Interview with Ghulam Umar, August 8, 2006

Partial Transcript: Amber Abbas in Karachi, Pakistan with Major General Umar on the 8th of August, 2006.

Segment Synopsis: Umar briefly discusses his upbringing, with a focus on education. The political situation in Pakistan and India following the partition of 1947 is discussed. Problems that the partition caused in the nations are also examined. India today and its political position within Southeast Asia is considered as well.

Keywords: Aligarh (India); Aligarh Muslim University; All India Congress Committee; Independence; Partition; Politics; World War II

Subjects: Conflicts; Education; England; Southeast Asia; World War, 1939-1945

Partial Transcript: What, what was your father's profession?

Segment Synopsis: Umar briefly discusses his childhood, which was primarily spent in India. Umar then recounts his experiences with the Indian Army, including the circumstances behind his enlisting in the army. Additionally, Umar describes his time spent in the Pakistani Army following the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947.

Keywords: Aligarh (India); Army; India; Lahore (Pakistan); New Delhi (India); Saudi Arabia

Subjects: Discrimination; Education; Life; Partition; Weapons

Partial Transcript: I'd, I'd like to know a bit more about, um, your, your time growing up in Aligarh.

Segment Synopsis: Umar discusses his time spent living in Aligarh, India while attending university. Umar also considers his views on the value of education, both personally and in his family. Next, Umar describes his religious upbringing in the Islamic faith. The interviewee's opinions on religious conflicts are examined. Lastly, Umar talks of Islamic sayings, and the ongoing Jihad.

Keywords: Aligarh (India); Aligarh Muslim University; Arabic; Family; Hostels; Kabul (Afghanistan); New Delhi (India); Professors

Subjects: Education; Islam; Life; Religion

Partial Transcript: Do you remember--do you have a memory of there being any Hindu-Muslim conflicts either in--when you were in Delhi or when you were in, uh, in, Aligarh?

Segment Synopsis: Umar explains the relations between Muslims and Hindus in India before the partition. Relations between the Sunni and Shiite Muslim sects in Aligarh are examined as well. The outside perception of Muslims and their relations both with Hindus and amongst themselves in India now and then is compared with the reality of the situation.

Keywords: Aligarh (India); Britain; New Delhi (India); Pakistan; Shiite Muslims; Sunni Muslims

Subjects: Hinduism; Islam; Partition; Religion

Partial Transcript: Why do you think that, um--you know, if the Muslim--the, the demand for Pakistan was in part based on the idea of the unity of the Muslim community.

Segment Synopsis: Umar provides insight into the effects of the partition upon Pakistan and Islamic identity. He says that it has harmed relations between the two main sects of Islam: Shiite and Sunni. Lastly, the current political situation in Pakistan is assessed.

Keywords: India; Pakistan; Parliament; Participation; Politics; Shiite Muslims; Sunni Muslims

Subjects: Democracy; Islam; Partition