Dr Farooq: A light the obscurantists put out

Dr Muhammad Farooq Khan as serving as the Vice Chancellor at Swat University, Imam Dheri, which cost him his life.

Sitting cross-legged with eyes full of tears, Usama Khan remarked, “I wish I had hugged my father that morning.”

Usama Khan is the youngest son of Dr Muhammad Farooq, who was assassinated in his clinic in Mardan on October 2, last year.

Dr Muhammad Farooq Khan was a psychiatrist by profession as well as a renowned Islamic scholar. He had written many books including Islam and Women, Dialogue with the West, Kashmir Issue and Jihad and Terrorism. He was serving as the Vice Chancellor at Swat University, Imam Dheri, which cost him his life.

“We looked at each other in the morning not knowing the fact that it would be our last meeting,” said Usama Khan while talking about his last meeting with his father. “He was more than a friend to us.”

It was during the lunch break that two militants entered the clinic and showered him with bullets. The bullets to his abdomen, five of them, killed him on the spot.

The militants did not even spare Dr Farooq’s secretary, Salim Khan. When he resisted they shot him twice in the chest, killing him instantly.

“When he was brought to the hospital he had already expired,” said Dr Raza who was on duty in the District Headquarters Hospital, Mardan, when the body of Dr Farooq was brought to the hospital.

The police have not been able to arrest or trace the killers so far.

Dr Farooq presented an enlightened version of Islamic teachings, which turned many against him.

He was a great source of inspiration for students. He supported many students financially. He received many threats trying to warn him, but his commitment was never weakened.

He was a valuable asset to Pakistan, a man of reason who spoke his mind without fear. He strived hard through his books and lectures to eliminate misconceptions about Islam from the minds of Muslims and non-Muslims.

The death of Dr Farooq has created a big vacuum in society which cannot be filled.

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government is now considering changing the name of Swat University to Dr Farooq Khan Shaheed University in recognition of his services for the people of Swat.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2011.