Barasti Akhiyan

Palkein kyun naam huin
ankhein kyun chalak gayein
dill mein aik dard sa utha
jaisay tarikiyan chimat jain

sehra mein paon chill jaye
mitti bhi kankar si laggi
khayalon k darechoon se
kuch yadein jhank gayein

himmat aur bhi kam hui
nazrain jhuk si gayein
mazzi ki talkhiyan
kyun peecha chorti nahi

Mein Sukaina Gillani Hoon

Well, this sentence sounds very lame but recently I have been on a thought process to find out who I really am and to accept myself with all my flaws. Usually teenagers go through this process but I feel thinking on this issue is an ongoing process. Most women dont realize who they are and what their importance is. They are always known as the daughter of someone, then the wife of someone and later on as the mother of someone. Who are you and who am I is the question on table. While trying to cover all the basis and trying to fulfill all the tasks which have been placed on our plates we tend to forget our own existence. For me, Sukaina Gillani is the name which was given to after my birth and Allah placed me in this position. This is the name which will be stuck with me during every good and bad moment of life. If I end up performing an exceptional task I shall be remembered as Sukaina Gillani and if I end up on the wrong path then vice versa. This name will be written on my tomb stone after death and I shall be called out from this name on the Day of Judgement. I don't know who I am and who I want to be unlike some people. I dont know where life will take me but all I know is "Mein Sukaina Gillani Hoon". This is not the same as "I am Sukaina Gillani". This lame and stupid sentence defines that I am proud of my Desi heritage and brown blood. Its a part of me which shall always be ingrained in my blood, my skin, my actions and my thought process. While naming me, my sister who was 3 at that time didn't realize who she was naming me after. But, years later I am proud that I am named after one of the most Noble women who lived on this planet. I don't have the capabilities or the strengths she had for she shook the world and created a mini revolution of her own by the age of 5. She is still remembered and though I am no where to be compared if I could even get the blessing of her name it is an honor for me. Sukaina literally means "Tranquility". For those who know me, I am not the most tranquil person on this planet nor am I an ambassador for peace but I do wish I could be of some help in creating "World Peace" without sounding like Miss Universe. Gillani on the other hand comes from a long line of ancestors who spent their lives in finding out the true religion. I am not a Sayed but I am proud of my ancestors who converted from Hinduism to Ismaili to Shia Twelver because if they would not have and would have stayed on their old path I would not be where I am and my faith and spirituality would have been compromised. Gillani also tells me about my genes, my bloodline which consists of people who were determined and have changed not only their social class over the years but have educated themselves to understand their mistakes and to learn from them. I am the daughter of a soil which consists of faith and spirituality, humbleness and humanity, pureness and tranquility. With all its faults and flaws "Mein Sukaina Gillani Hoon" and I am proud of the fact that no matter who I turn out to be in future I am who I am.

You are a Shia, I am a Sunni, Lets FIGHT

As the paradox states, I am not a sunni but sectarian violence between different sects in Muslims is turning out to be a major problem in the 21st century. As the month of Moharram began, this violence has increased substantially. The sad news is that this act of terrorism will not end any time soon as the hatred has been fueled for over 1400 years and many brain-washed, un-educated or anger-riden people are still fueling this crime. Every year it hurts my heart when I hear about the bomb blasts and firings in a shia gathering during this month. Then later on we sometimes tends to hear about a shia retaliation and this is a never ending story in which many innocent lives are lost, many families are destroyed and emotions are ignited all in the name of the SAME religion. 

It might be interesting and beneficial to take a look back in the history when and where this violence started. It is not new in a religion that such sectarian violence takes place. Christianity is divided into many sects and for a period of time violence and crusades were nothing new.  The sad story of Islam is that this violence began right after the Prophet's death in Saqifa and then Jamal and Siffeen took place. The focal point turned out to be the Battle of Kerbala which Shiites commemorate every year as the Grandson of the Prophet was slaughtered in the desert of Kerbala and his family was taken hostage all in the pseudo-name of protecting Islam. Then couple of revolutions took places, governments were overthrown but this struggle of political power led to the division of Muslims in factions with each following those who they believe have been the rightful appointees and declaring war against the followers of the other factions. The result turned out to be that we are still waging this war after 1400 years.

The culprit sadly turns out to be those leaders who have not understood the mere fact the Islam means "peace" and fighting on the basis of petty differences will make not change anyone's mindset. The brainwashing strategy seems to be a very common weapon in creating this mass destruction. People tend to believe their leaders as they think such leaders will know what is right and what is wrong when instead they become the victims of the short end of the stick. The bottom line of the issue is the fact that people are ignorant and do not want to learn religion but want to accept it just the way they are told. They don't want to study or read the scriptures and thus are taken advantage by some vicious people who portray themselves as very learned and then take advantage of such innocent folks by attracting them with false hopes and the power of money. Illiteracy when fueled with anger, ego and emotions creates the perfect concoction of sectarian violence. 

The only way we can solve this issue is to teach people and let them ask questions and then let them decide what they feel is the correct path. Our leaders will probably never take a step back but now its up to us to differentiate between the good ones and the bad ones because a single rotten fish can make the entire pond dirty and only a very small amount of poison is needed to kill a person. With the majority of leaders being good, we need to find a way to educate people so that they can differentiate between who is right and who is wrong and who should be condemned and who is fueling a war for his own benefits. Lets educate instead of propagate so we can discuss and solve our problems instead of increasing them.