The news, and subsequently the Pakistani blogosphere, was abuzz during the last week over a Pakistani student’s refusal to accept Harvard Scholarship from the US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson in an award distribution ceremony in Islamabad.

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 echoed with a loud applause for the student over his decision.

Samad Khurram, a Pakistani student, refuses to accept Harvard scholarship award as a protest

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.

Ms. Patterson and other U.S.embassy officials were shocked and embarrassed when Samad walked to the stage to receive his award but then announced he was refusing the honor to protest the unprovoked American violation of Pakistani airspace and the murder of innocent Pakistanis.

A shaken Ms. Patterson smiled sheepishly and tried to make the best out of an embarrassing moment.

I highly commend what Samad did. Yes, he may still be in Harvard and still getting the scholarship, but he was at least able to bring this incident into the limelight.

Here are a few more links from around the blogosphere:

• Standing Against The Tide – Samad Khurram [Excellent Post]
• Student Samad Khurram Refused Harvard Scholarship
• Samad Khurram Zinda Bad
• Well Done!! Samad Khurram!!
• Samad Khurram: Harvard Student Refuses Award from U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan
• Samad Khurram – a show of convinction for his country
• Three cheers for Samad Khurram

… Because what Samad has done is something that our politicians don’t have the guts to do in a million years! He stood strong and determined and in his own way snubbed the representative of the United States, calling their recent attack on Pakistani soil as that of a coward.

— The WeCite Blog