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 ‘dramaâ⠂¬Ëœ 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. ‘Nuttersâà ¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ 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 enlightenmentâ€℠¢. 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.
Gaahhh… criticism of the veil!!!
Delete this post, pray for forgiveness and hide in your homes… The curse of the Mullah is about to begin…
These Mullahs only have the freedom that we as a society give them. Unfortunately, we are too illiterate regarding Islam that we solely rely on the fatwas of these Mullahs and give them total freedom to violate individual rights as they see fit.
After 911 enemies of Islam are trying to downgrade the religion. They named real Muslims terrorists, they have made beard a symbol of terrorism and they have made veil a symbol of old times. We have also been trapped and helping them to promote their agenda. Now we can see girls and boys are being asked about their boy and girlfriends on media.
It’s our tragedy that we are forgetting our values and adopting enemy of Islam’s thinking and this is exactly their plan.
Satire could be on so many other issues, why it is on veil? Why we try controvercial subjects. Their are lot current problems in our society e.g corruption, bribery, traitory etc etc and we can write a play on these issues.
Double standards should be handled with cross brows at every stage and every where this is the satin of our time. Thanks for eye opener on BurQaVaganza, otherwise not so much is heard about it on media!
Unbelievable. Do the MMA even understand satire? What a disappointment that the radicals can so easily get something censored when they don’t want people to hear it.
It is obvious that Pakistani society is going through a cultural debate. Religious-conservatives on one side and secular-liberals on other. Burqa may become the focal point in this controversy. Lets hope no one gets killed in the process. Neither Burqa nor the liberals.