Guest Post by Omer Alvie
[This satirical account is inspired by the real-life drama about the Ajoka play Burqavaganza in the Pakistan capital; See The News Editorial; Gulf News op-ed; a Daily Times report on the original play, and other press coverage.]
So this is how it all happened. Ajoka, a non-commercial theatre group committed to the cause of social change in Pakistan, unveiled its new play Burqavaganza last month in Lahore. The satirical play, written by Shahid Nadeem, addresses the issue of the burqa (veil) and highlights the double-standards and hypocrisy of the feudal/tribal mindset. The aim was to use humour and satire to challenge the cultural status quo and to provoke people to think for themselves.
The audience thoroughly enjoyed the show and the play received positive reviews in the press. But the most surprising response to the play came from a rather astute group of individuals belonging to the MMA (more popularly known as Mullah Military Alliance). Inspired by the success of the Burqavaganza, five extremely talented MNAs decided to perform their own impromptu over-the-top ‘drama‘ in the National Assembly. The play imaginatively titled Fanativaganza (by yours truly), was a staged rebuttal to the Ajoka group’s play.
Substituting the use of satire, the inspired MNAs opted for provocative language and violent hand gestures to ridicule the writer of Burqvaganza and the Director of the Ajoka theatre group. Apparently, to these five highly sensitive and pious individuals, the Burqavaganza play was clearly un-Islamic, enough to be classified as blasphemous. Although, it has to be clarified that these days, any critique, criticism, aspersion, censure, swipe or nitpicking of the norms and practices of these religious extremists will likely lead to a blasphemy charge, even if it is a comment regarding the general unruliness of their beards.
One minor clarification here, they cannot be called religious fundamentalists. This is because they fail to grasp the fundamentals of the religion they claim to be following. ‘Nutters’ is more appropriate and generally my preference.
The MNA performed drama did not get a positive response from the public or the press, but it did manage to get a standing ovation from the Minister of Culture, who subsequently announced a government ban on the Burqavaganza play to show his appreciation for the drama queens of the national assembly. He was so moved by the MMA performance that he additionally promised further government actions against the key members of the Ajoka Theatre group. I have to admit, as a Pakistani citizen, hearing this news brought a lump to my throat. It wasn’t that I was emotional, it just happened to be part of the process of me regurgitating my last meal, as I got sick to my stomach.
It is clear now that the government’s attempt at promoting ‘enlightened moderation’ in reference to religion has not been very successful. Actually, that is an understatement; it has been an unquestionable, resounding failure. I do admit though that they have managed to create an era of (religious) ‘moderated enlightenment’. When your faith is judged by the size of your beard or measured by the length of your veil, you are in serious, serious trouble!
Omer Alvie is a Pakistani residing in the UAE and writes, often satirically, on his blog The Olive Ream. He also writes about the Pakistani blog scene at Global Voices. This post was first published at The Olive Ream.
In the Quran, Surah al-Ahzab ayah 59 (33:59) says:
Ya ayyuha an-Nabiyy qul li azwajika wa banatika wa nisa al-mu’minin yudnina alayhinna min jalabib hinna; dhalika adna an yu’rafna fa laa yu’dhayn. Wa kana Allahu Ghafur Rahim
O Prophet! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the faithful to draw their JALABIB close around them; that is better that they will be recognized and not annoyed. And God is ever Forgiving, Gentle.
The word “jalabib” is the plural of “jilbab”. Clearly, this ayah states a command for Muslim women to wear a garment which Allah SWT has called “jilbab”.
Beyond this, the hadiths record how the sahabiyat (rAa) went about obeying Surah al-Ahzab ayah 59 when it was revealed:
Sunan Abu Dawud Book 32 #4090. Narrated Umm Salama, Umm al-Mu’minin: When the verse, “That they should draw their jalabib close around them” was revealed, the women of Ansar came out as if they had crows over their heads by wearing jalabib.
In case there is any confusion about how the Muslim sister is supposed to go about obeying Surah al-Ahzab ayah 59, this hadith shows that the correct way to obey it is to wear the garment called “jilbab”, since that is what the sahabiyat (rAa) did. Note that they did not hesitate or delay or make excuses: when they were told by Allah SWT to wear the garment called “jilbab”, they did, right away.
And there is more even than this. Some of the women remained in seclusion and never went out so that they did not own the garment called “jilbab”. The hadiths record that the Prophet (sAas) commanded the women to come out for the Eid gathering, and what he said about the issue of the garment called “jilbab”:
Sahih Bukhari Book 8 #347. Narrated Umm Atiyya: We were ordered to bring out our menstruating women and screened women to the religious gatherings and invocation of the Muslims on the two Eid festivals. These menstruating women were to keep away from the musalla. A woman asked, “O Messenger of Allah! What about one who does not have a jilbab?”. He said, “Let her borrow the jilbab of her companion”.
My dear sisters, surely the meaning of this is clear enough to you. If it were halal for a sister to go outdoors without the garment called “jilbab”, why didn’t the Prophet (sAas) allow the women to do this? But instead, he told them that they must find the garment called “jilbab” to wear, even if they had to borrow one from a friend. The rule is plain: it is a disobedience of Allah SWT and of His messenger for a woman to go outdoors if she is not wearing the garment called “jilbab”. Period. I really do not see any other meaning from Surah al-Ahzab ayah 59 or from these hadiths. Do you?
[quote post="712"]Ok, so would you then say that those who insist on the burqa as a necessary thing are committing a bidat? I mean, if one can wear shalvar qamees, geans, burqa or anything else as long as it covers ’sattar,’ then those who consider the burqa to be an Islamic requirement must be mistaken?[/quote]
Aqil Sahab, i know my english is worst but not much that you didn’t understand my point. But first clarify me what do you understand about the term “Biddat”? I never heard that wearing/not wering burqa is Bidat?
Replying the bold part:
The specific term “Burqa” is no where in QUran and Hadith that’s right. But i also add that I didn’t meet or heard noone who said “Burqa” is Islamic dress. Yes The structure of burqa dress is “Islamic” and noone can deny since it doesn’t only hide the body structure of a woman but also covers the face. Burqa is cultural thing in Afghanistan and sub-continent. Those who conisders that Burqa is the ONLY option which is compatible with sattar then it’s wrong. a woman in US wouldn’t wear Burqa since it’s not a western dress but this shouldn’t b an excuse for any muslim woman in the region to start wearing tight clothes which reveal her body. I know several muslim women in US who are following Islamic dress code more than our own women.
In short, don’t reject Burqa just because Burqa term was not in Quran. This shouldn’t be an excuse for not offering Salat just because Quran didn’t mention the method of salat[an excuse given by hadith rejectors].
Quran defined the boundaries and Burqa DOES meet the requirment.
I wonder why no hindu or Indian criticizes Indian dress “Saree”? or “Mangal Soter”or even “Bindi”? That’s also traditional as well as their religious symbols? What I see that our so called enlightened women in Pakistan or west feel proud to wear Bindi. Ironic! ;)
I think we should mourn that we are afraid to accept our religious values.
Indian producer Ekta Kapoor keeps promoting her religion all the time via her dramas and keeps referring Ramain,Geeta and her character names always have religious association but I don’t read in articles that Indians or their liberals whine about why she promotes religion like that? The smart woman cleverly using media to promote Hinduism and our own ladies are fond of her dramas.
Nobody critices Mr.Speilberg and Tom Hanks who never miss a chance to promote Judaism in his movies. Our very own enlightened and modern class feels proud to watch movies like “Gladiator”,”Ben Hur” and other movies about Roman and jewish history. They don;t criticize that christian and jews mullahs promoting their religion but I know if someone try to make a movie about Islamic history then every tom dick and harry would come out and start cursing mullahs,talibans or what not! Hypocisy at its peak. I don’t understand how such people lead their life which is example of famous urdu mohawara *… ghar ka na ghaat ka*.
“Quran talks about a generic term “Sattarâ€Â? and Allah clearly explained the Sattar of Both men and women. Quran was sent for all times not for time of Muhammad(SAW) only. This is something which is unlike Bible was sent for Children of Israel only and basically talks about things happened at that time. No where in Quran Allah said that muslims should wear typical Arabic dress otherwise they are not muslims because Allah knew more than us that people of different culture will accept Islam and they would follow their cultural dresses as well. So Allah came up with a generic term to cover the body for both men and women. So whether one wears jeans or Shalwar, Burqa or modern style Ibaya and Hijab, as longas they are compatible with rules of Allah, they are acceptable.”
Ok, so would you then say that those who insist on the burqa as a necessary thing are committing a bidat? I mean, if one can wear shalvar qamees, geans, burqa or anything else as long as it covers ’sattar,’ then those who consider the burqa to be an Islamic requirement must be mistaken? In that case, the burqa should not be a special Islamic symbol or dress because it is only one of the infinite number of possible dresses for covering sattar? Is this a correct reading of your point or have I misunderstood something?
[quote]My Yardstick is “Quran and Sunnah of Muhammad[saw]“, [/quote]
So which ones of the contemporary scholars fit into this yardstick? This should give us an idea if you yourself really understand what the above yardstick means or are merely indulging in Mullah rhetoric (most likely). I have a feeling you will run away from it all again..but I am happy to be surprised…
Ayesha aunty mujhe maaf kardin, ghalti se mistake hogaya aur meyne “AND” nahi dekha. Ab mujhe saza me mere shaam ka game band nahi kardia ga warna pappu,sohail aur guddu mera intizar karte reh jaye gey aur cricket nahi hopaye gi.
Now where did i ever say that Farhat Hashmi was sitting in the parliament ?
“i can think of Farhat Hashmi for one and so many of the MMA ladies sitting in the parliament.”
The word AND separated Ms Farhat Hashmi from the MMA ladies.
sheesh ! talk about skimming through and making hasty comments !
[quote post="712"]What in your opinion is the yardstick for judging a scholar?[/quote]
My Yardstick is “Quran and Sunnah of Muhammad[saw]“, what’s yours? and mind you, these are not my words. My Prophet(saw) told muslims 1500 years back in His(sAW) last sermon that He(saw) was leaving behind Quran and His(SAW) Sunnah for Ummah. As long as followers lead life according to them, they are safe. Look, I repeated several times all 4 Imams of Sunni Fiqh clearly ordered their followers to reject anything in their teaching if it’s not according to Quran and Sunah. When those great scholars said something like this then what’s the worth of others?
It was very basic thing and I think every one who claims to be a muslim should have idea about this.
[quote post="712"]What do you think about the burqa. Does Islam prescribe it or is it a distortion of religion[/quote]
Quran talks about a generic term “Sattar” and Allah clearly explained the Sattar of Both men and women. Quran was sent for all times not for time of Muhammad(SAW) only. This is something which is unlike Bible was sent for Children of Israel only and basically talks about things happened at that time. No where in Quran Allah said that muslims should wear typical Arabic dress otherwise they are not muslims because Allah knew more than us that people of different culture will accept Islam and they would follow their cultural dresses as well. So Allah came up with a generic term to cover the body for both men and women. So whether one wears jeans or Shalwar, Burqa or modern style Ibaya and Hijab, as long as they are compatible with rules of Allah, they are acceptable.
Same generic concept was given for age of marriage as well. No where in Quran or Sunnah mentioned that a girl should marry after x age.Islam gave a generic rulet hat girl should marry when she reaches to puberty which I think called “Balooghat” in urdu which means that a girl is able to get married after that certain image,the least limit. This is the reason you don’t find a uniform age of marriage in all states of America(Ref:,http://www.coolnurse.com/marriage_law s.htm) because climate plays a major role in this process. At the time of Muhammad(saw), arab women used to carry babies at age of 60s and 70s which is not common these days. Non-muslims who tries to offend our Prophet(saw) and called him pedophile due to His marriage with Ayesha(RA) are too ignorant about this puberty process. The prophet(saw) didn’t violate any scientific and Islamic law at the time when he got married
with Ayesha(RA).
So those who think that Islam is not compatible with modern era or laws given 1400 years back are not compatible with modern times are “ignocent” as they are not aware about the things which they try to discuss on public matters
Though I wasn’t planning on jumping into the middle of this fight, but in order to understand the points of view on both sides, I have a couple of questions for both Adnan and Nasir.
* What in your opinion is the yardstick for judging a scholar?
* What do you think about the burqa. Does Islam prescribe it or is it a distortion of religion?
I am asking the above questions to understand your views, so I hope you guys will try to answer (if you choose to reply) to the questions without putting me under any lables like liberal, mullah etc.