As Pakistanis, we have felt ashamed and silently dealt with the prejudice
LAHORE: Knowing that one of the London attackers was a Pakistani-born British citizen has left the people in the country burying their heads in the sand. The attack killed seven people and injured over 40 people, and is the third terror attack in less than three months. Although born to Pakistani immigrants, 27-year-old Khuram Butt was an extremist and known to British security forces for his radical views. Despite highlighting the failure of their forces, Butt’s origin as a Pakistani is being highlighted on every news channel. In a world where there is rampant Islamophobia, being Muslim in itself comes with its own part and parcel of having to face the wrath of the West. Adding to the misery, having citizens involved in terror attacks makes it 10 times worse for most Pakistanis, especially the ones living abroad.
The country has, over the years, earned a bad name for itself, from being linked to terrorism and extremism. And as Pakistanis, we have felt ashamed and silently dealt with the prejudice. But this time, instead of not acknowledging the problem we face, we should unite and fight against this bigotry with our pens and demonstration of a peaceful nation, proving that one person’s action doesn’t represent the whole nation.
Shazia Tasneem
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2017.
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