Pak Tea House » Uncategorized » Moving backwards in time
Moving backwards in time
By Sabahat Ahmad Cheema
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.
Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
Dickens wrote these striking lines while giving an account of two growing cities – London and Paris – which were set in the best of times for some and the worst of times for the others. The epoch of 21st century brought the world closer in relations and faster in inventions and discoveries; making an ordinary man’s life standard higher, safer and more respectful. While, at the same time, the era turned out to be a curse for some. Terrorism, financial crisis, religious and social fanaticism, and emerging media’s hypocrisy made the life more gloomy for the oppressed communities in this period of enlightenment. The irony doesn’t end here. As the Western world progressed in knowledge and development, with the essential help of harmony and mutual cooperation; the East, and especially Muslim countries, kept their feet pacing backwards by successfully sticking themselves to some of the most irrational, inhuman, fascist and bigot notions of all times.
One does not need to do a deep digging for bringing out examples of such disappointing, saddening and shameful incidents of extremism and cruelty. Few weeks back when the whole world was celebrating Higgs Boson – the discovery-of-the-century – which is also known as “the God Particle” for its unique characteristics and significance, the electronic and print media of Pakistan successfully made sure not to highlight the key role of this country’s sole Noble laureate Professor Dr. Abdus Salam (1926-1996) in this discovery. Whereas, foreign media from across the world applauded and commended generously the part he played in his research in the field of theoretical Physics, and mourned that how the state and independent media of Pakistan shunned this unsung hero of the country. The world is pacing towards advancements in science and technologies, while we are, in the same pace, moving backwards in time. Maybe we need a new term like ‘reverse developing nation’ for my Pakistan.
In the past few months, religious intolerance and bigotry in this Land of Pure has reached new zeniths by accusing a minor girl with blasphemy, destroying the minarets of Ahmadiyya mosques, killing Shias mercilessly, forcing the Hindus to migrate, and the list goes on and on. I, for one, would say that most tragic of all these atrocities against the oppressed, in our near past, was the desecration and sacrilege of graves of Ahmadis in District Hafizabad and Jaranawala. One might disagree with the faith of the departed and argue with them diligently during whole their lives, but, dare I say, what good is the mob or police doing to the holy religion of Islam by destroying tombstones of the dead, or what harm are the deceased causing to the Divine faith? Again I ask, is Islam – the religion of peace, love and harmony – is so vulnerable that the mighty defenders of the faith have to seeks state’s help in destroying concrete tombstones from graves to protect Islam from dead infidels?
The Rimsha Masih case turned out to be a test for the state, as during the litigation of the trial, court came to know that the so-called self-righteous mullah Khalid Jadoon tempered with the evidence in order to strengthen the blasphemy case, being aware that she could be awarded capital punishment for this allegation under the PPC’s 295c. Much has been said and written about poor Rimsha’s case not only by government but the opposition as well. But did anyone talked about repealing such black laws which are totally against humanity, human rights, and freedom? The ignominious and infamous Ordinance XX by former president Zia and the Blasphemy law are a stigma on the Constitution of Pakistan and the state has been facing much opprobrium as its result because every now or then mob or mullah falsely accuses some vulnerable innocent soul and then we see him burnt alive, shot dead, or being served with capital punishment as in Asia Bibi’s case.
The fact of the matter is, that it is the job of our lawmakers and the state to make sure that no discriminatory or bias law should exist or misused. But there cannot be any hope in this issue until and unless political parties show their concern for the security and betterment of Pakistan’s persecuted minority groups. Few days back, leaders of PML-N shared stage with Majlis Tahaffuz-e-Khtam-e-Nabuwwat’s anti-Ahmadiyya Conference at Iwan-e-Iqbal Lahore. Same is the case with PTI who are a proud ally of DPC which has anti-Shia and Ahmadiyya elements in it. Words uttered by the former PM Gillani at Golra last month still echo in my ears, where he, on behalf of PPP, haughtily owned the 2nd amendment in Constitution of Pakistan in 1974 declaring the Ahmadiyya Community as non-Muslims. How can one hope for a light at the end of the tunnel when the torchbearers themselves are diligently spreading gloominess all around.
Dare I say that so far the acme of the current government in relation to such sensitive issues is the rapidly growing Shia genocide, escalation in persecution of Ahmadis, assassination of Salman Taseer and Shehbaz Bhatti, forced conversion of Hindus and their migration to India, and the list goes on. There is no need to remind the state administration, media and judiciary what Qaid said on August 11, 1947, but may I remind the worthy government, the People’s government as it claims to be, that it is the duty of the state to ensure the security and rights of every citizen.
The independent media makes sure not to mention the word ‘Shia’ when passengers in Gilgit or Hazara are lined up and shot dead after being identified as Shiaites. Did our electronic and print media report the desecration of Ahmadiyya graveyards in Hafizabad and Jaranwala? Even the Rimsh Masih case got some airtime only after the Western nations showed their concern over this shameful case. But let me refresh your memories. Not only Urdu but some English newspapers also, make sure to dedicate a large portion of their columns for hate campaign against the already persecuted communities. Electronic media tycoons happily or rather mercilessly hire and promote those televangelists who already have a nefarious record in spreading hate and who provoke their guests to show pride in being a ‘patriot’ from Bhopal! Where is the apex judiciary who takes notice of a slap, but doesn’t bother to look at the targeted atrocities faced by Shias, Ahmadis, Christians and Hindus? If the revered Supreme Court can repeal the Contempt of the Court Bill passed by the lawmakers, why can’t it take notice of the black laws like Ordinance XX and the 2nd Amendment? Can I trust ‘My Lords’ for ensuring basic rights of the citizens of this country?
I heartily pray that may we live in the best of times, not the worst of it, and this aeon of gloom ends very soon and we see a developed, prosperous, and safe Pakistan in our lives where life of every citizen is protected and justice prevails over everything.
Filed under: Uncategorized · Tags: faith, hope, short, wisdom
23 Responses to "Moving backwards in time"
Leave a Reply
Recent Comments
- Truthful
said Funny. Why would any country, least of all India (... - tajender
said बहुचर्चित इशरत जहां मुठभेड़ केस में सीबीआई जांच मे... - vhp said maggu,
war make them rich.poors give better intere...
- tajender said pankaj,because of brhmnsm india has bad relations...
- Maggu
said Does India really care to attack Pakistan? Why? Wh... - Pankaj said Pakistan has been devising NEW War Fighting Tactic...
- Pankaj said Cold Start doctrine has been operationalised
.
And...
- vhp said An old forward, but worth a repeat!!
A store that...
- NDelhi said Come on sunny , teach them more. Appreciate your e...
- NDelhi said Even an uneducated islamist is aware of all the co...
@ author: i slightly disagree with your conclusions.
actually, ET is a quite liberal paper, and shall i say better than most newspaper in india. and, even a small incidence of ill-treatment of minorities is highlighted by that publication.
each and every attack on SHIAS, AHMADIS and HINDUS has been repeatedly highlighted by ET, so much so, that most commentators accuse it of toeing infidels line.
even DAWN seems to be catching up fast, with columns by FAZIA MIRZA(in my personal opinion, she would be brilliant writer for KARAN JAUHAR type movies).
however, i do not know too much about your urdu publications, though frankly it is these papers which matter, and reflect views of majority pakistanis.
Very Good effort Sabahat Ahmad.Keep up the good work.
@Manish thanks for the feedback.
I agree with you on the point that ET is on the forefront in raising its voice for the oppressed. and if you noticed, many links given in this piece by me are of ET. But the reason i mentioned ‘english’ papers was that new wave of extremism is also hitting these apparently leftist newspapers. An example is given in above from The News. The Nation is also the same.
On the other hand, Urdu papers are full of hate, sadly.
Manish
Two words and one name explain ET from its beginning to its end: Salman Taseer.
Arabic script, arabic language, urdu language, kuran, hadith … all these are roads to fascism and closed-minded-ness.
One of the biggest mischiefs done by islam in India was the introduction of these things in indian subcontinent. Even the sufi tradition therefore always ends in fascism or becomes incapable of resisting islamic fascism. The muslim is made ready to kill, lie and die for them. He is told that it is his visa to allah’s heaven.
An ideology that claims that
…..an ideology that claims that all perfect answers were given in the 7th century takes people backwards to 7th century fascism.
Salute to u Sabahat for writing this article
@ kaalchakra: i was not a reader to that paper during that time, so can’t say what exactly you mean.
but if you mean to say that it was the only newspaper that condemned SALMAN TASEER’s murderer without mincing words, then i think i am getting you.
any other point would only improve my knowledge.
Manish,
I believe the Tasser family owns Express Tribune.
Regards
In a recent interview to Barakka Dutt of NDTV, Imran Khan has said, he was saddened and shamed by the plight of Rimsha Masih. But he would not hold the blasphemy law or any other law for that matter. Rather the cause was the breakdown of law and order under the rule of AAZ. So according to him it is not any law, but its breakdown which is the culprit. Bizarre logic!
a gr8 article tht elucidates the heart soaring persecution of ahmadies in pak. Idk hw justice iz defined in paks constitution. May Allah open the eyes of the ppl to the truth. Ameen!
@ majumdar:
what i got from the wikipedia is, that the paper is run by Bilal Ali Lakhani. guessing from his surname lakhani with the suffix-’ani’, i am assuming he is sindhi.
Tasser, on the other hand, was from some rich family of punjab.
so, still waiting for kaalchakra’s take on the subject.
Excellent work done by Mr. Sabahat Ahmad Cheema.
I love Ahmadiyya Muslim Slogan.
Love For All
Hatred For None.
Allah Bestow His Mercieson all Ahmedies & grant them secure shelter where they can offer their prayers with peace & harmony. Allah remove all hurdles & make us all to live with peace.
to Aaryan
No allah is going to help muslims or ahamadiyas or anyone else. He is not going to remove any hurdles. He has no busines in anything human. He is an old tribal arabic 7th century fake.
We all Ahmedi Muslims have firm belive in Allah & as we belive in freedom of believes.
to Aaryan
You believe in allah and thus become a nuisance to mankind. What use is that? This belief in allah is causing muslims to become arrogant liars, self-deceivers, angry irrational violence-doers, idiots, zombies of fascist leaders. That is the result. Denying this may help your ego, but it will make the world a more fascist place.
Manish
Taseer, Jinnah, Lakhani – these are all good and excellent people who use Islam in a good and excellent way. That is, they don’t want to be ruled over by bloody Mullahs who are jahils and hence do not truly follow Islam (read, are kafirs). So they are secularists. But that doesn’t mean any of them would at all like to be ruled over by actual non-muslims like Hindus themselves, especially when Hindus behave like Hindus! So they are Muslims. Ideally, they would like one Mullah and half a non-Muslim to provide diversity – since Islam promotes diversity as well.
The intellectual duty, task, and goal of this good and excellent group of humans is to interpret Islam in such a way as to keep the other two groups from assuming power and from taking humanity backward in time (before the Prophet) when ignorance, oppression, injustice, and unnecessary violence were the human norm.
Until Mr Taseer met with an unfortunate situation, these good and excellent people maintained a degree of confidence in what they had been able to achieve.
Sofia, well said. I love the Ahmadi fine print even more – Truth and nothing but the truth any day, any time.
Even dead in the night on a Sunday?
Relevant,
Traitors and thankless Ahmadis run to indian Kasba Qadian for safety yet still suffer from stockholm syndrome. Had we not been bounded by our Dharmic tradition of providing shelter , these folks and their children would have been buried there in the land of Jinnah. It have been only us Kaffirs who gave asylem to Jews,Christians escaping Rome, Zoroastrians escaping beheading by pious Islamic, Bahais escaping Shias and now Qadiani seeking shelter to save their neck from pure Islamic Pakistani Muslims. Brahmin Raja Dahir was the only one offered asylem to Muhamamd’s grandchildren before they were killed by Arabs. IMHO, This was Hindu King Dahir’s reply to Muhamamd asking his followers to bring Indian king in Chain. Dahir offerd asylem to the children of this very man as per his Indian civilizational mooring while medieval Muhhamad asked for blood of Indians as per his own inner nature. True to the inherrent nature , Scorpians cant avoid stinging the very same people who provided shelter and food. We are different only. Jews, Syrian Christians, Parsis and Bahais all enriched our culture and thanked while these thankless snakes still trying to bite our kids.
Mirzai’s are deviates and Mirja Ghulla was a tout of the colonial British.
He was neither a frofet nor a saint but a rascal who picked at the Quran and remodeled its interpretation. The Mirjai’s are a bunch of rascals always crying unreasonably posing to be the most oppressed cult which they are not. They are living in luxury and one can find them demonstrating their frivolity on this forum as well as elsewhere. They don’t have the guts to come out in the public and declare their vile beliefs because they are guilty conscience and cowards. They talk about Muslims without ever quoting the lies of their faux frofet Mirja Ghulla…
the crook!