Adil Najam
Ordinarily, I might have just posted this photograph below as a comment on yesterday’s post on Diwali celebrations in Karachi (also here). But please, just look at the people in this photograph; its way too interesting to be relegated to a comments section.
The occasion is a Diwali celebration at the Islamabad Headquarters of the Pakistan Muslim League, standing (and clapping) extreme left is Syed Mushahid Hussain, Secretary General of the Pakistan Muslim League, next to him is Ijaz ul Haq (Minister of Religious Affairs, and son of Gen. Zia ul Haq), fourth from left is Tariq Azim, State Minister for Information.
The Daily Times (31 October, 2006) provides more details of the event:
Members of the Hindu community from across the country participated in the event where they performed their religious rituals and traditional dances in candlelight to mark the event… A number of office bearers of the party and ministers, including PML Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Syed, Minister for Religious Affairs Ijaz-ul-Haq, State Minister for Information Tariq Azim, Minister for Minorities Affairs Mushtaq Victor and members of the National Assembly (MNAs) Bindara, Donia Aziz, Akram Masih Gill and others were present on the occasion. Officials of the Indian High Commission also participated in the event.
Hussain said that Quaid-e-Azam had envisioned a Pakistan where all the religious minorities enjoyed equal rights. He underlined the importance of inter-faith harmony for the greater prosperity of the nation and announced that the PML would also celebrate the birthday of Baba Gurunanak next week. He said that the minorities played a vital role in building any nation. He said that the present government was allocating high importance to giving all minorities’ equal. Hindus are playing a leading role in country’s economic development and the present government will leave no stone unturned to ensure their safety and well being, he added.
This is, of course, a political gesture – some might even say a gimmick. But if so, let us have more such gestures and gimmicks. They will, in time, hopefully help change our perceptions and treatment of religious minorities in Pakistan.
[quote comment=”6180″]…we are about peace, tolerance and diversity…
[/quote]
Ahem…isn’t it too early to jump to that conclusion on just one event?
Indeed a positive step. It shows that we are about peace, tolerance and diversity all signs of good Muslim leadership.
Funny thing about the picture is that Mr. Ijaz ul Haq seems like doing some kind of ‘pooja’ while in fact I think he is just clapping…lol
Hate to be the cynic all the time but…
Positive step indeed but what brought about this change? Sadly 9/11 and the subsequent blame on Muslims for being extremists/terrorist etc. Is it not possible to do something good on our own just because it is the right thing to do? What about women rights for example? Do we need for world to pressurise us into accepting it too? Can’t we think for ourselves, do right and feel good about it that we did it on our won and not because someone told us?
A very positive step in my opinion.
I should add that a reader had alerted us to this picture last night and the post was written then and times for appearance today. Overnight, reader YLH posted the news item as a comment on yesterday’s Diwali celebrations post.
We are greatful to both, and thank readers who send us story ideas…. please keep them coming (you may also use the About ATP tab to send in suggestions on this or other issues related to the blog).