|
Is
the McCarthy era coming back? This time not against communism
but against Muslims and especially against Pakistanis and
Pakistani Americans. I was angered and deeply disturbed
as an immigrant American, as a Pakistani American, and
as a human being when I saw the images of Kamran Akhtar
on every American news media channel on August 11, 2004.
With millions watching Kamran was arrested and moved around in orange
prisoner clothes, chains around the waist connected to his legs and
arms as if he was a mass murderer or caught in the act of terrorism
or had been on the 'Most Wanted List'. Here was a normal father,
a husband, a brother and a son whose only crime was that he did not
have valid documents to stay in America. Probably a million such
people from South America, China, Southeast Asia are in America today
who should have been deported long before Kamran's misfortune came.
Is this the result of paranoia? US Homeland Security Chief Tom Ridge
issues a statement later in the day on August 11 that US officials
have not found any evidence to suggest a Pakistani man detained with
videotaped footage of US landmarks was linked to a terrorist plot.
Does this make up for the damage done to Kamran and his entire family
and friends? No amount of money or apologies can reverse this life-long
damage.
We may be 50 years late. But it is better being late than never. A historic
major initiative has begun. All the Pakistani community organizations,
community leaders and mentors, got together a few months ago in DC.
They were encouraged and guided by DCM Mohammad Sadiq, now acting
Ambassador for Pakistan, and launched PAL-C - Pakistani American
Liaison Center (www.palc.us)
to get political activism underway for Pakistani Americans. About
2 months ago 5 of us including Faiz Rehman, Mossadaq Chughtai, Dr
Rafiq Rahman, myself Pervaiz Lodhie, Attiaizaz Din agreed to form
PAL-C and be the founding directors of PAL-C. Last month, we were
joined by Dr Mansoor Shah and recently by Rehman Jinnah. PAL-C registered
a PAC (Political Action Committee). Pakistani Americans now have
a Congressional Pakistan Caucus registered in the US Congress. In
less than a month we have 26 Congressional members of the caucus.
This is a great beginning. ALL Pakistani Americans - for the future
of their children - must become part of this effort by directly participating
in the activities of the caucus from every district. By financially
supporting the caucus to meet its needs to connect with Congressional
members and support its members. Join PAL-C as Board of Directors,
or as Board of Trustees or as Regional Directors. With every Pakistani
American going to his/her Congressman and Congresswoman and asking
them why it is necessary to become part of the Pakistani caucus,
there is no reason that before the end of this year we will have
100 Caucus members. The PAL-C website (www.palc.us)
is preliminary but will provide you useful information about the
what and why of the caucus. Time is not on our side. All of us must
act now or pay severe penalties later. It is up to you.
|
