On 50th Birthday - Prologue

Today, I’m fifty and before you wish me a happy birthday, please know that I’m only concerned about The Meeting.  

Prologue

Fantastic childhood. Love, care and appreciation. Sports, studies  and friendships. Struggle was a routine thing. Curious omissions, odd mistakes and foolhardy adventures were abundant. Religiosity was go to thing, mostly for regrets and returns after honest mistakes and mostly for not so honest mistakes. More than anything else, PTV was shaping the personality of a growing teenager. All in all, a full package of life that 80s could offer.

Along came 90s and felt strong inclination towards political Islam which to this day is closest to my heart and unfortunately it is not to be found anywhere. College life, cadet life and practical life as commissioned officer all appears now like a dream. It had everything except that one thing, the satisfaction. I remember passing out from Sandhurst and feeling so empty and emotionless. But never failed to enjoy a moment or two with friends. Fast forward, two decades in uniform and never felt attached or detached to it. An indifferent journey of reconciling with idealism of training/ manuals and realism of practical life. Realities were harsh, they still are. Doffing uniform and beginning second fiddle in business was like a routine thing because accepting challenges, adapting and working hard was part of my DNA. 

However, today when I look back it all appears unreal. Lights, camera, action and  stage drama kept rolling. Joys and regrets aside, life as whole left me worried. Everything I thought perceived and acted upon, turned out to be false. Whether my understanding of religion, duty to service, politics, patriotism or relations. 

It took me fifty years to conclude life in one line from the Manual: [3:185]

ۗ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ

And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.

For the rest of it, I hope and pray to get things right with above statement in mind for anything and everything I do. May Allah be my guide. Ameen

Only Allah knows the whole Truth. 

On 50th Birthday - Epilogue

Today, I’m fifty and before you wish me a happy birthday, please know that I’m only concerned about The Meeting.  

Epilogue

Moving towards Kauthar: 

I had read a lot about Him. I knew, He won’t judge me. He was so loving and forgiving that he didn’t even judge the hypocrites of His time. I had seen Him in my dream twice in my teens.  It was a unique honour. There was always a connection which grew overtime. I felt immense pressure trying to be a good example for my boys. I felt immense relief when I realised, He was the only perfect Man ever to have walked on the surface of this earth.  So, for my boys, I diverted the standard of perfection to Him. I named my son after Him. I kept beard out of reverence the day I had to visit His city. He was the means by which light of The Book came to me. My life had no meaning without it. Were these symbolic gestures and lip service enough to get me through this?

At Kothar, “Asad Jamal, I recognise you. You used to take my name with respect. You took pilgrimage to my city many times. You talked about me a lot. I’m mercy for both worlds. I wish you success in next phase”. 

The Meeting:

I had so many meetings in my lifetime. With lots of preparation, due diligence, attention to details and at times through calculated risks or sheer bluffing, I would get through them. Even the unsuccessful ones would leave me with lessons for future meetings.  But this one has no room for failure. Am I prepared enough? Will gimmickry, presence of mind or subterfuge work? In my heart, I was scared of The Meeting for only one reason that if this meeting didn’t go down well, where would I go? I knew my say/ do ratio was poor. My desire often overpowered my conscience. I knew the right from wrong, yet I lent an ear to the whisperer. What would I do about all this irrefutable evidence now? I asked for straight path many a times in a day cycle, yet went astray. I did return to Him, yet went away. I procrastinated too much. What would I do now? Where would I go now from here? ‘Hellfire’, yes I heard about the in-satiating inferno. It is regrettable. Not the hellfire but for me being ungrateful. Being disloyal.  Being below par. What a terrible scene, I ended up like Mr Nameless who sat by the fireplace and regretted and me burning inside it. O Lord, Mercy, Mercy, Mercy. I have nowhere to go.

Only Allah knows the whole Truth.   

Iran’s symbolic missile attack on Israel

Barring few exception, leadership of entire Muslim Ummah is under Zionist control and Iran is no exception.

1st October, 2024 symbolic missile attack by Iran on Israel was a political action authorised by Washington to achieve the following political objectives:

1. To send a stronger message than in the April 2024 Iranian drone attack to US’ brat Netanyahu with regards to his defiance of Washington and widening the war in the region.

2. To help repair the damage to Iran’s internal and external reputation as a result of its inaction and empty rhetoric against Israel following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, senior commanders of its proxy movements and the attack on Lebanon. For Washington to help the Iranian leadership ease internal pressure from the hardliners and military leadership for action and revenge to restore dignity.

3. Restoring Iran’s leadership and reputation over her proxies, strengthen the smokescreen whilst she helps Israel and the Americans in continuing to dismantle the “Axis of resistance”.

4. The Democrats aim to bolster electoral success via the Jewish vote in the American elections by demonstrating its commitment to the existence of Israel and guaranteeing her security.

Iran finally got the green light and instruction from Washington on the 1st of October 2024, to launch a limited missile attack on Israel after Netanyahu once again humiliated and defied the Biden administration through the Israeli ground invasion in Southern Lebanon a day earlier after Biden had called for an “immediate ceasefire” and “diplomatic solution” between Israel, Hezbollah and Iran which was ignored. 

However, just like the drone strike in April 2024 by Iran, the missile attack was limited, had prior warning given to the United States and Israel in order to prepare for the attack, and like in April the US intercepted most of the missiles with the help of regional “allies” meaning Jordan, Iraq etc. According to the UK Financial Times; “That high interception rate was thanks to the combined efforts of the US and its allies, the tracking of the missiles’ flight paths by US partners in the region, and Israel’s own, highly sophisticated air defences” (2/10/24)

In April, Iranian leader Khomeini had stated that the drone attack on the part of Iran had “concluded” the issue, despite knowing Israel was continuing the genocide in Gaza. The limited political symbolism of the Iranian attack was clear again when the Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi posted on X, ““Our action is “concluded” unless the Israeli regime decides to invite further retaliation” (01/10/24/.

But the questions remain the same. Why is it “concluded”. Has Israel decided to leave South Lebanon? Agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza? Stopped attacking Beirut?

So the action was clearly symbolic and limited upon Washington’s instructions. Just like in April, when Iran was under pressure to match its rhetoric with action after Israel had bombed her consulate in Syri and killing senior Iranian commanders, the symbolism on this occasion was also aimed at repairing her reputation after it was beginning to collapse both internally and in the wider Arab and Muslim world after the empty rhetoric and inaction following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismael Haniyeh on Iranian soil and the successive killing of Hezbollah commanders and the infiltration and dismantling of her command structure by Israel.

According to the FT; 

“But after Nasrallah’s killing it was Iran’s military leaders, bent on revenge and fearful the republic was looking increasingly weak, who won the day at the Supreme National Security Council meeting on Monday, said an Iranian official. With little warning, Iran on Tuesday fired about 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, pushing the arch foes closer than ever to the full-blown direct conflict Tehran has been insisting it wants to avoid. “Nasrallah’s assassination was the last straw and Iran has come to the conclusion the Israelis are not going to stop; they are taking harsher measures and now they are going to attack and invade part of Lebanon,” an Iranian official told the Financial Times. “The military commanders persuaded [the council] that if Iran does not [retaliate], it will lose its supporters and it will badly damage its reputation.” (02/10/24)  

Purpose of this piece is that we shouldn’t be overawed by the religious zeal, sectoral alignments and outright Jew/ Israel hatred rather be able to cut through the noise and draw sound inferences from prevailing geopolitical scene. 

Only Allah knows the whole Truth.   

Identity Crisis - Part 1: Religion

If you are not facing identity crisis, you are so lucky because I’m not. Religion, nationality and profession made sense to me. So, in a well throughout sequence, I proudly liked to be called Muslim Pakistani soldier. Over the years, questions marks began to surface like “which Muslim” (since I don’t subscribe to any sectoral franchise), “which Pakistani” (since I don’t subscribe to both political and apolitical narratives of patriotism) and “which soldier” (since I don’t subscribe to wrong communiques). No wonder, getting older is synonymous to loneliness and as the adage goes ‘no country for old men’. 

Firstly, let’s talk about Islam. Which Islam? I don’t know but I do find some real nice bits and pieces from all of these franchises and adopt them. At the same time, everyone is so deeply entrenched in their sectoral identity that small crossover tantamount to betrayal leading to expulsion. Truth of the matter is that every single one of them have deviated and traditions/ rituals became defining characteristics. 

Growing up as Hanafi Sunni always intrigued me. Why am I not just a Muslim? I don’t even know Imam Abu Hanifa, nor those around me. But I guess, my elders, who donated land for the mosque in my native town had to give it a title and rest of us had to subscribe. But The Book encourages every step of the way to ponder and not to blindly follow the forefathers or prevailing trends. So I started tracing my religious thread backwards.

Story of Islam in Subcontinent didn’t help at all.It further complicated the issue. Almost 13 centuries ago, Shiites fled Ummayad persecution, took asylum in coastal India and along came Shia Islam. By that time, Shia Islam had not branched into Ismaili, Uthna Ashari or Zaidi Shia Islam. In 711 CE Ummayad Islam entered this land which got briefly replaced by Ismaili Islam - branch of Shia Islam. How Shia Islam got branched is still a mystery for me because no one has ever produced the divine decree which anointed a particular son of an imam as successor. After a brief stint, Yemeni Ismaili Shia Islam got replaced by Abbasid Islam. Shafi Islam also entered this land from Kerala because Mukkuvas women conveniently entered concubinage with Arab maritime traders. By 10th Century, from Ghazna, entered Hanafi Islam which got meshed up with Sufi Islam originating from Baghdad. Hanafi Islam was still the mainstay of Delhi Sultenant of Turk Salves which got influenced by Sufi Islam of Ibn Arabi. Mongols after thorough massacre of Muslims across the continents reverted and became Mughals. Unlettered Akbar introduced a wholesome package of Deen e Elahi and Aurangzeb sealed the deal by compiling Fatawa Alamgiri- probably the reason my elders and I subscribe to Hanafi Islam. Bohra with 21 Imams subscribe evenly to both Shia and Sunni traditions survived Aurangzeb’s persecution and live to this day. Then Shah Wali Ullah felt the need to connect with Hadith, thus Ahle Hadith Islam came into being. Wahabi Islam was trending in Arabian Peninsula where Muwahid ideologue Muhamad Ibn Wahab’s dogma was highjacked by Al Saud for their political ambitions. Being subsidiary of Deobandi Islam, Wahabi Islam sneaked in to subcontinent via UP madrasahs. Running out of ideas for new franchise, Ghulam Ahmed Mirza introduced brand new variant altogether. 19th Century was booming business for new franchises. Salafi Islam from the lineage of Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal, Ibn Tammiyah and Qayyim finally made its way into subcontinent by mid 19th Century. By the end of 19th Century, Ahmed Raza Khan successfully launched his Brelvi Islam franchise. Start of 20th Century saw the advent of Deobandi Islam. Iqbal’s Islam had a unique flavour to it. He didn’t subscribe to any franchise nor was he owned by any. Though his thought and poetry has been quite useful in writing and delivering speeches. British also cultivated apologetic colonial Islam which spiritually incapacitated the slave nation. Post independence, the legacy continued by Post colonial Islam i.e. state owned maulvis. Azadi brought more freedom to introduce new franchises like Tableghi, Jamaati, Labaiki, secular, liberal, extremist and YouTube Islam. 

Like YouTube channels, Islamic franchises survive and thrive on subscriptions. It has always been about power, hegemony, recognition and money. 

Wonder what will happen to non subscribers like the scribe? Will they not get entry in heaven without sectoral coupons? Which Islam should be forced upon tech savvy Gen Z (1995-2010) by the confused Gen X (1965-1980)? What will become of Gen A (2010-2024)? Will any of it make sense to them at all?

Please do give your valuable feedback with advance apologies if this piece in any way offended you because it was not meant for it.

Only Allah knows the whole Truth.

  

Jamat-e-Islami Dharna

 In my diverse CV, during Higher Secondary years (1990-92), being City Nazim of Islami Jamiat Talaba is yet another chapter of my burning bridges and disappointments with organisations, institutions and individuals in our country. 

Why I joined them? They had the best mission statement that I ever came across. And I still maintain it is, except if they have true leadership and dedicated workforce like Tableeghi Jamat. The works of Maulana Modudi whether Tafseer or else (to the best of my understanding) are right on the money. Made few good friends. Learnt to be disciplined in religious obligations. My emotion and intent was genuine and guiding principle was manifestation of political Islam through The Book and Sunnah. Why I left then? Having a perfect mission statement is one thing and its execution is another. Since my exposure was restricted to IJT, so I’ll share my experience of association with it. They were pretty much gangsters less drugs; money and guns were part of their culture. Those youngsters mostly hailed from lower middle class who by default were angry with the system, emotionally charged which when combined with mob mentality and moral policing furthered the problem. Besides, calls for Jihad in Kashmir and Afghanistan were romantic and infatuating. Note that in 1971, Jamiat boys died in numbers in Bangladesh fighting alongside Pak Army. 

And this is the catch. Jamat-e-Islami’s eternal association cum subservience to the establishment except Syed Munawar Hassan and some of its founding members like Dr Israr Ahmed who eventually parted ways with JI. 

With this background in view, let’s throw some light on recent Dharna of JI because I served both JI & establishment in my younger years and am in a unique position to comment on their relationship.

One of the objectives of newly elected Amir JI, Hafiz Naeem through this Dharna was to announce himself at the national scene. 

Why he was allowed to carry out such a stir in the capital? Well, it seems that establishment is bracing for change in US. Since Pakistan (Establishment is Pakistan because nothing else matters whether people or institutions) has run out of options. Aid is not coming from any quarter. Change in US i.e. Trump assuming office with his idiosyncrasies and personal leaning towards IK, establishment would like to prepare grounds for it. They may let him go free before US elections since the result is quite predictable unless US establishment/ Zionist take Trump out.

So, this is how ‘we’ prepare in Pakistan before change in US. Firstly, Chabi Wala Khilona of TLP was launched in favour of Gaza. In a country, where carrying flag of Palestine was unofficially prohibited, its police welcomed TLP pro Palestine Dharna. It was obvious that now establishment was signalling to US/ west, give us money, otherwise these right wing Islamist parties can create trouble by mobilising people and may force us not to accept Israel. However, Senator Mushtaq of JI was not given any value because his was a genuine effort. But when it came to Hafiz Naeem, he escaped the iron heel of mis-adventurous (I coined this name for honourable CM Punjab a decade ago and can’t help using it) and parachute interior minster Mr Naqvi.

However, skeptical it may sound, Hafiz Naeem is the new ‘project’ for many reasons. 

He is loud because he is allowed to be loud. He is mobilising his troops because there is a tacit approval for it.

JI has always been a reliable political party of the establishment. 

JI/ HN shall act as counterweight to ruling coalition to keep them in check. 

JI/ HN may fill the political vacuum created by propelling unpopular ruling alliance into power and marginalising popular party with the (false) hope to bring back disenfranchised public into the fold. 

For this JI/HN is well suited to highlight petty ‘awami masail’ without touching upon  the only problem i.e. concentration of entire power into one office. 

Raising red flag by threat of right wing Islamist party like JI coming to power, may help raise ‘funds’ from the west. Resultantly, dumping of JI which is otherwise an Eastern wife material to establishment being submissive and compliant. 

May also give fair excuse for willy-nilly takeover under unavoidable circumstances in the greater national interest if approved by US. This one may be a long shot but we’re just unfolding things on battle board with all possible scenarios including the worst ones.  

Dharna ended with ten points agreement between Govt & JI including tariff cuts in electricity prices. And the next day, govt increased electricity price. So much for JI Dharna and Hafiz Naeem’s gung-ho launching at national political stage.

This piece is just a POV which (when I read back myself), I felt getting cynical. I’m certain, few good friends in JI & Estb may not appreciate. But that’s how things are. If we have to change, we’ve got to be brutally honest. Right diagnosis will help getting the prescription and medication right.

Only Allah knows the whole Truth. 

De-colonised Era - Part 4

Colonialism was synonymous to pillage by land grabbing. De-colonised era is continuation of western Imperialism. USA is the flag bearer of colonial legacy through neoliberalism and exceptionalism. However, the methodology has changed. Viceroys are replaced with American whip-dogs. Economic ecosystem is controlled through WB, IMF, Military Industrial Complex and The Eliteof physical occupation they appoint 

Tawaf of White House is more important Tawaf of Black House.

De-Colonised Era - Part 3

 De-colonial era in Muslim world is a hoax. From Arab Revolution of Sharif Hussain to Arab Spring, all began with an ostensibly noble cause and ended up serving post colonial imperial interests.

De-colonised Muslim world in its breadth from Morocco to Indonesia and from Caucuses in North to Tanzania in South is dealing with corrupt despotic regimes most of them are in the pocket of US and very few in Russian or Chinese camp.   

In order to keep control over their people and resources, Muslim rulers in de-colonial era have been ruthless and obnoxious. Just to get a measure of it, since 1950s, Israel and Morocco enjoyed strong ties. Late King Hassan of Morocco when confronted with political upheaval in his country took Mossad’s help to neutralise opposition including targeted assassinations in Europe. As quid pro quo, besides allowing Mossad to bug and surveil Arab League Summit in Morocco, facilitating migration of one million Moroccan Jew to Israel under King’s protection. 

Would be more appropriate to replace the term De-colonial with Post Colonial era. The very basis of a society’s outlook is weighed in terms of its education system’s ethos. In Muslim world, education is colonial which verifies and promotes Eurocentricity. Muslims apologetically continue to justify democracy aligned with Islamic  system of governance because western form of democracy has become an acceptable standard. Economy is colonial because all major trade partners of de-colonised Muslim world are their colonisers of the past. Political social order is thoroughly colonial. Same paradigm agreed upon extracting British, French, Belgian troops has been replaced by local troops trained by ex-colonisers. Religious discourse is colonial to the hilt. Past three centuries, Muslims have been trying to look modern by admission that they are in decline because orientalists thought so or labelled them as such. 

So much more on the biggest fraud of decolonisation in last hundred years or so in next parts.