Hypocrisy

Why is it difficult for us to bear consequences of seeds of offence we have sown for Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis?

As a nation that breeds on hypocrisy, it is not surprising that the last week saw mayhem descend in the country. Cinemas were set ablaze, vehicles were torched, fast food restaurants were vandalised and all this hooliganism, carried out on Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool, is supposed to have served the higher purpose of showing the world our solidarity when the Prophet of Islam is disrespected.

Let there be no misconception about what the world saw on its television screens with regard to how unified Muslims are in their understanding of Islam. The age-old story about the woman who threw trash on the Holy Prophet (pbuh) told to every Muslim child, seems to not have fully taken roots in our conscience as a lesson in patience and tolerance, as thousands caused wanton pandemonium. Ironically, Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool was observed in a way contrary to the very essence of the Holy Prophet’s (pbuh) teachings.

Though excusably outraged and offended, on what pretext were Pakistani Muslims displaying their emotions to the world?

The hand dealt to Rimsha Masih by cleric Khalid Jadoon Chishti, who falsely accused her of blasphemy is a little more than just offensive. It is but one example, reflective of the treatment meted out to the Christian community of our country. Even following the statement submitted to the court by the police, which declares the cleric to be the guilty party and not Rimsha, her life is still in danger because those accused of blasphemy are seldom forgiven in the eyes of the people. So it is safe to say that her security in Pakistan cannot be effectively guaranteed unless the government chooses to provide her with the same. What a joke!

The Hindu community has also been suffering similar offensive treatment in Sindh and Balochistan, where Hindu women have been coerced into marrying Muslim men, which has caused a sizeable exodus of Hindus to India. This impinges on their fundamental right as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 16 (ii): “Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.” Respecting the UN charter seems to be a far cry for many Muslims, however, who, by their actions, seem to have little respect for the teachings of their Holy Prophet (pbuh) or their sacred Book.

None of this is surprising when one considers the lack of reason exercised by many Muslims, especially in Pakistan. In Kharian, July 11 of this year showed just how low we have stooped in causing the Ahmadi community pain. Six minarets of their place of worship were destroyed by the police. This is because Section 298B and C of the 1984 Ordinance have made it illegal for Ahmadis to act or look like Muslims, to practise or propagate their faith and to call their place of worship a ‘mosque’.

Such is the hypocritical nature of Pakistani Muslims. We have done to others what we now cannot bear for ourselves. We have caused pain, agony and offence in the same vein as this video caused us. Making a mockery out of Muslims and Islam in the name of protest is the other hypocritical thing we did on Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool. For shame! Why is it so difficult for us to bear the consequences of the same seeds of offence we have sown for our Christian, Hindu and Ahmadi brothers and sisters?

Let us hope that the bitter taste of our own medicine results in some awakening.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 26^th, 2012.