Laila Sohail attended the now infamous June 18 ceremony where her colleague Samad Khurram snubbed the ambassador. But Laila says while she condemns the U.S. strike, she does not become any less patriotic by accepting the award. “While I am in agreement that Pakistan needs to take a more aggressive stance regarding its so called ally, neither the platform, nor the way chosen by Mr. Samad Khurum was correct,” she writes.

By Laila Sohail
Monday, 23 June 2008.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A ceremony was held by Roots College International on the 18th of June to honor the high achievers. Students who had shown academic brilliance, and had been awarded scholarships and admissions by the most prestigious universities in the world, [including U.S. Ivy League universities such as Stanford, Princeton, Harvard, etc.]

Being a Roots student, I was also present in the hall. In the Principal’s own words, it was a day dedicated to the students. Who could have thought that the spotlight would be snatched from the 188 achievers, and taken by one student, who chose this platform to make a statement, by refusing to accept his award from the American Ambassador, and making a political statement on the mike?

I also collected an award that day, from the U.S. ambassador, and Samad’s response made me think about whether I had been wrong, and after this guilt trip, I came to the conclusion that in fact it was him who was wrong. The ceremony was held to celebrate educational progress, the main theme being ‘crossing boundaries, integration, and
not just national, but global success.’

This was also demonstrated by appreciating the way educational opportunities around the world have become more open to students in Pakistan. The underlying statement is, that whatever the political situation may be, and no matter how differentiated the world may become on this account, the fact that a good education still acts as an International passport, has to be appreciated. The U.S. ambassador was invited, as a guest by the administration to acknowledge and reflect this fact.

The U.S. strike was a tragedy and aroused anger and frustration amongst Pakistanis. The hatred towards USA is fueled by incidents such as these. However the audience of more than 400 present in the hall did not take Samad’s stance. Does this make them less patriotic? No. The audience in the hall mainly consisted of proud parents who had come to see their children shine in their success, and not to

make any statements. The American Ambassador being the chief guest was thus overlooked by the parents. Many parents were upset after Samad’s response, as they felt that their children had not been given their fair share of time on stage, due to tightened security arrangements,
and a cut down on the time. Samad’s achievement was the award he had been given three years ago by the U.S., but he sure spoiled the day for the other 187 students who missed their moments of glory.

If a protest was indeed called for, this was not the forum to make it.

All students were aware of whom the chief guest was days before the event, why was there no protest to the administration on inviting the Ambassador in the first place then? There were other ways to decline the award, and being heard at the same time, but such a protest would have perhaps not made the headlines.

Calling the president of the country unconstitutional on an educational forum is not right, as many may disagree with this stance [including me]. If everyone starts making their own political statements, the purpose of these ceremonies will be killed. If we can’t distinguish between forums meant to make political statement, and ones to encourage educational progress, then we do not deserve these events to be held in the first place.

While I am in agreement that Pakistan needs to take a more aggressive stance regarding its so called ally, neither the platform, nor the way chosen by Mr. Samad Khurum was correct. The Ambassador was a guest and not a government representative at the ceremony, and the cost of her embarrassment was the image of Pakistani students that went across. Any grievances with the administration should have been put forward before hand.

As for the U.S., we disagree with their policies, we are angered by their response towards Pakistan, but we do realize that their education is amongst the best in the world, and that is why we still go to that country to get it. We should not forget that Mohammad Ali Jinnah himself got his education in the very Britain against which he later fought for independence. Our hostility is towards their policies, not their education, and if we want to give ourselves half a chance against them, we need to embrace this education, and not construct walls which will hinder future prospective students from going abroad.

Ms. Sohail is a Pakistani college student. She can be reached at blabbersboo@gmail.com.

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