An open letter to my good, young friend Tahira Khattak and all other young people supporting Naya Pakistan: My dearest Tahira, I was so excited to learn you became a trainer. Your abilities and potential to influence others for the greater good is beyond reproach. Yet, I am feeling sad and dismayed after reading your posts which not only call for a violent overthrow of the current government but also promote more violence in the name of vengeance afterwards. You talk about public hangings once the current regime is overthrown. And just a few months ago I was happy to learn that you went to Norway on behalf of one of the most enlightened companies in the world which truly represents Norwegian ethos and character. From your posts about Norway you rightly praised that country and were clearly impressed by that society. And you appeared thrilled to work for a company known for its humanness and compassion. What makes this company and its country of origin so great? Ever noticed why only the Nobel Peace Prize is announced in Norway when all other Nobel prizes are announced in Sweden? The home of the Nobel prizes is Sweden where Alfred Nobel bequeathed these awards. Why doesn’t Sweden give out this most celebrated of all Nobel awards instead of Norway? Why would Sweden allow Norway to give the peace prize when it so proudly and ably selects winners for all other awards in medicine, literature, chemistry, physics and economics? The reason is gratitude. When Norway wrenched its independence from Sweden they did so using non-violent methods. Norway earned its freedom from the bondage of Swedish rule without resorting to violence. At a time when almost every European nation was drenched in blood, one nation showed another way of doing things peacefully. And for this, the Swedes are eternally grateful and felt Norway is better suited to give out the most prestigious award in the world. Wouldn’t it be nice if we too set an example of bringing social change without becoming what we hate? Wouldn’t it be a real tribute if coming generations look back at us with gratitude and say, “Here were people who broke the cycle of hate and violence to uplift humanity from greed, pettiness and deprivation”? Wouldn’t that be the legacy worth struggling for?
Posted on: Tue, 02 Dec 2014 03:05:16 +0000
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