Khuda ke liye...

Ajeetbhaai, aap toh samajhdaar ho. Agli baar jab mulaaqaat hogi, toh ummeed hai ki Inshallah aapne islam ko kabool kar liya hoga. Quran-e-kareem padhiye, aur sochiye. Allah Hafeez"
These were the parting words of my driver in Dubai- Abdul Qadir, from Peshawar in Pakistan.

After coming back from Dubai, I've watched two movies. Race was good. The other one I saw was this film called "Khuda Ke Liye"- a Pakistani production.

The film shows the two sides of current day Islam beautifully. One, the more tolerant and liberal face, and the other, the conservative and even medieval face.

The film tracks the story of two brothers- one drawn to radical Islam (he even gives up music, his greatest passion, in the name of Islam) and the other who goes on to study music in Chicago.

The film highlights beautifully the impact of misinterpretation and misunderstanding of the religion both by the followers of the faith and others. The one side, which highlights the radical practice by the followers shows how much of a problem it can create. One has to see the film to understand what I'm saying here. My friend who came with me to watch the film asked me if such implications could be true. I had and have no doubt in mind that this is absolutely true.

The other side highlights the impact of ignorance by the others, viz, the west. The typical American who is both stupid and ignorant, and high on arrogance, combined with a low IQ has been shown beautifully- as also the price the rest of us have to pay for American stupidity.

Go watch the film- it is a must see.

American studpidity and the compulsive American behaviour that dictates every decision they make to be linked to monetary benefits can be linked to what they are are saying, rather, not saying in Tibet. Heavy stakes in the olympics mean that their usual tomtomming of democracy and human rights does not apply to Tibet.

Why America, even India acts with impotency when it comes to Tibet. As a culture, we have always stood up for what is correct- the path of Dharma. There is a school of thought that if we openly advocate Tibetan freedom, it will adversely impact our case on Kashmir.

Incorrect...

The contexts are entirely different.

The elaborations are reserved for some other time.

Don't know why, but this song is playing in my mind as I write this... "Vidai kodu engal naade".