Pak Tea House » Pakistan » Lahore attacks – straight from the heart
Lahore attacks – straight from the heart
Ayesha N. Rashid has sent this exclusive piece for PTH. We are posting this in the interest of free speech and also to counter the negative, almost diabolical representation of Ahmadis in Pakistan’s mainstream media. Having said that PTH does not necessarily subscribe to the views expressed below. Raza Rumi
Armed with grenades, machine guns and suicide vests, Pakistani terrorists killed 86 Ahmadi worshipers in a well organized affray in Lahore on May 28th. Although terrorism has become a routine activity in Pakistan, the Lahore attacks are anomalous in nature. While other attacks are state censured, the attacks on Ahmadi Muslims are state sanctioned. Decades ago, the Government of Pakistan passed laws against Ahmadis, clerics gave verdicts on their religious status and the public completely ostracized them as Pakistanis and as human beings. The police played their part by charging Ahmadis with false cases, subjecting them to torture and demolishing their mosques. The media then contributed through inciting hate speech against them. Thus, it was about time to “eradicate all infidels from Pakistan” as an assailant involved in Lahore attacks declared.
So on May 28th, the terrorists only had to tame a few unarmed young men providing security at the mosques. An unwilling police force arrived after an hour, and with limited ammunition. The terrorists, who were confirmed a direct flight to heaven and 72 virgins, religiously fulfilled their duty. They did not betray their masters nor their government, for they are only the religious hit men furthering state sanctioned terrorism.
Despite being the recipients of state sanctioned terrorism for nearly three decades, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community comes out as one of the most productive and peaceful communities in Pakistan and the world. This community has a track record of consistently establishing peace, regardless of second class treatment. In 1974, when the Pakistani Government violated their basic human rights and declared them non-Muslims, they did not violate the laws of the country. Rather, they accepted the decision to avoid bloodshed. In 1984, when they were denied the right to practice their religion, yet again they responded with steadfastness for the establishment of peace in Pakistan. In 1989, when the community arrived upon its golden jubilee, the Government of Pakistan denied them even this day, forbidding any form of celebration. In 2003, when the community was stricken with grief on the death of the head of their community, the clerics demanded to abjure his burial in Pakistan. Pakistani Ahmadis deprived of seeing their beloved for 19 long years were deprived once again of their chance to bid him farewell. Still, they did not protest, nor did they commit violence of any sort. They sufficed on seeing his funeral ceremony on television as he was buried in England with dignity.
While the enemies of this community carry out these atrocities under governmental acquiescence, Ahmadis always respond with dignity and honour. They struggle towards a better future for themselves and for Pakistan. The community boasts a 99% literacy rate both in men and women as compared to a 54% literacy rate in Pakistan. Of the 4 million Pakistani Ahmadis, not a single one is a burden on the Pakistani economy. Begging is unheard of in the community. Those living in Pakistan are contributing in the society through their services and those living abroad contribute in the foreign reserves of Pakistan. The community is serving as the ambassador of Pakistan all over the world. It also is the procurer of the only Nobel Laureate and the only judge of International court of Justice of Pakistani citizenship. The Ahmadiyya Community has given Pakistan a number of world renowned doctors, scientists, bankers, computer professionals, agriculturists, lawyers, military men and economists. Above all the community has a promising younger generation to serve the country. However all this has only earned them social boycott, the destruction of their mosques, imprisonment and death.
Had the Pakistani Government not resigned to the will of the religious clergy, things would have been different. The 1974 decision to mingle state with religion developed the country into an intolerant society which paved way for the 1984 legislation. Next in line was an army of religious hit men who considered it their God given duty to kill. The only way out of this purgatory is to reestablish Pakistan as a secular state per Jinnah’s vision. Or else the country will turn into a slaughtering house for there is no dearth of either religious hit men or “infidels” in Pakistan.
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Sahal,
“1. There are many in your country who call for reunification of India and Pakistan, though the Pakistan movement had been ongoing for some time.”
The only people saying that are doe-eyed peaceniks, senior citizens from the days of partition, or a few people with similar ethnic roots with those in Pakistan. Aside from those narrow groups, no one suggests such a ridiculous thing.
“It was only Jinnah who could make it a reality.”
Not really. Jinnah’s main accomplishment was getting the Muslim League to reject the idea of a united centralized India. Realistically anyone could have done that.
“2. This whole ‘CIA/RAW/Mossad’ thing that is being thrown around by Indians seems very inane.”
Huh? This being thrown around by Pakistanis not Indians. It is pretty much status quo to blame one or all these groups for everything that goes on in Pakistan. You need only check out the major Pakistani media outlets on regular basis to find this.
“The hegemonic design of India are well known. Defense Planning Guidance (DPG) of USA asserts that “the US will act to restrain what it calls India’s “hegemonic aspirations” in South Asia”.”
This was done in the context of the Cold War, obviously the US was antagonistic to Indian aspirations at that time as they were allied with the Soviets. To them hegemony meant an expansion of Soviet influence. This guidance was eliminated in 1992 once the Soviets fell .
http://www.btinternet.com/~nlpwessex/Documents/Wolfowitz92memo.htm.
“3. You are quick to throw around percentages, may I ask have you visited Pakistan to conduct quantitative research with your pen, paper and calculator.”
How would visiting Pakistan and gathering anecdotal evidence prove anything? The numbers are not without basis, even the reputable Pew Forum agrees:
“One of the ironies in the survey is the extent to which Pakistanis embrace some of the severe laws associated with the Taliban and al Qaeda, even as they reject Islamic extremism and these extremist groups. The new poll finds broad support for harsh punishments: 78% favor death for those who leave Islam; 80% favor whippings and cutting off hands for crimes like theft and robbery; and 83% favor stoning adulterers.” Additionally 71% of Pakistanis support giving judicial power to the mullahs (I am sure Ahmadis would love that).
http://pewglobal.org/2009/08/13/pakistani-public-opinion/
“Pakistan is a Muslim nation, that is correct but it is supposed to be a secular nation ala Turkey. As Jinnah said, “Liberal Democratic Muslim Nation”.”
Obviously most of your countrymen disagree with you. Even your beloved Iqbal said: “After a long and careful study of Islamic Law I have come to the conclusion that if this system of Law is properly understood and applied, at last the right to subsistence is secured to every body. But the enforcement and development of the Shariat of Islam is impossible in this country without a free Muslim state or states.” Jinnah also made contradictory remarks on whether he supported secularism.
“4. I was referring to the recent report where this was mentioned “Pakistan keep it preoccupied, failing to attain its potential as a major regional and global player,” says Harsh Pant, a strategic expert at King’s College, London.”
The quote was in reference to China’s aims to counterbalance India. Furthermore it states China’s desire to do so not that it is achieving it. Furthermore the article admits India is rising. Please do not quote articles out of context to imply some kind of false meaning (article is reproduced below).
[But the larger target is the rise of India. ‘China wants a counterweight to the 123 agreement and to a rising India by keeping the latter confined to South Asia,’ says Kondapalli.
‘In their own ways each is using the other to balance India as India’s disputes with Pakistan keep it preoccupied, failing to attain its potential as a major regional and global player,’ says Harsh Pant, a strategic expert at King’s College, London.]
“5. So Pakistan and Bangladesh which was all the way over there breaking away is collapse in your books. Any country which is separated with an enemy in between is prone to separation. The ethnic divide and difference was too great to be overlooked. “
How does territory being far away not make it a collapse? A country losing half of its population, territory, etc. is pretty much a collapse in my book (or in anyone’s book for that matter). You say ethnic divide was too great as some kind of excuse that it was not a collapse. So if Pakistan were to split on ethnic lines (e.g. Punjabi, Balochi, Sindhi), that would not be a collapse?
“6. You statements are just becoming odd, Ahmadies hold prestigious positions in civil and military institutions of Pakistan, we are represented highly in all sectors and that too in high positions.”
Really??? I thought in order to hold power in prestigious positions you had to affirm the finality of the prophet.
“You do not achieve 99% literacy, higher per capita income than avg, high representation in civil and military structures if nationwide discrimination was in place. So what if a few mullahs and their brainwashed followers say otherwise.”
Please provide some statistics from a credible source to support your bold assertions.
“Who cares about them, minority suffer from some kind of discrimination in every country, in due time all the wrongs will be righted.”
Yes but very few countries today have laws that specifically discriminate against certain groups.
“7. Where are your percentages coming out of. Did you conduct a nationwide survey, please write facts which reflect reality.”
This has been answered above.
“8. The constitution was amended, it happened, we are living with it and we will do what it takes to repeal it. Many people are of the same view, it will take time but it will happen.”
It has been around for nearly 40 years (more than half of Pakistan’s existence), what makes you think it will be repealed or even in the future?
@ Sahal
“If we wanted to excel for our own sake, we would have done so by now.”
What is stopping us?
” Having said that PTH does not necessarily subscribe to the views expressed below”
I am just amused by the disclaimer by the author.
The piece has nothing even remotely controversial by this sites standards.
@Sahal
Like I said we must do it too. I am going to send Maulana Fazal-ur-Rahman to give you ten jhappi’s.
If you want a women, I will send Nawazish Ali.
Typical treacherous trick against a poor, unsuspecting enemy! How could you do this? Can’t you fight fair?
OK, I surrender. Now can we discuss what you feed POWs?
@Sahal (June 30, 2010 at 2:33 am)
“…..I believe we have to remain on difficult terms with India because it brings about our competitive edge…..”
Jinnah never envisioned Pakistan and India as rival neighbors, one representing Belief and the other Disbelief – certainly not. In November 1946, he said:
“The two states [Pakistan and India] will be friends and will go to each other’s rescue in case of danger and will be able to say ‘hands off’ to other nations. We shall then have a Munroe Doctrine more solid than in America.”
Your words against Jinnah’s.
@Ammar: BEcause your knowledge about Islam is as low as any non-Muslims. Learn about Islam then advocate alternatives.
Excellent article