Time to wake up, Pakistan

Before someone judges me on the basis of my nationality and religion, let me tell you that I am writing it as a human first - a human that is deeply distressed by the happenings going around in Pakistan. On first look, actually it should not bother me a wee bit – Pakistan is none of my business. But it becomes mine, when it starts engulfing the whole humanity in general and India in particular.

The attack by the militants on SriLankan cricket team is not only cowardly and abominable, but I dare say, also laughable. What sort of motive does these goons wanted to achieve by attacking SriLankan cricketers, who can hardly be categorized as the so-reviled enemies of Islam and Muslim world. Bloody, they were just cricketers who had gone to play when everyone else had refused to tour the country. So, why this- just because some injustice has perceivably be done to them, and as a result, they want the whole world to suffer. But what is most frightening is that the proportion of these sick people seems to be increasing all the time, and also encompassing the so-defined learned and educated people. I always believe that a small chunk of every society, country, religion or any group will be misguided, and continue to play nuisance with the others and the rest of that same group. But when that nonsense becomes a movement, it is unspeakably dangerous. How could you define that the attacks happened even with the ‘Presidential Kind of Security’ provided to the players? How could the terrorists carry machine guns, grenades, heavy rocket launchers with them through a crowded place, and also go scot-free without any of them getting caught or killed? It is too early to pass judgement, but it seems, contrary to my deep belief, that many people have started empathizing with the Taliban and their ideology. The implementation of Sharia law in Swat valley is just a case in point.

My call to these aggrieved people is how long will they keep blaming the West, US, UK, Israel, India etc for the wrongs done to them? We all agree, and every sane mind will, that most of these problems are the results of the political and military games played by the bigger powers at different points of time. But is this the way to avenge? If they really want to shame them, better beat them in economy, technology, sports, society etc. Become engineers, doctors, scientists. Develop technologies. Play as champions in sports. These things won’t be easy, but that is the only way. Continuing this blame game, why don’t they also know that despite many despicable acts done by US, it remains the most democratic and open society the world has right now. For all the wrongdoings of Israel, it is the spearhead of many new technologies. For all the antagonism of India, it is the most promising country in the world. So, please stop this obsession with others, and look inwards.

I generally refrain from relating these things with religion. But now, we can’t deny the truth that these are related to religion. I have friends who practice different religions, but the best of them are those who are moderate ones, for they can view the wrongs of their religion with a reasonable eye. So, we need some sense going with our beliefs. Even the most moderate ones whom I know, agree that Islam is more rigid with its ideologies. Not a problem, but it surely is when one starts defying the logic. How can one debar the girls from education in the name of religion? How can one force someone to grow beard when it is his choice? How can one ban music, sports, entertainment etc when it is our soul to all intents and purposes? If they believe that these things purify them, then they better be eradicated. One extreme example of this happened when I, along with my friends, was sitting in a lawn in front of Al Asqa Mosque on Temple Mount in Jerusalem. An elderly bearded person arrived to us, and after the usual hello-givings, he started preaching us that Muhamed was the last Prophet of God, and so we should follow him. If someone doesn’t follow him, he is useless to arrive on this earth. I was just stunned to hear that someone can actually harbour these kinds of thoughts. Ah! Muhamed better arrive again to earth to teach these people.

Whatever I , or many others, have been writing or preaching does not and can not find its intended audience because they would be busy planning the next attack. I know these hurt the moderate, intellectual Pakistanis and Muslims the most. But in this hour, the need is for the conscience and beliefs to be right and clear. Nobody can afford people moving from this zone to the other zone of insane barbarians.

If this is not checked, we might be headed towards another World War. I am a bit cynical here, but unfortunately, all the things – economic recession, growing unrest, a motiveless mania all point to an impending conflagration. The First War was fought on Imperialism and Colonialism, the second on Nazism and Fascism, the third might be on Islamic Fundamentalism. As someone had dreadfully presaged, it will start from the Middle East and South Asia, with attacks on India on eastern front and Israel on the western front, soon engulfing Europe, then finally drawing US and China to complete the trash. The only point to take solace from is that the World Wars sounded death knells to those sick ideologies of Imperialism and Fascism, then it might do so for this Fundamentalism too. If that is the case, better it be tomorrow then, than living in an age of counter-accusative hate and distrust.