Beauty of democracy

Why is it important that we celebrate Sadiq Khan’s victory as London mayor as well as learning a lesson from it? Most newspapers, international and local, carried headlines that the son of a bus driver had become the first Muslim mayor of London. Some people found the headlines racist and humiliating, but the first thing that came to my mind was that it is the beauty of democracy in a country where the son of a migrant Muslim and a driver becomes the mayor of one of the capitals of the world.

Sadiq joined the British Labour party at the age of 15 when he was in school. Later, after graduating from university, he became a lawyer. Yes, it is the beauty of democracy where people from the grass-roots rise to the top positions on the basis of merit and hard work.

In contrast, it is impossible for a son of a bus driver to even get an education in Pakistan. Democracy is disguised in the garb of dynastic politics in our country, where power revolves around wealth. Only a millionaire or a billionaire can contest elections in Pakistan while people from middle class families spend all their lives making a living. For Khan, winning the nomination within his party was difficult because he faced competition from some top Labour party members. Then, he contested the mayoral election against the son of a billionaire financier, Zac Goldsmith, and won. Khan is not only the first Muslim but first Asian mayor of London and an inspiration for British Asians to become more involved in politics.

Many people in Pakistan criticised those rejoicing over Sadiq’s victory. But one cannot deny that it is a hopeful development, as Sadiqis a Muslim, yet he is entirely a product of a secular and forward-looking society. We should appreciate Britain’s democratic and secular system where, despite so much hate campaigns, Khan won the hearts of the people belonging to various religions and cultures. It is important to understand the significance of democracy in a world where governments are made by the people and leaders work for the welfare of the masses.

We live in a country where leaders come to power to line their pockets and serve their families only. Democracy is a political system where people choose their leaders and it is the charm of democracy where people are treated equally and get equal opportunities. We witnessed the same fruits of democracy around eight years ago when Barack Obama was elected as a first black president of the United States. If we want to enjoy the fruits of democracy where everyone is equal then we need to end dynastic politics. Above all, we need to learn a lesson from these countries where people of all culture and religions can co-exist peacefully.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 15^th, 2016.