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Volume 13 Issue 332 Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 AH / March 22, 2013 - $1

FEDERAL BUDGET TO FOCUS ON JOBS,

23rd March Pakistan Day

INFRASTRUCTURE, BOOSTING ECONOMY

MOSQUES TORCHED IN DEADLY MYANMAR RIOTS Two people died and several mosques were destroyed in central Myanmar, police said Thursday, in the worst riots since Buddhist-Muslim clashes rocked western Rakhine state last year.

Around 200 people fought in the streets after an argument in a Muslim-owned gold shop turned violent in the town of Meiktila on Wednesday, according to a post on Myanmar Police Force’s Facebook page. The two victims, who included a Buddhist monk, died after suffering severe burns, it said. Police imposed a curfew overnight to control the situation after mobs set fire to sever-

al mosques. “About three mosques were destroyed,” a local police officer told AFP by telephone, but added that calm had since been restored. But a member of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) in the town said he could still see smoke rising from the affected residential area.

“What is happening now is religious tension. We are trying to calm the situation down,” NLD MP Win Htein told AFP, adding that the situation was “tense”.

“I haven’t seen this kind of conflict in Meiktila in my life.” The unrest comes amid heightened tensions between Mus-

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lims and Buddhists in Myanmar, where communal conflict in Rakhine has left at least 180 people dead and more than 110,000 displaced since June 2012.

An initial report on the police Facebook page late on Wednesday said anger spread after one man was injured during the row in the gold shop. The report said a mob then descended on the area and destroyed some buildings in the area. It said six people were hospitalised, and that the Buddhist monk and a Muslim man later died from their injuries. A sub-

Continued on pg 29

In a federal budget expected to steer clear of any major changes, the focus will be on skills training, filling jobs, improving Canada’s infrastructure and boosting the manufacturing sector, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has suggested. In a letter to MPs ahead of Thursday’s budget delivery, Flaherty said those key priorities will help guide a shaky economy through a difficult period, as North America faces competition from developing countries on the rise. The Conservative government has already highlighted the need to match skilled workers with high-demand jobs and address the current gap between training and recruiting.

“There are too many jobs that go unfilled in Canada because employers can’t find workers with the right skills,” Flaherty wrote in his letter. “Training in Canada is not sufficiently aligned to the skills employers need.” Flaherty said the upcoming budget, which the Conservatives are calling Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2013, will “take steps to address this important issue.”

Some estimates peg the number of job vacancies in the country at 260,000. Some of those positions are not being filled because of a lack of skilled workers, or because qualified candidates won’t move to different parts of the country for work. The problem is especially pronounced in western provinces. Flaherty has dismissed reports that the federal government is planning to centralize skills training and take away transfers to provinces.

He did, however, say that both provinces and Ottawa need to do a better job of connecting skilled people with available jobs.

Jayson Myers, president and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, an industry and trade association, said there is a demand for skilled workers in every province, but many young people are not aware of their options. Myers told CTV’s Power Play that many high schools across the country have shut down shops and technical programs, so students may not know where to turn to get post-secondary training and education in order to pursue careers in construction, manufacturing or other trades.

Myers said provincial and federal governments must also work together to address “labour mobility issues” and make it easier for Canadians to work outContinued on pg 22 side their region or prov-

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Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

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UN denounces US drone use in Pakistan

The United States has violated Pakistan’s sov- Washington had little to say about Emmerereignty and destroyed tribal structures with son’s statement.

“We’ve seen his press release. I’m obviously not going to speak about classified information here,” Victoria Nuland, the US State department’s spokesperson, said. “We have a strong ongoing counterterrorism dialogue with Pakistan and that will continue.”

Spokesman Josh Earnest said the White House would withhold judgement until it sees Emmerson’s full report.

“We have a solid working relationship with [Pakistan] on a range of issues, including a unmanned aerial drone strikes in its counter- close cooperative security relationship, and terrorism near the Afghan border, a UN hu- we’re in touch with them on a regular basis man rights investigator has said. “As a matter on those issues.” of international law, the US drone campaign ‘End interference’ in Pakistan is ... being conducted without the Emmerson said the Pashtun tribes of northconsent of the elected representatives of the western Pakistan’s Federally Administered people, or the legitimate Government of the Tribal Areas (FATA), the largely lawless State,” Ben Emmerson, the UN’s special rap- region bordering Afghanistan in Pakistan’s porteur on human rights and counterterror- west, have been decimated by the counterterism, said in a statement issued by the Office rorism operations. of the High Commissioner for Human Rights “These proud and independent people have in Geneva on Friday. been self-governing for generations, and have Emmerson visited Pakistan for three days this a rich tribal history that has been too little unweek as part of his investigation into the ci- derstood in the West,” he said. “Their tribal vilian impact of the use of drones and other structures have been broken down by the forms of targeted killings. military campaign in FATA and by the use of “It involves the use of force on the territory of drones in particular.” another state without its consent and is there- The tribal areas have never been fully intefore a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty,” he grated into Pakistan’s administrative, ecosaid. nomic or judicial system. They are dominated Emmerson said in January that he would in- by ethnic Pashtun tribes, some of which have vestigate 25 drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen, sheltered and supported militants over decSomalia, Afghanistan and the Palestinian ter- ades of conflict in neighbouring Afghanistan. ritories. He is expected to present his final re- Clearing out border sanctuaries used by forcport to the UN General Assembly in October. es fighting ISAF forces in Afghanistan is seen

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by Washington as crucial to bringing stability to Afghanistan, particularly as the US-led combat mission ends in 2014.

Civilian casualties Most, but not all, attacks with unmanned aerial vehicles worldwide have been carried out by the United States. Britain and Israel have also used them, and dozens of other countries are believed to possess the technology.

“It is time for the international community to heed the concerns of Pakistan, and give the next democratically elected government of Pakistan the space, support and assistance it needs to deliver a lasting peace on its own territory without forcible military interference by other states,” Emmerson said.

The UN Human Rights Council asked Emmerson to start an investigation of the drone attacks following requests by countries including Pakistan, Russia and China.

Criticism of drone strikes centres on the number of civilians killed and the fact that they are launched across sovereign states’ borders so frequently, far more than conventional attacks by piloted aircraft.

Stanley McChrystal, the retired US general who devised the Pentagon’s counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan, warned in January against overusing drones, which have provoked angry demonstrations in Pakistan.

Civilian casualties from drone strikes have angered local populations and created tension between the United States and Pakistan and Afghanistan. Washington has sought to portray civilian casualties as minimal, but groups collecting data on these attacks say they have killed hundreds of civilians.

Source: Aljazeera Agencies

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President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday announced that general elections for the National Assembly shall be held May 11, the President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar announced Wednesday. Babar said that the President announced the date as soon as the summary was received from Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Wednesday.

“The president received a summary from the government asking him to announce a suitable date for the election, so the president announced today that a general election to the National Assembly will be held on May 11,” said the spokesman.

The National Assembly stood dissolved on completion of its constitutional term of five years on March 16. Elections will also be held for assemblies in Pakistan’s four provinces, but it was not immediately clear whether those polls will also be held on May 11.

A parliamentary committee has until Friday to select a candidate to head up a caretaker administration, which will formally steer the country towards the ballot box.

It was given the job after the major ruling party and the main opposition party, the Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N), failed to reach an agreement on a name by Tuesday.

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Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

China is fifth-largest arms exporter China has become the world’s fifth-largest arms exporter, according to a Swedish-based think tank. It is China’s highest ranking since the cold war, with Pakistan the main recipient. China’s volume of weapons exports between 2008 and 2012 rose 162% compared with the previous five-year period, with its share of the global arms trade rising from 2% to 5%, said the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri).

China replaces Britain in the top five arms-dealing countries between 2008 and 2012, a group dominated by the United States and Russia, which accounted for 30% and 26% of weapons exports, Sipri said. “China is establishing itself as a significant arms supplier to a growing number of important recipient states,” Paul Holtom, director of the Sipri Arms Transfers

Programme, said in a statement. budget to develop modern warfare exports back to the 1950s. It avThe shift, outlined in Sipri’s Trends equipment including aircraft car- erages data over five-year periods in International Arms Transfers riers and drones. At the Zhuhai because arms sales vary by year.

“Pakistan – which accounted for 55% of Chinese arms exports – is likely to remain the largest recipient of Chinese arms in the coming years due to large outstanding and planned orders for combat aircraft, submarines and frigates,” Sipri said. Burma received 8% of China’s weapons exports; Bangladesh received 7%; while Algeria, Venezuela and Morocco have bought Chinese-made frigates, aircraft or armoured vehicles in recent years.

Beijing does not release official report, marks China’s first time air show in southern China in No- figures for arms sales. Germany as a top-five arms exporter since vember Chinese attack helicop- and France ranked third and fourth the think-tank’s 1986-1990 data ters, missiles, unmanned aerial on the arms exporter list. China period. Now the world’s second- vehicles and air defences were on followed only India in the acquisilargest economy, China’s rise has public show for the first time. Si- tion of arms, though its reliance on come with a new sense of mili- pri maintains a global arms trans- imports is decreasing as it ramps tary assertiveness with a growing fers database base that tracks arms up weapons production capabili-

ties at home. Experts say some Chinese-made equipment is now comparable to the performance of Russian or western-made, though accurate information is scarce.

China faces bans on western military imports, dating back to anger over its crushing of pro-democracy protests in and around Tiananmen Square in 1989. That makes its domestic arms industry crucial in assembling a modern military force as it continues to make claims over Taiwan and disputed maritime territories. China has faced off recently with south-east Asian neighbours and Japan over conflicting claims to strings of islets in the South China Sea and East China Sea. At the same time the United States has beefed up its militarily presence in the Pacific Source: The Guardian

World powers, Iran hold Syrian opposition PM fresh exchange on nuclear rejects talks with Assad proposals At the talks on Monday, experts from the five permanent UN Security Council members Britain, China, France, Rus-

sia and the US plus Germany “had technical discussions with Iran,” said a brief statement from a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.

Monday’s technical exchange will be followed by political talks in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on April 5 and 6, said Michael Mann, the spokesman for Ashton, who heads the talks between the six powers and Iran. In Istanbul, the experts, led by Stephan Klement, “provided further details on the revised confidence building proposal” put forward by the western powers to Iran in talks in Almaty on February 26 and 27. The six, last month offered

Iran a softening of non-oil or financial sector-related sanctions in exchange for concessions over Tehran’s sensitive urani-

um enrichment operations. The West suspect Tehran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons under the guise of what the Islamic republic insists is a purely civilian programme with peaceful ends. The offer, reportedly involving easing sanctions on Iran’s gold and precious metals trade and lifting others on some very small banking operations, in return demands a tougher nuclear inspection regime and the interruption of enrichment operations at the Fordo bunker facility where 20-percent enrichment goes on. The EU statement said the Istanbul talks also provided an opportunity for experts from both sides “to

explore each other’s positions on a number of technical subjects.” On Monday, US President Barack Obama urged Iran

to take “immediate and meaningful steps” to move “toward an enduring, long-term settlement” with the world over its disputed nuclear programme.

In a video message in honour of the Iranian Nowruz holiday, Obama said that if Tehran took such action “the Iranian people will begin to see the benefits of greater trade and ties with other nations, including the United States.” Both the United States and Israel have refused to rule out military action to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and the issue is likely to top the agenda this week during Obama’s first trip to Israel as president. Source: Dawn

Syria’s opposition will not enter into dialogue with the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, the newly elected prime minister of the country’s rebel-held areas said in his inaugural speech. Speaking on Tuesday in the Turkish city of Istanbul, where the Syrian National Coalition met to hold the election, Ghassan Hitto, a communications executive, said the Syrian regime was “oppressive and unjust”. Those backing the regime were “on the wrong side of history,” he said. “No power in this world can dictate terms to our people. I repeat, ‘No power in the world can dictate unacceptable terms on our people.”

Hitto won the vote, receiving 35 out of 48 votes. The vote came after about 14 hours of closed-door consultations among 63 coalition members, with some describing Hitto as a consensus candidate pleasing the opposition’s Islamist and liberal factions. In his Tuesday address, Hitto said there were “challenges” and that he would work hard to serve the Syrian people.

“We’ll face the upcoming challenges together hand in hand to reinforce the greatness of the revolution and the great potential of the Syrian people.

We also promise you that we’ll channel all efforts to discharge this patriotic responsibility,” said Hitto. Divisions still plague the SNC and some coalition members withdrew from the consultations before the vote could take place. When the voting finally took place, members placed their ballots in a transparent box in

the conference hall where the muchawaited meeting took place. “This is a transparent, democratic vote,” said Coalition leader Mouaz al-Khatib.

Hitto arrived in the conference hall minutes after the count, and was met with a round of applause as he shook hands with Coalition members. “I give great thanks to the heroes and revolutionaries of the Syrian people.

We are with you,” said Hitto, who recently moved from Texas to Turkey to help co-ordinate aid to rebel-held areas. When asked what the first priority of his interim government would be, he said: “We’ll talk about that tomorrow.” “The new government is a servant of the great people of Syria,” Hitto said in his Tuesday address. Coalition members hope the new government will unite the rebels fighting al-Assad’s forces and provide services to Syrians living in rebel-held areas. Many have been battered by the country’s civil war and suffer acute shortages of food, electricity and medical services.

Source: Al-Jazeera

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Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

Sugary drinks linked to staggering 180,000 deaths each year: study

Researchers at Harvard University say sugary drinks are contributing to an estimated 180,000 deaths around the globe annually, a startling statistic they hope will spur changes in the beverage industry. Researchers from Harvard’s School of Public Health say sugar-laced juices, sports drinks and soda are major factors behind spiking rates of obesity and diabetes.

The study shows countries in the Caribbean and Latin America saw the highest death rates from diabetes due to consumption of sugary drinks. In the United States, where two-thirds of adults and one in three children are overweight or obese, sugar-sweetened drinks were linked to 25,000 deaths in 2010. “The data is clear,” says Harvard’s Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian. “Too much soda consumption is killing people.”

Mozaffarian said the research could motivate policy makers to regulate the beverage industry. A debate over super-sized sodas is raging in New York City, where a city-wide ban on the sale of sugary drinks in containers holding more than 16 ounces was to go into effect earlier this month. However, a last-minute ruling by a Supreme Court Justice blocked the ban.

“Our data really provides an impetus for policy mak-

ers to make changes when they see tens of thousands of deaths are due to this beverage consumption,” said Gitanjali Singh, of the Harvard School of Public Health. The researchers linked the overconsumption of sugared beverages to 44,000 deaths annually from heart disease and stroke, 133,000 deaths linked to diabetes and 6,000 cancer deaths worldwide. According to a sugar drink fact sheet published by Harvard’s School of Public Heath, a typical 590-millilitre soda contains between 15 to 18 teaspoons of sugar and upwards of 240 calories. “People who drink this ‘liquid candy’ do not feel as full as if they has eaten the same calories from solid food and do not compensate by eating less,” reads the report. In the meantime, beverage companies continue to spend billions each year on advertising -- with an estimated half a billion dollars in marketing aimed at children and youth between two and 17 years old. “In 2010, for example, preschoolers viewed an average of 213 ads for sugary drinks and energy drinks, while children and teens watched an average of 277 and 406 ads, respectively,” reads the report. Sugary drinks are the number one source of calories in North America and doctors hope more research will prompt consumers and governments to make a change. “I think we are going to see regulations and legislations put in place,” said Ottawa-based weight loss specialist Dr. Yoni Freedhoff. “Whether it is taxes or cup-size bans, it is not a matter of ‘if’, it’s a matter of ‘when’.” He continued: “The writing is on the wall, and I think the soda pop industry knows that.” The Canadian Beverage Association, on the other hand, disputes the findings and suggests there are much bigger problems at the root of rising obesity. “The Canadian Beverage Association feels that it is over simplistic and naive to believe that one single food or beverage can be held responsible for obesity,” the group said in a statement responding to the study. “Obesity is affected by lifestyle, such as diet and physical activity, as well as inherited and social influences, not simply one particular food or beverage.”

Source: CTV News

Burmese to be issued Residence Permits in Saudi Arabia

The Burmese community will receive the first official set of residence permits issued by the Kingdom beginning Saturday, according to sources.

A committee has been assigned to rectify the status of the Burmese community in the Kingdom and will deliver residence permits through the office of Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal. Ayyub Al-Jamal,

Burmese community coordinator general, said that the status of 540 Burmese was rectified last Sunday in anticipation of the delivery. He said less than 20 percent of the estimated 300,000 Burmese were unmarried. However, official statistics indicate that there are 240,000 Burmese citizens residing in Saudi Arabia.

The committee and the Ministry of Education will work together to enroll the sons of Burmese parents in Saudi schools. The residence permits come in the wake of a government decision to exempt them from paying residency fees for the next four years as an incentive for them to rectify their status.

Burmese communities in three key cities were surveyed as a first step for them to obtain residency permits. A special committee began receiving applications of the Burmese community last Saturday at a center set up at a car park in Kudai, Makkah.

Source: arab news

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Hunger strikes at Guantanamo nearly double

The number of detainees on hunger strike at Guantanamo has nearly doubled since last week, with at least two prisoners hospitalised due to dehydration, officials at the military prison said.

Captain Robert Durand, Guantanamo communications director, confirmed on Tuesday that 24 prisoners were on hunger strike, up from 15 since March 11, AFP reported. However, he rejected claims that the majority of detainees were involved in a more widespread protest. “Today, Tuesday, March 19, 2013, we have 24 hunger strikers, with eight on internal feed,” he said. “The reports of hunger-strike-related deteriorating health and detainees losing massive amounts of weight are simply untrue.” In recent weeks, lawyers returned from the US base in Cuba where the prison is located with accounts of clients weak from hunger and an angry standoff with guards. The military had said no more than a handful of prisoners met the definition of being on hunger strike, which includes missing nine consecutive meals. That figure rose to 14 on Friday, and then grew by seven over the weekend. It has become the largest and most sustained protest at Guantanamo in several years, but Durand insisted there is no evidence to support reports of a strike involving most of the 166 men held there. “The detainees certainly have the support of one another,” Durand said on Monday.

“But if it was 166, I would tell you it was 166. I don’t have a reason to lowball or pad the numbers.’’ A prisoner from Yemen, Yasein Esmail, told his attorney that he lost about 15 kg after striking for 29 days and was struggling to keep his balance, according to notes

taken by the lawyer, Washingtonbased David Remes, during a March 5 visit. “Many of the detainees are desperate,” Esmail told Remes. “They feel like they’re living in graves.” Omah Farah, from the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), said several prisoners in Camp 6 where there are 130 prisoners had lost between 18 and 22 kg and most had lost between 9 and 13 kg. Farah accused camp authorities of seeking to downplay the strike, which began on February 6 to protest searches carried out by prison guards. Detainees have accused guards of “desecrating” Qurans during the searches. Camp officials have strongly denied any mistreatment of the religious books. Another apparent factor in the protest is the fact that the US has largely stopped transferring and releasing prisoners because of security restrictions imposed by Congress and the administration of President Barack Obama. Durand said there had been no changes in the way searches are conducted. He said Qurans are searched for contraband by Muslim translators, not guards, and are treated in a respectful way. The protest is simply a way to attract attention, he said. “They have sort of fallen out of the public view and most of the legal issues have been settled,” Durand said. “If you want to burst back into the media then you have to start complaining about either Quran abuse or detainee abuse or deteriorating conditions.” Guantanamo prison was opened in 2002 to house prisoners rounded up in the so called War on Terror waged by the President George Bush administration following the 9/11 attacks.

Source: Al-Jazeera

6

Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

E D I T O R I A L

Reality of The Wasted Five Year Term

Despite the horrible misrule by the Pakistan People’s Party, President Asif Ali Zardari has been tenaciously working day and night on his manipulative strategy to encourage “alliance of convenience” (marriage-of-convenience) with multiple political partners. The alliance actually did pave the way for the party to survive constitutionally right till the end.

At least this time, the democracy has been given a free hand by the military, the judiciary, the civil society and the media. National Assembly has already been dissolved, while the provincial ones are still in the final process of winding up.

Upon digging history, one finds that there have been numerous unsuccessful attempts aimed at derailing the newly born independent state of Pakistan since 1949. General Ayub khan succeeded in taking over the reins of the country in 1958 usurping the 1956 constitution of Pakistan. Then Gen. Yahya preyed upon the vulnerable nation. And after the fall of East Pakistan in 1971, the West Pakistan province became Pakistan (crippled one) followed by the civil martial law under Mr Z. A. Bhutto, founder of Pakistan People’s Party.

As civilian Chief Martial Law Administrator (dictator) Mr. Bhutto went on a “Nationalizing spree” countrywide - snatching all major corporations/industries under the

banner of his “Islami Socialism.”

Then comes Gen. Zia-ul-Haq in 1977, he suspends the constitution, dismantles the assemblies, arrests and hangs Mr Bhutto on murder charges despite the poor evidence against the deposed Prime minister. Zia remained a powerful dictator with his iron fist till his death in1988 air crash.

Subsequently, successive civil regimes faced another tough round of “on and off” mode. The governments of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif went through their incomplete terms due to mis-governance charges.

All of a sudden, Gen Musharraf shows up to abrogate the constitution arresting the elected Prime Minister Mr Nawaz Sharif.

President General Musharraf, the last military dictator ruled the country from 1999 to 2008.

A disappointing but the steady governance during 2008-2013 was a different experiment altogether, where a civil government has manoeuvred to continue for the whole term, however, shrewd Zardari and his regime under Prime Minister Gilani and later under Prime Minister Raja Ashraf miserably failed to deliver.

But the factor of “pro democracy unanimity” played a pivotal role, as the stronger media, the super active apex judiciary, politically aware civil society, politicians and

the military have been on the same page to give democracy a free hand.

In other words, the ‘joint will’ is absolutely necessary to produce democratic maturity for Pakistan in the years ahead.

Nevertheless, completing the term is only the first step in the right direction, yet mismanaging the country’s affairs during five years amounts to wasting of nation’s precious time and resources.

And instead of being remorseful for not fulfilling their obligation of delivery to the nation, the outgoing rulers are tirelessly busy celebrating completion of the darkest era which was nothing other than the “sub standard governance” full of administrative paralysis.

- A brief recap: - Gross domestic product (GDP) dropped significantly from 8% to 4%.

- The demand for Pakistani goods dropped and investment flows dried up, adversely affecting Pak industries.

- The masses are now buried under a mountain of foreign debt load which increased from $45 billion in 2008 to over $65 billion in 2012.

- The past five years have been a major disappointment for the electorate.

- The PPP regime failed to recognise its responsibility to create a friendly environment for commerce where the youth could earn living.

Letters & Opinions

- The promised Roti, kapra aur makan never actually happened.

- During the final days, the rulers’ corruption and nepotism was sky high which crossed all boundaries; they doled out billions of public money without a trace, and ignored merit system while appointing jialaas against sensitive positions.

- Hardly cooperated with the judiciary.

- Maybe, the democracy (PPP’s version) is the best revenge in the form of rampant corruption, hyperinflation, extensive power outages, gas shortages, ethnicity strife, wide spread sectarianism, chronic law and order condition, and the consistent defiance of the apex court’s verdicts.

Beyond doubt, the ruling PPP and its multiple partners went all the way to the end employing multiple maneuvers but left the office without any substantive accomplishments. Miraculously, the democracy survived in spite of the government’s bad performance (Tribune.com).

Since the nation cannot afford another era of democracy marked with corruption, misrule, favoritism, plunder and insecurity, so they must look for of LEADERS not RULERS for a positive social change and for economic prosperity on urgent basis.

The next general elections give an opportunity to the honest and com-

Miracle flies high in fully rainbow colors Scribes another glorious chapter to enhance the number of its pages from mere 4 (maiden issue) to 40 in the history of BC journalism color at its 12th Anniversary Issue, which is indisputably not a trivial R.C. Puri, Surrey BC. The furthermost noteworthy and achievement of the newspaper that exceptional feature about the has been passing through various Miracle newspaper remains that nitty-gritty situations throughout, it is spectacularly imbued with right from the time of its incepthe plentiful 1sts surrounded by tion. Only the individual allied the BC. ethnic print media. The with the business of the newspafirst and foremost 1st fell into its pers can know what sort of hitches kitty when its seed was sown on and glitches he has to pass through February 21, 2001, by Br. Nusrat to maintain the bare existence of Hussain , a journalist of the par- his newspaper. It is, for sure, not a excellent acumen, as the premier cup of tea for every Tom, Dick and spokesperson of the Islamic fra- Harry, rather an individual with ternity of the province. It is worth extraordinary exertion can dream mention that preceding thereto the to accomplish such a vibrant misMuslims of BC were the neglected sion. This is, indubitably, another and defenceless lot only, in rela- incredible 1st in the lap of the Mirtion to the teething troubles of their acle newspaper. paramount concerns. Hence, the Still another outstanding character emergence of the Miracle newspa- of the Miracle newspaper is its beper was nothing short of an Allah’s ing the 1st and the only newspaper bestowed blessing to the commu- in the whole province of British nity that had rightfully provided Columbia to be the solitary bilina unique occasion to it to raise its gual newspaper, published in Enghead in utter conceit and smugness. lish and Urdu languages, the preHowever, mere seeding the plant mier languages of India, Pakistan is not enough for its vigorous and other South Asian countries. growth. It needs a lot of watering The principal objective underlyand great deal of toil and sweat to ing this idea is to cater the needs turn it into a mighty tree, the job of those people, whose are not well that was strenuously done by Mr. of in English language, but are Muhammad Naseer Pirzada (Man- quite comfortable with the Urdu aging Editor), his better-half Ms. language. This is the one point that Khadija Naseer, Misbah Naseer, sets Miracle apart from the rest of Sabeeh Naseer (Sub-Editors), its the mainstream and ethnic print Graphic designer and Mr. Muham- media in this province, which too mad Rafiq (Hon. Chief & Urdu is its unique feature.

Editor) plus the current workaholic Nonetheless, the incomparable team of the Miracle News Media, 1st of the glorious history of the

Miracle is that since after the12th Anniversary Issue, the Miracle newspaper has started flying high in the blues in fully rainbow colors, which means that now onwards every single page of this newspaper will be further pleasing the eyes of its readers with their multifarious good-looking color arrangement that is the handicraft of the highly proficient team of the graphic artists.

That owing to its balanced approach he Miracle is, irrefutably, the 1st Islamic newspaper that enjoys the maximum readership in the non-Islamic ethnic communities.

In fortification of my supra claim, let me cite an instance when a few years back this newspaper was specifically quoted aggressively by a speaker of non-Islamic and nonPakistani origin, at the meeting of Surrey School Board, presided over by Madam Mary Polak, then Chair of the Board. The address of the speaker earned sumptuous applauds from the audience of the South Asian origin, when some of its excerpts were loudly readout before the Board. Primarily, due to this outstanding feature the Miracle newspaper has been able to secure its significant financial business (which is its principal lifeline) primarily from the non-Muslim and non-Pakistani communities, which is, beyond doubt, not its inconsequential achievement.

Long overdue cognizance of the services of the Miracle News Media:

In the last issue of this paper I had endeavoured to invite the attention and thoughtfulness of the thinktank of the local Islamic Ummah in general and the fraternity of Pakistani origin in specific of the forthwith cognizance of the services of the Miracle News Media, Mr. Hussain, Mr. Pirzada and I would like to add further the name of Mr. Rafiq, also (whose name I had regretfully missed inadvertently at that time), who have always toiled extraordinary hard to make their community audible in the rest of the populace around. Prior to the beginning of the Miracle newspaper the local Muslims had to depend upon the fanciful behavior of the editors and publishers of the other ethnic newspapers, even for the reporting of prime issues of the Islamic brotherhood. Hence, the forthwith recognition of the unrelenting services of all the supra trio-crusaders of the fraternity are over-due and it is the appropriate time for the local Muslims to liberate themselves of this overdue responsibility. This may be done by organising some

Continued on pg 22 IMPORTANT NOTE: Letters to the editor do not reflect the opinion of the Miracle media group. We do not publish anonymous letters or the letters of the people who do not disclose their identity to ‘The Miracle.’ A writer can use a pen name or request ‘The Miracle’ to withhold his / her identity. Please include your daytime telephone number for the confirmation of your letter. We regret the inconvenience.

petent politicians to rebuild this great country by improving the law and order situation and making everyone accountable under law. And the voters should make the right electoral choices without any fear of reprisals and elect only those candidates who enjoy utmost integrity and who are competent enough to deliver sincerely to make the country going again under a genuine democracy.

Waan laysa lil insani illa ma’ sa’aa That man can have nothing but what he strives for.

Meralce Media Group Inc.

Contact Info Mailing and Office Address 9160-136A Street Surrey BC. V3V 7Z8 Canada Fax: 604-582-7809 Founder: Nusrat Hussain Managing Editor: M. Naseer Pirzada Sub- Editors: Khadija, Misbah & Sabeeh Hon. Chief Editor & Urdu Editor Mohammad Rafiq Advertising: info@miraclenews.com Ph: 604-690-0400 Email: naseer@telus.net Editorial Board: Mr, Shums Jillani, Mr aslam Hayat, Mr.Azhar Syed, Mr. Shams Siddiqui, M.A.L. Naumani, Mr Tariq Mian Graphic Design: Design Team Copyright: 2001 Miracle Media Group Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Printed in Canada Attention: The opinions express herein contain positions and viewpoints that are not necessary those of “The Miracle”. These are offered as a means for “The Miracle” to stimulate dialogue and discussion in our continuing mission of “Bringing Harmony To All The Communities.”

CONTENTS Editorial & Letr Int. News Local Politics Faith Artcles Home and Garden Life Style Health Sports Urdu

6 4,5 28 12,14,16 7,8 10,13,18 21 23 27 29 30-38

Phone 604-690-0400 Email miraclenews@telus.net, info@miraclenews.com Website www.miraclenews.com

7

Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

E D I T O R I A L

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas: The Prophet came to Medina and the people used to pay in advance the price of dates to be delivered within two or three years. He said (to them), “Whoever pays in advance the price of a thing to be delivered later should pay it for a specified measure at specified weight for a specified period.”

Scientists prove prophetic fasting the secret to healthier, longer life Late last year, a Horizon documentary aired on BBC 2 named, “Eat, Fast and Live Longer. In the documentary Dr Michael Mosley set himself a truly ambitious goal: he wants to live longer, stay younger and lose weight in the bargain. And he wants to make as few changes to his life as possible along the way. He discovers the powerful new science behind the ancient idea of fasting, and he thinks he’s found a way of doing it that still allows him to enjoy his food. Michael tests out the science of fasting on himself – with life-changing results.

In his journey he explores 2 things: (1) the secrets to good health and (2) the secrets to longevity. His first discovery is that you should not eat very much with a particular need to watch your diet. From there he goes on to find a man who knows all about the growth hormone IGF-1 and about fasting.

He tells him to fast for 3 days, he does so and the results are impressive, Michael reduced the risk of getting many age-related diseases.

He doesn’t stop there. He goes on to discover what is called, “intermittent fasting” – a fasting on alternate days. So one day he will fast and the next he will feast. What is very interesting is what he discovers about the effects of fasting on the aging of the brain. Although the tests were on mice, they suggest that human beings have a very good to excellent chance of reducing brain diseases by fasting intermittently.

The results of brain scanning on the mice revealed something far more interesting.

They discovered that hunger actually created new brain cells and so by fasting you actually increase your cognitive abilities.

So it is exercise for the brain – hunger actually makes you!

He then discovers what he calls the 5-2 diet.

Eat for 5 days as normal and fast for 2 days.

He gives this a go for a few months. The results show that he not only lost well over a stone in weight but significantly reduced his body fat. His IGF-1 reduced by 50%, his glucose dropped to a good level, and his bad cholesterol dropped with his good cholesterol increasing. Therefore he cut the risks he had of getting diseases but if he continues, he doesn’t have to take tablets at all.

In conclusion he discovers the following: 1. Good health and longevity in age lies in diet – food matters.

2. Fasting can be done best according to the 5-2 diet system.

3. Fasting makes you healthier.

4. Fasting makes you sharper.

5. Fasting is not everybody – certain people shouldn’t fast, for example a pregnant woman he mentions.

Let’s dig into this a little more….

WHAT WE ALREADY KNEW What Dr Mosley has done is interesting.

He has confirmed a constant tradition of Prophets and the pious of this world. Over 1400 years ago – we were told the realities

of fasting. Ever since then, we have had numerous works on the virtues and wisdom of fasting. Horizon don’t seem to realise that they have confirmed the traditions and habits of the Beloved Prophet Muhammad ‫ ﻡﻝﺱﻭ ﻩﻱﻝﻉ ﻩﻝﻝﺍ ﻯﻝﺹ‬and those who followed and continue to follow him.

Why Fast?

In the Holy Qur’an we are told the following: O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for the people before you so that you may become pious….…The month of Ramadan (is the month) in which the Qur’an has been sent down as guidance for mankind containing clear signs which lead (to the straight road) and distinguishing (the truth from falsehood). Therefore, he who witnesses this month must fast it, and he who is ill or on a journey should complete the count by (fasting on equal number of) other days. Allah desires ease for you and does not desire hardship for you so that you complete the prescribed number of fasting days, and that you glorify Him for the guidance which He has blessed you with, and that you may become grateful.(al-Baqarah, 2:183 & 185).These verses indicate the purpose of fasting – that you become pious and aware of God. In essence, to become a master of the self rather than a slave of the self, i.e your desires/ego.

Fasting is a means of protection, a shield from illnesses of the spirit, heart and body.

The verses also indicate that not everyone should fast, and fasting is fixed to a certain number of days.

Muslims observe obligatory fasting for 29 or 30 days during Ramadan, from dawn till sunset. They also fast voluntarily at least three days every month and on certain days in the year. These include – the day of ‘Arafat, the 9th and 10th days of Muharram, the six days of Shawwal, three fasts every month of the White Days (13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month), or fasting on Mondays and Thursdays.

sels to keep his back straight. But if it must be, then one third for his food, one third for his drink and one third for his breath.”

And the Qur’an calls to eat of that which is lawful and pure in the earth. (al-Baqarah: 2:168). So we must not neglect the importance of eating good food but also eating well. For a fast that neglects this may not be the best in terms of health.

How did the he fast?

The Beloved Prophet, upon him be the peace and blessings of God, used to fast consistently, more so than anyone, up to the point that he did so continuously for months on end. Although, he did not command others to do the same and we should not do so. A few traditions: Fasting on alternate days ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-’As narrates that I asked the Messenger of God about the fasting of David, whereupon he replied, “Half of the year,”(i.e. he used to fast on every alternate day).

(Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 195).

Fasting on alternate days, intermittent, or 5-2 diet, or 3 days a month Hafsa relates: ”The Prophet used to fast Mondays and Thursdays.”

‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr: “The Messenger of God was informed that I had taken an oath to fast daily and to pray (every night) all the night throughout my life (so he came to me and asked whether it was correct): I replied, ”Let my parents be sacrificed for you! I did say so.” The Prophet then said, ”You can not do that. So, fast for few days and give it up for few days, pray and sleep. Fast three days a month as the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times and that will be equal to one year of fasting.” I replied, ”I can do better than that.” The Prophet said to me, ”Fast one day and give up fasting for a day and that is the fasting of Prophet David and

that is the best fasting.”I said, “I have the power to fast better (more) than that.” The Prophet said, ”There is no better fasting than that.” (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 197) Narrated by Muslim al-Qurashi: “I asked or someone asked the Prophet about perpetual fasting. He replied: You have a duty to your family. Fast during Ramadan and the following month, and every Wednesday and Thursday. You will then have observed a perpetual fast. (Sahih Muslim, Book 13, Number 2426)” Narrated by Umm Salamah, Ummul Mu’minin: “Hunaydah al-Khuza’i reported on the authority of her mother who said: I entered upon Umm Salamah and asked her about fasting. She said:The Prophet used to command me to fast three days every month beginning with Monday or Thursday. (Sahih Muslim, Book 13, Number 2446)”

Fasting increases memory ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin of the Prophet (about whom the Prophet said, “I am the City of knowledge and Ali is its gate,” ) said: “Five things that remove forgetfulness, phlegm and increase memory: (1) Tooth stick (miswak) (2) Fasting (3) recitation of the Qur’an (4) Honey and (5) Milk.” (Narrated by Daylami).

This article contains but snippets of information on fasting but what we see is clear.

The traditions we have confirm what we saw in the BBC documentary yet we were told over 1400 years ago. Fasting is not about living longer, but it is about living better. Living better externally and internally.

Prayer Schedule in Greater Vancouver

Eating Well & Fasting: The Way of The Prophet The Prophet, upon him be the peace and blessings of God, was extremely radical in terms of simplicity when it came to his lifestyle, but he was also very balanced and moderate. He was a semi-vegetarian, you can find numerous traditions and works on how little he ate and what he used to eat. What is incredible is that he only consumed a lifetime total to the equivalent of 40 kilograms of barley flour.

The Holy Prophet, upon him be the peace and blessings of God, informed us on the authority of Miqdam ibn Ma’di Karib that “No human ever filled a vessel worse than the stomach. Sufficient for any son of Adam are some mor-

March 22- April 5, 2013 (Jamadi ul Awaal 10-24, 1434H)

J.ul I Date 22 10 23 11 24 12 25 13 26 14 27 15 28 16 29 17 30 18 31 19 20 April 01 02 21 03 22 04 23 05 24

Day

Fajar

Sunr

Zawal

Dhuhr

Asar

Maghrib

Isha

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

5:40 5:38 5:36 5:33 5:31 5:29 5:28 5:25 5:23 5:21 5:19 5:17 5:15 5:13 5:11

7:10 7:08 7:06 7:03 7:01 6:59 6:58 6:55 6:53 6:51 6:49 6:47 6:45 6:43 6:41

01:19 01:19 01:19 01:18 01:18 01:17 01:17 01:17 01:17 01:16 01:16 01:16 01:16 01:15 01:15

01:24 01:24 01:24 01:23 01:23 01:22 01:22 01:22 01:22 01:21 01:21 01:21 01:21 01:20 01:20

5:21 5:22 5:24 5:27 5:29 5:30 5:32 5:34 5:36 5:38 5:40 5:42 5:46 5:47 5:48

7:32 7:33 7:35 7:37 7:39 7:40 7:42 7:44 7:45 7:46 7:47 7:49 7:50 7:51 7:52

9:02 9:03 9:05 9:07 9:09 9:10 9:12 9:14 9:15 9:16 9:17 9:19 9:20 9:21 9:22

For such Prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times: Quran ,n 4:103 Source: BCMA

8

Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

F A I T H

Clarification of the Many Paths of Good Part 2 Riyad as-Salihin (The Meadows of the Righteous)

128. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Anyone who does wudu’ thoroughly, then goes to Jumu’a, listens and is silent, will be forgiven until the next Jumu’a and three days more. Whoever plays with pebbles has wasted it.”

[Muslim] 129. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “When a Muslim or believer does wudu’ and washes his face, he removes from his face with the water, or with the last drop of water, every wrong action which he looked at with his eye. When he washes his hands, he removes from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water, every wrong action which he did with his hands. When he washes his feet, he removes from his feet with the water, or with the last drop of water, every wrong action which he walked to with his feet, until he emerges free of wrong actions.” [Muslim] 130. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Five prayers, and Jumu’a to Jumu’a, and Ramadan to Ramadan are expiation for everything between them if major wrong actions are avoided.”

[Muslim] 131. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may

Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Shall I tell you something by which Allah will wipe out wrong actions and raise up degrees?” They said, “Yes indeed, Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Doing wudu’ thoroughly, even in times of difficulty, taking many steps to the mosque and waiting for the prayer after praying the previous one. That is what you should hold to.”[Muslim] 132. Abu Musa al-Ash’ari reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Whoever prays the two cool ones (i.e. the Subh and ‘Asr prayers) will enter the Garden.” [Agreed upon] 133. Abu Musa reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “When a slave of Allah is ill or travelling, the same is written for him as what he would normally do if he were healthy and at home.” [al-Bukhari] 134. Jabir reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Every right thing is sadaqa.”

[Al-Bukhari. Muslim related it from Hudhayfa] 135. Jabir also reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “No Muslim plants something without what is eaten from it being sadaqa for him. Even what is stolen from it is sadaqa for him. And no one visits it with-

out that being sadaqa for him.”

[Muslim] In one variant of it, “No Muslim plants something from which man, animals or birds eat without it being sadaqa for him until the Day of Rising.”

In another variant of it, “No Muslim plants a tree or sows a crop from which birds, man or beasts eat without it being sadaqa for him.”

136. Jabir said, “The Banu Salama wanted to move near to the mosque and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, heard about it.

He said to them, ‘It has reached me that you want to move near to the mosque?’ They said, ‘Yes, Messenger of Allah, we do want that.’ He said, ‘Banu Salama, keep the houses you have. Your footprints are written down.

Keep the houses you have! Your footprints are written down.’”

[Muslim] In one variant, “There is a degree for each footstep.”

137. Abu’l-Mundhir Ubayy ibn Ka’b said, “There was a man and I do not know of any man who lived further from the mosque than him. He never missed a prayer. It was said to him ¬ or I said to him ¬ ‘You should buy a donkey which you could ride in the dark and when it is very hot.’

He said, ‘It would not make me happier if my house were right next to the mosque. I want my

steps to the mosque to be written down for me and also my return when I return to my family. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Allah will combine all that for you.”’” [Muslim] In one variant, “You will have what you reckoned.”

138. Abu Muhammad ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “There are forty good qualities, the highest of which is giving away all of an animal’s milk. If anyone acts with any one of these qualities hoping for its reward and affirming what is promised by it, on account of it Allah will admit him to the Garden.” [al-Bukhari] 139. ‘Adi ibn Hatim said, “I heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, ‘Protect yourselves from the Fire, even if only with half a date.’” [Agreed upon] In a variant in both al-Bukhari and Muslim, he said that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “There is not a single one of you who will not be spoken to directly by his Lord without any mediator in between and he will look to his right and see only what he sent ahead, and will look to his left and see only what he sent ahead.

He will look in front of him and see only the Fire facing him.

Protect yourselves from the Fire,

even if only with half a date. And if you cannot find even that, then with a good word.”

140. Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Allah is pleased with His slave who eats a morsel and praises Allah for it or takes a drink and praises Allah for it.” [Muslim] 141. Abu Musa reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Every Muslim should give sadaqa.” He said, “What about if someone has nothing to give?”

He said, “He should get work and earn something and give sadaqa.” He said, “And if is unable to do that?” He said, “He should help someone in need.” He said, “What if he cannot find anyone?”

He said, “He should command what is right or good.” He said, “What if he cannot do that?” He said, “He should refrain from evil.

That is sadaqa for him.” [Agreed upon] Naqshbandi Center Vancouver

9

Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

S P E C I A L

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10

Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

S P E C I A L

23rd March 1940

What Pakistani Youth Must Know About

By: Faiz Al-Najdi (Pak Tribune)

The Pakistani youth of today seem to be simply ignorant of the historical background of the creation of Pakistan. The reason is mostly to do with detest of theirs for Pakistan Studies while at schools. Based on my interaction with many of them, it is my considered opinion that there is a weakness and void out there amongst our youth vis-history of Pakistan.

On this historic day of 23rd March ‘also known as Pakistan Day’ I therefore thought to write something for educating my youth on the significance of this day.

The youth of today must know that Pakistan owes her creation to four erstwhile outstanding Muslim leaders, namely: Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (1817-98), Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar (18781931), Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah (1876-1948), and Allama Muhammad Iqbal (18771938). These leaders provided intellectual and political leadership to Indian Muslims during about ninety years (1858-1947) of the British imperial rule on the Sub-continent.

It is important for them to also know that in the beginning all of these aforementioned leaders were thorough-bred nationalists at one time or another. By being nationalist means they were the proponents of a united India. Now it should not come as a surprise for our young men and women to learn that over the passage of time our leaders got disillusioned with this concept of one united India.

The reasons were many. It could have been either because of Hindu ethnocentrism in the late 19th century or Congress`s championing of unitary Hindu nationalism in the 1920s and 1930s.

Now let us focus our discussion exclusively on our great leader and founder of Pakistan ‘Quaide-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’.

It is very important for the youths to understand the elements of the crest and the troughs in the political leanings and ideologies of Quaid-e-Azam over his long career from 1904 thru 1948. It is interesting to note here that for some seventeen years (19041920), he was pro-Congress, pleading the Congress cause and envisioning a truly nationalist destiny for India.

And, still for another sixteen years (1921-37), though he was practically out of Congress as

he had joined All India Muslim League in 1920, he was still working for a nationalist destiny.

During this period, he was still striving for a Hindu-Muslim settlement and he was still collaborating with the Congress and its leadership for the same. It is also very well known that in pursuit of his mission of Hindu-Muslim unity, he had devised several constitutional formulae, but all to no avail. It is also pertinent to mention here that till early 1937, Quaid-e-Azam was still in his “nationalist” self; preaching his credo eloquently and trying mis-

areas in which the Muslims are numerically in a majority as in the North-Western and Eastern Zones of India should be grouped to constitute `Independent States` in which the constituent units shall be autonomous and sovereign.”

The resolution was seconded

by Chaudhry Khaliq-uz-Zaman, and supported among others by Maulana Zafar Ali Khan, Sardar Aurangzeb Khan, Sir Abdullah Haroon and I I Chundrigar. In short, the Muslims of India on that day in fact had proclaimed to the world their determination to make the Muslim Statehood the goal of their struggle under the leadership of the Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

Let the youths be educated that Pakistan Resolution of 23rd March 1940 was in fact the first salvo fired in the battle for Pakistan. And barely seven years after, was the dream of a separate Muslim homeland in the shape of Pakistan realized. This was all because of that mercurial leadership of the great Quaid. Stanley Wolpert, the American historian and author also gives testimony to this fact in his book, entitled,

culmination but the historic journey for creation of Pakistan had begun right after the fall of the Moghul Empire and advent of the British rule in the Sub-continent in 1857.

The following historic facts would lend credence to this thesis of mine.

• The first scheme for the partition of India was presented

by John Bright in 1858. On the 4th of June 1858, while par-

erably to unite Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs. For this he was widely known as the ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity.

All said and done, on 23rd of March 1940 a resolution was passed which was read aloud by Moulvi Abul Kasim Fazlul Haque - the then Chief Minister of Bengal - (sans the help of any public address system as he had very strong throat) and was adopted unanimously. The resolution inter alia stated: “Resolved that it is the considered view of this session of the All India Muslim League that the

Jinnah of Pakistan ; Quote “that few individuals significantly alter the course of history, fewer still modify the map of the world, and hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation state. Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three.

Unquote.

Lord Mountbatten is on record to have said, “If there had not been Mr. Jinnah there would have been no Pakistan”.

Let the youths also be informed here that the Pakistan Resolution of 23rd March 1940 was just the

ticipating in a discussion in the British Parliament, he was of the opinion, “India should be divided into five presidencies.

• As far back as 1867, Sir Syed had said: “It was now impossible for Hindus and Muslims to progress as a single nation.”

• The scheme for the partition of India was proposed by a renowned Muslim Scholar Jamaluddin Afghani who in 1879, proposed a broader Muslim state.

• Sir John Seeky - author of “The Expansion of England” - as early as 1883 had said, India

does not mark the territory of a nation or a language, but the territory of many nations and many languages.”

• A British writer Wilfred Scawen Blunt in 1883 wrote in his book Ideas about India that practically India is to be divided as such that all Northern provinces under the Muslim Government while the South provinces under a Hindu government”.

• In 1887, Theodore Beck educated at Cambridge and the Principal of M. A. O. College at Aligarh observed that “Muslims are a separate nation, rule of majority is impossible; Muslims will never agree to be ruled by the Hindu majority.”

• In 1899, another British intellectual and the principal of MAO College Aligarh, Theodore Morison proposed that the only solution to the Indian political uncertainty was to centralize the Indian Muslims in one province or tract of the country, for instance, the north of India from Peshawar to Agra.

• Sir Muhammad Iqbal was the first important public figure to propound the idea of partition from the platform of the Muslim League. He articulated his vision in 1930, in his presidential address at Allahabad.

• In 1933 Chaudhary Rehmat Ali, a student of Cambridge University, issued a declaration entitled “Now or Never: Are we to live or perish forever?” and demanded a Muslim homeland.

He used the term of Pakistan for the first time., • In his letter on 28 May 1937, Allama Iqbal wrote to the Quaid that to solve the Muslim problems it was necessary to redistribute the country and to provide one or more Muslim states with absolute majorities.

11

Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

S P E C I A L

Adrian Dix and the New Democrat Official Opposition wish you a Happy National Day of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Harry Bains Surrey-Newton 604-597-8248 harry.bains.mla@leg.bc.ca

Jagrup Brar Surrey-Fleetwood 604-501-8227 jagrup.brar.mla@leg.bc.ca

Mable Elmore Mike Farnworth Vancouver-Kensington Port Coquitlam 604-775-1033 604-927-2088 mable.elmore.mla@leg.bc.ca mike.farnworth.mla@leg.bc.ca

Raj Chouhan Burnaby-Edmonds 604-660-7301 raj.chouhan.mla@leg.bc.ca

Kathy Corrigan Burnaby-Deer Lake 604-775-2414 kathy.corrigan.mla@leg.bc.ca

Rob Fleming Victoria-Swan Lake 250-360-2023 rob.fleming.mla@leg.bc.ca

Sue Hammell Surrey-Green Timbers 604-590-5868 sue.hammell.mla@leg.bc.ca

Carole James Maurine Karagianis Bruce Ralston Victoria-Beacon Hill Esquimalt-Royal Roads Surrey-Whalley 250-952-4211 250-479-0630 604-586-2740 carole.james.mla@leg.bc.ca maurine.karagianis.mla@leg.bc.ca bruce.ralston.mla@leg.bc.ca New Democrat Caucus Room 201, Parliament Buildings, Victoria BC, V8V 1X4 Tel: 250-387-3655 Fax: 250-387-4680

Joe Trasolini Port Moody-Coquitlam 604-931-5477 joe.trasolini.mla@leg.bc.ca

www.officialopposition.bc.ca

12

Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

S P E C I A L

Iraq: War’s legacy of cancer

Dahr Jamail, Al Jazeera Fallujah, Iraq - Contamination from Depleted Uranium (DU) munitions and other military-related pollution is suspected of causing a sharp rises in congenital birth defects, cancer cases, and other illnesses throughout much of Iraq.

Many prominent doctors and scientists contend that DU contamination is also connected to the recent emergence of diseases that were not previously seen in Iraq, such as new illnesses in the kidney, lungs, and liver, as well as total immune system collapse. DU contamination may also be connected to the steep rise in leukaemia, renal, and anaemia cases, especially among children, being reported throughout many Iraqi governorates.

There has also been a dramatic jump in miscarriages and premature births among Iraqi women, particularly in areas where heavy US military operations occurred, such as Fallujah.

Official Iraqi government statistics show that, prior to the outbreak of the First Gulf War in 1991, the rate of cancer cases in Iraq was 40 out of 100,000 people. By 1995, it had increased to 800 out of 100,000 people, and, by 2005, it had doubled to at least 1,600 out of 100,000 people.

Current estimates show the increasing trend continuing.

As shocking as these statistics are, due to a lack of adequate documentation, research, and reporting of cases, the actual rate of cancer and other diseases is likely to be much higher than even these figures suggest.

“Cancer statistics are hard to come by, since only 50 per cent of the healthcare in Iraq is public,” Dr Salah Haddad of the Iraqi Society for Health Administration and Promotion told Al Jazeera. “The other half of our healthcare is provided by the private sector, and that sector is deficient in their reporting of statistics. Hence, all of our statistics in Iraq must be multiplied by two.

Any official numbers are likely only half of the real number.”

Toxic environments Dr Haddad believes there is a direct correlation between increasing cancer rates and the amount of bombings carried out by US forces in particular areas.

“My colleagues and I have all noticed an increase in Fallujah of congenital malformations, sterility, and infertility,” he said. “In Fallujah, we have the problem of toxics introduced by American bombardments and the weapons they used, like DU.” During 2004, the US military carried out two massive military sieges of the city of Fallujah, using large quantities of DU ammunition, as well as white phosphorous.

“We are concerned about the future of our children being exposed to radiation and other toxic materials the US military have introduced into our environment,” Dr Haddad added.

A frequently cited epidemiological study titled Cancer, Infant Mortality and Birth Sex-Ratio in Fallujah, Iraq 2005-2009 involved a door-to-door survey of more than 700 Fallujah households.

The research team interviewed Fallujans about abnormally high rates of cancer and birth defects.

One of the authors of the study,

Chemist Chris Busby, said that the Fallujah health crisis represented “the highest rate of genetic damage in any population ever studied”.

“After bombardment, the targeted population will often remain in the ruins of their contaminated homes, or in buildings where metal exposure will continue,” Dr Savabieasfahani told Al Jazeera.

“Our research in Fallujah indicated that the majority of families returned to their bombarded homes and lived there, or otherwise rebuilt on top of the contaminated rubble of their old homes. When possible, they also used building materials that were salvaged from the bombarded sites. Such common practices will contribute to the public’s continuous exposure to toxic metals years after the bombardment of their area has ended.”

She pointed out how large quantities of DU bullets, as well as other munitions, were released into the Iraqi environment.

“Between 2002 and 2005, the US armed forces expended six billion bullets - according to the figures of the US General Accounting Office,” she added.

According to Dr Savabieasfahani, metal contaminants in war zones originate from bombs and bullets, as well as from other explosive devices. Metals, most importantly lead, uranium, and mercury, are used in the manufacture of munitions, and all of these contribute to birth defects, immunological disorders, and other illnesses.

“Our study in two Iraqi cities, Fallujah and Basra, focused on congenital birth defects,” she said.

Her research showed that both studies found increasing numbers of birth defects, especially neural tube defects and congenital heart defects.

It also revealed public contamination with two major neurotoxic metals, lead and mercury.

“The Iraq birth defects epidemic is, however, surfacing in the context of many more public health problems in bombarded cities,” she said.

“Childhood leukemia, and other types of cancers, are increasing in Iraq.”

Fallujah babies Doctors in Fallujah are continuing to witness the aforementioned steep rise in severe congenital birth defects, including children being born with two heads, children born with only one eye, multiple tumours, disfiguring facial and body deformities, and complex nervous system problems.

Doctors in Fallujah are registering hundreds of babies with severe birth defects, which they attribute to DU munitions and other war toxins [Dr Samira Alani/Al Jazeera] Today in Fallujah, residents are reporting to Al Jazeera that many families are too scared to have children, as an alarming number of women are experiencing consecutive miscarriages and deaths with critically deformed and ill newborns.

Dr Samira Alani, a pediatric specialist at Fallujah General Hospital, has taken a personal interest in investigating an explosion of congenital abnormalities that have mushroomed in the wake of the US sieges since 2005.

“We have all kinds of defects now,

ranging from congenital heart disease to severe physical abnormalities, both in numbers you cannot imagine,” Alani told Al Jazeera at her office in the hospital last year, while showing countless photos of shocking birth defects.

Alani also co-authored a study in 2010 that showed the rate of heart defects in Fallujah to be 13 times the rate found in Europe. And, for birth defects involving the nervous system, the rate was calculated to be 33 times that found in Europe for the same number of births.

Alani showed Al Jazeera hundreds of photos of babies born with cleft pallets, elongated heads, a baby born with one eye in the centre of its face, overgrown limbs, short limbs, and malformed ears, noses and spines.

Multiple birth defects, many as severe as this, have become common with babies born in the aftermath of US assaults on the city [Dr Samira Alani/Al Jazeera] She told Al Jazeera of cases of “thanatophoric displacia”, an abnormality in bones and the rib cage that “render the newborn incompatible with life”.

“It’s been found by a coroner’s court that cancer was caused by an exposure to depleted uranium,” Busby told Al Jazeera.

“In the last ten years, research has emerged that has made it quite clear that uranium is one of the most dangerous substances known to man, certainly in the form that it takes when used in these wars.”

Dr Alani has visited Japan where she met with Japanese doctors who study birth defect rates they believe related to radiation from the US nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

She was told birth defect incidence rates there are between one and two per cent. Alani’s log of cases of birth defects amounts to a rate of 14.7 per cent of all babies born in Fallujah, more than 14 times the rate in the effected areas of Japan.

In March 2013, Dr Alani informed Al Jazeera that the incident rates of congenital malformations remained around 14 per cent.

As staggering as these statistics are, Dr Alani points to the same problem of under-reporting that Dr Haddad mentioned, and said that the crisis is even worse than these statistics indicate.

“We have no system to register all of them, so we have so many cases we are missing,” she said. “I think I only know of 40-50 percent of the cases because so many families have their babies at home and we never know of these, and other clinics are not registering them either.”

Additionally, Dr Alani remains the only person in Fallujah registering cases, and reported that she was still seeing the same severe defects.

“We have so many cases of babies with multiple system defects in one baby,” she explained. “Multiple abnormalities in one baby. For example, we just had one baby with central nervous system problems, skeletal defects, and heart abnormalities. This is common in Fallujah today.”

Disconcertingly, Dr Alani mentioned something that Dr Savabieasfahani’s research warned of.

Dr Samira Alani is the only person in Fallujah registering

cases of newborn malformation [Dahr Jamail/Al Jazeera] The hospital where Alani does her work was constructed in the Dhubadh district of Fallujah in 2008.

According to Alani, the district was bombed heavily during the November 2004 siege.

She said that, when the DU munitions explode or strike their targets, they generate “fine metal-containing dust particles as well as DU-containing particles that persist in the environment. These particles can enter the food chain and enter the human body via contaminated food. Toxic particles can also become airborne with the wind and be inhaled by the public. Iraq is prone to frequent sand and dust storms. Continuous public inhalation of toxic materials can lead to cancer. Ingested or inhaled particles that emit alpha radiation can cause cancer.” Basra and Southern Iraq In Babil Province in southern Iraq, cancer rates have been escalating at alarming rates since 2003. Dr Sharif al-Alwachi, the head of the Babil Cancer Centre, blames the use of depleted uranium weapons by US forces during and following the 2003 invasion.

“The environment could be contaminated by chemical weapons and depleted uranium from the aftermath of the war on Iraq,” Dr Alwachi told Al Jazeera. “The air, soil and water are all polluted by these weapons, and as they come into contact with human beings they become poisonous. This is new to our region, and people are suffering here.”

According to a study published in the Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, a professional journal based in the southwestern German city of Heidelberg, there was a sevenfold increase in the number of birth defects in Basra between 1994 and 2003.

According to the Heidelberg study, the concentration of lead in the milk teeth of sick children from Basra was almost three times as high as comparable values in areas where there was no fighting.

In addition, never before has such a high rate of neural tube defects (“open back”) been recorded in babies as in Basra, and the rate continues to rise. According to the study, the number of hydrocephalus (“water on the brain”) cases among newborns is six times as high in Basra as it is in the United States.

Abdulhaq Al-Ani, author of Uranium in Iraq, has been researching the effects of depleted uranium on Iraqis since 1991. He told Al Jazeera he personally measured radiation levels in the city of Kerbala, as well as in Basra, and his geiger counter was “screaming” because “the indicator went beyond the range”.

Dr Savabieasfahani pointed out that childhood leukemia rates in Basra more than doubled between 1993 and 2007.

“Multiple cancers in patients - patients with simultaneous tumours on both kidneys and in the stomach, for example - an extremely rare occurrence, have also been reported there,” she said. “These observations collectively suggest an extraordinary public health emergency in Iraq. Such a crisis requires urgent multifaceted international action to prevent further damage to public

Dr Samira Alani is the only person in Fallujah registering cases of newborn malformation [Dahr Jamail/Al Jazeera

health.”

International law and the future There are clear international laws addressing the use of munitions such as Depleted Uranium.

Article 35 of Protocol I, a 1977 amendment of the Geneva Conventions, prohibits any means or methods of warfare that cause superfluous injuries or unnecessary suffering.

Article 35 also prohibits those nations from resorting to means of war that could inflict extensive and longterm damage on human health and the environment.

The observed impacts of DU in Iraq suggest that these weapons fall under Article 35 as being prohibited, by the very nature of their suspected long-lasting effects on human health and the environment.

Article 36 (of Protocol I) also obliges any state studying, developing, or acquiring a new weapon to hold a legal review of that weapon.

Thus far, Belgium (2007) and Costa Rica (2011) have passed domestic laws prohibiting uranium weapons within their territories. In 2008, the European Parliament adopted a resolution that stated that “the use of DU in warfare runs counter to the basic rules and principles enshrined in written and customary international, humanitarian and environmental law”.

Nevertheless, DNA mutations caused by DU can, of course, be passed from parent to child. Hence, DU contamination from the US-led wars against Iraq in 1990 and 2003 appear to likely continue to cause a persistent national health crisis for future generations of Iraqis.

The remaining traces of DU in Iraq represent a formidable long-term environmental hazard, as they will remain radioactive for more than 4.5 billion years.

Dr Savabieasfahani said,”There are not even medical terms to describe some of these conditions because we’ve never seen them until now,” Dr Alani said. “So when I describe it, all I can do is describe the physical defects, but am unable to provide a medical term.”

Dr Haddad shared his deep concern about the future of his own, and other, Iraqi children.

“I feel fear for them,” he said, sadly. “They are encircled by so many problems like health issues, toxins, and we must work to spare them from disease, radiation, and chemical toxins. These are the silent killers, because you can’t see them until the problem grows very large. Too many Iraqis have suffered from these, and I can’t see how that suffering will not continue.”

Dr Alani simply wanted people, especially those in the United States, to know of the crisis in Fallujah, and asked one thing from them.

“I ask them to ask their government not to hurt people outside of their country,” she said. “Especially the people of Iraq.”

13

Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

S P E C I A L

History of Pakistan Movement Pakistan appeared on the world map as the first Islamic and the fifth largest country of the world on August 14, 1947. It is an ideological state established in the name of Islam. Two-Nation Theory is the basis of the creation of Pakistan. Muslims and Hindus being two separate nations from every definition though lived together in India over the centuries but remained poles apart as nothing was common between the two. They had always remained as two distinct social systems, two separate and distinct cultures and last but not the least, two different civilizations. The differences between them are not confined to the struggle for political supremacy but are also manifested in the clash of two social orders. Despite living together for more than one thousand years, they continued to develop different cultures and traditions. Their eating habits, music, architecture and script, all are totally different from each other.

Even the language they speak and the dress they wear is entirely different. After having failed to con-

vince the majority community for peaceful co-existence, the Muslims demanded a separate homeland in the Muslim majority areas of India, where they could spend their lives according to the glorious teachings of Islam.

The

Lahore

Resolution

commonly known as the Pakistan Resolution was a formal political statement adopted by the Muslim League at the occasion of its threeday general session on 22–24 March 1940 that called for greater Muslim autonomy in British India. This has been largely interpreted as a demand for a separate Muslim state, Pakistan. The resolution was presented by A. K. Fazlul Huq. Although the idea of founding the state was introduced by Allama Iqbal in 1930 and the name Pakistan had been proposed by

Chaudhary Rahmat Ali in his Pakistan Declaration in 1933, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and other leaders had kept firm belief in Hindu-Muslim unity. However, the volatile political climate and religious hostilities gave the idea stronger backing

March 23, The Pakistan Day

73 years ago, on 23rd March, thousands of Muslims from all over the sub-continent gathered in Lahore. They had one dream, one vision and one mission, i.e to have a separate homeland for Muslims of the sub-continent. On that day, under the able leadership of Jinnah and others, the struggle for Pakistan started with full force and it ended with the creation of Pakistan.

It was on 23rd March, 1940, when Lahore Resolution or Pakistan Resolution was passed. Mr. A. K. Fazl-ul-Haq presented the resolution in the general session of all

India Muslim League. Leaders from different part of the subcontinent showed their support for the resolution and it soon became part of the constitution of All India Muslim League. It stated: 23rd March was the day when the struggles were streamlined. There were no individual benefits, everyone was thinking on a broader prospect, everyone was thinking for the Muslims of the sub-continent and for Pakistan. There were no Sindhis, Balouchis, Pathans, Kashmiris, Punjabis and Bengalis, they were all part of a great Mu slime nation.

The day is a national holiday in the country and we spend it just as any other holiday. But have we ever given some thought to what was this country made for? and what are we today? why do we always think about ourselves? and not for the whole nation? Do we deserve to be part of the great nation who created this great homeland for us? Do we deserve to be called Pakistanis? ..

Think about it!

Commemorating the First Constitution of Pakistan

Premier Christy Clark

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Richard T. Lee North Burnaby

Mary Polak

Surrey-Panorama

Langley

Steve Thomson Kelowna - Mission

A Message From Your:

Rich Coleman

John Yap

Fort Langley - Aldergrove

Rob Howard

Richmond Centre

Richmond - Steveston

Linda Reid

Richmond East

14

Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

S P E C I A L

Sri Lankan Muslims under threat

By Irfan Hussain A CURIOUS story in a local English daily caught my eye the other day. It seemed the Sri Lanka Muslim Council had given in to demands that meat could be sold without halal certification. This is a huge success for radical Buddhist groups who have been orchestrating an anti-Muslim campaign for the last few years. Mosques have been attacked, prayers disrupted, and Muslims in general accused of being anti-state. The Muslim Tamil National Alliance has written to the Secretary General of the United Nations, asking him for protection, and protesting against this nasty campaign.

Leading the anti-Muslim charge is a group called the Bodu Bela Sena, or Buddhist Force. Headed by ultra-nationalistic monks, the group follows a xenophobic agenda of “Sri Lanka for the Buddhists”. Of late, Buddhist monks have begun playing a growing and retrogressive role in the island’s politics.

The monks first flexed their muscles to shore up the Rajapakse government’s resolve to crush the Tamil insurgency. First, they blocked any possibility of compromise by offering the Tamil Tigers greater autonomy. To build up pressure, they formed a political party and won enough seats to take a place in the coalition government. Then, when President Mahinda Rajapakse’s brother, defence secretary Gotabaya, was facing difficulties in finding enough recruits for the

army, a group of monks fanned out across the Buddhist areas to motivate thousands of young men. These recruits were assured that they would not lose karma by fighting and killing in a war as they would be doing so in the cause of Buddhism. The brutal civil war ended nearly four years ago in a bloodbath that is now the subject of intense scrutiny and criticism from abroad. The ongoing session of the UN Human Rights Commission at Geneva is about to vote on a resolution initiated by the US, demanding an international investigation into the fate of tens of thousands of Tamils said to be killed in the last days of the fighting in the north of the island. Against this backdrop, it is odd that the government is doing so little to clamp down on the anti-Muslim campaign. Should it gain support and traction, the results could be very bad news.

Muslims are mostly concentrated in three areas: in and around Galle and Colombo, and in the coastal areas of the north-east. The latter are mostly poor fishermen, while urban Muslims are heavily represented in business and the professions. According to unofficial reports, the 2011 census indicates that Muslims form around 10 per cent of the total population of 21.4 million. This is a substantial increase from the 7.6 pc in the last census. One reason the new census figures have not been officially released is said to be the disquiet the increase in the number of Muslims

might cause among the majority.

Already, Muslims in the north have been subjected to ethnic cleansing by the Tamil Tigers in the early nineties. Thousands were driven southward from their homes and farms in the mostly Tamil north. After the war ended, and they tried to reclaim their property, they were subjected to great hostility by Sinhalese farmers who had grabbed much of the land. Most of the displaced Muslims have settled around Colombo, and their children consider the capital their home.

One factor that is probably driving the anti-Muslim campaign is envy. Urban Muslims have fared relatively well over the years, and have cornered the lucrative gemstone market. Others have gone into real estate and construction.

Many have made a name for themselves in the legal profession. And while a few have gone into politics, they recognise that they can never hope to rise to the top. By and large, they have kept a low profile.

A number of Muslim families in Galle and Matra pride themselves on their descent from Arab traders who settled in Sri Lanka centuries ago. Others have come from the Indian coast. There is a small and wealthy Bohra community in Colombo. Many northern Muslims descended from Malays who settled along the coast. Thus, Sri Lankan Muslims represent an ethnic mix who have helped in creating

prosperity and diversity. So far, at least, they have got along well with their neighbours. However, despite centuries of living together, integration has been slow. Like most minorities, Muslims tend to stick together, maintaining their dress code and diet. Women usually wear some form of hijab, and many Muslim men wear beards and skull caps.

Even liberal Sinhalese accuse Muslims of not keeping their streets clean, and generally staying aloof from the mainstream.Intermarriage between Muslims and Sinhalese are limited to the elites.

But everybody acknowledges their hard work and sound business ethics.

The civil war and the way it ended has exploded the myth of the peaceful Buddhists. There is thus a genuine concern over the ongoing anti-Muslim campaign: observers recognise the potential for a vicious pogrom should the government not step in.

However, the ugly reality is that the Buddhist majority are a far larger vote bank than the Muslims.

Many are puzzled by how and why anti-Muslim feelings have spread so quickly. After all, after the end of the civil war in 2009, it had been widely assumed that the restoration of peace would heal the ethnic wounds opened during decades of conflict. Sadly, the government has made little effort to reach out to a defeated and demoralised Tamil community.

One theory is that the triumphant Sinhalese fringe elements on the extreme right need a fresh target for their xenophobia. Some in the business community are eyeing the assets of their successful Muslim competitors. Politicians are seeking to tap into the strong sense of Buddhist identity that was pumped up during the last stages of the war.

The recent execution of a young Sri Lankan maid in Saudi Arabia on flimsy charges provided more ammunition to the extremists.

None of this is good news for the peaceful and prosperous Muslim community in Sri Lanka. Hopefully, the government will check the vicious propaganda doing the rounds and prevent an explosion.

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Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

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16 Pakistani expats welcome supreme court directive on overseas voting Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

Enrollment of the Pakistan expatriate community as voters has become a bone of contention between the Pakistan Supreme Court and government. The Pakistan Supreme Court instructed the government to enroll all Pakistanis living abroad in order to cast their vote in upcoming elections and rejected a government plea that to them it is logistically impossible. The supreme court also instructed the government to explore the latest information technology techniques to evolve a mechanism to ensure overseas Pakistani votes are cast.

All Pakistani Consulate s in abroad are still waiting to receive official instructions from Islamabad in this regard. The consulates will make arrangements for voting enrollment and polling on receiving orders from authorities in Pakistan.

Several Pakistan community members in abroad have welcomed the active role of the supreme court with regard to voting rights to overseas Pakistanis. Most of the Pakistanis living outside from Pakistan thanked the supreme court for repeatedly taking up the issue. We overseas Pakistanis should not only be allowed to vote but also contest election for exclusive seats in national and provincial assemblies. We urged the Pakistan government to initiate steps that can facilitate the voting process in upcoming elections. The government would amend the legislation if it were truly committed to the overseas community.

The Pakistan Supreme Court on Friday observed that without the participation of overseas Pakistani voters, the election would

not be fair and transparent. A threejudge bench, comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, issued directive after conducting proceedings on a plea moved by Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI).

The bench sought written response from the respondents for Thursday, regarding its earlier suggestion of arranging e-polling facilities to about 7 million expatriates. The CJ told him that they could arrange e-polling in the embassies as the exercise was permissible under the laws of those countries.

The CJ said “People on TV talk shows referred to the court’s observations and lauded contributions of the expatriates to the national economy but when the time arrives, they backed off.�

The same bench, on a separate plea of the Workers Party regarding electoral reforms, in its order directed the Federation to submit report over the amendments sought by the ECP on certain aspects of the electoral process.

The Supreme Court on March 13 sought replies from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Federation over right of overseas Pakistanis to cast their votes, making it clear that no hurdles in holding of free, fair and transparent elections in the country would be tolerated.

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Congratulations on the Republic Day of Pakistan We welcome the active role of the supreme court with regard to voting rights to overseas Pakistanis!

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Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

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Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

FRIEND OR FOE?

Foundation (EFF) warns drones can intercept messages on wireless networks, monitor up to 65 people and carry eagle-eyed technology that can identify the brand on a carton of milk from 18,000 meters.

When a drone was used to assess damage from an earthquake in Italy in September, it also stumbled across a marijuana plantation and duly identified those individuals responsible.

Similarly, while US Customs deploys drones to patrol the border, their unmanned aircraft are sometimes used to help local police.

“Rules must be put in place to ensure that we can enjoy the benefits of this new technology without bringing us closer to a surveillance society in which our every move is monitored, tracked, recorded and scrutinized by the government,” the American Civil Liberties Union has warned. The potential implications of widespread drone use mirrors the problems faced

by Internet giant Google, which was

CIVILIAN DRONES STIR DEBATE

(AFP) / 18 March 2013 Drones: A flying technological marvel that could save lives or a sinister robot spy which edges the United States ever closer towards becoming a surveillance society?

The imminent proliferation of unmanned aircraft in American skies has stirred a debate which veers between excitement at the possibilities to deep concern they may be deployed to snoop on law-abiding citizens.

Congress has ordered the Federal Aviation Administration to open up airspace to unmanned aircraft by October 2015, a decision expected to see thousands of drones criss-

crossing the sky within a few years.

Supporters of the move point to a vast range of applications which drones could be used for — tracking the progress of wildfires, helping to find lost skiers, identifying criminals or mapping inhospitable terrain.

“The possibilities ... are endless,” said Ryan Calo, an expert in law and emerging technology at Stanford University’s Center for Internet and Society.

“What are drones but flying smartphones, one app away from indispensable? We could see drones accompanying early morning joggers, taking sport, wildlife and other photography to a new level.”While the public perception of drones is associated with their use in war, the As-

‘BEST JOBS IN THE WORLD’ CAMPAIGN KICKS OFF

Australia’s tourism industry yesterday resurrected its hugely popular “Best Jobs in the World” campaign, offering a chance to become a “Chief Funster,” “Taste Master” or “Outback Adventurer.”

The marketing push is targeting the youth segment, which contributes Aus$ 12 billion ($ 12.2 billion) annually in tourism spending and delivers nearly 1.6 million, or 26 percent, of Australia’s international arrivals. It follows a similar campaign that attracted huge interest in 2009, won by Briton Ben Southall, who was paid to become caretaker on a picture-perfect island on the Great Barrier Reef for six months.

This time six “best” jobs are on offer — each in a different Australian state and each coming with a six-month salary package worth Aus$ 100,000.

It is open to travelers aged between 18 and 30, with particular focus on international markets eligible for Australian working holiday visas including Britain, the United States, France, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.

Hopefuls have until April 10 to upload a 30-second video explaining why they’re the best for the job.

The event’s official Facebook page had almost 160,000 likes by late yesterday and some 31,000 people had already thrown their hat in the ring, according to officials, with 8,000 applications flooding in in the first two hours alone.

The initiative was largely well received, but some Australians questioned why such plum jobs should be offered to foreigners when there were adequately skilled local people looking for work.

“I’m pretty sure most Australians would be against this publicity stunt... I would love this job, just like any other Australian, and paying some foreigners $ 100,000 to come here for 6 months! How about giving those jobs to Australians first!” wrote one unemployed Australian on the campaign’s Facebook page.

Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy said the competition was expected to appeal to youth travelers’ sense of fun and adventure. “The competition provides an excellent platform to entice more young people from around the world to come to Australia to holiday, but also to work, helping to fill many unfilled tourism jobs across Australia,” he said.

The chief funster position is New South Wales-based and involves becoming a Sydney VIP, attending and reviewing festivals and events and tweeting thoughts.

The taste master in Western Australia will tour top restaurants, wineries, breweries and pubs while the outback adventurer will be tasked with uncovering the best experiences for Northern Territory working holidaymakers.

Other jobs include a park ranger in Queensland, a lifestyle photographer in Victoria and wildlife caretaker in South Australia, moving around by foot, kayak, bicycle, and boat.

Previous winner Southall said the experience was lifechanging.

“I didn’t know if I was going to be diving, or skydiving or cooking or bushwalking — and I did all of them,” he said.

“It’s one of those things where you’ve just got to go for it and see where it leads you.”

sociation for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) believes they can “save money, time and lives” in civilian life.

The AUVSI also believes increased drone use will create 100,000 jobs by 2025, injecting billions of dollars into the economy. Baptiste Tripard, North American sales director of SenseFly, the Swiss manufacturer of a drone that can draw 3D maps or take high resolution photos, believes the United States could become the biggest market for drones.

“The United States has the potential to become the largest market in the world, particularly in agriculture, where professionals are already used to working with high-tech instruments,” Baptiste told AFP. Civil liberties groups have a more guarded view of the likely darkening of American skies by unmanned aircraft. The Electronic Frontier

fined $7 million on Tuesday after it emerged that vehicles snapping photos for its Street View images were also gathering information from private Wi-Fi hotspots.

The FAA meanwhile estimates that more than 7,000 small unmanned aircraft will dot American skies over the next five years.

When US airspace opens up in October 2015, drones will be used in six test locations. The tests are designed to help the FAA draw up rules governing the use of unmanned aircraft.

Currently drones are allowed to fly on public service missions — used by fire brigades or customs for example — or for recreation, provided the smallest are visible to the naked eye.

Thirty US states are working on legislation to limit the use of drones, a move welcomed by the ACLU. The rights group has argued that states should demand law enforcement seek warrants for drone use and prohibit the publication of images from drones or equipping them with weapons such as tasers, rubber bullets and tear gas.

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19

Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

RAPE FEARS FUEL TOURISTS’ ANXIETY IN INDIA

Danish tourist Judith Jensen has a long list of A British holidaymaker in the northern city of don’ts to help her feel safe during her holiday Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, suffered a leg in India. injury when she jumped out of a hotel window before dawn on Tuesday.

Police said she feared a sex attack after two men tried to enter her room.

Last Friday a Swiss woman was gang-raped while on a cycling holiday in central India.

Her husband was tied up by the gang who are also accused of stealing a laptop, a mobile phone and 10,000 rupees ($185).

On the same night a group of men in a city near Delhi briefly kidnapped an Indian male executive working for the French engineering giant Alstom.

Other incidents reported since the December gang-rape include that of a South Korean student who said she had been raped and drugged by the son of the owner of the hotel where she She won’t hail a taxi off the street, she won’t stayed during a holiday in January. A Chinese stay in an obscure hotel and she won’t go out woman working in Gurgaon, a town borderafter dark — all decisions made in response to ing the Indian capital, was also reportedly the growing reporting of sexual crime in the raped by an acquaintance last month. Indian country. officials say there is no need for alarm, point“I have read and heard so much about rape in ing out that foreigners are victims of crime the India that now I feel this persistent sense of world over and the vast majority of visitors danger,” Jensen, 42, told AFP as she walked experience no safety problems. But travel adthrough a popular market in downtown Delhi. vice from a host of countries stresses the need The tourism ministry’s ubiquitous Incredible for visitors to take care.

India marketing campaign has helped raise An advisory from the Swiss foreign ministry, the number of foreign visitors over the past issued before Friday’s attack, urged men and decade to around 6.6 million a year — albeit women visiting India to travel in large groups still way behind the likes of China and Ma- and with guides. laysia. But that push is now hampered by a The US State Department’s website asks fegrowing sense that India is simply not a safe male travellers to “observe stringent security destination, particularly for women. precautions” and “avoid travelling alone in The fatal gang-rape of an Indian student in hired taxis, especially at night”.

December shone a disturbing light on the Britain’s foreign office updated its advisory level of sexual violence and a series of sub- for India on Tuesday, warning female tourists sequent attacks on foreigners has added to the to “exercise caution when travelling in India sense of unease. even if they are travelling in a group”.

In a notorious case five years ago, 15-year-old British schoolgirl Scarlett Keeling was raped and left to die on a beach in the tourist resort of Goa. Jensen, who stands out in an Indian crowd with her blonde hair, recalled how she spent a carefree week backpacking around southern India a decade ago.

But now, travelling with her 10-year-old daughter, it is a different story and her husband texts her several times a day to check on their safety.

“There is no question that these stories will have an impact on foreign visitors,” she said.

“Women will prefer to visit other places like Singapore or Bali or Thailand, where safety is not such a big concern.” At the Delhi office of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, executive director Gour Kanjilal said it was

unfair to portray India as dangerous.

“Our industry is the first casualty when crime against foreigners is reported in India, but the reporting does not always reflect the truth,” he told AFP. “Tourists should be responsible. They should follow some do’s and don’ts.”

A state minister in Madhya Pradesh, where the attacks on the Swiss and South Korean tourists took place, told reporters on Sunday that travellers must inform local police officials whenever they move from one town to the next.

That suggestion is hardly realistic for most tourists like 26-year-old Peruvian Marilu Labarthe, who squeezed in visits to seven cities during a two-week trip to the country.

Labarthe, shopping for ethnic trinkets in Delhi on the last day of her vacation, travelled to the country with 11 other women. “You have to always be careful. And after hearing of these recent incidents, one obviously feels a sense of fear,” she said, as one of her companions nodded in agreement.

Source: Alkhaleej Newspaper

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Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

L I F E S T Y L E

Gender battles at the UN

By Rafia Zakaria On March 10, more than halfway through the meetings of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, delegates that had come together from countries all around the world had failed to reach an agreement on a joint statement.

This statement, normally issued at the end of the meeting, reiterates and renews commitments of governments to women’s issues.

This year the negotiations had been thwarted by numerous obstacles. Foremost among them were the issues of reproductive rights, gender and militarism and alleged “traditions” that some nations claimed were being violated by the language of the proposed declaration. The objectors included, among others, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Russia, Poland and the Vatican.

Their differences and the possibility that the meeting could end without any agreement prompted the New York Times to publish a scathing editorial criticising the progress of the negotiations.

Beginning with the mention of Malala Yousafzai, the editorial decried the callousness of those stalling talks and lamented the use of the familiar excuse of “religion, custom and tradition” as a means for governments to duck their responsibilities to eliminate violence against women.

Much of the opposition, noted the editorial, came from the usual suspects: conservative American Christian religious groups who oppose abortion rights and conservative Muslim countries.

Four days later, there was good news. At the conclusion of the 57th session on the Commission on the Status of Women, it was announced that agreement had indeed been reached, and a document detailing the con-

clusions of the session was released.

The agreement reiterated the global nature of the problem of violence against women, proclaimed a commitment by all the delegates to eliminate violence against women and to promote and protect women’s rights and fundamental freedoms.

At the same time, an analysis of the dividing lines along which negotiations stalled provides some crucial insights into the challenges before women’s rights activists around the world, particularly in Muslim countries.

The meeting was attended by representative of nearly 6,000 NGOs from around the world. Most of these delegates do not have direct access to the negotiations and are housed instead in a building across the street from the UN building itself.

Here, the women who work in women’s NGOs around the world have to watch the representatives of their countries present gender issues in ways they know are inaccurate.

Members of Iranian NGOs, for example, have to watch glossy presentations by their representatives that tout progress in women’s rights. This goes against the ground realities which they have witnessed.

This year, the dividing line among those actually negotiating at the UN focused on religion, with countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bangladesh, Yemen, the Vatican and several more opposing various references.

The basis of opposition by the Egyptians was highlighted in a statement released by the Muslim Brotherhood on March 13, just before the meeting ended. According to the Brotherhood’s statement, the proposed document’s title Eliminating and preventing all forms of violence against women and girls was “deceptive” and “included articles that

contradicted the principles of Islam and its ethics”. The Brotherhood criticised the document’s treatment of women who practise sex outside marriage as legitimate and equal to women who do not do so, and accused it of “protecting women who work in prostitution”. The Brotherhood also found it objectionable that the document took the right of divorce “away from the husband”, handing it instead to the judiciary.

The disagreements of the Muslim Brotherhood are not surprising as their views on the issues are well-known — as are those of countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran that have long opposed the empowerment of women.

What is more troubling, however, is remembering that in the Egyptian case, all these views are being presented by representatives that have been selected via the electoral process by populations that know full well their perspective on women’s rights.

Given this, not only do they bring with them the legitimacy of public support, their vehement opposition calls into question their commitment to implementing any of the prescriptions for empowerment negotiated at the UN even previously.

In simple terms, then, the negotiations illustrate two conundrums, the solution of which is crucial to women’s empowerment.

The first is a necessary realignment of those working on empowerment in countries such as Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Egypt, where those purporting to be representatives of religion are not allowed to discard women’s rights as being anti-religion.

This must and can be done by NGOs working at the local level to demonstrate that their policies and work are directed towards the welfare of the same women that religious

parties purport to represent.

The second is a politicisation of NGO work so that it becomes part of the political and electoral process at the local level and cannot be relegated to the margins at the global level.

The sidelining of NGOs in the UN negotiation process in which only representatives of countries can participate means that if women’s rights are ever to go beyond paeans and promises, they must gain for their constituency some political legitimacy and accountability.

In the Pakistani context this second issue means an urgent need for an umbrella body of NGOs working on women’s issues that must collectively demand from Pakistan’s political parties a set of commitments about the future of women’s rights in the country.

Unless the leaders of the next government can be pinned down now, before elections, to support principles of gender equality, Pakistani women’s rights activists will face the same situation as their Egyptian counterparts whose empowerment priorities have been rudely rejected by the Muslim Brotherhood.

The writer is an attorney teaching constitutional law and political philosophy.

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Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

H O M E

Roofing & Renovations Solutions

By Imran Tipu (RTM Roofing & Renovations) In my current article I will discuss metal roofing which is becoming a popular option for home owners. I will discuss its advantages, disadvantages, application and the type of material used for metal roofing.

Metal Roofing A metal roof is a roofing system made from metal pieces. Metal roofs protect homes from extreme weather events with durable, attractive solutions that reduce the homeowner’s carbon footprint. According to industry data, 7 million homeowners replace their roof each year—many are looking for new “green”, energy-saving options. With a minimum recycled content of 28 percent and demonstrated ability to lower energy consumption, metal roofs are in great demand Advantages Metal Roofs are Attractive and Versatile •Residential metal roofs are available in a wide variety of designs, textures, styles and colors.

•Metal roofing is available in traditional vertical seam profiles or can be manufactured to resemble wood shake, slate, shingles or clay tiles.

•They can complement any type of architecture.

Metal Roofs are Durable •Resistant to cracking, shrinking and eroding, metal is virtually a maintenance-free roofing material that lasts.

•Metal roofing systems can withstand ex-

treme weather conditions including heavy snow loads, hail storms and wildfires.

•Many metal roofing systems feature interlocking panels, which resist and eliminate damage from high winds.

•Residential metal roofs have long-term warranties, often up to 50 years.

Metal Roofs are Energy and Cost Efficient •Metal roofs can save homeowners up to 40% in annual energy costs, depending on geographical region.

•Residential metal roofs have a lower life cycle cost compared to other roofing materials.

•Metal roofs increase the value of a home.

•Many insurance companies give discounts to homes with metal roofs.

Metal Roofs are environmentally friendly •Many residential metal roofs now utilize reflective pigment technology, which results in overall home energy efficiency.

•Residential metal roofs are made from 3060% recycled material.

•Conventional roofing products contribute an estimated 20 billion pounds of waste to North American landfills annually, whereas metal roofs can often be installed over an existing roof, omitting the need for tear-off and disposal.

Disadvantages • While metal roofs are a premium product, and therefore cost more than low end asphalt shingles, rising oil prices have made metal roofs more affordable in relation to asphalt shingles (oil is a principal ingredient in asphalt shingles). At around one dollar per square foot for colored metal sheets in 29 gauge thickness (as of March 2011), brought metal roof prices close, or equal to asphalt shingles] • Steel roofs can rust, and need maintenance

to prevent corrosion.

• Copper and lead roofs can be targeted by metal thieves.

• The high heat conductivity of metals (particularly copper and aluminum) requires careful incorporation of insulation into the roof structure.

There is a myth that metal roofs are louder than other types of roofs during a rainstorm.

As long as the roof is properly installed with correct underlayment, it won’t be any louder than an asphalt roof. Still, this myth makes some people reject metal roofs.

Applications • The material used in metal roofing is versatile and durable. It can be used on residential, commercial, industrial or agricultural buildings. The same material used for metal roofs can be used for siding. There are many different profiles and styles available to fit most every building situation.

• One may combine shapes for aesthetic impact. Using the same material and same color with different shapes can have an impact on “curb appeal” and building value.

Alternatively, different metals can be used to create interesting color combinations.

Material types • Corrugated galvanized steel. This describes the original product that was wrought iron steel sheet coated with zinc and then roll formed into corrugated sheets.

This product is still used today in most areas. The newer push of modern architecture and “green” products has brought these products back to the foreground.

• A blend of zinc, aluminum and siliconcoated steel, sold under various trade names like “Zincalume”, “galvalume”, etc. Sometimes left in the raw zinc finish, but more widely used as a base metal under factory

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G A R D E N

coated colors.

• Metal tile sheets. These are usually painted or stone-coated steel.

• Stainless steel. Available for harsh conditions and/or as a distinctive design element.

Usually roll-formed into standing seam profiles; however, shingles are available.

• Copper roofs offer corrosion resistance, durability, long life, low maintenance, radio frequency shielding, lightning protection, and sustainability benefits. Copper roofs are often one of the most architecturally distinguishable features of prominent buildings, including churches, government buildings, and universities. Today, copper is used in roofing systems, flashings and copings, rain gutters and downspouts, domes, spires, vaults, and various other architectural design elements. A copper is used for regenerative principles of sustainable design: if the building were to be dismantled the copper could be reused because of its high value in recycling and its variety of potential uses.

• Aluminum. One of the longest-lasting metals, but somewhat expensive compared to steel products. Aluminum roofs are very lightweight, corrosion-resistant, have high natural reflectivity and even higher natural emissivity, increasing a building’s energy efficiency. Aluminum products with specific paints easily last over 50 years. The newest innovation is anodizing of the aluminum coil stock for use in architectural details and standing seam panels. The anodized layer is intimately bonded to the metal and is not normally subject to weathering and wear.

• Stone coated steel. Panels made from zinc/aluminum-coated steel with acrylic gel coating. The stones are usually a natural product with a colored ceramic coating.

• Lead, often used for church roofs and porches.

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22

Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

T A X

S P E C I A L

WHAT IS THE DISABILITY TAX CREDIT ?

The disability tax credit can help Canadians who are disabled and their caregivers get out of debt and live a better life. When someone has a disability that prevents them from earning an income, debt can amount quickly. Medications, therapy, visits to medical experts,

and hospital stays, the bills keep coming and the money to pay for it all keeps dwindling.

Who qualifies for Canada disability tax credit?

The general definition that explains the types of disabilities that qualify for disability tax credit, benefits and grants from the Canadian government, is mental or physical impairment that affects a person’s ability to perform daily functions or takes them a long time to complete these functions.

This can include life-sustaining therapy that people need to receive. These ailments hinder people from performing activities they must perform for everyday living even with medication and therapy.

There is a long list of disabilities that may qualify this disability tax credit. This includes physical impairments to sight, hearing, walking; feed themselves and the mental functions that people need to perform every day. People who are blind, deaf, or paralyzed can qualify, but so can people with ADHD, bulimia, schizophrenia and other mental conditions.

The main factor to keep in mind

is not to assume that a person’s impairment doesn’t qualify for the disability tax credit. Consulting an expert who helps people through the qualification process will give someone a better idea of whether they can receive the disability tax credit.

only help someone be approved, they can also make sure the person receives the full disability tax credit.

People who have been denied the disability tax credit should still contact us. Sometimes a refusal is not due to a disability that doesn’t qualify, it is simply that the person didn’t know the right forms or procedures to get an approval for the disability tax credit. People who have had a disability for a long time and didn’t think they qualify for the disability tax credit should still consult us about receiving this aid. The laws change and people who may not have qualified for the disability tax credit before they may qualify now.

What kind of help is available with disability tax credit?

Many different forms of disability tax credit, tax benefits, and grants are now available for people who The disability tax credit is not are disability and loved ones limited to just the person with the who care for them. The disabilailment. Caregivers and parents ity tax credit includes childcare of minor children who have a disability may also quality for the disability tax credit. Even if the disabled person doesn’t receive a taxable income they may still be entitled to receive a disability tax credit.

How does someone qualify for the disability tax credit Canada?

The first step is to have a qualified medical expert complete a FormT2201, Disability Tax Credit certificate. According to the Canadian government, a qualified practitioner includes Medical Doctors, Optometrists, Audiologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Psychologists, and Speech Therapists. These experts will conduct a small examination to help the Canadian government determine your eligibility for the disability tax credit.

Filing for the disability tax credit is a long and complicated process.

When working with the government it is best to have an expert who is familiar with the proper procedures and the potential problems that can occur. They will not

Budget: Continued from pg 1 ince. Barbara Kirby of the Mining Industry Human Resource Council also acknowledged geographic challenges in her industry, but said a number of Canadian mines fly their workers in and out of job sites. She said investing more money in educating the youth about jobs in the mining industry would help fill vacant positions. Newly minted Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa said that while skills training is “critical” to boosting the economy, the feds must also move to close tax loopholes if they want provinces to prosper. “There are corporations that are operating in Ontario and earning very good money, but their head offices are in other jurisdictions in other parts of the world, paying less tax,” Sousa told Power Play on Tuesday. “We need to ensure that those loopholes are closed, that those earning monies in Ontario are paying taxes and their fair share for the province of Ontario so that we have more money for schools and education and hospitals and infrastructure and roads.” Sousa said Ontario has already cut taxes for corporations, mid-sized and small business in an effort to attract more investments and stay competitive.

But foreign-based investors should not be able to avoid paying their share, he said. Flaherty

has said the government plans to address tax loopholes and control spending in order to balance the budget, but will not raise taxes. Flaherty is also expected to announce in the budget an extension of the $8.8-billion Building Canada Fund, which covered various infrastructure programs by sharing costs with municipalities, provinces and the private sector. He is expected to renew the accelerated capital cost allowance, which allows manufacturing firms a quicker write-off for investments in machinery and equipment.

Source: CTV News

expenses, tuition expenses, working income tax benefit and reimbursement for medical expenses.

Spouse or common law partner credit, caregiver credit, infirm dependents and infirm minor child credit is also included.

Is this help only for future expense?

The disability tax credit doesn’t only benefit those who are newly disabled or offset future expenses of those who have a long-term disability. While the standard requirement for the disability tax credit is that the person has had this affliction for at least twelve months, or will have the condition for at least one year, those who have had the disability for years can get help. It is possible for the government to go back to when the condition started and offer funds to cover past expenses as well as future ones.

How long does it take to receive the disability tax credit?

Those who work with profession-

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Letter : Continued from pg 6 befitting function by the think-tank of the Islamic society at some convenient and accessible place, in the presence of the local print and electronic media. It hardly needs mention that accrediting the trio appropriately will appropriately stimulate these people and affirmatively bring out for the believers of Islam and the Sanctified Prophet ( PBUH) exceedingly productive long term consequences in the best possible manner.

als can expect to receive the disability tax credit in only a few short months. In two to three months, they could feel the stress ease as the checks start. In addition, the money you receive from the disability tax credit isn’t earmarked for specific expenses. Beneficiaries can spend it where they need.

Receiving money in disability tax credit to help take care expenses would make anyone’s life easier.

Some people with disabilities are struggling to make ends meet, not knowing they are entitled to receive thousands of dollars in disability tax credit from the Canadian government. It is important that those who have disabilities call an expert to find out if they qualify for assistance. They will take care of everything, and the person who is disabled and their family can at last breathe easier knowing that programs such as the disability tax credit exist in Canada.

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23

Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

Antioxidants: 5 Super Food Sources

By Nada Adam Thank you to you all who gave me feedback, questions, comments and concerns! In last article that discussed certain foods that cause inflammation which accelerates aging, due to space limitation I wanted to provide solutions in subsequent article. So what’s the solution? You must increase your antioxidant foods in every meal to offset potential free radicals. A dear friend after reading the article asked me “if we can’t eat these foods then what are we supposed to eat during the day?” A great question indeed that I’m sure a lot of you thought of.

The following is a sample day menu to consider: Breakfast: 1-2 organic free range eggs soft boiled with 1 slice of toast (Silverhills brand), a bit of yogurt cheese spread on the toast, drizzle 1 tsp virgin olive oil and Celtic sea salt. Yes it’s also safe to eat eggs everyday even if you have a cholesterol problem. If you keep the yoke from being fully cooked your body will use the live-enzymes still left in it to digest it.

I also alternate with steel cut oats (that take longer to cook) because fast oats have already lost most of their nutrients from the processing, sweetened with real unpasteurized honey or Stevia, topped with blueberries, walnuts and a dash of Creamo. Very yummy!

Lunch: Homemade Quinoa salad! Ingredients: Chopped Parsley, red pepper, cucumber, carrots, with dry mint. Stir in cooked/cooled Quinoa. Dressing: Apple cider vinegar, Celtic sea salt and Virgin olive oil. Enjoy this salad for any meal – its filling and quinoa is high in protein and very low in carbs therefore great for losing weight!

Dinner: Homemade Chicken, Beef Steak or Lamb (no pre-made/ready-made, battered, fried or processed meats) – Marinate overnight with balsamic vinegar, oregano, granulated garlic and Celtic sea salt. Bake chicken with skin on with sweet potato or squash, whole cloves garlic and chopped onion. When done, drizzle on top – fresh (uncooked) olive oil or organic coconut oil on your food. Serve with a salad if you wish. (Avoid bread and rice at dinner time) Before Bed Snack: Organic Apples are awesome for alleviating heart burn problems. Make this delicious food/snack your natural medicine. It also aids in the performance of your liver while you sleep. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” ~ certainly truth to that saying....

The following list is an example of antioxidants that are not manufactured by the body so you need to eat such nutrients for optimum health.

Those include: Selenium and vitamins E, C,

and beta-carotene (the safe form for Vitamin A). Today our environment is more toxic than it was 100 years ago and if you pride yourself on doing lots of exercise regularly, you increase the potential for oxidative stress (Free Radicals) therefore you need even more antioxidants up to 50,000 units. Antioxidants are measured as ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity).

The best 5 high ORAC food types are best eaten fresh from organic sources.

Chocolate/Coffee: Yes, they both made the list for high ORAC!! Chocolate should be of course unprocessed, dark and high in cacao content at least 70% (avoid the milk chocolate version). Cacao has an astounding ORAC over 50K per 100 grams while Coffee is 15K-18K ORAC. Berries: Himalayan Goji berry (ORAC 25K) and tropical Acai berries (ORAC 18K) rank highest. Blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, raspberries, pomegranates, and strawberries have high ORAC ratings too. Cherries and apples are top ORAC providers also. Deeper colors indicate richer antioxidant bioflavonoid content. Dried fruits rank high as well such as Raisins (10K) and Prunes (8K) ORAC Nuts/Grains: Pecans rank the highest at 18K ORAC, with walnuts and almonds following right behind. Steel cut oats are high in antioxidants along with quinoa and whole grains.

Veggies: Cooked veggies especially Spinach, Kale, and Broccoli and Artichokes are at 9K10K ORAC. Beans: Black beans and kidney beans are the highest ORAC. They are best bought dry bulk organic, soaked overnight and cooked the next day. Legumes are also great for balancing blood sugar and providing a good deal of fiber to aid your digestion.

Remember you want to consume an ORAC that totals about 50K a day to minimize the free radical damage. So do your best to consume foods consciously that will total that number every single day. I hope I have satisfied your questions and provided you with answers to help you feel better knowing you’re on the road to combating free radicals that will reduce your inflammation.

Change begins by taking the first step. The Biggest Step is to simply Decide and Commit to Change – one step at time. Every small and tiny step you make today towards positive change will impact your life greatly in a year, two or ten.

About the Author: Since 1998, Nada Adams has been a natural health researcher, author and master coach helping men and women live in courage, authenticity and truth. Adams was the ‘Dear Diary’ columnist for the GCDA Magazine, a National Canadian Magazine that educates and inspires Teens. To learn more: www.sacredveil.com

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H E A L T H

STRESS

The Good & The Bad

By Shabnam Khan - Family Counsellor Stress is a natural and essential part of life. Our stress response is designed to protect and preserve our lives. We need a certain amount of stress in our lives but not too much for too long. Our bodies are constantly responding to positive and negative stress. Positive stress motivates and drives us. Often we get excited about working on a new project at work, moving to a new city, changing our careers and so on.

Negative stress affects our physical and mental health and can rob us from experienc-ing true happiness. Every individual has potential and each of us has passions which we have never explored! The main reason that we don’t reach out for our potential in our lives is because of our fears. If you want to experience living an intentional life of true happiness, you can’t run from stress or avoid it. Stress is part of our daily life as breathing, eating and drinking water. Stress is constant in our lives. There is a reason for stress. Stress discovers our dark places and bring them out for attention.

Each stress that we perceive as an obstacle is actually an opportunity. You know what consequences there are if you neglect a wound or a sore. It gets worse and can even-tually cost you your life! Stress will get worse if you ignore it and don’t respect the gift it is offering you. Denying stress,

like denying a wound, can make you worse on spiritual, psychological and physical levels. The situational or acute stress can shift into chronic, continual unabated stress.

Stress is your guide and can be quite a gift.

Try to observe what stresses you . Then try to embrace your stress and be compassionate with yourself. Sometimes clients tend to be so hard on themselves. They keep blaming themselves for everything that’s not be-ing as should be. These individuals often feel victimized and overwhelmed by the stress in their lives. The more we live in denial or running away from our stress, the more insidious ways our stress will discover to get our attention.

You can run away from stress for a while but it will eventually find a way to get your attention. It will surface in your psychological or spiritual well-being at first and later affect your physical body. Stress invites you to make new choices in your life and these choices require action. As you learn to deal with the stresses in your life, your incredible potential will unfold, leading you deeper on the path to true happiness.

Some immediate effects of stress on your mind and body: - Memory: becomes vague and inexact - Learning: difficulty learning and problem solving Perception: is limited and narrow - Attitude: defensive and aggressive - Mood: negative, want’s to flee Living from the inside out is the only way to overcome stress and truly experience an authentic sense of happiness in your lives!

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Requirements: Bachelor degree in Religious studies or Islamic studies; at least 5 years experience as an Imam; Sunni Muslim & well versed in Shariah & Islamic Juriprudence; Computer literate; Fluent in English & Arabic; Ability to interact & guide youth of all ages and public members; Preferably have memorized the Holy Quran.

Salary: Based on qualification & experience.

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24

Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

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25

Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

H O M E

MORTGAGE WATCH

By Kazim Jafary Mortgage Consultant A few days ago there was a great article in The Vancouver Sun contributed by the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. I have shared the article below for all those readers who might have missed it. It’s about the top 25 grants and rebates for homebuyers and owners.

1 - Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) Qualifying home buyers can withdraw up to $25,000 (couples can withdraw up to $50,000) from their RRSPs for a down payment. Home buyers who have repaid their RRSP may be eligible to use the program a second time.

Canada Revenue Agency www.cra.gc.ca, enter ‘Home Buyers’ Plan’ in the search box.

2 - GST Rebate on New Homes New home buyers can apply for a rebate of the federal portion of the HST (the 5% GST) if the purchase price is $350,000 or less.

The rebate is equal to 36% of the GST to a maximum rebate of $6,300. There is a proportional GST rebate for new homes costing between $350,000 and $450,000. At $450,000 and above the rebate is nil. Canada Revenue Agency www.cra.gc.ca, enter ‘RC4028’ in the search box.

3 - BC New Housing Rebate (HST) Buyers of new or substantially renovated homes priced up to $850,000 are eligible for a provincial enhanced New Housing Rebate of 71.43% of the provincial portion (7%) of the 12% HST paid to a maximum rebate of $42,500. Homes priced at $850,000+ are eligible for a flat rebate of $42,500. Note: this program expires March 31, 2013. www.hstinbc.ca 4 - BC New Housing Rebate (HST) for Secondary Vacation or Recreational Homes Buyers of new or substantially renovated secondary or recreational homes outside the Greater Vancouver and Capital Regional Districts priced up to $850,000 are eligible for a provincial enhanced New Housing Rebate of 71.43% of the provincial portion (7%) of the 12% HST paid to a maximum rebate of $42,500. Homes priced at $850,000+ are eligible for a flat rebate of $42,500. Note: this program expires March 31, 2013. www.hstinbc.ca 5 - BC New Rental Housing Rebate (HST) Landlords buying new or substantially renovated homes to rent are eligible for a rebate of 71.43% of the provincial portion (7%) of the 12% HST paid to a maximum rebate of $42,500. Note: this program expires March 31, 2013. www.hstinbc.ca 6 - BC First-time New Home Buyers’ Bonus First-time new home buyers may be eligible for a one-time grant equal to 5% of the purchase price of the home up to $10,000. Or if you are building a home, 5% of the land and construction costs, up to $10,000. The bonus is based on the net income of the home buyer.

Note: this program expires March 31, 2013.

BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/documents_ library/notices/FTHB_Bonus.pdf 7 - BC Property Transfer Tax (PTT) Firsttime Home Buyers’ Program Qualifying first-time buyers may be exempt from paying the PTT of 1% on the first $200,000 and 2% on the remainder of the purchase price of a home priced up to $425,000.

There is a proportional exemption for homes priced up to $450,000. At $450,000 and above the rebate is nil. BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/ business/Property_Taxes/Property_ Transfer_Tax/ ptt.htm 8 - First-time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit (HBTC) This federal non-refundable income tax credit is for qualifying buyers of detached, attached, apartment condominiums, mobile homes or

shares in a cooperative housing corporation.

The calculation: multiply the lowest personal income tax rate for the year (15% in 2011) x $5,000. For the 2012 tax year, the maximum credit is $750. Canada Revenue Agency www. cra. gc.ca, enter ‘First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit’ in the search box.

9 - BC Home Owner Grant Reduces property taxes for home owners with an assessed value of up to $1,295,000. The basic grant gives home owners: . a maximum reduction of $570 in property taxes on principal residences in the Capital, Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley regional districts; . an additional grant of $200 to rural homeowners elsewhere in the province; and . an additional grant of $275 to seniors aged 65+, those who are permanently disabled and war veterans of certain wars.

For further details you can contact your municipal tax office.

10 - BC Property Tax Deferment Programs Property Tax Deferment Program for Seniors. Qualifying home owners aged 55+ may be eligible to defer property taxes. Financial Hardship Property Tax Deferment Program.

Qualifying low-income home owners may be eligible to defer property taxes. Property Tax Deferment Program for Families with Children. Qualifying low-income home owners who financially support children under age 18 may be eligible to defer property taxes.

BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/ individuals/Property_ Taxes/ Property_Tax_Deferment/ptd.htm 11 - Canada Mortgage and Housing Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program This federal program provides financial aid to qualifying low-income home owners to repair substandard housing. Eligible repairs include heating, structural, electrical, plumbing and fire safety. Grants are available for seniors, persons with disabilities, owners of rental properties and owners creating secondary and garden suites. www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/ prfinas/prfinas_001.cfm 12 - Home Adaptations for Independence (HAFI) A program jointly sponsored by the provincial and federal governments provides up to $20,000 to help eligible low-income seniors and disabled home owners and landlords to finance modifications to their homes to make them accessible and safer. BC Housing www. bchousing.org/Options/Home_Renovations 13 - CMHC Mortgage Loan Insurance Premium Refund Provides home buyers with CMHC mortgage insurance, a 10% premium refund and possible extended amortization without surcharge when buyers purchase an energy efficient home or make energy saving renovations. www.cmhc.ca/en/co/moloin/ moloin_008.cfm 14 - Energy Saving Mortgages Financial institutions offer a range of mortgages to home buyers and owners who make their homes more energy efficient. For example, home owners who have a home energy audit within 90 days of receiving an RBC Energy Saver Mortgage, may qualify for a rebate of $300 to their RBC account. www.rbcroyalbank.com/products/mortgages/ energysaver-mortgage.html 15 - Low Interest Renovation Loans Financial institutions offer ‘green’ loans for home owners making energy efficient upgrades. Vancity’s Bright Ideas personal loan offers home owners up to $20,000 at prime + 1% for up to 10 years for ‘green’ renovations.

RBC’s Energy Saver loan offers 1% off the interest rate for a fixed rate installment loan over $5,000 or a $100 rebate on a home energy audit on a fixed rate installment loan over $5,000.

For information visit your financial institution. www.vancity.com/Loans/ TypesOfLoans/BrightIdeas and www.rbcroyalbank. com/personalloans/energy-saver-loan.html 16 - LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program

Home owners improving the energy efficiency of their homes may qualify for cash incentives through this provincial program provided in partnership with FortisBC and BC Hydro. Rebates are for energy efficient products which replace gas and oil furnaces, pumps, water heaters, wood stoves, insulation, windows, doors, skylights and more.

The LiveSmart BC program also covers $150 of the cost of a home energy assessment, directly to the service provider. Note: this program expires March 31, 2013. www. livesmartbc.ca/incentives 17 - BC Residential Energy Credit Home owners and residential landlords buying heating fuel receive a BC government point-of-sale rebate on utility bills equal to the provincial component of the HST. www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/business/ consumer_taxes/residential_energy/ residential_energy. htm 18 - BC Hydro Appliance Rebates Mail-in rebates for purchasers of ENERGY STAR clothes washers, refrigerators, dishwashers or freezers. www.bchydro.com/rebates-savings.html 19 - BC Hydro Fridge Buy-Back Program This ongoing program rebates BC Hydro customers $30 to turn in spare fridges in working condition. www.bchydro.com/rebates_savings/ fridge_ buy_back.html 20 - BC Hydro Windows Rebate Program Receive rebates or tax savings when you buy ENERGY STAR high-performance windows. www.bchydro.com/rebates_ savings/windows_offers/current_ offers.html 21 - FORTISBC Rebate Program A range of rebates for home owners include a $75 rebate for upgrading to an ENERGY STAR clothes washer, a $300 fireplace re-

bate, $500 off water heaters and $1,000 for switching to natural gas.. www.fortisbc.com/Naturalgas/homes/offers/ pages/default.aspx 22 - FORTISBC Rebate Program for Businesses For commercial buildings, provides a rebate of up to $60,000 for the purchase of an energy efficient boiler, up to $15,000 for the purchase of a high-efficiency water heater and receive funding towards a new construction energy study. www.fortisbc.com/NaturalGas/ Business/Offers/Pages/default.aspx 23 - City of Vancouver Rain Barrel and Compost Bin Subsidy Program The City of Vancouver provides a subsidy of 50% of the cost of a rain barrel for Vancouver residents. With the subsidy the barrel costs $75. There is also a backyard composter for $25. http://vancouver.ca/home-property-development/rain-barrels.aspx 24 - Local Government Water Conservation Incentives Your municipality may provide grants and incentives to residents to help save water.

For example, the City of Coquitlam offers residents a $100 rebate and the City of North Vancouver and District of West Vancouver offer a $50 rebate when residents install a low-flush toilet. Visit your municipality’s website and enter ‘toilet rebate’ to see if there is a program.

25 - Local Government Water Meter Programs Your municipality may provide a program for voluntary water metering, so that you pay only for the amount of water that you use.

Delta, Richmond and Surrey have programs and other municipalities may soon follow.

Visit your municipality’s website and enter ‘water meter’ to find out if there is a program.

Questions & Comments: kazim@kazimjafary.com

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26

Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

Y O U T H

CHILDREN AT GREATER RISK FROM MORE POWERFUL MAGNETS: STUDY Newer, more powerful magnets are putting children at greater risk for life-threatening health problems, says a new Canadian case study, which also found that incidents of kids swallow-

nets, or rare-earth magnets -- are between 10 and 20 times stronger than older magnets, they can stick together through loops of the bowel. Magnets that attract each other from different points

ing magnets is more common than previously believed. The study, published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found that children often swallow more than one magnet. And because newer magnets -- neodymium-iron-boron mag-

in the intestinal tract can lead to serious health consequences for the child, as tissue that is stuck together dies off and becomes infected, the study’s authors write.

“Swallowing a single magnet is generally innocuous, much like swallowing any other inert for-

eign body,” write the authors, led by Dr. Daniel Rosenfield of Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children.

“However, multiple magnets, especially when swallowed at different times, can attract each other through loops of the gastrointestinal tract. The force created through the bowel or stomach wall may result in pressure necrosis and eventual perforation.”

In the past, a child who swallowed a magnet was monitored until it passed through the digestive tract, often without any health consequences. But the authors write that incidents of children swallowing magnets are more common than previously thought, and related emergency department visits have skyrocketed over the past decade.

At Sick Kids, doctors have had to remove magnets from more than a dozen children over a one-year period, with four needing surgery.

If an X-ray shows more than one magnet in the child’s digestive tract, they may have to be re-

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moved by endoscopy, a laxative or surgery. They are so powerful the body cannot expel them on its own. The child featured in the case study was three years old when he swallowed toy magnets that looked to him like candy.

Joseph Bender, now five, was taken to hospital, where doctors found magnets that had been swallowed separately had adhered to one another as they moved through his digestive tract. Bowel tissue was stuck in between.

“There is tissue trapped between the magnets,” Rosenfield told CTV News. “There is tissue dying.” The magnets in Bender’s digestive tract had to be removed via emergency surgery, during which doctors had to repair four holes in his colon.

The authors say they felt they had to publish their paper because the increasing prevalence of rare-earth magnets has led to an increase in the number of kids needing medical attention after swallowing them.

“We’ve shown without fail that even though they have big warn-

ings on them that these are not toys, these are not for children, we’re not able to keep them out of the hands of children,” Rosenfield said.

In a statement to CTV News, a spokesperson for Health Canada said the department “welcomes” the study, “which draws attention to the dangers of ingesting small, powerful magnets.” Health Canada “has worked, and continues to work towards educating Canadians on the safe handling practices for magnets,” the statement went on, noting that the agency will look at what more it can do to deal with the issue.

The case study’s authors say that one of the keys to lowering the risks for children is getting doctors to discuss the issue with parents.

“Media exposure on the topic and information in primary care offices are needed,” the authors write. “The 18-month well-baby visit may be an appropriate time to discuss magnet safety in the context of safe toys.”

Source: CTV News

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Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

A R T S

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C U L T U R E

Vancouver International Film Festival 4 Peace A Great Success Documentary films exposes assault on Muslim nations and First Nations

The 10th Annual Vancouver International Film Festival 4 Peace took place March 16-18 this year under the theme, “Marking a Decade of War & Occupation in Iraq. Marking a decade of Film Festivals for Peace in Canada”. This event was organized by Mobilization Again War & Occupation-MAWO, and presented 3 days of dynamic films. This year’s festival was dedicated to the memory of Mohammed Bouazizi, the Tunisian who inspired the Tunisian revolution and Comandante Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela and outspoken anti-colonial.

Day 1, Saturday March 16 showed the new era of war & occupation, which this United States government and its allies have built up since September 11, 2001.

Through 8 documentary films spectators learned how the U.S. has led wars and occupations against the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, and Libya, all the while they are intervening in and threatening countries like Syria, North Korea and Iran Day 2, Saturday March 17 featured documentaries showing how humanity is resisting war and occupation. The films looked at young people in Israel fighting for social justice, people in Bahrain fighting for democracy, and then looked at Cuba a government that has stood firmly against war and that is prioritizing free

healthcare and education for its people, and even sending doctors as apposed to soldiers to countries like Pakistan and Haiti.

This day also featured an honoured special guest, Alanis Obomsawin, distinguished Indigenous filmmaker from Canada who came all the way from Montreal to Vancouver to participate in the film festival. Alanis gave a fantastic talk about her life as a documentary filmmaker and activist for her people. This was followed by a showing of two of her award winning films, “Kanesatake: 270 Years of Resistance” and “The People of Kattawapiskak River”. Many people came to the festival for this special section and were deeply moved by the words and films about Indigenous people. Day 2 wrapped up with a special section about the late Hugo Chavez, president of Venezuela and strong opponent of US colonial rule worldwide.

Day 3, Monday March 18 began with a picket action outside the United States Consulate in Vancouver condemning 10 years of war and occupation in Iraq.

There were speakers, chanting, picketing and interviews with local media, which helped to raise awareness about the dire situation in Iraq after 10 years of war and occupation.

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panel of speakers and a lively discussion about the US-led war on Iraq and US-led wars and bombing campaigns that have been building over the past 10 years. The event closed with the premiere of the MAWO documentary, which highlighted the role of the Canadian government and military in Afghanistan, Palestine, Iraq, Haiti, Somalia, Libya and here at home against Indigenous people.

Over the course of the 10th Annual Van-

couver International Film Festival 4 Peace hundreds of people from the lower mainland came together to learn more about how war and occupation are affecting people around the world today.

These 3 days were a chance to convince attendees about the need to oppose war and demand justice for oppressed people worldwide. For more information about the films shown at this year’s festival you can visit: www.mawovancouver.org

28

Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

Sunni and Shia Muslims unite for vigil at Holland Park in Surrey On March 10, a number of Shias and Sunnis Muslim community members held a united vigil at Holland Park in Surrey. Everyone was there to show that they are united against sectarian violence in Pakistan that has been taking place for many years in different parts of Pakistan.

A number of men and women of both Sunni and Shia background held the vigil despite the chilly winds.

This gathering was to remember for those who had lost their lives in Pakistan because of the government’s unwillingness to stop violence against minorities.

Mr. Mehtab Akbar and Co-op Radio host Imtiaz Popat organized the event. Popat briefly described the purpose of this vigil.

He noted that 2012 was the bloodiest year

on record for Shia followers in Pakistan with more than 400 deaths. “We would also demand the Canadian government do something to immediately take up this issue with the government of Pakistan”. He emphasized that this has caused severe grief and anguish to Canadians of Pakistani origin.

Mr. Naseer Pirzada from Miracle Media also addressed and said that unfortunately in Pakistan after 9/11 around 40,000 people have been brutally killed in war and terrorism, many of Sunni origin, but now the terrorists have spread their circle and targeting sects

S P E C I A L

and also minorities including Shias, Hazaraies, Ahmedis and Christian community.

He strongly condemned the recent attack in Karachi in which killed at least 45 and left about 200 wounded. This showed our bad governance in Pakistan and let’s hope for good from our next government after Election 2013. Mr. Pirzada also recited parody poetry against the corruption of this

government.

Next speaker was Mr. Jamshed Abbas, who delivered a speech and condemned the brutal attacked on Hazara , Shias and Christian communities in Quetta, Karachi and Lahore. He criticised the current government policies in which the terrorist are openly doing this act of sectarian violence. Meanwhile, Christians have taken to the streets in the Pakistani city of Lahore to protest about 100 arson attacks by militants.

At the end Mr. Abbas Akbari recited poetry and made Duaa for those who were killed in February attacked and March 3 attacked on Shias in Karachi.

Disciple of Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan Murdered A Tribute to Parveen Rehman By: Nasim Yousaf

The death of Miss Parveen Rehman is a great loss for us all.

She was carrying forward Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan’s mission to improve the lives of the underprivileged and neglected. It hurts me to hear that her life has been taken away by heartless people.

It was around 12pm on March 13, 2013, when I heard on a Pakistani television channel that Miss Parveen Rehman, Director of the Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) (founded by the legendary Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan) had been assassinated by unidentified gunmen. She was killed while returning home

after briefing foreign visitors at the OPP (Samaa TV, March 13, 2012). Sadly, Pakistan is under the strong grip of a “rule of terror.”

Ms. Rehman was born in Bangladesh (previously East Pakistan) in 1957. She moved to Pakistan with her family at a young age. She obtained her degree in Architecture in 1981 from Dawood Engineering College, Karachi. Thereafter, in 1983, she joined the OPP. The Orangi Pilot Project is a pioneering institution in the areas of microfinance, rural and urban development, and education. It was established in Karachi in 1980 by Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan, who successfully built the organization into a replicable model that achieved worldwide acclaim and recognition. Over the years, Ms. Rehman worked closely with Dr. Khan and acquired a wealth of knowledge in housing, sanitation, health and microcredit, among other areas. During her career at OPP, she met a large number of visitors from around the world, including students, journalists, government officials, community developers, and members of non-governmental organizations. Following Dr. Khan’s death, Ms. Rehman successfully ran the operation of the OPP and upheld its strong reputation throughout the world. Based on her work at OPP, Ms. Rehman could have easily pursued much more lucrative opportunities. But it is a true testament to her character that she preferred to continue working with the OPP and the people of Orangi Town.

Courageous Commodore: Decorated Air Commodore (retd) Mohammad Mahmood Alam, popularly known as M M Alam, passed away in Karachi on Monday morning, after a prolonged illness. Alam, 78, famous for piloting an F-86 Sabre fighter, downed two damaged three Indian war planes at Sargodha during the 1965 conflict with India. The war hero, was born on July 6, 1935 in Calcutta (Kolkata), India and was the eldest of 10 siblings. Having completed his secondary education in 1951 from Government High School in Dhaka, Alam joined PAF in 1952 and was commissioned on October 2, 1953.

His major appointments included air gunnery

and tactical instructor at Fighter Leader School, commanding officer of PAF squadrons No 11, No 5 and No 26, director operation research, assistant chief of the air staff (flight safety) and assistant chief of the air staff (plans) at the headquarters.

Alam retired as an air commodore in 1982.

Following the funeral prayers at PAF Masroor Air Base, the decorated war veteran was laid to rest with full military honours.

Speaking to the media, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt said Alam’s death was a national loss. “With his courage and bravery, MM Alam held the country’s honour high as well as of its armed forces and became a role

Ms. Rehman was a soft-spoken and humble woman, who dedicated her life to uplifting the poor. In a documentary on the OPP entitled “Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) - A role model for realizing your Social Responsibility” (available on YouTube), Ms. Rehman spoke of some of the guiding principles of the OPP, which also reflect the way she lived her life: “See with respect what people are doing…observe with your own knowledge what they are doing…learn from what the people are doing with a lot of humility…teach with gentleness, do not be in a hurry.”

It is a tragedy for the entire Pakistani nation when a true humanitarian and public servant like Ms. Rehman can be murdered simply because of her work on behalf of the impoverished. Ms. Rehman’s services for OPP and the people of Orangi Town shall always be remembered. She was laid to rest on March 14, 2013 at Mohammad Shah graveyard in Karachi. She left behind her mother, two brothers and a sister.

May God rest her soul in eternal peace and provide her family the strength to bear this tragic loss.

Nasim Yousaf is a scholar and historian and author of many books and articles. His book “Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan - Pioneer of Microcredit & Guru of Rural Development” has recently been published in the US. His current projects include a book on world famous personalities in microfinance and poverty alleviation. Copyright © 2013 Nasim Yousaf

war hero M M Alam dies at 78

model for every PAF airman,” Butt said. Any chronicles on the world’s aviation hall of fame or accomplishments of Pakistan Air Force would remain incomplete without the mention of (retd) Air Commodore M M Alam, the Air Chief added.

Talking to The Express Tribune Alam’s brother Dr Mohammad Zobair Alam said that MM Alam was December last year and was admitted to Pakifond of becoming a fighter pilot at an early stan Naval Station Shifa Hospital in Karachi. age of 14, he used to make model aircraft from Source: The Express Tribune wood.” Alam had been battling illness since

Professor Sibte Jafar Gunned Down

Sibte Jaffar or Ustad Sibte Jaffar, was an educationist, poet, author, classical religious vocalist, and social worker. By profession he was a lecturer in Islamic Studies and was employed in the Ministry of Education of the Sindh province.

He was the founder of Idaara-e-Tarveej-

e-Soazkhwani which he founded for the development of sozkhwani. Sozkhwani is a vocal fine art of Islam for delivering Marsia while Marsia is kind of Urdu poetry in which the Tradegy of Karbala is recited. He was brutally killed by banned terrorist outfits of deobandi takfiri sect,

the so-called organization Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat who was previously known as Anjumane Sipahe Sahaba (ASS) on 18th March 2013 while returning from college in Liaquatabad Karachi, where he was working as the Principle.

29

Jamadi ul Awal 10, 1434 March 22, 2013

S P O R T S

Nadir Shah banned for ten years on corruption allegations

Nadir Shah, the Bangladesh umpire, has been handed a ten-year ban by the BCB on charges of corruption alleged by a TV sting operation in 2012. The decision followed an investigation carried out by the Bangladesh board. Sharfuddoula Saikat, the other umpire who was contacted by reporters posing as agents, was cleared to continue umpiring. Saikat had informed the BCB’s umpires committee at the time of contact with whom he perceived to be agents, but his case had also been kept pending since October last year. “Nadir Shah will not be considered for a BCB retainership for 10 years,” the BCB said in a statement. “During this period he

will not be eligible for any assignment under the jurisdiction of the BCB.” He has the right to appeal to the BCB once he is formally informed of the decision. The sting, broadcast by India TV, claimed to have “exposed” several first-class umpires from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan who were allegedly willing to give decisions favouring players for a fee. In the sting, conducted in July and August 2012, the reporters claimed to belong to a sports management company and promised the umpires officiating assignments in events of all kinds around the world, largely domestic Twenty20 leagues. All three national boards announced investigations fol-

lowing the broadcast. The BCB conducted a detailed investigation into the matter, with two committees being formed by subsequent board of directors. A BCB statement said the ICC supported it in the investigation process.

The PCB is scheduled to receive the report of its inquiry committee later on Monday, while in Sri Lanka the investigation has not been carried out as yet. ICC chief executive Dave Richardson said the decision reflected the commitment of the ICC and its members to root out corruption from cricket. “This decision also reiterates cricket’s zero-tolerance approach towards corruption and should serve as a reminder to all stakeholders, be

they umpires, players, curators or administrators of the risks and challenges the sport faces.” Shah, who officiated in 40 ODIs and three Twenty20 internationals, was the only umpire shown in the sting to have met the undercover reporters in person; the others operated through internet-based video chats. He had said at the time that he went along with the undercover reporters’ plan because he had felt “threatened” by the people, whom he met at a Delhi hotel. He maintained that stand in public though he did admit his mistake to the investigation committee.

Source: Cricinfo

‘Didn’t want to break down in front of Yuvraj’ - Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar has said he was scared of breaking down in front of Yuvraj Singh when he met the latter in London after his treatment in the United States for a rare germ cell cancer. Tendulkar was speaking in Delhi at the release of Yuvraj’s book The Test of My Life: From Cricket to Cancer and Back, published by Random House India. “When I went to meet him in London, I was telling my wife that I don’t want to break down when I see him,” Tendulkar said.

“I met him and gave him a tight hug. We enjoyed a meal and from the way he ate, I was convinced that he was back on track. “When I saw my wife discussing medical terms with Yuvraj, I realised what he had been going through,” Tendulkar said. “He is like my younger brother and I would ask God why it (the illness) had to happen to Yuvraj.” Yuvraj recollected

his first meeting with Tendulkar.

“My first conversation was when I was looking at him in awe at the dressing room when suddenly he said ‘please pass on the biscuits’,” Yuvraj said. To this Tendulkar replied, “I have not got those biscuits till now.” Apart from Tendulkar, India captain MS Dhoni also spoke about Yuvraj’s fight with cancer. Dhoni said he knew about Yuvraj’s situation even before the latter told him about it. “When his test reports came, someone told me he has cancer,” Dhoni said. “I just said ‘are you sure?’ The person repeated that Yuvraj has cancer. I was shocked.” Following his return from the United States after his treatment for mediastinal seminoma, Yuvraj has set up a cancer charity called Youwecan which focuses on spreading cancer awareness, and early detection. Several players who spoke

at the event in a three way conversation along with Yuvraj and Harsha Bhogle said they had seen Yuvraj cough and throw up repeatedly in the 2011 ICC World Cup but assumed they were throat or stomach problems. Yuvraj was named Player of the Tournament for the World Cup and described the moment after Dhoni hit a six to win the final for India. “I was running towards Mahi to hug him and he was running towards the stumps.” Later then when he asked Dhoni what he had been doing, Dhoni had said he’d made a run for the stumps because otherwise the rest of the players would make a grab for them. During his stay in Indianapolis for his cancer treatment, Yuvraj said he had followed the team’s matches in Australia and admitted to feeling “sad” at not being involved with the cricket. “I would watch videos

of my batting until one day, Anil Kumble came to visit me and shut my laptop. He said I should forget about the cricket and concentrate on my recovery.” The only time he found himself “jumping” with excitement and joy during two difficult months of chemotherapy in the United States was on hearing about Virat Kohli’s century in Adelaide. The India team and support staff were called onto stage for photographs but as the players went on, Virender Sehwag stayed seated at his spot. Yuvraj called out to him and said, “Veeru, main bhi team main nahin noon, tum bhi team main nahin ho - chal aa jaa [I’m also not in the (Test) team, you’re also not in the team - come on up].” Sehwag did with a smile on his face.

Source: Cricinfo

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Myanmar : Continued from pg 1 sequent police report omitted the religion of the second man. “The situation is unpredictable,” Hein Thu Aung, a 29-year-old local man, told AFP. “I can’t guess what will happen next. The violence could get worse -- everyone here is aggressive.” Myanmar’s Muslims -- largely of Indian, Chinese and Bangladeshi descent -- account for an estimated four percent of the roughly 60 million population, although the country has not conducted a census in three decades. Muslims entered Myanmar en masse for the first time as indentured labourers from the Indian subcontinent during British colonial rule, which ended in 1948. But despite their long history, they have never fully been integrated into the country.

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