“Please use your liberty to promote ours”
~ Aung San Suu Kyi, detained Burmese Nobel Peace Laureate
Like so many others around the world, I have found the Burmese monks’ protests to be incredibly inspiring and moving. Burmese bloggers have been providing on-the-ground reports and, tonight, the Asia Society and the Open Society Institute will be holding a forum on the situation.
You can tune in to live streaming through the Asia Society, here, starting at 6 pm EST/3 pm PST.
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روشن کەيں بەار کے امکاں ەوۓ تو ەيں
گلشن ميں چاک چند گريباں ەوۓ تو ەيں
Somewhere the lights of spring have surely appeared
A few collars, in the garden, have surely shredded
ٹەري ەوي ەۓ شب کي سياەي وەيں، مگر
کچھ کچھ سحر کے رنگ پَر افشاں ەوۓ تو ەيں
The dark ink of night remains still, but
Some colors of dawn have surely appeared
ەے دشت اب بھي دشت، مگر خونِ پا سے فيض
سيراب چند خارِ مغيلاں ەوۓ تو ەيں
The desert is still a desert, but from your bleeding feet, Faiz
Their thirst, a few thorns have surely quenched
- August 1952, Faiz Ahmed Faiz
Hat tip to Chapati Mystery for this wonderful poem by Faiz and for posting the book recommendation “The Iron Road: A Stand for Truth and Democracy in Burma” and the Awaaz petition site. Please take a minute to sign if you can.
4 comments
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October 6, 2007 at 4:46 pm
ann adams
Hello my friend.
I posted on Burma today on my “other” blog, Is America Burning.
Thank you for adding your voice.
October 7, 2007 at 4:51 am
Irving
There are a million voices raised, but governments are silent. May God bless the monks, both male and female, and all who resist oppression in Burma and every country in the world. The photo is really compelling.
Ya Haqq!
October 7, 2007 at 6:11 pm
Indigo Jo Blogs
The other side of Burma’s “peaceful” monks
The other, invisible suffering of Burma « Islam, Muslims, and an Anthropologist In the recent rush to support the monk-led uprising against the military junta in Burma, the situation of the long-suffering Muslim minority, particularly in the stat…
October 10, 2007 at 12:22 am
Baraka
Salaam & peace Ann, Irving, and Indigo Jo,
Thanks for your comments and solidarity.
Indigo, that’s an interesting insight. It adds nuance and complexity to the situation but, in my mind, does not detract from the courageousness of the Burmese monks and people taking a stand against the military junta. Burmese Muslims are also oppressed under this regime and it is hoped that a more participatory government would allow their voices to be heard too.
Warmly,
Baraka