Conditions in our country are so poor that our government and law and order system cannot even let the graves of the dead be in peace. However, stuck in circumstances where the state cannot protect the people from terrorist threat when they are alive, the fact that the dead could not be protected is not shocking. Seemingly, this was a planned mission as eyewitnesses said the men were constantly on the phone informing callers that they had begun their mission. If our intelligence were more on its feet regarding potential terrorist activities, perhaps this incident and others could have been avoided. Details provided in the story about what the men’s accents were or what their appearances were do not matter. The point here is that no faith should be disrespected by anyone and that members of all faiths should be allowed to live freely without fear. No matter who the perpetrators were, they must be brought to trial. However, since the men were possibly members of the Taliban, this is not likely, highlighting the dangerous situation the nation is trapped in, helpless in the fight to root out and eradicate prejudice and terrorism in the country.
Disrespect to any religion or belief is unacceptable. We must learn to see one another as humans first, capable of loving and not just tolerating but respecting and appreciating one another for our differences. The government must take action against those who committed this terrible act and desecrated the memories of the community’s deceased loved ones.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 5th, 2012.
COMMENTS (11)
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@abu-uzhur: It is not a question of the national assemble declaring Ahmedis as non-Muslims. The question here is that if you believe that Mohammed was the last prophet and that our din was completed when Islam came into being, then the claim that Mirza Ahmed was a prophet is negated. Given that the conclusion then should be that since Ahmedis deviate from Islamic beliefs then they are non-Muslims.
How is the constitution to decide what is my religion? (sic) what are my thoughts surrounding something as abstract as creation-ism and God? On my Pakistani passport, it is stated that I am Muslim but I do not even want to be identified as Muslim because I do not want to be categorized as anything. Well many of you would argue to change it? But hey I dont want to end up as the above. It is imperative that a society built on vague religious ideas is meant to fall. I hope they never attempt to make a country again on the basis of religion.
All that I can say now is, Pakistan needs to become liberal and secular without imposing any religious theories on its citizens. It is up to a state to provide security to an individual and its up to an individual to chose a religion for themselves or chose not to have one.
If pakistani nation continues to respect barbaric ammendments introduced by Bhutto and Zia in the constitution the mountain of mess will continue to new heights.It is impossible to reverse the the situation in peacefull direction without doing away with these inhuman clauses,that provide enough ground for non state actors to destroy the peace of this country. A rebelion to human body is called canser and rebelion to Allmighty is caleed satan,both means death.When this nation will realised that reality.
Disgracing the dead is the cowardly act, the illiterate people, misguided by Mulla's leading to extremism as they do not know the true teachings of the Holy Prophet. Ahmadiyya community is always an easy target as they do not retaliate with the same aggression and actions. What are you waiting for? The response in the same tone? I guess this will never happen when seen in light of the past. It is the duty of the state to provide proper security to all minorities like a Pakistani National deserves. All minorities should be privileged as the religion of peace Islam and the constitution of Pakistan says. Why such actions do not get due attention by the Chief Justice, Minister of interior affairs, Chief Minister Punjab (Its always difficult to go for the culprits when they are at your own home).
Please let us live peacefully, with no hate and disgrace for each other. The upcoming breed of this country will only learn hate as you sow so shell you reap.
The Extremist Republic of Pakistan.
@Nathan:
You have made a crucial observation which we pakistanis should ponder deeply :
"Why should a constitution specify who is a Muslim and who is not"
Generally , even liberal Pakistanis believe that the decision to declare Ahmadis as non-Muslims was
right , because it was done by the National Assembly .
We must realise that this is a fallacious view . This is being ignorant of a crucial
tenet of democratic philosophy , which is, that there are fundamental rights of individuals
which are sacrosanct and which no majority can curtail or tamper with .
Democracy believes in majoritarianism. Yes , but it is equally emphatic that
a large area of individual's life ( the fundamental rights ) is exempt from purview of the
state . Religious freedom figures prominently in it .
Thus declaring Ahmadi as non-Mulims by the National Assembly was not a democratic
or contitutional act but a
violation of democracy and constitution .
Very shameful act.
The root of the problem is vote bank politics. Why should a constitution specify who is a Muslim and who is not? Today Ahmadi, tomorrow Shia?
In a way Ahmedis are worse off than Hindus in Pakistan. Hindus have always been known as non-muslims. Ahmedis however, have been declared non-muslims by the constitution and also branded as traitors by none less than educated Dr. Khan when he said that in Bhopal there were no Ahmedis or traitors. What happens when you are declared non-muslim as opposed to be known as a non-muslim. They are killed. Shias have been declared non-muslims and are killed. TTP declared Sunnis as non-muslims before killing them. We saw this repeatedly in instances when soldiers were beheaded or Malala targeted.