Come on be a sport...

Congrats Sania and Shoaib for finally bringing some sizzling scandal/celebrity culture to Pakistan! We have always had dodgy stories about our film actresses and cricketers, but the Sania-Shoaib made headlines like never before. For the first time in many months, the media spotlight was not on our beloved politicians but on the fit (unfit), young couple.

The pair tied the knot today at swanky Hyderabad hotel. Sania wore her mother's wedding saree. Shoaib wore a designer sherwani. And I'm sure they looked resplendent. Finally news outlets in both countries can start talking about something else. For example, the nuclear summit currently underway in the US.

It's interesting to note that the story has appeared in the 'sports' section of many newspapers and news websites. Does this really count as a sports news item? They are both sports stars - agreed but this had all the elements of a story to be featured on PerezHilton.com. It had ex-wives, secrets, lies and a woman who stood by her man. Now that's a news item! It was also political and religious implications. Sunni clerics in India have condemned the couple for living together for a few days before the wedding. The Shiv-Sena announced that in order to retain her Indian nationality, Sania should marry a nice Indian boy.

Maybe, we - the people of South Asia need more entertainment stories in our headlines. The same goes for Pakistani media. There is a severe dearth of quality, entertainment based media in comparison to news media. The state of the nation is an important piece of news. But it’s a simple formula – happier people makes for a happier nation. And human interest stories of love and humanity in definitely make me a happier person.

Blasphemy or Bust...

I came across the following blog on my usually trolling of the internet. Killing innocent people is always wrong. It is important that you read the blog before going further on this blog

What has caught my interest on this piece of work is not the tragedy of innocent lives lost but that is a very emotionally charged, 'finger-pointing' piece of work. It is only natural to let our emotions get the best of us when we feel so strongly about a certain issue such as religious persecution. But what about the facts? In my opinion, the language used is inflammatory. And the Pakistani government is the usual suspect.

The writer talks about two different laws - Ordinance XX and the blasphemy laws. Ordinance XX forbids Ahmedis to call themselves Muslim or pose as Muslims. While the blasphemy laws are targeted against those bringing insult to The Holy Prophet and The Quran. The enactment of these do not have the same effect. And in my opinion, blasphemy commited in a Muslim country is a considerable offence - it will and should remain the same. In the same way that when Iran denies the existence of the Holocaust, it is offensive to Jewish people - so is an insult to The Prophet and The Book of Islam. Ordinance XX on the other hand is a discriminatory law that needs revision.

How far can a journalist go in supporting what is right?

The President Is Black

..and that's great news but President Obama is more than just Black. Its about time we got over. Jay-Z - as probably one of the most successful and powerful men in the world - should by now have realized that being Black and successful are not mutually exclusive. Here's a Jay-Z song anyway...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ucn-I7Lne4