Produce Babies and Conquer the World!!!

I came across a presentation “Muslim Demographics” on YouTube. As per the statistics quoted in the presentation, in order for a culture to maintain itself for more than 25 years, the required fertility rate is 2.11 children per family. It is impossible to reverse the culture if the fertility rate is 1.3. European Union consisting of 31 countries has a fertility rate of 1.38 therefore it can be deduced that it is impossible for them to preserve their culture.

50% of all newborns are Muslims and in 15 years half the population will be Muslim. Moral of the story, produce babies and conquer the world. We in Pakistan should be jumping with joy as the fertility rate of our country as recorded in 2008 is 3.73 (CIA world facts book). If not the world, we can surely have much influence in South Asia; though I can’t be very sure if it will be positive influence.

Muslims are currently not very popular in most parts of the world and I don’t think the world will be too happy with these statistics. Either we can just sit back and complain about the world being bias against us, or really try and understand where we went wrong. We should rather reflect on our own deeds and direct our efforts in uplifting the image of this beautiful religion instead of strategizing to produce babies in abundance and ruling the world.

Most of us Muslims are not Muslims by choice, but the fact that the title passed on to us just as it did to our forefathers along with the rituals that follow. Most of us have not read our book of guidance “Quran” and don’t follow the basic pillars of Islam. Everything our religion teaches us about tolerance, honest dealing, and regard for others e.t.c. is all being practiced by people belonging to other religions in most developed countries.

If I only take into consideration The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, we are a sad nation with no hope. Corruption is at its peak and rising poverty level is widening the gap between the rich and poor resulting in a frustrated society. So what, if a majority of the population is Muslims? Do we want to see more of such people dominating the world?



Muslim Demographics on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63X5hIFXYU&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Efacebook%2Ecom%2Fhome%2Ephp%3F&feature=player_embedded#t=206

President Obama's efforts to bridge the gap between the West and the Muslim World should be seen as an opportunity!

Never in the past have I seen so much focus by any of the US presidents on strengthening relations with the Muslim World. Speech to the Muslim World in Cairo can very well mark a new beginning of peaceful relations between America and Muslim nations around the world.

I being a Pakistani could relate to the address by President Obama due to the current situation in Pakistan. The internal instability in Pakistan can break apart a nation which has the potential of being amongst the progressive countries of the world. I feel it is due to the pressure by the US that our government has risen up to the challenge of confronting and eradicating extremists from the country.

The strategy laid out by President Obama of helping Pakistan in war against extremism, closing down Guantanamo Bay, retrieving troops from Iraq and initiating peace talks between Israel and Palestine if implemented in the true spirit will surely help improve the image of US in the Muslim world.

If only all this could translate into action, we can all hope to have a positive image of US as an ally and not an enemy.

One example I can quote is that we are grateful to US for extending financial aid to Pakistan to help build schools and hospitals and uplift its infrastructure. We as Pakistanis do not have much faith in our government, time and again we have witnessed that all financial support extended by the world to help Pakistan come out of crisis has not been utilized. I would urge US to develop strict measures for the utilization of the aid being extended to us. So that we as Pakistanis can one day stand up and say that US is a friend and has helped us come out of tough times and this can only happen when we see results. Because as of now, we have no doubt in our hearts that US will not extend the financial aid that has been promised, but we are skeptical of this aid not being utilized for the progress of Pakistan and instead being held up by a few higher ups in the government.

Such efforts of bridging the gap between the west and the Muslim world will be a big step towards mending the ill sentiments currently prevailing; however the execution needs to be more carefully planned.

1. For example, there were a number of concerns about choosing Egypt as the setting for President Obama’s historic speech. President Obama is pro democracy, yet by choosing Cairo as the backdrop of his speech President Obama has in effect rewarded Egypt’s president for life, Hosni Mubarak, for his bloody, anti-democratic, and dictatorial rule.

Another reason for the concern is that the Muslim world puts more blame on Egypt for the Gaza tragedy than Israel for lack of support by a “so-called” Muslim nation by shutting down the Rafah crossing on the border between Gaza and Egypt and watching callously as Palestinians starved on their doorstep.

Egypt is seen as a strategic ally of the U.S., not to mention the second-largest recipient of American aid, which is why in my opinion the speech should have been carried out in a country with a populous Muslim nation that is moderate, progressive and successfully democratic.

2. It is often perceived by the Muslims that America works only for self interest disregarding the sufferings of other nations. For instance, in the speech President Obama got the listeners emotionally attached at the mention of the loss of innocent lives of Americans due to 9/11 and how devastating it was for America and that US cares for the lives of its soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, where as the mention of Iraq however did not appear as heartfelt. It was casually handled by saying that Iraq is in a better position today that it was under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein. Muslims around the world have emotional sentiments attached to the sufferings their brother and sisters have gone through in Iraq and Afghanistan and expect US to show the same compassion for people of their nation.

Similarly sentiments of hatred amongst the masses in Pakistan for US are due to the drone attacks in the Northern areas where more innocent people have died than the actual enemy.

Therefore I strongly believe that moving forth and sorting out issues before they get out of proportion is the smart thing to do. The key is to evaluate the concern from both sides and reaching a solution that is in the interest of all parties involved.

Overall I think President Obama’s address to the Muslim world with a lot of emphasis on Pakistan should be seen as an opportunity by Pakistan and the Muslim world as a whole. Pakistan in collaboration with US can tap onto its abundant resources and walk on the path of success. But we will need to act quickly, as the world is moving at a very fast pace and if we want to catch up, we better get our act straight now. Besides, “What have we got to lose?” so its better we make the most of the opportunities at hand.