Honour killing is not part of Sindh’s culture, says SMIU VC

Dr Shaikh claims settlers brought in traditions unfavourable to women.

KARACHI:

Killing women in the name of honour is not a part of Sindh’s culture. The practice was brought in the province by immigrants some centuries ago. The condition of women in Sindh, therefore, was much better in the 16th century than it is today.

These views were expressed by Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU) vice chancellor Dr Muhammed Ali Shaikh. In an interview with The Express Tribune, he said that, “When people from other parts of Pakistan and the neighbouring countries started settling in the province, they brought in traditions that were not favourable to women. The freedom of women was taken away.”

The SMIU press published its first book titled, ‘A Monograph on Sindh through the centuries’, authored by Dr Shaikh a couple of months back. Shaikh said that he had always felt that the young generation didn’t take keen interest in the history of the province. He said, therefore, he had included a number of pictures in the book, adding that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Scholars had previously written extensively about the culture of Sindh but failed to capture the attention of the youth.

“A book like this one was much required to motivate youngsters to read about their rich culture and heritage,” he said. “We are always enthusiastic to learn about European and American history and civilisation but never make much effort to teach our children the importance of learning the history of their own land. I want them take pride in it.”



“A chapter on the development of folklore helps understand the nature of society and culture. Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai had used folktales as a theme for his poetry, and they are still preserved in the form of Shah Jo Risalo. The images of women depicted in the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai enable us to understand their original status in the society,” he added.

The principal of Forman Christain College, Dr Christy Munir, also praised the book and said this monograph tells the history of Sindh from as early as the Indus Valley civilisation. “The photographs are very eye-catching.”

Dr Shaikh said he was very fond of photography and about 60 per cent of the pictures in the book were personally taken by him.

A noted scholar, poet and the vice chancellor of the Ziauddin University, Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, said that it was a well-compiled monograph as it used beautiful pictures to tell the history. Higher Education Commission chairperson Javaid R Laghari also lauded the effort of the writer. The book briefly discusses the Indus Valley civilisation, Vedic era, Buddhist and Brahaman rule, the advent of Islam, Baloch migrations and local dynasties.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2013.