Adil Najam
The news is developing by the moment. But the bottom-line is clear. The security forces have taken control of the Lal Masjid from militants after a severe gun-battle. But the story is far from over.
It will continue to unfold. There are too many unanswered questions. They will certainly be asked and discussed threadbare; here at ATP and elsewhere. But the real story of tomorrow remains the same as the real story of yesterday. Can a society that is so deeply divided against itself learn the lessons of tolerance? This question will continue to haunt us well into the future, in multiple shapes, in multiple forms, in multiple contexts.
This is a question that we at ATP have confronted from our very beginning and will continue to confront. But now is not the time to ponder on this. Even though what has happened had become inevitable over the last many days, I am too heartbroken to be able to do so.
Right now I can think only of Muzammil Shah (photo, from Associated Press, above). This photo was taken as he waited for his son who was inside the Lal Masjid. I do not know whether his son was there voluntarily, or as hostage. But I do know what the look of Muzammil Shah’s face means. The more important question is whether his son came out alive or not. I pray that he did.
Analysts – me included – will discuss what happened at length. They will try to understand the meaning of all this. What does this mean for Pakistan politics? What does this mean for Gen. Musharraf’s future? What does this mean for Islam? For Democracy? Does the fault lie with Abdul Rashid Ghazi and his militant supporters for creating a situation that could only end this way? Why did he not surrender? Is the blood of everyone who died not on his head for his stubboness and arrogance? Or, maybe, it is the government that is to blame because it did not act earlier? Act differently? Waited just a few days more for a negotiated solution?
Right now all these questions seem really petty and small. This is not the time for scoring cheap political points. This is not the time for spin.
Moreover, there are too many questions to ask. To answer. The head hurts as you think of them. But the heart hurts even more as you look at the face of Muzammil Shah.
Maybe the only really important question is the one that you can read between his wrinkles: “Why? Oh God, why? Why must things happen this way?”
Adnan i have no problem with disagrreing with Edhi. But you used offensive language like “bable”.
Quaid-e-Azam was lucky he died in one year otherwise this “THANKLESS” nation would have thrown him in sea.
Edhi is not the most intellectual person we have but he is far better then many “coffe-house” intelctuals specially of the type who give comments here.
AFAIK, edhi was NOT part of deligation which was busy in negotiation late night so technically his or anyone else’s statement who was not present is not credible at all.
Edhi is not god, atleast not for me. Nobody denies his social activities but it doesn’t give freedom to babble about anything and poke his nose in every matter. It means if I am good in my field of computer engineering, I should be credible to give statements against all medical doctors just because the softwares I made were helpful for humanity. Doesn’t it sound stupid?
Why he will lie?
Which lie? if you READ again what I said, i only commented on statement “Molvis don’t listen”. So I don’t know where did you get distracted while you were reading my response.
Stop being emotional. When you guys can criticize prophets and Islam in the name of freedom then I also can comment , a legible comment about Edhi or anyone else.
society is not to be attained by regressing into a centuries’ old way of living
Bilal, would you define “Old way of living” for poor souls like me to understand the term you liberals often use to put some weight in statements?
Do Islam prohibits taking part in any modern day activities like driving car,swimming,workout, getting higher education,gathering with other people/muslims, R&D in science and technology and other fields? Can you tell where in Islam it was mentioned that Muslims lead life in tents and don’t live in modern buildings? Tell me what non-molvis has done for the betterment of Pakistan? what You have done for betterment of this country? It’s such absurd statement to blame molvis for our own weakness and Nalaiqi. Fact of the matter is that Pakistani nation,regardless of religious association is not interested in advancement and they always prefer shortcuts to move forward. When a MIT graduate like you make such statements then I am forced to compare mentality with mentality of people like Bugti, leghari & wasim sajjad who got education in Oxford but their thinking power is not more bigger than a peanut. Come out of delusion, this is not 19th century when molvis gave fatwa against english neither you are in you grade 6 anymore when you were used to study “Pakistan Studies”, this is 2007. Nobody in Pakistan gave fatwa against research work and other things. The fact is that people who have hardly any association with religion did nothing in any field because they were not capable to do anything in their life. If they would have done anything then todays Pakistan was much better shape. I always considered Saudia a backward country who don’t like advancement but reality is saudia is more organized country than Pakistan and their transport and other infrastructure is way better than Paksitan. In your backward saudia,people don’t violate laws and they stop cars on red light. That day I learnt that problem is not in Muslims, problem is in us ,as a nation which is kamchor and nikammi.
I don’t expect from you but I personally know several practised muslims in my own field of computer engineering who are doing best in religion as well as in their fields. Not only in Pakistan but in US as well. Dude, things like Miswak, Beard,keeping shalwar above ankles are really not obstacles at all. If such things were hurdles then jews should have stopped wearing their famous tiny cap and sikhs would have gotten rid their famous turban. The real hurdle in the advancement is mentality and when I say people like wasi zafar,durrani or tariq azeem who have NO relation with religion then it strengthens my point of view further that ignorance is not dependent on any religion or culture, it just exist in a person.
If modern day of living is vulgarity,drinking whine, copying crap of west then i can just feel pity for you.
Come out of your dadajan’s era. Things have changed alot. Now young guys and girls are just not following religion but also doing best in their respective fields as well. Not only in Pakistan but entire muslim world. Todays in OPENSOURCE world, I see more and more softwares in Arabic and farsi. Main linux apps and distros are being translated in local languages while I don’t see such things in Pakistan. I am on ARABEYES mailing list and I am well aware how much are they moving ahead. If religion/molvis was the issue then guys were not able to do anything. Things are changing in Pakistan as well. Come karachi and I will show you such people whic might help to enlighten you. Infact you should spend some time with jews and christians in US,we muslims are not credible for you but hopefully they would be able to teach you how religion and modern world could go in parallel. Mr.Spielberg and Mr.Bachan, I am sure you would have seen their movies. They are not called ancient just because they practise and project their respective religions.
Hadd hoti hai yaar. Sharam karo. Just to make a point about your preference you are even disrespecting the one (maybe only) Pakistani who has actually done something for Pakistan and who keeps giving. Don’t drag Edhi sahib’s reputation into this jihadi propaganda. He commands respect and is creditable because he has EARNED IT. The day anyone else does even one percent of what Edhi has done maybe they will command respect too. Maybe you should read the link Najam has in his comment and read the comments there to see why he is respected.