Posted on May 3, 2016 by beenasarwar
In Karachi last week, I wrote about Sabeen Mahmud and the Creative Karachi Festival held to commemorate her life and work. PRI published it with the titleRemembering a Pakistani woman who died because she wanted everyone to have a space to speak freely along with my radio interview with Marco Werman of PRI’s The World. Below is the unabridged text including with more links and photos. Also see our friend Afia Salam’s tribute to Sabeen in The Wire, Why Sabeen Mahmud Will Always Matter.
A poster with Sabeen’s photo at CKF 2016 on a divider between a stall and walkway at the Alliance Francaise. Photo: Beena Sarwar
Beena Sarwar
Early on Sunday morning in Karachi, a small, eclectic crowd converged at The Second Floor, the iconic coffee shop-cultural hub founded by my young friend Sabeen Mahmud in 2007. Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Balochistan, Freedom of expression, Pakistan, Peace, Progressive politics, Resistance | Tagged: #CKF, #Tree4Sabeen, Activism, Pakistan, Phool Pati, Sabeen, T2F, Truck Art | 1 Comment »
Posted on November 10, 2015 by beenasarwar
My article for The News on Sunday, Nov 8, 2015 on the ‘More Than My Religion’ (Oct 8-Nov 17) at City Hall, Providence RI – a unique exhibition showcasing art by American Muslims that aims to break stereotypes and build bridges — and help the homeless. Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Art and activism, Peace | Tagged: Activism, art, City Hall Providence, Islam, More than my religion, Muslim in America | Leave a comment »
Posted on November 8, 2015 by beenasarwar
Still from the cellphone video of an impromptu performance by students in Quetta.
This little music video just made my day when a friend sent it to me yesterday: a Spanish love song by his cousin Hamza Khan, with co-singer Syed Zaryab and guitarist Naveed Ahmed. Students at Balochistan University of Information Technology Engineering and Management Sciences, BUITEMS, a leading private university in Quetta, they are also members of the Artists’ League Quetta (ALQ), a platform for the arts started by fellow student and self-taught dancer Farrukh Shaikh earlier this year. The group includes students from different departments in the University – including girls.
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Freedom of expression, Music, Peace | Tagged: BUITEMS, love song, music, Pakistan, Pishin, Quetta | Leave a comment »
Posted on May 9, 2013 by beenasarwar
Khalid Lottfi: “We will not let them hijack our religion”
“You know, I think the Chinese student who was killed, I took her there,” said the cab driver. It was a few days after the Boston Marathon bombings of April 15, and after the police had chased the perpetrators, killing one and capturing the other. Everyone was still talking about the unfortunate events that claimed three lives and injured over 260 more.
It turned out that the brothers Tsarnaev lived on our street, on the next block. Here’s a link to the piece I wrote about it for weekly The News on Sunday in Pakistan – and a shorter comment for Global Post – Boston bombings: A Pakistani perspective. Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Peace | Tagged: Boston marathon bombings, cambridge ma, Islam, Norfolk Street, Pakistan, violence | Leave a comment »
Posted on September 27, 2012 by beenasarwar
This blog post is not about the violence and mayhem let loose in Pakistan to protest the anti-Islam film made by some fanatics. The destruction caused by the protestors in the name of love for the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) last Friday was televised for the world to see. This post is about what some people, mostly youth, are doing to counter such madness.
Horrified at the destruction and violence, some youngsters decided to actually DO something beyond sitting around and complaining about the protestors and their criminal activities: “The idea is simple, just get out on the streets and roads, use whatever resources you can to clean up the mess created by these riots. This is a national thing, and it would be great if people in every city of Pakistan join in!” Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Blasphemy Laws, Peace | Tagged: #projectcleanupforpeace, #rebuildmardanchurch, Activism, anti-Islam film, Mardan church, Pakistan | 2 Comments »
Posted on September 20, 2012 by beenasarwar
Largest exhibition of Pakistani contemporary art on display Sept. 24 at National Art Gallery, Islamabad at 5 p.m. to celebrate 30 years of Rohtas Gallery. Sixty five artists will exhibit more than 165 works in a testimony to Pakistan’s contemporary artists and an amazing journey through their growth and contribution to art over three decades.
Rohtas Gallery opened in 1981 when a repressive military dictator ruled Pakistan. Rohtas Gallery defied constraints and offered space and inspiration to Pakistan’s artists who wanted to challenge contemporary thought and encourage others to do the same through their work.
This exhibition on Sept. 24 celebrates Rohtas Gallery and Pakistan’s artists and their amazing journey together.Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Human rights, Pakistan, Peace | Tagged: Activism, art, dissent, Gen. Zia, Pakistan | Leave a comment »
Posted on March 22, 2012 by beenasarwar
Using “Veterans” and “Peace” together makes sense: who better than a soldier knows the horrors of war. Veterans For Peace has over 120 chapters across the USA.
This is a slightly modified version of my article published in the Global Post commentary section on March 20, 2012. Link to my photos.
Excluding peace from St Pat’s – War veterans waging peace vow not to give up
Continue reading →
Like this:
Like Loading...
Filed under: Peace | Tagged: gay rights, Hurley decision, lgbt, Peace activism, peace parade, st pats day, veterans for peace | Leave a comment »
