In a wake of heavy monsoon downpour in Karachi and Lahore, many casualties have been reported causing crushing blow to the victim families. At least eighteen people reported to have been died and more than sixty injured due to last day heavy rain in Karachi. Though the monsoon raining is enthusiastically welcomed in Pakistan for it is harbinger of pleasant buffets of winds and rains in unbearable hot weather, but it has some sorrowful strings that usually remain invisible to the people because of absence of crisis management structure and ill-conceived city planning in the country. The death of eighteen people in Karachi crops up many questions from sociological viewpoint as in Pakistan, large numbers of families depends upon the earning of one person who is the main source of livelihood for his or her family members. Obviously, the death has deprived the victim families of their main financial support and they are left with nothing. If the died ones includes anyone doing menial job or labouring for baking his or her bread, then the loss is extremely unbearable for the victim family.
As Pakistan is underdeveloped country incomparable to European countries in respect of social and economic benefits where the affected ones are supported by the government, so this situation has certain human rights repercussions upon the victims. As the children of deceased ones are vulnerable to child labour/bonded labour etc. in order to support their families, because they will get no support from the government. This dire situation raises the question on the slogans of political management representatives to make Karachi and Lahore the model of Paris and London; and also divulges the incapacity of the bureaucracy involved in city planning and management.
The way in which the crises are dealt with is absolutely injudicious in the country. First, there is no separate mechanism to deal with the crises as in case of any natural calamity or incidents, it is army coming to rescue operation. The best example to grasp is of historically worst earthquake on October 2005 in which the role of civil institutions to deal with this natural disaster almost been tantamount to nothing as the credit for successful rescue operation goes to American Chinooks helicopters; and a point which has been recognised by Ex-president Mr. Musharaff while addressing to the press conference on George Bush (Ex US president) visit to Pakistan.
It irony that both at federal and provincial levels, the crises management is an ignored area; it is common observation that in an hour of any road or trains accidents etc. the response of some voluntary trusts like Edhi is always more prompt and swift compare to government bodies. But those available medium provided by the government for dealing with such worst inhumane happenings are usually stricken with dilapidated form and corruption tendencies as well. The ambulances and fire-brigades vehicles presents junkyard scene with lack of necessary first aid facilities till the time patients or victims are taken to the hospitals while most of them die on the way to hospitals due to lack of life-saving facilities in the ambulances.
As said earlier, the absence of crises management structure has also an element of human rights violations. As in consequence of worst earthquake, large number of women and children became helpless and homeless. Such women and children reported to have been abducted particularly most of the escaped women became torture of inhumane treatment. Under this precarious situation, the role of crises management cells stands supreme especially when every year the plain cities are susceptible to heavy floods.
What can be done is an establishment of emergency relief cells or crises management cells both at federal and provincial levels with provision of modern and sophisticated technology. In every annual budget, separate funds allocations should be made to keep them in lines with modern equipments. Equally important is to ensure transparent utilisation of these funds and to make provision of these funds safe from red-tap labyrinths. The survey by independent media shows that even today the large number of earthquake victims is awaited to get relief for construction of their house due to complicated administrative procedures adopted by the Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (ERRA).
The crisis managing education plays pivotal role in equipping people to deal with disasters and calamities in an organised way contrary to haphazard way. Even in many developing countries like Thai Lands, Singapore, Malaysia and Kenya as well the capacity buildings programs are organised to teach and learn the public and civil society representatives how to prepare for crises management. In many countries of the world, crises management, risk management is taught as a separate subject at academia. Sensitising the dire need of this phenomenon, government should introduce course of crises management in universities and colleges. Undoubtedly, the establishment of crises management cells will not only facilitate dealings of disasters but it will prove helpful in avoiding human rights violations as well.
Other areas necessitating urgent attention of all responsible government environs is to introduce modern concept of social sciences in the academia. Unfortunately, we have still continued study of many social sciences in limitedness like political science, economics, sociology and anthropology etc. When analyse syllabus of these subjects, it sounds outmoded having no relevance to the modern requirements. For example, in political philosophy, we don’t have any chapters on contemporary political thinkers so students are deaf to modern prevailing political trends. The relevance of this fact needs to be understood within the perspectives of growing role of the study of Social Policy and Social Research. Topic like city and town planning falls within the category of social policy, but unfortunate to say that these subjects has not been given proper heed. Resultantly, in city planning sociological aspects is entirely ignored. Therefore, the current aftermaths of flood and heavy downpours should be analysed from this perspectives and the task of city planning should not be left to only engineers or architects, but consultations should be taken from experts of social policy as well. It is possible only if the people are made awareness of the importance of the study of the subjects like social policy and social research etc.
It is, therefore, incumbent upon civil society organisations to launch campaigns for translating the thought of crises management into reality and also oblige the policy makers to introduce the study of social policy, criminology, and human rights as separate subjects in the academia.
Thursday, 27 August 2009
SOME PERILOUS MISCONCEPTIONS
Subsequent to inhumane attacks in 09/11 in USA and 07/07 in London, the use of disgusting words Islamic terrorism, Islamic militancy and Islamic fundamentalism make me crushed inwardly. In Western society, the name of Islam and Muslims is analysed within the prism of these heinous terms. Under current scenario of suicidal attacks by the Muslim not only on non-Muslims, but on different sects of Muslims like Shia and Sunnis, comes to fore the bleak picture of Islam. The waves of attacks on minorities groups in Pakistan which make five percent of the total population including Christians, Sikhs, Hindus, and Zoroastrians under the cover of Blasphemy Laws more worsen the situation towards understanding of Islam by the Westerns. Whereas the objective analysis of Islamic teachings compels ones to dispel such misconceptions the universal religion of Islam is plagued with. During my study at the University of Nottingham, I was flabbergasted over the opinion of not only mature students but teachers as well concerning Islam. The beard of Sikhs is nothing to do with terrorism; however, the same appearing on the Muslims’ face starts breeding concerns invoking likely presence of some extremists and terrorists. This distorted thinking of the West poses major challenge to the followers of Islam that how to put the actual friendly image of Islam before the world?
Being a Pakistani Muslim, I have the personal experience of my people disgusting non-Muslims particularly the Americans, British and Israelites. Many occasions, I have been hearing Imams (Minister of Religion) in religious gathering like Nama-z-e-Jumma (Religious conglomeration of Muslims in mosques on the day of Friday) saying and imploring destruction and annihilation of America, Britain and Israel. No doubt, there is not even a single sermon devoid of such curses by the Imams or religious preachers. Since I crossed the stage of adolescence, I never ever heard in my life any Imams presenting those lessons showing the areas of commonalities between Islam and Christianity or Bible and Quran. Though many other political factors may be involved for creating of Jihadi organisations like fighting of (Mujahideen) freedom fighters in Afghan War under military regime of Zia-ul-Haq with the support of United States to defeat the communism against the capital democracy. It is recognisable fact that at the hands of some social factors emerged extremist forces in Pakistani society like the negative role of religious institutions. The continuous hatred-oriented sermons by ordinary and not well-educated religious leaders of the Muslims have given credence to the emergence of extremist elements and causing an atmosphere of hatred towards Western culture and people.
In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, only the Wahabi version of Islam is acceptable; and under the strict monarchical political control the publications, sermons and religious preaching of other sects or the activities of missionaries are prohibited. In Pakistan, the religious political parties advocating Wahabi version of Islam are the major recipient of Saudi financial aid. Jammate Islami, one of the religious political parties organised on Wahabi pattern, is always on the forefront of anti American or anti Britain campaigns, but never bother to say that the current political system in Saudi Arabia is entirely anti-Islamic as there is no concept of monarchy in Islam. During my talk with a Nigerian colleague in university, I have been told that Saudi government has adopted the same policy in Nigeria and such religious schools imparting Wahabi model of Islam deserve large chunk of financial assistance. While the other with different Islamic version remain deprived. The aim of this exemplification is to indicate the state of unawareness by layman Muslims and willing distortion of facts at the hands of which peace and security of the world is in danger.
Not only the Muslim society is suffering from this social evil, same sort of situation rather I will call it state of ignorance can be observed in Western society. Once during a discussion on religion with a British lady, she was surprised to know that belief in Jesus Christ is part of Islamic faith without which one cannot claim to be the real Muslim. To her utter surprise, along with Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) we Muslim also believe in all the prophets; but consider Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) to the final source and medium of salvation-an uncompromising belief to the Muslim.
In United Kingdom, the role of the most of the Imams (minister of religions) is not praiseworthy. It is common observation that majority of such Imams have their education base from Madressas (Informal system of religious education in Pakistan) where the concept of the study of modern subjects like civic education, sociology, political science, comparative religious studies and many other is entirely absent. Teaching of English is totally ignored. Their mode of teachings and sermons, in most cases, is tinge of teaching style adopted in Pakistan. Half an hour sermons usually compose of recitation of some verses of the Holy Quran and historical Islamic stories. As per my analysis of these ministers of religion, only two out of hundred will be able to pass the IELTS if they sit in the examination. So how they can convey the enlightened and liberal teaching of Islam to the British Muslims generation? We can’t observe any serious and concrete attempts aiming at creation of interfaith harmony and social cohesion of other religious groups in English society. It is not the cooperation among different communities but the strict rule of law keeping the society united and intact. For justification, some common examples are religious festivals of Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists and many other in which intermixing is very scant. Being a Muslim, I first time openly celebrated the festivals like Xmas and Happy New Year in United Kingdom, because I was told about these to be an anti-Islamic activities and that the negatively implemented social pattern I was nurtured in; prevented me from an open participation in Pakistan. The celebration of Valentine Day, Bassant Festival (a social gathering in which people fly kites together on the happy arrival of spring), and Happy New Year are considered to be the religious taboos by many religious parties especially the Taliban-esque. There is a group of fanatics by the name of Shabab-e-Milli Party who hinder and beat the people celebrating or try to celebrate these days.
This whole mess is, unsuspectedly, the result of the lack of interfaith cooperation and impervious response of the communities, to put it precisely, of religious leaders towards the teaching of each other religions. In Pakistan, I have personally seen Imams and parents forbidding their children not to study Bible or any other missionary literature lest they religiously corrupt. On the basis of such socialisation, the gulf between different religious communities widens and widens; and in consequence; arise the incidents like 09/11, 07/07, Gujrat and Ahmad Abad in India, Shia Sunni riots and current waves of suicidal attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan by religious zealots.
As per my observation, even in religious teaching of different communities; there are many areas of common belief on account of which interfaith harmony and mutual cooperation can be brought about.
Concerning end of this world, Bible says;
There would be, as in the days of Noah, the activity and stir of worldly business, and pleasures seeking-buying, selling, planting, building, marrying, and giving in marriage-with forgetfulness of God and future of life. For those living at this time, Christ admonition is: "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your heart be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and stand before the Son of man". Luke 21:34, 36
In Holy Quran it is said;
And they say: "When will this promise (i.e. Resurrection) be fulfilled, if you are truthful?" They await only but a single shout, etc. which will seize them while they are disputing! Then they will not be able to make bequest, nor will they return to their family. (36) 48-50
Both verses of Quran and Bible convey the same concept with different expression.
Commenting upon the existence of God, Bible Says;
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (Psalm 19:14)
Quran proves the existence of God/Al-Mighty Allah in these words;
Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, - there are indeed Signs for men of understanding. (3) 190
Both Muslim and Christians believe in the second arrival of Jesus Christ. The holy Quran say;
When Allah said, "'Isa (Jesus Christ), I will take you back and raise you up to Me and purify you of those who are disbelievers. And I will place the people who follow you above those who are disbelievers until the Day of Rising. Then you will all return to Me, and I will judge between you regarding the things about which you differed. (3) 55
In Bible this phenomenon appears like this;
“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 25-28
There are so many other verses both in Quran and Bible showing common lessons but with in different expressions having the same aim, but the need is to reason on the facts beyond ethnocentrism. Here comes the duty of religious scholars working at local communities particularly in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Gulf States and United Kingdom as well to make people aware of such common lessons of Quran and Bible. By doing so, we can mover forward towards achieving the goal of interfaith harmony.
Being a Pakistani Muslim, I have the personal experience of my people disgusting non-Muslims particularly the Americans, British and Israelites. Many occasions, I have been hearing Imams (Minister of Religion) in religious gathering like Nama-z-e-Jumma (Religious conglomeration of Muslims in mosques on the day of Friday) saying and imploring destruction and annihilation of America, Britain and Israel. No doubt, there is not even a single sermon devoid of such curses by the Imams or religious preachers. Since I crossed the stage of adolescence, I never ever heard in my life any Imams presenting those lessons showing the areas of commonalities between Islam and Christianity or Bible and Quran. Though many other political factors may be involved for creating of Jihadi organisations like fighting of (Mujahideen) freedom fighters in Afghan War under military regime of Zia-ul-Haq with the support of United States to defeat the communism against the capital democracy. It is recognisable fact that at the hands of some social factors emerged extremist forces in Pakistani society like the negative role of religious institutions. The continuous hatred-oriented sermons by ordinary and not well-educated religious leaders of the Muslims have given credence to the emergence of extremist elements and causing an atmosphere of hatred towards Western culture and people.
In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, only the Wahabi version of Islam is acceptable; and under the strict monarchical political control the publications, sermons and religious preaching of other sects or the activities of missionaries are prohibited. In Pakistan, the religious political parties advocating Wahabi version of Islam are the major recipient of Saudi financial aid. Jammate Islami, one of the religious political parties organised on Wahabi pattern, is always on the forefront of anti American or anti Britain campaigns, but never bother to say that the current political system in Saudi Arabia is entirely anti-Islamic as there is no concept of monarchy in Islam. During my talk with a Nigerian colleague in university, I have been told that Saudi government has adopted the same policy in Nigeria and such religious schools imparting Wahabi model of Islam deserve large chunk of financial assistance. While the other with different Islamic version remain deprived. The aim of this exemplification is to indicate the state of unawareness by layman Muslims and willing distortion of facts at the hands of which peace and security of the world is in danger.
Not only the Muslim society is suffering from this social evil, same sort of situation rather I will call it state of ignorance can be observed in Western society. Once during a discussion on religion with a British lady, she was surprised to know that belief in Jesus Christ is part of Islamic faith without which one cannot claim to be the real Muslim. To her utter surprise, along with Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) we Muslim also believe in all the prophets; but consider Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) to the final source and medium of salvation-an uncompromising belief to the Muslim.
In United Kingdom, the role of the most of the Imams (minister of religions) is not praiseworthy. It is common observation that majority of such Imams have their education base from Madressas (Informal system of religious education in Pakistan) where the concept of the study of modern subjects like civic education, sociology, political science, comparative religious studies and many other is entirely absent. Teaching of English is totally ignored. Their mode of teachings and sermons, in most cases, is tinge of teaching style adopted in Pakistan. Half an hour sermons usually compose of recitation of some verses of the Holy Quran and historical Islamic stories. As per my analysis of these ministers of religion, only two out of hundred will be able to pass the IELTS if they sit in the examination. So how they can convey the enlightened and liberal teaching of Islam to the British Muslims generation? We can’t observe any serious and concrete attempts aiming at creation of interfaith harmony and social cohesion of other religious groups in English society. It is not the cooperation among different communities but the strict rule of law keeping the society united and intact. For justification, some common examples are religious festivals of Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists and many other in which intermixing is very scant. Being a Muslim, I first time openly celebrated the festivals like Xmas and Happy New Year in United Kingdom, because I was told about these to be an anti-Islamic activities and that the negatively implemented social pattern I was nurtured in; prevented me from an open participation in Pakistan. The celebration of Valentine Day, Bassant Festival (a social gathering in which people fly kites together on the happy arrival of spring), and Happy New Year are considered to be the religious taboos by many religious parties especially the Taliban-esque. There is a group of fanatics by the name of Shabab-e-Milli Party who hinder and beat the people celebrating or try to celebrate these days.
This whole mess is, unsuspectedly, the result of the lack of interfaith cooperation and impervious response of the communities, to put it precisely, of religious leaders towards the teaching of each other religions. In Pakistan, I have personally seen Imams and parents forbidding their children not to study Bible or any other missionary literature lest they religiously corrupt. On the basis of such socialisation, the gulf between different religious communities widens and widens; and in consequence; arise the incidents like 09/11, 07/07, Gujrat and Ahmad Abad in India, Shia Sunni riots and current waves of suicidal attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan by religious zealots.
As per my observation, even in religious teaching of different communities; there are many areas of common belief on account of which interfaith harmony and mutual cooperation can be brought about.
Concerning end of this world, Bible says;
There would be, as in the days of Noah, the activity and stir of worldly business, and pleasures seeking-buying, selling, planting, building, marrying, and giving in marriage-with forgetfulness of God and future of life. For those living at this time, Christ admonition is: "Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your heart be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and stand before the Son of man". Luke 21:34, 36
In Holy Quran it is said;
And they say: "When will this promise (i.e. Resurrection) be fulfilled, if you are truthful?" They await only but a single shout, etc. which will seize them while they are disputing! Then they will not be able to make bequest, nor will they return to their family. (36) 48-50
Both verses of Quran and Bible convey the same concept with different expression.
Commenting upon the existence of God, Bible Says;
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (Psalm 19:14)
Quran proves the existence of God/Al-Mighty Allah in these words;
Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, - there are indeed Signs for men of understanding. (3) 190
Both Muslim and Christians believe in the second arrival of Jesus Christ. The holy Quran say;
When Allah said, "'Isa (Jesus Christ), I will take you back and raise you up to Me and purify you of those who are disbelievers. And I will place the people who follow you above those who are disbelievers until the Day of Rising. Then you will all return to Me, and I will judge between you regarding the things about which you differed. (3) 55
In Bible this phenomenon appears like this;
“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” 25-28
There are so many other verses both in Quran and Bible showing common lessons but with in different expressions having the same aim, but the need is to reason on the facts beyond ethnocentrism. Here comes the duty of religious scholars working at local communities particularly in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Gulf States and United Kingdom as well to make people aware of such common lessons of Quran and Bible. By doing so, we can mover forward towards achieving the goal of interfaith harmony.
REORIENTATION OF SOCIAL VALUES
Every society of the world even of antiquity has adopted some types of rules to deal with the social affairs especially those where the commonalities of interests exist and likely risks develop for clash and conflict. Social values and norms regulate human relations thus ensuring smooth run of the affairs. The whole normative structure of the society works in all corners of the society like political, economic and social etc. Socialisation is a continuous process keeps moving on uncontrollably and of course, beyond human control. It is a vehicle which transfers or becomes cause of transferring social values from generations to generations. To understand the nature of any society, the imperativeness lays in understanding the norms and values of any particular society.
Human rights and social values have deep nexus, in some cases not separable from each others. Gender relations, women rights and their equality, relationships between social classes are all determined by the types of social values the society has adopted. It can rightly be said that normative structure of society many protects or become cause of violations of human rights. History is replete with such incidents and happenings which prove this phenomenon. In ancient Arabian society, the newly born daughters were buried alive, for, to have daughter was considered to be a social evil. In medieval society of many European countries the rights of women were determined not on the basis of human being, but from the prevalent social structure and circumstances of that time. It is thanks to reformation and renaissance which altered the whole structure of the society in Europe which resultantly laid the foundation of democracy.
Though all the human rights conventions lay emphasis upon equality of human beings in all spheres of life, but numerous hurdles hinder the way to the pursuit of human equality. Even in some religions, the concept of human equality is openly denounced. Reciting and reading of holy books of any religion should not be banned for the people of its followers, but even then the followers of same religions cannot enjoy the same sacred right. For instance, in Hinduism worst type of inequality prevails in different social classes. Shudras one of the lowest class in Hindus cannot go to the temples, cannot marry Brahman girls, they are not allowed to recite the holy books of Ramayana and Mahabharata, Shudars are not allowed to sit side by side with the Brahmin. Women were treated very badly like the ceremony of Satti, under which the wife of deceased one has to burn alive on the funeral pyre.
In many Muslim communities, the social values are greatly responsible for flouting human rights openly. Women are not given participation in political process as happens in many Arab states, while the religion of Islam itself is staunch advocate of protecting women rights in all social spheres. The prophet Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) in his last sermons clearly denounced and slashed the concept of any social class in whatsoever form, but classes still exist in Muslim societies particularly when glanced upon the strong sacred status of Sadaat tribes. Sadaat tribe is considered to be the descendents of Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and are regarded the sacred class in the Muslims. In many cases, exogamy is absolutely prohibited and thought to be an unacceptable act. In Islam, man can have four wives at the same time under some strict conditions imposed by Islam, but in many societies, having second wife in the presence of other brings social repugnance, and becomes cause of strives and conflicts in family matters, but in Arabian and Afghan society, the same practice is an acceptable social values. In similar, the concept of intermarriage among different sects of Muslim is also prohibited. Strong resistance exists for Sunni to marriage in Shia and same vice versa. In Taliban-esque version of Islam, women are not allowed to receive education while Islam itself binds every man and woman to seek knowledge. The bedrock behind all the evils is the normative structure and attempts to connect it to religious values which resultantly set the evil in.
Of the late, in international politics, the terms like terrorism, religious intolerance and extremism are mostly perceived in Islamic sense only, while there are other isms as well in which killing of human beings is regarded to get reward in divine sense. Similarly, we come across such types of news like killings and eating flesh of children in worst underdeveloped African countries, and we also hear news of slaughtering children on the altars of the temples by extremist Hindus in India etc. To communist philosophy, state is an end in itself and individual is means, therefore, state is all in all and a sort of divine institution. Incident of students killings at Tiananmen Square in China have roots in upholding communist philosophy. Suicidal attacks are ascribed to the Islam, but in fact, they have been committed by other believers as well. The motives behind not been religion but other social and political motives supported them. What been the motives behind Samson who died together with his victims as he collapsed a Philistine temple and of the Dutch Lieutenant Jan Van Speijk detonating his own ship in the harbour of Antwerp to prevent being captured by the Belgians. Describing the nature of suicidal attacks, the online wikipedia states that Modern suicide bombing as a political tool can be traced back to the assassination of Czar Alexander II of Russian in 1881. Alexander fell victim to a Nihilist plot. While driving on one of the central streets of Saint Petersburg, near the Winter Palace, he was mortally wounded by the explosion of hand-made grenades and died a few hours afterwards. The Tzar was killed by a member of Narodnaya Volya, Ignacy Hryniewiecki, who died while intentionally exploding the bomb during the attack. There is no element of religion involved behind these suicidal attacks because the mainspring has been patriotic and nationalistic sentiments the roots of which cannot be traced in religion. Patriotism and nationalism are social values having no links with religion.
The main reason for this been info-tech revolution and exchange of ideas that has brought about great shifts in normative structure of many societies. Ban on custom of satti in India, amendments in honour killings and hadood ordinance, even recognition of homosexual rights in European countries, representation of women in political bodies even in some Arabian countries, legislative mechanism for protection of genders etc. are indicative of basic shift in norms and values.
In many parts of the world particularly in underdeveloped countries, lot need to be done to reorient social values. Where people have no access to basic amenities of life, and lead life below the poverty line, are most susceptible to become pawn at the hands of hawkish elements who wrongly manipulate religious and social values for their vested interests. The recent case before us is of fanatic and obscurantist Sufi Muhammad in Swat, and Molvi Fazl-ul-Lah, who attempted to foist Taliban-esque version of Islam on the people and openly labelled the followers of other sects to the heretic, equally along with it termed the judiciary and parliament of Pakistan to be an institutions ultra vires to Islamic concepts. Reorientation of social values needs in such social milieu and onus lay on non-governmental organisations, and international development organisations to make special focus on such programs promoting civic education, policy intervention, and capacity building programs etc. It is an established facts that war of ideas is most powerful than the war of weapons. French Revolution justifies the point which been wrought by the writing of great scholars not by the sabre-rattling of the soldiers.
Human rights and social values have deep nexus, in some cases not separable from each others. Gender relations, women rights and their equality, relationships between social classes are all determined by the types of social values the society has adopted. It can rightly be said that normative structure of society many protects or become cause of violations of human rights. History is replete with such incidents and happenings which prove this phenomenon. In ancient Arabian society, the newly born daughters were buried alive, for, to have daughter was considered to be a social evil. In medieval society of many European countries the rights of women were determined not on the basis of human being, but from the prevalent social structure and circumstances of that time. It is thanks to reformation and renaissance which altered the whole structure of the society in Europe which resultantly laid the foundation of democracy.
Though all the human rights conventions lay emphasis upon equality of human beings in all spheres of life, but numerous hurdles hinder the way to the pursuit of human equality. Even in some religions, the concept of human equality is openly denounced. Reciting and reading of holy books of any religion should not be banned for the people of its followers, but even then the followers of same religions cannot enjoy the same sacred right. For instance, in Hinduism worst type of inequality prevails in different social classes. Shudras one of the lowest class in Hindus cannot go to the temples, cannot marry Brahman girls, they are not allowed to recite the holy books of Ramayana and Mahabharata, Shudars are not allowed to sit side by side with the Brahmin. Women were treated very badly like the ceremony of Satti, under which the wife of deceased one has to burn alive on the funeral pyre.
In many Muslim communities, the social values are greatly responsible for flouting human rights openly. Women are not given participation in political process as happens in many Arab states, while the religion of Islam itself is staunch advocate of protecting women rights in all social spheres. The prophet Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) in his last sermons clearly denounced and slashed the concept of any social class in whatsoever form, but classes still exist in Muslim societies particularly when glanced upon the strong sacred status of Sadaat tribes. Sadaat tribe is considered to be the descendents of Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and are regarded the sacred class in the Muslims. In many cases, exogamy is absolutely prohibited and thought to be an unacceptable act. In Islam, man can have four wives at the same time under some strict conditions imposed by Islam, but in many societies, having second wife in the presence of other brings social repugnance, and becomes cause of strives and conflicts in family matters, but in Arabian and Afghan society, the same practice is an acceptable social values. In similar, the concept of intermarriage among different sects of Muslim is also prohibited. Strong resistance exists for Sunni to marriage in Shia and same vice versa. In Taliban-esque version of Islam, women are not allowed to receive education while Islam itself binds every man and woman to seek knowledge. The bedrock behind all the evils is the normative structure and attempts to connect it to religious values which resultantly set the evil in.
Of the late, in international politics, the terms like terrorism, religious intolerance and extremism are mostly perceived in Islamic sense only, while there are other isms as well in which killing of human beings is regarded to get reward in divine sense. Similarly, we come across such types of news like killings and eating flesh of children in worst underdeveloped African countries, and we also hear news of slaughtering children on the altars of the temples by extremist Hindus in India etc. To communist philosophy, state is an end in itself and individual is means, therefore, state is all in all and a sort of divine institution. Incident of students killings at Tiananmen Square in China have roots in upholding communist philosophy. Suicidal attacks are ascribed to the Islam, but in fact, they have been committed by other believers as well. The motives behind not been religion but other social and political motives supported them. What been the motives behind Samson who died together with his victims as he collapsed a Philistine temple and of the Dutch Lieutenant Jan Van Speijk detonating his own ship in the harbour of Antwerp to prevent being captured by the Belgians. Describing the nature of suicidal attacks, the online wikipedia states that Modern suicide bombing as a political tool can be traced back to the assassination of Czar Alexander II of Russian in 1881. Alexander fell victim to a Nihilist plot. While driving on one of the central streets of Saint Petersburg, near the Winter Palace, he was mortally wounded by the explosion of hand-made grenades and died a few hours afterwards. The Tzar was killed by a member of Narodnaya Volya, Ignacy Hryniewiecki, who died while intentionally exploding the bomb during the attack. There is no element of religion involved behind these suicidal attacks because the mainspring has been patriotic and nationalistic sentiments the roots of which cannot be traced in religion. Patriotism and nationalism are social values having no links with religion.
The main reason for this been info-tech revolution and exchange of ideas that has brought about great shifts in normative structure of many societies. Ban on custom of satti in India, amendments in honour killings and hadood ordinance, even recognition of homosexual rights in European countries, representation of women in political bodies even in some Arabian countries, legislative mechanism for protection of genders etc. are indicative of basic shift in norms and values.
In many parts of the world particularly in underdeveloped countries, lot need to be done to reorient social values. Where people have no access to basic amenities of life, and lead life below the poverty line, are most susceptible to become pawn at the hands of hawkish elements who wrongly manipulate religious and social values for their vested interests. The recent case before us is of fanatic and obscurantist Sufi Muhammad in Swat, and Molvi Fazl-ul-Lah, who attempted to foist Taliban-esque version of Islam on the people and openly labelled the followers of other sects to the heretic, equally along with it termed the judiciary and parliament of Pakistan to be an institutions ultra vires to Islamic concepts. Reorientation of social values needs in such social milieu and onus lay on non-governmental organisations, and international development organisations to make special focus on such programs promoting civic education, policy intervention, and capacity building programs etc. It is an established facts that war of ideas is most powerful than the war of weapons. French Revolution justifies the point which been wrought by the writing of great scholars not by the sabre-rattling of the soldiers.
POLITICAL INSENSITIVITY
Renowned Lebanese poet Khali Jibran in one of his revolutionary poem Pity the Nation, says,
Pity the nation that is full of beliefs and empty of religion.
Pity the nation that wears a cloth it does not weave, eats a bread it does not harvest,
Pity the nation whose statesman is a fox, whose philosopher is a juggler, and whose art is the art of patching and mimicking,
Pity the nation divided into fragments, each fragment deeming itself a nation.
Seems same is the case with Pakistani rulers. In a recent statement of Media Advisor to President Ms. Ferah Naz Isphaheni has very blatantly misconstrued the repercussions of drone attacks on the geographical territories of Pakistan, which has claimed numerous innocent people including women and children. Ms. Farah justified these draconian American onslaughts on the logic of peace and security of the people along with offering generous kudos to the financial support by the American administration for countering terrorist tendencies in Pakistan. Before passing such types of insensitive remarks, Ms. Farah probably has not taken into account some ponderable points to be deciphered in wider historical perspectives.
Does the peace and security of Pakistan links to US financial support?
Does US Administration wholeheartedly want maintenance of peace and security in Pakistan?
Is the emergence of terrorist groups whether religious or political fanatics on the land of Pakistan thanks to Islam or closed culture prevalent in many regions of NWFP and Balochistan?
What been the role of Ex political administration in tackling the terrorist tendencies in Pakistan?
These simples questions have become riddles in our political culture, and on taking deep stock of the situation, the injudiciously framed policies of civil and military administration both in respect of regional and international scenario, has brought such squalor on the scene. The relations with US administration were developed to further the interests of the American with absolute imperviousness to the national interest of Pakistan. To substantiate the fact, take for instance the role of US Administration in East Pakistan crisis, motivating factors behind Pressler Amendment, Brown Amendment, American response to Kargil adventure, making hair-splitting on F-16 fighter planes to Pakistan, likely imprints of American Civil Nuclear deal with India, adoption of lukewarm attitude towards Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India, how US Administration can deal with water crisis between Pakistan and India. These are some of the most common apparent examples to interpret the implications of future objectives of American interference in Pakistani affairs. Above all the negative and prejudiced treatment of US Administration in United Nations over the issues particularly related to the Muslim world is crystal clear.
Concerning global issues like disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation, weapons of mass destruction (WMD), American double standard does not stand beyond criticism. WMD of Iran, Pakistan, and North Korea are repugnant to the USA Government, but the retention of same by Israel and India is not going to have any threat to the global peace and security. These are important questions in international politics necessitate straightforward mathematical answers.
Foreign policy is determined to pursue internal and external security and stability of the state, and one of its strong determinists is economic stability, but distressingly the foreign policy of Pakistan has never been formulated in consonance with its needs and requirements. It has always been deprived of the economic factors from the view point of stability; therefore, the sequel is we are stuck in heavy financial indebtedness. In American markets, Pakistani exports have been kept to sub-optimal treatment compare to the Indian. It can be understood by denying to Pakistan the access to free trade to American markets.
Many critics consider the cold war is over after dissolution of USSR, but it has assumed another form and now being waged against the Muslim world particularly against the Pakistan to make it destabilised. The state of Iraq was badly decimated on the false reports of having WMD, Iran is under American and Israeli anguish and planning is on the anvil for its annihilation. The Pakistan’s atomic program and its nuclear assets are major concern to US and Israel.
In international politics, national interest is not a monolith, whereas it is of pretty fluid nature and change different forms with course of time. Nexus of Sadaam Hussain with US Administration are not hidden matter, he has been engaged in war with Iran on the back of USA, but when national interest changed, USA became its hostile and thus, started throwing daisy-cutter and cluster bombs on it. During cold war with USSR, the same Afghans were freedom fighters in the eyes of USA and got unquestionable financial and military support to withstand against Russia, but after it crumbled down, same freedom fighters turned into Islamist terrorists and fanatics. Pakistan’s national interest should not be construed in American perspectives; it should be designed and achieved within the objective resolution setting clear cut policy guidelines. Under such circumstances, how drone attacks can be considered as a source of peace and security in Pakistan. Ms. Farah needs to analyse the situation factually and should not become latch on to government just for the sake of feathering her nest.
Pity the nation that is full of beliefs and empty of religion.
Pity the nation that wears a cloth it does not weave, eats a bread it does not harvest,
Pity the nation whose statesman is a fox, whose philosopher is a juggler, and whose art is the art of patching and mimicking,
Pity the nation divided into fragments, each fragment deeming itself a nation.
Seems same is the case with Pakistani rulers. In a recent statement of Media Advisor to President Ms. Ferah Naz Isphaheni has very blatantly misconstrued the repercussions of drone attacks on the geographical territories of Pakistan, which has claimed numerous innocent people including women and children. Ms. Farah justified these draconian American onslaughts on the logic of peace and security of the people along with offering generous kudos to the financial support by the American administration for countering terrorist tendencies in Pakistan. Before passing such types of insensitive remarks, Ms. Farah probably has not taken into account some ponderable points to be deciphered in wider historical perspectives.
Does the peace and security of Pakistan links to US financial support?
Does US Administration wholeheartedly want maintenance of peace and security in Pakistan?
Is the emergence of terrorist groups whether religious or political fanatics on the land of Pakistan thanks to Islam or closed culture prevalent in many regions of NWFP and Balochistan?
What been the role of Ex political administration in tackling the terrorist tendencies in Pakistan?
These simples questions have become riddles in our political culture, and on taking deep stock of the situation, the injudiciously framed policies of civil and military administration both in respect of regional and international scenario, has brought such squalor on the scene. The relations with US administration were developed to further the interests of the American with absolute imperviousness to the national interest of Pakistan. To substantiate the fact, take for instance the role of US Administration in East Pakistan crisis, motivating factors behind Pressler Amendment, Brown Amendment, American response to Kargil adventure, making hair-splitting on F-16 fighter planes to Pakistan, likely imprints of American Civil Nuclear deal with India, adoption of lukewarm attitude towards Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India, how US Administration can deal with water crisis between Pakistan and India. These are some of the most common apparent examples to interpret the implications of future objectives of American interference in Pakistani affairs. Above all the negative and prejudiced treatment of US Administration in United Nations over the issues particularly related to the Muslim world is crystal clear.
Concerning global issues like disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation, weapons of mass destruction (WMD), American double standard does not stand beyond criticism. WMD of Iran, Pakistan, and North Korea are repugnant to the USA Government, but the retention of same by Israel and India is not going to have any threat to the global peace and security. These are important questions in international politics necessitate straightforward mathematical answers.
Foreign policy is determined to pursue internal and external security and stability of the state, and one of its strong determinists is economic stability, but distressingly the foreign policy of Pakistan has never been formulated in consonance with its needs and requirements. It has always been deprived of the economic factors from the view point of stability; therefore, the sequel is we are stuck in heavy financial indebtedness. In American markets, Pakistani exports have been kept to sub-optimal treatment compare to the Indian. It can be understood by denying to Pakistan the access to free trade to American markets.
Many critics consider the cold war is over after dissolution of USSR, but it has assumed another form and now being waged against the Muslim world particularly against the Pakistan to make it destabilised. The state of Iraq was badly decimated on the false reports of having WMD, Iran is under American and Israeli anguish and planning is on the anvil for its annihilation. The Pakistan’s atomic program and its nuclear assets are major concern to US and Israel.
In international politics, national interest is not a monolith, whereas it is of pretty fluid nature and change different forms with course of time. Nexus of Sadaam Hussain with US Administration are not hidden matter, he has been engaged in war with Iran on the back of USA, but when national interest changed, USA became its hostile and thus, started throwing daisy-cutter and cluster bombs on it. During cold war with USSR, the same Afghans were freedom fighters in the eyes of USA and got unquestionable financial and military support to withstand against Russia, but after it crumbled down, same freedom fighters turned into Islamist terrorists and fanatics. Pakistan’s national interest should not be construed in American perspectives; it should be designed and achieved within the objective resolution setting clear cut policy guidelines. Under such circumstances, how drone attacks can be considered as a source of peace and security in Pakistan. Ms. Farah needs to analyse the situation factually and should not become latch on to government just for the sake of feathering her nest.
LIBERAL LESSONS OF ISLAM
The issue of being liberal and interfaith harmony is of antiquity not a new phenomenon, but has assumed phenomenal significance thanks to astounding revolution in info-techs. History is witness to ethnic cleansing committed under the guise of religious bigotry like Nazi hatred against the Jews which can be comprehended on having a look on Exodus. Genocides in Bosnia at the hands of Slobodan Milosevic, and political and religious movements in Sub-Continent like Shuddi and Singhton etc, racial killings of Muslims at the time of Indian partition in 1947 claiming about ten millions innocent people including children and women, worst riots of Gujarat and Ahmed Abad between Hindus and Muslim in India can be traced back to religious intolerance and hatred. Even in developed countries of the world like Denmark, Holland and Norway, such incidents happened which portray extreme religious intolerance like making caricature of sacred prophet of Muslim.
After the publication of book The Clash of Civilisations penned by Mr. Samuel Huntington, dissolution of USSR, 09/11 in USA and 07/07 incidents in London, Islam is the only religion considered to be the propagator of extremist and intolerant thoughts particularly when looked into the prism of Taliban version. Unfortunately, large fraction of people in Western countries and framers of human rights conventions believe that any person, community or sect following Islam has links to extremism and terrorism. Following questions necessitate urgent intellectual and rational response to clear the misconceptions about Islam:
Ø Is Islam terrorist in its teachings and preaching?
Ø Is killing believers of other religions justified and they can be coerced to embrace Islam?
Ø Are suicidal attacks justified and should be condone as a sacred act in Islam?
Ø Is education for women is prohibited and considered sin and that women should not be allowed to go for employment?
Ø That the women have no voice in their personal affairs of life and their rights are determined by the men as usually happen in many tribal societies in Pakistan especially in NWFP and Balochistan.
Ø Can the acts like forced marriages and conversion be an acts of sacred reward in Islam?
With a cursory glance in basic teaching of Islam are sufficed to brush aside the negative images. The very meaning of word Islam is submission and peace, when comes word peace, then it allows no room to any of such tendencies like intolerance and prejudice. Holy Quran is an authentic book of all the Muslims, its each and every word is accepted and believed blindly. Holy Quran is full of such verses which emphasise upon its followers to be tolerant and liberals in matters of life particularly in religions and creeds of other people. In Holy Quran, Al-Mighty Allah says;
“There is no compulsion in matters of religion.” [Surah al-Baqara]
“Tell those who believe, to forgive those who do not look forward to the Days of Allah: It is for Him to recompense (for good or ill) each People according to what they have earned.” [Sûrah al-Jâthiyah: 14]
'The truth is from your Lord, so whosoever wants let him believe and whosoever wants let him deny’) (An-Nahl 16:29)
These verses of Holy Quran are decisive in nature and even a slight deviation from these is considered blasphemy.
The conduct of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) sets scintillating examples for followers of Islam to be tolerant and liberal in their treatment towards believers of other religions and creeds. His acts not only display tolerance and liberality towards non-Muslims but towards those who has been utterly and blatantly hypocrites in enmity of Islam.
Prophet Muhammad (P.BH.H) in one of his hadiths remarks;
“A true believer is one with whom others feel secure. One who returns love for hatred.”
A person named Abu Salul was the staunch enemy and hypocrite and left no stone unturned in throwing mudsling on the family of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). When he suffered from illness, prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) visited him and on his death, he went to his grave and dressed him his own shirt. In similar, prophet of Islam adopted extreme liberal attitude towards the preachers of other religions during his life and even allowed the delegations of Christian missionaries to stay the city of Madina and ensured their full protection in all respects. The treaty of Al-Hudaibiyah with the non-Muslims (Pagans) of Mecca is brilliant example of tolerance and liberalism. It allowed the Muslims and pagans to have peaceful relations with each other, neither sect compelling the other to change its religion, and to stay away from its cultural values.
Killing of human beings is unpardonable sin in Islam. It is unfortunate to say that meanings of Jihad are perceived in a very narrow sense whereas its implications should be understood in wider perspectives. History is witness that when Muslims moved into other territories — Iraq, Persia, Egypt, North Africa, Spain, etc. — they ensured the safety and security of life, religion, and property for the residents. None were enforced to convert to Islam, and in many cases non-Muslims kept their administrative positions within the new Islamic governments. Jihad is meant for not killing innocent people, but allowed to be launched only against oppression, social injustice and cruelty. It can not be initiated by any specific groups in a society as is going on in many parts of Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
In present international law, it is Convention on Elimination of all form of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) which stress upon elimination of racial discrimination, gender equality, protection of rights of women, and International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of Apartheid (ICSPA).
But the last sermon of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is glorious expression of the protection and promotion of noble cause of human rights in the world and adopting liberal and tolerant approach towards all corners of life. Succinctly, it admonishes upon kind treatment to women, prohibition of murders calling is unpardonable sin, elimination of apartheid, ending usury, most important of all extermination of social classes (Social Stratification) on the basis of any privileged status like race, caste, and wealth etc.
Ironically, women have been willingly ignored in many tribal societies of Pakistan, while Islam is the only religion exhorting protection of women rights. Women have been given protection in different guises like mother, sister, wife, and daughter and with passage of women roles, the degree of rights keep on increasing in society. In matter of seeking education, prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) made it duty of every man and woman to seek knowledge. In Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the basic right of education is recognised in December 1948 while in Islam, it is granted to the women centuries ago. In matter of matrimonial life, Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) warned Muslims men and husbands of severe consequences. Whether it is matter of education, property, inheritance, marriage, and employment etc. men are supposed to be defender of women rights under all circumstances. In one of his saying (hadith), the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.H.H) says,
“A man, who has three daughters, reared them in nice way, had them educated, and married them as per their choice, that man will be in heaven with me.” Al-Bukhari
It is an established fact that under Pious Caliphs rules in Caliphate, the wife of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.H.H), Hazrat Ayesah Saddiqa (Razzi Allah Hunha) been usually consulted in numerous theocratic matters of Islam. It is opinion of all the Muslim Fuqahas (Religious Scholars) that if the services of Hazrat Ayesha Saddiqa (Razzi All Hunha) are excluded, then only twenty five percent Islam is left.
Can any confusion remains after such crystal clear explanation of gender equality by the great preacher and prophet of Islam. All these simple examples depict liberal and tolerant image of Islam in all those matters negatively perceived by the western world.
The question is why most of the people in Islamic societies peculiarly in tribal areas of NWFP Pakistan, and Taliban controlled regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan, a different picture of Islam comes to the fore. Even in many Arabian countries women are not allowed to enfranchise, and participation in political and economic affairs of the states. It’s not the fault in the preaching and teaching of Islam, but the main flaw is to interpret its universal nature within cultural or normative structure of the societies. In men-dominated societies, ironically some values and norms have gained the divine status like barring women from every walk of life, forces marriage and conversion, enforcing minorities groups to adopt Muslim culture, shattering their temples like under Taliban rule in Afghanistan, even some Islamic sects commit suicidal attacks on each other like bomb blasts on Imam Bargahs (Religious places of Shia Sect) in Sunni-shias’s religious riots etc.
In similar, the absence of civic education and proper understanding of social sciences has also been responsible to bring about such mess-up in religious matters of Islam. The Mudrassas’s Education (stereotypical system of Education) has certainly blocked all the venues to independent thinking promoting blind imitation and introduced obscurantist thoughts in Islam. That is why the interpretations and exposition of many enlightened religious scholars in Islam are regarded to be based on blasphemous in nature.
The only solution to rid the Islam of obscurantist thoughts is to interpret the modern sociological thoughts within the perspectives of enlightened teaching of Islam instead of narrow-mindedness or Taliban version. Moreover, the stereotypical system of religious education needs reformation with introduction of modern education trends. Above all, the most important of all is making sure that cultural norms and values do not overlap Islamic teachings.
After the publication of book The Clash of Civilisations penned by Mr. Samuel Huntington, dissolution of USSR, 09/11 in USA and 07/07 incidents in London, Islam is the only religion considered to be the propagator of extremist and intolerant thoughts particularly when looked into the prism of Taliban version. Unfortunately, large fraction of people in Western countries and framers of human rights conventions believe that any person, community or sect following Islam has links to extremism and terrorism. Following questions necessitate urgent intellectual and rational response to clear the misconceptions about Islam:
Ø Is Islam terrorist in its teachings and preaching?
Ø Is killing believers of other religions justified and they can be coerced to embrace Islam?
Ø Are suicidal attacks justified and should be condone as a sacred act in Islam?
Ø Is education for women is prohibited and considered sin and that women should not be allowed to go for employment?
Ø That the women have no voice in their personal affairs of life and their rights are determined by the men as usually happen in many tribal societies in Pakistan especially in NWFP and Balochistan.
Ø Can the acts like forced marriages and conversion be an acts of sacred reward in Islam?
With a cursory glance in basic teaching of Islam are sufficed to brush aside the negative images. The very meaning of word Islam is submission and peace, when comes word peace, then it allows no room to any of such tendencies like intolerance and prejudice. Holy Quran is an authentic book of all the Muslims, its each and every word is accepted and believed blindly. Holy Quran is full of such verses which emphasise upon its followers to be tolerant and liberals in matters of life particularly in religions and creeds of other people. In Holy Quran, Al-Mighty Allah says;
“There is no compulsion in matters of religion.” [Surah al-Baqara]
“Tell those who believe, to forgive those who do not look forward to the Days of Allah: It is for Him to recompense (for good or ill) each People according to what they have earned.” [Sûrah al-Jâthiyah: 14]
'The truth is from your Lord, so whosoever wants let him believe and whosoever wants let him deny’) (An-Nahl 16:29)
These verses of Holy Quran are decisive in nature and even a slight deviation from these is considered blasphemy.
The conduct of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) sets scintillating examples for followers of Islam to be tolerant and liberal in their treatment towards believers of other religions and creeds. His acts not only display tolerance and liberality towards non-Muslims but towards those who has been utterly and blatantly hypocrites in enmity of Islam.
Prophet Muhammad (P.BH.H) in one of his hadiths remarks;
“A true believer is one with whom others feel secure. One who returns love for hatred.”
A person named Abu Salul was the staunch enemy and hypocrite and left no stone unturned in throwing mudsling on the family of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). When he suffered from illness, prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) visited him and on his death, he went to his grave and dressed him his own shirt. In similar, prophet of Islam adopted extreme liberal attitude towards the preachers of other religions during his life and even allowed the delegations of Christian missionaries to stay the city of Madina and ensured their full protection in all respects. The treaty of Al-Hudaibiyah with the non-Muslims (Pagans) of Mecca is brilliant example of tolerance and liberalism. It allowed the Muslims and pagans to have peaceful relations with each other, neither sect compelling the other to change its religion, and to stay away from its cultural values.
Killing of human beings is unpardonable sin in Islam. It is unfortunate to say that meanings of Jihad are perceived in a very narrow sense whereas its implications should be understood in wider perspectives. History is witness that when Muslims moved into other territories — Iraq, Persia, Egypt, North Africa, Spain, etc. — they ensured the safety and security of life, religion, and property for the residents. None were enforced to convert to Islam, and in many cases non-Muslims kept their administrative positions within the new Islamic governments. Jihad is meant for not killing innocent people, but allowed to be launched only against oppression, social injustice and cruelty. It can not be initiated by any specific groups in a society as is going on in many parts of Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
In present international law, it is Convention on Elimination of all form of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), International Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) which stress upon elimination of racial discrimination, gender equality, protection of rights of women, and International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of Apartheid (ICSPA).
But the last sermon of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) is glorious expression of the protection and promotion of noble cause of human rights in the world and adopting liberal and tolerant approach towards all corners of life. Succinctly, it admonishes upon kind treatment to women, prohibition of murders calling is unpardonable sin, elimination of apartheid, ending usury, most important of all extermination of social classes (Social Stratification) on the basis of any privileged status like race, caste, and wealth etc.
Ironically, women have been willingly ignored in many tribal societies of Pakistan, while Islam is the only religion exhorting protection of women rights. Women have been given protection in different guises like mother, sister, wife, and daughter and with passage of women roles, the degree of rights keep on increasing in society. In matter of seeking education, prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) made it duty of every man and woman to seek knowledge. In Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the basic right of education is recognised in December 1948 while in Islam, it is granted to the women centuries ago. In matter of matrimonial life, Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) warned Muslims men and husbands of severe consequences. Whether it is matter of education, property, inheritance, marriage, and employment etc. men are supposed to be defender of women rights under all circumstances. In one of his saying (hadith), the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.H.H) says,
“A man, who has three daughters, reared them in nice way, had them educated, and married them as per their choice, that man will be in heaven with me.” Al-Bukhari
It is an established fact that under Pious Caliphs rules in Caliphate, the wife of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.H.H), Hazrat Ayesah Saddiqa (Razzi Allah Hunha) been usually consulted in numerous theocratic matters of Islam. It is opinion of all the Muslim Fuqahas (Religious Scholars) that if the services of Hazrat Ayesha Saddiqa (Razzi All Hunha) are excluded, then only twenty five percent Islam is left.
Can any confusion remains after such crystal clear explanation of gender equality by the great preacher and prophet of Islam. All these simple examples depict liberal and tolerant image of Islam in all those matters negatively perceived by the western world.
The question is why most of the people in Islamic societies peculiarly in tribal areas of NWFP Pakistan, and Taliban controlled regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan, a different picture of Islam comes to the fore. Even in many Arabian countries women are not allowed to enfranchise, and participation in political and economic affairs of the states. It’s not the fault in the preaching and teaching of Islam, but the main flaw is to interpret its universal nature within cultural or normative structure of the societies. In men-dominated societies, ironically some values and norms have gained the divine status like barring women from every walk of life, forces marriage and conversion, enforcing minorities groups to adopt Muslim culture, shattering their temples like under Taliban rule in Afghanistan, even some Islamic sects commit suicidal attacks on each other like bomb blasts on Imam Bargahs (Religious places of Shia Sect) in Sunni-shias’s religious riots etc.
In similar, the absence of civic education and proper understanding of social sciences has also been responsible to bring about such mess-up in religious matters of Islam. The Mudrassas’s Education (stereotypical system of Education) has certainly blocked all the venues to independent thinking promoting blind imitation and introduced obscurantist thoughts in Islam. That is why the interpretations and exposition of many enlightened religious scholars in Islam are regarded to be based on blasphemous in nature.
The only solution to rid the Islam of obscurantist thoughts is to interpret the modern sociological thoughts within the perspectives of enlightened teaching of Islam instead of narrow-mindedness or Taliban version. Moreover, the stereotypical system of religious education needs reformation with introduction of modern education trends. Above all, the most important of all is making sure that cultural norms and values do not overlap Islamic teachings.
ANTI-ISLAMIC ATTITUDE OF TALIBAN
The recent suicidal attacks at Pearl Continental Hotel Peshawar on 10th June 2007 which led to series of bomb blasts on mosques in Pakistan raise many questions concerning love and affinity of Taliban to Islam. Taliban have been reported to have accepted the responsibility of these brutal attacks and sought justification on the premise that these places been centre of anti-Islamic forces, and that they will continue such attacks in future as well.
On delving deeper the main principles of Islam, not only Taliban leaders but every extremist Muslim need to put some of the basic questions before them and judge their actions on the touchstone of Quran, Hadiths, actions of the Pious Caliphs, as well as the golden sayings of renowned theologians (fuqahas). In suicidal attacks, apart from their main target, the large number of innocent people dies includes women and children. Quran explicitly says,
Wa laqad karramna Bani Adam
And indeed! We have honoured the son of Adam (Al-Quran)
Alfitna ashudo menul qatal
Commotion and riot are worst of all (Al-Quran)
Giving supreme value to human life, Quran says;
Take not life, which Allah has made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus does He command you, that you may learn wisdom. ) (Al-An`am 6:151)
But whoever deliberately slays another believer, his requital shall be hell, therein to abide; and God will condemn him, and will reject him, and will prepare for him awesome suffering. [Surah An-Nisa 4:93]
In many of his Hadiths (golden sayings), Prophet Hazrat Muhammed (P.B.U.H) has disapproved killings of women and children even during wars;
During some of the Ghazawat of Allah's Apostle a woman was found killed, so Allah's Apostle forbade the killing of women and children.
Volume 004, Book 052, Hadith Number 258.
Narrated By Ibn 'Umar : During some of the Ghazawat of Allah's Apostle a woman was found killed, so Allah's Apostle forbade the killing of women and children.
Volume 004, Book 052, Hadith Number 258.
"A man was inflicted with wounds and he committed suicide, and so Allah said: My slave has caused death on himself hurriedly, so I forbid Paradise for him.”
In Sahih Muslim, there is a chapter titled Abandoning of funeral prayers for him who committed suicide in which it has been reported that Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) personally refused to say the funeral prayer for a deceased who has killed himself.
So what kind of Islamic education Taliban been inculcated? If they themselves evaluate their acts in the light of Quran and Hadiths of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) then where they will find themselves in a category of Muslims or heretics? Answer is crystal clear with the touchstone of these two strong and undeniable sources of Islamic Law.
This phenomenon brings to fore another ponderable facet concerning constantly increasing religious intolerance in Pakistan. Islam in itself evidently doesn’t proclaims extremist or intolerant tendencies, then how this mushrooming cancer is spreading in Pakistani society. From political perspective, India and Pakistan are historical rivals over Kashmir dispute and history has witnessed the Indian role in East Pakistan crisis. Same is the case of Pakistan if viewed within the perspectives of off the late Mumbai attacks and alleged involvement of Pakistani national Ajmal Kasab. The Kargil adventure is before us where each rival tried to subdue each other. It has been reported that using the land of Afghanistan, both Israel and India are involved in intrigues against Pakistan. Therefore, the current wave of terrorist attacks in Pakistan may have nexus to these factors as well.
But terrorist attacks should not be grasped in a narrow sense, as to perceive them is essential to take into account the prevailing social and economic circumstances in Pakistan. The country where the political institutions are unresponsive to public demands, unemployment constantly on rise, large fraction of population is compelled to lead deplorable life, then it becomes very easy for hawkish elements in any society to make people pawn at their hands so as to gain their vested interests. Everyday newspapers publish the stories of suicide by women where the mainspring always involves behind this inhumane act is unemployment of the husband, deprivation of their children even of basic necessities of life. When biological aspect of human life is not met, then man or woman can cross all moral boundaries of whatsoever kind. That is why Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) remarked:
Lo! Poverty and penury may lead you to apostasy.
It can rightly be said that Taliban know well the killings of human beings is an anti-Islamic act, and if they don’t, then it is their strategy to make people pawn to further their nest.
Another most important thing is misinterpretation of religious concepts, because very few scholars in Islam in general and Pakistan in particular have dared to go through the door of Ijtehad (System of fine-tuning Islamic teachings and principles in lines with changing circumstances. Unfortunately, those who tried to interpret the Islamic teaching in modern or scientific tendencies been labelled as heretics or strayed. In similar, it is common practice to in our society to understand religious concepts with emotional attachments rather than factual and philosophical consideration. On example before us is of the Shahre-e-Mushriq Dr. Iqbal whose poetry, by many is considered to be an exposition of Quran, but many Ulemas (Religious Scholars) mudsling his personality and call his writings anti-Islamic. Summarily, the writings of Maulana Ghulam Ahmed Pervez (Late), and Maulana Abdullah Yousif (Late) etc been severely criticised as they revolted against the stereotypical and conventional ways of understanding Islam. Such scholars whose revolutionary writings dress down obscurantist thoughts and admonish upon adoption of modern and philosophical outlook towards religious teachings have severely labelled as enemy to Islam.
The current muddrassas system (Religious Schools) is functioning on the principle of stereotypical methods of teaching and preaching Islam. The curriculum being taught in muddrassas has not even the remotest links to the modern sociological and political thoughts. Therefore the evil set in as the things which required fine-tuning from the perspective of Ijtehad remained unchanged and assumed the form of sacredness. So any voice again such concepts and thoughts is considered anti-Islamic. For substantiation, we have heard Mulla Sufi Muhammad flouting parliament, democracy, and supreme court of Pakistan and labelling them an anti-Islamic institution, while the word Shura (Political Consultative Body comprised of the elected representatives of the people) when translated in English become parliament. But it is unable for the person to understand to whom learning English, wearing paint and shirt is sin. Therefore, suicidal attacks by those who commit are thought to be a door to heaven. It’s not only same with Taliban but with other religious sects as well like Sunnis and Shias etc. I consider this to be the root cause of terrorism in Pakistan, and how to wriggle out of this quagmire is a challenge before social scientists, religious scholars and human rights activists.
On delving deeper the main principles of Islam, not only Taliban leaders but every extremist Muslim need to put some of the basic questions before them and judge their actions on the touchstone of Quran, Hadiths, actions of the Pious Caliphs, as well as the golden sayings of renowned theologians (fuqahas). In suicidal attacks, apart from their main target, the large number of innocent people dies includes women and children. Quran explicitly says,
Wa laqad karramna Bani Adam
And indeed! We have honoured the son of Adam (Al-Quran)
Alfitna ashudo menul qatal
Commotion and riot are worst of all (Al-Quran)
Giving supreme value to human life, Quran says;
Take not life, which Allah has made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus does He command you, that you may learn wisdom. ) (Al-An`am 6:151)
But whoever deliberately slays another believer, his requital shall be hell, therein to abide; and God will condemn him, and will reject him, and will prepare for him awesome suffering. [Surah An-Nisa 4:93]
In many of his Hadiths (golden sayings), Prophet Hazrat Muhammed (P.B.U.H) has disapproved killings of women and children even during wars;
During some of the Ghazawat of Allah's Apostle a woman was found killed, so Allah's Apostle forbade the killing of women and children.
Volume 004, Book 052, Hadith Number 258.
Narrated By Ibn 'Umar : During some of the Ghazawat of Allah's Apostle a woman was found killed, so Allah's Apostle forbade the killing of women and children.
Volume 004, Book 052, Hadith Number 258.
"A man was inflicted with wounds and he committed suicide, and so Allah said: My slave has caused death on himself hurriedly, so I forbid Paradise for him.”
In Sahih Muslim, there is a chapter titled Abandoning of funeral prayers for him who committed suicide in which it has been reported that Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) personally refused to say the funeral prayer for a deceased who has killed himself.
So what kind of Islamic education Taliban been inculcated? If they themselves evaluate their acts in the light of Quran and Hadiths of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) then where they will find themselves in a category of Muslims or heretics? Answer is crystal clear with the touchstone of these two strong and undeniable sources of Islamic Law.
This phenomenon brings to fore another ponderable facet concerning constantly increasing religious intolerance in Pakistan. Islam in itself evidently doesn’t proclaims extremist or intolerant tendencies, then how this mushrooming cancer is spreading in Pakistani society. From political perspective, India and Pakistan are historical rivals over Kashmir dispute and history has witnessed the Indian role in East Pakistan crisis. Same is the case of Pakistan if viewed within the perspectives of off the late Mumbai attacks and alleged involvement of Pakistani national Ajmal Kasab. The Kargil adventure is before us where each rival tried to subdue each other. It has been reported that using the land of Afghanistan, both Israel and India are involved in intrigues against Pakistan. Therefore, the current wave of terrorist attacks in Pakistan may have nexus to these factors as well.
But terrorist attacks should not be grasped in a narrow sense, as to perceive them is essential to take into account the prevailing social and economic circumstances in Pakistan. The country where the political institutions are unresponsive to public demands, unemployment constantly on rise, large fraction of population is compelled to lead deplorable life, then it becomes very easy for hawkish elements in any society to make people pawn at their hands so as to gain their vested interests. Everyday newspapers publish the stories of suicide by women where the mainspring always involves behind this inhumane act is unemployment of the husband, deprivation of their children even of basic necessities of life. When biological aspect of human life is not met, then man or woman can cross all moral boundaries of whatsoever kind. That is why Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H) remarked:
Lo! Poverty and penury may lead you to apostasy.
It can rightly be said that Taliban know well the killings of human beings is an anti-Islamic act, and if they don’t, then it is their strategy to make people pawn to further their nest.
Another most important thing is misinterpretation of religious concepts, because very few scholars in Islam in general and Pakistan in particular have dared to go through the door of Ijtehad (System of fine-tuning Islamic teachings and principles in lines with changing circumstances. Unfortunately, those who tried to interpret the Islamic teaching in modern or scientific tendencies been labelled as heretics or strayed. In similar, it is common practice to in our society to understand religious concepts with emotional attachments rather than factual and philosophical consideration. On example before us is of the Shahre-e-Mushriq Dr. Iqbal whose poetry, by many is considered to be an exposition of Quran, but many Ulemas (Religious Scholars) mudsling his personality and call his writings anti-Islamic. Summarily, the writings of Maulana Ghulam Ahmed Pervez (Late), and Maulana Abdullah Yousif (Late) etc been severely criticised as they revolted against the stereotypical and conventional ways of understanding Islam. Such scholars whose revolutionary writings dress down obscurantist thoughts and admonish upon adoption of modern and philosophical outlook towards religious teachings have severely labelled as enemy to Islam.
The current muddrassas system (Religious Schools) is functioning on the principle of stereotypical methods of teaching and preaching Islam. The curriculum being taught in muddrassas has not even the remotest links to the modern sociological and political thoughts. Therefore the evil set in as the things which required fine-tuning from the perspective of Ijtehad remained unchanged and assumed the form of sacredness. So any voice again such concepts and thoughts is considered anti-Islamic. For substantiation, we have heard Mulla Sufi Muhammad flouting parliament, democracy, and supreme court of Pakistan and labelling them an anti-Islamic institution, while the word Shura (Political Consultative Body comprised of the elected representatives of the people) when translated in English become parliament. But it is unable for the person to understand to whom learning English, wearing paint and shirt is sin. Therefore, suicidal attacks by those who commit are thought to be a door to heaven. It’s not only same with Taliban but with other religious sects as well like Sunnis and Shias etc. I consider this to be the root cause of terrorism in Pakistan, and how to wriggle out of this quagmire is a challenge before social scientists, religious scholars and human rights activists.
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