Ironically,we have been the culprits to help the western media strengthen this image.Successive Pakistani governments,wittingly or unwittingly,have only served to consolidate the image of Pakistan as a theocratic State by simply paying lip-service to the Islamic ideology of Pakistan.The framers of the Constitution made matters worse by officially declaring Pakistan as the Islamic Republic.This tag has not done any service to Islam but has done a lot of harm to Pakistani Muslims.During the rule of Zia,once again an attempt was made to criticize Islam by means of a State controlled electronic media and also by bringing about certain changes in the Constitution.What's worst is that some of the politicians prided to politicize Islam for their own selfish reasons right from the beginning which led,over a period of time,to a very negative image of Pakistan as a country.All these measures badly tarnished the name of Islam as a progressive and enlightened religion.As against that,India encashed on international politics from the very beginning by declaring itself a secular State,while the ground reality was and is,that Hinduism has been a major factor in Indian politics.The Babri Mosque incident is too fresh to be forgotten.
The very unfortunate 9/11 catastrophy ironically,has proved to be a blessing in disguise and consequently,to counter this negative image of Islam some state leaders in the Islamic world,like President General Pervaiz Musharraf,felt the need to provide a more tolerant and balanced image,both internally as well as externally and thus took bold steps.
The results were predictable.Some of the half educated Muslim clerics failed to understand that without making a departure from the basic teachings of Islam the Muslim society needs to adapt itself to the needs of the modern century.Islam is a complete code of life and not just a religion which obviously means it's adaptable to changing circumstances.
In this context we must remember that in his very first public address after the independence of Pakistan,the Quaid had declared that "all citizens of Pakistan,irrespective of their cast,colour and creed would enjoy an equal status".He had further said that religion is the private business of every individual.The wisdom behind such statements was to save Pakistan from the danger of dismemberment which plagued the Sub-continent.
We also need to remember that the people of Pakistan,in all the general elections,have never voted any religious party into power except in the last general elections when MMA got majority in the N.W.F.P and Baluchistan,but that was in context of the post 9/11 situation.
The interesting fact is that the vast majority of the population of Pakistan have been practicing moderation whereas the term ENLIGHTENED MODERATION is the coinage of recent years.Thus,it is just an official attestation of the Pakistani set-up.
The bottom line is that religion has never been a problem in Pakistan except that vested interests have tried to make it so for their own selfish reasons!!!
Sory for being late
i'll just comment on second Paragraph.
First of all our media couldn't play any sound role to strengthen the image of Pakistan.
Secondly Declaring Pakistan as an Islamic state was not a wrong idea, but not declaring the exact essence of Islamic Ideology was wrong. As far as India's declaration of being a secular state is concerned, every one knows the extent of Secularism in India.
In my opinion, it is not necessary to enhance our image by following India's strategies. We may choose a differentiated path. I totally agree that simply declaring Pakistan as an Islamic state depriciated the iamge of Pakistani Muslims, but at the same time i disagree that Pakistan should have been declared as a Secular state, instead the realities and explainations of Islamic ideology should have been presented.
Regards
Qurat
Hi
I do agree with 36th Common that the 73 Constitution should have been secular, because secularism is not akin to an immoral and aetheistic govt.....it just means that the govt. is indifferent to the religions in the country and does not discriminate on the basis of religion.....Waisay bhi in this civilized world of today where religious discrimination is highly criticised and is termed as against the Universal Fundamental Rights, there's no sense of discriminating on the basis of religion.....Aakhir how can we say that a Christian Pakistani is not as good as a Muslim Pakistani......If this discrimination is removed, i am sure even then the majority status of the Muslims won't be affected but it would surely have a positive effect on the image of Pakistan in the int'l comity as a liberal n moderate country......So, their's nothing bad in having a secular state (i.e. having no state religion) based on broad Islamic principles......I think that the US Constitution which is a secular one is more Islamic in essence than the islamic Contitution of Pakistan because it ensures a democratic form of govt with full independence to judiciary (which is not given in the 73 Constitution and also the 73 Constitution fails to safegaurd itself against military rules and Article 6 has proved itself impotent!) and also a very impressive list of fundamental rights to the citizens. The 73 Constitution makes a mockery of itself by first declaring that everyone is equal b4 the law and there shall be no discrimination and then putting forth the restriction that only a Muslim can be a Head of State!......And as far as India is concerned, at least it is secular in letter and at least it is secular enough to let the country be ruled by MUSLIM PRESIDENTS and SIKH PRIME MINISTER!!!!! can u even imagine of such a situation in Pakistan.......! Jahan tak Babri masjid kaa sawaal hai.....hum khud konsay acchay hain.......every now n then v hear of some churches being burnt down and in Purana Lahore and Purana Pindi, one can see dilapidated temples and also Gurdawaras changed into stables!.......
BUT A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE OF CAUTION TO 36th COMMON........!!! DON'T U DARE WRITE SUCH THINGS IN THE PAPER IF U WANT TO PASS :P
So.......even i won't write such things in the CSS paper......cuz v can easily see the mood of the examiner by the tonnes of LEADING QUESTIONS in the papers......if u don't believe me, just read the Islamiat Paper 2005 and see how the Examiner forces us to write what he wants us to listen!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment