Relevance of martyrdom
THE martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Husain is being observed this year amidst heightened tension, anxiety and fear over threats of war against Iraq where the epic battle of Karbala was fought over thirteen and half centuries ago. The situation in the Mideast region today is in some ways reminiscent of that heroic episode — at least in terms of the unequal nature of the power of the contending sides. The Muslim world should take its inspiration from the steadfastness of faith and courage shown by the Prophet’s grandson and his small band of faithful followers in confronting the awesome might and ruthlessness of a derelict usurper. The Islamic fraternity once again lies in the direct line of peril. Caught in a situation of fear, anxiety and confusion, the Muslim Millat needs fortification in both spiritual and material terms to face up to the grim challenge. The supreme sacrifice made by Prophet Muhammad’s grandson for a just cause and lofty principles remains an ever-lasting source of inspiration and courage in an hour of trial such as the present one.
An enduring belief in the ultimate triumph of truth and justice must be the guiding principle. While swearing allegiance to the great martyr’s mission, silence and inaction in the face of arrogance of power of the self-styled champions of freedom and human rights amounts to acquiescence in the perpetuation of an evil order. Expediency and pusillanimity, however masked, militate against the grain of Islam. Though materially and militarily the odds against the Imam and his small but dedicated band of followers were overwhelming, spiritually and morally his was a mighty force. It was not a war waged in a conventional sense but a jihad fought with rare resolution and courage to reaffirm the Divine order. We as a fraternity must emulate this inspiring example in action instead of making a virtue of narrow national convenience or hiding behind excuses.
The need for unity of purpose and action at this critical juncture is paramount. While this overriding need has been eluding our grasp, the adversaries alone cannot be blamed for divisions and disunity among the Muslim nations. If we look around us and search our hearts, the dichotomy between our professions and practice will appear to be the root cause of our decline and regression. This aberration is a source of comfort for our adversaries who seek to profit by it. Hazrat Imam Husain stood for the Islamic way of life and fought for its preservative at the cost of his life. The choice before him was between spiritual survival and total submission. He preferred death to acquiescence or surrender. He demonstrated that there is no room for hypocrisy in Islam. The bonds of brotherhood must be strengthened in the light of his great sacrifice. Through his martyrdom he highlighted the true spirit of Islam. In his famous farewell address the Prophet (peace be upon him) told the huge Haj gathering: “Ye people, listen to my words and understand the same. Know that all Muslims are brothers unto one another. Ye are one brotherhood.” The holy Quran categorically condemns sectarianism and those who divide their religion and splinter the fraternity into sects.
The LFO logjam
ANOTHER vital step on the road to democracy was taken on Wednesday when the newly elected members of the Senate took oath. Although marred by a noisy protest from the opposition, the event marked the final formal step in the process of a return to civilian rule which began following the October general elections. The uproar on the occasion reflected the deeply polarised nature of the country’s politics. At the centre of the storm was the legitimacy or otherwise of the Legal Framework Order, the controversial package of amendments framed by General Pervez Musharraf before the elections. The LFO gives sweeping powers to the president, including the right to dismiss parliament, and envisages the creation of a National Security Council to oversee the working of the government. Another bone of contention is General Musharraf’s dual role as president and chief of army staff, which is widely regarded as wholly incompatible with democracy. As the rumpus in the Senate threatened to turn ugly, it was decided to allow those opposed to the LFO to take their oaths according to the unamended Constitution. The opposition then proceeded to boycott the election of chairman and deputy chairman of the Senate, paving the way for pro-government candidates, Mohammadmian Soomro and Khalilur Rehman, to be elected unopposed to these offices. A few days earlier, a raucous protest against the LFO had brought proceedings in the National Assembly to a standstill, forcing the prorogation of the session.
The LFO controversy is clearly going to prove a major stumbling block in the path of the smooth functioning of the democratic system in its altered form. It is important for the elected representatives to work out a compromise on this highly contentious issue so that they can move on to focus their attention on the serious problems confronting the nation, most notably the crisis over Iraq. The government and the opposition must keep cool and try to work out a mutually acceptable solution rather than allow this dangerous confrontation to continue. The fundamental nature of the issue means that the task will not be an easy one. Nevertheless, it is vital that serious negotiations between the two sides take place for a settlement. Pakistan simply cannot afford democracy to suffer any more setbacks, particularly at a time when all kinds of dangers hover over the country’s horizon.
Wanton excesses in Srinagar
THE teargassing of mourners participating in a Muharram procession in Srinagar on Wednesday, and the opening of indiscriminate fire on another Muharram procession in a Budgam village the previous day, indicate that Mufti Mohammed Sayeed’s way of ruling occupied Kashmir is no different from his predecessor’s. In both incidents, the notorious Special Operations Group of the police force showed its trademark highhandedness, arresting nearly a hundred mourners, including a number of Hurriyat leaders. Mufti Sayeed had promised the disbanding of the highly repressive SOG during his election campaign last October. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have strongly criticized continued violations of human rights by the SOG and other state agencies, and censured the Sayeed government for reneging on its pledges. Occupied Kashmir, meanwhile, remains as restive as ever, as the Sayeed government takes pains to stay on the right side of New Delhi.
A blanket ban was imposed on all processions in occupied Kashmir in 1990 but the security forces have applied the ban more rigorously in the valley where the majority population is Muslim. Non-Muslim communities of Jammu have continued to hold their religious ceremonies, including the taking out of processions, under security cover provided by the state. There was a lull in violence following the October election when Mufti Sayeed promised a ‘healing touch’ after more than a decade of insurgency aimed at liberating Kashmir from Indian rule. It seems retaliatory bomb blasts at public places, such as the one carried out in Rajouri only yesterday, are once again becoming a common feature of life under occupation in held Kashmir. The firing on, and teargassing of, purely religious gatherings by the security forces makes it clear to an already restive people that they do not even have the freedom to practise their faith.