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.
I agree- moreover, if this was also the result of Zawahiri’s video in April urging people to harm Danish targets everywhere following the cartoons – then I am quite frankly disgusted. Yes, the cartoon printed by the newspaper in Denmark was ignorant and offensive, but Muslims cannot react through violence – not only does it accomplish nothing, but it further reinforces negative stereotypes of Muslims and is detrimental to all of us who act as ambassadors for our religion. I provided coverage of the blast this morning as well (www.changinguppakistan.com), and the overarching aim of my site goes against the very premise of these acts.
ATP, was interested in who took the pictures accompanying this post – especially the one of the injured (or dead?) man? Was it an official press photo or taken by one of your correspondents on the ground? I’m just curious because I think it draws up interesting arguments about what images the press releases following a bomb blast.
I totally agree with you sentiments. These people who kill Pakistanis in the name of their perverted beliefs are enemies of Pakistan and enemies of Islam. We all have to speak out against them and to speak out against those who support them or their acts even in words.
It is rather unfortunate but the problem is very complex. Eliminating mullah is not the only solution – lack of education, poverty, civil rights, self worth, law enforcement, political institutions and host of other factors are at play. It will take a fairly long time to iron these kinks out but only if the entire nation is mobilized – this requires leadership and Pakistan does not have leaders or statesmen… A circular argument!
Blame the Govt!!!
For not educating the masses and people having to resort to Mullah Schools for education. What do you expect???
A country of literacy rate equivalent to 25-29% should expect these kinds of behavior expecially after the Soviets left Afghanistan. Our Govt. should have closed the Jihadi schools.
Forget buying tanks and fighter jets to defend ourselves from outside. We are killing ourselves from inside and yet our focus has not changed…. to help the poor and illiterate pakistanis.
We can all do our part by helping to support instituitions like
http://www.tcfusa.org/.
Stop talking and do something that will make a difference to our country.
TALK is Cheap and majority of Pakistanis are cheap if they don’t support schools in Pakistan.!!!
But there will be statements by some quarters– the Pakistani Observer, for one– that the Danes have brought on this themselves for publishing blasphemous cartoons in their newspaper.