The Way I See It
Do we remember what Taseer was fighting for?

Do we remember what Taseer was fighting for?

Taseer is gone, his killer is imprisoned but the blasphemy law remains unscathed - nothing has really changed.

Hafsa Ahmad January 04, 2012

International newspapers were ruthlessly generous to Pakistan this past year in granting the country front page features time and time again. Coverage included the Raymond Davis incident, the Memogate scandal, a 'bold' Veena Malik, devastating floods, and everyone's favourite, Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad.

However, exactly one year ago, Pakistan stole headlines for a reason that has largely been buried; Salmaan Taseer's assassination over the criticism of the blasphemy law. On January 4, 2011, Malik Mumtaz Qadri, one of Taseer's security guards, emptied over 20 bullets into the body of the man he was meant to protect.

Taseer's death was both mourned and celebrated; his assassin both deplored and decorated.

A year has gone by since the tragic incident. Taseer's son has been abducted, and his whereabouts remain yet unknown; his murderer has been sentenced to death amidst violent opposition; and the Christian woman that Taseer died defending is wasting away in jail.

True, the public has expressed outrage at the abduction, and many an opinion leader has nodded his head at the death sentence. The blasphemy law, however, remains unscathed. It was the centre of debate last January and it brought many questions to the fore.

What is its place in Pakistan?

How has it been abused?

Should such laws even exist?

Should Pakistan be a secular state?

These were just some of the questions raised. It brought to light the plight of minorities in Pakistan for a brief moment, and educated Pakistanis the world over shook their heads at the regrettable situation Pakistan was in.

Despite this nothing has changed. Where is that discourse now? What is the point of a people passing judgements if they do not demand justice of their government? What purpose do debates, talk shows, and articles serve if those who are watching, listening, and reading all concur but refuse to take action? Our memory is truly too short. Pakistanis worldwide were lamenting Taseer's death just last year, yet that tragic event, too, has passed from our attention just as quickly as Veena Malik's topless photoshoot has. Pakistan, as a nation, cannot afford such a short attention span. Events such as Taseer's death should be omnipresent in our minds in times like these, not to remind us of the pitiful state of our nation, but to remind us of the important political issues Pakistan faces.

Concerns such as the Blasphemy Laws and the Hudood Ordinances - more broadly, minority rights and women's rights - are ones that we should be pressing our political candidates on. Rather than harping on about Pakistan's age old problems with India or America, we should turn our sights inward and demand resolutions for the flaws that exist within our country. Election time is undoubtedly the singular most important period for every democracy - the power that the public holds during this period is unquestionable. Tyrants can be overturned and heroes can be championed. It is a time when we can ask anything of our politicians. It is a time for us to demand the answers we seek and the solutions Pakistan needs. That is exactly what the public should be doing right now.

Demand that whomever your favoured candidate is, he should address the black laws of Pakistan. For in order for Pakistan to prosper, we must first remedy the maladies within the nation before attacking the pests outside. The reality is that it is far easier to criticize other nations than it is to criticize our own. Few candidates possess the courage to do so, but this kind of courage is absolutely vital for a stable Pakistan. Salmaan Taseer had this courage, and Pakistan needs many more men and women willing to take a stand like he did for what is morally right. Let not Salmaan Taseer's sacrifice be for nothing. He died fighting for the integrity of this nation. Rather than just remembering him, remember his final cause and fight for it too.

SalmaanTaseer: "I was under huge pressure sure to cow down b4 rightest pressure on blasphemy. Refused. Even if I'm the last man standing" December 31

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WRITTEN BY:
Hafsa Ahmad A writer and Associate Editor at Altmuslimah.com. She is a graduate of Middlebury College WHERE she studied International Politics and Economics. Hafsa is currently writing, working and residing in Lahore, Pakistan. She tweets at @HafsaAhmad.

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

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COMMENTS (27)

Omar Qadri | 12 years ago | Reply @Pir Ali Raza: The illiterate fool was brainwashed very deliberately by a certain type of evil mullah...these kind of things are never random my friend. There was someone behind that illiterate fool...someone very smart and an enemy of Islam and Allah.

Awais | 12 years ago | Reply @Roflcopter: Please explain why Salman Taseer is not worth remembering.

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Pir Ali Raza | 12 years ago | Reply He wasnt really fighting for anything and was pretty much killed randomly by a illiterate religious fool. But sure whatever you say buddy

Abdullah | 12 years ago | Reply @saad “Good people do good things and bad people do bad things but the worst of the lot use religion to do bad things.” It's not just Salman Taseer but is the spirit of islam that was murdered. The image of a forgiving and benevolent preaching religion, an inclusive and peaceful religion, the religion of RehmatulAlameen that incites tolerance and compassion. It was islam which was Qadri's real victim. May Allah the omnipotent establish the religion of the Holy Prophet Mohammed(saw) and may we concentrate on the greater Jihad which is the fight against one's own evils. A society where female infanticide is still heard of, where killing and looting is the norm, where only the most corrupt have access to the presidency, where minorities are unsafe and the weak exploited, where ignorance and illiteracy is rampant, where women are married off to the Holy Quran or forced to marry someone they don't want to, where couples are killed just because they married into another race such a society has nothing to do with Islam. Qadri is just a product of this society Congratulations Salman Taseer you made it Better be dead then be counted among sadists blasphemy laws leaves no place for optimist Yes Salman Taseer you were Shot by a moralist Live and let live(109:6) is the message of the Qur’an The Prophet(saw) followed it for he is the sultan When in the prophet’s life do you here of a blasphemy law It’s your killers whose ideology is flawed Your killers are too cowardly to see their sin It’s the curse of hate that Pakistan finds itself in We all make mistakes Salman Taseer you are no stranger But Allah is compassionate and forgiving to those who are braver. Rest in peace Salman Taseer you proved you were brave And may Allah be your advocate and provider in the grave

Raja Islam | 12 years ago | Reply @SalSal: Democracy has nothing to do with this law. It is a repressive law that was imposed to control and dominate minorities. It also has nothing to do with God and religion, but is a tool for people like you to victimize others.

Raja Islam | 12 years ago | Reply @Roflcopter: I don't think that this is about Salman Taseer. It is all about principles and what caused his murder.

Raja Islam | 12 years ago | Reply @Parvez: The blasphemy law should be repealed.

saad | 12 years ago | Reply "Good people do good things and bad people do bad things but it takes religion for good people to do bad things."

Lillu Punjoo | 12 years ago | Reply @Roflcopter: "Salman Taseer is not worth remembering let alone what he stood for." ONLY ZINAUL HAQ IS WORTH REMEMBERING FOR DOING ZINA BILJABAR WITH PAKISTANI NATION.

Omaidus | 12 years ago | Reply @salsal and all Blasphemy law advocates. This freedom of speech is given to us by Islam, it is the divine declaration of Allah that there is no compulsion in the matters of religion, your blasphemy laws are no where written in the Divine Book of Islam. there is no example from the Sunnat of the Holy Prophet (SAW). What we see is the example of "abdullah bib abi" who committed blasphemy but was never punished. His funeral was offered by Anhazarat SAW. Articles are printed here and there but not one Ayat is presented to prove their case, ahadith are presented but those which are contradicted to the sahih ahadith, the most reknown and exemplary tradition is about Abdullah bin abi salool, clearly it is written how his son thought that his father has committed blasphemy and wanted approval from the Prophet SAW to kill his father but was denied.

Shumail Mohyuddin | 12 years ago | Reply Suleman Taseer cannot be called a blasphemous at any cost. A prominent Islamic Scholor Dr. Muhammad Tahir Ul Qadri has recently delivered 2 Lectures sessions on Blasphemous & the islamic principles to call someone a Blasphemous. His whole lecture is more than of 15 hours in which he has described all the principles, shariat and the history of Islam regarding this Law and punishments including the sayings & practices of Great Imams whom we all follow now a days. I am giving a link below in which Dr. Tahir Ul Qadri analyzes the statement of Suleman Taseer for which he was called a GUSTAKH and killed. Listen carefully this short video and please for God sake avoid these type of practices. Today, we are suffering from the tittle of terrorist already. Islam never recommends any type of these deeds. Please Listen this video, please ... please ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFeesaElIuI

Omar Qadri | 12 years ago | Reply @Modazul: I only follow Allah's instructions and no school of thought or sect as I'm a Muslim only. All my information is derived from the Quran which Allah calls the complete book. I suggest you do the same and save yourself (and your soul) from confusion.

Modazul | 12 years ago | Reply Really? Check out Hanfi school of thought. According to Imam Hanafi, Islam prescribe death for blasphemy. And what does Salman Taseer know about religion? Doesn't seem like he did. If he did he would be different and his actions would support that he did. But his actions show otherwise.

Omar Qadri | 12 years ago | Reply @SalSal: So you think you are above Allah's laws? What right do you have to question Allah's laws? This blasphemy law has nothing to do with Islam and is the work of Satan as Allah in His wisdom says that the death of an innocent is the death of humanity and this is one law that has mainly been used against innocent people. Secondly if the majority are fools I'm glad I'm not one of them. I would rather be with the 1% and be on Allah's side.

Omar Qadri | 12 years ago | Reply Salman Taseer was 100% right when he supported the unjustly accused Christian woman and secondly, being an educated, well-read person he knew that the Quran does not prescribe any punishment for blasphemy. Allah in his wisdom has kept certain things His own domain and He alone will decide the punishment on the Day of Judgement. We humans DO NOT have His permission to make these decisions on His behalf. Let me add that I never really liked Salman Taseer as he was part of the PPP which was and is ruining our country but it is sad that the cowards did not even stand up for their own comrade after he was murdered by a brainwashed ignorant and uneducated fanatic. I'm a Qadri and I say hang the man without delay.

SalSal | 12 years ago | Reply It will never be repealed. Nobody has the right or will ever be given the right in Pakistan to say anything offensive about Islam or Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) or his companions. Keep your freedom of speech to yourself. When Indira Gandhi got assasinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards because she defiled their sacred temple, they were sentenced to death and the Sikhs in India celebrated him as a martyr. Sikhs ouside India also praised them. So whats the difference between that and what happened in Pakistan? I agree that the law should not be misused and abused and that those who are innocent should be pardoned. And those who are guilty of accusing them for a crime they did not commit, should get punished according to the defamation laws in Islam. But that needs the investigation methods to be improved. Paki police does not investigate properly and many innocent Pakistanis are put in jail for crimes they havent committed, and its muslim and non muslim Pakistanis both are put in jail for any crime. But this does not mean that you repeal the law itself !! Just makes me wonder why is Taseer getting so much attention by these liberals and the common Muslim man who gets beaten up, put in jail, doesn't. Also, remember that this law will never be repealed. Write as many articles you want. Keep in mind the majority of those who do vote and who LIVE IN Pakistan do not share your views. Democracy Zindabad !!!

Anum | 12 years ago | Reply Stop taking side of such a man for Allah's sake. Do u know his reality thanks God we r saved from atleast him

Christians in Pakistan | 12 years ago | Reply We Pakistani Christians wants that blasphemy law should be repealed

Omaidus | 12 years ago | Reply @ Ali tanoli; Yes this is also a matter to common people. Common people are subject to these black laws. asia bibi or many of these kind of people "wasting away in jail" dont have aero planes, they dont even have lawyers, but this can only be fealt when some molvi accuse you of blasphemy when you tell him to pay motorcycle installment. Ridiculous it is but this is a fact that this black law is being used by the common people against common people. Late Taseer did not died because he drunk too much or had kidneys failed. He died on a cause, and if you had read this article it was not about Salman Taseer's biography but about the stance he took.

Omaidus | 12 years ago | Reply The problem with pakistan is that the people are illiterate and ignorant and moreover semi-religious, these leaders, no matter how much they are educated or modern, cannot address those issues which they think will harm them and their popularity, or will be used against them as an election stunt. Blasphemy law, no matter how much it is a "black law" will continue to be present and will be used against minorities (muslim or non-muslim) in our society untill people think it to be right and holy. Public debates should be held and this issue should discussed be commonly, but first all the intellectuals have to come to one table and one view, role of molvis unfortunately is most significant. Believe me in this society true religion is the tool against this ignorance, we have to prove infront of every being that this is not Islam and has nothing to do with its fundamentals. Without this all articles are vain. I in my circles have continued to do so right from the begining when the late Taseer had highlighted this issue. in the end may Mr. Taseer Rest In Peace. We will remember him for his bold and brave stance in this ignorant and somewhat barbaric society.

alicia | 12 years ago | Reply I disliked Salman Taseers politics but after he died I was shook to the core by the reaction to his death. So many educated doctors and lawyers were supporting him on Facebook. College boys were giving him valentines cards. Police men were making videos of him singing naats and what not. Thousands of people came out in his suppor in jalsas. The fact that Mumtaz Qadri was supported by urban educated people and not angry village mobs really scared me.

M.Ahmad | 12 years ago | Reply Very good article to summarize identity crisis Pakistan is going through and clearly being pulled into two opposing directions. Pakistan is moving to an anarchy state where few are twisting laws and others are taking laws in in their own hands. Politicians everywhere in the world use scare tactics and manipulate masses to boost their popularity and fame. Whether it was anti-communist Red Scare of the 1950s, Sharia Law bills and theories fueled by like of Newt Gingrich or use of anti-islam labels in Pakistan to anyone who does not agree with them. In an Islamic society or any civil society, it is responsibility of state to enforce the laws and not individuals. But really what disturbs lot of us is that people who feel they are better followers of peaceful religion of Islam and way Prophet treated his worst enemies are the ones who are ready to give "fatwas" to kill and then come out in streets to shower the killer with roses. Hadood Ordinance right or wrong, Blasphemy law right or wrong, no one should be killed because they just opposed the law, not broken it or asked anyone to break it. And more disturbing is to see long line of lawyers and pillars of society coming to defend such an action. And here is for lot of us who are manipulated by so called experts is to read ourselves from Quran and Hadith. .

Roflcopter | 12 years ago | Reply Salman Taseer is not worth remembering let alone what he stood for.

Talha | 12 years ago | Reply @Muhammad Sarmad Benazir was anything but liberal and secular in her political career. She probably was in her personal life but politically she never repealed any of Zia's law's. Could you name me one thing Benazir did to strenghten secularism or liberalism in Pakistan.

Parvez | 12 years ago | Reply Nice article. The question at the end should have been : Do you think the blasphemy law should be amended ? Its the blatent mis-use of the law that is the problem and needs correction.

muhammad sarmad | 12 years ago | Reply The way that salmn taseer was abandoned by ppp was gutwrenching to watch.benazir bhutto always stood for religious freedom,liberalism and secularism.the current ppp lot,scared of the religious extremists left taseer alone at the mercy of the vultures who were targetting him.Even after his brutal murder,tv anchors provided excuses for his murderer,the media ppl provided justifications for his horrific murder.PEMRA didn't take action,the public didn't condemn the news anchors that did that malicious act.instead what did our ppl do,they showered rose petals on a murderer,they hailed a criminal as a hero. mumtaz qadri was just the end product,the process and machinery that produced him is very much in operation today and continues to create more bigoted and hate filled people who think that committing violence in the name of religion is justified.

Ali Tanoli | 12 years ago | Reply Why no body want to write pakistans rich are thieves they dont pay taxes they own factories and dont pay there electric bills they owns aero planes but there workers dont even have bicycle and they gives charity in organized parties just to show to peoples how nice they are but factory workers dont get any bounces at eid or at new years what shame less and bast peoples are they our politicians lived like kings of arab life style and our army officers have best land of the country best food of the land and they are above the laws. whats a big deal if Veena malik got nude or whats a big deal if taseer got killed comon man of the country dies each hour and in each minute.

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