A Reminder: Dr Faisal

(This is a rejoinder to Farzana Versey's article and her response to my post on her blog.)

I agree that the comparison was odious. But it was not unwarranted. The fate of two Faisals’, both of same ethnic origin, underpins the path the two countries have taken since partition. Your article would have been marvelous had it taken the effort to point this out to Pakistanis. Instead, you chose to deconstruct the achievements of Dr Faisal, and made it sound as if it was out of petty careerism.

The example of Dr Faisal, even if in a small way, has energized the self-image of Indian Muslims, which has been at the receiving end of negative social perception for some time now.

Even a cursory detour of the IM blogs and the urdu press; or even a random chat with the local abdul, highlights the effervescence in the community emanating from doctor’s achievement.

In short, the idolization of Rukhsana & Dr Faisal is not because they are brave or super-intelligent, which they are. It is because they had the wisdom to choose the right path.

Wailing A Kashmiri's Choice

An Article by Farzana Versey in Paktribune inspired the Bappi Adams in me. Nosh Farmaiye.

Faisal, the Kashmiri versus Faisal, the Kashmiri

My Islamist heart wails copious tears,
Wants to believe that change’s not near.
It moans the words that Faisal spoke,
That shameless, ingrate, faithless bloke.

Faisal! Rue your slavery ‘they’ will buy,
Promote you high-up to ‘Paaacify’.

You innocent, thoughtless, spineless lamb,
Can’t you see the bania’s plan,
So willing a tool in the Brahmin’s hand.

Can’t you see the hardships forced?
So what’s the challenge that you rose.

Learn from Faisal across the ‘line’,
Brave and Handsome and views Divine.
He gave his golden spoooooon away,
And lives in the penitentiary in USA.

Oh he, the Glorious martyr of faith,
So tiny you, in his shadow rake.
Never shall the Jihad die,
Mumbai, New York, Beslan pry

Adopt the ways of ‘Pure’ ‘Fair’ n ‘Tight’,
Blow a bomb on a square on Right.
That is what best represents your Fight,
Degree Vegree all so Trite.