Thursday, November 28, 2013

JZ'S ARTICLE: PSF SUPPORTING PEOPLE TURN DREAMS INTO REALITIES

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PSF SUPPORTING PEOPLE TURN
       DREAMS INTO REALITIES
JAVED ZAHEER, FREE EXPRESSION AWARD WINNER
TORONTO: Whether individuals, organizations, parties, leaders, rulers or policymakers, I like, appreciate and praise and whole-heartedly help and support all those which or who honestly care and work for the people, particularly the innocent, helpless and exploited ones.
Yes, I enjoy, like and love to live and work with all such good human beings serving the people in any capacity or ways. They are symbol, ideal and source of inspiration, motivation, encouragement, strength and determination for me. I learn tremendously from them and gain a lot of experience in this process.
Yes, such people are the ones who have been repeatedly mentioned with good words, great respect and paid rich tributes by The Almighty God (Allah) in the original holy books, scrolls and scriptures including the Holy Quran. Their goodness is the secret of their greatness. They struggle and fight for the right and rights and against injustices and cruelties. This is why they are liked, loved, respected and supported by most of the people and The God Himself.
Pak Seniors Forum (PSF) too has been formed to serve humanity in the best possible ways and through good team. All types of people keep approaching PSF for prized positions, membership and partnership. Many with vested interests, bad intentions and reputation have been diplomatically turned away. Some were only interested in money-making business and presented plans of memberships for funds and donations. Their activities lacked clarity and created doubts and suspicions.    
Doors and arms are always open for all those who want to turn dreams into realities and are prepared to work for the common cause, goals, objectives, mission and vision.
JIM KARYGIANNIS:   Pak Seniors Forum (PSF) team leaders, Syed Muhammad Iqbal and Javed Zaheer, were invited by Shahid Hashmi and family to join them at the table they booked and celebrate 25 Years of Service and great achievements in politics (1988-2013) of Jim Karygiannis, MP for Scarborough-Agincourt, at the Crystal Fountain Banquet Hall, Markham, on November 22, 2013.   
It was a huge select gathering comprising hundreds of Jim’s lovers, friends, supporters, volunteers, staff members, distinguished personalities and dignitaries including Nafees Zakaria, the Consul General of Pakistan, and ranking diplomats of many other countries.
Rich tributes were paid to Jim Karygiannis by large number of speakers. They said:
“Jim Karygiannis is a true and honest person, a man of principle and words, a true Liberal and a good father. A man who cares and tries to help out   He knows when to be serious and when to laugh. He is a tough guy with kind heart.”
With tears flowing and choking voice, he thanked all for their love and support and for sharing his sorrow (The passing away of his father) and joining the celebration. Pakistan Seniors Forum too expresses deepest condolence and shares his sorrow.
The program included welcome reception, O’ Canada, the grace, dinner, greeting and remarks by colleagues, remarks by Jim Karygiannis and door prizes. Emcee: Jerry Townshend and Piper: David McIntyre.   
The menu included: Mixed green salad, chicken breast, Parisian potatoes, medley of sautéed vegetables, stuffed pepper and rice, crepe and chocolate sauce and coffee and tea.    
TNO’S  SPECIAL DINNER:  Pak Seniors Forum was invited by the TNO’s New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) for special dinner and PSF team leaders Syed Muhammad Iqbal and Javed Zaheer attended the wonderful special event.
The special dinner was organized in support of United Way Fundraising Campaign on November 26 (Tuesday) at TNO Employment Centre, 1 Leaside Park Drive from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM. The selected and distinguished guests were mostly Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office’s (TNO) NHSP Steering Committee & TNO's active volunteers.
Members and leaders of various communities including Pakistani, Indian, Afghan, Iranian, Middle Eastern, Filipino, Chinese, Russian and Romanian attended and fully enjoyed every bit of the delicious food and wonderful cultural presentations. It was an extraordinary social and cultural gathering.
Chinese and Filipinos members performed marvelous dances, particularly by Filipino seniors of ages between 70-90 years. Afzal Subhani and Munni, his wife, the famous South Asian community’s music couple, presented many Bollywood hits and Ghazals including of late Mehdi Hassan, the world famous legendary Ghazal singer of Pakistan.
            Jehad Aliweiwi, the Executive Director of TNO, acted as master chef and demonstrated making of special Mediterranean food and salad. His wife Amina and son Amir Aliweiwi were also present on the occasion. While Jehad explained, the guests watched the preparations.
            The excellent mouth-watering and delicious food was also prepared by the TNO’s members and volunteers. The TNO’s Culinary Gallery included: Babaganouj, Mohamara, Nuts and Cheese, Grilled Veggie, Stuffed Vine Leaves, Tabbouleh with Quinaa, Fruits and Grains, Lentil Salad, Nutty Yogurt, Village Market Greens, Lamb N Things, Batata and Roots Veggie, True Italiano Tuscana Rainbow, Everything Orange Dipped in Berries, Totally Nuts, Turkey and Sides-Latifa, Rice Dish-Musa, Chicken Biryani, Raita, Dates, Coconuts and Sundried Fruits and Shahi Tukra.
             Jennifer Rajasekar of TNO presented highlights of the United Way Fundraising Campaign. She thanked the TNO members, volunteers and all those involved in the campaign for making very good collection and contribution through great efforts and impressive performance. She particularly introduced and thanked PSF leaders Syed Muhammad Iqbal and Javed Zaheer for joining and helping make the special dinner event a great success.
            PAYA PARTY: Nooruddin Mirza, one of the important team leaders of Pak Seniors Forum (PSF) and a popular and respected employee of Iqbal Foods, organized a Special Lunch for PSF team leaders and other selected senior members of the community on November 24, 2013, at his residence. Despite the wet, windy and cold weather all those invited attended.
Nooruddin’s wife, Rubina, who is a very good cook, prepared a very delicious Special Paya Dish (Cow Feet), which was enjoyed by all the guests. The couple is known for their hospitality and respected in the community circle of friends.
JOHN CARMICHAEL: Pak Seniors Forum team also thanks John Carmichael, MP for Don Valley West, for recognizing the services of Javed Zaheer, who is also Director Information of PSF, and issuing a recognition certificate to him for his contributions and achievements.
PSF is strictly a non-political registered organization and completely committed and dedicated to serve the people and become their voice and strength. PSF assures John Carmichael that it will respond positively to work with him and all leaders and groups in a non-political relationship to help and support all people. PSF will remain a part of the people only and not political parties.
PSF praises John Carmichael, MP, for taking interest in the community and assuring them of help and support in taking up their issues and solving their problems.  
            JZ’S PROFILE: Javed Zaheer, Free Expression Award Winner, Desi Idol Recognition Award Winner, Goodwill Ambassador for Pakistan-Canada Relations (PCR) of Good Governance Forum (GGF), Pakistan, Member/Honorary Director of NEPMCC, Veteran Active Member (VAM) of Toronto Press Club, Ex-Member of The National Club and The Ontario Club, Honorary Editor of English Weekly `Pakistan Abroad’, Canada, ex-Chief Editor (Honorary) of English Weekly `The Ambassador’, Canada, ex-Chief Editor (Honorary) of English Weekly `DAWN', Canada, ex-Senior Sub-Editor of English Daily DAWN, Pakistan, Chairman, CANOPI, Director of Children Dignity Foundation (CDF---Canada & Pakistan), Honorary Director Information of Pak Seniors Forum (PSF), Canada, and Director, Canpak, Chamber of Commerce, Canada, is contributing purely on Voluntary and Honorary Basis in order to serve all people and communities. Contact: (416)696-0981/jazamedia@hotmail.com, jazamedia@mail.com. To read more JZ’s exclusive articles, please visit: www. nepmcc.ca and nationalethnicpress.com (Editorial Sections. Scan years from 2004 to 2011. Visit www.javedzaheernews.blogspot.com and www.jazamedia.wordpress.com.


     

Thursday, November 21, 2013

JZ'S ARTICLE: PSF PAYS TRIBUTE TO A GREAT LADY & LOVING MOTHER: NAFIS FATIMA



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PSF PAYS TRIBUTE TO A GREAT LADY
  & LOVING MOTHER: NAFIS FATIMA
JAVED ZAHEER, FREE EXPRESSION AWARD WINNER
            TORONTO:  The loss of a mother is undoubtedly one of the most saddening and greatest irreparable losses. The team of Pak Seniors Forum (PSF) expresses deep condolence and shares the pain and sorrow of the family and near and dear ones of Shahid Hashmi & Seema Hashmi on passing away of Seema’s mother and Shahid Hashmi’s mother-in-law.
            Nafis Fatima, who was on dialysis for the last eight years, breathed her last in the early morning (Fajir prayer time) on November 11, 2013 (7th of Muharram). Even her chronic illness, the terrible pain and suffering as a result could not snatch the amazing spiritual glow on her face, the expression of contentment, satisfaction, love, care, generosity and hospitality.
            Fortunately, I had the chance of meeting her several times and not even once I saw her complaining of illness or in bad mood. She very much loved and respected all, whether family members or their friends. All those who met her could never forget her smiling face and even at the last moment of life she accepted death smilingly.
            She could not bear to see tears in the eyes of those present there.  She tolerated and suppressed her terrible pain and agony of disease and death and kept smiling just not to disturb and hurt her near and dear ones. This shows her good nature, character, strength and greatness.
            Such a composed, strong and graceful lady she was. I rarely saw such ladies as Nafis Fatima and would never forget her and her memorable smile. One of such rare ladies is my own mother, Anisa Khatoon, who too keeps smiling and despite her old age and illness tries to take care of her children as if we are small kids. This is the beauty of Mamta (motherhood).
            Interestingly, both Nafis Fatima and her husband Naimatullah Khan breathed their last at the age of ninety-two (92). While Nafis Fatima passed away on November 11, 2013, her husband           
passed away on November 12, 2007. Both were buried at the Muslim Cemetery in Ajax, Ontario, Canada. They used to live with their son Saeeduzzaman Khan, wife Ghazala and family in Pickering, Ontario, Canada.
            The couple---Nafis Fatima and Naimatullah Khan---had five sons and three daughters including Saeeduzzaman (Second number) and Seema Hashmi (Second last). One son and one daughter are in Pakistan. 
            Shahid Hashmi being a renowned personality and Chairman of Canpak Chamber of Commerce, a large number of distinguished personalities including of community, media and friends were present at the funeral and visited the residences of Saeeduzzaman Khan and Shahid Hashmi to share the sorrow. Shahid Hashmi can be contacted at Cell: (416)876-1667 and Seema Hashmi at Res: (905)832-6985.   
            The Pak Seniors forum (PSF) team including President Syed Muhammad Iqbal feel proud in paying tribute to the great lady and a very loving mother---Nafis Fatima---and request all to pray for the departed soul.
                        JZ’S PROFILE: Javed Zaheer, Free Expression Award Winner, Desi Idol Recognition Award Winner, Goodwill Ambassador for Pakistan-Canada Relations (PCR) of Good Governance Forum (GGF), Pakistan, Member/Honorary Director of NEPMCC, Veteran Active Member (VAM) of Toronto Press Club, Ex-Member of The National Club and The Ontario Club, Honorary Editor of English Weekly `Pakistan Abroad’, Canada, ex-Chief Editor (Honorary) of English Weekly `The Ambassador’, Canada, ex-Chief Editor (Honorary) of English Weekly `DAWN', Canada, ex-Senior Sub-Editor of English Daily DAWN, Pakistan, Chairman, CANOPI, Director of Children Dignity Foundation (CDF---Canada & Pakistan), Honorary Director Information of Pak Seniors Forum (PSF), Canada, and Director, Canpak, Chamber of Commerce, Canada, is contributing purely on Voluntary and Honorary Basis in order to serve all people and communities. Contact: (416)696-0981/jazamedia@hotmail.com, jazamedia@mail.com. To read more JZ’s exclusive articles, please visit: www. nepmcc.ca and nationalethnicpress.com (Editorial Sections. Scan years from 2004 to 2011. Visit www.javedzaheernews.blogspot.com and www.jazamedia.wordpress.com.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

JZ'S ARTICLE: PSF EXPRESSES SHOCK AT DEATHS, DESTRUCTION IN PHILIPPINES



PSF EXPRESSES SHOCK AT DEATHS,
   DESTRUCTION IN PHILIPPINES
Visit: www.javedzaheernews.blogspot.com for latest exclusive articles
BY JAVED ZAHEEER, FREE EXPRESSION AWARD WINNER
                TORONTO:  Pak Seniors Forum (PSF) team leaders and supporters are greatly shocked by the massive death and tremendous destruction caused in Philippines by the worst-ever terrible typhoon on November 8, 2013.
            In a Press statement, PSF President Syed Muhammad Iqbal and Javed Zaheer, Director Information, said: “The PSF team shares the grief and sorrow of the affected people and their near and dear ones, including in Canada, and sympathize with them. PSF expresses condolence to the bereaved families, offers prayers for the departed souls and appeals to the Canadian Government and people and all communities and countries to extend all possible help.
                The victims include millions of starving children who desperately need help and are struggling for food, water, shelter and medicine. The government is unable to provide support in many areas.
            “It is not feared but unfortunately certain that the death toll will climb up even higher when emergency crews will be able to reach parts of Philippines that have been cut off due to heavy floods and landslides.
“The Pakistani community separately and also under the banner of Muslim and other communities are already in action and helping all those helping them. The situation is worsening with the growing risk of fatal diseases.”
JZ’S PROFILE: Javed Zaheer, Free Expression Award Winner, Desi Idol Recognition Award Winner, Goodwill Ambassador for Pakistan-Canada Relations (PCR) of Good Governance Forum (GGF), Pakistan, Member/Honorary Director of NEPMCC, Veteran Active Member (VAM) of Toronto Press Club, Ex-Member of The National Club and The Ontario Club, Honorary Editor of English Weekly `Pakistan Abroad’, Canada, ex-Chief Editor (Honorary) of English Weekly `The Ambassador’, Canada, ex-Chief Editor (Honorary) of English Weekly `DAWN', Canada, ex-Senior Sub-Editor of English Daily DAWN, Pakistan, Chairman, CANOPI, Director of Children Dignity Foundation (CDF---Canada & Pakistan), Honorary Director Information of Pak Seniors Forum (PSF), Canada, and Director, Canpak, Chamber of Commerce, Canada, is contributing purely on Voluntary and Honorary Basis in order to serve all people and communities. Contact: (416)696-0981/jazamedia@hotmail.com, jazamedia@mail.com. To read more JZ’s exclusive articles, please visit: www. nepmcc.ca and nationalethnicpress.com (Editorial Sections. Scan years from 2004 to 2011. Visit www.javedzaheernews.blogspot.com and www.jazamedia.wordpress.com.

           
           
           

Friday, November 8, 2013

WELCOME TO THE HUMAN-MACHINE CIVILIZATION

Friday, November 8, 2013

WELCOME TO THE HUMAN-MACHINE   
                 CIVILIZATION

BY ASLAM ABDULLAH

From the midst of the modern civilization is emerging yet another set of ideas that would probably exhaust all possible means to reportedly make human beings smarter to the extent of promoting a new scientific world known as human-machine culture.

By year 2015, as predicted by Ray Kurzwell, one of 18 thinkers chosen by the US National Academy of Engineering to identify the great technological challenges facing humanity in the 21st century, "we will have intelligent nanobots go into our brains through the capillaries and interact directly with our biological neurons." These nanobots, he concluded, would make us smarter, remember things better and automatically go into full emergent virtual reality environments through the nervous system."
We are on the brink of advances that, many argue, will change the face of the world, in a dramatic fashion, unknown and unseen by anything in the past. We thought the computer was the smartest invention we ever had. The emerging new changes will make every scientific discovery up till now seem primitive.
The idea of placing tiny robots implanted in our brains to give us more intelligence will indeed change the way we think, act and respond, some argue.
However, in the realistic terms, those who will design the software for such a robotic implantation, would essentially control the definition of everything that goes with the word "smart". The software engineers will determine based on the guidelines given to them by consumer driven multinational-controlled capitalism, how to interfere with human nature in terms of proposing courses of actions that would serve their interests.
Under this new so called nanobot technology, we would be virtual slaves to those who will manufacture the best software, something that the rulers of the world were unable to do in the past. We witnessed in our long recorded history several attempts to subjugate human will to the dictates of the most powerful people at the helms of affairs, yet none could even come close to controlling human thinking and actions as this nanobot inventors intend to do.
This will create the ability to make us eat drink and do what we are told by robotic implanting. We could be thinking the way we are programmed. But how will that be done?
According to the Quran we believe that human beings are created by the divine with part of the created energy infused in us (Quran; 32:9, 15:29, 38:72, 21:91, 66:12). We believe that God is the one who creates, invents, and designs (40:64,59:24, 64:3). We believe that He is the one who has created us with the faculty of rationality that gives us options to choose between various alternatives available in all aspects of life (3:191). We also believe that in a world that is yet to come, we will be questioned for all our actions in this world as well as in the world hereafter (2:210).
In a nanobot controlled and driven world, rationality would be determined by the investors in the device, alternative actions will be drafted by programmers, and choices will be pushed by competing entrepreneurs and so on so forth.
If our nature is tempered with devices, the whole issue of the existence of the creator would come into question. Many, who have already written an obituary of God, would triumphantly blow the trumpet of their victory claiming that human mind has finally been liberated with the biggest and longest superstition it carried for millenniums. But could they really make such a claim and would such a claim be valid?
This brings us back to the question posed earlier: How will this be done? Well, software interacting with our brain cells, may be used to block our diverse thinking capabilities. Even though those cells may still be there, yet their effectiveness may by destroyed or altered as a result of this calculated intervention.
Regardless of what and how it happens, the fact is that those who are working on these technologies are doing so within the framework of mental capacities they are endowed with by God that is the ultimate creator, a creator who created balance in everything including ourselves. The creator reminds us in His revealed wisdom that "He will constantly show us signs in our universe and in ourselves till we come to conclusion through manifest reality that the He is the ultimate truth" (Quran 38:53). 
Science has helped us identify, locate and discover signs of God in this universe in our quest to understand the divine creation. Science, through its method of controlled experimentation, has allowed us to conquer our own ignorance in various field and would continue to do so. Science has made us more efficient and not necessarily smarter. Despite all the discoveries and advancements, we are still subject to our biases in defining our world within a range of limited knowledge that we have.
We are still searching for some direction in our lives, a direction that would help us ensure that the inconsistencies that we have shown in our behavior and attitude in our relations with each other and the universe, are overcome. We still find ourselves at a loss to understand that despite the monumental progress that we have achieved, why do people in our world kill the fellow human beings at a rate of one person every 45 seconds? Why does there occur a rape every ten-seconds in our world? Why do more than one billion people sleep hungry every night despite the fact that world has enough food to feed the next several generations? Why are there still wars for national supremacy? Why do people commit suicide at the rate of one every 5 minutes? Why do we have so much injustices built in our social structures despite all the unprecedented achievements that we have made over centuries? Why does the notion of racial, ethnic and cultural superiority still dominate our way of thinking? 
To be smart means that that we address these issues on the basis of free choice that we all have been endowed with, we on the basis of ideas that we are exposed to. To be smart means that we discover ourselves on our own rather than through some devices that may serve the purpose of those who have always sought to control us for their interests. If the emerging scientific realties help us achieve our independence, we should be the first one to adopt and accept them. However, if they are meant to deprive us of our freedoms and rationality based on our origin, we must be skeptical not about their discoveries or inventions, but about their usefulness to us. We know that things are not static. Change is inbuilt in our universe in terms of learning about new divine signs every day. How to channel this change for our own good and the good of human beings based on an understanding of the self and the universe beyond time and space, is the task that we all face and this task will remain unaccomplished without the divine guidance.
 
 ASLAM ABDULLAH'S BRIEF PROFILE: I am a naturalized US citizen originally from India. I am the editor of the Muslim Observer, published from Detroit as well as director of the Islamic Society of Nevada. I have written several books on Islam and human rights, non-violence issues. I work in Las Vegas and my family is in Southern California to ensure that the education of my children is not disrupted. I worked as an editor of the Minaret magazine published from Los Angeles as well as the Arabia magazine published from London. I have been part of anti-nuclear movements. Non-violence is passion and I advocate it passionately. I am also a trustee of the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin, a philanthropic organization working for the educational upliftment of Muslim Indians. I also joined the Muslim Council of America, a Washington-based organization dedicated to serve Muslim Americans. I have written books on Prayers of the Prophet, Morals and Manners and Prophet's Letters as well as Youth Movement in Asia.