The liberal and secular society of Pakistan nosedived from that point, and is still trying to find the bottom. The universal values of justice, equality, freedom, non-discrimination, compassion etc., were compromised for a few votes in the parliament.
Source/Credit: Montreal Gazette
By Taemoor Khan | October 15, 2015
In the early ’70s in Pakistan, a liberal minority government and its leader needed votes from extreme right-wing religious parties to strengthen their position in the parliament.
He accepted their demands and changed the constitution. He brought in laws that barred a religious minority — Ahmadiyya Muslims — from practising its faith. They were also no longer allowed to call themselves Muslims.
The liberal and secular society of Pakistan nosedived from that point, and is still trying to find the bottom. The universal values of justice, equality, freedom, non-discrimination, compassion etc., were compromised for a few votes in the parliament.
Today, in Canada, we are facing a similar challenge: We have a religious minority, which, by our Constitution, should be given freedom in practising its faith as long as it does not affect the livelihood and freedoms of others. But, here we are, telling its followers what to wear and what not to wear.
The niqab is not a threat to Canadian society. The bigger threat is the one that destroyed Pakistani society: It is the lack of freedom, lack of justice, lack of equal rights, lack of equal opportunities without any discrimination.
Taemoor Khan, Montreal
Read original post here: Perspective: Pakistan serves as a grim warning | Taemoor Khan
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