Adil Najam
The cowardly suicide attack on the Danish Embassy in Islamabad which has led at least eight people dead is not just an attack on a foreign embassy in Pakistan, it is an attack on Pakistan.
There is and there can be no excuse for this dastardly action, and to make excuses is to become part of the apparatus of validating the terror itself. There are those who will make misplaced claims about this being an act of ghairat (honor). Let us be very clear, this is a bay-ghairat (dishonorable) act, no matter what the concocted excuse or justification might be.
The Associated Press pictures above (and below) tell the story of hate and destruction; here are the details, from The News:
The death toll in a huge blast near Danish embassy in F-6 II area in the Red Zone of the federal capital Islamabad on Monday has reached to eight, while seven wounded said to be in a critical condition. The car blast near the Denmark embassy damaged a boundary wall of the building, while nearby UNDP office premises were also damaged in the blast. According to sources 10 to 15 kilogram explosives were used in the blast, which also shattered the vehicles parked in the area. Huge clouds of smoke were seen over the area. The blast created four feet deep crater sources said. Police have cordoned off the area to collect evidence about the incident. Relief operations were underway and the wounded being transferred to hospitals.
While leaders in Pakistan as well as Denmark have condemned the dastardly act, we the people of Pakistan also need to condemn and be outraged at this. These acts of venom and hate are being done in our name. And no matter what the cause we need to stand up and say that this cannot, must not, be allowed to happen in our name.
This is just the latest in a string of hate blasts across Pakistan, including in Islamabad. We at ATP have been worried and have been warning against this culture of violence that has been festering in Pakistan. ATP commentator Deeda-i-Beena has provided some thoughtful ideas of steps that can be taken to begin addressing this cancer. It is time we think of them seriously.
The slogans on the walls that ask for Death to some nationality or the other (for reasons that range from their very real oppressive and unforgiveable deeds (Guantanamo, Iraq, Palestine) to the publishing of cartoons and the making of films that provoke and inflame passions – albeit with no little instigation from fundamentalist preachers and politicians – are definite contributors to the current mental set.
Add to this irresponsible remarks by the likes of the widely respected Zakir Naik, who states that if Osama has actually waged a war against Americans (whom he refers to as the greatest terrorists) then he – Zakir – supports Osama. “All Muslims should be Terrorsits – against Terrorism”, he claims … without considering that the finer distinctions, if any, and his later elaborations following this statement are more than likely to be lost upon the extremist who will draw even more strength and support from such utterings.
It is important that those who hold large audiences in their palms besause of their charismatic powers – and this applies especially to those who speak from various pulpits and its variants – be absolutely clear and unequivocal in their condemnations of all such acts, adding no sub-clauses and reservations that could be misunderstood, misconstrued, or undermine such condemnations.
this is a criminal act and must be punished.
These killers of Pakistanis DO NOT speak for me as a Pakistani or a Muslim.
Power to the Mullahs.
I agree with your opinion that the people of pakistan need to stand up againts these cowardly acts whether in the danish embassy or elsewhere we can allow this to contnue furthur we need to tell the world who we really are and what islam is basically about i.e that is not voilence
You are exactly right. This is a bayghairat act!
It is against Pakistan and Pakistanis. As the pictures show those who are dying are Pakistanis and I applaud you for speaking up against this venom of hatred that these suicide murderers spread.