Dear Nafees Sahib,
I read the article by Mr Farooq Suleria. There is nothing I can say. In social and political thought many sources of inspiration can be there, some recognised and some may be claimed by example. How many know that democracy originated from Athens? But let me challenge you further that democracy did not originate in Athens but in Sumer where King Gulgamesh did not hold autocratic power but his power was shared with a Council. I will get you many authorities who will say they never heard of King Gulgamesh.
Cyrus stated in 600 BC that he will respect the traditions, customs and religions of the nations of his empire and never let any of his governors and subordinates look down on or insult them until he was alive. This does not mean all religious tolerance originated from there. Many societies and intellectuals may not really know that Cyrus ever made that statement.
I think Khan meant it as an example of principles learned by modern societies through a chain of human intellect. I am not a scholar and I can understand when one 'socialist' states that he never heard of Umar's law. I will ask Mr Khan the context and origin of his claim.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Arif Alvi
Secretary General
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
P.S : I'm not sure about the authinicity of this statment by dr. Arif alvi as I found it on some yahoo group.