When my parents brought me and my younger sisters back to Pakistan, we were assured that our return to motherland was to teach us about the “peaceful culture” of the Land of Pure. Never has a statement been more false. And it is even more appalling after what happened on Friday, May 28, 2010 in Lahore.
Wasting time on definitions and political history regarding Ahmadis is something I will not do since I am pretty sure that most of you reading this post know, at least, the typical description of a “Mirzai”. According to the majority of this country and the constitution of Pakistan, an Ahmadi is a Kaafir that denies the finality of the Prophet Muhammad and is, consequently, barred from basic religious and social rights and privileges. Their places of worship are termed “Ibadatgah” according to the definition stated in the constitution. Referring their worshiping points as “Masjid” or “Mosque” is an offence. More details can be found in thousands and thousands of links shared by orthodox Muslims throughout the world. Which is why I simply refuse to waste my energy over the bigotry that the Pakistani constitution is replete with. Read 298-B for proof. And please don’t forget to read this link: Ahmadis have been victims of global violence.
What bothers me is a set of social factors, religious hate and political hypocrisy that proved to be powerful catalysts for what happened today. At least 76 innocents were killed during Jummah prayers in Model Town and Garhi Shahu in Lahore. Let me remind bigots of Pakistan: I don’t pay a damn if they were Muslim, Jew, Christian or simply atheists because, for me, humans are humans regardless of their beliefs (or lack thereof). No one possesses the brutal authority over another human’s life. It is downright disgusting to see many, many Sunni and Shia Pakistanis commenting in favor of this savage act. Also, it is a major contradiction on their sorry part because, if they studied Islam well enough, they would learn that advocating mass murder is something their precious religion is against.
Even more repulsive is the flood of condemnations from politicians, the terms being used by the media for Ahmadis (because, believe me, it is painfully torn between portraying Pakistan as an “enlightened” country and constitutional restrictions) and, most significantly, the blame-game. Tehreek e Taliban Punjab claimed responsibility for the attacks. I seriously doubt the ‘purity’ of Hakeemullah Mehsud’s Islam since if he was such a true Momin, he would be have been more preoccupied with praying Jummah instead of leading a massacre in another mosque. But what hurt me the most were the comments given by many Pakistanis today. In this link shared by a friend of mine, you will find religious wrath and bigotry at its worst.
Compassion for mankind irrespective of creed may force you to wince when you read this: The majority of Pakistan is responsible for the attacks that occurred in Model Town and Garhi Shahu. Had we been a little philanthropic and accommodating in our conduct, yesterday would not have been so intensely gory. Our approach towards fellow citizens is sadly based on misinterpreted religious preachings, racist social perceptions and mindless phobias. Sometimes when I’m sitting in front of the television, the only thing that keeps going through my head is how desensitized we are as a nation. We simply don’t see each others as human beings anymore.
