On Salman Taseer
It’s been awhile since I’ve posted here. I don’t know how many people are even reading my blog any more. I’m not even in Pakistan right now - back in the States on vacation – and yet, as soon as I read about Salman Taseer’s assassination I felt like I was right back in the thick of it.
When I first read the story I was shocked. What will happen with the coalition government? Will this only empower the far right parties?
The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. Worse still, many of the so-called moderates I saw online were excusing it. Actually supporting the most unfair, illogical, poorly crafted laws in Pakistan, the “blasphemy” 295 laws, right up there with Hudood Ordinances.
I remember much of my time in Pakistan wondering why no one would even talk about the existence of such barbarity in the law books. Not once did I hear it! In the discourse – in public, amongst colleagues, in the media – one constantly heard about lesser crimes and legal contravinces in countries like Israel, India, or America (the three favorite targets) and narry a word about systematic abuses like the blasphemy laws. Even the equally bad problems Muslims face in other countries, which are worth talking about, get much greater weight than what happens closer to home, such as hate crimes against sects like the Ahmedis (even flood victims!). Or the treatment of Christians. Or the discrimination in work places against non-Muslims (or those not belonging to the right political parties). Or the constitutional statute against non-Muslims becoming prime minister or president. Or the bill three years ago calling for the death penalty for apostasy. Such obvious insanity is frequently looked over, while every outrage against Muslims is drummed up endlessly.
I won’t get too much into Salman Taseer, except to say that I didn’t know him, but knew people who did, and I generally respected him. I don’t know what will happen with the Asia Bibi case now. This is a good piece on him: http://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/wajahat-s-khan/the-governor-of-us-all/190724227610816.
As I tweeted yesterday, enough is enough! I’m tired of trying to debate people, people who should know better, on why this crime and this law need to be stopped. Pakistani moderates need to fight back. I want to see more people challenging this law, and others like it. I want Pakistanis to shout as loudly as they can about the injustices against their fellow Pakistanis, especially women and non-Muslims, in addition to other marginalized groups.
The time for polite discussion is over. I want to see dedication and a real civil rights movement worthy of the name. I want to see the “silent majority” become outspoken and shout about it until they drown out the bullies who are shouting them down. I want to see people get tired of being scared, tired of feeling sorry for hurting the feelings of those with no conscience, and instead act as bravely as Taseer did.
The fanatics want a fight, and the moderates will only be their cannon fodder if they continue to be meek. Most people don’t want to end up like Taseer did, and who can blame them? Therefore the moderates must intelligently use all tools at their disposal to outlast and subvert the bigots. By any means necessary.
