Omar posted several sites that seemed to him moderate or close to it. As I went through them I found that I agreed with him. I noticed that they were located in areas that were most likely to have moderates that could speak out if any nation had them, Lebanon, Jordan, Dubai. Egypt was represented and I knew there were people that could speak but there were boundaries, (this was the nation that inspired Baker's Islam without Fear),. But I was surprised to find some moderate writing coming from Saudi Arabia.
When I got to the Daily Times from Pakistan, an article by Rasul Bkhsh Rais really impressed me. I sent him an email. You can see his response below. I thank Omar for his web sites. And I must confess that I had Dinesh D'Souza's thesis in mind, namely that American Conservatives ought to reach out to Islamic Traditionalists. I don't know whether Rasul is a secular moderate or one of the Traditionalists that D'Souza had in mind, but it's hard not to be encouraged by his response.
Lawrence
From: "Rasul Bakhsh Rais" <rasul@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: "Lawrence Helm" <lawrencehelm@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: The Reality of Our Image Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:13:21 +0500 Organization: LUMS Dear Mr Helm:Thanks for reading my article and commenting on it. You have raised interesting questions. I don't write for Urdu newspapers. Obviously Urdu newspapers have larger circulation than the English language dailies. But English has been official language and medium of instruction in universities and professional colleges since the later half of the 19th century. The intelligentsia, official class and good number of politicians do read English newspapers. Despite the image problem, one of the healthy thing that has happend in Pakistan is free speach with the proliferation of electronic media. I am also invited by tv channels to comment on current national and internal issues. I really don't hesitate to say whatever I want to say. This is a bit of courage I picked nearly 29 years back when I came to University of California, Santa Barbara as I a graduate student. I finished my doctorate in 1981 and returned to Pakistan. I believe we have reclaim our political ground that we have lost out to extremists. It is I believe a fight for the future of Muslim societies, our children and our future generations. But sometime I do have moments of doubts. Your note has lifted my spirits for two reasons. First I have a communication from a Californian. California is part of my life and life experience, and all those wonderful friends, teachers and some students with whom I have stayed in touch over the decades. Second, if something happens, now I know that there are people like you in the world who support me. Thanks a lot. May God bless you.regards, Rasul Bakhsh Rais ----- Original Message ----- From: <mailto:lawrencehelm@xxxxxxxxxxxx>Lawrence Helm To: <mailto:rasul@xxxxxxxxxxx>rasul@xxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 3:42 AM Subject: The Reality of Our Image Rasul:I just read your article http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\02\27\story_27-2-2007_pg3_2 in the Daily Times, and have a couple of questions. In a discussion group called Lit-Ideas (<mailto:lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx), a few of us have been debating whether there are Moderates who are allowed to speak out from within the Middle Eastern and other nations with significant Islamist presences. Some of us have the impression that while there may be Moderates in these Muslim nations, they may be afraid to speak out because of Radical intimidation. I consider your article an excellent example of Moderation at its best. You make some bold challenges to your nation; so my first question is, was your article also published in Hindi and Urdu? Or if not, how many in Pakistan understand English? You write, "Extremism, intolerance, violence. These are not just words, they depict a cruel reality that has come to characterize our society today." Having in the past read of a number of Moderates who were arrested or like Mahfouz beaten for their views, do you expect any repercussions from your article? Your article is courageous. You write, "if there are parliamentarians with any capacity to think beyond their immediate personal interest, and engage seriously about extremism and violence in our society, they must take up this challenge," that is "for reflection and honest debate." That seems as though it might be a risky thing to say. I am tempted to keep track of your name to see if anything happens to you -- but I hope it doesn't. If there were more articles like yours emanating from Muslim nations I would feel much more sanguine about our World's future.Sincerely, Lawrence Helm San Jacinto, California, USA
