Before We Speak…

By: Naveed Taj Ghouri

These days its been a fashion that every he or she from the certain secular mindset has started debating or giving talks on Blasphemy Laws of Pakistan and Extremism, without any qualification, authority or achievement on this topic; and TALK? straight forward they do pass hatred remarks against law & sweeping statements on people who love to follow their religion by calling them on the verge of extremism. Although they themselves belong to another extreme of liberal fascism!!! Including many individuals & NGO’s clearly on some agenda or people having incomplete, lesser or no knowledge of Islam. I don’t understand why people fall in to such logical fallacies, while raising question on US is linked with supporting terrorists, when praising or following religion is a matter of objection and abnormality.

If France bans Face Veiling, they say that, its their country’s parliamentary right to pass any kind of bill, one who doesn’t agree can leave… when it comes to Pakistan, a minority is not ready to accept the law made by parliament. If it is such a bad thing then let the people choose their reps to be in assembly, who can bring changes in system if there is any flaw. 2nd when we talk about democracy and people’s right always. A vast majority… a very vast majority above 90% don’t want to change this law then why this debate? respect the democracy now!

The problem is not in the law. I too strongly believe the death penalty is right decision even if my own brother or son (God Forbade) do so. But thing is that, if there is a law one should proceed under courts and cases. No one has a right to kill someone because state is there. There are certain areas where change could be considered. The investigation could be started from session judge level. False accusation should also be punishable the same way.

This is a very simple thing to understand. Prophet PBUH is dearer for Muslims than every other relation in the world. And when somewhere blasphemy or even rumor do occur, people who are already intolerant are unable to control themselves. If you talk about the element of misuse, then this is not the logical reason to eliminate the law. There is almost every law had been misused in Pakistan and people got false accused even got hanged in wrong cases. Blasphemy laws victim may be very less, but innocent people facing trials in Murder, Rape, Kidnapping, Robbing, Land Rights and Street Fights are behind bars for years or hanging between courts jail. System need to be change, people want Justice, served in time and flawless.

One more thing is that, these matters are not the subject to be discussed on every internet forum, cheap media talk shows and / or in streets. This is a very very sensitive and people are touchy about it. Debates like these create more polarization in the society, which kills peace and harmony. Moreover I think the situation Pakistan facing and going through is is definitely not the most important issue nor right now necessary to deal with. Yes we care about the non-Muslim minority rights but ‘The Minority’ opposing this law should also care ‘Majority’ common Muslims rights and feelings. This is the only way, if we stop producing ignorant big-mouth like Salman Taseer, no Intolerant like Mumtaz Qadri will be born!