Student Samad Khurram Refused Harvard Scholarship

by MJK on June 18, 2008

I just came across a very strange yet very interesting news story that a student of Harvard University has refused his Harvard academic Award at a ceremony held in National Arts Gallery, Islamabad today. The US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson was the Chief Guest on the occasion where this incident happened and she was made to face big embarrassment when the whole hall gave a loud applause to the student for his just decision. The student refused the award as a protest on the recent cross border attack by Americans in Mohmand Agency, which resulted in the death of 20 Pakistani soldiers and still many more are missing.

The school adminstration later stopped the Samad Khurram from giving any interview to the media in order to save their face. A small search by me on google made me find out a guy with the name of Samad Khurram studying in Roots School in Islamabad. The following is written on their website

“Samad Khurram Top in the World Thinking skills AS Level”

I believe it might be the same student since Roots is a private school as claimed by media and the guy is also has achivements in his A levels exam from Cambridge University. In case he is someone else, please pardon me for the mistake and let me know so that we can correct the information.

With my further research i found out that Mr Samad Khurram is an active blogger and he blogs at various blogs like Teeth Meastro etc. He has been very active in the politics of the country and is already a student of Harvard University, where he is studying Government. I am sure people like him will definately change the future of this country. Bravo Mr. Samad Khurram!

(the post has been slightly modified to correct an earlier mistake. Samad Khuram refused an award and not scholarship.)

Source: The News, Daily Mail

Related Articles

{ 2 trackbacks }

Student Samad Khurram Refused Harvard Scholarship | Tea Break
06.19.08 at 3:21 am
Samad Khurram: The Pakistani Student who Refused to Accept Harvard Scholarship | Tea Break
06.23.08 at 4:21 am

{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Amir 06.18.08 at 9:42 pm

Well Done Guy
Here I got that Video Clip of that ceremony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUR1YUwisrI

2 Ali Abbasi 06.18.08 at 10:31 pm

i’d say that you’ve done an incredible and bold job and you deserve great appreciation.
Americans ought to be given such a lesson. And my dear compatriot you’ve shown a right path to our leaders esp. the PRESIDENT.
All the country is with you….KEEP IT UP, May you prosper in your life(Amen)

3 Peppe 06.19.08 at 2:34 am

Salutes to You Samad! for doing what u did n the way u did it… this country’s so callled prezident, politicians and even the most intellect failed to and would never imagine to do so … if ur studying Governance I reallly wish n hope to c u in our Parliament and Foriegn office one day …….. U make this country proud !

4 hira waheed 06.19.08 at 3:08 am

yeah its awake up call for all Pakistanis guys we all need to shun the jews and their allies.and be as brave and as pragmatic as samad…God bless ya

5 Abrar 06.19.08 at 3:51 am

Samad has been trying to get cheap popularity for a long time. I know him personally as a friend and all his friends make fun of him at such attempts. Yes, he is the same student who got an honor in thinking skills. B/w he would not have been able to study at Harvard if americans are not paying for his tuition, his lodging and boarding. They are paying in millions of rupees for his studies. He owes everything to US citizens who pay taxes so people like him can come to realize their dreams. If he has the real courage then he should quit receving financial aid from USA.

Samad should grow up.

6 mumtaz 06.19.08 at 4:39 am

Well done Samad. You have made all of us proud today! The way you have been supporting the lawyers movement is also commendable. And if anyone thinks that you are after cheap publicity, let them. After all, grapes are sour! Wish you best of luck with your career.

7 Asad 06.19.08 at 4:42 am

@
Abrar

Dont be jeolous

8 Asad 06.19.08 at 4:44 am

“the real courage then he should quit receving financial aid from USA”

SOON WE WILL REFUSE THIS AS WELL

9 mumtaz 06.19.08 at 4:53 am

I don’t think we should refuse their aid at. Why should we? In fact, we should utilize it for our country. Thats exactly what USA does. Use other countries soil and oil for its own self interests. And beside theres no point in saying that the real courage is then to quit financial aid from USA.

Real courage was what he did yesterday. Knowing well that he is a benefactor of the American Aid and a student of Harvard, he still had the audacity to slam and blast the American Ambassador. That courageous!

10 M Junaid Khan 06.19.08 at 6:05 am

I feel sorry for you Abrar that you talk about your friend like that! Dont call him your friend if that is how you support your friends.

11 i love pakistan 06.19.08 at 7:38 am

samad khurram is a U.S. spy. i’ve known him 4 years and have been following his activities for the past year or so. In all our debates on U.S. foreign policy, he has always ALWAYS defended it. this was all staged. please don’t fall for it. i wish it was a genuine pakistani student who had snubbed Patterson, but S.K. is an american agent whom the americans want to emerge as a powerful leader decades from today, for their own use. The future will confirm it.

12 Naveed Siddique from Karachi 06.19.08 at 10:44 am

If Samad Khurrum is USA spy then guess you are a traitor. at least someone has guts. He should be awarded with Sitara e jurrat.

Sarmad Khurram is now our Hero.

Our prayers are with you Sarmad.,and take good care of yourself

13 Zohaib 06.19.08 at 12:55 pm

HEllo….well…i happen to know Samad personally……i was in the same school as him…..yes he is the same guy who got a world distinction in Thinking Skills….however, just to get facts straight, it wasn’t a Harvard scholarship that he turned down…it was just an annual recognition ceremony award given by Roots College to its present and ex-students.

14 A STUDENT IN ROOTS IN AS 06.19.08 at 2:24 pm

i seriously was one of those students who clapped for samad who is extremely intelligent ..he got 9 As in olevel and has got 7 best olevel As in world n he also got 5 As in alevel and he got in ALEVEL
ECONOMICS:-99%
physics:98%
mathematics;-99%
chemistry;-98%
he had best 3 and 4 As in alevels ..he was awarded a cash prize of 10000 by education minister..he toped in physics” NATIONAL SCIENCE TALENT COMPETITION”,HE ALSO ONE GIK INSTITUTE SCIENCE QUIZ COMPETITION……….
I THINK HE SHOULD HV GOTTEN OUT OF HAVARD BY DUING UNDER GRADUATION AND GRADUATION…………….HE I ALTHOUGH LOVED HIS COURAGE BUT I FEEL HE DIDNT RUIN HIS FUTURE BY SPEAKING OUT AGAINST AIR STRIKES N AGAINST MUSHARRAF…………….
HE IS NOT A SPY…THT CRAP N PPL JUST TRYING 2 DEFAME HIM ……….IF HE WANTED CHEAP POPULARITY …………HE IS ENOUGH POPULAR DUE 2 HIS ACHIEVEMENTS…………..AN AMAZING ROOTS COLLEDGE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ………….AMAZING……..but i m tense tht brilliance doesnt lead 2 were ABDUL QADIR KHAN IS today………….because history has proved that no intelligent person in pakistan politics has sustained.
praying 4 samad n his brother moheeb …………another genius in making…by getting 11 As in olevel n distiction in region in economics n stats……..n amazing brain
because i hv heared he also turned down the award but maam anjum(coordinator of RCI) forced him toooooooooo………..ALL U THERE PRAY 4 FUTURE OF PAKISTAN

15 A STUDENT IN ROOTS IN AS 06.19.08 at 2:32 pm

HE DIDNT REJECT SCHOLARSHIP ……………………HE JUST REFUSED AN AWARD OF GRADUATION PPL………………………….PLEAZE CHANGE THE HEADLINE OF THIS ARTICLE

16 Bakhtawar Mian 06.19.08 at 3:19 pm

Well done Samad. The news surprised me becuase even our Tatoo president Mush tumbles when he speaks before the US ambassador or even a clerk. Bravo! This country needs brave people like you - not agents and puppets like Mush. May be your courageous and bold act brings some ghairat to the insane Mush as well.

17 Senior Rootsian 06.19.08 at 4:24 pm

I just want to say that he might have some hidden intentions but he must be appreciated for his courage and will. Great Job… I think so it sent a clear message to all the students and young genertaion of Pakistan to stand up for the pride of thier country,,,

Moreover, i feel sorry for the Principal of the RCI,,,,,,,,. Great Councellor and excellent woman.

SHAME on all the politicians and Musharraf,,,,,,, People with big bank accounts and minute courage and dignity,,,,,, Students are the future of Pakistan

18 Faiqa Taher 06.19.08 at 4:47 pm

I’ll too definitely go for Samad’s courageous act.
All Americans in US governing body or so deserve this.

19 M Junaid Khan 06.19.08 at 5:58 pm

He is surely an outstanding student! Pro Pakistan is proud to write about such heroes of our society

20 rehman 06.19.08 at 6:26 pm

well done Samad Khurram

@Abrar
if this is an act of getting cheap popularity then your should also try to get this cheap popularity because this will show your love to pakistanis and pakistan.
Our politicians and generals have never done such a bold act even they are famous for getting cheap popularity.

21 OS 06.19.08 at 6:54 pm

Well done sir……..way to go……….i wish one day we can all stand like this against all these kafirs……

22 M Adeel Zia 06.19.08 at 7:43 pm

Well Done Young National Hero.
You have again ignited the torch which will be helpful to guide the whole nation and especially youngsters. Others should be clear that Nations having young blood like this man are never hope less and can never be defeated.
Politicians having their own interests more than this country future should know that they would not be able to stop the flow of revolution.
Once again we are proud of Mr. Samad Khurram as he has displayed the feeling of every Nationalist Pakistani.

23 Anonymous 06.20.08 at 3:37 am

I think Samad is amazingly brave, Smart, articulate.. i think I have a little crush on him.
Jokes apart, what he did was way brave!! i don’t care about the intentions behind it or if he is US spy or whatever the fact is.. he’s sure got BALLS. Samad is a NATIONAL hero. and we need to praise him over his courage..!

24 Ahmad Jawwad 06.20.08 at 6:19 am

Well Done Khurrum !!!
And you Mr. Abrar @…IT is not the matter of Cheap Popularity …but the matter of self Respect and Patriotism….And You…You are such an idiot and are jealous of him…….any ways
All the best for you Mr. Samad and May Allah Bless all of us with such courage and vision (Aameen)
May Allah Show right path or destroy our So Called Leaders of Democracy who are still servants of Americans…..
Take Care

25 saleha jamal 06.20.08 at 6:53 am

A very very brillient act of bravery……….It’s true that doing this is not easy i mean if i would have been awarded like this then i may not have refused beacause this award means a lot………..but rejecting a token of appriciation for the sake of your country without thinking about for one’s self and the future ahead is a remarkable act………..this is a golden story of petriotism.
All i can say is commenting here on this blog is not enough, we all have learned a lesson from this and should try to be petriot and brave just like him :)

26 M Junaid Khan 06.20.08 at 7:14 am

Surely such peaceful acts are the best way to lodge our protest with the Americans and their allies and to make it clear to them that their actions won’t go un noticed

27 Mr. Abdul Khan 06.20.08 at 1:23 pm

Samad is studying in Harvard and has already used more than US$ 100,000 of US scholarship towards his studies. He has double standards, and did this act on a payout by the local media to get some support and cheap publicity. Samad khurram was paid to make a news story and thus sttracting cheap publicity. I was present on the cremony and am Samad’s Teacher at Roots College Islamabad. Samad must be punished by the Harvard and American People for bringing dishonour to their ambassasdor. He did it for money!

Thank You All and trust me I was at the ceremony and know Samad more than anyone else.

28 a true pakistani lover 06.20.08 at 4:06 pm

CHEERS UP YOUNG HERO…..
Mr. Abdul Khan,
Fact is that, he can not be a student of cheap teacher like you. Please have a heart, it means if some one spend some thing on you, you will be ready to sell yourself. MIR JAFFAR and MIR SADIQ, i think seems to be friend of yours. Dont be jealous, and you also try to do something extra ordinary to get fame….. but its true… he has done a marvolous job…a brave act of nationalism and he has tried to awake the dead soul of so many Pakistanis like YOU…
Sorry if you are hurt… but you deserve…..

29 Aamir Ali 06.20.08 at 4:17 pm

Samad Khurram is a hypocrite who went to attend Harvard, an American university in 2005, on American taxpayer money and now disprespects the American ambassador for an incident that ultimately the Taliban were responsible for.

However there are many Pakistanis who will curse America and then stand in line at the US Embassy. Mr Khurram himself is Exhibit Number 1. Congratulations to Pakistanis.

30 Mishaal 06.20.08 at 5:56 pm

Shut up Aamir Ali.

You didn’t get into Harvard, nor did you snub the US Ambassador.

We don’t care what you think.

31 M Junaid Khan 06.21.08 at 4:03 am

Please find the interview of one of my friend and journalist with Samad Khurram. Since our readers were very much interested in this thing so i am sure they will appreciate this republishing of the interview.

Link is available below

http://www.pro-pakistan.com/2008/06/21/interview-with-samad-khurram/

32 Naveed Ahmed Karachi 06.21.08 at 8:13 am

Amir Ali an advise for you.You should change your name from Amir Ali to MIR JAFFER,you know history of this traitor.

33 Zeeshan Qamar 06.22.08 at 8:00 am

Dear Samad Khuram, “Thank You” for putting back our fallen head’s towards sky, “Thank You” for being a live example to those who think, what should we do in this young age, “Thank You” for defending the borders of your country by just saying “NO”, “Thank You” for becoming the vioce of those who silently killed in darkness, I have a million more thanks to you but there is one “Thanks” to your parents for educating you the right, and truthfull path. The entire nation owe’s your debt and says “Thank You”……..

Don’t be bother with ppl like Abrar, he is just showing what he has been feed in, where as you ‘ve shown what you have been.

34 M Junaid Khan 06.22.08 at 9:11 am

Zeeshan you put it in a very nice manner!

35 Kashif Hafeez 06.24.08 at 7:22 am
36 Zeeshan Qamar 06.26.08 at 11:37 am

Thanks Junaid, but when it is right from botom of your heart; it will have sense.

Keep up the good work mates.

Zeeshan

37 shandana 06.28.08 at 6:13 am

we r proud of u

38 iman 07.03.08 at 3:02 am

Disgraceful act by this young man, if he is so upset than he should not be in USA, insulting a guest is terrible. An act of bravery should have been refusal of the Harvad Scholarship. These type of people spread hatred. I am sorry to see an educated intelligent man behave like this. The Prophet respected the worst of his enemies when they were his guest.

39 Saira 07.07.08 at 4:02 am

Look. GET THEIR MONEY! USE IT! DON’T REFUSE IT. ARE YOU ALL CRAZY? THE AMERICANS HAVE ROBBED US..FOR YEARS….GET THE SCHOLARSHIP…KICK THEIR !@#$%^& ASSES, ABSORB AS MUCH AS YOU CAN FROM THE GREATEST POWER IN THE WORLD…AND THEN COME BACK. IT WOULD BE HYPOCRISY TO REMAIN THERE, WORK THERE, PAY TAXES THERE, SPEND THERE, OR INVEST THERE.

SO COME BACK!

40 iman 07.10.08 at 12:45 am

A person like thet is called Munafiq.

41 M Junaid Khan 07.10.08 at 3:45 am

I agree to a certain extent but i think there is no harm in learning from your enemy even!

42 Brian Tomson 08.15.08 at 5:44 pm

Samad Khurrams action only show us how foolish he is.
He has either been influenced by his friends who have no concern for his well being or is not aware of what is going on around him.

43 Ammar 10.17.08 at 8:20 pm

What ever it is..he has got balls!!

44 Aliarqam 11.19.08 at 1:28 pm

We expect the same moral courage from the CJ (r?) Chouhdry to refuse American institution medal on their land
“Samad refused the award as a protest on the recent cross border attack by Americans in Mohmand Agency, which resulted in the death of 20 Pakistani soldiers and still many more are missing.”

“CJ is a hero in this movement for being the protector of “missing persons”. Now what moral stand he has for receiving medals from a US institution, when all missing persons are missing because of USA. The constitutional movement raised a lot of voice on civil rights. Now what bout greater civil right violator in the world?. Cant he see Guantanamo bey?, the institutionalization of torture in CIA abduction cells in Europe?”

Leave a Comment

You can use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>