We have learnt and read through fascinating stories and examples of history that believing in unity as strength is the key to success and division is the route to downfall. Regardless of the number of population sect-wise in Pakistan, it is observed that implanting hatred and creating distances have always existed in one way or the other. Where our nation stands as one force when a calamity afflicts us or we win a cricket match, hatred and division is seen on the rise and it is surely one of the reasons why we are heading towards becoming a failed state.
Different sects, their own ideas of dominance, ‘holier than thou’ attitude and declaring each other as ‘non-believers (Kafir) are some serious problems. This attitude has given rise to violence in the society. It’s a fact that issues related to sectarian identities are not new. Mosques and madrasas, or seminaries of traditional Islamic education, play a role in this regard. Where they have a responsibility to bring closer the Muslims and make the ties stronger among the Muslim community, some of them may actually take dividing the nation as their ‘noble’ duty. They may feel their sectarian affiliation dearer to heart and cause, than their affiliation to the beautiful religion of peace itself. The leadership of such madrassas comes from people who began their careers as preachers and ‘imams’ in their neighbourhood mosques. They do not necessarily represent the most learned and wise men, as in the days of the Prophet (SAW).
A fear factor has emerged among the new generation which deserves to be loved, groomed, cherished and respected. The generation which should hold a pen and book in their hands, holds guns either to give protection to their families, or to do their so called “Jihad” getting paid or aid through different extremist organizations.
Given the brutal violence against the Shias in Pakistan over the past three decades, Shias have started to wonder if there is a future for them in Pakistan. While hundreds of thousands of Shias had migrated to Pakistan in 1947 in the hope of building a new life for themselves and their future generations, many are now contemplating emigrating from Pakistan to save their lives and property. Hundreds of Shias have been murdered in their Imam Bargah’s by the different sectarian militants in the past. They have been taken off buses, lined up and shot dead. Their places of worship, religious processions, and civilian and religious leadership has come under relentless attacks while the state’s machinery has either refused or failed to protect shias and other religious minorities in Pakistan.
But the question also exists that who in Pakistan is safe. There are attacks on mosques and shrines too, even on people attending the funeral prayers. Blasts kill many people who do not get sectarian or religious tags. They are just numbered. Some are not even numbered or mentioned. They are declared as collateral damage. We might never know exact figures of civilian casualties of war on terror. Drone attacks are a routine. Bomb blasts all over the country and especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are a norm. Balochistan’s situation is worsening. ‘Missing persons’ is another shameful reality. Every person puts his life at risk when he leaves for work every morning. School going children are not safe either. Who is destroying our land? Do we have enemies within us? My Sunni friends and I sit together and discuss. We have never hated each other. We have enjoyed the most beautiful school and college days together and helped each other in difficult times. We have dined out, hiked in mountains and spent the most exciting time of our lives together. Our bond has only grown stronger. But we look around the country and see terrorism, calamaties, blasts, killings either by our very own terror groups or in line of ‘war on terror’. There is only one common finding, ‘we are the ones who are suffering as a nation.’ We are going weak emotionally due to these divisions being implanted, and the tags given to the dead. The people killing us know how to divide us. It’s we as a nation who have to keep our eyes open and send a message of unity and love. For the sake of Muslim unity all sects should be acceptable and equal and we should learn to tolerate each other. I strongly believe that different sects are just different flavours of the same principle. If Christians can protect Muslims while they offer Namaz at Tahrir square, why can’t Sunnis protect Shias and Shias protect Sunnis?
When Pakistan needs some ‘life saving’ measures to restore peace and prosperity, let’s think about the country, rising above sectarian divisions. We are all different children of the same mother, our homeland. Whoever is killed is a human first without any tag and every human is precious and every killing is condemnable and shameful.
Now it’s time to either build or destroy the future of Pakistan. The time has come to unite as a force and tell the rest of the world that Islam is the religion of love, faith, tolerance and freedom and not hate, distrust and division.
Excerpt from the last sermon of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH):
‘O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Treat others justly so that no one would be unjust to you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that HE will indeed reckon your deeds.’
My message to the whole Pakistani nation:
“Love one another and you will be happy; it is as simple as that”