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 comment=”48651″][quote post=”712″]How many real scholars there are? I would love to know their names.[/quote]
If you would have bothered yourself to define the term “real scholar” as well then it could be helpful.
Also, I could take your statment in two different ways [/quote]
No, you can take my statement in only one way..if ‘who is a Real Scholar’ is debatable then it is premature to ask any one “How many scholars’ bayans have you heard in your real life?”. You can’t expect anyone to be wasting their time with someone who is not a real scholar.
Who do you consider a scholar btw? Give us a few names. Then you would be in a better position to ask anyone if they have listened to these “scholarsâ€
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[quote post=”712″]How many real scholars there are? I would love to know their names.[/quote]
If you would have bothered yourself to define the term “real scholar” as well then it could be helpful.
Also, I could take your statment in two different ways that is, either you have READ/LiSTENED none of people who are called “scholars” by others or have read worked of many people whic helped you to reach to some conlusion that “they are not scholars”. For Instance, I don’t know any name of Scientist who worked in the field of ‘Quantum Physics’ so i would comeup with a question like yours which is an ignorant statment But then.. I am considering you a person who would have read work of many people who are famous and you reached to some conclusion. I have not studied many but if I make a statment like you then I would specially mention their names.
So, I am waiting to hear how many people have you studied as yet?
Let us accept ….
We are a hypocratic society. The real reason for viel was to protect women’s identity. So that she would not be targeted by men. But why this mentality at all? The problem is with men. The western men, do not see women as mere sex object. they are more concerned about women’s knowledge, behaviour, etc. So, the women there do not need any burqa to protect their identity. In islamic countries, we do not let women go for higher education (higher education in pakistan means secondary education :) ), except in certain urban areas.
Let us accept that we men do not treat women well, therefore they have to cover themselves with their viel. A powerful and independent woman would never choose to cover her face with viel. Look at Benazir Bhutto for instance. She wants recognition. She is an independent woman. She does not hide her face behind the viel.
Only weak women seek protection under burqa. And as a society, we should start encouraging women not to cover their face. Let them be independent and be recognized.
Covering faces of women by viel is certainly not a step in right direction and it is never going to be a long term solution.
Pakistan Zindabad. Burqa Murdabad.
Looks like a wonderful play, can’t wait to get it on DVD. The publicity Ajoka is getting due to this ban is priceless.
Radicals always make noise at cultural development. It never stopped people from pursuing art in the past and it never will. The generation which Zia tried to create has come of age now (Lal mosque issue attests it). We need 20+ more years to undo the damage done in that decade.