I put a heart on this article Qasim, but it would correctly be a broken heart. You are an honorable person who is a benefit to HUMANITY. Thank you for your relentless persistence in helping us all become more just, better informed and uncompromising in upholding HUMAN DIGNITY for ALL. Respect Brother.
Jinnah had the right idea but until country, government and religious affiliations are separated this will be how the world looks at themselves and each other. I'm a lapsed catholic, my mother was at first a Hindu and then became a christian, though didn't go in for the dogma of churches and stuff. She just liked that they had those commandments which she believed all people should live by. My dad was an atheist. With theses auspicious beginnings I was raised with one abiding belief. Respect a person for who they are, not who or what they believe in. This has allowed me to develop a mind in which the truth is my only guide. As Christian Nationalism is rising in the States because the Right needed that untapped bigger audience, theocracy will be the death of democracy in the USA. Cute picture of you from 1985 Qasim ('-')
OMG Qasim! Like others have said here, I am completely ignorant of the apartheid in Pakistan! I’m ignorant as well about Pakistan being theocratically ruled! 💔💔 I too am glad you have shared this story; not because I’m happy to know it, but because everyone must know it and must derive the lessons that can be learned from it! ☮️ to you, and thanks for the baby pic!
Thank you for the lesson. I feel like I’m starting from scratch as this wasn’t taught in school or really thoroughly explained in the news. But I see you have different religions in Pakistan, but are you considered to have freedom of religion as we supposedly do here in the US?
Thank you so much, Qasim. I knew nothing about this, but I’m so glad I do now. My deep condolences for all the people you have loved and witnessed suffer under such ignorance and oppression. Yes, I do understand on a deeper level now why you became a human rights attorney. I feel honored to know the history of your people, that your love for them and your birth country, Pakistan is what inspires and commits you to your dedication to human rights. 🙏
Delineate the level of human rights and civil rights abuses Trump is attempting over any time period in short bursts against our democracy and help force him out.
Well Qasim, you were a cute kid and all this adversity has turned you into a fine outstanding man. As an old man now, still seeing humans failing to get the assignment, after all these decades, it's easy to become bitter and feel like giving up. Reading your newsletters (which I share here and on Spoutible daily) is an inspiration to me and keeps from taking the humorous Team Asteroid t-shirt I wear too seriously.
It is Harrowing and terrifying to hear and know of this happening and to understand what has happened previously. To know that this suppression of knowledge and events and atrocities takes place and impedes my view and understanding of other peoples around the world has been significantly enhanced by your descriptions and facts and experiences. You have helped to enlarge my world view and helped me to understand the impact of all these factors on your country, people and its future. I hope the future will become a better place for all people in part by your concerted efforts to improve the lives of those downtrodden. And surely through your enlightened leadership and efforts. Thank you for all of this.
Thank you for all that you do—including educating. What bothers me about American exceptionalism is how it limits learning about the world. As an American growing up overseas, I saw many things my contemporaries did not but I make no claim on knowledge or understanding. What I do know is that we, in America, have been given such a narrow view of the world, including our own country, that we are now where are. We don’t even understand our own prejudices much less anyone else’s.
May all beings live in equanimity, free from attachment and aversion.
Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, whose Substack is called, 'Dr. Friendtastic for Parents' introduced the concept of the 'empathy exception' to her readers awhile ago. It is something we all see from childhood on in so many forms.
In her own family 👪 she has her children do 'perspective taking' during conversation at dinner. The question, 'How do you think they felt?' is asked as the events of the day get discussed.
We can help children begin to think about how others feel fairly early. This is at least a partial answer to the problem. Possibly there should be a Substack, or maybe there is exclusively on this.
Thank you for this history. I remember reading in the news about the Taliban attacking the mosque in 2010. I could not understand why the Taliban were killing Muslims. The media did not explain it. It is tragic that a people who are committed to nonviolence are persecuted. Thank you for your writing.
Thank you for this comprehensive education about Pakistan's independence, promise, and subsequent descent into apartheid. Your story explains both your passion and your compassion. I downloaded your article to read on a plane next week. And I learned another interesting detail, that you are associated with my hometown's law school, the U of R.
You are the looters in the last prophethoof. God curse on you
I put a heart on this article Qasim, but it would correctly be a broken heart. You are an honorable person who is a benefit to HUMANITY. Thank you for your relentless persistence in helping us all become more just, better informed and uncompromising in upholding HUMAN DIGNITY for ALL. Respect Brother.
Jinnah had the right idea but until country, government and religious affiliations are separated this will be how the world looks at themselves and each other. I'm a lapsed catholic, my mother was at first a Hindu and then became a christian, though didn't go in for the dogma of churches and stuff. She just liked that they had those commandments which she believed all people should live by. My dad was an atheist. With theses auspicious beginnings I was raised with one abiding belief. Respect a person for who they are, not who or what they believe in. This has allowed me to develop a mind in which the truth is my only guide. As Christian Nationalism is rising in the States because the Right needed that untapped bigger audience, theocracy will be the death of democracy in the USA. Cute picture of you from 1985 Qasim ('-')
OMG Qasim! Like others have said here, I am completely ignorant of the apartheid in Pakistan! I’m ignorant as well about Pakistan being theocratically ruled! 💔💔 I too am glad you have shared this story; not because I’m happy to know it, but because everyone must know it and must derive the lessons that can be learned from it! ☮️ to you, and thanks for the baby pic!
Thank you for the lesson. I feel like I’m starting from scratch as this wasn’t taught in school or really thoroughly explained in the news. But I see you have different religions in Pakistan, but are you considered to have freedom of religion as we supposedly do here in the US?
Thank you so much, Qasim. I knew nothing about this, but I’m so glad I do now. My deep condolences for all the people you have loved and witnessed suffer under such ignorance and oppression. Yes, I do understand on a deeper level now why you became a human rights attorney. I feel honored to know the history of your people, that your love for them and your birth country, Pakistan is what inspires and commits you to your dedication to human rights. 🙏
Delineate the level of human rights and civil rights abuses Trump is attempting over any time period in short bursts against our democracy and help force him out.
Well Qasim, you were a cute kid and all this adversity has turned you into a fine outstanding man. As an old man now, still seeing humans failing to get the assignment, after all these decades, it's easy to become bitter and feel like giving up. Reading your newsletters (which I share here and on Spoutible daily) is an inspiration to me and keeps from taking the humorous Team Asteroid t-shirt I wear too seriously.
It is Harrowing and terrifying to hear and know of this happening and to understand what has happened previously. To know that this suppression of knowledge and events and atrocities takes place and impedes my view and understanding of other peoples around the world has been significantly enhanced by your descriptions and facts and experiences. You have helped to enlarge my world view and helped me to understand the impact of all these factors on your country, people and its future. I hope the future will become a better place for all people in part by your concerted efforts to improve the lives of those downtrodden. And surely through your enlightened leadership and efforts. Thank you for all of this.
Thank you for all that you do—including educating. What bothers me about American exceptionalism is how it limits learning about the world. As an American growing up overseas, I saw many things my contemporaries did not but I make no claim on knowledge or understanding. What I do know is that we, in America, have been given such a narrow view of the world, including our own country, that we are now where are. We don’t even understand our own prejudices much less anyone else’s.
May all beings live in equanimity, free from attachment and aversion.
Almost ashamed at my ignorance and how much I learned in this piece.
Thank you for sharing.
Sorry this is reality there is no justice in Pakistan!
Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, whose Substack is called, 'Dr. Friendtastic for Parents' introduced the concept of the 'empathy exception' to her readers awhile ago. It is something we all see from childhood on in so many forms.
In her own family 👪 she has her children do 'perspective taking' during conversation at dinner. The question, 'How do you think they felt?' is asked as the events of the day get discussed.
We can help children begin to think about how others feel fairly early. This is at least a partial answer to the problem. Possibly there should be a Substack, or maybe there is exclusively on this.
Thank you for this history. I remember reading in the news about the Taliban attacking the mosque in 2010. I could not understand why the Taliban were killing Muslims. The media did not explain it. It is tragic that a people who are committed to nonviolence are persecuted. Thank you for your writing.
Thank you, Qasim.
I am grateful to you for this background information. I am grateful for your commitment to doing justice.
Thank you for this comprehensive education about Pakistan's independence, promise, and subsequent descent into apartheid. Your story explains both your passion and your compassion. I downloaded your article to read on a plane next week. And I learned another interesting detail, that you are associated with my hometown's law school, the U of R.
Thank you and go spiders!🕷️