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5 Minutes a Day can Make a Difference"If only I had more time, I'd do something for Pakistan." Have you heard yourself repeating these phrases when you see images of protests, riots, and egregious assaults on the judiciary system? Do you find yourself 'too busy' and overwhelmed by these crises that you feel you can't do anything significant to resolve the ever-growing political and judicial turmoil in Pakistan? If so, don't despair. You don't have to quit your job orschool or take a week away from your family to make a difference. All you need is five minutes everyday. Just five minutes to help Pakistanis. A little effort can go a long way if done regularly. Five minutes a day, seven days a week. Try it and tell us what you think!. Monday: Increase Awareness about the Pakistan Crises amongst MuslimsToday, share with your family and friends information about the political fiasco in Pakistan. Request them to take action to restore democracy, independence of judiciary system, and freedom of media in Pakistan. Ask them to check out www.pakalert.net. A short e-mail message about the site copied to friends or two phone calls should take five minutes. You can also mention the website to a classmate or co-worker during lunch. If you can only contact one person in five minutes, then just call one! Remember spend just five minutes - no more no less! Emphasize that they don't have to feel powerless. Rather, by devoting five minutes a day, they can do something concrete without having to add to their already busy schedules. Tuesday: Call Your RepresentativesSince it's early in the week, your congresspersons and senators have more time to hear about the concerns of their constituents. Give them a call. If you still don't have their numbers, just call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and give them your zip code. Here are some points to make to your senators and congresspersons about the conflict:
Wednesday: Reach Out to Americans about itIt's the middle of the week and we need to let America know what's going on. After all, it's important for our neighbors to know the values that we stand for and what our government is up to. In addition, most of the American media, like CNN, ABC and CBS often present one side of the story; hardly ever is the story told from the perspective of a Pakistani judge or public on the streets. That's why you need to give this perspective to fellow Americans. Here's what you can say in a nutshell to explain what's going on: "By brazenly and unlawfully dismissing, detaining and humiliating the chief justice of the Supreme Court, first in March 2007, and again on November 3, 2007, President Musharraf has created a constitutional crisis at the judiciary’s expense. This is the first time in the history of Pakistan that a strong people’s movement has taken shape that demands an independent judiciary. Independence of judiciary is fundamental element of a state. We believe that it is important not only for Pakistan and Pakistanis but citizens of the world to declare this assault on the judiciary as reprehensible. We request all those that value a civil and peaceful coexistence work to ensure that the Supreme Court and High Court of Pakistan be allowed to exercise their constitutional mandate and their power be restored. It is a battle between Rule of Law and Rule of the Gun and we ask you to be on the side of rule of Law. It's imperative that the American media objectively tells the story of peaceful struggle by thousands of members of Pakistani judiciary and general public." That's it, plain and simple - no debates, no lengthy discussions, just a dose of the truth to one person and you have taken a big stride towards clarifying the truth and stressing the seriousness of the issue. Thursday: Focus on the White House & US Department of StateIt's Thursday and we need to give the Bush administration some direction. A short message to the White House by email, fax, or phone will suffice. Remember sustained pressure on the same issue will be effective, In-sha-Allah. We hope that those in office will either be reminded to stand up for justice, or feel pressured to do so! White House: US Department of State: Mailing Address: Friday: Dua (Supplication) and Brother/SisterhoodToday is Juma and the gates of Jannah are open. Alhamdulillah, there is no limit on what you can pray for so don't limit your Dua to just Pakistan. Pray for your families, friends, the Ummah, and guidance for all. Pray that we become worthy of Allah's mercy and are saved from His displeasure. Also, try to meet people at Juma and encourage them to take some action on resolving the Pakistan crisis and preventing further destabilization of justice system in Pakistan. If you have time, help distribute PakAlert.net's action alerts or post them up on your Masjid's bulletin board. Saturday: Hold a Family Meeting about the IssueIt's been a busy week for everyone. Why not hold a five-minute family discussion on the situation? One of the older children can check our website about the latest on the Pakistan crisis and update the family at dinner. Let everyone express his or her feelings. Frank and informal discussions sometime generate genius ideas! Sunday: Visit the Islamic CenterAlhamdulillah, the week has gone well. Pick up the latest material on Pakistan for some light reading. If the Imam has not made Dua for Pakistan, request him to remember it next time. Request him to give a Khutbah on the topic. Take some time to think back about how much you accomplished in just a few minutes a day! Get ready for Monday - do you have your Representative's number memorized yet? Got any creative of practical ideas to make Pakistan better? © Copyright 2001-2007 PakAlert.Net All Rights Reserved |
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