Adil Najam
Here is a rather gruesome ad from the Punjab Anti-Narcotics Force, warning prospective pilgrims going for Hajj to Saudi Arabia of the dangers of drug trafficking.
The painted bill board ad makes the point, rather graphically and quite clearly that anyone caught bringing drugs into Saudi Arabia will face death. One wonders, however, if that point is being made a little more graphically than necessary.
The wording on the billboard (seemingly quite large and on an outdoor public location) says:
Don’t unknowingly invite death.
By taking someone’s else luggage or unnecessary foreign or local medications do not put your own life at risk.
Taking narcotics or addictive elements to Saudi Arabia will result in a certain death penalty.
Anti-Narcotics Force (Punjab).
How, I wonder, does a parent explain to a child who sees this billboard why the Arab-looking man is beheading the Pakistani-looking man with such gusto.
One wonders who it is that really gives Muslims a ‘bad name’? The message for the prospective drug smuggler to Saudi Arabia is quite clear. But, what is the message for the rest of us? And the rest of the world?
[quote post="456"]But isn’t that the responsibility of every citizen and the police to stop that.[/quote]
What if Police men commit such crime? My friend, either you’re very innocent or you don’t read Pakistani news papers.
Intresting thing is that people who live in US,UK or other western countries condemning women rights in Saudia but not opening their mouths to condemn how a women mistreated in West. Just because they live there and they are openly discussing and condemning about a country where they never lived. Someone redefine “Irony” please?
Muslims of west should highlight people like Yvonne Ridley to educate non-Muslims and even muslims women about the religion and promote them so that people like Wafa Sultan doesn’t make attempt to offend Islam.
Anti Narcotic Task Force job is to stop illegal drug at the Border of Pakistan. Now with this ridiculous billboard they’re confessing that they are not doing their job right. I wonder if this absurdity is seen by their superiors or not but I think foolish people shouldn’t be given any responsibility.
Sajid,
I only mentioned it as our law enforcement agency is trying to educate Hajjis.
[quote post="456"]This was a very sad incident and all the newspapers in Saudi Arabia criticized it.[/quote]
Innocent girls were died only because they were not dressed “accordingly� and criticism by state Newspapers isn’t enough. If Saudi Arabia is such a law abiding country then how come that case never went to the court. If they treat their citizens like this then one can imagine what they are capable to do to others. As for mistreatment Male religious police routinely hit women Hajjis if they’re praying in wrong place or their head scarf slipped. I guess you got the idea but we are not discussing Saudi society here as it’s not a secret how demeaning it’s to women.
A very pathetic comparison I must say.
I have never heard about this one.
@Sajid
“those innocent women who were forced to walk nude in the main streets of villages by our feudal lords”
But isn’t that the responsibility of every citizen and the police to stop that. Why the MULLAH has to have the danda and whip my ass?
Tarr damini pay sheikh humarray nah jahyeho
Daman nichorday tho farishtay wazhoo karain
(Meer Dard)
Ms. Mariam
This was a very sad incident and all the newspapers in Saudi Arabia criticized it. But what about those innocent women who were forced to walk nude in the main streets of villages by our feudal lords. And do not forget that Makkah School incident was an unique example but forcing women to walk nude in the streets are repeated dozens of times in the villages of Punjab and Sindh.
Every year thousands of Pakistani women perform Haj and can you quote any single example where any of the lady was mistreated by the religious Police in Saudi Arabia.
Sajid
Baber,
I am glad to hear a voice of reason.
Mariam,
Yes, it was a tragic story. Shame on these people who are more concerned about covering a woman’s face than saving her life. In any civilized society those “policemen” would have been charged for murder or manslaughter.
We need one more billboard specifically targeted towards women Hajjis with a message.
[quote post="456"]Always wear your Abayas and Hijabs while you are sleeping so in case of fire you wouldn’t end up like these girls.[/quote]
Salamalikum,
I think people like Anwar should watch what they say and shouldn’t propagate their inferiority complex to other people. Why bring up the issue of arabi and ajami? And then term the ajamis “lesser Muslims”. May be Anwar thinks he’s a lesser Muslim just because of his lineage but some one can back me up on this: Isn’t it true that out side of Saudis, people in Pakistan clearly think that “araboo maiN deen nahin hay” (meaning, Arabs are not good enough/conservative Muslims). Yes, I’m not denying that Arabi as a language is revered in Pakistan (as it should) and yes a practicing Arabi, like any other non-Arabi, will be revered. For example, in Karachi, despite of many stereotypes for Pathans one thing people agree is that Pathans are more committed to Islam and people have some sort of respect of them because of that.
May be I’m reading too much into what Anwar really thinks. May be he’s just stating the fact that Arabs think that others are “lesser Muslims”. But, it bugs me when people propagate such non-sense and try to create a divide when there shouldn’t be one. If some Arab or Pakistani thinks that he/she is a better Muslim because that person lives in an Arab country or in Pakistan, then in fact he’s is opposite of better Muslim–he/she has little knowledge which causes him to have such superiority complex and according to a sahih hadith, a person with even a grain of takabbur (arrogance) will not enter jannat.