Over and over again I have been using Dawn and Dawn.com to hit home the point about the vicious, soul destroying mindset the bulk of Pakistan’s urban middle-classes (especially in the Punjab) have fallen in to.
I have tried to give numerous examples to highlight this devastating observation and here again is another one: On May 28 when terrorists associated with what is called the ‘Punjabi Taliban’ attacked various places of worship of the Ahmadiyya community in Lahore, the TV channels were out in force covering the gruesome event. However, that did not stop them from running happy-go-lucky commercials of their corporate sponsors during breaks, giving the whole event a rather surreal feel.
But this can be expected from this unfortunate republic’s many TV channels. There is now not an iota of doubt left about the level of sheer cynicism, sensationalism and demagoguery that they operate on. Most of them have become a reckless reflection of some of the most obnoxious, conspiratorial and chauvinistic sections found within the country’s convulsing middle-classes.
That said, one however does expect some semblance of decency and reason in the polished corridors of the companies that advertise their brands on these channels. Couldn’t any of these companies that always claim to be ‘good social citizens’ have the presence of mind and heart to ask TV channels to stop running their ads during the coverage of blood-splattered events?
Can’t they see how strange their ads look and sound when squeezed between images of blood, gore and tragedy? Don’t these ads with an unending series of plastic smiles and jingly material-worshipping actually end up mocking the tragedy that is unfolding live on the TV screens?
I don’t think such a thought even crosses their minds. And how can it when a number of the same companies so nonchalantly end up sponsoring TV shows run by utter hate-mongers. It’s quite a sight, really, watching macho, loud demagogues and so-called TV anchors spiting venom against the West and then asking for a break that are riddled with commercials of Western multinationals.
A religious TV show on a popular TV channel that in 2009 instigated violence against the Ahmadiyyas continues to be sponsored by various colas, facial creams, telecom brands and shampoos, and so is the show whose host is under scrutiny for allegedly having sympathies and links with terrorist organisations.
In my eyes the companies who claim to represent the decent, ‘family-oriented’ and peaceful ‘modern’ sections of the educated urbanites carry an equal amount of blame as do the channels that let hate-mongers run amok in the studios just to jack up their ratings.
It’s like shouting populist slogans mingled with idiotic juice, milk and telecom jingles over the dead bodies of all those unfortunate souls that these very channels so enthusiastically report and show.
Is there no one among us so-called educated urban classes with the sight, mind and conscience to at least question the kind of convoluted and surreal corporate-jihadi anarchy so clearly visible on TV channels?
Can’t we see that much of what is being preached and ‘debated’ on our channels in the name of religion, justice, reform and politics (and cynically being sponsored by multinationals), is one of the major reasons behind the confused and ravaged state our middle-classes (especially its youth) have come to suffer?
This is not an overstatement. Certain TV anchors and their shows have proven to have enough power to actually instigate violence. Examples are in abundance of idiots listening to idiots on TV, gathering hateful ideas about certain Muslim sects, ‘minorities,’ and personalities, with some actually going to the extent of committing murder in the name of religion.
And yet we can still see such TV anchors and their favourite side-kicks holding fort on prime-time television, and multinationals willingly sponsoring all the hatred and venom that is spewed on these shows.
So what is that narrative upon which a bulk of Pakistan’s ‘political’ and ‘religious’ TV programming is based on?
For years this narrative has gleefully been disseminated by the state, the clergy, schools and now the electronic media. It’s quite simple: Pakistan was made in the name of Islam (read, a theocratic state). Thus, only Muslims (mainly orthodox Sunnis) have the right to rule, run and benefit from this country. ‘Minority’ religions and ‘heretical Islamic sects’ living as Pakistani citizens are not to be trusted. They need to be constitutionally, socially and culturally isolated. Parliamentary democracy too can’t be trusted. It unleashes ethnic forces, ‘corruption’ and undermines the role of the military and that of Islam in the state’s make-up. It threatens the ‘unity’ of the country; a unity based on a homogeneous understanding of Islam (mainly concocted by the state and its right-wing allies). Most of our political, economic and social ills are due to the diabolical conspiracies hatched by our many enemies (especially India, Israel and the West in general). They want to break up Pakistan because Pakistan is the ‘bastion of Islam’ in a volatile region dominated by Indian, American and Shia Iranian hegemony. The many terrorist organisations operating in Pakistan are foreign funded …
This narrative can go on in its bizarre depiction of what we as a country are or should become. Not for a moment are we ready to stand back a bit and look at what we have made of ourselves and of what we call our home. We call ourselves ‘moderate Muslims,’ and yet applaud or quietly tolerate the hate-spewing claptrap that pours out from our mosques and TV screens. We cheer about the fact that Pakistan is one of the very few democratic Muslim countries with a constitution, and yet we will not speak a word about those clauses and sections in the same constitution that have triggered violence and repression against women and have sanctioned a religiously apartheid state that only allows the orthodox Muslim majority democratic rights to rule the country, or run in an election.
Isn’t it obvious that not only do these sections in the much celebrated constitution go against the modern-Muslim vision of men like Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Iqbal and Syed Ahmed Khan, but are also against the basic spirit of tolerance, mercy and justice so vividly present in the Quran?
We have clearly lost sight of what Pakistan was supposed to be: A democratic, modern Muslim country where religion had nothing to do with the matters of the state and where the so-called ‘minorities’ were free to practice their respective faiths.
These are not my words. And neither are they the words that Pakistani children are taught at school, in spite of the fact that these words and thoughts were spoken by the founder of the country, Jinnah, when he succeeded in carving out a country for the Muslims of the subcontinent, thinking that they would struggle under what he believed would become a ‘Hindu theocracy.’
So what happened to that Pakistan? The obvious culprits in this regard are the many years of repressive military regimes and their growing nexus with obscurantist forces that we have had to burden and face. But were the democrats any better?
The 1973 constitution that legitimised religious apartheid was inaugurated under a brilliant and popularly elected Prime Minister and approved by equally elected members of the parliament. And even though the same constitution was further riddled with myopic laws against religious minorities and women by a fanatical and hypocritical ‘Islamic’ dictatorship, how many democrats that came after the demise of this dictatorship ever bothered to at least debate or review these laws?
So much has become taboo in this country — so much so that the question now arises, can we ever become a truly free, enlightened and intellectually robust nation? Or will we keep hiding behind our fragile masks of religiosity and ‘patriotism,’ a mask that goes up in front of our faces every time we are confronted by a situation in which our views and actions (especially in the name of faith) are questioned.
We do not debate. We react and then huddle up behind our flimsy and lopsided historical and national narratives for reassurance, cursing the world for our ills, looking out for ‘infidels’ and ‘heretics’ among us, or for scapegoats in the shape of media-constructed punching bags.
The nightmare we are living today has a lot to do with all this. We remain in a slumber, carving out an isolated ideological comfort zone for ourselves, while obnoxious, sectarian and so-called puritanical keepers of the faith attack and kill in the name of God whenever and however they please. We claim to be treading a middle-path between liberalism and fanaticism, when the truth is, it is exactly the middle-path that has gone entirely missing in how we think, behave, act and react.
Nadeem F. Paracha is a cultural critic and senior columnist for Dawn Newspaper and 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.
The incidents like this will recur several more times. It is better if a law is made that every non-Muslim including Ahamadyyas should be converted to Islam that is agreeable to most of the Pakistanis including Talibans; otherwise execute them en masse so that once for all, all those non-Muslim souls will rest in peace, and don’t have to live amidst fear everyday. They have to suffer in finding a job or admission into colleges. Death is the only way out. Nobody is going to protect them. They are worse than slaves. Only death can protect them. I am a Hindu living in a western country where I am reasonably free to do whatever I want. If qualified I can get admission into any college, and get decent job or run my own business. It is better not to be a minority in Pakistan or Afghanistan. Iappreciate Paracha for the courage shown in writing this piece.
Great Suggestion. And how would you react to the rest of the world adopting the same principle where muslims are minority?
Pakistani majority in general is responsibile for this mess. Minorities were torrorised and Pakistani government and law did nothing. This act boldened up anti social elements in socienty to an extend that they are ruling now. These antisocial elements found that more lucrative target is majority and not minority so they started targeting majority now.
Do anyone see a bright future for pakistan as a country? Not as long as these fundamentalist elements are there. I was reading a US based newspaper where it said ” Not all muslims are terrorists but all terrorists are muslims”. I think it is time for a reform within society..
Latest news: Terrorists launch a brazen attach at Jinnah Hospital to try and free their injured comrade. 12 people dead including policemen.
Question: How smart was it to admit a terrorist in Jinnah Hospital? If any thing, a dummy should have been put in the bed and the police should have waited for the rescuers of the injured man with full preperation!!
Whay are once bitten not twice shy? When are they going to learn? To add insult to inury, all the 6 attackers escaped.
Now, go figure!
These Media champions in my opinion don’t even have feelings or an sympathy for Ahmadies, it is just their to show themselves liberal or put an innocent face on themselves exactly the same way the politicians do.
A question to politicians… whenever something happen in any other place, in all such terrorist attacks in Pakistan they always go to them with their financial help offering 500s of thousand rupees to each who was killed and 100s of thousands to those injured. Although I hope Ahmadies are not looking forward for this government as they state they are looking only towards God. Still aren’t the ones killed in this incident citizens of Pakistan? or don’t they deserve any equal treatment? I guess these politicians don’t care.
Your words are read by a minority of middle class urbanites and they applaud your vision.
Then they have lunch, go home and sit before the tv watch the same programes and off course
ads with it, go to sleep and wake up fresh to read another precious article by you. After all these
reader cannot do more then that.
But your writtings NEVER crosses the path of THOSE who may have the resources and powers
to shape the SOCIETY. Almost all of them have no inclination for that. MAJORITY of them cannot
even read leave alone understand your (saqeel) english words.
I donot know why you bother pointing to these things. Perhaps you got addicted to this kind of
writings and cannot get rid of the habbit.
Mr. Jawaher,
At least give the man props for having guts to write this and other articles. He may not be read by the majority but at least there is some one who points to the faults within our society rather than finding the scape goats. What are you doing with your saqeel English? criticizing an article which makes one feel the very obvious religious bigotry in our society.
Writers and scribes have a distinct role to play in shaping thought, even policy, for societies and countries. Else, there is no necessity for any newspaper or journal anywhere. It is said that they metaphorically have a role similar to that of a parakeet taken by coal-miners ahead of their digging into the mines, to check if there are any lethal gases that prove fatal to the miners, and in the process saving the miners’ lives.
According to a survey only 1 in 3 Pakistani has access to TV channels. And also not everybody is Madrassah educated. Then how did this become so prevalent in our national psyche?
Intolerance, hate mongering and justifying all ills and blaming others have been subtly and explicity gotten introduced since the 1970s in our mainstream text books!
We seem to have systematically poisoned the minds of our future for the last 3-4 decades. This needs to be reversed immediately to have any hopes of raising saner next generation that would truly lead our country out of its current depths.
killing innocent people will not land you in heavens. If it does, I refuse to go to the heaven full of “terrorists”.
Thats a good point that there should be no advertisement when sad news such as this one are being telecasted.
But i would still like to comment on one thing that the attack on minority in Lahore is one of the example of one of several terrorist acts in the recent years.Pakistan has lost a lot of Pakistanis due to these acts.So making an issue that it was an act on minority is hypocracy.We all Pakistanis Sunni,Shia etc stand against terrorism.
Keeping state iaway from Religion its also not very thoughtful.West today is powerful because of its development in science and technology,which no doubt every one should respect.Dont forget there social issues exist because they have lost their faith.Rather than just mocking West we should learn to develop ourselves scientifically and religiously.
I am Amit. Even though I am an Indian I really love to read ur articles. they are really very good one. u are one of the two pakistani writers who I really admire for their knowledge and dictation of subject. I really liked ur article as much as many others u put before this.
Today it is Ahmadis, Shias, Christians and Hindus; tomorrow it would be TV anchormen, journalists, generals, civil servants, politicians and even the religious clerk who support, protect and sympathize with terrorist. All those men who shave their beards, their female members who do not cover from head to toe, all those who send their children to school to learn anything but simple recitation of Quran, all those whose description of Islam does not fit the mould of Taliban. Yes all of us will bath in the blood. Wake up Pakistan!
Nadeem Paracha,
I appreciate courage and wisdom of your blogs, may Allah bless you. Keep on good work, we have to go along way.
Thanks,
Hamid
Dear NFP,
Thank you for pushing the cause of religious freedom. A most basic human right. Lets hope that in Pakistan there is love for all, and hatred for none.
First it is a well thought out article and Nadeem Paracha mostly write things that is acceptable to sane mind. While I’m responding to his article another Ahmadi Muslim lost his life in Narowal the culprit is in police custody. The killer was inspired by the local Mullah who called Friday’s Lahore incident as a brave jihad against infidels. I do not understand why authorities do not arrest such Mullahs who not only incite hatred and terrorism but also protect and provide launching pads for such terrorists. They are committing blasphemy against Islam and the teachings of Holy Prohphet (PBUH) and someone should try these Mullahas under section 195 A, B, C.
I think time has come, when the silent , majority needs to become a vocal majority. We need to stand shoulder to shoulder with our borthers and sisters of other faiths and sect and say “Enough i s Enough”.
In my workplace I was surprised that not a single word was uttered about the mayhem perpetuated upon the Ahmedis on Friday. No one wanted to talk about it and seemed to want the whole issue to somehow just disappear.
Even when I brought up the topic of the massacre, my colleagues avoided me or just changed the subject.
What has happened to us? Where have our sensitivities gone?
Everyone is afraid of the religous moulvis and there are many hidden amongst us!! Or have they lost their dignity and value? or perhaps they are confused about the Mullah Islam? What ever the reason, it is digraceful and utterly disgusting behaviour.
“We have clearly lost sight of what Pakistan was supposed to be: A democratic, modern Muslim country where religion had nothing to do with the matters of the state and where the so-called ‘minorities’ were free to practice their respective faiths”
I doubt your statement.
Good One, I hope our television media grasps some sense of responsibility from This good piece of writing.
Once again an excellent article, Thanks for raising the awareness about corporate insensitivity.
I read your articles with interest at least you have highlighted the commercial interests of the media but we must not forget that Islam too has been fragmented because of commercial interests and real sense of Islam has been lost. This happened to christianity and other religion.
Dear NFP! Other great article
God bless u for raising a voice for minorities in an ocean of non-sense…It is most difficult job to do in a den of fanatics
Its total hypocrisy that we Pakistani are more vocal & aggressive when it comes to thrashing out at west & their media for propaganda against Islam but when it comes to respecting other religions/cultures & their values in our domain of influence we are worse than free-speech debtors because we burn and kill them…systematic genocide won’t be a wrong word for this, if we honestly analyze the treatment of non-Muslims in Pakistan.
To me as a human-being regardless of any religion it’s sheer blasphemy killing a single non-Muslim on name of Islam then drawing an image of Prophet (PBUH).
I fully endorsed Naeem Malik’s view, we are all Pakistanis in Pakistan regardless of whether they are Sunnis, or Shias or Ahmadis or Christians or Parsis. We forgot our culture and traditions.. even people in Lahore once proud cultured citizens in Pakistan gone mad.
The intensity of emotion expressed in this article resonates with my own. I believe that in order to galvanize change, individuals like the author himself, need to come forward and make the difference so direly needed in this confused society of ours.
The author is already coming out and doing his bit with his intellect and writings. How and in what capacity can we contribute should be the question we should ask ourselves. Thats another attitude that besets Pakistanis, we are always looking for “The One” to come and pull us up, but God forbid we should not move ourselves.
Remember change starts with the individual. In the case of the Pakistani society, the individual must endeavor to defy the status quo, in whatever situation he/she may be in; of course subtly at first, but with profound momentum when joined by like-minded individuals.
Well thoughtout and equally well elaborated article.
The problem lies in us. It’s not the constitution or the politicians. Its US. I, Yo, all of us are culprits to bringing Pakistan and our society to what it is today. NFP and ilks are few. They only cater to almost a negligible audience. There readers are few. Almost 1.5 % of the society. Rest are illetrate masses. The masses make the choices for the rest of us. We, the 1.5%, should not, and cannot change the system. 99% of our population is the one who votes. I do not vote. I know all of us who read people like NFP and who think our society needs change, do not vote. So, do we have the right to criticize what’s going on while we were sitting in our bedrooms while the masses were choosing our rulers, our law-makers? No. Masses elect people like Jamshed Dasti. Masses elected those parliamentarians who declared Ahmadis non-Muslims.
Whatever there beliefs are, I think, State should have protected them. Life, in Islam, is precious.
It really is a pity that the community that gave this country Dr. Abdus Salam is being treated like this in the name of God. Nevertheless, journalists like you are a ray of hope for this country where merely having a different opinion could make you fear for your life.
We need to encourage debate.
Thanks NFP.
absolutely true stuff about we being torn between two extremes.
i have to admit that usually NFP’s writings leave a bad taste in my mouth cuz they are just prejudised criticisms of the fanatical extreme (which is the last thing we need right now;taking sides). but this one is a welcome exception.
what we muslims need is balance, and that can only b achieved if each one of us sincerely works for it. we need to read and understand the beautiful Quran in the real sence of the meaning(who’s stopping us??) so that no one can impose their brand of religion on us. but if we dont do that, we dont want to play our part, just do critisism for the sake of it,….then i’m afraid we can forget about improvement.
Excellent piece Mr. Nadeem. To get out of slumber any nation has to set its priorities right. If only empty stomach & need for social justice can dominate our minds then alone there may be some hope.
NFP- a brillaint piece…
You have so aptly summed the ideological mess that was created.
As for guilt, I think the massacre, the coverage and the ensuing discussions moved me beyond guilt… to ignominy!!!
Additionally the onus also lies on the channels,as well any regulatory agency, who carry these shows. Half the shows need to be shut down for their content. Under the banner of free media, hate preaching should not be tolerated.
Yeah, I agree with your suggestion.
Once again an excellent read; it is true that we have lost our way and are stranded between two extremes. We have to change this, in order to survive successfully in this world.
Today every Ahmadi so proudly can stand and say that we have proved what we say. We are the most peace-loving community and most law-abiding citizens of Pakistan. This is what we say and this is what we have proved from our actions. We see many unfortunate incidents in our Society every other day. And then we see the reactions which are at time out of proportions also.
At times only on the arrest of single person of some Political or religious party, highways are blocked, stone-throwing takes place, scores of cars, buses banks are burnt, people stage strikes and give calls and then ensure “Wheel-Jam Strikes” …. and all this, at times, for the release of one or few persons. Then at times tragedies do take place in which a person or few people loose their lives and then extent of these reactions goes higher and higher.
But look at the incident of Lahore, in which almost 100 people lost their lives. They had no crime listed on their credit. The only crime was they had some differences in their faith. But was there any “reaction”. Were there any highways blocked? tyres burnt? demonstrations took place on streets, or acts of damaging public or private property ever occurred? or anything of that sort. NOTHING. and this is a slap on the faces of all those who spend all their energies proving that Ahmadis are non-Muslims. Isn’t this the sunnah of our religion and Dearest Prophet. The same was mentioned in the press conference of Ahmadiyya Community Representative. When he was asked about the reaction of the Jama’at, he quoted the verse of Holy Qura’an which says that whenever there is a loss, or painful time, or tragedy, simply say “Inna Lillah-e-wa Inna Ilehay Rajeoon”.
I am extremely sorry for your loss. “Inna Lillah-e-wa Inna Ilehay Rajeoon”. Kudos to Ahmadiyya community for not reacting in violence.
We all here, share your grief and sorrow.
May their souls rest in peace!
We are all horrified on this massacre of innocent people.
I have a dear friend who is an ahmadi… He is an educated, contributing citizen of this country. I recall how few months back he seemed so low one evening. On my probing he said: they are killing us. They don’t want us here. My. Mother worries about me when I step out of the house to go to work. She wants me and my brother to leave Pakistan.” I must admit I became selfish. He teaches in a university. Is a dear friend. We have travelled all over the country together. Launched campaigns for civic sense, collected funds for idps, looked at the city of Lahore together and dream t of greater cultural and social prosperity for it together. I became selfish at that moment. I did not want him to leave. His presence was reassuring. It reassured me of humanity. His love for this country and his fellow Pakistanis gave me hope of a better tomorrow. Of a more tolerant, peaceful and inclusive society. He died while his worship place came under attack.
Your comment really touched me. I am an Indian but I will say that if Pakistan has more people like you, your country will be out of this mess. God Bless you.
My heartfelt condolences to you on the loss of your dear friend.
I am a Canadian Ahmadi-Muslim by birth. I was raised in the belief that one both as a Muslim and an Ahmadi mush continuously work for the betterment of their country and society. Even the job I hold today in employment equity and diversity works to achieve a better and more inclusive workplace. In a multicultural society like Canada’s we must work everyday to improve and protect the freedoms we cherish, otherwise the sacrifices of thousands gone before us will have been in vain. Please don’t give up hope. The best way to honour your friend will be to continue the good works you were doing together. So long as there is one Pakistani who believes in a better Pakistan, there is always hope. May Allah grant you and those like you the strength to carry out this difficult journey. Ameen.