Amongst the 152 who died in last Wednesday’s tragic crash of Air Blue flight were six members of the Youth Parliament. All death in this tragedy were sad. The death of these talented youth with aspirations of building a better Pakistan was no exception. Maybe it was tragedy compounded. But the story of one of them is sadder even than the others – and because of what happened to him after he died!
This is the story of Prem Chand, a bright young social worker from Sanghar (Sindh), one of the members of Youth Parliament, and one of those who died on the ill-fated AirBlue flight 202. His death – like the death of everyone on that flight – was a matter of national tragedy; the treatment of his dead body a matter of national disgrace.
According to news reports in The News and The Express Tribune young Prem Chand’s coffin was marked “Kafir” – a word that literally means ‘infidel’ or ‘non-believer’ but is mostly used as a serious slur in Pakistan. Literally labeling someone’s coffin as “Kafir” and not even giving them the respect to list their religion by its proper name, is a shameful and disgusting way to disrespect the last remains of anyone. All the more so the last remains of a patriotic Pakistani who was on that plane solely to represent Pakistan and to seek to be a better Pakistani – he was on his way to the ‘session’ of the Youth Parliament!
According to The News:
The members of Youth parliament [on the day following the crash] protested against the marking of the coffin of one of their colleague Prem Chand as ‘Kafir.’ “It was shocking. He could have been marked as Hindu or non-Muslim, but using the word ‘Kafir’ is the worst example of intolerance,” said MYP Muneeb Afzal.
The Express Tribune writes:
Ehsan Naveed Irfan is a member of the youth parliament and he is the one who identified Prem Chand’s body. He told me that his coffin was marked as “Kafir” first with black and then outlined with red to make it more prominent. He told me that he and his friends removed it with a marker and wrote “We love you – from the youth parliament” instead.
A friend of Prem Chand made this comment on Syed Ali Abbas Zaidi’s blog:
I am Muneeb Afzal, a Member of Youth parliament of Pakistan and a Colleague and Friend of Late Prem Chand. An extremely hard-working person he was a symbol of tolerance. My last communication with him was on night before the Air Crash, he gave his greetings to me on occasion of 15th of Shabaan.
At PIMS fortunately another friend of ours was there when Prem’s Cousin Nanik Das came to search for his body, he quickly hid the tag ‘kafir’ by putting marker lines on it, so that Prem’s family which is already suffering from great grief does not have to bear more hurt. Although later at a memorial session where media was present I criticized the inhumanity and intolerance of those who did this shameful act. I felt this was my duty to my late friend Prem Chand that I make it clear to the world that we condemn this act of intolerance and narrow mindedness. But a lot of my other colleagues have since objected to my speaking out, believing that my saying this and this news spreading in media would add to hurt of Prem’s family, and in a way they are right too. I would like you all to also keep this in mind as well…
This was probably not an official act or some state sponsored standard procedure. It is much more likely that this was an act of some sick minded individual. But it is still important for the authorities to investigate and punish those responsible, and set an example for future. Intolerance must not be tolerated. To tolerate it, or justify it, is to accept it. The authorities need to take responsibility for this incident and why it happened at all; no matter who did it. After all, it is the state of Pakistan – and we as a society – which creates the conditions in which the persecution of minorities thrives at various levels, directly and indirectly; and that is what gives individuals license to go even further – including such shameful acts.
Author’s Note: My deepest apologies to friends and family members of Prem Chand and my fellow Pakistanis from others faiths (Pakistani Hindus in particular), specially those who may not have heard of this yet and for whom this incident will no doubt be deeply painful. But we must raise our voice and condemn such acts. The one lesson that Pakistan’s history teaches us is that discrimination and intolerance must never be tolerated.
Thank you to ATP editors for catching this lying @#$%. I say this because even though this happens all the time on the internet, this was really disgusting because this low-life, whoever he is, was trying to throw oil on a fire and creating even more hate.
But I really have to wonder, why do we fall for this even when we know it happens so often. Why do so many people fall for what these lowlife people want them to do. I guess that lowlife is now laughing at himself for having suckered Paksiatnis into badmouthing themselves and making themsleves look even worse than they are. We have some real deep problems, but we are really not that bad and should focus more on solving our problems than on falling for these cheap tricks.
I am very impressed by ATP Editors and very happy that they have taken the trouble and time to figure this out and to clean that lying filth out.
Earlier, I saw some of these comments and my blood boiled. I could not believe that anyone with Muslim sounding names and seem like Pakistanis could say those things. It was like they hated Pakistan more than anything else. The thought crossed my mind that I should reply to them like others were, but then I thought why should I dignify this filth with answers.
But the real question is, who would do this?
I really do not think it is the religiously motivated people saying this. I have been following the comments on your FB page, where it is the religiously motivated people arguing that ‘kafir’ is a technical term and not meant to be an insult (I think that argument is bogus), but they are NOT defending insulting a dead person and they are also all agreeing that what happened to the coffin was a disgrace. These comments that I saw this afternoon were different because they all seemed to attack Pakistan rather than what happened and seemed to keep saying that since this country was made in the name of religion so it was against minorities.
I do not usually believe in conspiracy theories, but I do think this is much more likely some Indian fanatic (we have our own fanatics like this too) trying to score a quick point against Pakistan by hiding behind false names to make Pakistan and Islam look even more bad.
I do not know if it was or not, but I do think that whoever tried to do this by spreading this hatred is as bad as teh whoever wrote ‘Kafir’ on Prem Chand’s coffin. So, Mr. IP Address 98.227.180.140, Shame on you!
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Readers will note that a large number of comments, all of them similar and all of them arguing that somehow writing ‘kafir’ on Prem Chand’s coffin was the ‘proper’ and ‘right’ thing to do have been removed. We have removed these NOT as an act of censorship (other, much fewer, comments with similar ideas have been retained and some from our Facebook Page have been reproduced here) but because they were an act of lying and fraud.
ALL OF THEM CAME FROM THE SAME IP ADDRESS WITH MULTIPLE FAKE NAMES (i.e., they were lies) AND THEY DID NOT EVEN ORIGINATE IN PAKISTAN (It is a US IP address, based in Evanston, Illinois: 98.227.180.140). Indeed, they were an example of the worst form of trolling. They were purposely planted to give the impression that lots of Pakistanis were bigoted and, indeed, as you will see too many people took the bait and did exactly what those comments wanted them to do.
We have also taken down comments responding directly to these lying comments (or removed those parts of the comments which were direct responses to the offensive comments), but we have not taken down comments that are more general in nature because there are, indeed, serious problems of intolerance in our midst. That, after all, was the point of the post. What is striking is that once you take away the multiple comments from that one IP address, the balance of opinion becomes very very different. This is, indeed, an extreme measure and one which we have taken because some extreme limits were crossed here – and, just like the writing on Prem Chand’s coffin, they were crossed for the express purpose of spreading hatred.
None of the above changes the essence of this post or the fact that there are bigots who would do acts like this. Indeed, that was the point of the original post. And that point remains as valid as it was before. But let us use our anger at this bigotry to rid our society of the bigotry, instead of ourselves becomes tools for bigots of a different kind!
P.S. On our Facebook Page, there are also a few who hold opinions different from those expressed in this post, but they repeat the argument under the same name (on the Facebook thread, people have commented with the same view multiple times); We do not agree with those views but do not intend to censor it for that reason. In this case, however, there was a clear case of deception and lies (using multiple names to propagate the same message) to create a false impression purposefully.
P.P.S. We have also removed two other comments, with the opposite view which came from the same IP address but clearly used different names to suggest that their view was more widely held!
Read ATP Comment Policy here: http://pakistaniat.com/atp-comment-policy/
More comments from the ATP Facebook page:
– “It is only up to Allah to decide who is a kaafir and who is not. We have no right to label anyone!”
– “ome What I agree with u.. tht he could have been labeled as Hindu, but wht im trying to convey here is tht Kafir is not an Abusive statement.
No kid im not kidding, Kafir is as abusive as u been Called a Muslim. No matter where and how u fit the word Kafir it can not be abusive.
Even i can go on calling u Jerk, Dumb, crack head etc. (plz dnt bother to chk up the dictionary, im sure u must be aware of the meaning) but i wont.. Cuz such words r abusive.
I was already aware tht ppl like u r present among us so for u so called Muslims i quoted Quran as an reference but Strange u r still denying… May Allah Help u n guide u, thts all i can say.
As far as Kafir been written on his cofin was concrnd, We live in an islamic state where bodies r treated under the islamic belifs, if some is not muslims and some one mentioned it on his cofin Wus the Big Deal..
Why r Non-Muslims r ashamed of being called Non-Muslims or Kafirs. Well if they r, They r most Welcome to Islam.
Yep Sis we r taught to do so, its obligatory in our religion to Guide the Misguided and Promote Truth, But its also a fact tht Truth is Bitter in taste, so ppl cant handle it easily but As our Holy Quran Says: “When truth is hurled against falsehood, falsehood perishes, for falsehood by its nature is bound to perish.” (Quran 17:18)”
– “”Why r Non-Muslims r ashamed of being called Non-Muslims or Kafirs. Well if they r, They r most Welcome to Islam”. “Wus the Big Deal”
What condescending statements! Who said they are ashamed? Dignity should be accorded to all people irrespetive of their religion.I think for the sake of your argument it would be more appropriate to quote from the Holy Quran where it says that coffins should be labelled as kaafir as opposed to selecting verses that no one was arguing against in the first place.”
– “kafir is absolutely an abusive term and used as such in Pakistani society. If indeed you are as great a Muslim as you pretend to be then have respect for human beings, not just “Muslims”.”
– “he Prophet (PBUH) said, “Near the establishment of the Hour there will be days during which Religious Ignorance will spread, knowledge will be taken away (vanish) and there will be much Al-Harj (killing)” Sahih Bukhari.
Quran often addresses non-believers as non-believers (Kafirs)
Those who do not rule in accordance with GOD’s revelations are the disbelievers.[5:44]
Those who do not rule in accordance with GOD’s revelations are the wicked. [5:47]
Those who do not rule in accordance with GOD’s revelations are the unjust. [5:45]
These are just few of many verses in Quran, There’s a full Chapter in Quran in which Allah is addressing Non-Believers directly
109. Al-Kafirun (The Disbelievers) “kul’ya’aiuhal’kafirun Say, “O disbelievers”…
Again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPmOeqU8CvE Kafir is not an abusive word, its a word of Arabic Language means (Non-Believers), and it is used by Allah in Quran to address Non-Believers..
I feel sorry for all u guys here who are arguing on such a Clear point of Islam, there’s no difference of opinion on this matter in any sect of Islam, still u’re arguing on it… what a shame!
Al-Qur’an: Indeed, the transgressors have followed their own opinions, without knowledge. Who then can guide those who have been sent astray by GOD? No one can ever help them [30:29]..
Note: This conversation has nothing to do with Prem Chand (Late) and his family, i feel sorry for his loss nd my sympathies r wid his family…”
– ” mery bhai ye kaun si batain ho rahi hain.That was mistake of one compounder or clerck not of the system or bla bla………,Who is not giving the equal rights?Who is disgracing?Khuda k liye hamain hosh k nakhun lene chahiein.Media persons,Govt. aur hr shehri ne dukh ka izhaar kia hai us family k saath.I think ye article likhney wala yahi chahta tha,k hum aapis main uljhain aur humari international level pe insult ho.jis main wo kamyab ho gia.ALLAH HUM PE RAHEM KARY.”
– “Propaganda against Pakistan and Pakistani Nation.The purpose of this article is to put us down, nothing else.”
– “I Pray deep from the core of my heart May Allah SWT guide the misguided… AAmeen”
– “People i feel equally sad for the guy to be labelled as Kafir and not Hindu…but that does not mean you misinterpret your own religion. Kafir is not abusive…it means non-believer…please dont touch the extremes in the name of ENLIGHTENING ISLAM. The bottom line is Prem Chand’s body should have been labled as HINDU and that should be the subject of our discussion here. And what Abdullah says is logical based, if you disagree, go and read and bring your own logical based argument. God bless us all including Prem Chand.
This is an issue with us Muslims and Pakistanis…we never let go a chance of creating our own arguments…its high time to have a thing called NATIONALISM and BROTHERHOOD. Pleae tolerate each other at least in public places.”
– “There were go again bickering amongst ourselves what to do wrt religion, what did Allah say, what did Quran say, who is more Pakistani and what label should be given to the dead. WAKE UP, the guy’s dead! he lost his life and his family has to live with this reality for the rest of their lives. Can’t you all see that? Forget religion for a brief moment (Allah won’t blast you with lightening -relax) and share Prem Chand’s family’s grief in thoughts atleast and let him and his memory be. Be human for a change and give faith a rest.”
– “may i request you not to have arguments here with volitale natured…they are pissed enough to react irrationaly…they are adults and know what is right and wrong…my only concern is that here we are giving rise to those flames that are better undone otherwise…its like kissi ko bilawaja gunehgaar honay ka moqa daina. I mean this is a pity that we dont understand even what Kafir means. So please lets just ignore.”
– “reading some of the comments here is sickening!! even in death you guys can’t leave minorities alone,even in death they have to be subjected to your hate & bigotry.”
– ” I am a practicing Muslim, living in USA. I agree with everyone who expressed their anger over the ill treatment of Prem Chand’s coffin. I think as a Muslim we must respect all the faiths and people from other religion as Allah’s beloved Prophet SAW said, don’t even curse the false Gods of Mushrikeen, they may not curse your true God in return otherwise”. I think Prem Chand is supposed to be given an honorable and respectful funeral and I will stand by Pakistan’s Youth Parliament organization. Please accept my condolence of not only the loss of 152 lives, as well as Prem Chand’s death but my sadness on the ill treatment of Prem Chand’s coffin. May Allah guide us all. Whatever “Kafir” means being Muslim we all know but since it is a disgraceful word in the Subcontinent so this word was not supposed to be used.”
– “Sis i really appreciate ur thought, and yep u r right.
Guys im really sorry if i hurt anyone’s feelings though my intention was not tht, but i also got a bit harsh to the harsh comments in reply, which i should have not. I was never trying to de-garde anyone whether Muslim or Non-Muslim, dead or alive, islam gives equal right to every human, So should we muslim respect and treat everyone with respect, regardless of religion.
I was just trying to convey that the word kafir is been wrong interpreted here, which un-intentionally lead to have hurt u ppl. Im sorry again for this.
Even I feel sorry for every single person tht died in tht plane crash,
May Allah SWT have Mercy on those poor families they left behind. Aameen.”
– “Anyone who has grown up in Pakistan knows that ‘kafir’ has connotations that extend far beyond the literal meaning. You don’t refer to someone as a ‘kafir’ out of respect; it is a term meant to offend, ostracize, and denigrate. In a deeply religious society such as ours, it is perhaps the worst insult you can hurl at someone.
Being Pakistani is so closely tied with being Muslim (let’s not forget the ‘Pakistan ka matlab kya hai’ nonsense) that impugning someone’s religious identity is tantamount to rejecting them as Pakistani.
In my eyes, Prem Chand is a Shaheed. He dedicated his life to the uplift and development of this country and lost his life on a trip which was part of that lifelong struggle to improve Pakistan.
How sad that even in death, there is no dignity for Pakistan’s non-Muslim citizens. This country truly is hell on earth for religious minorities.”
– “really sad this deleberate crime hurted family of poor soul more than his death pakistan doesnt belong to muslims only all minorities are equally pakistani as any ordinary muslim pakistani……….quaid e azam muhammad ali jinnah founder of pakistan his statements are on record”
– “I Am Shocked to See This Much Of Religious Ignorance..
meray bhai, kisi k Pakistan main paida honay ya na honay say Deen nai badlay ga.. Alhamdolilah Deen wahi rahay ga jo 1400 saal pehlay Allah nay humaray liye mukamal kar diya hay, or InshaAllah ta Qiyamat ismain koie tabdili nai aye gi.. Kash humnay Thora Quran or Sahi Hadees ko parha hota to aaj humain apny Mazhab ka pata hota, Humain Pata Hota k what is the True Definition of Kafir and what is the True Definition of Shaheed……… Astaghfirullah Astagfirullah Astaghfirullah………”
– “OMG look at us, i really feel shame for us muslims where r we going. All u up there u clearly remember that u are a human, ok! good thing one should be human but
Why are u a dam HUMAN?
Who has created u?
What are the demands of ur creator?
As a muslim we have strong believe that Allah is our only creator and QURAN is His word, Plz be informed Quran comes 1st then humanity.
And also not to forget there is not a Single vers of Quran or teaching of islam that is against Humanity. To be a good or best Human u have to be a Good Muslim. The best Human ever came on this face of Earth Was Holy Prophet Mohammad PBUH. I hope all of u agree to my this logic by now.
Now i feel sorry for those who are ignorant of the islamic teachings, i see many up there who r seeking forgiveness for Prem Chand, Praying for Allah’s mercy for him, Well i also feel pain for the Guy’s death, his family But am also aware of the Teaching of Islam which is:
Abu Taalib, the uncle of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) died a kaafir (non-Muslim), and Allah forbade His Prophet to pray for forgiveness for him, even though he used to defend the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said in his poems: “I do know that the religion of Mohammad is better than all other religions of mankind; were it not for fear of blame or slander, you would find me accepting it completely.”
it is impermissible (haram) to make dua for forgiveness and the like for a non-Muslim, for Allah Most High said, “It is not for the Prophet and those who believe to pray for the forgiveness of unbelievers even though they may be near of kin after it has become clear that they are people of hell-fire.” [Qur’an, 9: 113]
“And pray you never over any of their dead, and not stand over his grave. No doubt, they rejected Allah and His Messenger and died while they were disobedient.” [Qur’an, 9: 84]
But, Nawawi (Allah have mercy on him) stated in his al-Adhkar that… it is permitted to pray for guidance for non-Muslims, good health well-being, but for living ones.
We no doubt r Pakistani but not to forget we r Muslims first. We should love our country and its fellow men but should stay in the limits of Islam.”
This episode is a reflection of Pakistan in general. Chaos persists even when we are dealing with victims of a tragedy. I will not reflect further on the bigoted and despicable act of labeling the remains of this promising young Pakistani a kafir. However, I do want to understand why was it that there was no one to manage the whole process. It is quite evident that the labeling of caskets was left to clerical staff who were not monitored. I am assuming (and maybe I shouldn’t) that a mid level officer from the civil aviation or any other concerned department would have realized the mistake and corrected it. On the other hand is the argument that we as a nation are ignorant of right and wrong when it comes to the minorities or have-nots. Regardless, I am sickened by this act and hope that this becomes a teaching moment for our country. The pessimist in me is not holding his breath.