A day of love

The 21st September that never was

The followers of the Prophet (PBUH) lost their lives at the hands of their fellow Muslims on the very day that was supposed to be a symbol of showing our love for the Prophet but the short-sightedness of Muslim leadership might result in the loss of many more. The questions that need to be asked are quite simple. Why has the Muslim leadership kept itself blind from an increasing gap of religious understanding and harmony between Islam and other religions? The issue could have been handled way better if concrete steps would have been taken by Muslim countries when the issue of caricatures published in a Danish newspaper raised in 2006.

The purported actions taken by most of the Muslim world population against the attempts to tarnish the image of Islam are not even close to the basic spirit of Islam. Burning of petrol pumps, CNG stations, cinemas, banks, public properties and destruction of diplomatic buildings is not the solution to the problem but a problem in itself. All major religions of the world call for peace, harmony and mutual respect. So, the actions of a few is nothing more than an outcome of frustration and a bottled up hatred, stemming from ignorance of what religions Islam is all about. Such actions are not only an attack on Islam but are also against the religion of the perpetrators of such acts because by doing so they automatically void the basic teachings of their religion. The actions of the filmmakers to mock the Prophet of Islam is nothing more than a vile attempt at inciting Muslims so that they can be labeled extremists and terrorists. And for Muslims, the only way to counter such acts is by following and portraying the true peaceful image of Islam.

The day of Love for the Prophet was supposed to be the day to promote positive image of Islam. However, with every passing second, it got violent and unbearable. In other words, the sixth most populous country of the world and second most populous Islamic country spent the day to show their “love” for the Holy Prophet. Angry mob burnt tires on the road, set fire to the banks, cinemas and many other public buildings, many got injured, at least 19 people lost their lives and hundreds got injured in the process. The one carrying stones in his hand was a Muslim and apparently a true believer of Islamic teachings and the one trying to stop him was also a Muslim and a true believer of Islam. The one that lost his life was also a Muslim and the one that caused the death was also a Muslim. So who and why were they fighting?

On the outset, the government’s act of spending a day to show love for the Prophet was a good act but the outcome of the protests is totally regrettable. Prophet Muhammad is considered a symbol of tolerance, love, peace and harmony in Islam and Quranic text clearly requires Muslims to show response to an aggression through peace, at least initially. Surah Al-Furqan, verse 63 states, “And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.”

The culture of a violent mob is settling in in Pakistan. Given a chance the people of Pakistan show their outrage in a violent and totally repulsive manner. The protests in the country to condemn the acts of the American filmmaker were no different than the protests in the country against load shedding, price-hike, lawlessness and other such problems. The government can be held responsible for lowering the morale of the nation but the real culprits are the people of Pakistan. We are a nation that has lost its soul. It was not just a protest against the blasphemous movie but a chance to show outrage against all the insecurity that the nations feels surrounding it.

Pakistan has become the best example of all the worst case scenarios in the world. The governance in the country lacks spirit. The censorship policies of the state machinery are insane and the latter is followed by outrageous communication bans and corruption amongst a multitude of other issues. A lot is required to get back on the path of progress and prosperity. Our filmmakers, writers and thinkers alongside media persons should take the task of promoting harmony among all religions. Film and media can be used to explain the life of the Prophet. Informative literature can be sent to the libraries, schools, universities, public places etc to tell the world about the true picture of Islam. Lectures should be arranged by Ulema to detail the basic teachings of Islam. Above all, we must not let a bunch of ignorant people hijack our feelings. We as nation need to understand the meanings of forgiveness, tolerance and forbearance.

The writer can be reached at [email protected]