What is so special about a bright and young Pakistani student, studying at Harvard, coming in front of a large audience being covered by the national and international media and declare that he will not receive an award from a US ambassador as a sign of protest over the recent unprovoked attack against our Armed Forces inside Pakistan?
EVERYTHING!
Because what Samad has done is something that our politicians don’t have the guts to do in a million years! He stood strong and determined and in his own way snubbed the representative of the United States, calling their recent attack on Pakistani soil as that of a coward.
Bravo Samad! You have made us all proud. While our filthy politicians were too busy taking out long marches and seducing the masses with their political charms and speeches, you have paid homage to those who lost their precious lives by giving a resounding slap to the United States. You are the kind of people we need to lead us on… NOT the Zardaris or Musharrafs or Sharifs or Aitezazs or Iftikhars!
And such a pity that our so called free media conveniently forgot to highlight this story with the acknowledgement it rightly deserved! Nothing new on that front really. Dogs rarely bite the hand that feeds them you see *chuckles*
Please take a minute of your time to send an email to Samad at samadkhurram@gmail.com and congratulate him for his stance!
Thank you Samad. You have made us all proud!
UPDATE [21 June, 2008] One of our regular readers, lestat, was kind enough to provide us with a youtube link of the ceremony. Here’s presenting Samad Khurram’s much talked about stance…
PLEASE NOTE – This particular post on WeCite Blog concerns and deals only with Mr. Khurram’s stance on the recent attacks on Pakistani soldiers and bears no relation to his personal views and opinions on the current state of Pakistani affairs outside the scope of this incident. Readers are requested to keep this in mind and not confuse the two.
Fauzan
Selina Haider
Aleena
arey bhai, Samad was in Pakistan specially for the long march :p
We know that Haris. Thank you for the information. But this post is solely in relation to his stand against the US for the attack on Pak soldiers. His protests against the previous government and so forth are seperate issues altogether.
Even though I admire what he did and how he did it but it’s odd that this protest has come from someone who has been studying on a US paid scholarship as I have heard. Someone please confirm this? Also, there is a question of a valuable opportunity presenting itself on the concerned issue while the wife of our current Army Chief was also in attendance in this ceremony. So a student from Harvard whose education expenses are being paid by the US and who was participating in the useless long march also happens to voice his resentment at the same country whose tax payers money is providing him education? Are students being used to create a soft spot for the politicians and lawyers in the eyes of the army? What is genuine any more?
Is there more than what meets the eye here?
Kermit, why must we delve into who he is and where he studies? Why not look further into what he was trying to say?
This post covers a brave act by a Pakistani regarding a very serious issue that is being downplayed by all and sundry. Shouldn’t we be commending him for “standing against the tide?”
You are right Fazal. It is no doubt commendable to stand in the face of adversity and its heartening to see that there are still people in our country who can well differentiate between Musharraf and Pakistan Army and not assume the two to be the same thing altogether. Samad may be protesting against Musharraf and the judiciary but his act of defiance against the notorious super power shows his loyalty and care for the Pakistan Armed forces as well who have been through hell and back with suicide bombings and one conflict or controversy after another.
Samad, WeCite commends you on this act of bravery and we hope that you will return back to Pakistan one day to help it grow stronger and more prosperous! (amen)
Hmm Samad is not a slave. he has studied abroad and got to know that you have the option to not bow. Anyways, Can any body help me get his photo especially of that event. I wana publish that in my Magazine.
Samad… I don’t have words to appreciate what you have done.. I applaud your courage and conviction.. turning down US$49000 engineering scholarship of one of the best universities in the world located in one of the world’s most powerful country and being handed over by the ambassador of the most powerful country… Dude … you Rock…
I can wish or dream of a day when our corrupt leaders coming from a corrupt system can have only an ounce of a moral value and strong characterthat you have shown, Pakistan can become the greatest country on the face of this earth..
You have shown the way… Its not about coming giving speeches.. saying nice words in front of the crowds…and thatz it.. Its about actually going out there and actually do what you strongly believe in…
Dude .. you are the long lost spirit of Pakistan… you are the 1st drop of rain which is going to breath new life to the true spirit of Pakistan…. You are better than all these corrupt politicians, feudals and poliitcal mullahs.. You truly have shown the way …
I can go and on but this will do it for now…
..
why cant we for once just shut up and applaud the lad, well done sarmad
i have already mailed you samad,i would only say
ZARA NUM HU TU YE METI BARI ZARKHAIZ HAY SAQI
Publishing his e-mail id :S he’ll be getting loads of spam everyday
i just saw the video on youtube and I gotta say that was way awesome..! If Samad had to stand for presidential elections he’d sure have my vote. Now, I am not Anti-Army per say but I am definetely Anti-Dictatorship. Cheers for Samad!! Cheers for Democracy!!
On a more personal note, I hate how the American policies are so hypocratic. They invade Iraq as an attempt to establish Democracy in the nation and by executing Saddam who was a dictator. Now isn’t Musharraf a dictator too? and in that case, shouldn’t the US govt. do something about it? From the looks of it, people do not want him ruling over the country and he doesn’t represent the majority of people in Pakistan. “Democracy is a system of government by which political sovereignty is retained by the people and either exercised directly by citizens or through their elected representatives.” It sure doesn’t feel like Democracy to me. I could be wrong though..!
Thankyou my fellow countrymen for your kind words and support. It warms our blood out here to know what Samad did and how much he is appreciated for his courage. Keep the struggle alive in your hearts and never bow down to oppression. Allah’s blessings be with you all.
~Haider Wali
Hey Haider, thanks for stopping by
Much appreciated.
Asma, his email addy is floating all across the web right now. We are just ‘extending the gesture’ in good faith. I’m sure he would like to know how much he is being appreciated for what he has done.
He did what a proud citizen of any country should do… bravo !! yo’re da man
Nicely done Samad!!! Bilawal should learn a lesson from this. If an ordinary Pakistani citizen can do this then I’m sure a lot more is expected from the chairperson of the country’s leading political party!! Come on Bilawal! Let go of your dad’s finger and rise to the occasion. Your country needs you.
Masha Allah. Samad this is an excellent way of expressing the concerns to USA. I must appreciate and back your decision in full. I hope Allah give Muslim rulers the same strength and brave decision making qualities.
Allah reward you his best Insha Allah.
It’s all good condemning such acts simply by talking about it in our cosy little circles, but Samad actually went out and kicked up the racket right where it mattered, that too alone, not an easy thing to do, takes guts and wholehearted passion.. bravo!
All of you need to open your eyes here!
I do not agree that a Pakistani student should have behaved like that at a University event. Is that how we show gratitude to our mentors and educators?
If Samad Khurram cared so much, why was a Pakistani university not good enough for him?
It seems nothing more than an egoistic ploy to get attention regardless of the consequences and the damage to the reputation of Pakistanis living there and in general.
There are so many good Pakistanis doing excellent work there and yet it takes just one stupid person to come along, spoil the good-will the rest have created and makes their lives so much more difficult.
As if Pakistanis who make bombs and explode them in trains were not enough to do that. Makes me sadder still to see that the owner of the school is a Pakistani too.
It is an occasion for shame not for pride.
Samad Khurram is a hypocrite who went to attend Harvard, an American university in 2005, on American taxpayer money and now disprespects the American ambassador for an incident that ultimately the Taliban were responsible for.
However there are many Pakistanis who will curse America and then stand in line at the US Embassy. Mr Khurram himself is Exhibit Number 1.
In response to Seema Manazir post, its good to have your opinion in …
Doesn’t Bush Administration have critism in his own country on his policies? Its we who are not democratic in nature … we do not tolerate and respect other people opinion
Wake up… I don’t no what Mr. Samad is .. he is faking or making himself popular. To me because of his courage i regard him as a very Honourable person( atleast till this moment, i hope he doesnt become like our current politician”. Its a civilized way of opposing Bush Administrations Policy.
Why shouldn’t he go to Harward ???? because it is in America. People do not hate America or its people .. its their policies which make them angry.
I highly beleive that our talent should go abroad learn from them ( there are lots and lots of good things in them) and mention them about their wrongs and be the good Ambassords of our Nation.
We should not repeat our mistake 100 yrs ago… when Britishers were rulling we stayed out … which costed us a lot., so we should learn from history.
I agree to American Ambassador that such people studying abroad will help to narrow the gaps between nations.
We need more of our Ambassadors like Samad who can stand up and say what they think is right.
>>”It seems nothing more than an egoistic ploy to get attention regardless of the consequences >>and the damage to the reputation of Pakistanis living there and in general.”
Pakistan is already getting down to its knees, its one way of seeing this picture , one of the other side may be would be like this “Oh Pakistan is changing its youth is thinking and the now know how to protest in a civilzed manner”
Allahuakbar!
I c tht samad has the spirit which every youth in every nation as the next leaders must has. The spirit of keeping idealism, keeping faith, and honor when we face the reality (or u can say, “feeds” to bury those up)
Im sure what he already did not just an action 4 getting world attention or popularity 4 him self. I think its clearly unworth if his purpose is very low like that. Cuz what possibly he would face are threats frm one of most influenced country in d world and maybe their comrades also.
In my opinion n based on wht i feel,The most important side of his stand is, he is inspiring, rising courage, n opening mindframe of not only pakistani, but also people over d world.
Oya,if u send feedback 2 his email,i suggest u not 2 over appreciate, u have also warn n remind him 2 be consistant.
Sory b4 if there r mistakes in my statement. Wallahualam.
Best regards
donyhasan,
indonesia
Assault is a means of expressing and inflicting injury.
Injury is a painful episode that causes damage physically or mentally, through deliberate or accidental infliction or expression of body move of assailant with weapon, words and behavior.
It is said that physical inflictions are easy to treat but injury caused by reserving words never escapes the mind of victim.
Similarly action speaks louder than words.
Movements serve the function of intended action towards termination of motivated desire.
A move that causes more damage than benefit is avoided although accidental happening are neglected and forgive.
If I perceive the incident under the meaningful contest of above cited definition I have no option but to conceive and curtail my thoughts and thinking process that the person has infact caused more trouble to the nation in the context of education and award of our young generation to compete at international platform.
Although at one end his desire to uplift the image is a factor but on the other hand indecent assault has created an embarrassing position for the nation.
If I shortsightedly analyze the incident there will be little difference between people who have compromised our integrity in the name of their uncontrolled lust and insane thoughts, the Taliban and Mr. Samad khurram who has indulged the whole upcoming future generation in the domain of debarring and confiscation by shuttering the door of education.
If we remove our emotional and bias mode of attitude from table of opinion, the act seems to be a very untoward behavior, and real unbecoming.
In my opinion he should have received the trophy through the hand of Patterson and then, should have requested to take action regarding his plea reflecting and endorsing his desire to revert the award if prompt actions are not initiated.
Embarrassing a representative of a nation is a serious issue, and we as nation should be apologetic to the sufferer.
Mr SAMAD u r my hero.. After our gr8 Quaid E Azam there was no one i looked upto,, but now i can hope that one day u will rescue this nation. I have always been a proud pakistani even when things were not very gloomy for us, I love my country and i think its the best MUSLIM nation,
I know we are the most humble and caring nation (i m sure many of u would say HUMBLE:) my friend we r, The way We take care of each other when in trouble eg, Earth Quake or even Softness we feel for the poor.
Samad u have made me prouder in front of others as i fight, argue with anyone who says a single word against Pakistan. I hate it when people praise our unethical neighbours… I LOVE PAKISTAN, I m not really sure if we r ready for DEMOCRACY but we need a system free of curruption and for the poor,,,,We have to focus on our agriculture sector, and Balochistan..
I just pray that this BOLD step by our younger generation develops into a movement consisting of patriots to build Pakistan as the strongest MUSLIM country on the face of ths earth,,, Hope ALLAH will help and guide us
As for people like SEEMA MANAZIR, u should b ashame of yr self. I dont hv words to describe u all i can say is politely if u r a paki, kindly change yr nationality u r not a part of us..
regards
Please read my article on the same issue from following path
http://www.kashifhafeez.com/mazameen_large.php?path=2008-06-23&img=kh_articles/large/2008-06-23.gif
I have found this poll on Samad’s reaction toward US and its policies, some of you may want to cast vote…
http://jamatdawah.org/poll_results.php?poll_id=14
Peterson, I absolutely agree with you!
And in addition, I just wish to ask those who are trying to teach Samad manners, what if they or any members of their families/loved ones had lost lives as a result of US unlawful assault…would they still wish that people should continue to be respectful to the “Might is Right” type aggressor and its representatives, and should behave in a humble, subservient and obliging way, to justify manners and high moral values?
Are our lives so cheap? Why is it so that an extreme loss, i.e., loss of lives, cannot justify a protest that has merely inflicted insult, not loss of any life, in the process???
It is so unfortunate to see how enslaved some mind could be…when comparing loss of lives of our people vs. insult of a US official caused in the process of registering protest…they simply fail to compare the cause vs the effect…the effect was “nothing” when compared to the severity and intensity of the cause!
Hi all you losers, patronizing a jerk who shows no respect and gets overwhelming support by bird brained Internet browsing dorks is quite evident here on this blog.
If he was so patriotic why the heck did he go to the US to pursue a degree.
Typical hypocrite, trying to grab attention of stupid people who got nothing better to do in their miserable life, but to praise such a loser like him.
I EXPECT THE SAME RESPONSE FROM CJ
CJ is a hero in this movement for being the protector of “missing persons”. Now what moral stand he has for receiving medals from a US institution, when all missing persons are missing because of USA. The constitutional movement raised a lot of voice on civil rights. Now what bout greater civil right violator in the world?. Cant he see Guantanamo bey?, the institutionalization of torture in CIA abduction cells in Europe?
The guy is amazing. That he had the courage not to accept such a prestigious scholarship in itself is an achievement of the highest order. But I would not like this young lad to be lost to the militants or the extremists. They are not worth it because they can never take the full picture. May Allah take care of him and guide him to the right non-terrorist non-extremist path.
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