I have never seen an imam taking a liberal stance on any issue or changing his mind about something.
NIDDERAU, GERMANY: This is with reference to Saleha Riaz’s article “Will our local imams listen to us?” (October 2). I agree that convincing imams about condemning acts of violence against non-Muslims can be tricky. But my experience shows that it is not only imams who need a change of heart. I know many ordinary people who always find excuses for such violence. They refer to non-Muslims conquering Muslim lands and to those killed in drone attacks as justifications for acts of violence against non-Muslims.
Our imams want blind followers, not critical ones. I have never seen an imam taking a liberal stance on any issue or changing his mind about something. Pakistanis who live in the West often face criticism on account of our imams being so rigid in their views. Many people ask that if we believe Westerners to be so anti-Muslim, why are we living in their countries and why are more and more Pakistanis wanting to enter their countries.
Sharif Lone
Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2013.
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