In my opinion, we’re confused, both as a nation and as a people.
ISLAMABAD: This is in reference to Raza Rumi’s article of August 9 titled “Lahore’s growing Talibanisation”. In my opinion, we’re confused, both as a nation and as a people. We look up to our leaders seeking a definition of our identity and we want to know whether we should be a secular or theocratic state but we get no guidance from them.
That is because, perhaps, we are neither. People like the SHO who assaulted the art gallery curator in Lahore fail to see that the very foundation of Pakistan was self-determination, not Islam or secularism per se, and by attacking the curator of the gallery, a woman, he has attacked the right that gave birth to our nation — the right to choose to live the way you wish without fear of harm.
In my opinion, Pakistan is founded on the principles of pluralism; the ability to entertain completely contrasting ideas at a time. And that is a sign of genius, for individuals as well as nations.
Muhammed Bukhari
Published in The Express Tribune, August 11th, 2011.
