I have shifted my blog to musingsofabub.wordpress.com. All news posts will now be published there.

Thank you. 

Of religious extremism and the like

On 13^th May, 2015, approximately 43 were killed (of which 16 were women) and 13 others were injured near Safoora Chowk in Karachi, when 6 armed assailants opened fire inside a bus full of members of the Ismaili community. Half a dozen children were reported to have been murdered as well

It seems like another daily dose of sectarian violence. Another day in Pakistan. Another minority, another sect, another community murdered. Another group of people shot over their beliefs. Another massacre of the people of Pakistan. Another planned attack. Another daily dose, another day.

I do not know what is more upsetting: that people are being killed brutally just over a difference of religion, or that people are defending the terrorists and calling the victims Kafir and claiming that the attack was “well-deserved”. Truly, I have never seen a nation as united as Pakistan when it comes to cricket and hating India, and as divided as Pakistan when it comes to Islam. A minor difference of opinion between one sect and another, and the sects declare each other Kafir. A difference over how one sect offers their prayers, and they are declared Kafir. A difference over how one sect offers they yearly pilgrimage, and they are declared Kafir. One little difference is all it takes for the leaders of one sect to rise to the status of God and declare all the other sects Kafir.

Not only are the illiterates trying to sit in the place of God and declaring who deserves to live and who doesn’t, even the literates aren’t far behind. They will be liberal in every single aspect of life, but when it comes to Islam, their conservative opinions state that anyone with a slightly different belief is nothing short of a Kafir. Not only do I blame the terrorists and the conservative mullahs for the ruins that this country is in now, I blame the literates as well for their claims of only themselves being Muslims enough and no one else rising up to their standards of Islam; that Islam of whose principles they might not even be aware of.

The cities of Pakistan are weeping blood, the roads have become red rivers. Every part of Pakistan’s earth has absorbed the blood of innocent “Kafirs”. Schools and colleges are bleeding. Mosques, temples and churches are bleeding. And now, the streets and roads are bleeding too. No one is safe because according to these barbarians, we are all not Muslims. We are all infidels in the eyes of the terrorists. We are all wajib-ul-qatal in the minds of the conservatives. And we will be, till these terrorists are wiped off the face of the earth.

On the other hand are our “brave” and “courageous” politicians, our leaders, who stand up in front a few journalists, with a hundred bodyguards behind them, condemning the attack and declaring a war against terrorists and declaring that justice will be served. An approximate of Rs. 5 lakhs will also be donated to the affected families, as if that is the price of the life of their loved one. When the press conference ends, they’ll walk back to their respective limousines and drive back to their well-protected mansions and forget about it within minutes. No justice will be served. No culprit will be caught. Life will move on until another attack takes place.

I don’t demand for justice anymore. I don’t demand for equality any more. I don’t demand for anything anymore, except for the right to live. Every citizen of Pakistan from the poor to the rich, from Sunnis to Shias to Ahmadis to Christians to Hindus to atheists, from children to elders, from males to females to transgender, every human should be given the right to live. That is all I ask from my leaders now. That is all I expect of them. Nothing more. Everything less.

Women, time to stand up for your own self

Every day, I read articles about cheating husbands, abusive boyfriends, men who mock and jeer at women they’re involved with. Every day, I hear women hating on men and complaining about the independence they have never gotten from their significant others. Every day, I listen to the same whining over and over and over again. And it got me thinking.

Have these women ever tried to save themselves?

Why must all women depend on men? What is with this norm in our society that has led all women, or most of them anyway, to believe they cannot possibly survive without a man in their life? Why can women not believe they alone are enough for themselves, that they can educate themselves, get a job, work, and support themselves? Why do these women want everything handed out to them on a silver platter? That if, God forbid, they are divorced or separated from the husbands and have children to support, they don’t need their ex-husband to support them; they can pretty much do it on their own by working. Why this dependency on men, why this belief that without a man, a woman is nothing?

I completely disagree with the concept that a women always needs a man in her life in order to live it happily. She can do it quite well on her own, she just needs to know that. Abusive and cheating men should be punished, and they should be bashed for treating women in demeaning ways. They should even be ostracised from the society. But, on the other hand, why should women wait for someone to save them? If they are in an abusive relationship, why can’t they be strong and get out of it, no matter how difficult it seems? It’s not easy to get out of a relationship, much less a marriage, but why not take some action to take control of one’s life instead of complaining to the whole world about how badly their husbands have treated them? Would the readers be able to save you? Would they be able to do anything except to pray for you? Would they be able to save you from the hurt and pain? No. Only you can help yourself. Only you can save your mind and soul.

The problem with our society is that a lot of mothers teach their daughters right from the beginning that they need a man, and encourage them to fantasize about marriage all the time, so they have absolutely no aim in life other than that. Then, when, in rare cases (which are increasingly becoming frequent), the marriage backfires with men cheating and abusing and beating and lying and betraying, they do not want to give up the marriage because they have been brought up to believe that the ending of a marriage is, in fact, the ending of a women’s life, socially, mentally, maybe even physically.  

There are several women who have been beaten with sticks and thrown acid on, and they still choose to stay with their husbands. When asked why, they say “The beating of a man is also a sign of his love. It’s when he stops beating me that I get worried." What can you say to someone who thinks like this? How can you possibly save someone who doesn't even want to save their own self? 

But on the other hand, those women also exist who have stood up for their own rights. Women who have been strong enough to separate or divorce themselves and their children from abusive husbands. Women who have been courageous enough to leave a husband who has cheated on them. Women who have stood up to men who have done nothing but insult them. Brave women. Valiant women. Fearless women.

It's high time us women started thinking about our own selves for once, instead of thinking about what the society thinks. It's about time for us to take some action, to take control of our own lives and to let no one dominate it. It's about time we stood up to men who have cheated on us and abused us, verbally and physically. It's about time we saved ourselves instead of waiting for a superhero. It's time.

                                                                                                                         

Guest Post - Why is the right of woman to cover themselves so controversial?

Can you imagine being made to feel like you do not belong? Can you imagine being made to feel that you are inferior because of a piece of clothing? That your ideals are wrong if they are different from the norm? This is something that people faces even today. With time, our society is becoming more and more judgemental and narrow minded. Today, we see various campaigns trying to promote and diversity, trying to make people feel comfortable in their own skin. But the moment a a yellow flower appears in the midst of red roses, it is plucked out. We are indeed promoting diversity but only vocally, the truth is that tolerance for difference of opinion is scarce. Everyone wishes to be different but is not ready to accept the individuality of others. 

Recently, a controversy commenced in Canada regarding the hijab that Muslim women wear. A few days back a Quebec judge refused to hear a Muslims womans case only because she was wearing a head scarf. In her defense, the judge recited Article 13 of the regulations of the Court of Quebec. That article states: "Any person appearing before the court must be suitably dressed," so, leaving it to the discretion of the presiding judge. What this article does is send a message to the people that if a judge decided to discriminate against a certain person then he or she has the right to do so. Basically, the law in this case gives the judge a free hand. This can backfire easily, like it did in this case. Canada is known for its peaceful and tolerant environment, and indeed it is so but here a person of the law tried to abuse their power, while in reality it was not abuse at all. It was actually approved by law.

This sends us a dangerous message. A message that courts can now openly condone discrimination while using the excuse of secularism. The irony is that the first and foremost reason why the hijab is worn by Muslim women is so that they are not subjected to superficial discernment and are not judged by their attire and outward appearances but are rather judged by their character and views. Alas, the western world has objectified Muslim women by reducing them to the garment they choose to wear. It is sad but the fact is that liberals are liberal when it comes to their own use.  If it clashes with their own ideals then even the liberals back off.

We have reached the 21st century but the debate over a woman's clothing is still going on. What's mind boggling is that society accept women with revealing and minimal clothes, but if she decided to cover herself up then it must be condemned. Why is it so unfathomable to imagine that a woman might not feel comfortable in exposing herself to the world? What we do not realize is that revealing and minimal clothes are accepted because man feeds off of them while covered clothes are looked down upon because they do not flaunt a woman's beauty enough to pleasure a passerby's eyes.

The thing is, no matter what a woman decided to wear, it is her choice. It is absurd to think that if she decided to cover herself then she must have been forced. While no one considers the fact that maybe she was forced to reveal herself by wearing mini skirts or shorts by her family. Yes, Islam does ask its followers to cover themselves and practice simplicity, but why is Islam always targeted? Why doesn't anyone question why the nuns cover themselves? A Muslim woman can be asked to take off her head scarf, which to her is not only a garment but a safety blanket while a nun will be respected because of her veil. 

In my experience, mostly people appreciate and respect women who wear a head scarf. I have never been targeted because of my veil but to think that in a part of the world, the act of a woman choosing to cover herself is banned is ludicrous. Today, almost every nation speaks of gender equality and diversity. Then why was the ban of the headscarf in France not condemned enough? Isn't it atrocious to ban a person from following their beliefs? Beliefs that are not hurting or proving to be injurious to anyone. On what basis can you ask a woman or even a man to leave their beliefs? On what grounds can you ask them to stop following the teachings of their religion when they are not hurting anyone? The result is that Muslims and other minorities are being made to feel like second or third-class citizens in their own homes.

The positive outcome from the case in Canada is that many people have condemned this discrimination. There is no logic on banning a piece of clothing other than to impose your will on another person, 'live and let live.' The point is not just about a Muslim woman. It is about diversity. A diverse nature and people make our surroundings beautiful and it is the responsibility of those in power to ensure equality and tolerance, only that will make us a more tolerable and open society.

This post is written by Sana Ahmad who tweets at @sanaahmad95

Hate and Discriminate - The Words of the Day

Walk over to someone on the street. Anyone. Choose at random. Tell them women deserve to be equal to men. Watch their happy, smiling face slowly transform into a devilish face, full of fury and rage. Watch them tell you through gritted teeth that women can never be equal to men, that their job is to stay home, do household chores and be a baby-making machine. Watch them yell furiously about how your theory is idiotic and stupid. Watch them seethe in rage. And walk away.

Go to another person on the street, specifically a person who has a beard and is wearing shalwar kameez. Tell them everyone who says they are a Muslim, are. Even the Shias and the Ahmadis. Watch them spit on the ground at your theory. Watch them then laugh in your face for how delusional you are. Watch them call you a Kafir for even thinking that way. Watch them say Shias and Ahmadis are Wajib-ul-Qatal. Then walk away.

Go to yet another person on the street. A well-to-do man, this time. You’ll notice by the way he walks, and his suit will speak volumes of his money, anyway. Go up to him and tell him that he and his servant should be treated equally. They are both humans, they are both the descendants of Hazrat Adam, therefore, they are equal. Watch him turn red in rage. Watch him shout at you for telling him such foolish stuff. Watch him tell you how much he earns and how less of it is given to his servant. Watch him tell you that servants are to be treated as lesser human beings. Watch him. Then smile at him and walk away.  

Now, walk up to a female, a very materialistic one, which will be obvious by her attire and her strut. Tell her you know she uses her charms to get ahead in line for payment of a utility bill, or for any kind of work she needs done. Watch her open her mouth in horror. Watch her tell you of your audacity to say that even though she knows it’s true. Watch her flip her hair and tell you you’re not important enough to be talking to her anyway, because she believes she is a celebrity. Smirk, and walk away.

Now, sit down and think. Why did everyone get so riled up when they were compared to people of the other gender, religions and color? Why were they furious at the whole point of equality? What could you possibly have said that made them so angry as to end up insulting you but not accepting the idea of living peacefully and harmoniously?

The answer is hate. The answer is discrimination. The two words that everyone lives by. On the outside, everyone will admit openly that they have never hated anyone and that they have never discriminated against anyone. However, deep inside, they all do. Sorry, scratch that. WE all do. Because that’s how 95% of Pakistan has been brought up. To hate anyone who is different. To detest anyone who talks about living harmoniously. To shout and yell at anyone who talks about being equals with people we consider as lesser human beings.

The concept of living in peace and equality only seems perfect while it’s written on paper; in actual implementation, it seems quite difficult. It’s difficult to make a servant, who you’ve been abusing and scolding and torturing over the tenure of his service, feel as if he is your equal. It’s difficult for most men to believe women should educate themselves and go work. Likewise, it’s difficult for women to believe that not all men are out there to discriminate, insult, abuse, torture, rape, kidnap, or kill them. It’s difficult for a religious extremist to believe that people who he has been calling an infidel for the better part of his life, might just be Muslims. Therefore, we all choose the easier way out: we hate. And we discriminate.

The results of this hatred and discrimination are devastating. Feminist groups now don’t call out for equality; they raise slogans of hatred against men. On the other hand, men raise their hands on their wives and daughters to make sure they don’t even THINK about going out because that way, according to him, they’d be defined as sluts. Religious extremists give sermons on infidels and order people to wage war against them, resulting in the massacre of hundreds of minorities each year. And lastly, the master regards his servant with such abuse that the servant thinks of himself less as a human and more as an animal.

But why? Why doesn’t it stop? Why must this all go on? Why is equality such an easy concept only on paper and not in actual practice? Why must we hate? Can’t all of this just stop? Can’t we all unite? Why must we divide? Why?

It’s high time we decided what’s more important. Our own egos or the bigger picture. Our self-made problems or the actual problems that exist in this world. Celebrities talk of how they want to achieve world peace, but world peace starts at the individual level. By the art of tolerating. Not only another person’s habits and flaws, but also an opinion which might be different from ours. By the art of love. By the art of tolerance. This is the only way that hate and discrimination can be eradicated. Therefore, spread love. Spread harmony. Spread peace. And stop hating. Stop discriminating. And definitely stop the unnecessary bias against people who have nothing against you.

World peace, here we come!

Freedom Of Speech, And The Hypocrisy That Entails It

On Wednesday, 7^th January, 2014, two armed terrorists entered the Charlie Hebdo offices and opened fire, killing 12 people including caretakers and journalists. Witnesses reported that the gunmen were shouting “Allah-u-Akbar” (God is Great) while shooting and claimed that they avenged the insults hurled at the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) that were prominent in the caricatures made by the cartoonist of the infamous magazine.

The West came out on the streets, claiming that freedom of speech is their right, and they can say whatever they want about whatever they want and no one should shoot them down for it because it is their right to speak freely. But why is their freedom of speech only applicable to Islam and Muslims? Why is their freedom of speech limited to making cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and laughing on them? The incident has greatly disheartened me because of the image these so-called Muslims (read: terrorists) are spreading regarding the religion of peace, that is Islam. But as they say, and rightly so, there are black sheep in every community, society and religion. While there are Muslims all over the world who are spreading the true message of Islam in the form of peace, there are extremists and terrorists as well, who are killing in the name of the very God who taught them to live in harmony.

As a Pakistani, I'm used to this – terrorists killing in the name of Allah, extremists claiming they are following the true Islam, assailants declaring that they are clearing the Earth of all the “dirt and mud”. I'm used to all of that. So, even though it came as a shock that something like this happened in the West, it did not come as much of a surprise that these so-called “Muslim” extremists were behind it. What shocked me more was the reaction from the West. They declared this as an attack on the freedom of speech and said that it was “just a cartoon” and “all in good humour” and “it was nothing to be insulted about”.

So I ask the people of the West this – would you tolerate it if anyone raised a finger on something you firmly believed it? Would you be able to endure the laughter and mockery on your religion that would, according to the people mocking it, be all in “good humour”? Putting religion aside, if someone abused you, or your wife, or your parents, or your children, claiming it was his right of freedom of speech, how would you feel? As a woman, if a completely random person came up to you and insisted that women are inferior to men, and they shouldn't be allowed to vote, work or go out in general, would you be completely okay with it or would you feel frustrated because of someone limiting your life and your beliefs?

I am not in any way advocating in favour of the attack, because it was not only uncalled for; it was completely inhumane and barbaric. However, being given the right to freedom of speech does not mean that a person gets the right to abuse, insult or humiliate another person’s faith and belief. The right to having an opinion comes with a huge responsibility; that of expressing an opinion without humiliating someone else. Express it in such a way so as to not offend anyone. Because if the situations were reversed, and an offensive opinion about their religion or beliefs was publicized, they wouldn't be able to tolerate it either.  

When Islam is ridiculed and mocked, people tend to give it the name of free speech. If Christianity or Judaism or Buddhism is mocked, the same people claim that it is hate speech. So why is Islam the only religion that should be mocked in the name of free speech? Why is that not considered hate speech? Why is Islam being judged on the action of a few extremist black sheep, who probably don't even know what Islam actually teaches? Is Islam so degraded that if I, a Muslim, travel to France or Germany or Denmark, I'd be ostracised completely just because of the religion I belong to? Would that be fair? Or would that be considered a hate crime?

I believe freedom of speech is a right that transforms almost everyone into a hypocrite; not because people start stating opinions that aren't exactly theirs, but because they state their own opinions too crudely and brutally, not keeping in mind the fact that other people might get insulted. And when the same situation is inflicted on them, that is, when others indirectly insult them and then declaring it was just their idea of “freedom of speech”, they get offended. Therefore, freedom of speech does have some limitations, and I believe we would all be in a much more harmonious position if we were to limit ourselves to them instead of overstepping them, leading to violent clashes and chaos.

Furthermore, hate speech in the name of freedom of speech is not only a crime, it is obvious racism. And the only way to remove this is to believe in equality, and to unite in the face of terrorists. Be in harmony. Stop hating. Stop blaming. Start loving. Start uniting. Terrorists exist in every religion and community, but that does not, in any way, make the respective religion or community responsible for it. As someone said rightly so - "Don't blame religion if your perspective is stained". Therefore, I believe hate speech should not be tolerated by giving it the title of freedom of speech, and anyone who does so, should suffer the consequences.