tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21234701.post2449324865769854885..comments2023-06-06T04:47:08.384-04:00Comments on Prairie Preacher: A gift of peace over lunch ...Reverend Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17592815717779408231noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21234701.post-82038167318580787952008-08-17T02:09:00.000-04:002008-08-17T02:09:00.000-04:00Walaikum SalaamSorry for posting my comment at the...Walaikum Salaam<BR/>Sorry for posting my comment at the wrong slot. Coming back to the topic ..<BR/><BR/>Don't you watch 'Visions of Pakistan' hosted by Bashir Khan (friend of Iman Soharwardy) on Cable Channel 60, Saturdays at 2.00 p.m.? <BR/><BR/>In this show it was mentioned that Soharwardy has made 'great sacrifices' for the walk, has "re-mortgaged his house" and is looking to raise $ 1 million through this walk. But no details of his spendings. My jaws dropped when I heard this because I was at a loss to understand why a walk should compel him to re-finance his house and seek a donation totalling to $1 million. <BR/><BR/>So, I sent an email to Soharwardy, appreciating his idea to walk against violence but asking him to explain why he needs $1 million when most members of the Muslim community belong to middle-class or low income groups. On receiving this email, he cleverly refuted the target of $1 million by dumping that on someone else and changed his donation target to $200K which too is a large amount. And he still didn't disclose what he intends to do with so much money. I quote his email as follows:<BR/><BR/>Quoting Soharwardy:<BR/>"Our budget is $200K for this walk, not $1million. I am not sure who told you $1M budget. If you are referring to Bashir Khan's program, then $1M target was not for walk, it was for Mr. Subhani's projects. Again, our budget is $200K. By the way, have you donated any money?" <BR/>Unquote:<BR/><BR/>JazekAllah Khair, thanks and peace.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21234701.post-28102165960977110722008-08-15T19:13:00.000-04:002008-08-15T19:13:00.000-04:00The following comment was posted in the wrong post...The following comment was posted in the wrong posting slot ... I thought I should bring it forward:<BR/><BR/>anonymous wrote:<BR/>Needless to say, I absolutely appreciate this great movement of walk against violence. Violence is a curse all over the world and any effort to finish it would be welcomed.<BR/><BR/>I only don't want people to use such a great cause as a publicity stunt. Mr. Syed Soharwardy, who talks much about being a leading member of this movement, said that he is aiming at raising a total donation of 200K, without giving any information to the community about his spending details. So, why is he asking for such a huge amount of money? To promote an ethical value such as peace, one does not require money, least of all as much as 200K. Frankly, I've lost my trust in him and I think he is simply looking for money and fame. I'm so sick of everyone asking for money, money and money all the time!<BR/><BR/>Friday, August 15, 2008 5:30:00 PM CDT<BR/><BR/>My comment to THIS is simply this - While Syed welcomed donations, and gave information on where they could be directed, at no time in the three days he was in the Brandon area did he mention a dollar amount, nor ask specifically for a donation. <BR/><BR/>He spoke clearly and eloquently about his walk and his desire to see all of us engage in constructive conversation and action against violence. <BR/><BR/>I'm familiar with many of the other things written about Syed on the Internet, and I balance THAT with the nonsense I've had to endure and offer my personal take on him by what he is saying and doing NOW, not last week, last month, last year or five years ago ... <BR/><BR/>I have heard the criticism, and while I haven't dismissed it, I have weighed it against what I have experienced first hand ... and the Syed Soharwardy I've met is a man speaking of PEACE, and nothing more. He hasn't asked for donations or assistance, he's just expressed appreciation for the help he's received ... <BR/><BR/>Shalom, Salaam, and Peace,<BR/>ShawnReverend Shawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17592815717779408231noreply@blogger.com