Syed Zaid Zaman Zaidi was born on March 14, 1964 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. He is a security, political and defence analyst known for his television program on NewsOne Channel: "BrassTacks with Zaid Hamid". BrassTacks is a Pakistani "think tank" he created, which is devoted to the study of regional and global political events and their implications for Pakistan's security and interests. This program has pioneered a new trend in current affairs programming in Pakistan, where he skillfully knits together the undercurrents of apparently disconnected global events, and builds a bigger perspective on the threats that we face and where our true national interests lie. Zaid Hamid has authored dozens of published articles and handbooks on various defence and security related issues.
Zaid Hamid – a youngster full of vigor and courage:
Early in his youth, when Zaid Hamid started his graduate degree, the muslim ummah got challenged by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan – a landmark event that started Zaid’s career as a soldier and a mujahid. Staking his life and career, he signed up as a volunteer in the Afghan war, and actively participated in the jihad right up to the liberation of Kabul. Over all, Zaid Hamid has spent more than six years of active participation in the jihad. Being a black belt second dan of Shotokan martial art, coupled with his charismatic leadership qualities and in-depth familiarity with modern weapons, (which he inherited from his father, a distinguished veteran of the ‘65 war), he quickly became a notable contributor in the Afghan jihad.
It was through this first hand participation in the finest guerilla operations of their time that he gained his valuable insights and expertise in Irregular Warfare, counter Insurgency, Low and High Intensity Conflicts and strategic war planning. His travels in Afghanistan allowed him to network with a number of key figures of the jihad from both Afghanistan and Pakistan, and gave him his unique insights into the psyche of the Afghan people, the political undercurrents of the region, the inside story of the whole operation, as well as the role of the CIA and other clandestine agencies in the great game.
To top all of that, he still managed to visit the university campus every now and then, and finished off on his Engineering degree.
Zaid Hamid – A security professional:
After the war, Zaid Hamid started his career as a security professional covering subjects like electronic security solutions, security systems design, and training of security personnel. His years in the war significantly contributed in sharpening his expertise of perceiving security threats and developing successful counter measures. After a successful stint as area head of Security Alarms Systems Division of an eminent security company, he launched his own private consulting company in the late 1990s, called BrassTacks Security. This company specializes in corporate security systems design, security systems audit, and security intelligence reporting. You can learn more about it on the corporate website, www.brasstacks.biz
Love for education and learning:
With his backpack full of books even in the barren hills of Afghanistan, he has always lived by the Prophet’s saying to seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave. Even today he considers himself a student, and is ever willing to learn from others, as much as he is willing to teach of what he has learnt and experienced. As you converse with him (in your choice of five languages that he speaks), you can quickly realize the depth and breadth of his knowledge on topics related to religion, philosophy, world history and military subjects. In particular, he is passionate about Islam, and possesses in-depth knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah, as well as extensive study of Islamic political history, Islamic social and economic history, the mechanisms and foundations of Muslim’s economic and social achievements, as well as topics on contemporary issues of the Muslim world and the practical steps to reclaim our lost glory.
In his quest for learning from his elders, Zaid Hamid has had personal acquaintances with many eminent authors, thinkers and scholars of our time, and is strongly inspired by the thoughts of Youfaf Ali Kazzab, Wasif Ali Wasif and Ashfaq Ahmad. He has also travelled to many countries and places, including numerous visits to Hjiaz-e-muqaddas, turkey, and other friendly Muslim countries.
He is himself a prolific writer and author of dozens of published articles and handbooks on various defence and security related issues and appears regularly on mainstream media as Analyst on various security and defense matters. His views on security issues especially are taken as authority by clients including multinationals, Government of Pakistan and embassies of friendly countries.
Allama Iqbal: Zaid Hamid’s inspirational religious guru and mentor:
Zaid Hamid believes and follows Allama Iqbal’s ideology. He has extensively read the revolutionary philosophy of Iqbal and his message of Islamic unity and Muslim renaissance, and strongly believes in practically following Iqbal’s message of Ishq-e-Rasool and Khudi. Like Iqbal, Zaid Hamid dismisses the factional and sectarian divisions among Muslims, and vouches for an Ummah which rises above its differences and meets the bigger challenges that it collectively faces.
Butaan-e-rang o khoon koe tore kar millat mein gum hoe ja
Na toorani rahe baqi, na irani, na afghani
Other than following the pristine message of Islam as brought by the Prophet (S.A.W), Zaid Hamid has absolutely no affiliations with any political, sectarian or religious group or party. He frequently describes Jinnah and Iqbal as having a 'heart of a lion' and 'sight of an eagle', respectively.
BrassTacks: A private venture of Zaid Hamid:
Through out his life of jihad, self-development, and learning, the issue of Islamic renaissance, and resurgence of Pakistan as a prosperous and strong Muslim country, has been a personal passion of Mr. Zaid. The creation of BrassTacks think tank is a culmination of his life long efforts and aspirations.
The mission of Brasstacks Think Tank is exactly what the mission of Zaid Hamid himself has always been: to strive for creation of a stronger Pakistan, by creating awareness and providing education on issues of strategic national importance, and providing guidance to the people on how to develop a comprehensive strategy for safeguarding our national interests, and ideological frontiers.
BrassTacks is a private venture of Zaid Hamid, and some close like-minded friends who all share the common cause of commitment and patriotism to Pakistan. BrassTacks accepts no funding from any outward source, and is not affiliated with any political party or institution. However, brasstacks maintains a friendly and advisory role to key institutions of Pakistan including the government of Pakistan, the foreign office, Pakistan army, and embassies of friendly Islamic countries.
BrassTacks think tank has attracted a lot of talent from the youth of Pakistan, and is already playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of Pakistan’s domestic and foreign policy.
BrassTacks TV Show:
The programs broadcast at "BrassTacks with Zaid Hamid" so far have covered the following subjects:
• US Grand Strategic Objectives
• Zionist War Against Islam
• Pakistan Afghan Policy
• Political Islam and Jihad
• Hindu Zionism
• Economic terrorism
Subjects covered include Hindu Zionism, Chanakya ideology, the war of 1965, the Indian role in East Pakistan affair, War on Terror, Pre and Post 9/11 scenario, External threats to Pakistan's security, Pakistan Afghan Policy, Concepts of Political Islam and development of global jihad, Legitimate resistance to occupation or Terrorism, History of Religious and Sectarian Violence in Pakistan.
Zaid Hamid’s view on various attacks aimed at destabilizing Pakistan:
Zaid Hamid has made statements against the American, Indian, Israeli and Afghan governments. He claimed that Baitullah Mehsud and his aides, including the suicide bombings within Pakistan are actually funded by the CIA and RAW to destabilize Pakistan. He has said that the real target of the US is Pakitan's nuclear capability which is a direct threat to Israel's sovereignty. He has also stated that the November 2008 Mumbai attack was actually a plan hatched by "Hindu Zionists" and "Western Zionists", including the Mossad, and that it was "an attempt by the Indians to stage an attack just like the Americans, who themselves executed the September 11 attacks perfectly".
Zaid Hamid’s view on western democracy:
Zaid Hamid is critical of the present government of Pakistan, declaring it as a 'CIA-sponsored' democracy. He disapproves the concept of democracy in all its totality and claims it as un-Islamic. He does not support secular liberal western democracy, nor advocates fascists totalitarian secular dictatorships. His ideology of political power is based on the doctrine of Allama Iqbal, which supports the concept of spiritual democracy or benevolent dictatorship. Hamid also admired Augusto Pinochet and how the South American dictator wanted to kill the Chicago boys if they failed to do economic reforms.
Zaid Hamid – an icon encouraging youngsters to come and join hands with him:
Zaid Hamid welcomes and encourages youngsters to join hands with BrassTacks and play their role in Islamic Renaissance and Muslim unity through the organization of this God gifted country of Pakistan. His unquenchable thirst for knowledge and learning has made him a true leader – one who inspires his followers by working with them, day in and day out.
His popularity in youngsters is evident through his fan-clubs at various youth websites which include facebook, orkut and other web portals of the sort.
Zaid Hamid – Yousaf Ali Kazzab Issue:
Zaid Zaman Hamid has been closely working with Yousaf Ali Kazzab till the time Yousaf was murdered in the prison by a fellow prison mate. Yousaf Ali was earlier given death sentence by the court on the charges of blasphemy. During his life time Yousaf Ali Kazzab appointed Zaid Zaman Hamid as his Khalifa.
