Friday, December 28, 2007

Benazir Bhutto 1953 -2007

May she rest in Peace.
May there be peace in Pakistan!

"The former Pakistani Prime Minister who was daughter of an executed president and prime minister, was killed in a gun and suicide bombing attack Thursday in Rawalpindi.

The 54-year-old was a fixture in Pakistani politics and was twice elected prime minister, becoming the Muslim world's first female prime minister. She returned to Pakistan two months ago to run in the upcoming elections. She had lived in self-imposed exile since 1999 when she fled corruption charges."

I met (as in a fleeting greeting in 1989) Bhutto when she was Pakistani Prime Minister attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which KL hosted that year.

I was in the NST team. The conference was held at PWTC and security was very high. I was not the only journalist who managed to nod our heads when she past by en route to the hall. There were others but not many who were there "at the right time and right place" when she and her delegation made their entrance to the hall.

I think some of the journalists were quite awed by her "presence".

I am remembering a book I read years ago in Singapore. Hardcover "Benazir Bhutto: Daughter of the East".

When I was in Pakistan in 2005 for a working visit, I met many Pakistanis -- students and intellectuals, young and old.
They all had one hope -- a better, far better Pakistan.

Al-Fatihah.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Asmk
Al-Fathihah.
Very sad but not entirely a surprise, with all previous death threats, current political unrest, etc, etc.
(Noraina, looking at yr blog-photo, I think you do look a bit like her, ia tak?)
Here's Wishing You & Family a Happy and Successful New Year, with All Allah's Blessings. Regards.

Anonymous said...

I don't think Bhutos's death wil be in vain. More moderates will be encouraged to speak up against the terrorists. She represented so much to so many.

Hi&Lo said...

Nuraina,

I do agree with Kak Ainon that you have some resemblance with the late Benazir Bhutto.

The reason I strongly feel for her was the execution of her father. The tragedy made her what she was. Steely determination -- perhaps that made her unafraid of death and threats.

She definitely carried an aura of awe. I see her as any mortals, not without faults, but her courage and perseverance to pursue her cause impress me tho I may or may not agree with her politics.

May Benazir Bhutto's sould rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

Nuraina,
I was shocked to hear the news... al fatihah. I'm really sad that we muslims lost sight of the bigger agenda of Islam's enemies - being the only muslim country with the nuke capability, they would love to see the country plunge into chaos and anarchy... pity those muslims (if indeed they are muslims) who wanted her dead at this important time in the country's history... salam.

Bailey said...

i received an sms from reuters informing benazir bhutto's death.

i'm shocked to learn this...mmph..finally threats after threats she faced.

may her soul rest in peace. alfatihah.

Pi Bani said...

Ha'ah lah, I agree with Kak Ainon. Tengok gambar the two of you macam ada similarities le pulak... :)

Anyway, here's wishing you and all Jalan Sudin readers a very happy new year and may 2008 be a peaceful and successful year for us all. InsyaAllah.

Anonymous said...

Benazir bears a striking resemblance to Nuraina. In fact, both of you look like twins. be that as it may, Benazir is responsible for her own actions. She should have stayed put in London. Maybe she could still be alive. Maybe ...

Hi&Lo said...

Nuraina,

You said you were in Pakistan and met many Pakistanis who had only one hope, i.e. for a better Pakistan.

So do we for Malaysia. Hatred and prejudices won't help us there. We can only achieve oneness in spirit by seeking to understand one another instead of demanding to be understood.

I love to see happy families cos a nation is built on the family unit. Children learn basic trust thro their parents, siblings and extended family, including friends.

Love is the driving force when we are down.

Daphne Ling said...

Hi Aunty Nuraina,

Benazir Bhutto was a great woman, and I am sure her legacy will remain...May she rest in peace...

Happy New Year to you, Adel and Shaira...Hope I got the names right, by the way!

Rockybru said...

Ena,

I have to agree with nstman. I always thought that you and Benazir looked like sisters!

But the late Benazir was taller. And hey, I was there when she strolled past you in 89 Chogm! She was, what, only 36 years old then.One of the world's 50 Most Beautiful People, according the Life mag (I think). And now certainly one of the bravest leaders who ever walked the Earth. She knew they were coming for her. And yet she did not run, or hide.

Reminds me of you, too.

harmdone7 said...

Kak Ena

I think you both look so alike....

Alfatihah for her soul. It was the most unfortunate thing that could happen.

Anonymous said...

Sis Ena
Do you know that she was a blogger too? Apart from her fearlessness, I'm also impressed with her oratory skill. For the uninitiated, she's also a former President of the Oxford Union, the so-called last bastion of free spech in the Western world. Al-fatiha.
aMiR

Mat Salo said...

Kak Ena,

Al-Fatihah to the remarkable and very brave lady. She does remind me a bit of you, y'know. Fearless, intelligent and may I add, hot!

Anyway I'm still numbed from the pain and my eyes glued to BBC whenever I take a break. Goes to show how unstable the world is and it's not getting any better is it? Sigh..

Looks like your legions of fans were quite upset over missing post, eh?

Hi&Lo said...

Nuraina,

So many agreed of your close resemblance with Benazir, and also fearless, intelligent (ahem) and hot in Mat Salo's words (double ahem).

All these are true cos facial features reveal the character and personality of a person.

Your forehead is well defined which most people of high intellect possess.

You have eyes that can scare the shit of the devil. Whether you are fierce or not, I won't hazard a guess. But you stand no nonsense, as far as I can tell.

I won't risk analysing your sensuality cos I treasure my life too much. Anyway Mat Salo is not afraid of missiles.

Unknown said...

Salam Kak ena...It's sad to hear her death. It's a tragic but then again it's her fate. I belief her spirit in whatever she's doing will keep going on. Alfatihah.

Happy new year and may 2008 brings more joy and happiness to you anf loved ones...God bless akak!

Da Real Deal said...

Nuraina,

You are as beautiful, as brave as Benazir, but I hope you are much smarter and more humble than she was.

Smarter in the sense that if assasination attempts were made on you, you don't go sticking your body out of the sunroof exposing yourself like a sitting duck and inviting the terrorist for target practice.

Humble in that you don't challenge God to save you while you hang your head out of the roof but taking precautionary measures without being aloof with your supporters while hoping God would protect you during your servitude.