Every day when I pick up the newspaper, I come across a lot of religious text and pictures printed in it. Either there are obituaries and advertisements with Quranic verses written in them, pictures of the Holy Ka’abah and the Prophet’s Mosque and even sometimes these Quranic verses and Hadith are printed by the newspapers themselves.
The printing of such articles, pictures and advertisements containing religious matter increases even more on special Islamic occasions like Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Haj and Eid Milad-un-Nabi, etc.
However, I would like to draw the attention of all newspaper editors towards a bitter reality. It is not hidden from anyone as to what happens with newspapers once they are printed and distributed. First of all, the hawkers who supply newspapers to our homes and offices, throw them on the floor as they move from one house to another delivering the papers. Then, once a newspaper has been read, it serves many other purposes. It is used for cleaning, wrapping, making packets out of it, or is simply thrown away.
This is a completely irreverent attitude towards religion and it also means openly dishonouring all the religious text or pictures which have been published in the newspaper. But, if I may add, that it is not as much the people’s mistake as it is of the newspaper authorities. The people, most of the time, aren’t even aware of the fact that the newspaper which they are using for so many different purposes, contains a Quranic verse or a Hadith.
However, the editor is well informed of whatever is being published in his newspaper. Therefore, it is my humble request to all newspaper editors to please refrain from publishing any kind of religious matter in their newspapers to protect the sanctity of sacred words.
MADIHA VIQUAR
Karachi
