Clear signals
The attack on Minister Kazmi suggests that religious parties are being warned off supporting further action against militancy.
On Wednesday, Minister for Religious Affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi left his office in Islamabad and was attacked by gunmen who managed to put a bullet in his leg, injure his bodyguard and, worst of all, kill his driver. Although no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, its modus operandi resembles the horrific attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March this year. As such, the attack seems aimed at giving the government a clear message: militants are back – and this time, with a vengeance.
Under any circumstances, an attack on a serving minister is an egregious transgression. Government officials are already insisting that there has been no security lapse, and that Minister Kazmi and his bodyguard and driver have fallen victim to a deliberate and sinister terrorist plot. Indeed, the interior ministry has announced that it had recently warned religious leaders of the threat of terrorist attacks.
But make no mistake: the significance of this attack extends beyond a flagrant disrespect for the cabinet of a popularly elected government and the rule of law. This attack is part of an effort by Pakistan’s militant networks to show that the recently concluded military operation in the Malakand division has not been as successful as the government and army claim.
It is worth noting that the attack on Minister Kazmi comes on the heels of Sunday’s suicide bombing at a police training centre in Mingora, in which 16 new recruits of the Community Police Force were killed. Before that, three soldiers were killed in a bomb attack at a security post on August 15. The surge in suicide bombings and targeted attacks is a way for the Taliban – now operating under Hakeemullah Mehsud – to let the Pakistani public know that they have not been deterred by the summer-long military offensive in the Swat Valley.
Moreover, the symbolism of the militants’ choice of a religious affairs minister as a target should not be lost on anyone. Up to now, security forces – along with their training centres, checkposts and equipment – have been the target of most terrorist attacks. These attacks have been framed as retaliation against military operations in the north-west.
When a religious leader is targeted, on the other hand, it is an attempt by militants to further the ideological dimension of their battle against the Pakistani state. By firing at Minister Kazmi, militants are not only drawing attention to the fact that they continue to operate in the country’s north-west, but they are also asserting that they have not lost sight of their ultimate mission: to impose their hard-line interpretation of Islam across Pakistan.
Barely two weeks ago, while addressing the Shan-e-Mustafa conference – held under the umbrella of the Markazi Milad Committee – in Mirpur, Minister Kazmi spoke out against the Taliban. He supported the military operation against militants in Swat and other part of the Frontier province and Fata and argued that countering terrorism was in the national interest. For condemning the violent tactics of the Taliban and saying that militancy defied the teachings of Islam, Minister Kazmi has now paid a price.
It probably doesn’t help that the minister is the son of Allama Syed Ahmad Saeed Kazmi, a prominent and well respected Sufi scholar who also participated in the Pakistan Movement. Hailing from a strong Sufi tradition, Minister Kazmi – in terms of his beliefs – is anathema to the militant ideology.
The timing of the attack on Minister Kazmi – days after he spoke out against the Taliban – evokes a strong sense of déjà vu. On June 12, Dr Sarfraz Naeemi lost his life in a suicide bombing at the Jamia Naeemia mosque in Lahore. He too was an influential and respected religious leader and an outspoken critic of the Taliban. At the time of his death, I wrote:
The fight against the Taliban is nothing less than a battle for the future of Islam and how the religion is to be practiced and interpreted in Pakistan…. Friday’s blast confirms that Pakistan’s militants are primarily on a broad ideological mission to impose, consolidate and spread their preferred interpretation of Islam.
Dr. Naeemi was not targeted by suicide bombers because he could offer them cash, territory, new recruits, communications technology or weapons. He was targeted because he opposed the Taliban ideology, consistently and brazenly. For opposing the Taliban ideology – and having the clerical clout that makes his opposition significant – Dr. Naeemi was killed.
For good or for bad, it’s time Pakistanis realised that once the dust settles in the wake of the Rah-e-Rast operation, the war against the Taliban will continue on ideological battlegrounds…. It is increasingly apparent that the struggle for a Pakistan free of militancy is conflated with a struggle over the soul of Islam. For that reason, in addition to military operations that target Taliban methodology (bombings, attacks, killings), the government – and the people of Pakistan – will have to jointly engage in ijtehad to devise a way to quash Taliban ideology.
The fact is, when the minister of religious affairs is targeted, it is not simply a terrorist attack – it is a bold ideological statement. It is an announcement, on the part of Pakistan-based militants, that Islam and Islamic beliefs, when they coexist in harmony with government writ, are not welcome in the Land of the Pure. As such, the attack is a warning to all religious leaders as well as religious political parties to toe the Taliban’s radical line in their beliefs and practices.
It is not a coincidence that Minister Kazmi has been shot at days after US President Barack Obama reached out to religious parties – including former Taliban supporters such as the JUIF – in Pakistan, asking for a fresh start. What better way, after all, to ensure that influential religious figures do not join the national (and internatinal) consensus against the Taliban than by trying to assassinate one of their own?
Overall, the attack against Pakistan’s minister for religious affairs is a message that Taliban ideology continues to have proponents with little regard for competing interpretations of Islam. And it is a clear signal as any that Pakistan still has a long way to go before it can claim victory against regional terrorism.
Huma Yusuf is the Features Editor of Dawn.com.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
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September 6th, 2009 at 7:55
What ever anyone here say Taliban have two great advantages which they are utilising to the max, I feel.
1, The reluctance of Pakistani civil society to oppose them head on. Pakistani civil society is still playing ostrich with terms like we-are-fighting-someone-else’s-war.
2, They now realise that they have time on their side, due to the above mentioned fact.
PS
It is time the civil society in Pakistan act against the taliban.
The people who rule the country can afford plane tickets to fly out if things start to get out of hand.
September 4th, 2009 at 17:35
It is just so easy to take a life and call it jihad…we have lost the true spirit of jihad….
having said that…as long as we keep killing innocent people when targetting terrorists..more ‘jihadis-in-revenge’ will keep popping up
September 4th, 2009 at 16:02
Talbans are Khawrajis and they loath mystical Islam. That is the reason they are desecrating the Shrines of Sufis mytics. Slaughtring Muslims like animals is the path of brutal animals and not the path of honorable Sufi Muslim. Having the name Sufi does not mean Sufi. What a pathetic meaning.Why there hasn’t been an attack upon any Wahabi Mulla.Are they behind all this. Lal Masjid.
September 4th, 2009 at 13:46
What a horridly written article by a person who has no idea of what Islam on the ground in Pakistan is. “Sufi” Islam is a mantra chanted again and again by people who take their lessons on what Islam is from the west and never bothered to talk to anyone who actually practices the religion in Pakistan. I have news for you. The Taliban are all “Sufis.” Have you ever wondered why their man is called “Sufi” Muhammad? That is not the name his father gave him. These issues are much deeper than portrayed by the secular elite. I hope one day we have a media and government that is actually in touch with Pakistan and Pakistanis, rather than parroting Rand Corporation reports and propaganda from ill-educated think tanks in DC and London…
September 4th, 2009 at 9:10
Is every religious leader who will oppose the taliban ideology will be targeted???
September 4th, 2009 at 2:19
Why can’t we just forgive each other and go about with our lives.
This will clearly give us a chance to practice our faith and believe.
Let’s see who will do the honors and become the first real Muslim of the 21st century???
Good luck
September 3rd, 2009 at 22:14
Mam,
A very well written article!! Congrats for getting to the roots of this menace and providing a good copy.
It beats me as to how the Minister who was provided with security guards and a back up security convoy was left facing the fury of the maniac terrorists. The way the backup security convoy ditched the Minister’s car shows that there is more to this great escape of these heroic heroes at that time. Also, as Minister Rehman Mallik said that someone inside the ministry must have provided the inputs abt the Minister , could be true. This terror muck has become so deep that there are moles in every pore and one does not know whom to trust. This is what comes of creating and patronising terror groups in the country. It pains me to see as to where Pakistan is heading to………..where else, doom.
September 3rd, 2009 at 15:48
this attack on religious minister is a big question on our security situation in Capital Islamabad.
it is very surprising to see that the key person against terrorism had no security cover at the time of attack
It is also important to investigate from Police van that was appointed for minister security and that left him alone
Hamid Saeed Kazmi is a moderate and brave man and he should be provided extra security
September 3rd, 2009 at 15:36
Is the writer trying to scare the religious leaders that they are not safe unless they toe the line of Taliban?
September 3rd, 2009 at 15:25
Most of you are asking for more violence against violence. Thus, it defeats the whole purpose. The truth of the matter is the govt. and authorities are also ruthless in conducting their operations. The more poor civilians die, the more enraged and empowered the oppossing forces get. If this Mullah spoke against militancy and condoned the govt. actions against it, then the question arises:- Does anyone care about poor people who are killed, maimed and mutilated in crossfire? Poeple who have seen their loved ones shredded into pieces find little solace in your noble causes. One love one killed creates a thousands more insurgents. Therefore, each and everyone of you is also to be blamed for violence.
Warfare has failed miserably. It was used to wreak vengeance on terrorists but it has backfired. Criminals should be handled accordingly, not by bombing and airstrikes on villages and on poor villagers. Therefore, “step back” cool off and give peace a chance.
September 3rd, 2009 at 13:38
Another day, another attack, welcome to contemporary Pakistan. It seems that Pakistan is transforming from a dangerous country to a lawless jungle with every passing day. Be it a terrorist attack, bomb explosion or target killing across the country, the challenge of taking control over Pakistan’s security remains an unfulfilled dream.
Now, this almost successful attack on Pakistan’s religious minister has reminded us that the war against religious fanaticism is far from over. The ruthless enemy driven by maddening hatred of reason, logic, and humanity is bent on not only destroying Pakistan’s future, but also everything that was promised when Pakistan came into being.
More alarming is the overall political situation in Pakistan. Instead of coming together as a country to wage a final and a decisive battle against agents of hatred, politicians across Pakistan are focused on toppling the government to fulfill their own dreams.
Time is running out for Pakistan, but the country can overcome this issue of terrorism if every Pakistani comes together to save not only Pakistan, but also the future of Pakistan’s next generation.
Bilal Qureshi
Washington, DC
September 3rd, 2009 at 13:15
Words of wisdom. Truly, Pakistan is in for a long haul in its struggle against terrorism in the name of religion. One can only hope that the establishment does not miss this opportunity by adopting a selective approach to militants of different hues by cutting deals with ‘moderate Taliban’. The temptation to preserve such ’strategic assets’could be fatal. Either they take the bull by its horns, or wait to be devoured by it.
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:31
The Taliban’s strategy is clear. But where is the government’s counter strategy from a communication perspective (as distinct from military strategy)?
Why are religious scholars that preach against Jihad not provided protection?
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:22
I enjoyed his sincere talk in the various talk shows where he is a familiar face. I hope he gets better soon and is back on his feet. Of course life wont be normal for him as this incident will haunt him for the rest of his life. As for the terrorists, they are really back and with a vengeance. Ramzaan or not, muslim or not, makes no difference to these lunatics. Once again they have proved that they need to be exterminated and routed at every level of this society.
September 3rd, 2009 at 11:54
I think this is a very good article that captures the problem that Pakistan in particular and Muslim world in general is facing.
Proponents of the hardliner ideology and violent methods do not seem to comprehend the disservice that they are doing to Islam by alienating the masses and scaring the rational minded people away from Islam due to fear of becoming like the ones that seem to act as representatives of Islam.
One of the basic steps to make any progress towards a real and tolerant Islamic society will be for the masses to acknowledge the problems faced by the development extremism in society and collectively demystify the violent and unethical behavior of parties claiming to be saviors of Islam.
September 3rd, 2009 at 11:47
The crux is whether Islam to be practiced is the one with tradition & original culture of Pakistan or the one impoorted from Arabia? The tradition of Islam in subcontinent is of compassion & not killing of innocents. So root out corruption, treat minorities well & stop killing. Allah DOES NOT send you to paradise for killing innocents. Others are also worshipping a Supreme Being, may be in a different way. Have mercy & comppassion in the sufi tradition.
September 2nd, 2009 at 23:54
Pakistani society will have to come to terms with the writing on the wall. Is the future for Pakistan to be decided on the basis of a democratic outcome, a concensus of whether we want a religious state, and if the agreeement is on a religious state, whether it will be based on the views of a more vocal minority that accepts the idea of imposing its view on a differing majority with the use of violence. Or this vocal minority unwilling to accept reasoning, debate, concensus, but ready to force its views on society thru violence, terror, coercion will decide the future. Speak up Pakistanis, if you dont speak now then be willing to be silent for the next few generations while Pakistan descends into a society that will allow only a few to speak on behalf of the vast multitude. Those who speak with an alternative voice in the interpretation of Islam will be decimated thru sentences of heresy. I observed first hand all this thirty years ago in the Islamic revolution next door. Speak up while there is still a chance.
September 2nd, 2009 at 22:33
I agree with each and every word written. It is quiet clear the motives and intentions of the taliban when they target those religious figures who speak out against them and gather support against their harsh and criminal activities guised in the name of religion. A captured suicide bomber said in a tv interview on Geo that Dr. Sarfraz Naemi’s death was simply becuase he spoke out against taliban, that if these ulemas can’t fight with us than dont fight against us either. I believe that the entire taliban movement’s religious face is nothing more than to gather support from muslims of the country and world to carry out henious crimes against humanity. Of course, the sheep in the movement are made to believe they are fighting the battle for Islam and certain number of hoors are waiting for them in the afterlife so that the heads can sit on top, gather power, money and control. But at least I’m glad a little that something is being done about them, that there are no peace deals and agreements being signed and am hopeful that sooner than later we’ll damage them enough if not wipe them out completely so their terrorist activities are much harder to perform and come with a great retaliatory response from the gov’t and the army.
September 2nd, 2009 at 22:28
Great post Huma against the sectarian and jihadi network in Pakistan enshrined in the shape of Taliban, Sipah-e-Sahaba and Jamaat Islami.
September 2nd, 2009 at 21:52
Huma Yusuf has a point. The entire media has been asking the GOP to let them assess the reality on ground in the troubled areas and to verify the claims of the Govt. The ability of the militants to strike at will speak volumes against the claims of the Govt. with regard to elimination of militants in NWF. The militants always have the element of surprise on their side as we have witnessed in Kashmir. The GOP has to learn to strenghthen the intelligence network across Pakistan to save the innocent lives being lost without any purpose.
September 2nd, 2009 at 21:48
Militants are back? I think they never left…
It is sad and tragic that Mr Kazmi was targeted because he spoke against the militants. He should have been given better security considering the fact that he was already getting death threats.
September 2nd, 2009 at 20:56
turue indeed..now we in pakistan are moaning about the monster we created ourself.
September 2nd, 2009 at 20:32
very well written article but of no use . conspiracy theorists and many others in pakistan would have pen down many stories that how and why pakistan’s neighbhours and other intl countries have done it in the same they did when srilankan team was attacked and even at time of 26/11.
i think all religious leader of pakistan should take initiative and tell pakistani people that a teaching of any religion is religious till it is practice without any force or pressure. moreover they should emphasize (should replace islam with humanity) on word humanity as a whole. The day they will do that taliban and other terrorist group will die their own death.