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Brothers
of Turkey!
Ottoman Empire was once the superpower which lasted more than 600 years. It was seat of the Muslim Caliphs and most of Muslim world was united under (her) flag ‘union is strength’. The Empire was finally dismantled in 1922. Though historians have recorded several reasons for its downfall, yet enemies were found from within. This practice is going on for breaking of every Muslim State till now – divide and rule!!
Muslims of the subcontinent founded Khilafat Movement to save Ottoman caliphate. The campaigners collected huge fund for supporting Turk-Brothers. Muslim womenfolk also gifted (even) their jewellery for this sacred cause. Branches of Red Crescent were formed all-over India and medical missions were also organized and dispatched in aid of brother’s army. The movement alas, could not achieve (her) mission, but funds collected was used for construction of a new parliament building in Ankara and foundation of first nationalist bank. So; scent of Indian-Muslims-blood is refreshing in Turkey’s streets till today.
Certainly; son of Ottoman – Tayyip Erdogan – is the most popular leader in Muslim world for his farsighted vision and unequivocal stance on important issues facing Ummah today. In addition to others; Hagia Sophia has been opened to Muslim worshipers ‘instantly’ after a top court’s ruling. Because; this site was a private property of Sultan Muhammad Fateh and his descendants were struggling to reinstate it from Museum to Mosque. Frivolous barking against Erdogan is only exposes – myopic mindset of Islamophobic elements certainly.
Where was (Pope and Co) when thousands of mosques were converted into churches; bars; nightclubs after fall of Spain. And historical Babri Masjid has been recently demolished by terrorist-Modi & Co. So; Ummah is compelled to say – O’ brothers of Turkey – we are with you for reinstating a ‘State’ like Sultanat-e-Ottomania again.
M AZAM MINHAS
Tatrinote, AK
PIA, from glory to suspension
From a small airline started by Ispahani in Calcutta to establishment of Orient Airways and its merger in 1955 with PIA, role of men like Adamjee and Mr Zafarul Ahsan, a civil servant, as GM should never be forgotten. In 1959 AC Nur Khan was appointed Chief Executive who brought only one officer from PAF GC Dogar, who lasted hardly a year as Director Operations and was replaced by Enver Jamall in December 1959. EJ served under him until 1965 tragic Cairo crash and also in his second tenure.
If only CAA had performed role of regulator by suspending or revoking all dubious licenses routinely and AM Arshad had implemented 6 Point Corrective Action Plan mutually agreed with EASA in 2019, instead of ignoring them for 9 months, this ban could be avoided. EJ states “ An airline is a complicated organization and it is a fallacy that because Air Force flew aircraft, and PIA flew aircraft, therefore the Air Force were in a position to teach the civilians, specialist with many years of experience in their business. The objectives of the two organizations are different. — Of the many Air Force officers that we had as Chief Executives there was only one officer AM Nur Khan who was able to adapt himself to this concept”.
After NK departure from PIA in 1965, PIA was headed by four men from PAF till 1990 with exception SU Durrani between 1968-71, followed by AVM Farooq from 1993- 96 and AM Rao in March 2012 for 7 months. When PIA faced first partial suspension in 2007, the DMD Engg was an AVM and now we face a total ban under watch of AM Arshad Malik, with two AVMs and seven others on deputation. Appointments to SOE must be based on merit alone and not serve as rehabilitation centres for retired or serving officers.
MALIK TARIQ ALI
Lahore
The Tiger Force Day
On 28 July 2020, PM Imran Khan, in his video message announced that he’s going to celebrate the “Tiger Force” day on 9 August 2020. The purpose of this day will be for the plantation of trees across the country which will be led by the Tiger Force. He also asked his MPAs, Ministers and MNAs to fully participate in this venture. The PM said we’ll plant almost 10,000 crore trees by the end of 2023. There are almost one million registered volunteers working for Tiger Force at the moment who will lead this task on 9 August. Imran Khan encouraged the general public to participate and especially the youth to show full enthusiasm in this cause.
Khan said: “Planting trees is very important for the country because of two reasons: pollution and global warming. Pollution has been on the rise in Pakistan and it is affecting our health too. One of the best ways is to decrease it by planting more trees.” It is a great initiative taken by our government, and their concern about the environment is appreciable. Educating the general public for a good cause is easy but making efforts to make it happen is difficult.
This initiative can create awareness in our youth about the environment, as to how we should keep our country clean, green and pollution-free. Pakistan is one of the countries which are intensely affected by climate change. I am positive that this drive will lead us to a better and healthy environment for our posterity.
KHIZRAN ZEHRA BALOCH
Karachi
Annoying loudspeakers!
My grandmother lives near Perfume Chowk in Gulistan-e-Jauhr. She is a diabetic and hypertension patient. Her flat is on the main road and she is living there since many years. The use of loudspeakers on different occasions like Rabbi ul Awwal, Muharram, any political party event, Independence Day, etc at “Perfume Chowk” is a nuisance. These days, they play music /songs/nohas/naats, etc., on speakers till late night, even during prayers also.
It is impossible to study or sleep as it is very noisy and loud. They even don’t realise that there might be somebody who is extremely sick and needs rest. As per Hadith (SAW) “Better Muslim is he, from whose hands and tongue other Muslims are safe.” (Sehi Muslim, Book 1, 64). Authorities should take some action immediately and use of loudspeakers should be completely banned in residential areas.
WAJIHA RIZVI
Karachi
Seven Zimbabwean babies!
It is sorrowful to hear that seven babies died in one night at a hospital in Harare before they were born. Seven babies were stillborn at Harare Central Hospital in Zimbabwe after urgent treatments were delayed because of staffing issues and most nurses are on strike. It is a pity that these babies died stuck in their mothers’ pelvises.
Who on earth will speak up for these voiceless mothers and unborn babies? The Zimbabwean healthcare system has collapsed and the only solution is for the world to force President Emmerson Mnangagwa to resign.
KUDZAI CHIKOWORE
London