In memoriam: Benazir Bhutto 1953-2007

Photo of Mosquee de Paris by Jordana Shalhoub.

When a suicide bomb attack in October threatened her life, Benazir Bhutto blamed extremists opposed to democracy, as well as rogue elements within President Pervez Musharaf's government. She demanded an investigation, appealing for the government to seek international expertise in tracing those responsible for the blast that killed 130 people upon her return from exile abroad.

"The attack was on what I represent," Bhutto told the media the next day. "The attack was on democracy and the very unity and integrity of Pakistan. [Those who died] made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of democracy and the fundamental rights of the people of Pakistan."

And now the courageous Ms. Bhutto herself has made that ultimate sacrifice. It is truly a dark period for the Pakistani people and a tragic loss for the voices of reason and moderation. Ms. Bhutto's voice may be silenced, but her spirit and philosophy survive through her many supporters. They will need to raise their voices collectively, to help combat the forces of extremism threatening Pakistan and the region.

Comments

[michele roohani]

"la terre est bleue comme une orange" Eluard

to know a bit more clearly about Ms. Bhutto, i recommend the excellent NY Times article about her:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/04/opinion/04dalrymple.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

the obituary of the economist magazine is a great source too. She's been very brave yet very much involved in creating the mess in that region...

Hitchen's piece about her in slate is informative also: http://www.slate.com/id/2180952/

i like yur blog a lot - you have good taste, great pictures and relevant commentaries. BRAVO Madame...

michele
micheleroohani.com

[Becca]

She did indeed make the ulitmate sacrifice for her beliefs, and her country. Her life (and death) speak volumes, and we would do well to listen.

Gone are the days when we could say such an event "didn't affect us," happening so far away on another continent. It is a global society, and the ramifications for this tragedy reach far and wide.

[My Melange]

Words can't express the loss. It is a sad, sad day for humanity.

[Amber]

"...and a tragic loss for the voices of reason and moderation..." Yes. It makes me so sad and hopeless. :(

I don't know if I believe the moderates are not just totally out-numbered...

:(

[Carol]

Thank you for your post. It is the only one I've found so far.
She was a remarkable person. Her death is such a waste, but her life was a blessing.

[judy wilkenfeld]

Applauding your post.
A tragedy for democracy.
A tragedy for women.
A tragedy for the family and Pakistan.

[melissa @ the inspired room]

A courageous woman, a tragic loss.

xo
Melissa

[fleur]

I saw this assassination coming a million miles away and years and years ago and I can't possibly be the only one who did. People just refuse to see what's right in front of them.
And it has been disgusting how the US government and military have been negotiating with Musharraf over the fight on terrorism. They think they can buy his "friendship". Nothing about the war on terrorism makes sense and I believe it's because the two sides are the same coin.
Bhutto must have decided to become a martyr, it's the only explanation. The utter predictability of her assassination causes so much resentment in me, it's hard to find any constructive words to say. Great sadness.

[Captain Cat]

After the shock has worn off, after the anger and the grieving has passed, people will, as you say, need to raise their voices collectively, and with even more determination than before. Surely this senseless, tragic loss of good and innocent lives has gone on long enough. Pakistan's future is more uncertain than ever; Bhutto's assassination also destabilises an already fragile region. We all need to be angry with the crap going on in the world, determined to do better yet remain hopeful and compassionate in order to make our world a better place. Thank you for posting this Tara.

[elsa]

i myself could not believe it when i heard the news. it is not the simplest thing to stand up for what you believe in- especially as a woman, in politics, in pakistan.
i am and was always proud of her- what a loss, what a shame.

[melinda]

We have just lost a very brave woman.

[wanderlustNpixiedust]

Thanks for posting this. I just don't understand how human beings can do such horrible things things to one another. Such a very sad shame.

[Colette]

It was a shocking pieces of news. That someone could get close enough to kill her and 22 people along with her. There was a woman who *lived* her principles. I hope the world doesn't forget those 22 innocents.

[Deb L]

What a sad, sad loss for the Pakistani people... her family has had such a tragic history of loss. I much admired her strength and unwavering sense of duty to bring democracy to Pakistan. We can only hope the voices of reason will prevail. xox Deb

[jzr]

A great post in honor of a great woman. It is a very sad time for the entire world.

[Merisi]

She was a strong and courageous woman, yes, and also a wife and the mother of three young children. She carried so much hope for all of us. All blown to smithereens.

[marita]

deep sorrow has come upon pakistan.
deep sorrow upon us all... women!

[Cre8Tiva]

i was shocked and saddened...great women in arab nations are needed...thank you deaar one...hugs, r

[apt a]

She was a beautiful human being...I am so sad about this ...and I keep asking myself Now what? xo

[Di Overton]

Tragic, a massive loss to democracy. This teaching of young people to be martyrs sickens me. I notice the elders that teach them never put themselves forward for such things.

[stephanie]

Tara,
This is so sad, such a feeling of helplessness. She was a very strong, brave women, who knew she was putting her life on the line for the Pakistani's, for the world.

thank you and others for posting, lighting a candle for Benazir Bhutto.

x...x
steph

[cheeky]

Glad you posted a memoriam in her honour. I said to myself, as I'm sure others did when the first attempt was made on her life after her return to Pakistan, that she would be murdered. I had a sinking, awful feeling. When I heard the news I felt numb. Tragic. She did not back down nor hide in fear. That is something remarkable. I pray for the nation of Pakistan and the rest of the world as we continue to witness these horrific crimes.

[rochambeau]

It is so sad. I admire her for standing up for what is good and right for her country. SHE DID NOT LET FEAR HOLD HER BACK!! She was strong and courageous. Your words about how others will have to carry her torch now is correct. Thank you for posting this.

xox
Constance

[Cherie]

Tara thank you for posting this. The world can be such a hateful place, and many political figures have suffered at the hands of extremists, but for some reason this death has affected me quite deeply. I mourn for Benazir Bhutto...more perhaps because she was a strong woman and not just a political figure.

[Gillian]

It is a shame; she had asked repeatedly for proper protection, the same protection that would have been afforded any man in her position.
Eight years of self-imposed exile wasn't enough I suppose. But I suppose our number is up when it is up...there is no control over it. I feel so terrible for her.
They need to stop breeding so much hatred in Pakistan...young boys are taught to be extremists from such an early age, their childhoods are taken away from them as a result and it only begets more and more violence.

xo
Gillian