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.
How do we do it ???
all of us …me included …
we read an item on this board , we discuss IT for a few posts and then we get into arguments that are in no way even remotely related to the original text ???
its a feat worth applauding !!
Having said that i cannot but help commenting on a post i read up there … i shall not take names because i think it becomes personell and rude then … but here is what it says …
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…….
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.
First of all men all over the world see women as sex objects … most men that is , it has nothing to do with the west or the east , it is a manufacturing fault with them. Had it been true for the men in the east only then there would be no rapes , no sexuall harressment in work places , no eve teasing etc in the west but we know for a fact that it is more there than here.
One cannot generalise what the powerfull woman would or would not choose to do , the power does not come from either covering her face or the way she dresses , it comes from within.
NO it is baseless to say that only weak women seek proection under the veil, I am sure we can point out many women who have been strong and powerfull behind the veil. I can think of the begum of Bhopal who ruled the state under a burqa , i can think of Farhat Hashmi for one and so many of the MMA ladies sitting in the parliament.
Last but not the least , i want to make it clear on behalf of all the women folk , as a society dominated by men , please do not encourage us for NOT COVERING OUR FACES … encourage us to do what we think is right for us , if you want us to be independant and recognised , let it be our prerogative on what we want to do.
As responsible citizens , we shall not let this society down… just stop with this condacending rhetro please .
PS: If you have so much confidence in Shia scholarship why not become a Shia? What is prohibiting you from doing that?
You obviously don’t have as much respect for their scholarship as you would have us believe. :)
sorry, correction: *How* desperately pathetic is that.
[quote]Few names are:
1)Allama Talib Jauhri
2)Irfan Haider Abdi
[/quote]
First of all it’s not few names only two. Second they are both shia…while you are a brelvi. Can’t find any “scholarâ€
It’s interesting how the secularists found a symbol of Islam (yes Burqa, Hijab, Turban, Topi, Kufi, Beard, etc. are ALL symbols of Islam whether you think they are legitimate or not — they have apparently become symbols) to mock and ridicule out of all the possibilities out there in terms of usage in a satirical play. Please don’t tell me this idea wasn’t taken from the recent upsurge in testing the Muslims ability to accept “Free speech” in the west.
The issue here is that the vision of the secularists is not necassarily a Pakistini one of a Muslim (whichever brand) one .. rather it’s one driven by Western ideals — which is fine with me as long as you don’t cloak yourself in the gown of Islam. Just stop discussing Islam for the benefit of society. Yes you have freedom to speak whatever you want — but talking on subjects on which you have little or no understanding only makes you look like fools.