They came first for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist.
LAHORE: “They came first for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up.”
These simple words of Martin Niemoller, a German pastor and theologian, about Nazi Germany illustrate the value to society of people like the late and much lamented Salmaan Taseer. He was not prepared to remain silent, no matter what the risks. May his death be a wake-up call to all Pakistanis.
Mian Haroun Rashid
Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2011.
