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 26th, 2012.
COMMENTS (26)
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The anti-islam movie does break our hearts, we admit, however it was this moment in history that called for a sophisticated, civil and a more decent way of receiving criticism. Different religions are criticised around the globe through media and other such platforms but congratulations to the people and leaders of Pakistan for we just showed the most barbaric, uncivilised and a disgraceful reaction, completely opposite from what our religion preaches and what our holy prophet (pbuh) showed us in his life. The biggest irony of all of this : "How dare they make a movie that shows that Islam is nothing but a religion that started off with the help of a sword and our holy prophet (pbuh) was a violent man! we shall protest, burn tires in the streets, create havoc around the city and while we are at it we shall destroy a hospital or two or steal from our own people's shops!"
"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?"
It has to do with the values Pakistanis have chosen. The "my-kind-of-Muslim-first" policy is a tribal approach that denigrates "others". Civil society, however, demands equal rights for all well-behaved persons; ideally it provides justice for all.
Failure to come to grips with Pakistanis' moral failures since partition on the grounds that this would affect the people in the power structure assures Pakistanis and the world that the policy of hatred and scapegoating will continue.
@Abdullah: "US tortures prisoners but the every hostage who return from Taliban’s captive describes them as loving people…." Most of the Taliban captives get decapitated and brutalized. Please let me know any returned captive who was very happy with their treatment in captivity - that is if they escaped alive!
very well written.......fully agreed.....
Young and courageous. There is hope still then.
Author: Yet another bright ray of hope. Very well written; now if only your countrymen could read and understand what you are trying to say.
Nice article.
If you feel offended by the actions of others, you deal with it non-violently.
If you want to ask for some rights you yourself do not extend to others, then thats intellectual dishonesty and ignoring you is the best thing to do.
This is one article completely exposing the Pakistani/pakistani muslim's despicable attitude of superiority complex and hence treat the minorities as dirt while they themselves cannot take the same treatment from others. They must treat their minorities fairly if they want to be treated fairly outside. But have they gone beyond a point of no return? If that is the case any amount of course correction inside Pakistan (there doesnt seem to be anything in the horizon), the world will not change their opinion, attitude and behaviour towards pakistani muslims. The worst part is that Pakistanis are not only incapable of putting their point across to outsiders, they also think that their way of protesting, ie blowing themselves up will get their point across., I guess this is the same attitude of suicide bombers that is, whether you die or not, I will, anyway except that this is expressed at a societal level.
Brilliant article, but will fall on the deaf ears who really set the agenda for your country. I was amazed to see people in high places expecting (demanding is more like it) other Nations to change their basic tenets of constitution(s). This, while the official discourse through education is full of hatred and falsehoods (it would be funny if it was not so tragic). Islam is a great religion and admired even by those who are not Muslims, but unfortunately, being portrayed by a few black sheep as an intolerant religion. This gives scums like the US filmmaker a chance to make mischief. This is a vicious cycle leading to greater disharmony between faiths. Do you think there is still time for the Government to change the books that propagate hate against other religions or other nations? or is it too late?
After a long while, I told one of my colleague at work that I belonged to the Ahmadi community. "What?? What are you saying? Dont lie like that." he replied. And the best was his last comment: "You don't look like them!!!"
I posted about Muslims needing to learn their religion other day but it did not pass the moderator. This sad incident clearly confirms need for proper religious education. Instead of Qirat competition and "khatam" at somebody's death,Quran should be learnt and understood to be effective in Muslim society and their interaction with other communities.
@G. Din:
I beg to differ with whoever you quoted and the point you are making. Human beings as a race are evolving every day...and the least evolved of them all are the Muslims of today. If as Muslims we are expected to make sure that every Godhra has a Gujrat then shame is on us not on the rest of the world as we walk with our chests all blown up that we are the followers of The Holy Prophet (SAW). Truth be told, his teachings and example has not touched us in the least. In my understanding Allah sends His Prophets to the people who are the worst at the time to set them right. The Prophet did convert the barbarians of Arab, with time though his followers have degenerated to the level that they can easily be called the worst race at the moment on the face of the planet. No one has insulted that man Allah loves most, than those who claim to follow him. Accept that ...if Muslims have courage enough to face truth.
Wonderful article. This junoon of religion is going to drown the country very soon. Ahmadis, Christians, Parsis, Kafirstan etc are getting extinct.
The way people have demonstrated their ISHQ for the prophet of Islam(PBUH) did succeed in establishing one thing to the world at large and that is our nuisance value. We have the BOMB so we do not need education, self respect, law and order, dignity in being human.
Fight fire with fire. Anyone displaying intolerance should be tried under Blasphemy Laws for contradicting the teachings of the Prophet.
A brilliant article. It reminds me of a famous quote by William Butler Yeats who said "Once you attempt legislation upon religious grounds, you open the way for every kind of intolerance and religious persecution." Historical events surely suggest that Jinnah's vision for a separate muslim state was wrong and totally destroyed by Zia ulHuq. In 30 years time our children will be reading in their history books that there was once a country called Pakistan.
Couldn't agree with you more.... Speechless!!!!!
Thanks Anum. I am not being condescending as an Indian. We to have people like Amir Khan, Anna HAzare, Amrtya Sen who hold a mirror and highlight socioeconomic ills which need to be addressed. Pakistan also needs people like you. Like Lear's 3rd daughter, truth may not make you popular but in speaking the truth you have shown your patriotism.
"Though excusably outraged and offended, on what pretext were Pakistani Muslims displaying their emotions to the world?" Ms Fatima: I am in total agreement with you for the rest of your piece. But, the sentence that I have lifted from there is contradictory in its implication. You ask: "on what pretext were Pakistani Muslims displaying their emotions to the world?". You have answered it yourself before you even asked the question: because "Pakistani Muslims were excusably outraged and offended". I presume then you did not like the manner and the quantum of the protest. But, I question your assumption that the outrage and offense was excusable. This is totally fallacious. Why? Because acts that caused "outrage and offense" had to have been caused by other acts before them at places continents apart. Was anyone responsible for those causal acts? Yes, it was Muslims themselves, not in America alone but France and Denmark and indeed the whole world. This is Din's Law in action: "Every provocation must of necessity be followed by disproportionately massive retaliation". Every Godhra must be followed by a Gujarat. I am afraid you have not seen the last of those retaliations. They will continue inexorably, sadly but also quite justifiably!
You Know I'm Bad, I'm Bad -You Know It - You Know It (And The Whole World Has To Answer Right Now) Just To Tell You Once Again, Who's Bad !!
Just brilliant. So much is being written in the English press, hopefully this gets translated for the Urdu media where it matters more.
Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the baddest of them all. Answer: Us!