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Who Is Really Secular in Pakistan and Why Is Secularism So Elusive
Raza Habib Raja
While going through the various blogs and some English newspapers, at times one gets rather misleading impressions about secularism in Pakistan. One of the foremost impressions is that a reasonable number, if not majority, is secular in Pakistan. But even more misleading impression is that some of the mainstream parties are secular ( or quasi secular as some of the PPP loyalist journalists tend to use the term) and so is their vote bank. I have also heard that masses since they have generally voted for PPP, ANP and MQM , are somehow or the other “secular minded”.
The UNFORTUNATE reality is that in a country like Pakistan, no MATERIAL and INFLUENTIAL, institution is secular. That is a fact. Our courts, our establishment and even the liberal parties are not secular. Secularism exists but only in fringes.
Frankly the case of secularism has never been presented in an effective manner. Somehow the concept has been thoroughly confused and amalgamated with Atheism in Pakistan. An overwhelming majority of politicians, and even intellectuals, often try to defend themselves when “accused” of being secular particularly on mainstream electronic media and Urdu print media.
Even now when the anti blasphemy law is under spotlight, its opponents are not PUBLICLY opposing it in the mainstream media because of it being against the philosophy of secularism. The major thrust of the argument has not been whether a religion inspired law has no place in our society but rather that the law is contradictory to the real Islamic “spirit”. To weave arguments around secularism in mainstream media is almost impossible and even if done would be counterproductive as far as repealing the blasphemy law is concerned.
I remember two years ago a lot of hue and cry was made on Chief Justices remarks expressing ‘concern’ about Parliament passing a constitution which would make Pakistan a secular republic. Supporters of some mainstream liberal parties wrote passionate articles in which they were critical of the Chief Justice and also reiterated their stance on the ‘reactionary” lawyers’ movement. What I really find laughable is that while being critical of the judiciary, they conveniently forgot that in all probability, this parliament or for that matter any parliament, will not legislate to remove religion from the affairs of the state in the first place. And they also forget, that decision to fuse religion with state was taken by the parliament and unanimously vide 1973 constitution.
I have heard a number of times that representatives reflect the will of the masses and in fact this is projected as the strongest defense of democracy. But following this logic, the 1973 constitution, which was unanimously passed, only reflects the will of the masses. Mind you democracy is not always liberal and that is why innovations like first amendment exist in American Constitution which tries to protect freedom of speech, secularism and the minorities. This protection would even supersede any decision taken by the majority in the parliament if it is in contravention of the aforementioned principles. Although in theory, American constitution can be changed but in reality it is almost impossible for it requires 2/3rd majority in both houses followed by ratification by the state legislatures.
So what about the political parties? A political party is secular if it openly denounces fusion of religion with the matters of state and that has to be part of its manifesto. In democracies, political parties have to openly debate and therefore there is no concept of closet seculars. Even if you cannot publicly call yourself as secular (as some point out that in Pakistan it would be impossible to), you still have to adopt secular approach (at least show progression towards that end). Yes if you do not legislate to induce more Islam in the matters of the state, while keeping silent about the existing status, this would perhaps qualify you as a moderate party, not a secular party. Parties like MQM, PPP and ANP can be called liberal and moderate parties but it is difficult to call them secular. Secular credentials reflect through a party’s actions as well as statements and if a party has actually legislated to make Islam a state religion, and subsequently done nothing to repeal it, then frankly claims by a small group of its supporters about its secularism are simply not valid. Eventually a political party speaks what its vote bank wants it to speak. The vote bank of almost every party is religious though with varying degrees and unfortunately wants religion in the affairs of the state. They may not be voting clergy into power but frankly they are also not raising enough voice to separate religion from state.
And by the way, lets not forget that second amendment which declared Ahmedis as Non Muslims was passed by the parliament and chiefly by the party which in Pakistan’s context is liberal and is the most favored by the minorities. Not only that it passed it, but its leader tried to use it for political mileage by repeatedly telling huge crowds that his party had solved the “90 year old problem”.
When even liberal parties are not secular, there is absolutely no way that conservative parties can be. PML N and PTI, particularly the later, likes whipping up religion for political rhetoric. It is a reactionary party which will be one of the worst nightmares if elected into power.
If anything as urbanization grows in Pakistan, frankly the fusion of religion with politics and worst still with the state craft is going to increase even further. Till now the relatively lower level of urbanization and predominantly rural nature of politics (which is centered around local issues at the constituency level) has to some extent controlled the religious influence in politics. With the increasing urbanization, the structure of the society will evolve in such a way that it will be more vulnerable to increasing role of religion in culture, beliefs and politics. When that happens, secularism which is underpinned by the idea of separation of religion and the state will become even more elusive. Political parties, including “liberal” parties will also start moving to the right and there are indications they have started to.
Eventually, in a democratic system the state and it’s modus operandi will reflect what the population wants to it to reflect. In Pakistan, like it or not, population wants religion in the state. And with secularism being interpreted as some kind of “atheism”, the separation of religion from state, although a very noble idea, is becoming nearly impossible with the passage of time.
In country where the general populace is of such character, the alternate would be a top down approach which can either be through a populist leader with sway over masses or through establishment institutions. And here also the leader or the institution has to “act” secular without actually declaring itself as one. In Pakistan, no leader has dared to do that and in fact the one who was most popular, ZAB, was in many ways originator of the present state of affairs. In fact ZAB manipulated religious sensitivities for gaining political mileage and after him, Pakistan has seen popular leaders like Benazir and Nawaz Sharif, but both of them did not take any material step towards removing religion from state. Nawaz Sharif obviously caters to conservatives and therefore it was highly unlikely for him to take any step but even Benazir despite being personally liberal and secular could not take any concrete step towards this objective. One cannot blame Benazir as by 1990s too much ground had already been ceded to the quest of a “true’ Islamic state.
And as far as other “pillars” of state are concerned, the situation is even worse and one cannot expect any hope of secularism from them or even progression towards that end. Ideologically armed forces are geared to hold up Islamic values as well as Pakistani nationalism in terms of their orientation and identity. This ideological orientation, designed chiefly to ensure internal cohesiveness and combating zeal, is also identical with the general state nurtured ideology which tries to negate ethnic plurality. So whenever army is in direct power its ideological thrust amalgamates with and in fact reinforces that of the broader state’s cultivated ideology. In fact, with every army rule, we regress as far as secularism is concerned. Pakistan is not turkey and even Turkey had transformed only because of the humiliation of the first world war defeat which had thoroughly discredited Caliphate. The unique circumstances and presence of Ata Turk combined to enable Turkey emerge as a secular republic. The armed forces there are virtually indoctrinated in secularism unlike our armed forces which are completely opposite. There will be no “soft’ revolution in Pakistan.
Judiciary of course is ideologically Islamic and is openly courting the hardliners and passing judgements which only appease them. In fact from ideological point of view, this Judiciary is perhaps the worst Judiciary in the entire history of Pakistan.
The entire atmosphere is riddled with severe misconceptions about secularism. Due to fear of being branded as “Atheist” and anti Islamic the word secular, in both letter and spirit, is virtually absent from the discourse. The approach is more focused on reinterpretation of religion rather segregating it from the affairs of the state.
I can fully understand this approach because frankly this is apparently the only pragmatic approach. But here the issue will be no less problematic because Pakistan simply does not have a tradition of liberal discourse on religion. In fact liberal religious scholars virtually do not exist. Those who were talking of renaissance, like Javed Ahmed Ghamidi, have been forced to relocate. Some of their colleagues, like Dr Muhammad Khan, have been killed. Right now the discourse is dominated by ultra conservatives no matter what school of thought they may belong to. Another issue would be to intellectually justify as to what criteria to use to reinterpret. Mind you reinterpretation has to be consistent to be convincing as pick and choose policy won’t be convincing.
In a country like Pakistan, where establishment institutions are ideologically religious, secularism has to evolve from liberal discourse on religion. Without that tradition, it won’t just materialize from thin air. Even in western countries, secularism has evolved out of a liberal discourse on the nature of religion and its place in their lives. Unless and until that critical discourse initiates, frankly there is no hope. And right now even conditions for that discourse do not exist and unless all the likeminded unite and push for it, the status quo will be maintained.
At times, an incidence happens, which brings the country into such a negative spotlight that a huge majority of people are forced to have a relook at the status quo. For those who have read the book, The Honor Code: How Moral Revolutions Happen”, by Kwame Anthony Appiah ( modern day philosopher and teacher at Princeton), they will know about his persuasive argument that at times moral revolution happens when a negative tradition or law finally conflicts with modern times in such a way that the community feels that its honor and respect is being violated due to the existence of that negative tradition. It is that instance when tradition/custom or law simply breaks down. The latest case involving a poor 11 year old christian girl has put even religious conservatives on the backfoot. First time I have seen they actually coming out to support her. Even they have started to realize that things are really now casting a very negative shadow on Islam.
I am all for putting old age Islamic customs under heavy criticism by those who can. It will at least put many of the moderate Muslims under moral pressure and they will realize that perhaps these customs and time trapped laws are giving their religion a bad name and violating its honor. Path to secularism will be through this.
Filed under: Uncategorized · Tags: Pakistan, Raza Habib Raja, secular, state
422 Responses to "Who Is Really Secular in Pakistan and Why Is Secularism So Elusive"
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Its OK Rex..even before the corrigendum… i realised it was a typo. The basic thing is this. THEY will not accept the EQUALITY OF MAN. Every weapon and Philosophy would be used to protect/shield/continue APARTHEID. I say, (for the sake of argument) : Okay., dammit.. keep your idols.. and love them 24×7.. but remove SOCIETAL apartheid among yourselves ! THEY answer with arrogance : Whats OUR aparthied gotto do with you.. How are you connected/impacted.. So peole suppress the weak WITHIN their communities first., by way of right. ISLAM means to destroy this man-made WALL of SUPERIORITY.. Apne ko Aap, Doosrey Ko Tu.. The Last Sermon of the Prophet (Mount Arafat) is the Charter. Dr. M. Hamidullah wrote : “The First Written Constitution of the World in Madina State”. Prophet’s Madina was a “Secular” (live and let live) state… but when tribes started undermining.. planning assasinations.. doing the dirty work.. that they had to be checked. IT was necessary.. for the plant of Islam to take root. The fights was in the spirit of DHARMA-YUDDHA (Fight for what you believe in., to be right).
Even Temujin (Changez Khan) engaged in wars… in the name of Tengri (The God of the Blue Canopy/Sky) of the Burkin Mountain !! So people have used Religion as a justification to engage in wars.
What we have to see here is : What was the motivator of these wars. Did they lead to a betterment in the lives of the common man.
India was the land of IDOL-WORSHIP. Came Islam. Most got out of Hinduism when the “wonderful democracy of Islam” appealed to them (These are words by Tagore!). Subsequently the Britishers propogated that Islam was spread by the sword.
Had Islam been spread by the sword.. during rule by Muslim kings spanning 7 centuries.. they could have wiped off hindus.. or converted them wholesale.. (had they shown the enthusiasm of the Spanish.. and Richard the Lionheart). But after 7 centuries of rule.. we find 75 % of them STILL HINDU.
How do you explain that.
Islam is the fastest growing religion in the US today. Where is the sword. Who is weilding the sword TODAY ?
ISLAM = Democracy = Brotherhood = Equality of MAN. THATS IT. (Its another matter that their societies are all dictatorial.. there is a contradiction there.. but it is due to man’s greed and failure.. not due to the failure in the ideal).
ISLAM = EQUALITY. It cuts the IDOL of APARTHEID. Those who believe in Aparthied., naturally get hurt.. and get into “abusive” mode.
Rex Minor: Sanjeev Bhardwaj got selected for IAS.. but he did not take up the offer. He took to “TEACHING” instead ! Another guy, Satyadeep Mishra, got selected for IAS.. took the training.. got his 1st posting.. worked for 10 months.. and later resigned. He practiced @ the Supreme Court of India.. for 2 yrs.. now in Mumbai.. trying his hand at FILM Direction !
Rex : Think out of the Box. Be an Institution-Builder, if you can… rather than being an “employee”. The 9-5.. wife.. 2 kids.. nana-dada.. death.. that template needs a change. I think… talented people must become ENTREPRENUERS.
DO NOT PREPARE A C.V. THROW AWAY YOUR C.V. DO NOT ASK FOR A JOB.
CREATE JOBS..
I think Muslims took no interest in ECONOMIC affairs. They outsourced it to the Marwari.. and were content with being EMPLOYEES ! I think that is the reason for their condition world-wide. UNLESS THEY CONTROL their economy.. they are doomed..
For 200 yrs, they must practice MUSLIM SWADESHI.. till they build their Industry(ies) [Infant Industry Maxim]. Once they reach a certain level of expertise.. they can open their markets to competition..
Never forget the John Company Experience… Arcot… Guns… Hastings… Cornwallis.. Wellesley.. Hodson… and Mountbatten !
Dron,
sorry, I do not know much about Indian politics nor the current events other than what one watches on TV in my part of the world.
What I do feel is the soul of Mussalmans, which they are born with, the One God, the Prophet of God Mohammad(pbuh) and the muslim family called Ummah. And those who underestimate the energy in the aforesaid and unleash violence against the red line clearly visible do so at their peril. Islam is way of life which is not meant to preaches violence nor is supposed to justify violence. To be a muslim is a life long process and is part of the unendlich/neverending human story.
Of the fifty odd countries in the world with majority muslim citizens, only three of them have the power to stop the activites of the industrial world and the emerging economies and can send the humanity to ZERO! And when a leadership in a country recognises this reality it is unlikely to use violence against its muslim citizens which India undertakes in Kashmir or against muslim citizens of muslim counries which the USA has been embarked on over a decad now.
Have a nice day.
Rex Minor
Dast mian,
Most got out of Hinduism when the “wonderful democracy of Islam” appealed to them
and
But after 7 centuries of rule.. we find 75 % of them STILL HINDU.
Err, isnt there a contradiction….
Regards
Majnudar..
Most = many from the backward/lower classes = 25%. You know the gist of the argument.. but you are splitting hairs.. Revel in it.
Dronacharyya
.
“Had Islam been spread by the sword.. during rule by Muslim kings spanning 7 centuries.. they could have wiped off hindus.. or converted them wholesale..But after 7 centurys of Muslim rule we find 75% of them STILL HINDU, how do you explain that? ”
.
No Railway, that’s how you explain it.
.
“Islam is the fastest growing religion in the US today..”
.
Most of those new converts are Ahmadi (like 80%). But are they spreading Islam, or some other gobbledygook?
.
“in the name of Tengri (The God of the Blue Canopy/Sky) of the Burkin Mountain !!”
.
That sounds like an exotic delicious god. Wonder what happened to him after Islam.
Mujamdar,
75% kept theie ancient faith and culture proves that muslim monarchs did not forcefully carried out the conversion program which the Spanish moarch did. Muslims and jews had the option to leave spain or convert to christianity.
The worst side effect of the muslim monarch policy is that 75& of muslim culture in Pakistan today is submerged in ancient hindu culture and practicing caste system in Pakistan is now a norm.
This shows us how complex the world is today, we saved the libyan people gain their democracy and now the attack on our Ambassador has confounded us in the city that we helped the libyans gain its freedom or something along these lines is the statement from Hillary Clinton.
Rex Minor
to rex
Muslims also worship idols, since 1400 years. These idols are called kuran and Mohammad.
Something that is not allowed to be criticized is an idol.
Something which no one (among the believers) criticizes or dares to criticize is an idol.
In fact islam is not just an idol-worshipping ideology but also a kuran-centred and Mohammad-centred fascism (as is again proved by the killing of the US diplomats in the name of Mohammad in Libya now).
Your islamically caused self-deceit will not allow you to escape from it. How long do you wish to remain in this islamically caused deceit and self-deceit?
Are you slandering and ridiculing non-muslims and non-islam in order to feel better about islam and ignore its deceits and idiocies? What trick are you trying on yourself?
Ahem,
I am sure Mujamdar the wise man can speak for himself, if he wishes. You should not stretch your torso to the extent of a complete breakdown. Take a break, otherwise one of your well wisher will again pull you down. I am sure you are a decent guy, better than wilders of Holland who has just lost 50% of the seqats in the Dutch parliament. Believe you me the extremists are no longer needed. Please be kind to PTH and stay cool and on your feet.
Rex Minor
Rex bhai,
The worst side effect of the muslim monarch policy is that 75& of muslim culture in Pakistan today is submerged in ancient hindu culture and practicing caste system in Pakistan is now a norm.
Yes, quite unfortunate. Maybe it wud have been better if Muslim monarchs had converted everyone by force in India.
Btw, I am still waiting for that story of the Hindu boy in India who lied ‘cos his faith had not told him that it is bad to lie…..
Regards
Dear All
I am grateful to countless commentators who have provided extremely rich debate in recent days. Vajra, Kaal, Romain, No Communal, Bade Miyan, Chote Miyan, Finglfin, Hayyer, Myth Buster, Heavy Petting, Sandhu sahab, Mishra Sahab, AKB, Rex Minor ( I may disagree with them but they are not trolls), even Rajtoo (after all he has aprespective and is not a troll)..the list goes on and on..( i apologize if I missed any name)
At the same time, trolls like Ahem and MTG are constantly trying to derail the thread by their needless and often irrelevant comments.
I will be removing their comments but if I am not able to all the time, please ignore them.
Regards
Raza
Secularism is elusive in Pakistan because Jinnah lied when he said that islam taught the muslims democracy and secularism 1300 years ago. And Jinnah is not the only liar in islam’s pantheon and heroes-gallery (or gallaxy?).
Only those muslims who have realized this can be moving towards secularism. XXX is himself such a person – but he has to live in fear and censor himself. This self-denial results in his being angry and in censoring the wrong guys.
RHR
This is a relevant link. Please don’t delete it.
Bilatakalluf with Tahir Gora Ep58 – Arshad Mahmood
http://youtu.be/pBCoIvxdkiY?t=25m50s
miles, excellent link- very rational discussion between 2 Pakistanis
Thanks Mishra ji.
These guys In MTG’s link are wondering about the missing weak link which makes their Iman so fragile that every little criticism , ridicule break their their mental idols. But they dont dare to say the Truth which will make them free from such fears. Imperfections and lies will remain imperfections and lies . No matter how much perfume you spray, Poop will still stink as per its nature. Only way to sanitize the room is to remove the filth. No 21st century man with thinking mind, access to information, living in humane society going to accept and tolerate this medieval thuggery in the name of religion.
Staymamev Jayte Kuffar value is sured of victory and its proven superiority and excelelnce over make beliefs.
One thing Arshad Mahmood said is very radical. He said – “Islam spread by sword”.
Mujamdar,
I could not agree with you more! I am the last to praise any of the moghul or pearsian monarchs who ruled India for centuries but failed to eliminate caste system and other pagan practices. Whereas, the christian church and christian monarchs together ompletly put a stop to idols worships not only in Europe but beyond by sending infidels to gallows or subjected them to mob lynching.
. the lifting of arab siege of all medetrenian counries
. the suspension of plan to conquer Wien, the capital of Europe, the holy roman deutsce kingdom, and accepting the annual tribute instead.
I thought you were going to enlighten us about how an indian child is brought up by his parents when he tells fibs to feel happy. Please do not repeat what others have said, namely referring the child to hindu wise books?
Rex Minor
Rex minor you must be the most backward, stupid mullah Turk born in Europe. Every week you come here offering to have your ass whipped with your totally pointless repetitive posts. To be ignored
Sanghu puttar,
Why do you always taste your ass in your mouth. You need not address bloggers who have different opinions, nor give them labels and names.
perhaps you should address your complaint to Mujamdar and I fully agree with his hindsight.
Rex Minor
Very good article.
Even Jinnah was a closet secular, but might have been killed if had spoken of Pakistan as being a secular state.
As far as Islam being secular, we can only hope that in the the next 500 years or so it would become secular.
I am hopeful because after 1400 years, hijabi women can wear jeans and still believe they are fulfilling the Islamic requirement.
As long as Islam supports hypocrisy as one of its core values, I am hopeful.
.
The only hindrance to such change is the emergence of Taliban like forces who are intolerant of hypocrisy.
to salman arshad
the taliban have their own much worse hypocrisy.
if islam allows muslims to take to the path of honesty then islam will collapse.
But, on a different note, hypocrisy by muslim leaders is allowing some ex-muslims (or at least some crypto-ex-muslims) to survive even under islam.