Muslims’ extreme ignorance in S&T
Col ® M Zaman Malik

Islam indeed is a modern and a revolutionary faith, which is capable of meeting the needs not only of the present era but also of the future. However, it is pertinent to note here that while Islam in its essence is indeed a modernizing force; its historical actualities are generally the result of the efforts of traditional forces trying to maintain their own hegemony. Indeed if the Muslim Ummah is to exercise its Divine role of being a witness over others nations, then it will have to capture Islam’s true spirit of moderation and equipoise. Since Islam has a revolutionary spirit, it might have resort to ways and means to re-establish the true spirit of Islam. Moderation does not imply that one should adopt ideas or fashions, which are new. Neither does it mean that one should be niggardly or extravagant or adopt so-called ideas blindly, which are Western or anti our culture.
Fashion shows or beauty contests are abhorrent to Islamic society. To us we must follow the Surh Yasin – 36, and Surah Rehman and then see our faces in the mirror to realize where we stand Vis-a- Vis the West in respect of Science and technology; that will tell us whether we are Muslims or something else. On one hand we accept the Mastery of the Colonials by playing in their hands that makes us fight against each other while on the other, we claim to be Muslims! How come do we dare claim to be Muslims? Muslims were never told by the Holy Quran or By the Holy Prophet to say or do things that amount to sucking the ...of the West, as it has been happening over the last about 500 years? Why have they so successfully occupied virtually the entire Middle East, the Gulf, and are now fast headed to Iran and then to us to rule Muslims after reducing us in to rubble and dust as they did in Afghanistan and Iraq? The fast moving storm can neither be checked by the hooligans nor by the throats and lungs users, and nor also by the ultra modernism like the Materialists. Moderation / Middle way alone offers the answer. Besides, first deserve and then desire. Are we united; are certain elements not ready to be hand picked like Afghanistan and Iraq; and are not the hidden enemies in large quantities amongst us? Just taking out demonstrations, on the pretext of Baluchistan may have been helpful in the past; but as of today, we have to forget about the bygones and adopt ourselves to the new realities which are staring at us with ferocious looks. Does the Holy Quran tell us to do, as the Muslims are doing while facing the merciless usurpers of our resources? Are they not under command and control of those who crucified Jesus Christ because He did not have wealth or gold like the awaited King David was to be? Show them Classical dances on the very first day as Nehru had shown to Mountbatten, soon after his arrival as viceroy of India!
Although upto to Middle of the last century, most of our economists were of the view that we live in an uncertain world where to be weak and vulnerable in a region of strategic importance is to be miserable. Why then we failed to practice what we believed to be so inalienable? Why are we still face to face to a horror that we were in December 1971? Why have we not secured ourselves (despite hanging a great man, who secured us to the extent that we can now confidently rely on our defensive capabilities)? Why despite that, have we not been able to devise the methods which suit our means and our objective conditions? The simple reason is that since the creation of Pakistan, we have witnessed only the malady of patronage which is deeply embedded in our bone marrow. Millions of refugees trekked into Pakistan in the wake of independence. The ministry of rehabilitation was established to settle the refugees on evacuee vacated property comprising lands, shops, houses in urban and rural areas by migrants to India. Vast numbers from the highest to the lowest segments were marked by fraud and rapacity, who indulged in loot. Alas, Quaid-e-Azam who was sick and who had himself left the most costly property in India and who never got any thing whatsoever despite that, were emulated in those formative moments of our history. We saw instead that ‘get- rich – quickly’ was the motive for which no device was spared to achieve the end of acquiring movable and immovable properties. This continued for about twenty years. What to say of that period, even during the recent last years in the 21st century, some people were getting that property by hook or crook! All that demonstrated that greed is the basic element in human nature. But there are rules of the game, which we unlike the advanced countries are not applying with equal justice to all and sundry. The dark ages were exactly like what was propounded by Dr. Henry Kissinger in his articles, saying that the strong will have the right to do so, any where in the world. This, he must have also learnt (apart from his ancestors) from Pakistani Tribalism and world-wide terrorism. It now occurs to me as to why the International law and human rights have been burnt for all, except for US Allies.
Now let us ponder over US intentions and how it wants to achieve its goals. In the US constitution “constructive chaos” is a requisite, though the same does not exist in the UN Charter or in the International Law. President G.W.Bush won his Presidency not through clear cut success in elections but in the Supreme Court of America, on the basis of this requisite. As mentioned, the US Law is being applied to create chaos through destruction across the globe. It puts one against the other in each Muslim country. In the Middle East, sometime back, Wahab was considered as enemy number one. After reducing USSR, the focus was exclusively set on the inter Shia-Sunni war in the Middle East and Iran. Now, the South America is aggressively against the policy of American Administration. American constitution is for America only. Why should it be extended to the entire world? Doesn’t Dr. Henry Kissinger know about that? November is hoped to decide the fate of President Bush’s Mandate. It will also decide the future of Mr. Blair, who has already promised to leave his residence in 10 Downing Street, in this year. The Muslims; call them Talibans or neo Talibans (like neocons) who are increasing correspondingly, rather much more than that. What fate awaits the tactically and the Strategically Allied states in the Sub-Continent, is not hard to fathom. Karazai and the like across the world may never ignore the consequences that they saw in the 1980s in their respective countries. There are around 1600 Israeli Troops in Iraq who are mainly responsible for the target killings. The latest bloodshed of the Muslims in the Holy Places in Iraq mirrors the brutality embedded in the minds of Zionists.
When Muslims were advanced in science and technology before renaissance overtook them due to their internal infighting, like that of Shia and Sunni, they extended the torch light of Islam across the globe, which included the Sciences atop all others. Now, though they are confronted with a huge threat (take a look at nearby countries), they must, wholeheartedly read Quran which has given out clearly the basis for the development of modern most science, abandoning the Ptolemaic era’s, that was followed until 16th century in the West. And when the opposite happened the Muslims were mercilessly subjugated after using the device of ‘Divide and Rule.’ You will get only what you deserve is the verdict of God. There is very little time if any, because the enemy is knocking at Muslim’s doors.
‘Pentateuch’ designates a work in five parts; Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These were to form the five primary elements of the collection of thirty-nine volumes that makes up the Old Testament, hence the name Law OF Torah. Old Testament has been classed separately from the first great Prophets such as Moses, Samuel, Elias, and Elisha, whose teachings are referred to in other books. The prophetic books of Judaism cover the period from Eighth to Second Century BC. In the Eighth Century there were books of Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, and Michah. In the context of Gospels accepted by Christianity, probably the gospel of BARNABAS does not find its much needed place. (The Bible, The Qur’an and science by Maurice Buccaille). Besides, Muslims should read “Western Dominance and Political Islam-Challenge and Response”, by Khalid Bin Sayeed, and Islam and Evolution of Science”, by Muhammad Saud
In Pakistan the web of conspiracy has primarily been shifted to Baluchistan. The Gawadar Sea Port is fast approaching its completion. In addition, the development of Baluchistan meant primarily for the poorest of the poor people is about to witness the end of their miseries. One system ensures the continuity of the monopoly of an individual or a group of individuals on the material resources that generate the money, and are expanded through the power that money enjoys. The control of these resources was initially acquired by their owners and users through the simple law of jungle, in which stronger is the hunter and the weaker is the prey. At first brutal superiority in physical strength was the deciding factor; subsequently some other factors got involved. Two together could be stronger than the one, and three, even more. Thus the individuals learnt to assert their strength through groups and paved the way for Tribalism. The weaker Groups were captured by the stronger ones, and deciding factor was no longer just the brutal superiority in physical strength but also the material resources in their possession and under their command. The strongest one became the lord.
Thus tribalism and feudalism became inseparable. America, while singing the songs for democracy, in reality, is fast proceeding according to the theory that gave birth to Tribal Sardars and feudal lords. In addition, one can read the book of Thomas P.M. Barnett, The PENTAGON’S NEW MAP, New York Times Bestseller-WAR AND PEACE IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY. The USA is following its constitution which is exactly like the law of jungle pursued by the Tribal chiefs and the feudal lords. The Constitution that contains “Constructive Chaos” has always led to most destructive wars, like that of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and constantly after that till today.



Facelift for an icon
Jing Xiaolei

“I just came to see it for the last time as I’m going back to America tomorrow,” said Bill Dixon, a 60-something American tourist while strolling around the Beijing Friendship Store, located in the central business district (CBD).
It could well be the last time Dixon was seeing the old Friendship Store, as it is to be redeveloped into a luxury office and shopping center in mid-2009.
In July, the department store owner, the Beijing Xidan Friendship Group, signed a deal with Noble Strength International Ltd. to redevelop it into a modern commercial complex. The Beijing company will provide the land, while its partner will be responsible for all the capital needs.
“The total investment is expected to be at least 4 billion yuan,” said Macao business tycoon Stanley Ho, whose ACE Brand Investment Ltd. holds a majority stake in Noble Strength, with the Australia-based AustChina Investment and Development Pty Ltd. holding a minority stake.
The massive redevelopment deal, which will see the building enlarged by up to 10 times, is expected to be inked before the end of the year with developers hoping to start work in early 2007, a few months later than originally planned.
However, opinion on this redevelopment within the city’s expatriate community is divided. Simon Bailey, 52, a British IT consultant who has lived in Beijing for more than five years, said, “I think it’s about time they gave the place a facelift. I used to pop in there quite regularly when I first came to Beijing, but now I rarely go in. It is too expensive.”
But Emmanuel Luz, 29, a Brazilian who has lived here for two years, said the Friendship Store should stay as it is. “It’s a piece of history,” he said. “It may not be as flashy as Wal-Mart but it’s got more character.”
More than a store
Located on the east of Chang’anjie Avenue and by the side of the legation quarter, the four-floor plain-looking building looks lost amid the modern and crowded Scitech Plaza Shopping Center. But people who have lived in Beijing for years know that the Friendship Store has a glorious history.
The Beijing Friendship Store arose from China’s planned economy in the 1960s. It opened to foreign residents and tourists before the country’s economic reform and opening up began. It was one of the first real comprehensive retailers in Beijing, and the only one to sell foreign goods. For many years, this store was an obligatory stop for every diplomatic envoy, foreign scholar, expert or entrepreneur visiting China, as it was the first, and perhaps only, shopping choice for foreigners.
After China’s opening-up in the late 1970s, the Beijing Friendship Store opened its 9,000 square meters to customers and started to offer a large variety of traditional Chinese goods as well as foreign goods, including diamonds, jewelry, jade carvings, stone sculptures, porcelains, embroideries, antiques, paintings, calligraphic works and traditional Chinese garments.
Over the past 30 years, the store has hosted no less than 950 honored foreign guests including foreign heads of state and top governmental officials. “I once saw Daniel Ortega, leader of Nicaragua’s Sandinista National Liberation Front, and his beautiful wife purchasing dozens of meters of sparkling silk there,” said Albert Lai, Chairman of the Los Angeles-based ASM Overseas Corp. and President of Asia System Media (ASM) in Beijing.
The former Italian Prime Minister Andre Otey recalled, “The first time I went to China was in 1968. At that time, the market supply fell short of demand and every product was rationed. To buy grain you needed a grain coupon, to buy clothes you had to use a clothing coupon, the same for oil, sugar, everything.”
“But as a diplomat, I enjoyed special treatment. Using the foreign exchange certificates, I was able to go to the Beijing Friendship Store and buy what I needed. Even if the choice was not much, I could still find many things there that the common Chinese people could not buy,” he said.
Since those products were so difficult to find on the domestic market, the Friendship Store also became sought after by the Chinese. People tried to buy foreign exchange certificates on the black market (sometimes at premiums of 1.5 times) in order to be able to shop at the Friendship Store. Giving children some foreign exchange certificates for the Chinese Spring Festival became a popular gift.
What now?
In the 1990s, the store reoriented itself to adapt to a market economy. In 1991, the store finally opened its doors to the Chinese and two years later the renminbi began to be accepted for shopping. The store lost its special status.
With the growth of the market economy in China, many ordinary Chinese people started up businesses aimed at foreigners. They opened shops in the Xiushuijie Street, turning it into one of Beijing’s famous markets. Vendors there also sold jewelry, jade carvings, porcelains, embroideries and antiques-but at much lower prices.
The Friendship Store has not performed well. In 2004, it reported a loss of more than 3 million yuan, while net profits in 2005 stood at just 79,200 yuan. Liu Xiuling, General Manager of the Beijing Xidan Friendship Group, attributed these results to a small business scale and poor facilities that failed to meet consumer demands in a rapidly developing metropolis.
“The ups and downs of the Friendship Store mirror China’s transformation from a planned economy to a market economy,” said Zhang Peigen, who used to be a tour guide for Western tour groups in the 1980s.
The Friendship Store today wears a desolate look. The huge 9,000-square-meter space has more sales clerks than customers. Only two sections seem somewhat busy: one is the money exchange one and the other, where foreign newspapers and magazines are sold.
Some retail analysts said it was difficult to predict whether the new commercial complex would perform well as there are many commercial centers in the CBD and competition is fierce.
“Today in Beijing, we foreigners have more shopping options than in the past. We can go to Carrefour, or Wal-Mart, which can be easily found,” said Dixon.
But Liu of the Beijing Xidan Friendship Group sounded confident about the future of the new Friendship Store. “The new Friendship Store in 2009 will surely have an impact on the existing commercial pattern in the CBD and it will maintain the same business area. It will also keep the key product categories of jades, antiques, paintings and calligraphy,” she said.
“The location of the Friendship Store along Chang’anjie Avenue and in the CBD is of high business value. This is the reason overseas investors are pooling in the money,’’ said a retail analyst from CITIC China Securities.
Australian firm PTW Architects has been hired to design the redevelopment, which will include two office buildings of 21 floors, a 29-floor block of serviced apartments and an eight-floor department store.
Currently, the store’s business space is about 10,000 square meters. After the redevelopment, this will stand at 150,000 square meters, with some 60,000 square meters set aside for the department store.
“We want to build a new landmark building on Chang’anjie Avenue,” said Ian Tang, CEO of AustChina.

(The Daily Mail-Beijing Review Articles Exchange Item)

universal lessons of Haj
Faisal Kutty

Millions of pilgrims from all over the world will be converging on Makkah in the coming days. They will retrace the footsteps of millions who have made the spiritual journey to the valley of Makkah since the time of Adam. Haj literally means, “to continuously strive to reach one’s goal.” It is the last of the five pillars of Islam (the others include a declaration of faith in one God, five daily prayers, offering regular charity, and fasting during the month of Ramadan). Pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for those who have the physical and financial ability to undertake the journey.
The Haj is essentially a re-enactment of the rituals of the great prophets and teachers of faith. Pilgrims symbolically relive the experience of exile and atonement undergone by Adam and Eve after they were expelled from Heaven, wandered the earth, met again and sought forgiveness in the valley of Makkah. They also retrace the frantic footsteps of the wife of Abraham, Hagar, as she ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa searching for water for her thirsty baby (which according to Muslim tradition, God answered with the well of Zam Zam). Lastly, the pilgrims also commemorate the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son for the sake of God. God later substituted a ram in place of his son. Yet, the Haj is more than these elaborate rituals. The faithful hope that it will bring about a deep spiritual transformation, one that will make him or her a better person. If such a change within does not occur, then the Haj was merely a physical and material exercise devoid of any spiritual significance.
As all great religions teach, we are more than mere physical creatures in that we possess an essence beyond the material world. Indeed, this is why all great religions have a tradition of pilgrimage. In the Islamic tradition, Haj encapsulates this spiritual journey toward this essence. The current state of affairs — both within and outside the Muslim world — greatly increases the relevance of some of the spiritual and universal messages inherent in the Haj. As Islamic scholar, Ebrahim Moosa, asks rhetorically: “After paying homage to the two women Eve and Hagar in the rites of pilgrimage, how can some Muslims still violate the rights and dignity of women in the name of Islam? Is this not a contradiction?”