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Daughter of the East: An Autobiography |
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reviewed by Ceren Mutus |
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Author: Benazir Bhutto |
ISBN:
978-605-5943-52-3 |
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Publisher:
Pegasus Yayýnlarý |
Page:
540 |
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Type:
Hardcover |
Price:
$12.45 |
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Place of Publication:
Istanbul |
Published in:
November 2008 |
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Review: |
Can Islam and Democracy coexist? Although this remarkable question has gained importance in world politics lately since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and consequently terrorism was wrongfully equalized with Islam, roots of the struggle for democracy in the Muslim World can be traced back to the 1950s. The South-Asian country, Pakistan, which was established as a sovereign state in 1947,is one of the prominent examples of this phenomenon.
Written by Benazir Bhutto, the first, and to date the only, female Prime Minister of Pakistan and in general in the Muslim World, “Daughter of the East” is a comprehensive political autobiography recounting a detailed panorama of Bhutto’s fight against the military regime in Pakistan. Endless and courageous attempts to restore democracy in the country, human rights violations, namely inconceivable life conditions imposed on political prisoners and continuous breaches of rule of law, big states’ lack of democracy and human rights understanding when their interests are at stake and in this context the emergence of terrorism are the main issues examined in detail throughout the seventeen chapters of the book.
In the introduction, the author begins by setting the current world conjuncture, in which international terrorism has reached its peak, and regretfully Islam is used as a tool to disrupt the delicate balance of powers. She expressly condemns the terrorist activities of some groups such as Al-Qaeda and the Taliban and besides, harshly criticizes big Western powers for underestimating the role of authoritarian military regimes on promoting terrorism. Regarding her personal approach towards democracy and religion, Benazir Bhutto believes in the coexistence of these two fundamental values. According to her, the right interpretation of Islam requires underpinning pluralism with tolerance.
In the opening chapter, the author describes the murder of her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the first popularly elected President of Pakistan, following a military coup under the leadership of General Zia ul-Haq in 1977. Under General Zia’s 11 year military dictatorship, the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan was annulled, civil rights were set aside, military tribunals were established to try political prisoners, free media was suppressed and used in order to eliminate other political views, religious minorities faced discrimination, Sharia Law covered all social and financial affairs, and crime and women’s rights regressed. During his dictatorship, Pakistan witnessed a dramatic increase in human rights abuses, particularly torture and maltreatment.
In the following chapters, the author recounts her struggle for reviving democracy in Pakistan. Members of the Bhutto family always constituted a threat to the survival of the military regime, and the government, with the support of the Generals, applied all means to suppress the opposition. Benazir Bhutto, the eldest child of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was imprisoned many years and was even encouraged by guards to commit suicide. Her two brothers, who were claimed to have links with the leftist and militant organization of Pakistan, Al-Zulfiqar, were murdered under mysterious conditions. Benazir Bhutto served as the Prime Minister of Pakistan for two terms (1988-1990, 1993-1996) and she was removed from office through disproportionate means. As a female politician, she encountered opposition from the conservative and Islamist circles; however, the public support demonstrated that Pakistani people put more emphasis on democracy and respect for rule of law rather than the ruler’s gender.
One of the striking points that the author draws attention to is the approach of big Western powers, particularly the US, towards human rights violations occurred in Pakistan. Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, the Reagan Government improved its relations with Pakistan in order to protect the US interests in the region against the Soviets. The US Government, skeptical of Pakistan’s developing its own know-how and nuclear technology, began to refrain from making harsh statements. Political dialogue was followed by financial and military aid which amounted to 3.2 billion dollars for six years. This pragmatic approach inevitably led to an ignorance of democratic culture and human rights in Pakistan. Criticisms directed at human rights abuses and Marshall Laws, lacking concrete reactions, fell short of expectations.
The abovementioned circumstances serving the states’ interests formed the basis of emergence of radical terrorism in the region. Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, Muslim guerillas (Mujahideen),were financed, armed and trained by the US and Pakistan and resisted the Soviet occupation under the name of jihad (holy war). After the Soviets withdrew from the country in 1989, there was a power and security vacuum in the region. Moreover, the fall of the Berlin Wall in the same year distracted the world’s attention. The mujahideen, having defeated the ‘enemy’, increased their self-confidence and began to search for new ‘enemies’, new ‘unbelievers’. In other words, the US and Pakistan unknowingly (!) strengthened radical Islamists who were eager to fight the West in the name of religion. The author, as the Prime Minister of Pakistan at that time, recounts her experiences and observations, and reflects on her regrets for being a part of this project. In this context, she quotes one of her previous remarks directed to US President Bush, “Mr. President, I think that we have created a monster which will cause trouble for us in the future.”
In short, “Daughter of the East” is a well-written autobiography that provides a comprehensive political history of Pakistan since the 1970s. It is recommended for those who are interested in the historical political dynamics of Pakistan in general and the gripping life story of Benazir Bhutto, who is a very important political figure in Pakistan in particular. As known, Bhutto concluded her political education at Radcliffe and Oxford and spent many years abroad, participating in international platforms, calling for democracy and justice for Pakistan. Thus, she symbolizes the combination of Western and Eastern cultures and world view. However, the book adopts a unilateral approach towards the long-lasting struggle between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the undemocratic military regime. She only reflects the successful reforms undertaken during her terms and omits failures. Regarding her father’s political career, she again selects successes and brings the public support in the foreground; however she fails to mention the criticisms directed to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto by international human rights groups.
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about book: |
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Beautiful, charismatic, and the first and only woman to lead a post-colonial Muslim state, Benazir Bhutto achieved international renown in her native Pakistan until charges of corruption forced her into exile in the late 1990s. From her upbringing in one of Pakistan's richest families to her subsequent politicization and her arrest following her father's execution, Bhutto’s autobiography chronicles a life of strength, dedication, and courage in the face of adversity. This updated volume addresses her personal and political activities over the past two decades and how her country has changed since being thrust into international limelight following 9/11. Intriguing and impassioned, this is the life story of one of the most prominent female politicians of the 20th century. |
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