By
Arshad Alam
Knowing
my perpetual dilemma in deciding between settling in my country of
birth and the country I later adopted, last week an old friend proposed
two different scenarios. Both of these scenarios look at my life thirty-three
years from now-in the year 2035.
In
Scenario #1: I live in a suburb of Seattle, Washington and have
a predictable, comfortable life. My children have graduated from one
of the most prestigious universities and now work at places where
they are not only making good living for themselves but also are making
a difference in other peoples' lives. But I haven't been able to play
any role in the lives of many of my immediate family members and close
friends living in the country of my birth. I even have a hard time
remembering the names of some of my nephews and nieces.
In
Scenario #2:
I live in Karachi, Pakistan. I am retired from a company that I had
worked for many years, but am still active in a social welfare organization
I had started many years ago. My children, who often complained about
injustices and lack of opportunities in our society, are finally getting
established. I am well respected and have many long- lasting friendships.
I am close to my nephews and nieces, who all cherish me. I have had
a few financial difficulties along the way, but I have made it through.
Although
both of these scenarios have some very desirable options, the more
I thought about them, the more they both left me feeling barren and
wanting. I started thinking what would 
really
make me happy or at least satisfied, and here's the scenario I would
hope and pray for:
It is 2035 AD: I'm sitting in a room surrounded by some of
my favorite books (my favorite people are not too far away, either).
As far as I can remember I have followed a dream, and although this
persistent chase has not completely exhausted me yet, it has made
me tired enough that I want to lie down and relax a bit. I close my
eyes and think about this long journey I have traveled. I have the
satisfaction of knowing that my thoughts, ideas, knowledge, experience
and, most importantly, my actions have positively influenced people
around me- my family, friends, a few institutions, and maybe even
a government or two. I am also quite gratified to realize that the
last 35 years of my life have been much more productive than the years
before that.
I
notice that when my kids (biological, adopted, nephews & nieces,
friends' children), who are just as inquisitive and hungry for knowledge
as I was in my younger years, talk about their country(ies), they
don't feel the stifling suffocation and blinding darkness I used to
experience as a young man. It's not that their lives are free of complexities
and intricacies, but it is clear from my conversations with them that
the country I consider my first love is no longer in that pitiful
state it once used to be in.
In
last 35 years or so, much has been changed for the better: The population
growth rate has decreased from a suicidal 2.11% per year to a reasonable
0.8%. Infant mortality has gone down from an embarrassing 80 per 1000
births to a more manageable15 per 1000 births. The per capita GDP
has risen from a dismal $2,000 to a respectable $15,000.
The
percentage of the overall population that lives under the poverty
level is in single digits, compared to a horrifying 40% 35 years ago.
The literacy rate has improved from an inflated officially reported
52% to a more realistic, independently verified 80% (and the really
good news is that the literacy rate among women has gone up from 29%
at the same rate as its counterpart). And it's nothing short of a
blessing that the country is finally debt-free. The nation's economy
and the souls of millions of its people no longer bear the burden
of a debt of $35 billion in foreign aid.
Those
among us who care and, quite frankly, know better, acknowledge that
although the above- mentioned numbers are vital and have improved
a great deal in the last three decade or so, a lot more work needs
to be done to bring these figures closer to where they are in more
advanced societies. Those people are rightfully concerned, but they
are also hopeful-they definitely see a light at the end of the tunnel.
But
what's even more significant is that our kids now walk with their
heads up. They know that in the "Land of the Pure" cleanliness
and order are not just limited to the streets and other public places
- mere cosmetics - but we have done equally well in cleansing our
social system. We have dealt effectively with those who, in the name
of religion and culture, had long suppressed and violated the God-given
rights of their fellow countrymen. Now all of our children go to school,
and in their free time they enjoy their childhood in a playground
rather than selling newspapers on the street, knitting carpets, or
working as helpers to motor mechanics. We are joyful that those of
us who are brave and sensitive enough to point out the ills of our
society are no longer accused of being the foes of Islam and the country.
And it is fully understood among the public that those young dreamers
who go to the rural areas to teach or perform other welfare duties
do not risk their lives. Women have the respect and support they need
and deserve to be prolific members of their society.
The
syllabus used in our schools is designed to truly broaden the vision
of our young people instead of indoctrinating them. These kids are
not only taught in our schools to become successful, productive citizens,
but they also learn about pride, dignity, self-respect, respecting
others and the law of land. We are very thankful that we have finally
put federal funding for education and money allocated for defense
expenses into proper perspective. We have resolved long-standing territorial
conflicts with our neighbors and our government now focuses on creating
opportunities for the ordinary people instead of serving the elites.
Our politicians and businessmen are still not 100% honest and straightforward
(after all, this is no Utopia), but both in politics and in business
there's much more accountability and transparency.
We
live in a world where bigger and stronger nations fulfill their moral
obligations. They are doing what is required of them in the areas
of environmental protection, global trading, transgenic, and helping
to create sustainable peace on earth. Thank God that now when we talk
about the Middle East it is not in the context of illegal occupation
or suicide bombings, but our conversation usually revolves around
the young Palestinian leadership and its progressive policies to alleviate
poverty, and to live in peace and cooperation with their neighbors.
We discuss among ourselves the steps newly democratic Arab governments
have taken to transfer their reliance from natural resources to industrial
production. The media often examines the affects (both positive and
negative) that their newly found civil liberties have on their societies.
We
are blissful that not only Muslims have regained their well-deserved
respect in the international community, but we are ecstatic that we
are, in fact, living through a period of Islamic renaissance: Muslims
are finally contributing in the fields of science, arts, and literature.
The followers of the "Messenger of Mercy" are once again
known around the world for their honesty, generosity, openness and
peaceful life-style. And this reclaiming of their true image has defeated
those who had exploited their condition to spread hatred against them.
I hear the children playing outside; I lazily open my eyes and ask
my wife: "Where are we, darling?" She looks at me drowsily,
and as she softly closes her eyes again she responds: "What difference
does it make, my love?"
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