Presidential
Debates and Their Message
By Dr Sohail
Masood
CA
You, as always, have
done an excellent job presenting the current situation
of Pakistanis in America in your editorial ‘Presidential
Debates and Their Message’ (October 15, 2004). You
and I have chatted, on several occasions, about
the poor state of Pakistani-Americans. We have reasons
to be proud of, and sometimes, reasons to be disappointed
by the Pakistani community. There are several of
us who have been quietly working towards making
our community better. We don’t need any acknowledgement.
However, just as Dr. Mahjabeen Islam said in her
comments on the editorial, sometimes it is depressing
to see the carelessness of our community.
I have come to the conclusion
many years ago. There is a large majority of Pakistani-Americans
who will spend money to improve their own standard
of living, but will not help the community to get
some of these rewards. These Pakistanis have lost
the concept of Zakat and other charity deeds so
dear to our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
We cannot change them. They live lavishly; their
children go to better schools; if they do any charity
work, they do it with strings attached for their
own promotion.
One reason and one reason
alone for our self-indulgence is the fact that the
first generation of Pakistani Americans worked very
hard to improve their lot. Most of the Pakistanis
came to American when they were already middle-aged.
In Pakistan, the community at large is not driven
by philanthropy. Recent activities of Edhi Foundation,
Imran Khan and some others are still rarities. Since
they were not used to give charities in Pakistan,
and they were not used to supporting political and
cultural activities, such as newspapers, they kept
this tradition going after migrating to America.
The other group, such as my generation, who came
to America in their teens and attended local colleges,
saw how philanthropy can change the face of any
minority in America. Look at the Jewish people.
You will hardly see a teaching institution, or hospitals,
or cultural centers where on the donor lists you
will not see a Jewish name. I am still looking for
a Muslim name on one of these plaques.
Another problem with
the Pakistani Americans is the fact that even if
they want to give money, they send it overseas to
Pakistan. I am not entirely against this practice.
However, just like you said in your editorial, we
are in dire need of money here to support the political
activities, newspapers, teaching institutions, etc.
For the time being, let the rich people in Pakistan
learn how to be generous and philanthropic. A weaker
Muslim community in American will not amount to
anything here. In the long run, it will hurt the
Muslims all over the world, if Muslims here in America
are weak and cannot change America’s foreign policy.
The current situation
with 2004 elections and issues raised by Muslim
Americans shows clearly that the Muslim vote is
not counted. Our religious, political and social
organizations have failed in the last forty years
to show the American politicians that we have a
strong voice. Our inability to join the political
system is due to the fact that the first generation
immigrants were more interested in making money,
improving the standard of living of their off-springs
and not guiding the next generation in the right
direction.
Let’s get involved.
Invest our hard earned money here in America to
improve the situation of Muslims. Support our local
organizations and media outlets. Support our local
politicians. Support our national politicians. Let’s
become a part of the American fabric. Teach our
kids about charity. Help the needy Muslims here
in America. Be local. Act local. We have enough
time later on to become global.
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