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.
[quote]Several times Prophet[saw] asked His companions to verify some older event from Jews and Christians of Arab[/quote]
You are mixing different things. We are looking for genuine scholars of Islam. Jews and Christians were consulted only as an exception when no other venue was available; otherwise it is forbidden to follow Christians and Jews – read your Quran. The reason for your circus here is again that you are avoiding the original question.
[quote]Where on earth has written that one can’t consider people of other community respected enough?[/quote]
Your aain, baain, shain aside you have not come up with a single scholar’s name whose maslak you stand by. Shias and brelvis are water and oil…nothing less. Who are you kidding?
A good 70-80% of Muslim population is from Brelvi maslak, should not be difficult to bring at least a few hundred names. So why would you avoid your own larger community and bring example from a smaller (and kafir to some brelvis) community? Why are you embarrassed to bring any scholars from your own maslak? Kuch to hai jis kee parada daree hai…. :)
Run away if you must but this question remains unanswered…who do you consider scholars, people whose maslak you will stand by,…not just names that you use as a political stunt and have little in common with their faith and in another time would consider them almost outside Islam.
Rests of what you said are just personal attacks that Mullahs do when they are stuck for answer. Obvious sign of defeat.
MullahjiZindaRahoo! Forget Assalamalikum or anything else – this should be our greeting now. How many Mullahs must wear the Burkha? I mean its a fine way of them staring at Girls and boys without people thinking – what is the person behind the viel looking at?
menu/exit: if you want to see the real face of secularism/liberalism then just take a look at recent events in Turkey.
As far as why targetting Burqa, current event indicates that sooner or later, liberals and secularists need burqas to hide themselves as their Imams [Mr.mush] and mureed[Mr.Altaf]’s Karamats would force them to hide themselves in Burqas :-)
LOL!
As long as “jawans” like Nasir are in Secular cabal, they will be kept fooling by others :-). How old are you?
Where on earth has written that one can’t consider people of other community respected enough? Several times Prophet[saw] asked His companions to verify some older event from Jews and Christians of Arab, does that mean Prophet[saw] didn’t have faith in Islam or Allah? OR your all intentions were to offend me in name of scholars? I read work of Chomsky. Now your mighty wisdom would force you to comeup with something like “Hey! you like chomsky, why don’t you become a jew”?. hehe, you really made me laugh nasir.
it doesn’t matter these are shias, I do respect the way they teach to their community people. You *reminded* me that I am barelvi, thanks but my friend you also forgot that I always referred the work of Deobandi scholars =)
I don’t follow what Ghamidi preaches about but I do like the way he answers in his soft tone.
I knew you were not here to learn something. Your main purpose was to offend barelvis,deobandis or whatever I believe just because you don’t follow them. I already advised you not to continue trolling but “chuth ti nahi moo se ye kafir lagi huwi”, you didn’t quit your path.
As long as people like you are in cabals of liberalism and secularism, we’re not worried at all:-). People of your cabal are busy these days in karachi and in Islamabad to demonstrate *intellectuality* which they inherited from ancestors *grin*. I don’t think I have to respond you further as you have already exposed yourself enough like MQM got exposed in Karachi :-). Now chant “Hai Mullah! Hai Mullah” and get back to sleep.