PAKPAC has started a
new section on its
website for
blogging. This will
help us understand
better what are the
community needs,
issues and opinions.
Read current blogs.
PAKPAC would like
for you to
participate in these
blogs, to submit a
blog send it to Myra
at
myrachaudhary@gmail.com
PAKPAC NEEDS YOUR
SUPPORT:
PAKPAC request
our supporters and all
the Pakistani American
Community Members to
help us in carrying out
our much needed work. NO
community has been able
to be a strong political
voice without the STRONG
financial support from
all of the people. As we
continue to be a voice
on the Hill with a
capacity to make a
meaningful change in
specific targeted
political races, a voice
to share concerns first
hand with the
administrative branch of
our government and
further strengthen our
presence and
effectiveness by
capacity building of our
community at the grass
root levels, we ask you
to join in and support
your present and your
future by making you
political contribution
to PAKPAC.
You can help PAKPAC activities by visiting
the link below
Muslims throughout
the world started
the blessed month
Ramadan this week.
PAKPAC. extends
its best wishes to
its readers for a
blessed Holy month
of Ramadan. “Ramadan”
comes from the
Arabic root word for
"parched thirst" and
"sun-baked ground."
Ramadan is a period
of fasting,
reflection,
devotion, generosity
and sacrifice
observed by Muslims
around the world.
Ramadan,
the ninth month of
the Islamic
Calendar, is
considered the
holiest month of the
year, and a time for
Muslims to increase
their spiritual
capital.
There are so many
around the world
that can benefit
from our good deeds,
our patience, and
our kindness. Let us
use this month as an
opportunity to
multiply our
blessings from Allah
(swt) through
charity, prayer, and
purification. At a
time when over 35
million people
equivalent to entire
population of State
of California have
been affected by
floods in Pakistan,
let us make an
effort to help these
victims with all our
resources, including
financially,
volunteering, and
prayers.
Statement by the
President on start
of Ramadan
On behalf of the
American people,
Michelle and I want
to extend our best
wishes to Muslims in
America and around
the world. Ramadan
Kareem.
Ramadan is a time
when Muslims around
the world reflect
upon the wisdom and
guidance that comes
with faith, and the
responsibility that
human beings have to
one another, and to
God. This is a time
when families
gather, friends host
iftars, and meals
are shared. But
Ramadan is also a
time of intense
devotion and
reflection – a time
when Muslims fast
during the day and
pray during the
night; when Muslims
provide support to
others to advance
opportunity and
prosperity for
people everywhere.
For all of us must
remember that the
world we want to
build – and the
changes that we want
to make – must begin
in our own hearts,
and our own
communities.
These rituals remind
us of the principles
that we hold in
common, and Islam’s
role in advancing
justice, progress,
tolerance, and the
dignity of all human
beings. Ramadan is
a celebration of a
faith known for
great diversity and
racial equality.
And here in the
United States,
Ramadan is a
reminder that Islam
has always been part
of America and that
American Muslims
have made
extraordinary
contributions to our
country. And today,
I want to extend my
best wishes to the
1.5 billion Muslims
around the world –
and your families
and friends – as you
welcome the
beginning of
Ramadan.
I look forward to
hosting an Iftar
dinner celebrating
Ramadan here at the
White House later
this week, and wish
you a blessed month.
May God’s peace be
upon you.
Statement By
Secretary Clinton on
start of Ramadan
On behalf of the
United States
Department of State,
I wish all Muslims
around the world a
happy and blessed
Ramadan.
Ramadan is a time
for self-reflection
and sharing.
American Muslims
make valuable
contributions to our
country every day
and millions will
honor this month
with acts of service
and giving back to
their communities.
Along with dozens of
our Embassies, I
will host an Iftar
in Washington, DC,
for Muslims and
non-Muslims to join
together and reflect
on our common
values, faith and
the gifts of the
past year. At our
Iftar, we will also
celebrate dozens of
young American
Muslims who are
helping shape the
future of our
country with their
energy and spirit.
These young business
and social
entrepreneurs,
academics, spiritual
leaders, and other
young Muslims around
the world are
leading the way to a
new era of mutual
respect and
cooperation among
all the citizens of
our world.
During this month of
peace and renewal, I
wish the 1.5 billion
Muslims around the
world Ramadan
Kareem.
PAKPAC wishes its
readers of Pakistani
heritage
“Jashn-e-Azadi
Mubarik”. Given the
worsening flood
situation in
Pakistan, Government
of Pakistan has
decided to tone down
independence day
festivities,
similarly Pakistan
Army is not carrying
out any Independence
Day parades or other
routine activities.
Officials canceled
the colorful,
fireworks-heavy
ceremony normally
held at midnight
Aug. 14.
Statement by
President Obama on
Pakistan's
Independence Day
On behalf of the
people of the United
States of America, I
send my
congratulations and
sincere best wishes
to all who will
celebrate the 63rd
anniversary of
Pakistan’s
independence. Here
at home, I am proud
of the many
contributions
Pakistani Americans
have made to our
nation and will
continue to make in
the years to come.
Pakistan’s
Independence Day is
a useful time to
reflect on the
friendships Pakistan
has in the world and
the expressions of
true friendship that
come in a time of
need.
This Independence
Day anniversary also
comes at a time of
great challenge for
the people of
Pakistan as they
bravely respond to
widespread and
unprecedented
flooding. In line
with the deepening
partnership between
our two nations, I
have directed my
administration to
continue to work
closely with the
Government of
Pakistan and provide
assistance in their
response to this
crisis. We have
rushed financial
assistance, life
saving and life
sustaining relief
supplies,
helicopters, rescue
boats, and disaster
management experts
to assist the
Pakistani
authorities. The
people of America
stand with the
people of Pakistan
through this
difficult time and
will continue to
urge the
international
community to
increase their
support and
assistance. We will
remain committed to
helping Pakistan and
will work side by
side with you and
the international
community toward a
recovery that brings
back the dynamic
vitality of your
nation.
Read More
Secretary Clinton
message on Pakistan
Independence Day
On behalf of
President Obama and
the people of the
United States of
America, I am
delighted to send
best wishes and
congratulations to
the people of
Pakistan as you mark
63 years of
independence.
Fatimah Jinnah once
said that the story
of Pakistan is a
story of “the ideals
of equality,
fraternity, and
social and economic
justice.” Since
gaining independence
in 1947, the people
of Pakistan have
been writing that
story, one day at a
time. Together, you
have overcome
significant
challenges. In just
the past few weeks,
Pakistanis and
partners from many
countries have
worked to protect
people and homes
from the floods that
swept through so
many areas. The
damage is serious,
but I know Pakistan
will rebuild.
Program Specialist
and Program Advisor
[multiple positions]
The United States
Government,
represented by the
U.S. Agency for
International
Development (USAID),
is seeking
applications from
qualified
individuals to
provide short and
long-term personal
services under a
Personal Services
Contract (PSC), as
described in the
linked solicitation.
For more information
visit
To be considered for
the position, a
candidate must meet
all of the
eligibility
requirements
specified in the
solicitation (see
Sections V.
Selection Factors
and VI.
Qualifications).
Applicants
interested in
applying for this
position must submit
the application
materials required
in the solicitation
(see Section VIII.
Instructions to
Applicants).
Complete
applications must be
submitted at the
time and place
specified and must
be mailed,
delivered, or
emailed in
accordance with
instructions in
Section VIII.
Instructions to
Applicants.Submission
by email
is preferred.
Incomplete, unsigned
or late applications
will not be
considered.
State Dept
Realty Specialist:
Position #
OBO-2010-58M
For the full text of
this vacancy, please
visit the following
link: Realty
Specialist
The
United Nations
has estimated that
at least one-fifth
of the country is
flooded, but the
scope of the damage
seems far greater.
About 20 million
people have been
affected by the
floods, and 6
million of them are
children, according
to
UNICEF.
Estimates of the
dead have ranged
from 1,400 to 1,600.
Additionally water
borne disease is on
the rise, with cases
of Cholera reported.
Area submerged in
water 132000 KM
square increasing
every day,
Khyberpukhtunwah(KPK) is
80 % submerged under
water. All the
southern Punjab has
been cut off from
central Punjab.
Bridges, dams
barrages, main
highways mostly non
functional or at
risk including Indus
high way, main
artery supplying and
connecting Sindh and
Punjab. Follow
Pakistan Flood daily
updates on
PAKPAC Facebook page.
Additionally
State Department
holds regular
conference call with
Community Leaders
and NGO’s about
status of their
efforts. To
participate in
future State
Department calls,
visit
PAKPAC Facebook page
for timing details.
Beyond
the daily rising
toll of the dead,
displaced and
starving, experts
assessing the crisis
said much remained
to be learned of the
short-term relief
needs and the
longer-term economic
challenges that
Pakistan was facing
from the floods.
This situation will
worsen already with
the loss of crop of
about $1 billion,
plus loss of crop in
subsequent years.
Flood in pictures
International
response to this
crisis which is
larger than the 2004
Tsunami and 2005
Pakistan Earthquake,
is meager at best.
To date,
approximately $76
million in
assistance is being
provided by the U.S.
to flood-affected
populations in
Pakistan; about an
equivalent amount is
pledged by the rest
of the world,
including Pakistan’s
major supporters
like Gulf States and
China. . These funds
are being provided
to UN agencies, the
International
Committee of the Red
Cross and
non-governmental
organizations to
provide emergency
shelter, food,
health care, clean
water and
sanitation. The U.S.
is providing
additional
assistance through
the expansion of
pre-existing
programs and
humanitarian
activities in
flood-affected areas
and is also
mobilizing
significant U.S.
military resources
to deliver supplies
and rescue victims
of the disaster. Our
response has been
consistent with our
humanitarian values
and our deep
commitment to
Pakistan.
Read Complete USAID
assistance efforts.
PAKPAC: Call to action
The assistance
provided so far is
less than 10 % of
the needed
assistance. PAKPAC
calls for an urgent
meeting of donor
countries to step
upto the crisis on
hand, and not simply
incrementally
increase their
assistance, but
increase it by
orders of magnitude
to hundreds of
millions of dollars.
PAKPAC asks
Secretary of State
Clinton to call for
this donor
Conference
immediately to ease
the economic pain
suffered by the
people of Pakistan.
See map of affected
areas.
How Can I Help?
Many of our readers
have asked this
question. USAID has
listed on its
website,
relief organizations
that are already
helping flood
victims. These
organizations have
been vetted by US
State Department for
their operations and
efficiency. PAKPAC
suggests that
donation money
should be given to
Pakistan based
relief NGO’s on the
list. Besides this
list few other
organizations to
consider are:
Text to help:
You can help the
people of Pakistan
by raising money for
emergency relief in
Pakistan using the
latest
communications
technologies. By
texting the word
SWAT to telephone
number 50555,
cellular phone users
will be able to
donate $10 to help
flood victims in
Pakistan through the
U.N. High Commission
for Refugees (UNHCR).
Letter to President
Obama
Council of Pakistan
Relations has
started a letter
campaign asking
President Obama for
more assistance;
please sign this
letter.
Carrying
on with a tradition
set by President
Bush, President
Obama held an iftar
in White House for
Muslim dignitaries
from the Legislative
Branch,
Administration,
Community and
Religious leaders,
including
Congressman Andre
Carson; Ambassador
Hussain Haqqani; Dr.
Akbar Ahmed,
American
University; Imam
Mohamed Hag Magid,
All Dulles Area
Muslim Society, Mr.
Mustafa Javed Ali,
FBI, Mr. Arif
Alikhan, Assistant
Secretary for Policy
Development, DHS,
Mr. Mazen Basrawi,
Counsel to the
Assistant Attorney
General for Civil
Rights, DOJ; Mr.
Rashad Hussain, U.S.
Special Envoy to the
Organization of the
Islamic Conference;
Ms. Sehreen Noor
Ali, Department of
State; Ms. Farah
Pandith, Special
Representative to
Muslim Communities,
Department of State;
Mr. Irfan Saeed,
DHS; Mr. Shaarik
Zafar, National
Counter Terrorism
Center; Dr. Ingrid
Mattson, Islamic
Society of North
America. See
complete
List of Guests
President Obama's
Remarks at White
House Iftar Dinner
Good
evening. Welcome to
the White House. To
you, to Muslim
Americans across our
country, and to more
than one billion
Muslims around the
world, I extend my
best wishes on this
holy month. Ramadan
Kareem. I want to
welcome members of
the diplomatic
corps; members of my
administration; and
Members of Congress,
including Rush Holt,
John Conyers, and
Andre Carson, who is
one of two Muslim
American Members of
Congress, along with
Keith Ellison.
Here at the White
House, we have a
tradition of hosting
iftars that goes
back several years,
just as we host
Christmas parties,
seders, and Diwali
celebrations. These
events celebrate the
role of faith in the
lives of the
American people.
They remind us of
the basic truth that
we are all children
of God, and we all
draw strength and a
sense of purpose
from our beliefs.
Read More
President Obama
delivered a strong
defense on Friday
night of a proposed
Muslim community
center and
mosque near ground
zero in
Manhattan, using a
White House dinner
celebrating Ramadan
to proclaim that “as
a citizen, and as
president, I believe
that Muslims have
the same right to
practice their
religion as anyone
else in this
country.” After
weeks of avoiding
the high-profile
battle over the
center — his press
secretary,
Robert Gibbs,
said last week that
the president did
not want to “get
involved in local
decision-making” —
Mr. Obama stepped
squarely into the
thorny debate.
Read More
In a move reflecting
apparent frustration
over stalled talks
with the White House
on Guantanamo and
detainee issues,
Sen. Lindsey Graham
(R-S.C.) is moving
forward — without
the Obama
administration’s
blessing — with
legislation to
address a series of
thorny legal
questions raised by
the long-term
detention of
terrorism suspects.
A bill Graham
quietly introduced
last week would set
standards and rules
for legal challenges
brought by prisoners
at Guantanamo as
well as other
suspected enemy
fighters whom U.S.
forces may capture
in the future.Sen.
Lindsey Graham
(R-SC) introduced
this bill (available
here), with
little fanfare,
which would codify
legal issues related
to terrorism
detainees as well as
detainees' habeas
rights (Politico).
One controversial
element of the bill
is that it applies
explicitly to the
future detention of
terrorism suspects.
Critics allege that
this gives the
president the power
to determine who is
an "unprivileged
enemy belligerent,"
that it would apply
anywhere a terrorism
suspect is detained,
and that it further
applies to American
citizens as well as
foreign nationals.
PAKPAC Foundation
made a major mark on
the Pakistani
American Community
with its holding of
the first Pakistan
American Youth
Empowerment
Conference on August
6th. Over
165 Pakistani
Americans travelled
to Washington DC
from 15 different
States from as far
as California and
Texas, to spend a
marathon 14 hours to
experience first
hand how American
Government
functions. More
than three fourths
of the participants
were in the
impressionable age
of high
school-college
students. Only 20 %
of the total
participants were
from Washington DC
metropolitan area,
the rest travelled
from out of state to
participate in this
event. There was
substantial interest
in this conference,
due to capacity
constraints PAKPAC
Foundation was
forced to close
registration two
weeks ahead of the
event, we turned
down +25 repeated
requests from
individuals to
participate.
PAKPAC Foundation
would like to thank
the participants for
recognizing the
importance of civic
engagement and
taking time to
attend this
conference. We
would also like to
thank parents and
youth who helped on
the event day with
various tasks and
responsibilities.
PAKPAC Foundation
was impressed with
the cooperation and
desire on part of
Panelists to help
Pakistani American
youth. It was a
treat to see
Panelists treated as
rock stars by our
youth. List of
panelists is
available on PAKPAC
website (www.pakpac.net). Some pictures of the event are loaded on PAKPAC
Facebook Flickr
button:
http://www.facebook.com/PAKPAC.
Video and other post
event information
will be posted on
PAKPAC website at
www.pakpac.net in
near future.
See media coverage.
Event
started with a tour
of White House,
Khizar Munir, an
intern at White
House, volunteered
to lead the White
House tour, his
inside information
was very helpful in
understanding the
history behind
different White
House Rooms. Former
Congressman Jim
Moody was quite
helpful and
instrumental in
guiding the group
through Capitol Hill
tour. This followed
a three hour panel
session comprised of
4 panel groups.
Following the panel
session, the group
travelled to
Pakistan Embassy for
dinner, where Salman
Ahmad of Junoon
entertained the
group with his music
and current social
entrepreneurship
efforts. DCM Mrs.
Iffat Gardezi
welcomed the group
to Pakistan Embassy,
followed by a
welcome address by
PAKPAC President Dr.
Mohammed Suleman.
PAKPAC Foundation
plans to hold
similar vents in
other major cities
in the next few
months. Pls write
ed@pakpac.net if
you would like to
hold a similar event
in your city.
What did Youth think
about the event:
Abeera Zaheer one of
the Conference
participant has best
captured the whole
event in her
essay.
Below are comments
sent by some of the
Conference
participants:
It was a
pleasure to meet
and spend time
with you at the
PakPac Youth
Empowerment
Day. Frankly,
it opened my
eyes for the
first time to
the fact that
political and
social activist
access is not as
fargone as I've
often dismissed
it as. All the
panelists were
inspiring and
relatable.
Further, the
sense the
community I felt
sitting at the
Embassy as
Salman Ahmad
serenaded us was
overwhelming.
Thank you for
organizing a
fantastic,
informative
day. I hope to
see you in the
future and to be
a much more
active
participant in
furthering the
organization's
goals.
Spread out the
different panels
throughout the
event, don't
have all six
panels all at
once, it becomes
hard to pay
attention after
six panels in a
row
It was a great
trip, felt so
proud after
meeting such
educated
Pakistani
Muslims. An eye
opening trip. I
realized that we
were living in
another world.
there's so much
going on at the
same time.
There's a lot to
do for
Pakistanis, I
realized there's
professions
other than
medical. As
Pakistani youth
we have lot of
responsibilities
to deal with.
lot of things we
need to fix,
first of all our
(Pakistanis)
unity and
freedom of
expression.
The
Department of
Education held its
first-ever
anti-bullying summit
on Aug 11& 12 in
Washington. The goal
of the summit was to
engage governmental
and non-governmental
partners including
PAKPAC in crafting a
national strategy to
reduce and end
bullying. Education
Secretary Arne
Duncan opened the
two-day summit on
the dangers of
bullying inside and
outside the
classroom. Secretary
Duncan highlighted
Department of
Education goal to
make our nation’s
school safe for
children, teachers,
and parents.
Bullying has long
been an issue in
schools, but in
recent years - with
the accessibility of
texting and the
Internet - the
problem has grown.
Over 8 million
students suffer from
some form of
bullying. Besides
Secretary Duncan,
Dr. Regina Benjamin
Surgeon General also
addressed the
gathering.
Read Secretary
Duncan complete
remarks. Mr.
Start Snyder
President of Cartoon
Network, ounveiled
the official title
of the CAMPAIGN—STOP
BULLYING: SPEAK UP—which
will serve to
educate and empower
young bystanders to
take action to
reduce/prevent
bullying. Bystanders
represent the 75-85%
of students in
schools that witness
incidents of
bullying every year,
whether on the
playground, in the
classroom, on the
bus, on social media
websites, or cell
phones.
Read More
PAKPAC Executive
Director Irfan Malik
attended the event,
PAKPAC highlighted
the alarming
increase in bullying
of Pakistani and
Muslim youth post
9-11, as of now no
hard metrics are
kept by Department
of Education on
ethnic and targeted
bullying, PAKPAC
asked the School
Administrators and
Researchers at the
Conference that in
line with Secretary
Duncan goal to
conduct more survey
data on bullying
with collecting data
for ethnic and
religious bullying.
USAID conducted a
townhall meeting in
DC with Community
leaders and carious
NGO’s with
operations in
Pakistan. Further
similar townhall
meetings are planned
for Los Angles,
Houston, and New
York in near future.
A large number of
participants
attended this
meeting to get
answers on current
status of USAID
assistance to
Pakistan, Employment
opportunities with
USAID, and securing
more grants from
USAID for small
NGO’s. PAKPAC was
represented at this
event by Board of
Directors Faizan Haq
and Irfan Malik. Mr.
Jim Beaver Director
for Afghanistan
Pakistan region,
gave an overview of
USAOD operations in
Pakistan that
included the Health
sector, Energy,
primarily in
distribution and
tariffs, Education,
Agriculture, and
Trade. Speaking
about the stepped up
USAID operation in
Pakistan with the
deteriorating flood
situation, the
officials presented
the group with
recent
key developments.
The Department of
Homeland Security
(DHS) published a
final rule amending
its regulations
governing the
employment
authorization for
dependents of
foreign officials
classified as A-1,
A-2, G-1, G-3, and
G-4 non immigrants.
This rule, effective
August 9, 2010,
expands the list of
dependents eligible
for employment
authorization to
include any
individual who falls
within a category of
aliens designated by
the Department of
State (DOS) as
qualifying.
U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services
(USCIS) will only
issue employment
authorization
documents to those
dependents of
foreign officials
who are recognized
by DOS as
qualifying.
Qualifying
dependents must fall
within a bilateral
work agreement or de
facto arrangement,
listed on DOS’s
website at
http://www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo/c24338.htm.
During the holy
month of Ramadan,
Muslims turn their
attention to
spiritual renewal
and
zakat,
or charitable
giving. When giving
zakat,
it is very important
to comply with U.S.
laws and
regulations. To
assist
donors, mosques and
non-profits,
Muslim Advocates has
created the
following resources,
which contain
critical information
about legal
requirements and
best practices when
engaging in
charitable giving:
On this first day of
Ramadan, Muslim
Advocates organized
a
letter
to President Obama
on behalf of 40+
other American
Muslim, Arab, Sikh,
and South Asian
charities including
PAKPAC describing
how federal laws and
discriminatory
actions of federal
agents are putting a
chill on zakat in
our communities, and
asking for him to
take immediate
action.
"At this time,
federal
investigations and
intelligence-gathering
activities continue
to interfere with
the day-to-day
charitable
activities of
American Muslims and
obstruct our ability
to build and support
strong civic
institutions.
[...] These overly
broad and invasive
investigative and
intelligence-gathering
activities create
fear, chill
charitable
activities, and
ultimately undermine
the continued
participation and
integration of
Muslims in America."
The letter expresses
collective dismay
that - despite
extensive meetings
among Muslim
Advocates, other
community leaders,
and administration
officials over the
past year - the
President has not
followed through
with his 2009 Cairo
pledge to ease
hurdles to
charitable giving
for American
Muslims.
The letter also
proposes specific
policy reform
measures the
President and
Congress can take,
such as:
• Directing the
Justice Department
and Treasury
Department to issue
agency orders
providing a
safe-harbor for
well-intentioned
donors;
• Directing the
Treasury Department
and State
Department, which
collectively
maintain the various
Prohibited Lists, to
create a single,
user-friendly,
searchable database
that compiles all
Prohibited Lists in
one central location
housed with the
Office of Foreign
Assets Control at
the Treasury
Department; and
• Directing the
Treasury Secretary
to withdraw
Treasury’s vague and
quasi-voluntary
Anti-Terrorist
Financing
Guidelines:
Voluntary Best
Practices for
U.S.-Based Charities,
which chill the
delivery of critical
humanitarian aid and
provide charities
with no protection
from legal sanction
even if the
Guidelines are
painstakingly
followed.
The Michigan Muslim
Democratic Caucus (MMDC)
Board
congratulates Senator
Hansen Hasim
Clarke for winning
Democratic Party
Primary Election
for the US Congress
in the 13th
Congressional
District. Senator
Hansen Hasim
Clarke has long
been a friend of the
Muslim community. He
has reached out to
Muslims to
demonstrate over the
years that his
friendship with our
community is
genuine. Senator
Hansen Clarke has
made history and
American Muslims are
proud to have played
a part in the making
of that history.
Let’s keep working
to get him
elected for Congress
in the 13th
District.
2010 Elections till
a tight race, with
Republicans gaining
seats in all
elections
Current projections
have the Democrats
holding leadership
in both chamber but
will minimum
majority. In Senate
Democrats could hold
51 seats with a loss
of 6 seats. In the
House of
Representatives,
Democrats stand to
loose 34 seats, but
still maintain a
majority with 222.
seats. Republicans
stand to make the
most gains in
Governors races,
with holding offices
in 31 states up from
24. See
Latest polls
Key
dates for primaries
in remaining states.
Pakistan is an
ideological state.
This claim has been
made in the
textbooks and roared
from the political
podiums of the
public gatherings.
What exactly does it
mean?
The
ideology of Pakistan
is a simple one. It
is about people.
People who want to
make a home at a
place; where their
human aspirations
can be met; where
oppression of
belligerent majority
can be thwarted;
where fierce
handwork with
acquired competence
is rewarded by
advancement
regardless of race,
religion, creed,
cast, or the color
of the skin. So at
the end of the day
ideology of Pakistan
doesn’t fall too far
away from the
American ideals.
Today’s Pakistan is
still finding
itself. Today it is
a place where
heedlessness of the
consciously
challenged elites
meets the relentless
resilience of the
hopeful. Pakistanis
are made of
beautiful and
diverse people who
are subjected to
struggle for basic
human needs and
dignity. The
relentless energy of
these deprived
optimists are still
and will remain, the
most valued asset
for the nation of
Pakistan and the
greatest threat to
the status quo.
Pakistani character
can be explained in
the words the great
American poet Walt
Whitman:
“I press the pulse
of the life that has
hitherto seldom
exhibited itself,
but has generally
sought concealment,
(the great pride of
man, in himself,) I
illuminate feelings,
faults, yearnings,
hopes—I have come at
last, no more
ashamed nor afraid;”
True to its name
Pakistan is the land
of the pure. Land of
pure quest for a
better future
against all odds.
Even at this dark
hour of devastating
floods and
relentless reign of
terror, the people
of Pakistan are as
determined as they
were on the dawn of
August 14, 2010
(Ramadan 27, 1366 H)
to work for a great
tomorrow and
reconstruct a
country that has
triumphed the
existential
challenges many
times in its short
history.
The rains that have
for the past two
weeks caused the
worst flooding in
northwest Pakistan
in eight decades
have shifted
attention from the
country's battle
against insurgency
and militancy and
the fragility of its
relationship with
the United States.
As the monsoon rains
move south, numerous
roads, bridges and
dams have been
damaged. Crops have
been destroyed. It
is likely that next
year's crops will
not be planted. Yet
amid all this
destruction are
reasons for
optimism. Rapid U.S.
action to support
Pakistan's relief
efforts may help
improve America's
image among a
population that
generally resents
the United States.
Washington's $55
million aid pledge
makes it the largest
donor among the
international
community. U.S.
Chinooks -- seen as
angels of mercy
after the 2005
earthquake -- are
helping Pakistanis
over flood-ravaged
mountains and
plains, and
represent both U.S.
ability to help
Pakistanis and the
Pakistani military's
willingness to work
with its U.S.
counterparts.
Read More
Oscar Wilde once
described patriotism
as “the virtue of
the vicious”. In the
many articles
published in this
newspaper, I have
tried to steer clear
of the vicious kind
of narrow
chest-thumping
patriotism,
preferring Benjamin
Franklin’s version
instead — a patriot
ought to remain true
to his country,
right or wrong,
provided that when
his country is
wrong, he considers
it his patriotic
duty to correct it.
However, there does
come a time when
even the most right
thinking of patriots
are driven into a
corner. In an
article that should
have had nothing to
do with Pakistan,
Thomas Friedman of
the New York Times
subtly dropped the
nugget that
Pakistanis espouse
the most puritanical
form of Sunni Islam
along with Saudi
Arabia (‘Broadway
and the Mosque’,
NYT, August 4,
2010). As a
Pakistani of an
entirely non-Sunni
background, I am
taken aback by this
utterly ill informed
claim. The reason
for my angst:
Pakistan is not only
the second largest
Shia country in the
world after Iran,
but also houses the
largest populations
of Ahmedis and
Ismailis in the
world.
Read More
Ramadan is about
remembrance and
return --
remembrance of the
origins of Islam,
and return to its
essence. Ramadan is
the month that
Muhammad, a
respected merchant
in late-sixth- and
early-seventh-century
Arabia, would retire
to a cave on Mt.
Hira for a period of
fasting, praying and
giving alms to the
poor. One night,
during the last ten
days of his monthly
pilgrimage in the
year 610, Muhammad
was visited by the
Angel Gabriel (the
same Angel Gabriel
from the Bible),
squeezed three times
in the Angel's grip,
and given the first
lines of the Holy
Qur'an: "Recite in
the name of your
Lord who created.
Created man from a
clot. Recite and
your Lord is most
generous" (96:1-3).
During Ramadan,
Muslims fast to
remember the moment
God chose Muhammad
as His Prophet; we
fast to show
gratitude for the
message God sent
through the Prophet;
and we fast to seek
God's strength in
our pursuit of that
message.
Read More
Congressman John B.
Larson cordially
invites you to join
His Excellency
Ambassador Husain
Haqqani of Pakistan
for a discussion
with other cultural,
educational and
religious leaders
from the Greater
Hartford area, on
Thursday, August 19,
2010,
From 4:00 PM to 6:00
PM
in the Community
Room at the
Connecticut Science
Center, located at
250 Columbus
Boulevard, Hartford.
Please RSVP to John
Rossi, District
Chief of Staff at
860-278-8888 or via
email
John.Rossi@mail.house.gov.
Journey Of Hope is a
unique, free concert
event inspiring our
global community to
activism and
empowering youth
everywhere, lensed
through the story of
Greg Mortensen
(Nobel Peace Prize
Nominee and author
of NY Times
Bestseller "Three
Cups of Tea"). The
event is hosted by
humanitarians and
musicians Dr. Salman
Ahmed (UN Goodwill
Ambassador, Junoon)
and Brad Corrigan
(Dispatch) and
features special
guests, performers
and video vignettes
with the singular
mission of educating
and empowering youth
and the
young-at-heart
toward global
activism.
PAKPAC has more openings for active community members to become Board of Directors.
Email
Nomination@pakpac.net
The Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee (PAKPAC) is a nationwide, membership based, non-profit lobbying organization registered with the United States Federal Government. PAKPAC’s mission includes advancement and strengthening of U.S.-Pakistan relations. It is organized to be a unified voice on issues and concerns common to the Pakistani American community. PAKPAC’s focus includes an active environment to foster greater political and civic engagement amongst the Pakistani Americans. PAKPAC is also focused on collaborating with other regional and national Pakistani American organizations to ensue increased efficacy and reduced duplication of the stated goals. PAKPAC along with our affiliates is working to serve as a watch dog for inaccuracies and bias in media coverage about Pakistan and Pakistani Americans. We are also involved in educating media groups, journalists, politicians, academicians and members of think tanks about views of concern and importance to the Pakistani American community.
DISCLAIMER This e-newsletter is sponsored by PAKPAC for its readers and supporters. The items contained herein are published as submitted and are provided for general information purposes only. This information is not advice. Readers should not rely solely on this information, but should make their own inquiries before making any decisions. PAKPAC works to maintain up-to-date information from reliable sources; however, no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions or results of any actions based upon this information. If you have any questions regarding any of these items, contact the organizational representative of that source. This e-newsletter may contain links to websites that are created and maintained by other organizations. These site owners have intellectual property rights of the content. PAKPAC does not necessarily endorse the views expressed on these websites, nor does it guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information presented there. Furthermore, visitors should be aware that other sites linked from this e-newsletter may use persistent cookies that track visitor viewing habits.
PAKPAC wishes its
readers of Pakistani
heritage
“Jashn-e-Azadi
Mubarik”. Given the
worsening flood
situation in
Pakistan, Government
of Pakistan has
decided to tone down
independence day
festivities,
similarly Pakistan
Army is not carrying
out any Independence
Day parades or other
routine activities.
Carrying
on with a tradition
set by President
Bush, President
Obama held an iftar
in White House for
Muslim dignitaries
from the Legislative
Branch,
Administration,
Community and
Religious leaders,
including
Congressman Andre
Carson; Ambassador
Hussain Haqqani; Dr.
Akbar Ahmed,
American
University; Imam
Mohamed Hag Magid,
All Dulles Area
Muslim Society, Mr.
Mustafa Javed Ali,
FBI, Mr. Arif
Alikhan, Assistant
Secretary for Policy
Development, DHS,
Mr. Mazen Basrawi,
Counsel to the
Assistant Attorney
General for Civil
Rights, DOJ; Mr.
Rashad Hussain, U.S.
Special Envoy to the
Organization of the
Islamic Conference;
Ms. Sehreen Noor
Ali, Department of
State; Ms. Farah
Pandith, Special
Representative to
Muslim Communities,
Department of State;
Mr. Irfan Saeed,
DHS; Mr. Shaarik
Zafar, National
Counter Terrorism
Center; Dr. Ingrid
Mattson, Islamic
Society of North
America. See
complete 
Event
started with a tour
of White House,
Khizar Munir, an
intern at White
House, volunteered
to lead the White
House tour, his
inside information
was very helpful in
understanding the
history behind
different White
House Rooms. Former
Congressman Jim
Moody was quite
helpful and
instrumental in
guiding the group
through Capitol Hill
tour. This followed
a three hour panel
session comprised of
4 panel groups.
Following the panel
session, the group
travelled to
Pakistan Embassy for
dinner, where Salman
Ahmad of Junoon
entertained the
group with his music
and current social
entrepreneurship
efforts. DCM Mrs.
Iffat Gardezi
welcomed the group
to Pakistan Embassy,
followed by a
welcome address by
PAKPAC President Dr.
Mohammed Suleman.
The
Department of
Education held its
first-ever
anti-bullying summit
on Aug 11& 12 in
Washington. The goal
of the summit was to
engage governmental
and non-governmental
partners including
PAKPAC in crafting a
national strategy to
reduce and end
bullying. Education
Secretary Arne
Duncan opened the
two-day summit on
the dangers of
bullying inside and
outside the
classroom. Secretary
Duncan highlighted
Department of
Education goal to
make our nation’s
school safe for
children, teachers,
and parents.
Bullying has long
been an issue in
schools, but in
recent years - with
the accessibility of
texting and the
Internet - the
problem has grown.
Over 8 million
students suffer from
some form of
bullying. Besides
Secretary Duncan,
Dr. Regina Benjamin
Surgeon General also
addressed the
gathering.
