The Gujranwala rampage, killing and arson took place on the auspicious date of Ramazan 28 during the month when the Faithful, in their state of holiness, observe a fast coupled with abstention (though in actual fact, it is more of a feast and indulgence). But in this Islamic republic, there can be no abstention from violence when it comes to the possibility of having a good go at members of the Ahmadi community. It’s all built in, ignorant (and not-so-ignorant) mobs, incited by their religious mentors into a state of hatred, can resist no temptation — and yes, there is blood lust.
So, when an Ahmadi boy was accused of committing alleged blasphemy by posting a photograph on Facebook, there was no holding back. As usual, no one has mentioned what the photograph was — in all cases of alleged blasphemy by word, we are never given details because the actual motive probably has nothing to do with blasphemy. There were deaths — a woman and children — there was destruction and then displacement. The police stood by, inactive, of similar mindset.
The news was picked up by the international media a day before Eid and by our media on Eid day itself. Full marks to the English language press publications and their editorials: “Ahmadis burnt to death”, “Attack on Ahmadis”, “Riot in Gujranwala” and “Eid this time”, which opened up — “There is precious little for Pakistanis to celebrate Eid this year.” The Gujranwala savagery “as we know all too well is not an isolated incident. Many of us feel so insecure in their faith and our exploitation of religion is so blatant that they can justify killing children without any provocation in the name of religion. From Hazara Shias to Ahmadis and everyone else in between, minorities live in fear of their lives like never before.” Absolutely spot on!
But sadly, only a pathetic minority of the some 200 million would have reacted with shame and repugnance. What exactly is the fear among those who are part of the mob, citizens of a state bristling with nuclear weapons, with a massive army marching under the banner of faith? What danger do a few million minority citizens pose? Are the Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis in any position to shake the foundations of the great citadel? The same goes for the Shias — why the obsession with their elimination? Why the need for the laws that can easily be manipulated to target the minorities, and which no great leader can dare touch — certainly not the present one who is more concerned with his own afterlife than with the happenings in his country here on earth?
Well, it’s a sorry story. Apart from the present scenario in the Muslim world, at war with itself under varied sectarian banners, which is certainly not conducive to any spread of tolerance or lessening of bigotry-inspired violence, we have to go back to the beginning. We need to look at the mullah fraternity, those who opposed the creation of this country. A minority themselves, they forced the Objectives Resolution to be declared by the paralysed politicians of 1949 and the rot set in, to grow and grow, spread and spread, until it was enshrined in the nation’s Constitution and the white stripe on the flag became irrelevant, just a nasty joke.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 2nd, 2014.
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COMMENTS (9)
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Earlier it was Hindus and Sikhs. Now their numbers have been reduced substantially, they are killing Ahmedis and Shias. Once they are done with, sunnis of different sects will kill each other. The country will explode under its own weight. The future of Pakistan was drawn in THE NEW MIDDLE EAST MAP. Please read on the net.
What is going on in Pakistan and particularly in punjab is outcome of continuous hate campaign and hatred speeches in anti ahmadiyya conferences since years.Despite a lot incidents none strict action taken against those who clearly involved and no doubt it is silent favour to anti ahmadis forces.Ahmadis as pakistani has equal rights but lawa and courts both failed to protect them.It is the against of spirt of teachings of Islam.What ever had been done against them is criminal acts and crims which must be dealt according to laws.
Pakistan is a lost cause - every civilised person should get out before its too late
This irresponsible acts is really the name of islam into disrepute,how On earth ill a religion claiming to to be peace rather effect maltreatment to others and its own members.posterity would indeed judge us all.may the lost souls rest in perfect peace.
@G E Vahanvati, Mumbai: 2 wrong cannot make 1 right.....what is happening in the West and India, for arguments sake is not right in Islam...or is it....? Do we have any sense of value of Ramadan ?or is Ramamdan in Pakistan being followed just as a matter of routine and not as religious issue in the strict sense...killing of any person of any religion is against Islam, if we are not practicing it, is wrong and I do not support it.....and no sane person will support it either, unfortunately there seem more growth of insane person lately.....
A nation without human feelings and conscience can only become a burden on the world. The census is conducted in every country regularly because it acts as a barometer to gauge the impact of laws and policies on every section of the population, same as economic surveys. Every year since Independence Pakistan is becoming purer, by the fifties the problem should have been identified and remedial action taken. Unfortunately the pace of cleansing gathered pace and in the seventies and eighties additional legislation was enacted, hastening the process of minority cleansing. The writing is on the wall for those who can read, religion cannot be used for Politics, Business, crime, mayhem, war and murder --- just what is happening in Pakistan. When any individual cringes at the mere thought of inviting divine retribution, one wonders what can happen when a nation goes berserk. .
@G E Vahanvati, Mumbai: Muslims from India - if threatened - can always migrate to Pakistan which is created as their home land. Where the poor Pakistani Christians and Ahmadis go ? If you are so outraged go to your homeland.
I wonder where all liberals like this author vanish when Muslims are massacred by their thousands each year in india and the west. This selective outrage only for minorities and heretics discredits liberals completely and unmasks their real agenda. I know this will most probably not be published here because this is the truth, but remember - truth cannot be suppressed forever.
Only a craven vacuous mentally challenged individual, person would root for this country. Where they kill 8 month old babies in the name of religion. None of the politicians say a word against this genocide of minorities. By their silence, they are just as culpable as the ones who do the actual killing. This country has gone over into the abyss. And if you don't see it,...good luck to you.