Look before you sleep
Amidst heart rending news, mind boggling protests and curiosity for the fate of the new PM, it is quite pleasant to know that Kareena Kapoor will embrace Islam after getting married to Saif Ali Khan. The Islamic world will be enlightened, with better aesthetics and the hope of seeing charming faces protesting against US “aggression” instead of the mechanically motivated Mullahs, inadvertently charged unemployed youth and frantically ignited lawyers. Not that the Muslim Ummah is devoid of charm, it is just hidden in the black robe which once put on, serves as a great leveler like death for all women (whether charming or plain). Women lose their conspicuous characteristics in the robe; there are most definitely some charming ladies who don’t use this black robe and walk in beauty like a night of cloudless climes and starry skies but unfortunately they don’t express the anger required to be measured as a protest against cartoons, movies, policies or opinions unleashed by the US or Europe.
Most of them are into NGOs which, you know, excitedly seek only two things: Happening (If not violence) against women and dollars from abroad in return for glamorising this happening. (Of course I am not talking about all NGOs). Those reading this blog are automatically exempt from this allegation.
By the way Kareena’s conversion reminds me of the U-Turn PPP took on writing the wretched letter that paved the way for Mr. Zardari to complete the longest period in office as the head of a democratically elected government, though two vindictive journalists, who also happen to be foreign nationality holders, are still sketching a situation in which a lone airplane is waiting in some far flung area for the handcuffed Zardari going to bring back the allegedly plundered wealth from Switzerland. They further see some lists comprising the names of “unwanted” politicians being prepared somewhere, perhaps in their imaginary GHQ. The nostalgia of dictatorial rule lasts long and it is really hard to come out of the agony particularly when journalists start cherishing it.
They see, in the far deeper recesses of their morbid imagination, the prolonged rule of the provisional government, the government of technocrats, bent on bringing corrupt politicians to task. A doctor-turned-journalist has been using Quranic injunctions to substantiate the virulence against the resilience of Mr Zardari. Very few people know that both the journalists were staying in a hotel in Islamabad to meet Mr. Zardari a few years back. The journalist with the US nationality wanted to become ambassador, whereas the doctor turned journalist enthusiastically sought Zardari’s kind eye. This is the same guy who would sing songs, sitting at Zardari’s feet, after which he rendered a high profile in state owned television.
Unfortunately, Zardari refused to meet both of them. The virulence turned against wrath and wrath is going to become madness – madness devoid of method.
I have no sympathy for Zardari if he does indeed suffer at the hands of those who are making lists, and if that does happen, one thing is for sure we would all plunge headlong into the abyss of political anarchy, violence and disappointment. Karl Marx says history repeats itself first as tragedy and then as farce. There are two hurdles in the establishment of any unconstitutional disposition: one, the judiciary and the other, the media but immediate history says both start following the line of establishment and both get carried away by the popular perception which is always a hindrance in reaching out to logic. Sympathies easily get closer to sufferings than logic. No media or judiciary can block the establishment of an unconstitutional set up.
The letter controversy has saved the PPP government from embarrassment on many a real issue. The judiciary actually proved itself the most friendly opposition for the government. Very successfully Zardari has kept the controversies alive for some smooth sailing. The trial of three army generals is another success, though these are wages of the extension. Revived relations with India, progress with Russia, cohesion with China and common interest with Iran has turned over a new leaf in our foreign policy. In the wake of emerging paradigms of a new cold war, we are required to take a firm and clear position. The PPP government has symbolically taken that position by relinquishing the approach of playing second fiddle to US strategy, though establishment will take its time to come out of the blind alley of strategic depth.
I feel really sorry for the journalists who are underestimating Asif Zardari’s political acumen.
The author is a TV producer, with a special interest in politics, literature and philosophy.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
I m a hindu and this article shows how mean the writer is towards religion. Kareena kapoor is hindu and want to marry Saif ali khan whose father was a muslim and mother hindu. Its not the matter that she is marrying islam. She loves a person and ready to accept his religion for getting his love. It shows love is strongest force in world. Anyone should be free to love and accept any religion which he likes.
For all the people not understanding the point of bringing in karina.. It’s for the sake of sarcasm and social criticism, I do a free that the article lacks focus.. But it is still well written and presents facts that people choose to ignore..
How is it so pleasant to hear that Bollywood star is embracing Islam?
As a Muslim, I rather felt much more pleasant when I read in the news that “Daniel Streich”, a swiss politician who initiated the nationwide campaign for the ban on the construction of new minarets in Switzerland has embraced Islam and vowed to devout his remaining life towards the development of his newly embraced religion.
strange!!!
I love humor and i love those who have sense of humor. But sometime humor is misplaced as is in this case. The question of conversion should not be joked about or mocked on nor the matter of veil – it is all a matter of personal choice, yes you can always quote freedom of speech First Amendment bla bla; again the question is what is appropirate what is not in our society in our culture in our religion. As a matter of personal choice I shall not make a joke of KK’s intention to embrace Islam. Zeeshan FYI I m not a mullah or a conservative.
As to Zardari Saheb I have yet to find a politician in the history of Pakistan who has played his cards so well. He is unbeatable by any standard.
Who cares for any politically motivated message but the article is very well written, Bravo!
Only time will tell who is on the path of truth.
I really hope that people at Dawn realize that plastering pictures of Bollywood half wits on their new site does not raise standards. Actual investigative journalism does. Now wouldn’t it be nice that articles about local artists and their stories were published in Dawn as regularly as pictures of Katrinas and Meenas
Hey, we like it.
I agree the article is not about Kareena. Still there is nothing to be proud or happy about someone embracing a religion. Unlike Pakistan, most Indians do not follow any religion. They embrace all faiths or no faith. Before Kareena embrace Islam, Saif should do that.
Good one, Sanjay.
Brother Rao,
Well stated ‘before Kareena Islam, Saif should do that’. They need to come out of their make believe celluloid (should I say digital) world first and act like ordinary human beings. Religion is not acting. It is feeling for fellow humans and the divine. One must experience it first with humility before asking others to share it.
how horrible
Saif Ali is a Muslim!
well said
But not a practising muslim so please save it. He just have a muslim name and thats it!!!
Same goes with all the Khans in the Bollywood.
We have seen the mullahs reacting on the woman tennis from India what will happen when the leading actress will change religion will be seen by millions in romantic scene. We have to wait and see mullah reaction.
Who cares?
If changing religion is a prerequisite for the marriage among the equals — why not Saif converts to Hinduism — at the same time — Kareena converts to Islam.
“The author is a TV producer, with a special interest in politics, literature and philosophy.”
…and also, apparently, the immediate future of other nations’ plastic trash.
This is a philosophical but not a focused article. There is no clear message.
After looking at the picture, you were looking for the message?
bravo !! if shes accepting Islam …lets c till when …lol
Those who have a good sense of wittiness,humor and satire would enjoy this article a lot.Writer has spelled out what type of people come on the roads to protest, (in a humorous style)He has also used satire to explain how cleverly Zardari is playing his cards to survive against all odds.
Obviously Kareena is not what she’s trying to portray, the topic is actually not about Kareena it’s more about Zardari. Kudos to the author for being so bold and blunt.
Humorous or not , the question is what is the *point* of the article ? Kareena exits after the 2nd paragraph as her conversation reminds the author of a PPP U-turn . The article goes in a different direction from thereon.
The first two paragraphs are rather pointless and seem to serve no other purpose that to hook the writer in a rather clumsy manner as pot shots at religion are always welcomed by pseudo-intellectuals
agreed!
I do not understand Pakistan is in turmoil, has no economy, killings every where AND you Dawn is interested in Indian actresses. Shame on you the, editor and ur Dawn crew. On Gods name, talk about Pakistani issues, do not glorify India please.
Agree…..
with all due respect, did you read the article?
a shameful topic.
Zalim: its an honourable topic for the muslims in pakistan – after marriage she will convert to islam and will be welcome in pakistani society – saif ali please don’t try the other way, you will be killed.
I meant “True”