Pak Tea House » Religion » What Sectarianism means?
What Sectarianism means?
by Abdullah Zaidi:
A few days ago, at least 20 Shias headed for Gilgit-Baltistan were shot dead in Mansehra by militants. A day later a bomb attack on the Al-Quds rally resulted in the death of one Shia youth. Although, targeted killing of Shias is not a new phenomenon, but because of the recent surge in these episodes, I expected a stronger and more importantly, a definite reaction. To my dismay none of that came about.
Instead, all one can hear regarding sectarian terrorism is general throat-clearing rhetoric which ends at condemning the attacks in isolation. Sometimes, the whole issue is simplistically reduced to lack of law and order and the government’s unpreparedness without any attention to the context of such attacks. Sectarianism in Pakistan started emerging in late 70s around the Iranian revolution. The Islamisation programme under Zia-ul-Haq through its Madarsah reform changed the face of sectarian conflict. The Zia regime, hoping to change the character of the country’s electorate, encouraged the expansion and politicisation of Madarsahs. Firstly, the regime offered that Madarsah graduates would be treated equal to school graduates if they undertook certain reforms. Secondly, the regime introduced financial support through directing the Zakat funds that it collected to these Madarsahs. This not only led to an exponential increase in Madrasah graduates but also led to a decline in the quality to education as the focus shifted from traditional Islamic scholarship to providing the state with an ‘Islamic bureaucracy’. With the end of Zia regime these policies were reversed and these new Madrasahs and their graduates were left without means of funding or prospects of access to the state. These less traditional and more political graduates then joined the ranks of frustrated unemployed. According to some, sectarianism began to shape around the revolt these ‘petty Ulama’.
Disillusioned with the state these petty Ulama started to look at other avenues for support. With Saudi Arabia and some other states willing to extend financial support these political Madrasahs started vying for funding. These Madarsahs tried to outdo one another in acts of terrorism against Shias in order to secure their chances of funding. The rise of Taliban in the 1990s and Pakistan’s policy of strategic depth added to the surge in Sectarian incidents. It is important to delineate how Pakistan’s policy of propping up the Taliban encourages sectarian violence in Pakistan. The defence establishment assumes that it can control and compartmentalise these militant groups. What it does not realise is that these militant groups are steeped in the same exclusive pan-Islamism which causes them to pursue their own agendas. Secondly, it is useless to make distinctions between these groups as there is considerable overlap in the membership of these groups. Many of these militants groups which once worked for the ISI abandoned it because they say their true calling as fighters for Al-Qaeda. Lastly, it is known that the Taliban, which also come from the same structure of seminaries, would routinely call upon these Madrasahs to provide them with recruits.
Today, the problem of sectarianism is not only a problem of governance but of education reform, funding of seminaries, counterterrorism and civil-military imbalance. It is by addressing these issues that the problem can be solved and not by talking of non-existent conspiracies hatched by Zionists and Americans trying to create divisions between the brotherly Shia-Sunni population of Pakistan. If you think that those misled by these escapist narratives are a minority, think again. The Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen, an Shia activist organisation which seeks to highlight and stop sectarian genocide, issues statements calling on Muslims to unite against Israel and America’s imperialist designs in response to sectarian killings. I was surprised to know that the Al-Quds rally, organised by the Shia outfit Imamia Students Organisation (ISO), is actually a protest against Israel. After the bomb attack, ISO asked the police to register an FIR against the US Consul General of Karachi along with others. If the self-acclaimed leadership of the very minority being targeted is going to behave this way, it is a cause of concern for that minority.
The question worth asking would be; why is the recent surge in sectarian attacks based in Balochistan which also happens to be the new Taliban base and what steps has the government taken to stop the militants from turning the province into a safe haven. Secondly, the Taliban have catapulted once regional organisations such as the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan and Laskhar-e-Jhangvi into a national terrorist outfit and enhanced their capacity enormously. Finally, the issue of maintaining law and order in Balochistan is not just the provincial government’s ineptitude but also of Balochistan Police, Frontier Corps and Levies working on different and often contradictory agendas. In conclusion, it is important not to lose sight of the context of sectarianism in Pakistan. A holistic approach is needed in order to root out the menace of sectarianism completely.
Filed under: Religion · Tags: Abdullah Zaidi, Pakistan, sectarian, Taliban
14 Responses to "What Sectarianism means?"
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an analysis too much obvious to rational-minded people, but one which aam aadmi of pakistan does not want to face.
they are content blaming everything on evil jew/hindu forces. sadly, your article falls on ears already aware of the reality, and the ears which need some learning are simply not capable enough to understand english.
publishing it in vernacular papers would do more benefit.
on pakteahouse, it’s just another article, while in urdu papers it would be a revolutionary piece.
A book containing contradictions, ambiguities and mistakes is declared to be the complete perfect final word of a monotheistic (=totalitarian) god-concept.
That can only lead to sectarian wars and bloodshed.
That is proved beyond doubt. By the muslims.
in order to further the bonding between shias and sunnis, yesterday some 5 SHIAS were killed in blast near MASTUNG, and then another 7 dawoodi bohras in karachi.
killing seems to be the best way to spread the message of this religion of peace.
some sunnis should convert to shia to show solidarity with shias…
A book containing contradictions, ambiguities and mistakes is declared to be the complete perfect final word of a monotheistic (=totalitarian) god-concept.
That is the biggest blasphemy and insult to god and mankind. Islam is doing it. Muslims are doing it. Some within the fold of islam have realized this.
more killings today too. it seems in the land of pure, no day can go without sacrificing some innocent lives. now everyday is bakrid for them, only difference is that goats can breathe relief, as it’s the ‘wrong’ kind of men who are being sacrificed.
This killing process started in 1953. First it was ahmadies now shia and unfortunately it will continue. Pakistani muslims need to understand the basic islamic teaching that human life is most precious thing. Killing a human soul is the greatest ” gustahki e rasool”. Please think about this and reject these mullahs with “bae hangam beards”. We are hypocrites of the highest order. If somebody wears a bermuda shorts, a little higher than ankles is kafir and a maulvi wearing the same length shalwar is the most revered human being. Where are we going? This is sure path to living hell. May god guide us all. Amen
to daud munawar
what is this typical muslim nonsense about “may god guide us all”? this is a typical muslim excuse to shirk responsibility and avoid honesty and intelligent rational thinking.
DAUD MUNAWAR
Please go ahead and tell this Gustafi to the the tribe of Banu Quraiza. If you see Kinana pf Khyber tell him too. Poor chap was tortured by Mistake and as fair merciful compensation , his wife got the priviledge to spend the next night with your Prophet. True to human nature ,She was so happy with such great honor of sleeping with the man who oredered her whole family killed 24 hours ago.Indians mourn their Eighty to Hunded Million family members with full knowledge of this Gustafi.Lets us know if you still want to tell this gustafi business to others. Agree with the common knowlegde that islam is religion peace and only perfect religion , final deen of humanity with such lofty deeds and ideas.
We are all made the same way –
http://youtu.be/4PKjF7OumYo
Well it is about time some one has highlighted this issue among the self proclaimed elite.
Just one thing, supporters of Jammat-e Islami gathered to protest against this heinous film in Karachi were less than those who attacked Yom-e Hussain (as) at University of Lahore last year. This only goes on to prove that the true Islamic activists are just a handful against those who support Zia’s fu*ked up ideology. And they should be condemned.
Pro Muslim Unity
Pro Peace
Amen indeed Daud Munawar and Satyamukhi dear kindly put forth reference of this absurd narration which you have quoted. Even if (God forbid) i consider this to be accurate at least we don’t burn wives with there deceased husbands and call it ‘satai-fu*k-a-mantri’ a really great honour!!!
@ Zaidi
what a useless babble about madrassah’s affecting education?? How are fake degrees and plagiarism at ph.d level benefiting the country??
@ relevant
stop being abusive about Quran and Islam. It’s people like you and their conduct which creates sects and factions. Your approach is condemnable as being too offensive, overbearing and biased.
@DAUD MUNAWAR
/wearing behuda shorts in public places is a crime in Pakistan…you could be jailed for violating the law. Behuda shorts are obnoxious…and unmanly except in the boxing ring where you will not dare to enter!!
/
What do you say about Molvi Mirja ghulla??? Hasn’t he done to promote sectarianism and divisions?