Maham Ali
Faria called me from Swat yesterday night. She told me that her khaloo was shot dead by taliban 2 days ago because he was a member of the 'aman' society in swat. Faria's khala is only 22 years old with a 6 month old daughter. She told me all of this very calmly which i find very alarming. She further said that the real taliban are roaming freely in front of the army and the army is doing absolutely nothing and the 'terrorists' who are actually killed have got nothing to do with the talibans and are innocent people. She also kept on saying that our pakistan army is really weak that they cant even defeat a few hundred taliban and it seems that the government is playing some dirty game with the people of swat in order to get rid of us.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Poem about Shajar-e-ilm
(given to Zaynah Gilani)
In the depth of my heart a name can be found,
Filled with love and silent sound.
Shajar-e-ilm is really the tree of knowledge,
In that organization our brains were polished.
In that we got knowledge about many things,
Including team work, critical thinking and everything.
All the volunteers were very caring,
Very hardworking brave and loving.
All the guests who came to welcome us,
Were very friendly, intelligent and bright.
We enjoyed every moment there,
We went to parks, hotels and everywhere.
I pray that Shajar-e-ilm develop so far,
And become a fine bright and shining star.
Written by Nazli Akbar
SHAJAR-E-ILM
In the depth of my heart a name can be found,
Filled with love and silent sound.
Shajar-e-ilm is really the tree of knowledge,
In that organization our brains were polished.
In that we got knowledge about many things,
Including team work, critical thinking and everything.
All the volunteers were very caring,
Very hardworking brave and loving.
All the guests who came to welcome us,
Were very friendly, intelligent and bright.
We enjoyed every moment there,
We went to parks, hotels and everywhere.
I pray that Shajar-e-ilm develop so far,
And become a fine bright and shining star.
Written by Nazli Akbar
Monday, September 7, 2009
SSC Examination results
(Courtesy Meeha Irfan and Maliha Tariq)
The elder four of our twenty six girls sat for their SSC exams this summer. And all four have passed with impressive grades. For those who dont know, heres a little info on what the SSC is:
The Estimates Committee of Parliament, in its 47th Report (1967-68), recommended the setting up of a Services Selection Commission for conducting examinations for recruitment to lower categories of posts. Pursuant to this, and as an interim measure, an Examination Wing was initially added to the Secretarial Training School, subsequently renamed as the Institute of Secretariat Training and Management (ISTM).
The Administration Reforms Commission (ARC), in its Report on Personnel Administration, drew pointed attention to the fact that bulk of the staff of the government at the Centre and in the States belonged to class III and class IV categories. Referring, in particular, to the identical nature of qualifications stipulated for entry into such posts in various offices, the Commission advocated pooling of the requirements of non-technical posts by different departments and selection of personnel either by joint recruitment or through a recruitment board. It was in pursuance of this recommendation that the Government of India decided to constitute a Subordinate Services Commission under an Executive Resolution-No. 46/1/(S)/74-esstt. (B) dt. 4th November, 1975 (Appendix 1). It was renamed as Staff Selection Commission (SSC) on September 26, 1977. [can be accessed at: http://ssc.nic.in/about.htm]
Total marks for the exam was 525. Their scores were as follows:
- Reshma Aziz - 448 (85.3%)
- Nazli Akbar - 446 (84.9%)
- Uzma Jan - 421 (80.2%)
- Eman Hamayun -396 (75.4%)
Well done Chicas!
The elder four of our twenty six girls sat for their SSC exams this summer. And all four have passed with impressive grades. For those who dont know, heres a little info on what the SSC is:
The Estimates Committee of Parliament, in its 47th Report (1967-68), recommended the setting up of a Services Selection Commission for conducting examinations for recruitment to lower categories of posts. Pursuant to this, and as an interim measure, an Examination Wing was initially added to the Secretarial Training School, subsequently renamed as the Institute of Secretariat Training and Management (ISTM).
The Administration Reforms Commission (ARC), in its Report on Personnel Administration, drew pointed attention to the fact that bulk of the staff of the government at the Centre and in the States belonged to class III and class IV categories. Referring, in particular, to the identical nature of qualifications stipulated for entry into such posts in various offices, the Commission advocated pooling of the requirements of non-technical posts by different departments and selection of personnel either by joint recruitment or through a recruitment board. It was in pursuance of this recommendation that the Government of India decided to constitute a Subordinate Services Commission under an Executive Resolution-No. 46/1/(S)/74-esstt. (B) dt. 4th November, 1975 (Appendix 1). It was renamed as Staff Selection Commission (SSC) on September 26, 1977. [can be accessed at: http://ssc.nic.in/about.htm]
Total marks for the exam was 525. Their scores were as follows:
- Reshma Aziz - 448 (85.3%)
- Nazli Akbar - 446 (84.9%)
- Uzma Jan - 421 (80.2%)
- Eman Hamayun -396 (75.4%)
Well done Chicas!
More from Swat
(Sent to Madihah Akhter)
My Dear Big sister,
Thanks a lot for your kind response. It is pleasing to know that my mail is circulated with other volunteers. Meeha baji and I discussed throu phone about admissions in university. Let us see what happens. Kindly imagine that I am just waiting for admission in university as I have passed F.Sc exam while girls college in swat is only open in papers and physical presence of students and teachers is negligible.
Thanks for putting the e mail in the blog section. I will share the survey results and will student answer sheets of other questions as well.
Yesterday I hold an exclusive meeting with the teachers of the said school and discussed to initiate some learning by doing tactics and extra curricular activities, that may refresh the students on the one hand and to learn some thing good on the other. Interest of teachers as well as students in attending the school and to deliver the goods efficiently, is raising.
Shajar I Ilm initiative in this school is paving ways towards many other interventions. A teacher promised to call her relative Psychologist to attend the school for at least once in a week for counseling of traumatized kids. While floating the idea of BIG Sister here, some houses in the school is also in the making. Each senior class student will own at least 5-7 junior class students as their
younger sisters and they will keep eye and watch on their activities and will also guide them in their problems.
Different houses are also being formed. SHAJAR I ILM house will be the leading or umbrella house while other houses like HOPE House, FAITH house, PEACE house, UNITY house of different age groups are suggested, that will start work with in two three days. Each house will demonstrate their work in the pretext of their house name.
Activities like competition in games; cooking, discussions, acting and funs will be embarked upon. Each house will be controlled by a house mistress, coupled with a student coordinator who will mutually coordinate the activities within.
Similarly many things other are being planned. A sport day on next Friday is also scheduled. Will try to get photographs of events and to circulate.
What I dream is to wonder you all here in this school to inaugurate the first ever model school of Shajar I ilm. This is my target, being confident to achieve that as I am not alone.
In case of my admission in university, I will keep eye and watch on all the stuff on monthly basis and local volunteers will be assigned the responsibility for smooth flow of work and to share all events with me. My father will also take care of now and then.
Kindly guide, circulate and upload to website..
Regards and wishes,
Shandana
My Dear Big sister,
Thanks a lot for your kind response. It is pleasing to know that my mail is circulated with other volunteers. Meeha baji and I discussed throu phone about admissions in university. Let us see what happens. Kindly imagine that I am just waiting for admission in university as I have passed F.Sc exam while girls college in swat is only open in papers and physical presence of students and teachers is negligible.
Thanks for putting the e mail in the blog section. I will share the survey results and will student answer sheets of other questions as well.
Yesterday I hold an exclusive meeting with the teachers of the said school and discussed to initiate some learning by doing tactics and extra curricular activities, that may refresh the students on the one hand and to learn some thing good on the other. Interest of teachers as well as students in attending the school and to deliver the goods efficiently, is raising.
Shajar I Ilm initiative in this school is paving ways towards many other interventions. A teacher promised to call her relative Psychologist to attend the school for at least once in a week for counseling of traumatized kids. While floating the idea of BIG Sister here, some houses in the school is also in the making. Each senior class student will own at least 5-7 junior class students as their
younger sisters and they will keep eye and watch on their activities and will also guide them in their problems.
Different houses are also being formed. SHAJAR I ILM house will be the leading or umbrella house while other houses like HOPE House, FAITH house, PEACE house, UNITY house of different age groups are suggested, that will start work with in two three days. Each house will demonstrate their work in the pretext of their house name.
Activities like competition in games; cooking, discussions, acting and funs will be embarked upon. Each house will be controlled by a house mistress, coupled with a student coordinator who will mutually coordinate the activities within.
Similarly many things other are being planned. A sport day on next Friday is also scheduled. Will try to get photographs of events and to circulate.
What I dream is to wonder you all here in this school to inaugurate the first ever model school of Shajar I ilm. This is my target, being confident to achieve that as I am not alone.
In case of my admission in university, I will keep eye and watch on all the stuff on monthly basis and local volunteers will be assigned the responsibility for smooth flow of work and to share all events with me. My father will also take care of now and then.
Kindly guide, circulate and upload to website..
Regards and wishes,
Shandana
Forwards Central
Courtesy Meeha Irfan
We at Shajar-e-Ilm truly appreciate the fact that our girls up in Swat make sure they keep in touch with us no matter what. This is usually done through texts asking us how we’re doing and how the fasts are treating us. Most of all, we receive entertaining forwards some of which I thought I’d share with everyone. Enjoy!
Kainat:
Boy: Doctor mujhay bemari hay. Khanay kay baad bhook nahin lagti. Sonay kay bad neend nahin ati. Kaam karoon tau thak jata hoon.
Doctor: Saari raat dhoop maen betho theek ho jao gay.
Eman Hamayun:
Pathan: Yara Mobile Mei Kuch Mp3 Songs dal do..
Dukandar: Memory Card hai?
Pathan: Wo tau nahin hay Shanakhti Card dun kia.
Nazli:
- “Sardar Ji aap ko kabhi kisi say pyar hua?”
- “han yar! Par woh m anti hi nahin!”
- “kia kehti hay?”
- “Bolti hay, ‘I love you 2’ .. pata nahin yeh doosra kameena kaun hay!”
Eman Hamayun:
3 Mice were talking about their bravery.
Mouse1: I poisoned the dog’s meat
Mouse2: I ate cheese from the trap.
Mouse3: Guys, I’m leaving on a date with a cat!
Nazli:
Student: Teacher kya aap murghi haen?
Teacher: kya? Nahin..kyun?
Student: Tau phir aap hamesha mujhay tests maen ANDAY kyun deti haen?
Reshma and Eman (On Defence Day):
SONG OF A YOUNG SOLDIER
I don’t want my teenage queen,
Just give me my rifle M16,
If I die in a battle zone,
Box me up and send me home,
Put my rifle on my chest,
Tell my mom I did my best,
Say my nation not to cry,
I’m the Soldier born to die!
‘PAKISTAN ZINDABAD’
Proud to be a Pakistani.
Happy Defence Day!
Uzma Jan (when I did not reply to her text for over an hour because I was asleep):
(Drawing of a baby using brackets and dashes)
Me aap say nalaj hun
Meleko na yaad kalte haen
ol phone bhi ni kalti
ol ash-mash bhi ni kalti
Meli apse katti hae. Jao Bash!!
We at Shajar-e-Ilm truly appreciate the fact that our girls up in Swat make sure they keep in touch with us no matter what. This is usually done through texts asking us how we’re doing and how the fasts are treating us. Most of all, we receive entertaining forwards some of which I thought I’d share with everyone. Enjoy!
Kainat:
Boy: Doctor mujhay bemari hay. Khanay kay baad bhook nahin lagti. Sonay kay bad neend nahin ati. Kaam karoon tau thak jata hoon.
Doctor: Saari raat dhoop maen betho theek ho jao gay.
Eman Hamayun:
Pathan: Yara Mobile Mei Kuch Mp3 Songs dal do..
Dukandar: Memory Card hai?
Pathan: Wo tau nahin hay Shanakhti Card dun kia.
Nazli:
- “Sardar Ji aap ko kabhi kisi say pyar hua?”
- “han yar! Par woh m anti hi nahin!”
- “kia kehti hay?”
- “Bolti hay, ‘I love you 2’ .. pata nahin yeh doosra kameena kaun hay!”
Eman Hamayun:
3 Mice were talking about their bravery.
Mouse1: I poisoned the dog’s meat
Mouse2: I ate cheese from the trap.
Mouse3: Guys, I’m leaving on a date with a cat!
Nazli:
Student: Teacher kya aap murghi haen?
Teacher: kya? Nahin..kyun?
Student: Tau phir aap hamesha mujhay tests maen ANDAY kyun deti haen?
Reshma and Eman (On Defence Day):
SONG OF A YOUNG SOLDIER
I don’t want my teenage queen,
Just give me my rifle M16,
If I die in a battle zone,
Box me up and send me home,
Put my rifle on my chest,
Tell my mom I did my best,
Say my nation not to cry,
I’m the Soldier born to die!
‘PAKISTAN ZINDABAD’
Proud to be a Pakistani.
Happy Defence Day!
Uzma Jan (when I did not reply to her text for over an hour because I was asleep):
(Drawing of a baby using brackets and dashes)
Me aap say nalaj hun
Meleko na yaad kalte haen
ol phone bhi ni kalti
ol ash-mash bhi ni kalti
Meli apse katti hae. Jao Bash!!
From Swat: Activities of the girls
Messages with the Shajar-e-ilm Team
The departure of the girls had left the volunteers missing the long working hours, frantic organizing and utter dedication to providing for the girls, but the first text message:
Eman: "We have reached our homes safely"
signified a continuation of the relationships between the girls and the volunteers.
From then on, almost everyday all the volunteers have been receiving text messages from the girls telling us how much they miss everyone and asking only one question: "Baji(sister) when will you visit us?"
Now, almost everyday all the volunteers exchange conversations about the activities of the girls.
Uzma: "Zaynah we have heard that you are coming to Swat in December, we are all very happy and we have started decorating our school now. You all will come?"
The girls have gradually settled in their routine and started studies also. There is an upcoming exhibition in their school, for which they have started preparing already. The topic for this exhibition will be "PEACE". One of the girls tells me:
Eman: " I'll paint a peaceful place with many homes, children playing outside, greenery everywhere, a woman reciting the Quran and a man praying."
Jokes, riddles or anecdotes have become part of our daily conversations.
Some of the older girls have given their final year exams and are moving on to their higher studies. Messages about their examination results are the most exchanged texts these days.
The departure of the girls had left the volunteers missing the long working hours, frantic organizing and utter dedication to providing for the girls, but the first text message:
Eman: "We have reached our homes safely"
signified a continuation of the relationships between the girls and the volunteers.
From then on, almost everyday all the volunteers have been receiving text messages from the girls telling us how much they miss everyone and asking only one question: "Baji(sister) when will you visit us?"
Now, almost everyday all the volunteers exchange conversations about the activities of the girls.
Uzma: "Zaynah we have heard that you are coming to Swat in December, we are all very happy and we have started decorating our school now. You all will come?"
The girls have gradually settled in their routine and started studies also. There is an upcoming exhibition in their school, for which they have started preparing already. The topic for this exhibition will be "PEACE". One of the girls tells me:
Eman: " I'll paint a peaceful place with many homes, children playing outside, greenery everywhere, a woman reciting the Quran and a man praying."
Jokes, riddles or anecdotes have become part of our daily conversations.
Some of the older girls have given their final year exams and are moving on to their higher studies. Messages about their examination results are the most exchanged texts these days.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
After the retreat - Shandana's Initiative
(Text of email sent to Madihah Akhter)
Dear Big Sister,
Hope you are easy and relaxed after a well organized unique event that was not only productive, energizing but refreshing and entertaining too. Many thanks.
You will be pleased to know that I have started work on similar lines here in my village Govt Girls High School. From September, 01, 2009, I have started attending the school to share with school's girls, the things that we learnt in the retreat. We exchange jokes, discuss the ongoing situation and how to deal in difficult situations that we are confronting since previous two and half years. Pleasing was the fact that the morale of the students went quite comfortable as a result of positive conversation.
I with the help of my father developed a questioner survey carrying 10 questions, to see observe the level of understanding of the students and the effects of war on their minds, studies and physiques. Along with this some easy questions in urdu were also distributed, they are supposed to answer, that will determine the power of critical thinking, that is the most important missing link in our day to day life that no doubt also contribute in the ongoing mess. Few of the questions are as under.
Why you lift the village?
Where you spent the time after displacement?
How was the treatment of your host with you?
What you observed while leaving your valley?
What were your feelings when you were told of going back to your home?
What did you saw while on the way back to home?
What lesson did you learnt from this historical displacement, good and bad?
What is our responsibility to manage ourselves, such catastrophe may not happen again?
What else you would like to say about ?
The above questioners will be collected in a week time and its contents will be shared with you accordingly. I am of the opinion that Shajaar I Ilm may declare this School as its model and to facilitate the students to get quality education locally. The deficiency can be found out and how to cope with that will be outlined with the help of local people and me as well. I will extend my all possible efforts and energies to forward the cause of Shajar I ilam, whose volunteers have energized and equipped me to a level that I find my self quite comfortable to bring positive change.
Hope you will guide and encourage me in doing so. All my efforts and all my endeavors is no doubt a credit that goes to SHAJAR I ILM.
Regards,
Yours Sister
Shandana from the land of Curfew
Dear Big Sister,
Hope you are easy and relaxed after a well organized unique event that was not only productive, energizing but refreshing and entertaining too. Many thanks.
You will be pleased to know that I have started work on similar lines here in my village Govt Girls High School. From September, 01, 2009, I have started attending the school to share with school's girls, the things that we learnt in the retreat. We exchange jokes, discuss the ongoing situation and how to deal in difficult situations that we are confronting since previous two and half years. Pleasing was the fact that the morale of the students went quite comfortable as a result of positive conversation.
I with the help of my father developed a questioner survey carrying 10 questions, to see observe the level of understanding of the students and the effects of war on their minds, studies and physiques. Along with this some easy questions in urdu were also distributed, they are supposed to answer, that will determine the power of critical thinking, that is the most important missing link in our day to day life that no doubt also contribute in the ongoing mess. Few of the questions are as under.
Why you lift the village?
Where you spent the time after displacement?
How was the treatment of your host with you?
What you observed while leaving your valley?
What were your feelings when you were told of going back to your home?
What did you saw while on the way back to home?
What lesson did you learnt from this historical displacement, good and bad?
What is our responsibility to manage ourselves, such catastrophe may not happen again?
What else you would like to say about ?
The above questioners will be collected in a week time and its contents will be shared with you accordingly. I am of the opinion that Shajaar I Ilm may declare this School as its model and to facilitate the students to get quality education locally. The deficiency can be found out and how to cope with that will be outlined with the help of local people and me as well. I will extend my all possible efforts and energies to forward the cause of Shajar I ilam, whose volunteers have energized and equipped me to a level that I find my self quite comfortable to bring positive change.
Hope you will guide and encourage me in doing so. All my efforts and all my endeavors is no doubt a credit that goes to SHAJAR I ILM.
Regards,
Yours Sister
Shandana from the land of Curfew
Diary entry - Closing ceremony
Madeeha Ansari - Blog Administrator
All the girls dressed up for the closing ceremony. Anam even lugged a massive makeup kit to Amna’s place during the frenzied rush to get posters and people to the Club on time. It was important, the ritualistic completion of the female toilette. It was important to mark the day as one to be remembered.
The ceremony itself was a short one, meant as a neat little end to the seven day retreat. The programme was an opportunity for the schoolgirls to come forward and share stories of their home with a wider audience. The selected girls did so in their own characteristic styles, with confidence, humour and insightfulness. Islamabad was spellbound.
Another objective of the ceremony was to share the experiences of the retreat with people who could offer valuable input and support to future ventures. Myra prepared a slideshow, the documenters put together a collection of video clips. The Meeha-Maham-Maliha phone-calling team invested much time and Ufone credit in developing a network for Shajar-e-Ilm to rely on, once registered. Their task ended with the printing of the guest-list. After that, it was the Swati girls who came forward in their eagerness to reach out to those they felt were straining to understand the lives behind the news stories. Even if, as Shandana said, all those present were among the lucky ones, they were still a medium to access a wholly different world. Mr. Ziauddin and his girls put us all to shame with the depth of their knowledge of literature, philosophy and the world at large.
The ceremony ended with a rendition of Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s “Bol”. The following is a simple translation of the first verse.
Bol, ki lab aazad hain tere
Bol, zaban ab tak teri hai
Tera sutwan jism hai tera
Bol, ki jaan ab tak teri hai
Speak, for your lips are free
Speak – your tongue is yours yet
Your body is yours
Speak, for your life is yours still
Shiza's expression said it all.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
"Choice Snippets"
Courtesy Maliha Tariq - Project Coordinator
and Madeeha Ansari
Romana (from Urdu): When we saw the play and I saw the acting of Rupa, Dick and Babaji I didn’t even feel like coming back to the hotel. And the park was even more fun. I was really very happy that day -I laughed my heart out and I will never forget this day.
Laila (on Samar Minallah): Then when Samar Minallah came I was stunned. I cried a lot upon listening to her speak, hearing about her profession and seeing the love she has for people in her heart. I am determined to be like her when I grow up, Insha’Allah, and if I can be of any help to her in her profession, it would be a matter of pride for me. I will never forget Samar Minallah, her emotions and her strength and if God gives me such strength I will be very grateful to Him.
Kainat Javed: Thank you very much for taking us to Daman-e-Koh on our third day. At Daman-e-Koh we enjoyed some delicious ice-cream and spicy gol guppay. Do you know, I had four plates of gol guppay and I had four boxes of the juice of gol guppay as well!
Malka-e-Noor: On 1st day we played many games but I don’t like such types of games.
Reshma Aziz: The workshop by Ghazala Minallah, Fauzia Minallah and Madiha feels us that we were not alone during the critical situation we have faced in Swat. They did so much for us. We really appreciated it. And from them we have got that we always have to raise our voice, we always have to speak about the wrong things going on in our society. We shall not remain silent because we have the right to ask about our rights.
Farhana: When I heard that Nehel baji had come from Karachi just for us I was very happy. May God give success to all these people.
Moniba: We went to watch they play and the two boys were singing. His voice is so beautiful. I like his voice very much. And then there was a funny drama.
Malala: I think that if Pakistan has so talented directors and actors and they can act so great, we don't need to watch Indian movies!
Nazli Akbar: Travel to Faisal Mosque was the most exciting point for me because it was my first time to be there. I heard much about it from many people but when I saw it with my own eyes I was too much excited. There I prayed that "O Allah bring happiness back to Swat."
The fourth day was very exciteful and I closed this day in my memories.
and Madeeha Ansari
Romana (from Urdu): When we saw the play and I saw the acting of Rupa, Dick and Babaji I didn’t even feel like coming back to the hotel. And the park was even more fun. I was really very happy that day -I laughed my heart out and I will never forget this day.
Laila (on Samar Minallah): Then when Samar Minallah came I was stunned. I cried a lot upon listening to her speak, hearing about her profession and seeing the love she has for people in her heart. I am determined to be like her when I grow up, Insha’Allah, and if I can be of any help to her in her profession, it would be a matter of pride for me. I will never forget Samar Minallah, her emotions and her strength and if God gives me such strength I will be very grateful to Him.
Kainat Javed: Thank you very much for taking us to Daman-e-Koh on our third day. At Daman-e-Koh we enjoyed some delicious ice-cream and spicy gol guppay. Do you know, I had four plates of gol guppay and I had four boxes of the juice of gol guppay as well!
Malka-e-Noor: On 1st day we played many games but I don’t like such types of games.
Reshma Aziz: The workshop by Ghazala Minallah, Fauzia Minallah and Madiha feels us that we were not alone during the critical situation we have faced in Swat. They did so much for us. We really appreciated it. And from them we have got that we always have to raise our voice, we always have to speak about the wrong things going on in our society. We shall not remain silent because we have the right to ask about our rights.
Farhana: When I heard that Nehel baji had come from Karachi just for us I was very happy. May God give success to all these people.
Moniba: We went to watch they play and the two boys were singing. His voice is so beautiful. I like his voice very much. And then there was a funny drama.
Malala: I think that if Pakistan has so talented directors and actors and they can act so great, we don't need to watch Indian movies!
Nazli Akbar: Travel to Faisal Mosque was the most exciting point for me because it was my first time to be there. I heard much about it from many people but when I saw it with my own eyes I was too much excited. There I prayed that "O Allah bring happiness back to Swat."
The fourth day was very exciteful and I closed this day in my memories.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Quotes from the girls
Courtesy Anam Zehra - Volunteer Coordinator
Muneeba: When we were living as IDPs with our relatives in Abbotabad, my family bought a blanket. But we had to go out to eat so we asked the shopkeeper to keep our blanket until we get back. He replied, ‘You don’t have a bomb hidden in there now do you?’ *with a trembling voice she continued* we are the ones who are suffering the brunt of the militants’ attacks, how can you ask us such questions? How can you associate us with them?
Malala: No where in the whole of Pakistan is Independence Day celebrated like in Swat. Chowks and street corners are lit up, old women come out dancing. We love Pakistan so much *tears* but Pakistan doesn’t love us!’
Shandana: ‘Instead of asking what Pakistan gave us, ask what we gave to Pakistan.’
Anam Zehra: ‘Samar Minallah always brings the image of an Amazonian warrior to mind.'
Ziauddin Sahab saying good bye on Aug 21: ‘ This week was the most beautiful week of our lives.’
Muneeba: When we were living as IDPs with our relatives in Abbotabad, my family bought a blanket. But we had to go out to eat so we asked the shopkeeper to keep our blanket until we get back. He replied, ‘You don’t have a bomb hidden in there now do you?’ *with a trembling voice she continued* we are the ones who are suffering the brunt of the militants’ attacks, how can you ask us such questions? How can you associate us with them?
Malala: No where in the whole of Pakistan is Independence Day celebrated like in Swat. Chowks and street corners are lit up, old women come out dancing. We love Pakistan so much *tears* but Pakistan doesn’t love us!’
Shandana: ‘Instead of asking what Pakistan gave us, ask what we gave to Pakistan.’
Anam Zehra: ‘Samar Minallah always brings the image of an Amazonian warrior to mind.'
Ziauddin Sahab saying good bye on Aug 21: ‘ This week was the most beautiful week of our lives.’
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Of Identity
Madihah Akhter - Overseas Officer
As one girl uses her pale yellow dupatta to dry her face, more tears spill from the corners of her big, brown eyes. I’m sure she was hoping they would go unnoticed, but the memory of her dead father was too much to bear. She cried silently in the corner of the conference room for 15 minutes before she was able to pull herself together.
I don’t exactly remember what I was doing when I was 11, but my more accurate guesses would fall along the lines of going to school, attending birthday parties on the weekends, and going to summer camp in the mountains to hike and swim. I had the fortune to go to school regularly and without fear of retribution. It was at that exact moment, on the first day of the retreat, I knew these girls would teach me infinitely more than I could ever learn in any university classroom or from any book. It had started no more than a few hours before I witnessed this 12-year old’s tears and I was already feeling humbled and unexpectedly fulfilled.
The day was August 14th and humbled though I was, I also felt genuinely scared about that evening. Following introductions, I would be expected to define what patriotism meant to me. How do I explain in words to these girls that I am a Pakistani-American? Bring born and raised in America has made me an American by default, although I prefer daal chawal to pizza or burgers. I, too, have wept in confusion at who I was and who I was expected to be. Pakistani expectations weighed heavily on my American shoulders.
On the night of August 14th, my answer would have been ‘pass.’ I was scared to share my background with the girls, horrified they would giggle amongst themselves in their rooms at night at my accented Urdu and incorrectly conjugated verbs. In retrospect, my answer should have been that I am Pakistani, just like they are. My mannerisms and colloquialisms may be American but I have always embraced the Pakistani in me- food, culture, music, language and religion. I’ve accepted the good with the bad and the easy along with the difficult.
Patriotism to me cannot be thought of specifically in regards to the US or Pakistan. Instead, I murkily define patriotism as taking pride in where you come from. I will proudly wear a shalwar kameez, criticize corrupt Pakistani politicians and pop a few of the world’s most calorically dense desserts, gulab jaamin, in my mouth after breaking my roza. I will also proudly defend the superb public education I received in the States from first grade through college, criticize the American government’s foreign relation policies and go to the drive thru for some fries to complement the gulab jaamin. My Urdu is a combination of what I’ve learned from my family and what I’ve learned formally in my Urdu class in college. I have yet to decide whether to lament over not being able to bribe cops in the US.
In short, I have learned to love the healthy medium I bridged between the Pakistani and American in me. My love for this bridge has allowed me to come to Islamabad and participate in the Swat Valley Girls Retreat with an open mind and, more importantly, with an open heart. The supposed dichotomy I felt all my life allowed me to discover the dichotomy within these young girls. The same eyes that shed tears for beloved, lost family members also sparkle with laughter and excitement as they watch a hilarious play or peer curiously out from under a dupatta at the good looking musicians invited to play guitar in celebration of Pakistan’s independence day. Their eyes bring me comfort as they speak of strength, sadness, resilience and patriotic pride.
DAYS 4 - 6 Diaries
Reshma Aziz
Day four is speechless because we got so many good things and if we add them to our lives and manners so I think Pakistan will be a great country.
We had a workshop with Shahnaz Kapadia. She trained us that to work as a team people always have to get success. The game which we played during her workshop forced us to think that why we are not united so inshallah we will do a team work that no power on earth can even try to break us and I will convey her message in Swat that we all should be united.
We had a workshop with Tahira Abdullah and we got that a woman is very brave. She can do anything. Men and women are equal we are not supposed to make up and down between them. A woman can do everything with great spirit and we shall respect a woman.
The workshop by Ghazala Minallah, Fauzia Minallah and Madiha made us feel that we were not alone during the critical situation we have faced in Swat. And from them we have got that we always have to raise our voice, we always have to speak about the wrong things going on in our society. We shall not remain silent because we have the right to ask about our rights.
At last the interesting thing that we met the play cast. Ibrahim Kayani is my favourite celebrity and I am very excited that I talked to him and got autograph from him. And as the director of that play Shah Sharahbeel said that many people invited us but we did not go and as we got the invitation from you people so we ran away. This feels us very special and we are very thankful to them.
Maria Ahmed
After breakfast we had a workshop with Shahnaz Kapadia. We learned how if we work together as a team no one can hurt us. That we should give a chance to every team member since God has given talent to everyone. And that we should respect everyone.
Then we had a workshop with Tahira Abdullah. We learned many things about human rights but could not find answers to our question. Because she cannot give a chance of question to anyone. She is very strict and I did not like it too much.
Then we had a workshop with Ghazallah Minallah. She taught us about standing up for what’s right. How man and women have equal rights, and women can do things even men cannot do.
Raisham Zahoor
In the evening we went to Faisal Masjid there we say prayer. Then we went to Kabul Restaurant, there we ate Swati dishes. We enjoy that dinner very much because it was a Swati dinner. And then we went to the guest house and went to sleep.
DAY 3 - Diaries
Kainat Javed(Translated from Urdu)
Thank you very much for taking us to Daman-e-Koh on our third day. At Daman-e-Koh we enjoyed some delicious ice-cream and spicy gol guppay. Do you know, I had 4 plates of gol guppay and I had four boxes of the juice of gol guppay as well! It was a lot of fun. I really liked the way to Daman-e-Koh.
Reshma Aziz
After my breakfast at day 3 we went to the workshop hall. First of all we wrote the diary of the other two days.
After that we had a great and interesting workshop with Nigar Nazar and we really enjoyed it. We got from Nigar Nazar so many good things because she raised so many social issues through cartoons. She showed the faults of our people through cartoons which forced us not to do so. I really like her talent and the way she used for raising social issues.
Quatrina Hussain is a great lady. She discussed so many good things with us and we felt very happy. We have decided from her discussions that we should work hard at any cost and we should have dreams. As she discussed her own story with us so I thought if she didn’t stop her study anywhere in so many problems and she remained confident so why can’t I be like her? I decided to work hard and have to remain confident in every situation.
After our workshops we had a trip of Daman-e-Koh. I really enjoyed there. There all the volunteers were worried about us (mean they really cared for us). I am very impressed from all the volunteers the way you care for us. It really feels me proud. Before this time I even went to Daman-e-Koh but the joy and happiness I have got from the trip to Daman-e-Koh along with friends and volunteers is unforgettable.
Eman
Our first workshop was with Nigar Nazar who was a very nice lady. She showed us how to draw from Urdu alphabets, like she made a duck from ‘hai’, a face from five and a boat from ‘fai’ etc. She gave us drawing pads as gifts.
After lunch Ma’am Quatrina Hossain came. She takes interviews from politicians on the TV. She took her degree from America. She told us about her personal life and how she worked hard and became a successful woman. She told us to be as much educated as we can, that we must take Pakistan to the top. The more Pakistan succeeds, the more we succeed. Then people will start respecting Pakistanis because right now everyone thinks Pakistan is a very backward country.
Sohni
Nigar Nazar told us the name of her cartoon, Gogi. She used to wear polka dot clothes, which are my favorite. She showed us many cartoons, because of which instead of being bored we were enjoying the time.
Then we met Quatrina Hosain. She taught us how to fulfill our dreams even with our cultural limits.
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