When I started going to
school at the age of 5 years in 1965 the thing I liked the most about it was
the morning assembly of all pupils standing in rows, class wise, witnessing in
silence recitation of a few verses from Holy Quran and then singing together,
all in chorus, either the national anthem or a new song arousing our sentiments
and recognizing the valor & sacrifices of Pakistan Army in war against
India. The song’s first line was: Khitta e Lahore Tere
Jan-Nisaaron ko Salam. Six years later, during yet another war in
1971 an engineer from Larkana gets martyred on an Indus Bridge in Sukkur during
an air strike of the enemy. The next day whole city converges to attend his
funeral. By that time; we were all Pakistani, all Muslim or vice versa. Those were
the best times when no one asked about your sect or ethnicity and never bothered
to discuss and argue what the patriotism was all about. And it was out of
question to ever think of whether we were Muslim first or Pakistani.
Revisiting history of
Pakistan we learn that though slogan for a separate Muslim State was raised
during liberation movement from British Raj, it is yet to be agreed by all and
sundry that voice for a separate Islamic State was equally strong enough. In
response to a reference, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is quoted to have
said: “We shall not be an Islamic State, but a liberal, democratic Muslim
State.” And he went on saying that it would be an extremely difficult task
to handle various sects under an Islamic State.
But things started to
change, leading to a destination of mistrusts and doubts. On the behest of external
powers coupled with internal incompetence, greed and lust for power, those army
generals, political and religious leaders who made an impact on the lives of millions
became the source of persistent distraction to people’s thinking which compelled
them to discuss & dispute their own identity. People ask themselves with a
non-question as to whether they prefer Pakistan or Islam, as if both can’t go
together at all.
The disintegration of this
nation, both spiritually and literally, starts with the breakup of Pakistan
into two, and goes on further in successive eras of army rule in the country. The
democratic governments and so-called religious seminaries were also not behind
in nurturing the disharmony and added salt to the injuries.
General Zia ul Haq, toppled
the weak democratic government of Mr. Bhutto, imposed martial law with false
promises of bringing back the real democracy and rule of Islamic law in the
country in 90 days. His rule extends beyond 90 months exploiting Islam to every
extent; from cosmopolitan steps like banning girls on TV who refused to cover
their heads with Dupatta (Scarf) to lashing the criminals publicly. It was a ripe
time to fan cacophony; discord over proposed Kalabagh Dam Project (it continues
to haunt this nation), dispute between Punjab and Sindh over sharing of river
waters for agriculture, and creation & supporting regional political
parties on linguistic terms. General Musharraf was not behind; he resorted to
exploiting patriotism. During his rule in 1999-2008 he raised the slogan: Sab
Se Pehle Pakistan or Pakistan First. In the disguise of patriotism and
modernism, he promoted western culture. He continued with the policy of divide
and rule, suppressing mainstream political parties while encouraging regional parties.
And the ill-fated,
unforgettable and dreadful 9/11 attack takes place in New York which is going
to fetch endless troubles for Pakistan. Osam Bin Laden, once a CIA darling, a
Mujahedeen leader, is declared responsible for this attack. Osama suddenly
turns top villain and the proclaimed terrorist. Mujahedeen, who fought against
Russian invasion of Afghanistan with the backing of the US, are renamed as
Taliban (Terrorists). The war against terror strikes; Pakistan is pushed into this
war because of the US’s policy of “carrot & stick”. As a result, dollars
rain in Pakistan. But they rain on the ‘chosen ones’ who are supporting allied
forces and helping CIA to capture proclaimed terrorists carrying huge
head-money on them. The general public is to receive dead and mutilated bodies
of their family members killed in mosques, Imam-bargahs, bazaars and public
places through bomb blasts and suicide bombers.
Little less than 70 years
on, our society is in shambles of sectarianism and ethnicity. Quetta and rest
of Balochistan have witnessed merciless targeted killings of non-Baloch,
especially Punjabi educationists, doctors, and even poor labor because they
chose to stay there instead of leaving the province. The real fallout is on
Shia (especially Hazara community) sect. Na-Maloom (unknown) killers are ruling
literally in the streets of Karachi, Quetta and elsewhere. ‘Missing Persons’ is
another gruesome chapter, especially in the troubled Balochistan. Much of
interior Karachi city is alien to natives but kind to Burmese, Bengali and
Indian Muslim illegal immigrants. Hyderabad is divided into two glaring parts;
Thandi Sarak (road) plays the green line dividing Muhajirs from Sindhis.
I can’t visualize how
chilling it runs through the spine of a soldier moments before a suicide bomber
chants Allah-o-Akbar and blows him and soldiers instantly! The delay of a microsecond
on hearing Allah-o-Akbar prevents the soldier to shoot a “Kalma-go” but the
bomber is not conditioned or brainwashed to such a mercy. For the bomber, salvation
lies in killing everyone who is not one of them. The ruthless bomber kills the
innocent citizens chanting Allah-o-Akbar and purportedly seals the ownership of
70 virgins as reward in the heavens, while the real patriot soldier defending
the country from internal terrorists is propagated as adversary of Islam. These
atrocious animals who slaughter and behead innocent people and like to play
football with the heads consider themselves as serving Islam. For them, patriotism
is a useless term.
Every year we witness a new
“Pagri” (turban) heralding advent of another sect. Every year a new ethnic
group voices for independence or cessation with this beleaguered country. A new
debate has begun that nationalism is all about giving up your identities, castes,
dialects or local languages.
So, where do we stand;
Pakistani first or Muslim first? The fact is; this question is irrelevant
altogether.
Our love and devotion with
Pakistan is undiminished. Our life portrays our nationalism. Defending our
frontiers from inner and outer enemies is in-built in our blood and programmed
in our genes. One needs not demonstrate the loyalty while they are breathing
nor do they have to obtain a certificate to prove their allegiance with this
land. Allah (SWT) has bestowed us with our own country where its’ cities, town
and villages reverberate with the calls of Azan (Adhan) five times a day. A
country where Jummah (Friday) Prayers and massive Eid Prayers’ congregations
are held and celebrated with much religious zeal and fervor must be protected from
all internal and external evil forces.
At the same time I do
realize that my existence into this world was celebrated with Azan (Adhan) in
right ear and Takbeer (Iqamah) in left ear. When I die I also wish to be buried
in an Islamic manner. At the day of resurrection I would undergo flurry of
questions about my faith in Allah (SWT), belief in Quran, Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH) as last messenger of Allah, life spent in accordance with the teachings
of Quran and Sunnah and that I promoted love and peace in the country.
