Nadeem Paracha's ‘The 1974 ouster of the ‘heretics’": Some observations | Shermeen Butt

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I also note with a degree of bemusement how you group Ahmadiyya voters with ‘the working class and the petty-bourgeoisie’ of Punjab. Some things simply let slip, don’t they!

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By Shermeen Butt | November 21, 2013

The following was written as a comment on Nadeem Paracha's piece in Dawn yesterday - but Dawn has chosen not to publish it. I really do not know why. [Shermeen Butt]

Mr Nadeem Paracha, I read your piece ‘The 1974 ouster of the ‘heretics’: what really happened’ with interest.

You have clearly delved into the ‘history’ of the matter but allow me to say many a time history is written by those with the might!  You say you do not wish to go in the theological aspects of the matter which is quite astonishing as the very core of this debacle was theology-based. There is no escaping the fact that this was a grave matter whereupon a government’s legislative body decided the validity of the faith of a large section of its citizens. The very thought is reprehensible yet, it happened and the world witnessed it and here we are some thirty nine years on trying to ‘exonerate’ the person on whose watch it all took place.

Of course, you have not completely escaped adding a dash of theology here and there and make some generalised observations. Claiming prophethood is regarded as a major and unpardonable sin by a majority of Muslims, you say. Well, this majority of Muslims also happens to await the Mahdi, who they opine will be Hazrat Isa (on whom be peace) coming back to life. So, in theory they consider it fine that a Jewish Prophet of God who died two thousand years ago will come back to life and lead the Muslims, but consider it an unpardonable sin if a Muslim person claiming to be the Messiah and the Mahdi (supported by earthly and heavenly signs) also asserts that God has called him NabiUllah? He was, of course a Prophet in a reflective, shadow-like capacity. He brought nothing new, he repeatedly avowed to be the most ardent and devoted slave of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him).

Of course as many have commented you quote the name of Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad incorrectly and you make a rather interesting typing error by saying his claims ‘left the movement venerable against accusations…’ I must admit I found this ‘error’ rather heartening.

I also note with a degree of bemusement how you group Ahmadiyya voters with ‘the working class and the petty-bourgeoisie’ of Punjab. Some things simply let slip, don’t they!

As for the Ahmadiyya leadership's hand in the incident at Rabwah train station, in the absence of any real impartial eye-witness, let us just say the Ahmadiyya community’s 120 odd year history of peaceful existence and immense restraint in face of barbaric persecution speaks volumes. And speaking of things barbaric, Ahmadiyya community does not simply ‘face regular bouts of violence and harassment’ as you say, indeed they are mown down and pay with their blood, among other things, for their belief.

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