“The preachers in the mosques might be a bit more virulent.”

This statement touches a sensitive nerve in US-Pakistan relations. There are many similarities between the evangelist christians in The USA and the fundamentalist muslim mullahs of south Asia.

Both groups subjugate women. The primary difference is that many Pakistani muslims are perceived as being eager to administer violent punishment upon females who “stray” from strict patriarchy.

It may not be quite on-point to state this, now, but a Pakistani born broadcaster in Buffalo beheaded his wife there last week. This sort of horror does nothing positive for the image of traditional Pakistani men.
Not in the minds of Americans, at least. Maybe it’s a different experience all together for those virulent preachers in Pakistan, though, and the flocks of people who listen to them, faithfully.

Growing up in pakistan, I was not able to find any romance in life there, everything, every aspect of life was controlled, by family or tradition or religion. Even the most utterly non sensical tradion had to be followed without question, yes, even by my US educated uncle and a physician father.

The blind leading the blind, the most illitrate were able to recite Koran, without eve knowing what the words meant, because they were forced to learn it, and that was the only possible “education” provided them,
none of it has changed much in the past forty years.

Rich get richer, and oppress the poor, in all manners, there is no concept of justice or fairness, no concept of human rights and respect for the rights of the others, thus we have the Islamist insurgency, supported by the poor, just as I had predicted 23 years ago to my relatives there.

What I do see and have been writing about is, that the United States, over the last many years has followed down the same road of not caring about the poor, or giving a whit about economic and social justice, all in the name of progress.

When you corrupt a senator, or a police officer,aa judge or a city council man, once, for your own advantage, you corrupt the whole lot of them for everyone.

In many ways, I see the United States becoming more like Pakistan, and that is a scary thought.

Regarding Syvalia Hyman’s question about the music featured on the February 20 program: “Writing the Unkown Pakistan,” I believe I recognized the haunting voice of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, a Pakistani vocalist of the ancient Qawwali tradition. He is considered the Pavarotti of this style. Deservedly so. One can find his biography on Wikipedia.

Robert Young

Daniyal’s life experience reminded me of my childhood. Raised by servants who almost become part of your family. Not just those individuals but their relatives as well; for examples their children, nephews etc… I am about the same age as D.M. and can relate to his experience. You can write so much about Pakistan. Its story changes every 10 years. 70′s was sociallism, 80′s was Soviet war, 90′s was Taliban and last 10 years have been war on terrorism.

How wonderful! Daniyal’s insightful observation of the life and society in Pakistan is very informative. It is a unique perspective which is not only honest but is also presented with empathy. I suggest we should spread the word about this book. Let more people read it. Thank you, Daniyal, for writing it.

Iftikhar Ahmad
New York