From: shamshoo@shelley.u.washington.edu (Shams Hasan)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.pakistan
Subject: Re: The language on SCP
Summary: Well, depends on what you are doing with ur free time......
Keywords: Hang Loose on the Caboose !
Date: 7 Jan 93 22:20:36 GMT
Article-I.D.: shelley.1iiabkINNkpq
Distribution: world
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
NNTP-Posting-Host: shelley.u.washington.edu

In article <1993Jan7.092131.30712@davidsys.com> merchant@davidsys.com (Rukhsana Merchant) writes:
>In article <1id3t6INNs05@shelley.u.washington.edu>, shamshoo@shelley.u.washington.edu (Shams Hasan) writes:
>> In article <1993Jan5.092748.30708@davidsys.com> merchant@davidsys.com (Rukhsana Merchant) writes:
>>>
>>>	In regards to the language on SCP:
>>>
>>>
>>>	Of late there are many crosspostings on SCI and SCP, which should
>>>stimulate more variety in viewpoints.  However, the news of late on 
>>>SCP has degraded to foul language and derogatory remarks.  Maybe, this
>>>is just a lone viewpoint, but in the past, the reason I have stayed
>>>away from SCI has been specifically just for this reason.  The mainstay
>>>of SCI (besides H1 visa information) is that of inflamatory remarks.
>>>At least with the swear words in the titles, one can avoid that particular
>>>posting, but it has gotten to the point that one is confronted with
>>>it even in posting that are following a specific trend which would
>>>not infer that kind of language.  I always found SCP to have better
>>>articles and better mannerism that are appropriate to mixed company.
>>>I guess, what I am trying to request, is that the language which one
>>>wouldn't use in front of mixed company and other people one would
>>>give respect to, could be avoided.
>>>
>>>Sincerely, 
>>>Rukhsana Merchant
>> 
>> 
>> Dear Rukhsana Merchant,
>
>I am not your *dear* anything (Thanks to Allah!!), so please do not refer
>to me as such in the future!!
>
>Contrary to popular belief, this is *not* a men's club and women are seen
>and heard everywhere.  But your post in the past make me wonder if there
>is any awareness of the reality of this, besides your narrow point of view
>of what is good for Pakistan.
>
>And, by all means, perpetuate what you think is acceptable behaviour
>in a public forum.  That childish kind of behaviour only reflects on the poster. 
>
>If you feel that these kind of post show an accurate portrayal of what the
>bueaty of our culture has to offer to outsiders, I would be ashamed to feel
>that this is all it has to offer.
>
>> 
>> Shams Hasan.
>
>
>Ms. Merchant

Dear Ms. Merchant,

With humble apolgies and scincere respects to the fairer sex and a female
muslim I begin this response.

You may not be aware, but, the word *Dear* is a accepted norm of respectable
address in the civilized world. Especially with the widespread emanicipation
of women in the civilized world male muslims, christians, jews, hindoos, etc 
all who have come here are becoming more aware of the respect and honesty 
required to have good relations with women both at work, and at home.

From your postings in the past on SCP, ie, before the Bhangis/Chamaars came,
you have focused soley on Islam and religious issues in quite some detail.
I have read every article to search for myself, the guidance that I have
unexpectedly faced when I was least expecting it.

Religion plays an important part in most people's lives around the world.
It plays a very important part in my life. However, I chose to learn first
from Quran and make the effort to practice in personal life, and donot
impose opinions/interpretations as you and others chose to.

However, SRI soc.religion.islam seems to be quite poorly posted, as compared
to SCP and my assumption of your religious postings to SCP is that there was
little or no interest from SRI to your postings. I could be wrong, but, that
seems a good assumption to make, based upon your repeated posting on SCP.

The beauty of Pakistani culture is evident from decent and educated Pakistanis in Pakistan and overseas. However, the postings to which you have called
attention to are all Bhangis/Chamaars. Pakistani or Indian or Bengali is
immaterial.

True. I am narrow minded and hypocritical to some, and other things to others.

In the end, I would like to apologize once again if I hurt your tender
feelings by addressing you as *Dear*, but, that is the only way they teach
us in U.S for respectable address to both males and females in print.

I am, however, open to new ideas and ways of addressing and if you have 
innovative suggestions, please offer them, and they will be seriously 
considered.

Best Regards,
Shams Hasan.