Laiq Ahmed Atif
Love is a powerful weapon
The English sayings that time and tide wait for no man and that time flies accurately and perfectly apply as we look back at 2011. It was almost yesterday that celebrations were held all around the world to welcome 2011. People were praying for peace, wishing each other the very best and a better new year.
Of course, we will not be incorrect if we describe 2011 as a remarkable year, full of news, good and bad, and leaving unforgettable marks on the history of mankind. A lot has been written on this and I would not like to repeat what has already been said, so I will attempt to sum up this year very briefly.
It has been a year of struggle for the sake of freedom, human rights and democracy. On one side, we have seen people in their hundreds of thousands protesting and thousands among them gave their lives for their rights, dignity and freedom.
On the other hand, some rulers were seen fighting to prolong their era of denial of human rights, of disrespect to the sentiments and voices of their own people and of iron fist rule.
There were also natural disasters. A powerful earthquake in Japan led many towns and villages to disappear from the surface of the earth. New Zealand and Turkey were also rocked by earthquakes.
Pakistan recorded heavy rains and the worst floods in history affecting more than eight million people. Thailand too experienced floods
The economic crisis led to protests in a number of countries, including Greece and Italy.
There were terrorist attacks in Nigeria, Iraq and elsewhere. The US military killed the world’s most wanted man, Osama Bin Laden.
In Norway, a lonely gunman wrought death and destruction.
Arab countries were the theatre of popular revolutions.
But there was good news too, like, the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, surely, one of the most beautiful and joyful moments of the year.
The history of man is filled with ups and downs, happiness and sadness, enmity and friendship, hatred and love. There is no doubt that both good desires and bad temptations always remained with humans. However, true love and affection has always proved itself the best and most powerful instrument and weapon in the history of human beings. Affection and kinship can change a bitter enemy into a warm and loyal friend, a friendship and relationship that sees no boundaries and would be ready to take all the necessary measures to help and support others.
While writing this piece, the story of two prisoners in India came to mind. Their ideologies and actions were extremely different but the kind and loving attitude of the young man towards the other, who was older, changed the latter completely.
I would like to quote his words when he was won by the young man. He expressed himself with such beautiful and remarkable words that are really so precious. He said: “I understood that love between two human beings is more powerful than the hatred between two communities.”
I believe that to be so true. We witnessed the great spirit of love and solidarity between human beings on Boxing Day during L-Istrina.
Despite the prevailing worrying political and economic situations and the negativity dominating the world news, Malta has once again proved that, whatever the circumstances, whatever the crisis, “the love between two human beings is more powerful than the hatred between two communities”. In just one day, the Maltese donated €2.6 million to charity, demonstrating their unique values of generosity and solidarity. That works out to more than €6 per person and more than €20 per family, which is really remarkable and wonderful.
Malta’s generosity and solidarity is not only recognised at national level but also on the international plane. A worldwide study ranks Malta first among 153 countries when it comes to giving money to charity, with 83 per cent of the population saying they had donated cash the previous month.
This is no surprise. However, Malta should be proud of it. And I believe that as long as such goodwill and human values remain alive, Malta will always flourish and no one can stop its success and progress.
Long live Malta, long live humanity.
I hope and pray that 2012 will be a year of love and brotherhood so that the love between human beings prevails over any kind of enmity and aggression and we will be able to hear the voices of love for all in every corner of this planet. The world at large can thus become a haven of peace. For, indeed, love and true sympathy are the very antidotes of terrorism and serve as an effective weapon and an instrument for the establishment of peace.
I wish to all readers, the editor and the staff of The Times the best wishes for the New Year.
The author is president of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta.
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Joe Xuereb
Jan 8th, 21:11
Mr. Atif. My apologies. I forgot to mention one other very, very important aspect of the ever charitable Maltese society. I am talking, of course, of homosexuality. Our Church does not approve, of course, but in Malta, two men loving - that word love again - are allowed to do so although, unlike many Muslim countries I have roamed freely in, men in Malta are never seen walking in the streets holding hands. It is cultural I was told. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. But I do know that homosexuality in the Muslim world is rife(why else would I go there other than my passion for Roman and Greek antiquity?). How could it not be, given the strict prohibitions and the living in fear over something as absurd, and as natural, as two people getting down and 'dirty'? In Malta, Mr. Atif, we do not 'string them up high for loving - men, i.e. - each other. Quite often without the love of course and nothing wrong with that as long as people are informed about the pitfalls. I have many Muslim friends here in London Mr. Atif and they behave exactly like Westerners, without caring much about being informed about the dangers. Men who are described as having their brains between their legs, in fact. But we are talking about Malta, specifically, Mr. Atif. Would a Muslim, in Malta, feel comfortable living cheek-by-jowl with overt homosexuality (unless, that is, he decided to take advantage of the social phenomenon and thereafter kept his mouth shut). I am talking as a first-hand homosexuality explorer, Mr. Atif. I do not fear being hung up high or stoned, or worse, by some hypocrite who took advantage of me while I was down and helpless. Anyhow, these are important questions I'm afraid. Because I am sick and tired of listening to people spouting nonsense about integration when they are patently incapable of any such thing. Some things stand in the way, big time. And I'm thinking, also, about drinking the odd bottle of Cisk lager - honest! - among other things.
Joe Xuereb
Jan 8th, 17:11
Mr. Atif, allow me to ask one simple question, requiring one simple answer.
Would you say, Mr. Atif, that a truly devout Muslim, observant to the ninth degree in everything Koranic(and then some), would s/he be comfortable in Malta? Considering that Malta is very much a Western style democracy, steeped in Western traditions both cultural and religious (in Malta's case these are well and truly entwined), secular veering towards liberalism and this is very evident in our media (public adverts ten feet high), the cinema/theatre, all very forward looking. Why, even though the Church forbids sex outside marriage, contraceptives are widely available and widely used. Tiny Malta has shed sweat and tears to achieve all and I dare say it would be churlish for any outsider to question our mores. Why, we even have divorce now and that should not present any problems for any of your observant flock. Answer on half a postcard, Mr. Atif. Please! Thanks, ever so!
Joe Xuereb
Jan 8th, 14:35
With Malta and the Maltese being so very generous - something to do with their Catholicism as it was meant to be by Jesus Christ, perhaps? - is it any wonder that everybody and his dog wants to come and settle here. If only I had many more years to live and witness how it will all work out.
Mister Laqi Ahmed Atif, I am sure(?) your heart is in the right place. Most certainly you know how to say the right words. But..............I have a big problem when people start to talk about love, there are so many kinds not all conducive to 'good relationships as you so sweetly describe them'. And quoting very sentimental indian musings - I know very well how very sweet and sentimental people from that part of the world can be, certainly not a mirror reflection of the terrible inhumanity that is everywhere......you talk of a bad guy turned good by love. I wonder what kind of love we are talking about. Still, it is nice to dream I guess. Although I do not do much of that these days, having learned one or two salutary lessons that will take me to the grave.
Anyway, nice effort and all that!
Love is indeed a powerful weapon (depending on what kind of love one is talking about. Certainly, people who know nothing about the various nuances of this very human condition would do better not to say anything). And hatred too is a very powerful weapon, no doubt about it. To think that love can somehow be an antidote to hate is a bit too fanciful for me. But then I have been involved in both so I can talk. And I can vouchsafe that the kind of love being sold here does not work. So there!