From the newspapers & magazines

Scholarship opportunity for an outstanding Pakistani youth

        Study a Semester of Global Studies in Denmark from August-December 2016

In 2011, I also applied for the same program and was the one recipient from the OIC member countries…

This time, it could be you and have a much better chance as the scholarship is open to youth from Pakistan only.

So NOW is your moment of glory to grab this once in a life time opportunity!!

Program: 

Focuses on the institutional, cultural, environmental, conflict, media and citizenship dimensions of globalization, including the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development. It includes current international affairs and introduction to the new Africa and more.

What does the scholarship cover?

The scholarship covers full tuition, full board, accommodation in double room and two-week sustainability study tour in Denmark. The scholarship does NOT cover visa fees, flight tickets or pocket money.

Eligibility?

1. Youth from Pakistan with clean learning goal and personal development plans
2. Aged between 20 and 25 years old
3. Active in youth, grassroots or civil society organizations in Pakistan
4. Interested in contributing to the peaceful development of your communities
5. Eager to share your culture with students from around the world
6. Commitment to return back home after successful completion of program and apply the learning in your community
7. Able to take care of your visa, flight tickets, insurance costs to and pocket money while in Denmark.

First DEADLINE: 

14 May, 2016 to send an email of interest with a confirmation that you fulfil the above eligibility criteria to the best of your understanding to:

Bilal Masood

Youth Ambassador of Pakistan  

E-mail: debate.bilal@gmail.com

Upon receiving your email, you will be sent application details.

Please note: Final Deadline to submit complete application (including  recommendation letters from two different youth, public or civil society organizations) is 20 May, 2016

Yemen Crisis: Open Letter to Prime Minister of Pakistan

Dear Prime Minister of Pakistan,

As a sincere leader of Pakistan, a true friend of Muslim Ummah and our country being part of Ummah Wāhidah, what is paramount: Personal interest to invade Yemen with your elderly brothers or the national interest to stay away from this bloody war and facilitate early resolution of this widening crisis peacefully?

Do you know almost half (46%) of Yemen's population is under 15 years old, living in densely populated areas? Do you realize what consequences Pakistan will have in the case of former interest? Is this not the high time that we learn from our past blunders? What kind of a coalition is this when a country which we do not officially accept is allying with Arab countries in conducting joint aerial bombardments? Will it be acceptable for us to be part of such a coalition, let alone this bloodthirsty war? Instead of fighting foreign war and in the name of protecting ‘sovereignty and territorial integrity’ of other countries, we must first address critical internal issues at home and safeguard our national sovereignty. 

It is also time to appoint Pakistan’s Special Envoy for Yemen Conflict– which would demonstrate your government's serious commitment to amicably resolve this dangerous conflict which has engulfed the Gulf region and can easily reach our region because of any wrong decision.

Your efforts are appreciable in urgently taking action to bring home stranded Pakistanis in Yemen. However, there are still number of our nationals waiting to be evacuated with their lives in jeopardy. There is an urgent need to expedite the process of escorting all Pakistanis to our country from Yemen.

As a Pakistani along with my fellow citizens, I look forward to your clarification on your government’s policy on Yemen and pressing questions raised above.

Yours sincerely,

Bilal Masood

Citizen of Pakistan

My Corporate Training Clips

Attack in Paris: My View

Very sad on what happened in Paris, but also very sad that NO one is learning from the past, may it be terrorists or those who drew and printed such cartoons. Agree or Disagree, but for me both are from extremist mindsets. Terrorists are extremists because they brutally kill people and have their own interpretation of religion and what they do in the name of ‘Islam’. The other one is extremist because publishing such content has taken place before and it is going on again and... again. Those who are doing so know that it will spark animosity in many parts of the world, such acts will therefore be considered as a deliberate attempt to ignite hatred among people of different faiths in the name of ‘Freedom of Speech’. The only difference between two of them is that one use gun and the other use pen, their agenda is same i.e. to promote hate and make this planet worst place to live. Unfortunately, all this will further do no good but make things terrible for your and mine dream of making a peaceful world! While we still must continue our positive energies for a better world, but what is really disappointing is that all such positive work of years and years goes in vain within seconds with attacks like we witnessed in France!

Here are some excerpts from my interview to Jyllands-Posten published on
24-10-2011 which sadly still seems to be relevant in the year 2015.

Jyllands-Posten: Did the drawings hurt you?

I explained that I was deeply affected when I heard about the Jyllands-Posten drawings of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H).

“It hurt me, and I think it was wrong to print them. But now it has happened, and both parties should try to learn from it. Those who decided to print them should have imagined in themselves what feelings would be stirred. Conversely, we on our side might not have reacted so violently. I'm sure that the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) would have ignored the drawings.”

Jyllands-Posten: Do you think that by sharing your knowledge we would see a more subdued response if the cartoons were printed again?

Me: No, the reaction would be even stronger because it will be received as if one wants a confrontation. Therefore, we must talk together: we have to create a dialogue.

Jyllands-Posten: Will it be a reasonable reaction?

Me: It's hard to control people's emotions. We must have freedom of speech, but a responsibility follows with this and there are some things that should not be done. I hope that the West will understand this.

Peace to all!
Bilal Masood

Thank you all for being wonderful!

Alhamdulillah, year 2014 has been a very memorable year for me. In the start of the year, I was included in the list of 26 unsung heroes of Pakistanis who have been making the country proud. It was once again an amazing opportunity to represent Pakistan internationally and to visit some really breathtaking places in the Northern Pakistan.

Professionally, it was a year of learning and transforming people both young and many who were lot more older than me in training sessions.... It was an amazing opportunity to work with some of the most wonderful people I met during this year. Friends, young people and students like you not only from within the country but across the globe have been very supportive and appreciating for the efforts in building the positive image of the country and better world amid extremely tough times, and inshAllah I will keep going beyond borders, in my trainings and via every platform I get to spread the message of positivity, peace and love.

What makes us a nation is that we come together during times of national tragedy, but there has never been a time than the horrendous tragedy of Peshawar in the last month of 2014 that has left a lasting effect of heartfelt grief in me and all humanity! 2015 is the year than any year before that we must unite as one for peaceful Pakistan and peaceful World!! We must get rid of terrorism and extremism once and for all. We must play our role in contributing good and positive breaking news which are often deliberately ignored or undermined by negative stories. Solution to many issues which we face today in this World is TOLERANCE and for that there has to be willingness to understand each other, respect differences and appreciate them!!

You can always write to me for any assignments and projects where you think I can be of any help.
Thank you all for being wonderful and I hope you keep encouraging for my work in the year 2015 as you did in previous years.

Love, peace, best wishes and prayers for new year,
Bilal Masood

Feel like a bird & fly high!

So here is a bit of my story that I am sharing today, some of you have asked about it over the time, there is of course lot more to it of what you will read now!

Many of you know it that I have been passionate about public speaking, but it goes back as early as my school days. Coming to stage was something I always loved from childhood. However, my turning point and when it all started was exactly a decade ago during my teen age at the TCS Hyde Park Juniors organized by TCS, a leading courier company of Pakistan. The program focused on public speaking skills for young students within the age bracket of 14 to 17 years. I was selected for the one week training held at the School of Leadership in Karachi, yes it was as early as 2004 I did okay at the Quarter-Finals but learned a lot from it, it was then that I dreamed to be among top few in next round and that is exactly what happened and I secured 3rd Position in the Semi-Finals and here are few pictures of that memorable day!! I also did well at the Finals and was among top 5. Two years later in 2006, TCS then sponsored me for my first all alone International Trip to Prague, Czech Republic to represent the country at the International Leadership Conference.

Since then I never looked back and world kept selecting me for various international youth programs. Alhamdulellah, there has been no short cut, continuous struggle, strive for excellence and an honour to always be on MERIT. Yes, it has not been an easy path when you talk about merit in this part of the world and yes if I would have taken short cut surely I know how things would have been today for me But remember slow and steady wins the race, never Give UP and keep working hard (For the CAUSE and not the REWARD)!! Flying high is your destiny no matter what others say but before you start flying don’t forget to feel like a bird, just keep doing what you truly believe and love….

A huge thank you to all friends for your prayers, appreciation and encouragement over the years and as you continue to do so, it truly means a lot to me and also thanks to all other friends for realizing me where I need to be, it has surely not stopped me working towards the betterment in little capacity possible for me. In these pictures published in TCS Connect Magazine, try to find some highly YOUNG acclaimed and familiar faces...

Love you all and may God bless you all!!!

Bilal Masood
Karachi