WHAT NEXT?

Yet another bomb blast! WHY?

I woke up this Sunday morning with a really bad dream about my loved ones dying. It surely was disturbing. I woke up at 7.30 am and called home. We talked about my life in America and the weather and my busy life here. I felt relaxed after that 15-minute call. We left for church at 8.30 am and the day proceeded normally. An Indian lady in church came to me and said SHEHROZ, IS YOUR FAMILY SAFE? THERE WAS A BOMB BLAST IN PESHAWAR. I said I TALKED TO THEM THIS MORNING AND THEY DIDNT TELL ME ANYTHING BUT THEY ARE ALL FINE. I thought this blast was another of those small fireworks common in my city. I was wrong. Out of curiosity and a desire to have some news of my city, I checked online news. GROUND SLIPPED FROM BENEATH MY FEET! The blast was on a Shiite Mosque of my village. A hotel owned bu my village was also affected. MY BELOVED ONES HAD INDEED DIED! My dream flashed before my eyes and my eyes got cloudy. I could just see innocent people burning, blood and unrest! I could feel my body fill up with acid and corroding me from inside. I WAS CRYING AND ANGRY AND SORRY AT THE SAME TIME. Now, another blast will take place soon because this is how my foolish land works: REVENGE!

A day before Eid. A day before poor will be fed and clothed. A day before everyone would smile and laugh and meet friends and relatives. A day before sheeps, goats and cows would be sacrificed. A day before joy, MY people have to see blood and sacrifice of their loved ones. For how long will this carry on? HOW FAR? HOW MUCH? I have seen so much blood, heard so many loud bomb blasts and have felt the experience of being the son of a person who survived two bomb blasts that my heart has become harder and my emotions are drying up. I can sleep in any noise, can see any blood and flesh and feel any sense of fear and danger that no other can do. My mind right now is full of some really depressing scenes that I think I am living a dream.

I fee so paralyzed right now because I can do nothing for my country. I am young, inexperienced and powerless yet full of determination and anger! ALLAH SAVE MY COUNTRY and ALLAH SAVE MY PEOPLE FROM SELF-DESTRUCTION!