Hum Dunya Badlaingay

The Pakistan Youth Congress (PYC) is one of the biggest annual meeting of young leaders in Pakistan that unites young leaders and future youth leaders in development sector. The participants come from all over Pakistan for three days conference and they usually number around 350. They interact with each other and engage in activities and simulations that facilitate learning of essential skills to excel in our challenging and fast-changing global environment. Participants are also equipped with invaluable knowledge on drug abuse and ideas on preventive drug education and valuable life skills.

"Hum Dunya Badlaingay" it’s not just a phrase; it is the inspiration to bring all positive change within youth and society. Revolutions never come suddenly but it’s the fruit of untiring efforts where each unit of the system gives its part.

It was great to be a part of 2nd Pakistan Youth Congress (PYC), courtesy Youth Parliament of Pakistan(YPP) that made it possible for me to attend this event. It was held from March 1st to March 4th, 2010 at Karachi. The aim of this congress was to provide a platform for youth to express and share their ideas, talent and creativity. It was organized by Drug Free Pakistan.

In the words of John Biggs-Davison, " Although without Ghandi, Hindustan would still have gained independence and without Lenin and Mao, Russia and China would still have endured Communist revolution, without Jinnah there would have been no Pakistan in 1947."

"Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state. Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three." Stanley Wolpert. Jinnah of Pakistan

Time for action!!!

Pakistan, Switzerland and decision to ban the construction of minarets

Pakistan has rightly termed the public referendum in Switzerland banning minarets in the coun­try as „unhelpful” to the cause of promoting inter-faith harmony and tolerance. Though it may express the popular will in Switzerland, the decision to ban the construction of new minarets in Switzerland is a source of profound concern for people in the Muslim world.

The results of this referendum in Switzerland have sparked anger in the Muslim world with religious groups in Pakistan attacking the refer­endum as „extreme Islamophobia.” Mr. Maskuri Abdillah, the head of Indone­sia’s largest Muslim group, Nahdlatul Ulama, said that the vote reflected „a hatred of Swiss people against Muslim communities”. The Egyptian govern­ment’s official interpreter of Islamic law, Mufti Ali Gomaa, denounced the minaret ban as an „insult” to Muslims and „an attack on freedom of beliefs”. These views reflect the feelings on the results of referendum across the Mus­lim World.

However, it is heartening to know that The Council of Europe has pointed out that the ban violates fundamental hu­man rights protected by international treaties, specifically the European Con­vention on Human Rights. Even Euro­pean countries like Germany, Sweden, France, and Austria have issued state­ments of concern, condemnation, and criticism over the referendum.

Huma Yusuf, a columnist of a Paki­stani Newspaper, writes, “BIGOTED, xenophobic, reactionary, alarmist, radi­cal, hateful, rabid: these words are more commonly used to describe extremist Muslims. But since 57.5 percent of the Swiss public voted to ban the building of any new minarets in their country, the tables have turned, and the world is wondering, who’s the radical one now?”

Referendum supporters have argued that the minaret ban was an effort to improve integration and fight extrem­ism. Nothing could be further from the truth. Sociologist and urban theorist Henri Lefebvre has argued that “monu­mental space offer[s] each member of a society an image of that membership, an image of his or her social visage. It thus constitute[s] a collective mirror more faithful than any personal one”. In other words, monuments mirror societ­ies and thus help communities develop consensus and craft collective identi­ties.

At the same time, people in Pakistan and other Muslim countries must also consider the criticism and shock of Eu­ropean media on the decision by Swiss voters to ban the building of minarets. For example, The Der Standard daily described the vote as the „ugly face of direct democracy”, while the Die Pres­se newspaper said Swiss voters had done a „disservice” to their country.

Ms. Huma concludes her article: “If Europe wants Muslims to integrate, let them have their minarets. Let them literally see themselves as part of the European landscape and know that their belonging has been concretised. Isn’t it more important that Muslims in Switzerland identify with a local articu­lation of their faith—whether through practice or architecture—rather than yearn for an idealised Islam that flour­ishes in faraway places? Without any outward acknowledgment of the fact that there are Muslims in Europe, they will feel more marginalised and socially overlooked—anything but in­tegrated.

“In the event that the ban is over­turned, the Muslim world should not rest on its laurels. Across Europe, de­fenders of the minaret ban have put forth the argument that Christian sym­bols and structures are unwelcome in Islamic countries and, therefore, that European Muslims deserve no courte­sies. It is certainly true that the Muslim world’s record on tolerance and plural­ism is shoddy and, in Pakistan, the hy­pocrisy of groups such as the Jamaat-i-Islami protesting the minaret ban is apparent. In this context, the Swiss ref­erendum should serve as a reminder in the Muslim world, too, that you should do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Source: http://www.kurier.diplomacy.pl/site/pakistan--switzerland-and-decision-to-ban-the-construction-of-minarets

Bilal Masood in the Czech Republic

With assistance from TCS Bilal Masood attended the 11th International Youth Leadership Conference held in Celakovice, a small town outside or Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic. The program focused on public speaking skills for young students within the age bracket of 14 to 17 years.

“I want to thank TCS for being a part of my life” says Bilal. “I am amazed and touched by how dedicated TCS is to empower the Pakistan’s youth and I appreciate all the motivational seeds TCS have planted within me. I am inspired to lead, to listen and to be the change I wish to see in this world”.

The conference itself consisted of a number of activities focused on enhancing leadership skills, visits to Embassies and simulations of international organizations that promote peace and broadening of social interaction.“It was an unparalleled learning experience and cross-culture adventure” says Bilal. “Not only did the conference increase my understanding, it also provided me with great opportunities to practice my speaking and listening skills and boosts my confidence. I think that if every young person had the opportunity to express their views ant think like the Conference participants were thinking, the world would be a far better place.”

Source: http://www.tcscouriers.com/pk/AboutTCS/CSR.aspx?qlink=7

In China

Participated in Model Asia-Europe Conference in Beijing, China from 24-27 September, 2008 and was awarded the best delegate in political pillar. Visited The Great Wall of China and what a moment that was in my life, it was thrilling experience! Very nice and loving people of China specially towards Pakistanis. Pakistan-China Friendship Long live!

International Youth Forum, Indonesia

Attended International Youth Forum 2008 in Bandung Indonesia from June 23-30, 2008. Only one to represent Pakistan at IYF.