Opinion

Stand up to the fanatics — or you will be next

Salmaan Taseer was shot dead because he believed all citizens should be treated fairly.

Tazeen Javed January 06, 2011

What irony! Just a few weeks before Governor Salmaan Taseer was assassinated brutally, he said that illiterate maulvis cannot decide if he is a Muslim or not. True, but they sure could decide to spew venom against him in Friday sermons across the country and gun for his blood, which they did. They issued edicts against him, they burned his effigies and they called for his blood and, as a result, Salmaan Taseer is no longer among us. He was killed because of his liberal views and his stand against the blasphemy laws, as confessed by his murderer.

Governor Taseer was probably the highest profile victim of the blasphemy law. He was shot dead because he believed all citizens should be treated fairly. He decided to support a poor Christian woman on death row and he was chastised, ridiculed and threatened for supporting minorities. If there is justice in this country, every person who issued fatwa against him, who protested against his opinion and who burned his effigies and who incited bigotry on television should be named in the FIR and held accountable for his murder. In addition, all PPP ministers playing to the populist gallery, who defended the blasphemy law, should be hauled along with the other culprits.

In a society where dogma is the currency to get populist support, Salmaan Taseer was a refreshing rationalist and humanist. His death will be mourned because he was a voice of sanity, he was one of the few good men who wanted similar rights for everyone irrespective of their religion, caste, gender and ethnicity. He was an entrepreneur, a politician, a great wit and a positive man who believed in this country. After his brutal murder, there are many of us who are not too hopeful about this country, which will now be branded as one where people cannot dare to speak their mind. If the felicitations about his death are any indication, we are a truly doomed lot that celebrates a murder most foul.

Anyone who thought that the governor’s dreadful demise will bring a positive change, needs to wake up and smell the putrid cesspool that passes as our society. Members of the Jamaat-e-Ahle Sunnat Pakistan have asked the good Muslims of the country not to offer funeral prayers of Governor Taseer and have paid tribute to his murderer. Taseer’s death sends this message to the handful of Pakistanis who are openly liberal: that they need to get their act together or they could be next in line to have their guts splattered on the roadside by a fanatic who thinks doing so will take him to heaven.

Governor Taseer, may you rest in peace. You were a brave, brave man and you will always be remembered as one.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (51)

jai | 13 years ago | Reply This why militaries around the world screen over zealous, over patriotic, overly committed religious nutcases. Didn't they check the assassin's political affiliation before assigning him on security of a liberal leader.

Dr.A Ghani | 13 years ago | Reply *Qadri must be hanged or better sent to Firing Squad, as Quran says , Eye for Eye, Hand for Hand, so 27 Shot for 27 Shots , if we dont follow this law then again its Tohin of Prophet and Quran. So be good Ghulam-i-Rasool and Shoot him where he has shot the Governor with the same weapon by Governor's Son.

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S Khan | 13 years ago | Reply here is what the rest of the world thinks of all this. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jan/08/pakistan-moral-collapse-nation-pakistan?showallcomments=true#end-of-comments

Fareedi | 13 years ago | Reply They came first for the minorities and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a minority...Then they came for the liberals and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a liberal...Then they came for the wealthy and the affluent and I didn't speak up because I was neither... And then they came for me and by that time no one was left to speak up for me.

amjad | 13 years ago | Reply Growing beard and putting a shamla on their heads does not make these hoodlums pious. Their tongue which spew hatred and bombs their hands plant in places of worship, and bazaars tells a different story. It is about time that society deal with these people and organizations on a war footing. They think that their actions are pleasing to Almighty, but I have npt find their actions in the life of Prophet (pbuh), his Kulfa-e-rashdeen or the pious people who folloed. How they can justify what they do, when we all stand on the day of judgment.

Raza | 13 years ago | Reply Islam means "Peace".... the molvies have hidden themselves in the cover of Islam and they are using the religion of peace for their aims, they will kill each and everyone who they consider a hurdle in their path. The only way to control them is to ban their addresses on the loudspeakers and register their Madrassas which they use for illegal purposes and keep check on them as proposed by Musharaf although I don't like him. They are spoiling our youth and taking them toward terrorism what they call Jihad. A Jihad against your own motherland, your own brothers, fathers and sisters who are peaceful in real sense. Salmaan Taseer was a peaceful person, I have never ever heard or read that Salmaan Taseer was behind the killing of someone. He was a liberal man and was trying to give justice to a poor woman which I am sure was innocent and was trapped by someone for personal enmity.I will really shock if the Murderer of Taseer was in Jannat. He killed a human, and according to our Prophet PBUH "Murder of a human is the murder of the entire humanity" and I sure that mo one can say that Salmaan Taseer was not a Human..

Fatima Faisal | 13 years ago | Reply i dnt really think tht mr SALMAN TASEER was a victim of some fanatic taking his remarks abt blasphemy laws to an height tht he planned his killing...tht too when rest of his body guards waited him to empty his whole magazine...its something more into this...n those who r trying blaming SHARIFS IN THIS are just wanting to cash the murder .they actually eyeing the vacant post of the governer....

Muhammed ali | 13 years ago | Reply I know one day I'll b killed like salman taseer because I'm far against all these mullahs then he was!

Khalid | 13 years ago | Reply Subject: Malik Mumtaz the Nathu Ram Godse of Pakistan This analytic report is based on well founded and commonly believed assumptions. Murder of Salman Tasir has extremely importance significance for the future. The enemy, “Islamic Establishment,” in the Religio-Political Parties, Military or Security Forces, whose member or just pawns could be one of one of our brother, cousin, relative, a friend or friend of friend, a family elder or community elder or respectable Ulema, must be exhorting again to hit-most likely the top man of the State-President Zardari. Their objective is to make Pakistan a Stalinist style Islamic State. In modern times their most important target in Pakistan is Bhutto family who leads Pakistan People’s Party. Their first action in their strategy is to label their target as “Opponent to Islam.” Once sufficient propaganda has taken place then they take out their target violently. Bhutto before being hanged was painted as un-Islamic. Only than the fundamentalists in Military and Courts hanged him. Benazir Bhutto’s faith was also sufficiently criticized by Islamic Establishment, before she was taken out. Same happened with Salman Tasir. Soon, they are likely to take out another their most hated target. I believe he will be President Asif Ali Zardari. Hiding behind is not a strategy that will work. Their foot soldiers intend to enter into the target’s hideout and kill him. The propaganda against President Zardari already is in full swing. When they will hit, it is just a matter of time. I pray and hope they fail completely and Pakistan is saved from disintegration as Soviet Union did when people lost complete faith in the country after the Stalinist regime and when they availed the opportunity which arose during Gorbachov era. In the same way as people in East Pakistan lost complete hope during Ayub’s regime and when they availed the opportunity which arose in Yahya Khan’s era. In the same way when non-Pushtuns lost complete faith during Taliban regime and when they availed the opportunity following 9/11 attack. It is important that Islamist Establishment is neutralized at its propaganda stage. In the world of symbolism, Islamists are equating Malik Mumtaz with Ghazi Ilm Din Shaheed. Democratic Dispensation either in the Government or Media must show the real perspective. Which is this: “Ghazi Ilm Din did not kill a Muslim or Ashiqe Rasool because his victim’s views did not conform to his views about Islamic law. On the contrary, Malik Mumtaz killed a Muslim who was Ashiqe Rasool and who wore chains of Allah & Muhammad during his lifetime. Malik Mumtaz should be equated with Nathu Ram Godse who killed Gandhi because in his own word Gandhi wanted to protect Maleech Muslims in India . In this war of propaganda, we should show resemblance of Malik Mumtaz with a Hindu extremist and not with a Muslim like Ghazi Ilm Din. This is my suggestion. Second, in order to build pressure over extremist establishment large rallies should be taken out addressed on telephone by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Otherwise Religious Establishment is planning to put very strong religious pressure on the government. Khalid

Humanity | 13 years ago | Reply @Sunil Bhalla "Do you not shiver that in what environment your children will live their lives in this country?" Zombies do not shiver.

Moazzam Ewing | 13 years ago | Reply I just want to leave this country now. But alas I am stuck with a green passport.

Syed Nadir El Edroos | 13 years ago | Reply Liberal facists remain silent when drone strikes take place? Liberal facists remain silent when people rot in jails? Not at all! First, being "liberal" has nothing to do with being Western. Everyone has protested against drone strikes, it the government and the military, the supposedly true defenders of the religion who are supporters of drone strikes, but alas who would call them "Liberal fascists". As for Aasia bibi committing a heinous crime. Who knows whether she has broken the law? Does anyone know what she has said to dishonour the Holy Prophet? None of us do, because her accusers cant repeat what she is accused of saying in court because then they will also be accused of blasphemy! She is only guilty because everyone is believing her accusers who have a vested interest in her being punished are saying so!

Peace lover | 13 years ago | Reply Half of the murderer of Mr. Salman is Mr. Qadri and half one is the person who advised Mr. Salman to take unnecessarily extreme stance on this law, he could have took structural approach to let it be resolve in court and let people educate about it, but I think conspirer doesn’t want it this way.

JustWondering | 13 years ago | Reply How is the chanting of a liberal wanting to eradicate all that is theocratic different from that of a right-wing preacher who wants religion to eradicate all that is Western? Both parties have condoned violence, both have been apathetic to the plight of the other and both sides sound relentless. You call them fanatics, how do you see yourself in the mirror?

ThePalmist | 13 years ago | Reply Unless Pakistan and other Moslem countries expunge the word 'blasphemy' from their laws and Moslems come to accept the fact that it is absurd to believe that somehow Koran and Mohammed are so high and holy, that any 'insult' real, imagined or fabricated, demands death for the 'offender'. This is 21st century!

maitre | 13 years ago | Reply Well said Shamayel! These so called 'liberals' go beyond all limits and surpasse those even set by Allah Almighty and his Messenger (SAW). These 'moulvis' they accused of and thousands of lawyers defy all that is irreligious in this country. How come all minorties are equal? what rule of law do they talk about? Are all the Americans and immigrants, new naturalized equal in USA? Are the blacks and the whites equal? No where. Are the Christians and the Jews equal? where on earth? The Jews say: 'all other humans are gentile'. Are the Hindus and the Muslims equal? Majorities and minorities are never equal on any part of the world. Tazeen Javaid is a secular voice advocating for blasphemy under the 'liberal' flagship along with all likemindedness people. This country had in the past minority judges like Justice A.R. Cornelius and a hindu judge; none of them deemed the Blasphemy law revisable. Now how come Salman Tasser or any Body from the Government declares himself as the 'human rights champion' and defend the blasphemer 'Aasia Noreen' presenting her as a poor christian. Can any poor christian blasphemize the hindus gods in India? These are things which will never be acceptable to any dignified Pakistani Citizen because this country was created in the name of 'Islam' and is called 'Islamic Republic of Pakistan where the supremacy of The Qu'ran and Sunnah shoud / is the rule of law. You like it or not. There are many American Embassies open for you. Go and Queue up there!

Manoj | 13 years ago | Reply Further to Vish's submission I want to add, soverignty lies with the people of the country, govt, army etc are subordinate to the will of the people. Hence. Pakistan as a nation needs to wake up and fight this state of mind. Terrorism is a cancer which is spreading in Pakistan body very fast. Pakistani needs to fight it, reverse the spread and cure it, else one day this will kill the state of Pakistan.

Sunil Bhalla | 13 years ago | Reply Collapsing economy, Rising India, Rising extremism, bomb blasts, violence between different sects of Islam, violence between different political parties, unrest in Baluchistan, American drones, threat of massive response from west if another 9/11 traced to Pakistan, expanding Taliban, no place for dialogue, zero tolerance, water scarcity, still an idiotic and risky obsession with Kashmir...... Do you not shiver that in what environment your children will live their lives in this country?

Nadia Aslam Advocate | 13 years ago | Reply You are absolutrely right and i salute you.. he was murdered because of his liberal views....

Sara | 13 years ago | Reply Brilliant. I agree with every single word. Instead of being cowed by such ignorant, hate-filled people, we should stand firm for universal human rights. That's what Salman Taseer was doing, and people who can't grasp this simple truth should, perhaps, have their basic freedom snatched away for a bit: let's see how vocal and vehement they are then. It's laughable how quickly such people forget the actual, basic tenets of Islam: the rights of your fellow man being among them. Instead, they focus on issues that should come way down the list. It's easier to accuse others and yell and threaten, than it is to look to your own self and strive for improvement. And for all those ludicrous statements that alternate between hilarious incoherence and outright bigotry, here's a tip: You call liberal people 'bigots' or 'fascists'. The difference is: us liberal types won't pick up a weapon and gun for your guts because you believe or behave differently. Whereas such religious-ignorant extremists try and hurt or kill others who hold different opinions. No human being has the right to take another human's life. Got that? Let me repeat it for the blindly prejudiced ones out there: NO HUMAN CAN TAKE ANOTHER'S LIFE. THAT IS ALLAH'S DOMAIN. Not yours, not your uncle's, and certainly not that murdering mad criminal, Qadri's. May he be hanged and ROT IN HELL for his crime. Great job, Tazeen. Keep writing! Don't give into fundo-bullying. None of us should!

Kamran A | 13 years ago | Reply In the famous words of Faiz, "laazim hai ke hum b dhekhain gai". Yes certainly we shall see what the powers that be decide to do with "Qazi the Ghazi". Will they capitulate or will they exact and execute justice. That now looms as the litmus test for any remnants of reason left in our society. We shall see "what's what" and "who's who" as this next chapter of this sorry saga unfolds. Will it be hope and courage or will it be force and fear that define us next. Certainly we shall see.

Fasih Ali Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Well Written ... Pakistanis Should be United Under the Alam Of Islaam not under these Thugs and Murderers trying to defame Islaam.

Ben | 13 years ago | Reply Stand up to the fanatics and you will be the next. This is how the things are.

Rajnesh | 13 years ago | Reply I so agree with you Tazeen.

Shakil Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply Wrong Wrong Wrong Absolutely Wrong.... Taseer Killed because he was Social Extremists.

vish | 13 years ago | Reply Dear Bros, The new generation of majority of Indians supports the creation of Pakistan, and please remove doubt on Indians didn't accepted pakistan as a state. I need to ask few question regarding about your country! 1. Jinna saparated your country on the religion basis 2. Jinna wanted your country to be secular and each religion should be treated equally. 3. After 63 years did your country fullfilled any of his dream apart from being muslim majority state (which is on his wish) 4. Why did you people made these Mullas to take your country into their hand. 5. Why the silent majority simply watching these type of brutality. 6. You people don't you have currage to stand and over through these fanatics from your beloved Pure Land. 7. Does your country is really Pure Land for muslims? 8. Why do you stand in-front of other nations (DFP) to run your life. 9. Why you silent majority leading cowardly life, just putting your thoughts on the blog and keeping mum after that. 10. Wakeup you like-minded people and through these fanatics and show that you are true pakistani.

arif | 13 years ago | Reply why our liberal facist r silent over the daily killings of our inocents in drones attack?how many inocent rotting in our jails? why no slogen for them.why the liberal facist become active whenever a non muslim involved in som henious crim?

MilesToGo | 13 years ago | Reply Awake my Punjab, Pakistan is ebbing away. Our Dreams havefaded now, Pakistan is ebbing away, - Sindh Baluchistan have been weeping for ages. The people of Punjab are stil lost asleep. - And eyes are filling with tears, Pakistan is ebbing away. Awake my Punjab, Pakistan is ebbing away. - When will these self obsessed people stand up and protest. at rifles being turned on helpless people. - People killed for their beliefs, Pakistan is ebbing away. Awake my Punjab, Pakistan is ebbing away. - Your rains falls, leaving our garden full of smoke. What has happened to the fragrance of flowers on the branches? - Roses are now no more than a dream, Pakistan is ebbing away. Awake my Punjab, Pakistan is ebbing away. - There is tyranny, but we shall overcome these bullies. And I say these distressing days wil not lost. - Our cup has been poisoned Pakistan is ebbing away Awake my Punjab, Pakistan is ebbing away. - Love’s songs are sorrowful and stories full of laments. The desertst stretches out as far as the eye an see - Rivers have become illusions Pakistan is ebbing awey. Awake my Punjab, Pakistan is ebbing away. - Our cup has been poisoned Pakistan is ebbing away. Awake my Punjab, Pakistan is ebbing away. - Because of this behaviour Bengal has split away. Do not ask wht sorrow that event has caused. - We have got to stem this tide Pakistan is ebbing away. Awake my Punjab, Pakistan is ebbing away.

Khawaja Faraz | 13 years ago | Reply hmmm you pointed out the cause of his murder and the eprsons who ignited the situation. but all you do is pointing your single finger at bigot mullah but sorry to say at the same time you are pointing your three fingers to yourself whay should we dont call you liberal/moderate bigot? cummon tell me why you dont write anything for people of swat and waziristan who suffered why dont you write anything about wine shops all in the country but you dont fail to write anything about mullahs i remind you all you will need them before your burrial to offer your funeral prayers. you people the so called liberals and moderates and turning them into fanatics the criminals in my view are you guys. tell me why Salman taseer wasn't tried for saying blasphemy law a black law? if he would have tried and if found guilty sent to jail why would have this thing happened?

Farooq Baloch | 13 years ago | Reply If media can help dissolve governments, they can also propagate against these brainless people who seem to have hijacked the religion of peace and turned it into otherwise. Keep doing your job!

PostMan | 13 years ago | Reply I wonder what moral standing they have when they will protest deaths due to drone attacks in country... they too have a reason to kill just as americans have.

karim | 13 years ago | Reply Tazeen javed sahiba great facts you have just transcribed in the column.... SALMAN TASEER was/is not only governor of Punjab but an extremely valuable proponent of human rights.....who sacrifice his life for defending human welfare,reducing human sufferings which is deadly crushed by foolish clerics dividing the innocent people into million of sects ,,,,,SALMAN TASEER the great is strength of tower for progressive youth in Pakistan i,m sure one day the dream of antisectarianism ,a pluralist society ,stand only on basic human rights will come true which was dreamed by martyred SALMAN TASEER,,,,,,,its time to push back the ever green foolish clerics and establishing a secular purely democratic society,,,,,,,,,,,,

BushraS | 13 years ago | Reply articulate and concise. well done Tazeen!

Muhammad Bilal Berberi | 13 years ago | Reply Well said! But I suggest not to interfere in the religious perspectives. It is better to take debate/discussion than to blame the religious commands given by the Holy Shariah. JazakAllah Bilal Berberi.

Shahid | 13 years ago | Reply Death of a brave man. Death of Pakistani state. Welcome to era of civil war articulated by state institutions for decades!

fawad | 13 years ago | Reply very well said......

Robin | 13 years ago | Reply No point in writing in English language internet paper; literacy in Pakistan is 40%; out of that maybe 4% have access to and can read/write English; Out of that 4%, 80% are english-speaking fanatics like Faizal Shehzad, David Headley and London 7/7 bomber; rest 36% literate in Pak read in Urdu; the 60% -Totally illiterate listen to Mullah, etc.; What I am saying English language internet mein rone-dhone se kuch nahin hone waala; Jaake Urdu mein likho and un-padh logon ko radio mein sunao; Otherwise Ram-Kasam things are only going to get worse

Sanjay | 13 years ago | Reply In religious state like Pakistan this kind of liberal mind set cannot survive for too long. People o Pakistan will have to decide what course they wud like to take ...religious intolerance will create havoc with civil society of Pakistan..time for liberal forces to unite and defeat the secterian voices in a civlised manner..!!

Sadia | 13 years ago | Reply I do not even think his views should be called 'liberal'. Honestly, they were what every human being with common sense should hold. Great article. Thank you Tazeen.

ET | 13 years ago | Reply Jamaat-e-Ahle Sunnat are group of terrorists and government need to get them

Robin Hood | 13 years ago | Reply Jamaat-e-Ahle Sunnat are murderers...FIR should be made against Jamaat-e-Ahle Sunnat...they are terrorist...need american drone to blow their insane mind.....

temporal | 13 years ago | Reply It is time we read the fateha on Jinnah's vision for Pakistan.

Usama Zafar | 13 years ago | Reply Agree with Mubarak!!! This country certainly does not deserve sane people!!!

shumayel | 13 years ago | Reply what a shameful piece. for God sake, do you media guys have some shame. don't pass your verdicts on things you do not know about. Fear God and keep your tongues shut. its a very sensitive subject. we do not want to talk about who is right or wrong here because if you think you are so right, consider what if you were wrong in Gods eyes. have some shame, not everything is to be brought into media. leave this matter.

Hasnat Chohan | 13 years ago | Reply Well said Anoop...all sane people get out of the sepctic tank of excrement. These mullah's are characterless and merciless. This black law givem them a carte blanche to victimize their oppositon. May you rot in hell Zia ul Haq.

nadir hasan | 13 years ago | Reply the only lesson from this terrible tragedy is “leave pakistan if you believe in free speech or moderation. ……… and……… don’t join a group of ‘bible bashers’ (for want of better terminology) when you do find a new home in the west!!!!!!!

Pakistani57 | 13 years ago | Reply while I condemn the murder, and I support your opinion that the moulvis who issued fatwas for his murder should be held as accomplices however your following argument makes no sense. who protested against his opinion and who burned his effigies and who incited bigotry on television should be named in the FIR and held accountable for his murder. So it was right for Late Mr. Taseer to voice his opinion but wrong for public to oppose his opinion?? if you support freedom of expression it should work both ways not only to quench liberal thirst

robert in san francisco | 13 years ago | Reply Well said. Rest in peace Salmaan Taseer.

Anoop | 13 years ago | Reply "Stand up to the fanatics — or you will be next" --> Stand up to the fanatics and you will be next.

Syed Nadir El Edroos | 13 years ago | Reply Everyone thinks that such things only happen to other people. Never them. People need to stop and think that tomorrow they could become victims of not a grand ideological debate but a victim to a petty disagreement. It could go something like this: Person A and B have a fight. Person B accuses A of blasphemy and calls the police. Person A says thats rubbish! What exactly did I say that you are accusing me of blasphemy? Person B will reply - Oh I cant repeat that, you are tricking me to commit blasphemy as well! Before Person A reaches the court to be tried under the same Blasphemy law that religious zealots want to uphold, someone like M Qadri will gun him down. Not such a hero now eh? No one wants to insult the Holy Prophet! People need to separate the emotionalism attached to the symbolism of the law itself - and its procedural limitations which allows for the state to kill people and allow citizens to take the law into their own hands.

Mubarak | 13 years ago | Reply Very true but Alas nothing can be done. These 'Islamic robbers' are out there to loot, threaten and kill any body they don't like. Best option for people is to leave the country or have beard and pretend to one of these Islamic thugs.

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