Source: Ahmadiyya Times | June 30, 2010
By Abu Aayan | Karachi
The massacre in Lahore on May 28th, 2010 was and will indeed remain a dark chapter in the history of this country. Pakistanis were so brutally slaughtered in the places where they worshiped the creator common to all. Human beings were left on the mercy of those bombers-cum-shooters-cum-suicidors, with police watching from outside. All this happened despite the fact that threats and warnings received for such an attack had already been communicated to all the concerned authorities and police. Much has been said on the background of all that happened. Some debated that incident was simply a terrorist attack just like any other attacks which take place in the streets of this country everyday; while others viewed it as a result of the hate-preaching, which Ahmadiyya Jama’at has been a victim of for decades now. Ahmadies had been slain over decades, but contrary to the traditions of this country and its countrymen, not a single ‘out-of-the-law’ reaction ever came from them. Even after this biggest tragedy of Lahore, their response was “Inna Lillah-e-Wa Inna ilehay Rajeoon”. Like always they only said ‘we leave our case to the ultimate court, for sure that is the court of ultimate justice’. Almost one hundred people assassinated – not a single stone thrown, not a single glass broken, no rally, no boycott, no demonstration or strikes. They said, they actually practice the faith that they believed in, and that is “Love for All – Hatred for None” – yes they proved it to the whole world.
Apparently there is no point in going into the arguments of who gave any individual or a worldly parliament (that too of Pakistan, where some new concerns revolve around every member of Parliament) the authority to decide on what people should consider themselves when it comes to faith. No matter in which direction you turn the debate to, when Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) himself never took that power in his hands then no other human being can ever be qualified to decide who is a Muslim or Non-Muslim. If we are not ready to allow others to explain their view point, then let’s wait for the day when Allah will give His verdict. But those who were supposed to take the responsibility of the tragedy and were the ones who were to ensure that those who carry out such gruesome acts are taken to task; made sure that they only resort to the minimum possible lip-service. This was to comply with what we call here ‘the law of land’. They were more engaged in proving the incompetence of each other, and to roll the blame from one side of the state corridors to the other. However a tragedy of this size triggered the sensitive parts of the society and some newspapers, some TV channel, some talk shows, some websites, and some blogs had that very rare display of condemnation of the atrocities. To be noted is the fact that this was for the first time ever, that Ahmadiyya community was able to receive at least some sympathies from some quarters of the society. But this was something which was against the norms of this society. This was against the game-rules of masses’ interpretation of religion here. How could it simply go unnoticed? So even before their pillows would loose the fragrances of all those who lost their lives while bowing to the creator, the society have started showing its manners. Probably the time for sham sympathies, deceptive statements, and baseless claims is over and society is back on its track.
Thanks to those, who ‘in-principal’ stood for the humanity and the values of decency. They were not doing it all only as a charade or pretense of presenting themselves as individuals of high morals – They were genuinely so. But honestly speaking the unfortunate reality has started to unfold and is sounding kind of different. These condemnations on few blogs are not turning into a public sentiment. On the contrary, shockingly, general public has started to avoid Ahmadies even more than what it used to be before May 28th. Surprisingly, the renewed kind of reactions Ahmadies are facing from colleagues, neighbors, class-mates, friends etc. is pretty disappointing and obscure. Though after the decades of discriminations, Ahmadies' mind set has evolved to a stage where even if they have to face tragedies after tragedies, they do not expect anything positive from this society. Having said that, still it wouldn’t sound out of the world, that after sacrifice of this magnitude, one would expect to at least receive some kindness from somewhere in the society. They did, but at what cost? Probably there was that one program in a TV channel, in which one of Ahmadiyya officials was invited and few questions related to the tragedy and beliefs of Ahmadies were presented to him. An Ahmadi talking about his faith !!!! Probably this was too much for this society to digest. Those who were wearing the masks of decency simply came out to their natural stuff. The whole infrastructure initiated the campaign to neutralize the ‘impact’ that this tragedy might have left on some, though very rare, but positive-minded people. Now, the mosques which were not popular in their anti-Ahmadiyya preaching are also doing it with full swing. Religious leaders are staging gatherings and rallies to put strange demands (read threats) to politicians and civil society. Politicians are making certain that not a word of their party leaders/ parliamentarians sends out a message that may displease those, whose support is vital for their political agenda. Frequency of threatening letters and obnoxious calls on Ahmadies is shooting high. Derogatory remarks are being passed in streets and neighborhoods like never before. Yes, nothing of all this is new; but all this just started off with a new amplified intensity. So the tragedy gave birth to another tragedy. But as mentioned above, if we analyze what’s the point in pushing so hard on the anti-Ahmadiyya preaching at this particular time, then the simple conclusion is again the same i.e. to counterbalance (if there was any balance) the soft feelings (if there were any).
Lets talk about that one program now. It was “by invitation” that Ahmadiyya Jama’at’s representative came online and responded to questions put forward by the anchor. Mind it, he was not reading out notes or did not have anything in particular to say. He was simply replying with the view point of Ahmadiyya Community - something absolutely unacceptable to the intolerant society of Pakistan. By the time program finished the anti-Ahmadiyya machinery had come into action. As later narrated by the channel’s people, and also accepted by the anchor he received ‘unhappy’ calls (read threats) from every side. No doubt this was the test of those who so boldly talk of independence of media, those who claim to stand for the tolerance and equality, those who position themselves to be saviors of oppressed; be it the Attaabad lake victims, or those captured in Kyrgyzstan. But let’s accept the fact that in this case those making all such claims so loudly fell down on their shoulders. Moreover, how could state machinery remain silent in the wake of pressures from ‘society’. PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) blocked a follow up program with another Ahmadiyya Jama’at personality on the same channel. And it did not stop here. Under the intense pressure (which was obvious from the face and actions of the same anchor) the same channel had to feature another program with three religious scholars in full control of what they wanted to say about the Ahmadies and the founder of the community – with no one to defend or show the other side of the picture. This is a modern era where media is playing a very vital role in establishing the public opinions. Everyday one can watch dozens of talk shows with topics ranging from the politics, religion, social issues, sports, war on terror, corruption, water issues even fake degrees. But has there been a single show, where one side is given free hand to say whatever they wanted and in whatever manner they wanted, with no chance for other side to explain or clarify the claims of the first side? The answer is “No”, but the same “No” would change to “Yes” when it comes to Ahmadiyya Community. There had been tragedies with other minorities but every time not only a proper media coverage is given to the unfortunate incident but equal coverage is given to the opinions of the community. But the case of course had to be different for Ahmadies.
Pragmatically speaking, after seeing so much, if you ask Ahmadies, they feel extremely vulnerable and threatened by each and every word said about them – be it positive or negative. Interesting isn’t it? But it is rather tragic. Such shows, where people come with no restrictions in terms of putting up allegations and claims are for sure provocative. Not too far in the past, such initiatives of some media celebrities had resulted in some very significant Ahmadi personalities loosing their lives at the hands of some opportunistic faithfuls. On the contrary if there is a program or platform in which Ahmadies are given a chance to talk about atrocities and discriminations against them, or someone else talks some sensible stuff about this sensitive subject then this too results in serious repercussions and an aftermath of receiving the hostile reactions in the most intimidating fashion. But this is so.
Can all those who claim to be sensible ingredients of this Islamic Society imagine how heavily the tiny hearts of those small Ahmadi children pound when they are sitting in front of their television sets and watching such programs with their elders. Most of them with open mouths, concerned eyes, and upset minds don’t even know why everyone in the family is so upset because of just one TV program (which for the owners and anchors, may be not more than adding some spice to the situation or at most attract some lucrative advertisements.) They all anxiously stare at those in the TV screens and wait for one word, or one sentence which could instigate someone somewhere to come up with the initiative to take the life of their father, brother, uncle, or even theirs. Can you sane people of Pakistan even think of the agony that Ahmadi women have to pass through every day when they wait for their men and children to return from work or schools? Those little hands rise for prayers with wet eyes; those women cry out their hearts to Almighty Allah in Sajdas, and Ahmadi men while knowing the uncertainties ahead, still move on with life – to whatever extent it accompanies them. All this might sound like victory to some, but from all the moral and ethical principals this is death of humanity and death of all sane values by any standard. But no one stands up. Not many people say that enough is enough. Not many of those silent people avoiding Ahmadies in classrooms, office cubicles, or neighborhood streets, ever bother to have the courage to ask themselves as “Why am I doing it?” The question may sound much more valid after the recent tragedy where Ahmadies were at loss of precious lives, but apparently the same easy question has become lot more difficult in the prevailing circumstances. It looks as if everyone is scared of someone. It seems as if everyone has been taken as a hostage by someone. But by whom? No one knows the answer to this one last question.
-- Abu Aayan | Karachi | A Nation… Hostage to itself
-- Credit due to the any publication where may have published previously
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