The Poetic Party

On November 5th, 2008, there was a change in the air.  People were more cheerful, smiling to strangers as they passed by. The weather was uncharacteristingly gorgeous for a November Chicago day, as if God himself was rewarding us for making the right decision. That day, I commemorated the event by repeating one song on my iPod, Zamane ke Andaaz by Junoon. Junoon took lines from Saqi Nama, an infamous poem by Allama Iqbal, an economic, political, and religious scholar.

When word got out that Obama was running for president, the only way I could express my feelings about the possibility of a new leader were through these words:

Zamanay Ke Andaaz Badle Gaye
Naya Raag Hai Saaz Badle Gaye

The way of the generation has changed
New are the songs, New is the Music

Khirad Ko Ghulami Se Aazad Kar
Jawanon Ko Peeron Ka Ustad Kar

Make Logic & Thought free from Slavery
Make the Young teachers of the Old

It was time for a regime change, our democratic way to “alter, abolish, and lay the foundation” for a new government. Out with the old, in with the new. We were tired of our voices being unheard and the status quo falling victim to the games of old politics. So this was our time. Obama spoke to us, “End the war! Health care for all! Close Guantanamo! Wall Street must pay!” After watching the news, reading speeches, and commentaries, I now hear “Iran’s next! Compulsory Purchase of Insurance for all! Baghram and Guantanamo going strong! You must pay Wall Street!”

Saqi Nama has faded into the background of my mind, and now a new song emerges. Mast Nazron se Allah Bachaye, a qawaali by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, an infamous Pakistani qawaal.

Mast nazron se Allah bachaaye, Maah-jamaalon se Allah bachaaye
Har balaa sar pe aa jaaye lekin, Husn-vaalon se Allah bachaaye

O God save us from the intoxicated glances! O God save us from the moon-faced ones!
Let any affliction come upon us [but] God save us from the pretty ones.

Bholi suurat hai baatein hain bholi, Munh mein kuch hai magar dil mein kuch hai
Laakh chehraa sahii chaand jaisaa, dil ke kaalon se Allah bachaaye

Innocent appearence and talk, but there is one thing on their lips and another in their heart.
Though their face is like that of moon, O God save us from the schemes of their hearts!

This qawaali is a warning to Muslims against  Mulanas and Imams who spout fatwas and try to lead them down the wrong path with the facade of innocence. There is also a political undertone to this qawaali. When Obama came into running, everyone was immediately taken by his charm and words. By being distracted by what we see, we are hindered from using our other senses to figure out what is really going on. It’s not just Obama, its the entire government that is fooling us with their doublespeak.  They are suppose to be our representatives, they work for us. When was the last time an employer kept an employee  for doing the exact opposite of what he asked for? I know the argument is that it hasn’t even been a year since Obama has been in office and that we shouldn’t disregard him just yet. I agree with that. But I also have lost the passion that I felt when I thought of Obama as I listened to Zamane ke Andaaz. My heart no longer pierces for a rise of action by my generation, because nothing is getting done. Our generation is not being given its chance, whether it be because of Obama’s inability to deliver or the government’s “old ways”.

I’m sick of the system. The system in America, in India, in Pakistan, all over the world, but I dont have a solution to the way out. All I can do is hope, and if things haven’t changed by 2012, I’m writing in an alternative candidate on my ballot: Allama Iqbal.