| September 25, 2006 | Monday | Ramazan 1, 1427 |
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Misinterpreting Jinnah
Islam in the eyes of western media
Turkey’s place in Europe
Bravado and incompetence
Fitting replies to Pope
Robbers at work
M3 industrial city
Karachi headlines
Oil pricing
Readers are requested to restrict their comments to a maximum of 400 words. We reserve the right to edit letters for reasons of clarity and space. Letters, including those by e-mail, should carry the complete postal address of the sender. The views expressed in these columns do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper.—Editor
AFTER the atomic bombing of Japan, what may be called a new type of WMD, “Weapon of Muslims’ Destruction”, has been fired from America at Pakistan and other Islamic countries. At present, it is in the shape of a proposal presented by the title of ‘Blood Borders’, in the US Armed Forces Journal by Ralph Peters (Dawn, Aug 27).
The diabolical plan, which has rattled the Pakistani and other Muslims, aims at breaking up and reconfiguring many Islamic states, while also claiming that Pakistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are ‘unnatural states’ requiring major readjustments. There are many problems with Mr Peters’s ‘vision’.
a. Why is he so concerned about the naturalness or artificiality of Muslim countries? Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are far more natural than Australia, Israel or the US, for instance, because they were not set up by killing or persecuting the natives living thousands of miles away: the Aborigines, Palestinians and the American Indians, respectively. Nor were millions of slaves brought in from Africa to serve them.
Shouldn’t he have been paying more attention to the fate of the Afro-Americans, many of whom effectively constitute a Third World inside America and were left to rot in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina? At the turn of the century, the then president Bill Clinton had equated the condition of the inner city residents of Chicago to the squalor in Kolkata, India.
Isn’t it more incongruous to have Alaska and Hawaii so distant from the US mainland? California used to be a part of Mexico, which the latter was compelled to sell for a paltry sum. One can see stickers on the cars of Mexican Americans living in California saying ‘Native Californian’, as an implicit claim on the state, while many of its cities still have Spanish names such as San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Clara and San Francisco. Some Muslims assert its original name actually is ‘Khalifornia’ from ‘khalifa’ (caliph) and it rightfully belonged to the Spanish Muslims who had reached the place before the ‘discovery’ of the New World by Columbus.
The gentleman has also failed to note that it would be far more ‘natural’ for Northern Ireland to be a part of Ireland and Falkland Islands of Argentina, rather than of the UK, or, Israel to have been set up in Europe or the US. He also doesn’t seem to care that citizens of other countries do not want any subversion, just as many Americans were very angry when Col Qadhafi of Libya had reportedly donated $1 billion to the American religious group, ‘Nation of Islam’, in the mid-’90s for the welfare of its black Muslim adherents. This was because they had suspicions this money would be used for subversive activities in the US.
b. The writer also has some of his other facts wrong. It is the Punjabis and not the Kurds (27-36 million) who are the world’s largest ethnic group without a state of their own. They number around 100 million and live mainly in Pakistan but also just across the border in India without demanding a separate, unified country. Indeed, most Pakistani Punjabis would probably not even oppose the division of their province into smaller ones for the sake of Pakistan. Likewise, the Sindhis living in these two countries may also be greater in number than the Kurds. Besides, there are more Muslims living in India as a very oppressed minority than there are Christians in the Middle East, who should have merited a greater concern.
As far as the Naqshbandis are concerned, it is preposterous to claim that they require a state of their own. One has been in contact with Sufis of many Orders and has accordingly known or met Naqshbandi shaikhs from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and North America. Like the other Sufis they can be found in nearly every country having a significant Muslim population but nobody ever suggested even remotely of such a need. The Sufis have no interest in borders except to keep them from being bloodied.
c. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and other countries may be separate now but even in AD 632, at the time of the demise of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), only 23 years after he started preaching Islam, half of the Arabian peninsula had already formed the first Islamic state and by the mid-eighth century it ranged from the Pyrenees to the Himalayas. Khilafat had united peoples and nations — quite like the Europeans who are now trying to unify their countries — but without having fought even one world war.
A. MUSLIM
Karachi
MR Aized Nasim (letter, Sept 21) has expressed surprise at the remarks made by Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada that the Quaid wanted Pakistan to be an Islamic state and not a secular state.
The problem is that Jinnah has been and continues to be misinterpreted, mainly because people misquote or only quote those portions of Jinnah’s speeches and statements as they consider relevant.
Jinnah did not use the word ‘secular’ in relation to Pakistan but he did use the expression ‘Islamic’ not in the sense as is generally understood but from the point of view of Islamic principles as he understood them to be. To understand Jinnah’s concept of Pakistan, it is necessary to read his broadcast to the people of the United States of America in February 1948 when he said:
“The constitution of Pakistan has yet to be framed by the Pakistan Constituent Assembly. I do not know what the ultimate shape of this constitution is going to be, but I am sure that it will be of a democratic type, embodying the essential principles of Islam. Today, they are as applicable in actual life as they were 1300 years ago. Islam and its idealism have taught us democracy.
“It has taught equality of man, justice and fair play to everybody. We are the inheritors of these glorious traditions and are fully alive to our responsibilities and obligations as framers of the future constitution of Pakistan.
“In any case, Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state to be ruled by priests with a divine mission. We have many non-Muslim — Hindus, Christians, and Parsis — but they are all Pakistanis. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges as any other citizens and will play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan.”
Earlier in January 1948 in an address to the members of the Karachi Bar Association, Jinnah said: “Islamic principles are as applicable today as they were 1300 years ago. Islam and its idealism have taught us democracy.
Islam has taught equality, justice and fair play to everybody. What reason is there for anyone to fear democracy, equality, freedom and the highest standard of integrity on the basis of fair play and justice for everybody.”
Jinnah saw no conflict between the principles of Islam and the secular concept of equality and tolerance among people. He commended tolerance and protection of minorities not as secular principles but as a mandatory Islamic commandment.
The ideology of Pakistan was to free the Muslims from foreign rule and domination by the majority Hindu population by attainment of a separate homeland for the Muslims where they could achieve political and economic independence and run the affairs of government under a constitution which would embody the principles of democracy, equality, tolerance, freedom of worship and expression and the protection of minorities coupled with justice and fair play at all levels.
Jinnah emphasised the above principles as having their origin and basis in Islam but Pakistan was not contemplated as a theocratic state but rather as a modern Muslim state whose constitution would be democratic in nature and contain the essential principles of Islam.
LIAQUAT H. MERCHANT
Karachi
“UNDER Islamic law the punishment for apostasy is death”, quotes Anil Khan Luni in his letter (Sept 21). This is not true, according to the Holy Quran. I am quoting a few verses for his and your viewers review:
[2:257] There is no compulsion in religion. Surely, the right way has become distinct from error.
[18:30] And say, ‘It is the truth from your Lord; wherefore let him, who will, believe, and let him, who will, disbelieve.’
[88:22] Admonish, therefore, for thou art but an admonisher 88:23] Thou art not appointed a keeper over them.
[109:7] ‘For you your religion, and for me my religion. The above Quranic verses speak for themselves. No incident in history will be valid if they contradict God’s words.
DR BOODHUN
Canada
THIS is with reference to Anil Khan Luni’s letter (Sept 21). In presenting his claim of ongoing clash between the western and Islamic laws, he has frequently attributed the word ‘Islamic laws’ to the obsolete human interpretation of the Holy Quran, Sunnah, along with other ‘rivayahs’ known as fiqh. Although this human work is of extraordinary qualities and may have been relevant for many centuries but then became obsolete for the fact that it was developed by mortal humans.
The problem arises when modern-day Muslims, including most scholars, give human fiqh the stature of divine word like the Holy Quran, thus closing any doors of finding any possible flaw or improvement in initial interpretations.
Thus in my opinion the notion of “clash between western and Islamic laws” as put forward by the writer should be rather formatted as “clash between western laws and old Islamic interpretation”.
M. ZAFAR IQBAL
Karachi
I BELIEVE it is time for European leaders to start questioning whether mostly-Islamic Turkey should have a place in the European Union, especially following the country’s reckless and overly critical reaction to the recent words of wisdom by Pope Benedict XVI. The Pope’s address was deliberate and intended to recall the necessity of conjoining faith and reason: it is the uncoupling of these twin values that has delivered so much needless death in history. Ironically, the Muslim response in many quarters has only underscored the veracity of the Pope’s remarks.
The irrational behaviour toward the Pope is a reflection of the great cultural and spiritual divide that exists especially between Turkey and western nations which are fundamentally Christian. One need only look at Turkey’s record on freedom of speech and what it is doing to writers in Turkey who want to speak out. From a political and historical point of view Turkey has always represented another continent that is in permanent contrast to Europe.
Ultimately, Turkey’s Islamic heritage makes it doubtful that the country would be easy to integrate into the European community, with its Christian cultural background. Surely a European community has to be more than economic. It has to have common values.
PAUL KOKOSKI
Canada
THIS is with reference to Ardeshir Cowasjee’s question (Sept 19) to Kaiser Bengali: what would he have done in terms of foreign policy in the immediate aftermath of 9/11? I do not know what Mr Bengali would have done if he had been in charge at the time. But I know what I would have done had I been the chief executive of the country.
I’d have asked the Americans to cancel our entire foreign debt at the time, which was $38 billion. Considering that they had offered $26 billion to Turkey for its cooperation, I don’t see how they could have refused.
SHAKIR LAKHANI
Karachi
KAREN Armstrong’s reply, “West cannot afford to maintain age-old bias against Islam,” to the Pope’s recent outburst, along with the piece, ‘Return to the dark ages’, by Soumaya Ghannoushi of Sept 20 are perfect rejoinders and need to be read by all the bigots who are defending the pontiff.
One may add a few more things. While Ms Armstrong has mentioned the killing of some 30,000 Muslims and Jews by the Crusaders in Jerusalem, Draper had provided a more graphic account:
“But (in contrast to Caliph Omar’s fine treatment of Christians after taking over Jerusalem in AD 637) in the capture by the Crusaders, the brains of young children were dashed out against the walls; infants were pitched over the battlements; men were roasted at fires; some were ripped up, to see if they had swallowed gold; the Jews were driven into their synagogue and there burnt; a massacre of nearly 70,000 persons took place, and the Pope’s legate were seen partaking in the triumph!” (History of the Intellectual Development of Europe).
The Office for Non-Christian Affairs at the Vatican had produced a document resulting from the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. It had invited the readers to clear away the “out- dated image, inherited from the past, or distorted by prejudice and slander” that Christians have of Islam and proceeded to “recognise the past injustice towards the Muslims for which the West, with its Christian education, is to blame.”
This is essentially what Ms Armstrong has also driven home in her article but, unfortunately, Pope Benedict has decided to ignore what his predecessors had said and has undone the good work of Pope John Paul as well.
Karen Armstrong has also explained in her write-up that the Muslims did not impose their faith by the sword, the fights in Persia and Byzantium were for political reasons and until the mid-eighth century the Christians and Jews were actively discouraged from conversion to Islam. To this, one may add the example of India, where the great majority remained Hindu throughout the 1,000 years of Muslim rule; likewise Islam was spread to Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Central Asia and many other places by the Arab merchants as well as by the Sufis, which is also enunciated in Karen Armstrong’s book, Islam: A Short History.
Apart from that, in the last century numerous western intellectuals, academics, scientists, doctors, psychologists, engineers, lawyers, clerics, sportspeople and others have embraced Islam, with the women being in the majority, obviously without a sword hanging over them.
The need of the hour is for the Pope, President Bush, Premier Blair, Condoleezza Rice and the other supporters to get enlightened by some Muslim scholars and unbiased western academics like Ms Armstrong, instead of continuing the crusade started against Islam and its followers begun several years ago, which will only have deadly consequences for all of humanity.
In his letter (Sept 20), Mr Tyrone Mascarenhas has been quick to advise the Muslims to ‘Learn to accept criticism’ and not resort to burning churches or other violent protests. One would also appeal to one’s co-religionists not to harm the Christians, their churches or property. However, there are two things for the writer to note.
One, he should not make it appear that 1.5 billion Muslims are all engaged in violence — only a few dozen or a few hundred were involved.
Two, if somebody makes unjust allegations or insults, as was done by the American evangelists, Danish cartoonists and, now, the Pope, nobody will take it quietly.
On Sept 9, Mr Tyrone Tellis had alleged that the sacrifices of the Christian officers of PAF were not being recognised. However, on Sept 12 there was a reply from the director, public relations of the service, disproving his charge and suggesting that “Mr Tellis may wish to apologise for fuelling a misconception that is prejudicial to interfaith harmony.” So far he hasn’t had the courtesy to apologise. Should the PAF have taken the criticism lying down, just as Mr Mascarenhas and the supporters of the Pope want the Muslims to do in the present instance, while denying the same freedom of speech to the critics of the Holocaust and the Jews?
S. QADRI M
Karachi
WE are residents of Karachi’s Memon Society, Street Nos. 2, 3 and 4, Wali Mohammad Yaqoob Road, Khadda, Lyari Town. For the last two weeks, we are being targeted by a gang of four or five robbers.
On the night of Sept 18 five armed men forced their way into a flat of the Javed House apartment and deprived a resident of two mobile sets, passports and about Rs72,000 in cash. The man lived on the 5th floor. Almost every night these people loot two to three flats and take away the things like computer, refrigerator, cash and gold.
A few days ago the group robbed a wedding party. Furthermore, there is a flat that has been looted five times. Those who try to put hurdles in the way of these robbers are thrashed.
Frequent and prolonged outages have also rendered these robbers’ work easier.
Through these columns we appeal to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to take notice of the matter and order the police to provide us protection.
CONCERNED RESIDENTS
Karachi
THIS is with reference to the quarter-page advertisement appearing in Dawn ( September 20) in which the government of Punjab, while welcoming Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on his visit to the M3 industrial city, states that “foreign investments exceeding $100 billion” has been achieved.
Since $100 billion is a phenomenal amount, I would like to request the government of Punjab to kindly release the details of this colossal foreign investment.
NAZIM F. HAJI
Karachi
READING news from Karachi in your paper it seems that the city has been left at the mercy of criminals. On an average, citizens are deprived of 50 cars and 70 cellphones every day. Where is the writ of the government that Mr Sherpao wants to impose on other locations in the country?
SYED HASAN
Texas, USA
A REPORT appeared in the media recently that because the price formula approved by the government envisaged increases in prices of petroleum products on the basis of increases in the international price of crude oil, oil companies were unhappy that no increase in retail prices of petroleum products was being allowed. It is alleged that the oil companies demanded compensation and that a hefty payment was released by the government to the oil companies.
The shoe is now on the other foot. Of late, the price of crude oil has shown a sharp decline in the international market. The time has come now that the government should demand payment from oil companies on the basis of this downward slide.
In the past, the cost of existing stocks produced/imported at lower cost was valued higher on the basis of increases in the international price of crude oil. So now the existing stocks needs to be valued lower on the basis of sharp decline in the international price of crude oil. The benefits from lower prices should be passed on to the consumers.
If we believe in the free play of market forces, we should allow free play to these forces even when the price of crude oil is going down in the international market.
M. ANWAR KHAN
Karachi
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