Tahmena Bokhari - Mrs. Pakistan World 2010 Meets TPS
By The Pakistani Spectator • Jan 8th, 2010 • Category: Entertainment • 36 CommentsHow do you feel about representing a conservative and Islamic Pakistan in your role as Mrs. Pakistan World 2010?
Tahmena’s answer:
As Mrs. Pakistan World 2010 I am here to represent a lighter side of Pakistan. As a social worker, I am using this platform to create the necessary change in the hearts and minds of Pakistanis and the people of the world so that we can create a stronger Pakistan.
In terms of the question of me representing a conservative and Islamic Pakistan, I would ask whose Pakistan and whose Islam are we talking about? My Islam? Your Islam? The Islam of the terrosists? The Islam of those who persecuted Ahmadiyyas in Pakistan? The Islam of those who are among those fighting between the Sunnis and the Shias? The Islam of the men who claim religion as the reason women should not be seen or heard in public? The Islam that is only defined as one with strict rules and regulations enforced by anger and physical violence?
These are not my Islam.
My Islam is loving, compassionate, caring, forgiving, supportive, humane, educated, informed, self-preserving, giving, understanding, patient, positive, creative, open to new ideas and full of inner peace. My Islam is one which has taught me to love myself, love my body, appreciate life and respect my fellow human beings, man, woman, child, white, black or disabled. My Islam is one in which judgements are left to a supreme being who is more knowledgeable than I. My Islam is one in which everyone is given a fair chance to live a quality life of success and happiness. My Islam is one in which women are not forced to sell their bodies or steal food in order to feed their childen. My Islam is one in which individuals look within them to better the world before pointing fingers. My Islam is one in which everyone is included and accepted. My Islam is not shame, hate or fear based. I challenge people to remove any feelings of hate, anger and discrimination that they may have associated with their understandings of Islam.
Speaking of Pakistan, I would argue there are different religions in practice and more importantly, there are those who identify as Christian Pakistanis, Hindu Pakistanis, and Parsi Pakistanis and so on. Speaking of a country with over 170 million people, each person or community will have their own ideas of Islam and what it means to be a Pakistani. I do not claim to represent all of them and nor do I claim to be a symbol of Islam. It was never my goal to represent all Pakistanis or all Muslims.
I would also say that the many of the various icons of Pakistan have not been solely figures of religion or religion-focused. Pakistani icons that come to mind include political figures like Benzir Bhutto and Fatima Jinnah; poets like Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Parveen Shakir; the first woman architect Yasmeen Lari; human rights activist Asma Jahangir; and more recently new female fighter pilots in the Pakistani armed forced. These are the people who have helped make the country what it is yet none of their careers or accomplishments were solely based on their role modeling of Islam nor did they specifically preach Islam. They are known for their talents, professional skills, service to the community and leadership in their particular industry…all of which are required to develop a country.
I also ask why we are so precoocupied with what is Islamic, espcially when it comes to women? I believe we are overly preoccpuied with this question and too focused on picking at the so-called sins of others, especially picking on women. I have worked in Pakistan with so many kinds of people, there are women who have to resort to prostitution because they have no source of income, there are gay men forced to live in the closet, married to women and having affairs with men, there are children and orphans who are abused, deformed and forced into a life of begging on the streets, there are people who are forced to steal because of the economic and social conditions, and there are people who have died of common illnesses because they could not afford or access a doctor or medicine. Yes, all of this is happening in Islamic Pakistan, and is all this Islamic? We somehow forget to ask that question. Yet, when a woman is making progress in any way or coming into the public realm, all of a sudden this question arises about her ‘Islamic-ness’. I think we should instead be asking, “Is this justice?” When we focus on justice we all of a sudden start to see possibilities for change on all of the social problems and can work oursleves to a higher quality of life. Many would argue that that is the true meaning of Islam.
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I think she is crossing limits of her values in love of her profession.
What ever she said about Islam as representation of terrorism is not part of religion but by product of dirty politics of strong hands of the world.
She wants to display her body and wants to win the heart of other culture through her body display is her own personal choice and nobody is stopping him but her wrong understanding to basic principles of Islam is just show of rebellion from her typical eastern setup which is popular for placing the women as most sacred and pampered species by its masculine species.
She is young and thinks by displaying her body and bright ideas she can win the hearts of non Muslims/muslims and will create good impression of Islam like that.
She is quite wrong she would be praised by businessmen of women bodies as long as she could keep her fit for this job.People would be attracted to her because of her attractive body and seductive acts,not because she is a muslim lady ,They would try to enjoy all her lustrous gestures as long as she is as per their demand.Sooner the other girl would overcome her she would be bluntly ignored.
What ever problems she mentioned are part of all third world countries and it is linked with poverty level and we cant fit it in an Islamic society.
So she is requested to do what ever she wants as her personal choice and can put it in national scale.
It has no concern with Islam and Islamic values where no way woman body can be placed to display on public places .Muslim woman is known for her modesty which she earn first by her body cover and high family values.This is strength of Muslim woman and no way can be put in the level of subjugation and oppression.
I think Tahmena makes sense as she is speaking truly when she says “Which Islam”. She also claims that she is not representing everyone’s idea about Islam. So there are people in Pakistan who are not conservatives and then there are some that are…. She has already said that as a muslim she does not represent all.. Which is fine!! But as a Pakistani I am sure that she represents all.
Yes the religion says to dress modestly….But now that can differ too. Some girls like to bare all, some girls can wear mini skirts, some girls can just were a short skirt, some a long skirt, some sleeveless, so where do we draw the line.. How much is modesty?
Back again to the same thing… it all depends on how much and what is modesty to people…
I think if the person understands that there is a tolerance level needed then the world would be fine…
Islam or any other religion all teach the same thing… IT is as important to be a Muslim as it is to be a Christian… or a Buddhist.
SO having a strong idea on modesty is not going to change the world… Live and Let Live is the ideology!!!
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I have not a single point of objection what she wants to do in her life.
She can choose on her own as her utmost right.
I only mean to say that what ever she is doing has no place in any Islamic society .What ever Muslims countries have passed through the process of evolution of exhibitionism and modesty in the way to modernization but still they conserve their typical mind set on some issues like avoidance of exposures of female body in public areas, nonacceptance of adultery, and rejection of illegitimate child as normal human being and many more too.
Women are one of pampered class of islamic society where all her legal demands are included in the obligation of their male relations.
As a daughter, a sister,a wife and even in girl friend, man always looks trying his best to please , protect and facilitate her deeds through all his power.Women relations are considered as as his precious treasure in this world which sometime force him to act like oppressor.
In return , all relations as father, brother, Husband and as agood colleague expects initial response from that specie is her modesty, faithfulness and her stand on back of him in hard times.
This modeling like profession all contrary to such standard of values which is restricted in an Islamic and eastern culture. It comes in the context of indecent , deliberate exposure of man and woman body under any circumstances ,comes in the category of attention getting. sexually arousing or gratification or timely pleasures of exposures of female as a sex entity.
If we start to study this human weakness as Human sexuality it is linked with notions of virtue and modesty. In particular, modesty term is universally linked with females regarding virtuous behavior..That is also universally accepted that men are more open to dropping their standards for short term partners due to women availability as sex symbols and exposures like that.
Such exposed women in the peak time of their profession are used to of multiple admirers/followers mostly from male community and that tend would stick to their life styles till they got serious setback from normal infidel masculine attitude.
Such ladies after passing a coloratura and glamorous life go for much stronger preference for long term partners, but men around them don’t let them to take like that.
We can end this discussion by relating it some animal behaviour which may not possess moral behavior. Ant,bee colonies possess millions of sterilize class as colonies. argues that the single most important factor that leads to the success of ant colonies as one of the most successful species on the planet, accounting for a biomass that rivals humans.
This caste of females are subservient to the needs of their mother, the queen, and in so doing, have given up their own reproduction in order to raise brothers and sisters. The existence of sterile castes among these social insects, significantly restricts the competition for mating for settlement of one of organized colony of living beings.
I think this tend is strongly seen is any islamic/jews. catholics society where separate units for male and females are always preferred to enhance their focal points for maximum productivity in their fields.If somehow it is impossible to separate them due to demand of profession, minimum body parts exposure is recommended and this lesson is fed in our brain since our child hood.
Islamic modesty always focused on freedom from vanity, regard of decency in language and dress and moderate simplicity in public places and no way modeling of Muslim lady in front of thousands of men comes in this circle.
Tahmena Bokhari is an extremely intelligent and forward thinking woman, her ideas are revolutionizing culture as we speak. Culture, which is most of what we are, is ever so evolving. Tahmena discusses this as she is a professor of diversity and social work. I think any one who is critical has seriously misunderstood Tahmena’s messages and her purpose. Like it or not, a country is not made by just religion. A country is made by politics, history, culture, language, and arts. Tahmena is a strong force in presenting the progressive and artistic side of Pakistan, which the world needs to see, so that all Pakistanis, whether religious or not can live in peace. Tahmena has clearly stated that her purpose was never to become an Islamic icon. But being a Muslim, she has her own take on Islam which is what she was talking about. Her answer above is not meant to dictate what Islam is to others, but rather to make you question and think for yourself on what you think Islam is. I think her point is clear that what ‘real’ Islam is in fact may not really exist, but rather what the world sees is the definion of Islam by whoever makes the news. All we have seen in the news is an extremist’s definition of Islam that has made the news, which is why many people and many countries would not be concerned if the US attackes Pakistan due to terrorism as it seems that all the country is about is extremism and fanaticism. And if you believe the country has more to offer, than what are you doing about it? If you do not have the guts to get out there and do something for your country than you have no business criticising others who are. Tahmena is doing something about it! She is making the news on Pakistan in the world that finally has nothing to do with terrorism. And she needs everyone’s support! That’s our problem as Pakistanis, we love to criticise each other and especially women. This is why the country gets no where. Thank you Tahmena for going out there to bring positive change in attitudes of Pakistan.
Oh sure she is bold beautiful and extra ordinary over confident.
I can only pray for her success in the field of vultures and hyenas of women body only.
Again I emphasize on my point that such field can be symbolically used to show the different trends of Pakistan but a single bomb blasts with hundreds of victims overcome our positive side which people like you to present as a modern world.So why we use the body of our women to minimize this after effects of terrorism which was developed in our system as one of modern strategy of war from super powers.
We have very rich culture of true love stories, hardworking talents of rural people,poetry related to unseen lovers and God, extraordinary examples of bravery among rebellions against British and mughal conquers , calligraphy, dance skills of different areas, provincial and special area festivals, traditional sports etc so why we prefer western options for defending our culture values.
This can be marked as hobby of individual but no way can be placed in equivalent level of any respectable and modest profession in any Islamic culture.
Why do people feel that a Mrs. Pakistan is using her body? Why do you dismiss a woman who has dedicated her life to helping the community? Obviously you know nothing about her, the pageant or have likely never stepped outside of a small Pakistani circle and likely never travelled the world to see what is happening out there. We need more women like Tahmena with guts and who are willing to put themselves out there to make change. Very few women, or even men, have the guts to do that.
Tahmena is an amazing woman, someone that all women can look up to from every country. She is graceful, smart and has so much to say. She has done so much work and is not doing this for personal gain. She is far from a typical beauty queen, and bringing important issues of women’s rights and the Pakistani image through and to the media and fashion industry. This is just another platform for someone like her, and there are not very many platforms out there dedicated to Pakistani women. She has made strides in her profession even with all odds against her being Pakistani, Muslim and being a woman in a white man’s world! If you are working against women like Tahmena, then you are sabotaging your own community from within, which is a clear sign of an impoverished culture.
I find it so interesting that people can be so blind to their own discrimination and hatred. When a woman is doing something to uplift her community, all of a sudden everyone is on her back about one thing or the other. Meanwhile you have men blowing up the place claiming Islam, and no one really bashes them in the same way. Why are Pakistanis somehow the first to cast stones? Pakistanis, by the way, are not even considered Muslims by Arabs in Saudi Arabia who claim that Saudis practice the real Islam. Like Tahmena says, there are all sorts of people out there claiming religion as the justification on whatever they happen to be doing…women are assaulted for speaking in public, women are abused and beaten in the name of Islam, women without husbands are left to die on the streets with no way to feed themselves or their children all in the name of Islam. Wake up people and make way for the new generation of diverse women with diverse ideas that are needed to build a country. Look at any developed nation which is not dependent on aid from America like Pakistan is, these countries have diversity of opinions and leaders. Meanwhile Pakistan killed the only woman Prime Minister, who was an example to the rest of the world. Then the people, who are largely uneducated and bribed, voted in a party whose leader was a spoiled kid from England who never stepped foot in Pakistan, and now we are stuck with an inexperienced lame excuse for a man muchless a leader riding on his wife’s coat tales as Prime Minister.
Dear Tahmena Bokhari
A big salute to you.
Very well made points too……we need more and more such people in South Asia.
Also commenter 2 makes some very good points.
Thanks a lot TPS for publishing it.
Nadeem Shah
Great points too.
Yes Tahmena is doing great. Clothes are a part of fashion. AS I noted before.. modesty has all levels.. Tahmena is a professor, a woman’s rights activist, a social worker and today she is Mrs. Pakistan 2010, which is a true accomplishment.
Keep up the great work!
#13
Tahmena is a professor, a woman’s rights activist, a social worker and today she is Mrs. Pakistan 2010, which is a true accomplishment.
Totally AWESOME
A professor becoming Mrs Pakistan is just too great.
Few years ago……even here in India, a muslim woman became Mrs India.
Comment edited by TPS Service.
Ms Sofia, behave yourself please.
@Sofia says……
“you are a fucking Indian or anti muslim pretending to be pakistani talking about Pakistani people,”
i am an Indian and i praised your Mrs Pakistan.
Plz stop making RACIST comments which gives YOUR country a bad name only.
Comment edited by TPS Service.
Ms Sofia, behave yourself please.
Comment edited by TPS Service.
Ms Sofia, behave yourself please.
Comment edited by TPS Service.
Ms Sofia, behave yourself please.
@15,17,18 ,19 Mr sofia laurean.
If you ask me in decent away about personal objections on this body show off business then I would surely take time to explain you.
But as usual your way of talking is so disgusting that further continuation of this filthiness should be restricted in my way,Your life starts with abuses and end with it ,In middle of this your try to copy the art of intellectuals which can be placed in the level of abnormality and derangement.
This is your choice and nobody can help you to come out of your hollow life in which you usually hear the echo of your own sounds that is extremely abusive and abrasive when you touch the height of madness. as you are behaving here.