Reclaim the mosque

It is hard to build tolerant society when state behaves like a Mufti issuing fatwas against its own citizensZubair Torwali
The mayhem in Lahore on May 28, claiming over 80 lives, should serve as an eye opener for the people who still wish a pluralistic, just and tolerant society in Pakistan. This tragedy should stimulate a rational discourse in Pakistan about the very rationale of the country. Every writer and analyst must divert his/her energies to highlight the venom and hatred groomed in our society. The civil society must unite against the forces hell bent to mould Pakistan into a state where only one sect will survive and all the rest would be dispatched elsewhere. A few weeks back I happened to read Maulana Abul Klam Azad’s interview. In his interview, Maulana Abul Klam Azad predicted a number of untoward things inflicting Pakistan. Among other things, he foresaw a sectarian strife. He unfortunately proved correct over and over again. A shameless act with regard to sectarian tolerance was constitutional amendment back in 1974 introduced by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s government to please Messrs. Maulana Maudodi & co.A few days back a Maulvi came and asked me: ''Do you regard Ahmadis as Kafir (infidels)?" I was silent. On finding me silent he shot yet another awkward question; “What about Christians and Jews and Hindus? Aren't they Kafirs?" A long silence on my part. I was silent and embarrassed but the Maulvi Saab didn't stop. Finally, I mustered the courage and firmly said: "Maulvi Saab I am not entitled to declare them infidels or Kafirs." At this, the Maulvi Saab addressed the other people there and declared that I was also an infidel as I did not regard the Ahmadis, Hindus, Christians or Jews as 'Kaffir.' I found myself in an uncomfortable situation. The Maulvi Saab did not stop here. Next Friday, I was implicitly a topic of vitriolic homily from the pulpit.How can a rational discourse be started in a society where the one party has a pulpit and a confessional license to incite while the other a poor hapless individual who believes in reason to initiate a dialogue? How can one promote a pluralistic society where one always finds himself/herself at the mouth of cannon that fires 'fatwas'? It is hard to build tolerant society where the state constitution behaves like a Mufti issuing fatwas against its own citizens.The 18th Amendment was an opportunity to roll back such official fatwas inserted in the constitution. Alas! The opportunity was not merely lost; the constitution has become even fanatic by banning a non-Muslim to the office of the prime ministership.One wonders why the governments, particularly the ones led by PPP, have always betrayed their manifesto and tarnished their apparent secular posture. The first PPP government declared one Muslim sect as infidel, the second and third fostered the Taliban in Afghanistan. The current one has further amended the constitution making it even more puritan. A member of the board of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) once told me that PEMRA was directed by our saintly Prime Minister from saintly town of Multan, Pir Yusuf Raza Gilani, to issue more licenses to religious TV channels. When asked why religious channels be generously issued PEMRA licenses, the prime minister said he was under pressure. No surprise, hence, if we witness extremism and fanaticism on the march while rationalism on the retreat. One solution is: depoliticise the mosque and reclaim it as a place of peace and spirituality.