies are actually blogging to get more clients. I also know that some Dr.s and professionals have actually started blogging to disclose wrong practices of their colleagues. Yes, we have rules in this society but at the upper level, there is secrecy with regards to certain things. People do keep quiet about certain things just to save their career.  So, blogging is the ultimate weapon of defense for such people.

Blogging is being used and will continue to be utilized as a means of combating negative stereotypes. Nowadays, the mainstream media is using these really twisted terminologies such as “Islamic militants”. They are trying to paint a picture of Islam as a radical religion that promotes terrorism. It is utterly wrong of them.  This is one of the reasons why I blog. People have to wrap their minds around the fact that Islam does not promote terrorism. PERIOD.

What are your future plans?

Hmm! I have become more professional, more moral and consciousious through blogging. Every time I read a post that I posted, I feel that I am alive, that the thoughts that went through my head and the words that were typed out, matter. I feel more organized and have started respecting myself.

My future plans are to continue blogging as best as I can. If I get too much work and feel overwhelmed I will consider closing one or two blogs. Allah knows well.

Any Message you want to give to the readers of The Pakistani Spectator?

To the Pakistani Spectator:

I totally love this unique idea of interviewing bloggers. I have never heard of this before. It is utterly amazing. I am pretty sure that reading interviews about bloggers would help promote blogging as a valid and authentic tool of communication.

To the People of Pakistan:

1-Do not fight over religious differences. There are lots of Sunni Shia fights going on. They have to stop.  I am basing this on Surah Al-Kafiroon. It states the following:

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

1. Say : O ye that reject Faith!

2. I worship not that which ye worship,

3. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.

4. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship,

5. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.

6. To you be your Way, and to me mine.

See, it states that to you is your religion and to me is mine. This is a statement that accepts religious differences in a very peaceful manner. This surah alongwith other readings have taught me to “Accept the religious differences” and to educate people about Islam. My close friend who is a Protestant once said to me that Canadian society is very open. People don’t want preaching but they want dialogue. I agree with her. Preaching is good in certain contexts where the other person is interested in listening. But dialogue is good to engage and stimulate a person’s brain cells.

2-If you are a Muslim living in Pakistan, then take your religion seriously. Don’t just accept your faith, don’t just blindly follow a Mawlvi or a Sheikh or blindly becomes part of some sect. Question, analyze, critique. That’s something mentioned in the Quran. Challenge the verses of the Quran. A lot of the time wrong things happen in a Muslim society because people are not following Islam properly. If you do everything right with the right intentions, you will see that your heart will melt every time you read the Quran. And you will say to yourself, “I care for the people b/c that is Allah’s intention in sending the Quran.”

3-Initiate dialogue with non-Muslims within your community. There is a lot to learn about different faiths.

4-Fight poverty as best as you can, inshaAllah.

Believe me, You can do this.

To the Pakistani Government:

1-Focus on building your economy not your weaponry.

2-Fight poverty as best as you can, inshaAllah.

3-Take a stand against wrong and don’t take side with every American policy, some of which are very one-sided. Pakistan is a sovereign country. It has a right to have its own VOICE.

4-Focus on Minority Rights. Make sure that non-Muslims are properly represented in the government and the workforce.

5-Do not kidnap and kill Pakistani people. It is utterly stupid to do so. They are your own people.

6- Make sure the women of your society are educated and that they play an important role in the development of the society. Women are the beacon of education and they weren’t meant to be just housewives who are cooking and giving birth only. They were given a brain and I am sure that the Creator intended that brain to function intelligently. So, put the women forward in the society. Who raises the children and teaches them moral values? Mostly women do. So, let the women come forward in the society and you will see a difference.

Prophet Mohammad mentioned this many times: Treat the women right.

Remember, the best scholar at the time of Prophet Mohammad was a woman, namely Ayesha (r.a.)

7-Focus on changing how Pakistan is perceived by other countries. Combat stereotypes.

Believe me, You can do this.

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