Perspective: Pakistan is defined by the Mumtaz Qadri generation | Samreen Ahmed

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Any Pakistani who supports this [blasphemy] law should be ashamed of themselves for supporting the colonialism of their homeland.

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Blasting News
By Samreen Ahmed | July 17, 2016

Qadri was hanged in February 2016 but unfortunately his legacy will live on

Qadri was a policeman and commando in Pakistan's Elite force assigned to protecting Governor of Punjab Salman Taseer. Qadri shot Taseer in 2011 because Taseer had dared to utilise his freedom of speech and stand up for Asia Bibi, a Christian woman in jail for committing blasphemy. Yes, offending religious sentiment is an actual crime in Pakistan carrying the death penalty.

Eventually Qadri was hanged the state. Rejoice. One of the few times even a liberal might support a judicial execution. Executions do not stop crime. In fact, they can add a depraved notoriety to the criminal. However this man kept Pakistan hostage for 5 years. Even whilst inside one of Pakistan’s notorious jails, he made demands that were transmitted to the entire country. His absurd comments and proud stance grimaced at you while you tried to continue with daily life.

However after deliberation once can realise that it wasn't Qadri that kept Pakistan in the stone age. It was the silence of politicians and army generals. Even senior journalists didn't criticise him or his actions. One can understand that people are frightened and may become a target if they opposed Qadri’s ideology, but if public figures do not speak out then who will? To this day no other figure has criticised Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy law. We walk on eggshells in debates surrounding Islam and the role of religion in politics and when discussing the rights and treatment of the tiny Christian and Hindu population in Pakistan.

Let's break it down for the fools who support this law: the blasphemy law has nothing to do with Islam. It was not implemented by a democratically elected Pakistani government upholding the wishes of the public. The blasphemy law was made by the British Empire to suppress criticism of its pillage of India. It is a man-made law. It is a black law. Any Pakistani who supports this law should be ashamed of themselves for supporting the colonialism of their homeland.

How dare Qadri take the law in his hands? How dare he equate himself to judge, jury and executioner? How can Muslims support a man who quelled one of the key principles of Islam; to not kill someone? He also threatened to kill himself, another time he clashed with Islamic principles. We do not need to worry about Qadri anymore, but we do need to be mindfully aware about the 100,000 people who turned up to 'pay respects' at his funeral, including public spokespersons from the country's political parties.

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