From: merchant@davidsys.com (Rukhsana Merchant)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.pakistan
Subject: Re: The language on SCP
Date: 11 Jan 93 17:00:27 PST
Distribution: world
Organization: DAVID Systems Inc, Sunnyvale CA

>In article <1iiabkINNkpq@shelley.u.washington.edu>, shamshoo@shelley.u.washington.edu (Shams Hasan) writes:
> 
> 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

I am quite aware of the usage of the word *dear*.  The condescending tone
in which you had replied to the article was quite offensive and if
you claim to be civilized from a civilized world, then learn to accept
another's veiwpoint without having to put that person down for that 
viewpoint.

> 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,

I have a past of postings which extends beyond the scope of time since when
you have been reading SCP.

> you have focused soley on Islam and religious issues in quite some detail.

The articles which dealt with Islam and religious issues were answered
by what Islam has to say about that particular issue.  The topic is
reiterated time and again and if the people claim to be muslims and
follow Islam than they need to hear what Allah (swt) has asked of us as
Muslims, when we claim to follow Islam.  

> 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.

I do not choose to put religion in a seperate section of my life and
only remember it at chosen intervals of my life.  Islam is a way of life
and everything done with the intention of pleasing Allah (swt) is 
Ibadat.   Things done without that intention is giving Ibadat to *something
else* and a form of Shirk.  

And I have not imposed anything on you.  You were free not to follow that
discussion.  A topic closes when there is nothing more to be said.
There were people interested in that topic.

> 
> 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.

Make any assumption that you feel satisfied with.  I had something to add
the discussion at hand.

> 
> 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.

Again, please dont concern yourself with my *tender* feelings.  I am 
quite capable of taking a point without the *dear*, or *Best regards*,
or concern for my *tender* feelings.
> 
> 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.

Rukhsana, or Rukhsana Merchant, or Ms. Merchant is fine.  I do not
need a *dear* attached to it.  However, this is a public forum and
the point of view is addressed not to a particular person, but
to the general person so therefore no address is needed, in my opinion.
In other words, the person who is stating a viewpoint does not need
to be specified specifically, because he is stating either his viewpoint
or a viewpoint, so just address the viewpoint.  However, I leave it
up to your disgression whatever method you choose to apply.  

But for me, I would ask that *I* not be addressed as *Dear*.
> 
> Best Regards,
> Shams Hasan.

Ms. Merchant