Pakistan wants halt to Arab 'religious colonialism'

[Ershad]

Assalamu Alaikkum wa rahamatullahi wa barakatuhu,

Pakistan wants halt to Arab 'religious colonialism'​

by Sanjay Sharma


CHANDIGARH: A section of Pakistanis have raised their voice against Arab colonialism (imposing Wahhabi Islam over Sufi Islam) amidst attacks on Sufi shrines in Pakistan.

"Saudi Arabia which is undemocratic, is exporting Wahhabi Islam to Pakistan where Sufis have been traditionally popular," Sayeeda Diep from the Lahore-based Institute for Peace and Secular studies, told The Times of India.

"An undemocratic Saudi Arabia is funding Wahhabis to crush democratic aspirations in entire world including in Pakistan apparently to let rulers continue their dynastic rule in Saudi Arabia," she said during her visit to India. Petro dollars are being pumped world over to promote this school of Islam projecting it closer to the original form.

"The people of Pakistan need to fight both American as well Arab colonialism," she said.

Both India and Pakistan have seen Sufism grow over a millennium and recent attacks have only been on such shrines in Pakistan. The Taliban and extreme forces in Pakistan are getting support and funds from Wahhabis. Wahhabis do not approve of shrines and saints which are sources of inspiration for Sufis who are known for mysticism. Wahhabi movement emerged in the 18th century.

So popular is Sufism in Pakistan that even Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is a descendent of a Sufi from Multan. Ajmer Sharief, Nizamuddin Aulia and scores of saints, pirs have been worshipped in India.

Such intolerant are Wahhabis in Pakistan that two theologians Javed Ahmed Shamdi and Maulana Tahir-Ul-Quadri had to look for a secure place after they criticized extremists. The latter, in fact, fled to Canada after issuing a fatwa against the killings of innocents.

"There is no space for theological debate like the one that has already started in India," she said.

Diep had to be hospitalized after the killing of Punjab governor Salman Tasir who was fighting against blasphemy law. Her tears just did not stop for three days and she went into depression feeling there is no hope in Pakistan for secular beliefs. Diep was jailed four times for fighting the government on regressive steps. One of her campaigns was asking for registration of cases against the Mullah who issued an edict against those who attended funeral of Salman Tasir shot by his security guard. When she started, only four persons attended her candle light protest against Mullahs. Now, the number has gone up to 70 persons.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...eligious-colonialism/articleshow/11413807.cms

 

[IslamIsSimple]

Blah. Who gave them the right to speak in the name of Pakistan? Besides, Sufi graveworshippers are in Arab countries too. Some Arab countries are infested with Sufism.

Its just another attempt to try and divide people for the sake of graves and graveworships. And maybe even perhaps all the money that are made by the Sufis who manage the graves.

Whats next? Islam is only a religion of Arabs? Bringing up nationalistic ideas to attack Islam, isnt new and seeing that the source is "Times of India", I wouldnt be surprised.

Besides, how is it "colonianism"? How about they talk about freedom of thought instead? Wait, freedom of thought isnt accepted by them if you're Muslim

Just like in politics in some countries, freedom of thought is only ok if its about abortion, higher or lower taxes etc. Even France and other countries passed laws making it a crime to deny a certain version of history.

 

[Ershad]

Blah. Who gave them the right to speak in the name of Pakistan? Besides, Sufi graveworshippers are in Arab countries too. Some Arab countries are infested with Sufism.

Its just another attempt to try and divide people for the sake of graves and graveworships. And maybe even perhaps all the money that are made by the Sufis who manage the graves.

Whats next? Islam is only a religion of Arabs? Bringing up nationalistic ideas to attack Islam, isnt new and seeing that the source is "Times of India", I wouldnt be surprised.

Besides, how is it "colonianism"? How about they talk about freedom of thought instead? Wait, freedom of thought isnt accepted by them if you're Muslim

Just like in politics in some countries, freedom of thought is only ok if its about abortion, higher or lower taxes etc. Even France and other countries passed laws making it a crime to deny a certain version of history.

:salam2:

I agree. "Times of India" has reputation of exaggerating news and providing trivial things. On the other hand, India which boasts of its secularism and democracy, it is just in books. When it comes to people, there are religious tensions all the time. There are arrests based on religious bias. Whenever a bomb blast takes place, the muslim neighbourhood is afraid as to whose son will police be blaming it on.

The muslims always have fingers pointed upon. There are few politicians who have an ideology that every muslim in India must acknowledge and accept the "hindu" nature of the country and they should put country before religion and so forth. It is hard to live as a minority.

To me, secularism is always a myth.

 

[Seeking Allah's Mercy]

:salam2:

On the other hand, India which boasts of its secularism and democracy, it is just in books. .

Wasalamo'Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh,

How can they say democracy, when they do what they do to Kashmir?

 

[Ahsen]

I am fedup in arab countries.I am thinking of going to turkey in future.

There is no justice here.Law is only for the poor.People are kinda racist and education is very expensive.


And i am bored over here.

 

[Ershad]

Wasalamo'Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh,

How can they say democracy, when they do what they do to Kashmir?

Walaikkum asalam wa rahamatullahi wa barakatuhu,

Exactly. That is what I am trying to say. Democracy and secularism is just in books. When it comes to actual implementation, there is a lot of religious bias.

 

[strive-may-i]

Every nut is in its case, and we are in age, where the case is becoming stronger for the nuts... and nuts are getting stronger and the soft and good are watching standing aside... The perils of letting the evil speak and ignoring the common good...

 

[strive-may-i]

Walaikkum asalam wa rahamatullahi wa barakatuhu,

Exactly. That is what I am trying to say. Democracy and secularism is just in books. When it comes to actual implementation, there is a lot of religious bias.

Democracy is in participation of Good, and warding of evil. Samething said differently... What has happened in every country of world is, just this, they have got lost in the means and forgotten the goals...

Tools in elite few, to fool the rest... These elite few, if you observe, hop from one country to another without boundaries, no rule of any land binds them easily, more so in the developing nations...

 

[strive-may-i]

I know the topic has totally changed course... But if it benefits, to gain some understanding ....

Views of Aristotle, about participative form of democracy...

The citizens must not lead the life of mechanics or tradesmen, for such a life is ignoble, and inimical to virtue. Neither must they be farmers, since leisure is necessary both for the development of virtue and the performance of political duties.

For tyranny is a kind of monarchy which has in view the interest of the monarch only; oligarchy has in view the interest of the wealthy; democracy, of the needy: none of them the common good of all. Tyranny, as I was saying, is monarchy exercising the rule of a master over the political society; oligarchy is when men of property have the government in their hands; democracy, the opposite, when the indigent, and not the men of property, are the rulers.
- Aristotle

 

[Ershad]

Assalamu Alaikkum wa rahamatullahi wa barakatuhu,

I am really not a big fan of Democracy nor of Philosophy. I believe in the law of Allah and rule by his book. It is nice to think that everything is good around us. But, sometimes the reality hits you hard.

Maybe your have had really good experiences.

 

[strive-may-i]

and sometimes bad experiences can teach one better too... . Its all in our mind.