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They die with dignity
The phantoms of the opera WITH reference to Anjum Niaz’s column The phantoms of the opera (February 2), Ms. Niaz’s piece was colourful and trenchant and a provocative read. But it was also, depressingly, replete with sanctimoniousness and personal rancour. Before jumping to conclusions against Syeda Abida Hussain or Syed Fakhar Imam, whom this piece mercilessly targets, about their recent political initiative in the shape of the newly formed IDG and insisting on seeing it merely as a strategy that might catapult them back into the corridors of power. Surely it is equally possible that what they are attempting to do is create a sort of middle ground between the establishment and the mainstream opposition political parties with a view to rescuing the Federation from further decay. This is an initiative which should in fact be encouraged partly owing to the extremely grave situation in the country today and also because an entire nation cannot be expected to sit twiddling its thumbs as it waits for the healing hand of any given individual political leader in exile to materialize. As for Ms. Niaz’s vituperations apropos of the country’s opportunists, I would draw her attention to something Syeda Abida Hussain said in defence of her politics when accused of opportunism at a seminar in Karachi. She had the presence of mind — and candour — to retort that those putting her in the dock would do well to remember that she herself was just a symptom of a nationwide ‘lota’ culture. In this context, I would like to ask Ms. Niaz: is it better to be a ‘lota’ or an ‘aftaba’? Also, is it, morally, perfectly acceptable if our cup brimmeth over every time there is a military takeover in the country? DR ADRAIN A. HUSAIN Karachi Read their lips with care WITH reference to Anjum Niaz’s column read their lips with care (January 30), this so called Islamic republic that Ms. Niaz is referring to is certainly not following the teachings of Islam. According to Islam a raped woman is a victim that must be treated with honour and kindness. She is not required to produce four witnesses to prove the crime done against her, nor is she punished for this crime! According to Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Canada, “A woman who has been raped cannot be asked to produce witnesses; her claim shall be accepted unless there are tangible grounds to prove otherwise. To insist that she provide witnesses is akin to inflicting further pain on her. If anyone refutes her claim of innocence, the onus is on him to provide evidence and she may simply deny the claim by making a solemn oath.” This can be backed by authentic hadith from the Prophet Muhammed (Peace be Upon Him). Shazia Malik definitely deserves an apology — an apology by all knowledgeable, educated, well-versed individuals who know so much, yet are ignorant when it comes to the essentials of Islam. It is time for us to wake up and learn the wisdom of our religion so that we can understand the fairness, equality and justice it can provide for our nation; if we choose to follow it! ASIMA ALI Orlando, Florida, USA | ||
WITH reference to Amar Jaleel’s column They die with dignity (January 30), he equates Socrates with personalities that actually did not die with dignity.|
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