Peace, like democracy, is a process, not an event

Posted on April 15, 2026 by beenasarwar

Extract from an interview about the Islamabad peace talks — before they ‘collapsed’ — and a visit to ancient archaeological sites in Sindh

I spoke to the eminent Indian journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani on Saturday about the peace talks then taking place in Islamabad. She published the interview on her YouTube channel on Sunday — with several cuts since everything had, as she said, changed overnight. I tried to represent our peace constituency.

Poster for the upcoming PIPFPD National Convention in Delhi. Peacemongers zindabaad

One of the cuts was about a Pakistan India Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD) webinar on Friday, which I refer to when mentioning the maturity of the Indians I heard “yesterday“. Here’s a recording of that seminar “Counting the costs of conflict – why peace matters” — most of it is in English. This webinar precedes PIPFPD’s upcoming National Convention, ‘Ishq, Siyasat aur Awam’ (Love, politics and the people), being held in Delhi, 18–19th April.

We need to amplify these voices of wisdom and courage.

A field trip to Chaukandi, Makli, Thatta, Bhambore

On Sunday, I took some 50 students from the Insitute of Business Administration, Karachi University where I’m teaching this semester, on a field trip to ancient archaeological sites in Sindh — the necropolises of Chaukandi and Makli (a UNESCO site) with their stunning stone carvings and tile work; the Shah Jehan Mosque in Thatta – one of the coolest (literally) and possibly most beautiful mosques in the world; and ruins of Bhambore (also known as Bhanbore), Muhammad Bin Qasim is believed to have landed, on the banks of the then mighty River Indus which has since changed its course.

A plaque by the site of a mosque in Bhambore terms it the first mosque in South Asia. I had always heard that the first mosque in the region lies in Kerala. An online search reveals that according to tradition, the Kerala mosque was established in 629 AD, while the Bhambore mosque (727 AD) is the first “archaeologically verified” one.

It was inspiring to see how the Sindh Archaeology Department is managing these sites, and the dedication and passion of the employees. There’s always room for improvement but let’s give credit where it’s due.

Curation of photos on a public instagram page by an IBA student

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXEK0sKioWa/?igsh=OWdvMDRjdjJuNGJ5

(ends)

Filed under: Pakistan-India, Resistance, Southasia, Travel | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Boston area screening of ‘Democracy in Debt’ documentary, Sunday 24 November

Posted on November 22, 2024 by beenasarwar

COMMUNITY INVITE: If you are in the Boston area, you are invited to a screening of my documentary film ‘Democracy in Debt: Sri Lanka Beyond the Headlines’ (25 min), followed by a discussion, at the Cambridge Public Library on Sunday 24 November, 2-4 pm. If you are not here or unable to join, please tell people you know who might like to:

‘Democracy in Debt: Sri Lanka Beyond the Headlines’ 
A film by Beena Sarwar
Sunday 24 November, 2-4 pm
At Cambridge Public Library.

 Trailer: ‘Democracy in Debt: Sri Lanka Beyond the Headlines’ 

Join Sapan News on SubStack!

The film will be followed by a discussion moderated by Pratyush Bharati of the Boston South Asian Coalition. Discussants include Bangladesh origin activist Hayat Imam of the Massachusetts Peace Action, Sri Lankan human rights lawyer Thyagi Ruwapathirana, a fellow at the Harvard Law School, and the filmmaker Beena Sarwar, a journalist and peace activist from Pakistan.

The film, supported by the Pulitzer Center, has been screened in over 60 locations in some 16 countries across 5 continents so far, followed by engaged discussions on the issues it raises. More information here. 

The event is free and open to the public. RSVP here.

Hosted by the Southasia Peace Action Network and Sapan News Network in collaboration with the Boston South Asian Coalition and South Asia Center, Boston

Those wishing to watch the film through the Global Community Screenings series are welcome to participate by filling in the form at this link. 

Support non-profit journalism. Help Sapan News meet its NewsMatch challenge and raise $15,000 by year end. All donations to Sapan News are tax-deductible.

Donate To Sapan News

Join the Sapan WhatsApp channel

Filed under: Culture, Progressive politics, Resistance, Southasia | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Hope, wisdom and cynicism: Voices from rural Sri Lanka (and an owl rescue)

Posted on June 1, 2024 by beenasarwar
Boats on Dututwewa at sunset. Photo by Ben Samarasinghe

The lakes, paddy fields and forests of the ancient village of Dutuwewa are a world away from Colombo’s high-rises and colonial buildings. As elsewhere, decisions taken by ‘old men’ in the corridors of power impact life here, just as these rural voters will impact politics nationally


PERSONAL POLITICAL
FROM DUTUWEWA WITH LOVE

By Beena Sarwar

Times are tough and it’s hard to make ends meet. A refrain heard from just about anyone in my home country Pakistan where the rupee has dropped to around 300 to the dollar. This is now comparable to the rupee in Sri Lanka, recovering from the biggest economic crash in its history. 

Stories of hardship echo from the island nation’s largest city Colombo to the farming heartlands around Anuradhapura district, a little over 200 km to the north-east. At the core of Anuradhapura lies the irrigation tank called Dutuwewa which sustains several villages. 

Sri Lanka’s rural landscape is dotted with as many as 14,000 such large and small irrigation lakes, known as wewas, built by kings thousands of years ago. 

A nearly five-hour drive on surprisingly good roads – testament to the rural infrastructure built after the end of the 26-year long civil war 15 years ago – brings us to the serene lakes, lush paddy fields and dense forests of Dutuwewa. A world away from the corridors of power and the glittering, air conditioned, high-rises of Colombo and its historic colonial buildings left behind by 500 years of colonizers – the Dutch, the Portuguese and the British.

A village school in a forest

The din of crickets from the surrounding forest forms the backdrop to everything  in Dutuwewa. The headmistress of the Palugollagama government school, who gives only her initials and last name, I. R. Ekanayake, is an ‘old girl’ who taught at schools around the district for 26 years and was posted to her alma mater as principal four years ago. There are two vice principals, 36 teachers and 506 students.

Continue reading →

Filed under: Education, Southasia, Travel | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

ChanukahForCeasefire; a Jewel in Ivory in Berlin; #SapanforSAARC this Sunday; and the NewsMatch challenge for Sapan News

Posted on December 10, 2023 by beenasarwar

Greetings to those observing Hanukah and salute to those participating in #ChanukahForCeasefire demonstrations around the United States. Thousands of Jews have been lighting candles at #ChanukahForCeasefire gatherings, coming together “to mourn, find hope, and fight on — for ceasefire, freedom for all held captive, and an end to siege on Gaza,” says IfNotNow, a movement of American Jews “organizing for equality, justice, and a thriving future for all: our neighbors, ourselves, Palestinians, and Israelis.” To find one near you, go to: https://innmvmt.org/chanukah.

Such actions, and those of thousands including high school students marching around the world to call for #ceasefirenow, provide hope in a world that feels heavy. It is unbearable to think of the thousands killed, maimed and displaced in conflict areas, especially children.

Public opinion worldwide is clearly for #CeasefireNow, calls being ignored by those who could stop the bombing that continues to claim lives. What can we do? Hold on to ourselves and do what we can, where we can, when we can. Inform ourselves, share information – double-check before sharing so we don’t pass on #fakenews — donate to causes, participate in public actions.

Continue reading →

Filed under: 'Internally Displaced Persons', covid-19, Health, History, Human rights, Interfaith, journalism, Media, Palestine, prisoners, Progressive politics, Resistance, Southasia, Violence in the name of religion | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »