Editorial

Dr. Busharat Elahi Jamil – Assistant Editor

Horrifying state supported uncontrolled religious aggression, extremism and fanaticism is gradually representing the face of Pakistan. Islam, a religion of Peace and Love, is being used for demolition, hate, terror and blood-shed. Law enforcement agencies are playing lecherous and onlookers.  The majority population of the Islamic state, the official Muslims, are religiously depressed but have strong religious sentiments which give extremists ample opportunities to misleading the illiterate and manipulate them towards killings of the innocents both Muslims and non-Muslim citizens of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The incidents of brutal killings in the name of religion (Islam) are frequently occurring and mostly behind these incidents are fanatic Mullahs of Tahrik-i-Labaik are found to be the mastermind. The oblivious leadership of Tahrik-i-Labaik are openly instigating the ignorant people against certain stratums, communities and religious minorities. No doubt, now Pakistani ‘official Muslims’ have become awfully unrestrained and dangerous enough to make the state kneel before them.

 In fact, in most of the cases; it is often proved that there is no religious issue behind the cases of blasphemy but only materialistic, financial, business, political or property matters registered in the name of religion to exploit the religious sentiments blindly subjecting to one’s personal agendas. This is truly the worst form of religious authoritarianism in the so-called Islamic democratic state (Islamic Republic).

Like many other sects in Islam, Ahmadis also hold their beliefs believing to be the true face of Islam notwithstanding the state sponsored extreme opposition. The recent incidents of Sargodha against Christians, Ahmadis in Mandi Bahaudin and Swat are extremely miserable and alarming. Tahrik-i-Labak’s gatherings and speeches particularly against Ahmadis before Eid-ul-Adha were not something should have gone unnoticed.  Evidentially, the criminal negligence and silence by the Administration and actions against Ahmadis off-putting them to perform their religious obligations even withing the boundaries of their homes, put question mark on the writ of the State and the rights of the citizens in Pakistan. Local and international human right agencies and individuals with conscience are also heavily condemning the above horrifying incidents.

Ahmadis are the most suffering community. Since April 1984, total 549 Ahmadis have been booked for posing as Muslims, 176 taken for using Islamic epithets, 862 arrested for preaching, 334 charged under blasphemy laws and generally 1273 Ahmadis prisoned on religious grounds. Overall minorities have a deep sense of insecurity and restlessness. Therefore, tiny communities and non-Muslims are fleeing the Country. 

State should play its role to contain the situation and observe the writ of the State. Persecution, discrimination and injustice should be condemned and stopped. State should take solid steps towards improving the situation. Above incidents are also damaging the image of Pakistan. Islam is the religion of peace so it should be practised to observe the true teachings of Islam which only promote harmony among differences and educate the individuals to respect the humanity at its principal setting a proper and popular Islamic society.