Cartoon Debacle and Disaster Management
It was bound to happen - today we've learned that students marched from the Parliament building to the Diplomatic Enclave (about 2 km from our college) to protest against the publication of blasphemous cartoons in Danish newspapers. These protests apparently turned violent, and the police had to use batons and teargas to break up the demonstration. A number of DC plated cars were targeted and destroyed. Other part of the country, in the cities of Lahore and Peshawar, more violents have been demonstrated with two death in Lahore. Nothing to be alarmed about, not yet anyway, as we are busy in the college, with little time to venture out.
On this cartoon row, I have tried to refrain from making any comments. The only thing in my mind is that we, the muslims are at the loosing end if we continue with these types of violent protests and demonstrations. We are actually falling into the trap of the westerners, affirming the linkage between islam and terrorism. Islam is a religion of peace and moderation and we always potray that to the west. Whatever efforts that has been done were erased with these acts of wanton distruction by these group of demonstrators. We demonstrate, by all means because what was done by the Danish paper was not good at all, however why must there be arson and senseless killings?
Today is indeed a long day for me. We had several presentations from the focal groups and chairman of the disaster committee. I thought the presentation by the chairman was very good, with clarity in vision and very focused. It came out quite clear that the country need to reconceptualise and revamp the disaster management. Conceptually, he proposed a thrust on prevention and mitigation. The working mechanism involved three tiered approach, the federal, provincial and district. It is somewhat similar to MKN Arahan No 20 that we have in Malaysia. To be honest, I am somewhat surprised to learn that Pakistan is still a bit behind in this, even though the country has been besieged with disasters many times. The answer is actually, the country depends so much on the military that the civil institutions becomes dysfunctional. The 8 Oct earthquake was a major wake up call.
After the presentations, I stayed at the college to supervise the binding of my research paper. Glad to say that by tomorrow, the job will over and one major headache gone. The next big one will be paper presentation by our group (three of us) this Saturday. We had actually turned in the product yesterday. We had our first rehearsal today and hoped to squeeze three or four more before Saturday.
As I missed lunch today, it was a real surprise when we were invited for early dinner at the DA's house. Rezki indeed as I was just about to put the sausages in the pan when I received the call. Apparently, it was his wife's birthday and we had mee soup (with ayam & udang), nasi goreng and other delicacies. Alhamdulillah.
Out of time for jogging and gym work today. However, I did have extra time at the gym yesterday doing treadmill, bench press and weight training - and of course floor exercise for my back.
By the way, Dato' Zulhasnan, if you are reading this, once again I would like to congratulate you for being elevated as a full minister. Saya tumpang gembira dan mendoakan kesejahteraan dan kejayaan dalam tanggungjawab yang telah diamanahkan. Wishing for a better Kuala Lumpur!!
On this cartoon row, I have tried to refrain from making any comments. The only thing in my mind is that we, the muslims are at the loosing end if we continue with these types of violent protests and demonstrations. We are actually falling into the trap of the westerners, affirming the linkage between islam and terrorism. Islam is a religion of peace and moderation and we always potray that to the west. Whatever efforts that has been done were erased with these acts of wanton distruction by these group of demonstrators. We demonstrate, by all means because what was done by the Danish paper was not good at all, however why must there be arson and senseless killings?
Today is indeed a long day for me. We had several presentations from the focal groups and chairman of the disaster committee. I thought the presentation by the chairman was very good, with clarity in vision and very focused. It came out quite clear that the country need to reconceptualise and revamp the disaster management. Conceptually, he proposed a thrust on prevention and mitigation. The working mechanism involved three tiered approach, the federal, provincial and district. It is somewhat similar to MKN Arahan No 20 that we have in Malaysia. To be honest, I am somewhat surprised to learn that Pakistan is still a bit behind in this, even though the country has been besieged with disasters many times. The answer is actually, the country depends so much on the military that the civil institutions becomes dysfunctional. The 8 Oct earthquake was a major wake up call.
After the presentations, I stayed at the college to supervise the binding of my research paper. Glad to say that by tomorrow, the job will over and one major headache gone. The next big one will be paper presentation by our group (three of us) this Saturday. We had actually turned in the product yesterday. We had our first rehearsal today and hoped to squeeze three or four more before Saturday.
As I missed lunch today, it was a real surprise when we were invited for early dinner at the DA's house. Rezki indeed as I was just about to put the sausages in the pan when I received the call. Apparently, it was his wife's birthday and we had mee soup (with ayam & udang), nasi goreng and other delicacies. Alhamdulillah.
Out of time for jogging and gym work today. However, I did have extra time at the gym yesterday doing treadmill, bench press and weight training - and of course floor exercise for my back.
By the way, Dato' Zulhasnan, if you are reading this, once again I would like to congratulate you for being elevated as a full minister. Saya tumpang gembira dan mendoakan kesejahteraan dan kejayaan dalam tanggungjawab yang telah diamanahkan. Wishing for a better Kuala Lumpur!!
posted by besutian at 11:08 PM
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