On the clash of civilizations and systems:
Which way to go post September?

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Pakistan.

These are sad days. Technology dictates that we all now live post September.

We empathize with those who lost dear ones. We are losing ours. For the Afghans are from amongst us. The political boundaries between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained porous through the ages. The bond of Islam is real. Cultural affinities are obvious despite distinct identities over the millennia.

Global media report Pakistan in danger of regressing to Afghanistan like anarchy. Our Generals and those outside Pakistan "waging peace" certainly believe so. The Army here has just gone through a public laundry wash for a bright liberal image.

However, people around here go about their life without feeling much amiss. It may be a new war for the rest of the world but for us Pakistanis it has been in the neighborhood for the last 22 years!

Still in the streets you hear reminders that Pakistanis are also now living post September. "Christendom is fighting the last crusade to finally subdue the Muslimdom to realize the Kingdom." "The clash of civilizations has begun".

It is indeed sad. It seems that those who have been controlling construction of realities continue to do so. These realities are constructed for us to subscribe. And live. Irrespective of the consequences in fear of those supplied to color these constructed realities.

Civilizations do not clash. They live together. When they do come into conflict they only interact to iron out differences for smoother living overtime. They never die. Do not, cannot annihilate each other in a violent clash. This is a lesson that all can relearn or refuse at their own peril. Civilizations will continue in their respective journeys leading hopefully to a common destination. Only time will tell which way of living may continue after how much adoption.

It is not Islam that is under attack. These are not Christians attacking Muslims. These are agents, midgets, mindless politicians, faceless bankers and shameless charlatans working in the service of a system to which all of them are slaves. This is the global political system working through the global economic and financial systems served by the most terrorizing armed forces in the world today.

Let's all fight terrorism. Let's challenge the established systems. Let's refuse subscription to constructed realities that only ensure continuation of exploitation, oppression and its intensification. Let's work to make the process of globalisation a dialogue between cultures, between civilizations. Let's work for fair trade, just law and ecological economics. Let's do it together. Simultaneously.

Globalization can also realize a new future, full of hope, for all of us.

Solidarity.

Zubaida Hussain & Khalid Hussain,
Multan-Pakistan.