The whole Muslim world – especially my beloved country, Pakistan – is passing through an agonizing situation of sectarianism laying it vulnerable to its dreadful consequences in the form of terrorism. This scourge has taken away thousands of precious, innocent lives from every walk of life including intellectuals, scholars, students, security personnel, and targeted our worship places, security institutions, hospitals, schools and other public places.
As a result of increasing uncertainties, nobody is in a position to claim security of his/her family. Once you are out of your house, you are unsure whether you will return home safely or not. Everyone is worried when or where he may fall a prey to any unfortunate terrorist attack. Under such circumstances, how can we expect ourselves to progress individually and rise as a great nation? On the contrary, we are moving towards disaster, rapidly.
To combat the menace of terrorist activities by non-state actors, our great Armed forces have launched a major operation (Zarb-e-Azb) which has recently completed its one year. The army and media claims it to be successful and that it has broken the backbone of terrorist networks, but the fact of the matter is that though terrorist activities have significantly reduced but they haven’t finished, altogether. Though they are scattered but still they are in a position to attack us. They make their presence felt with random attacks every now and then.
Unfortunately, terrorism has no geographical boundaries. Instead, it prevails as an extremist mind-set deeply rooted societies such as ours. The eradication of terrorism is a long distance away and requires full dedication and focus. But regrettably, it seems that Operation Zarb-e-Azb is diverting its attention towards comparatively lesser important issues that can be tackled afterwards. Due to this diversion, terrorists are finding ways to reinforce themselves and come up with smarter and ruthless ways of killing people. ‘Saneha Safoora’ is one such example.
Such incidents indicate that the force of the army is not sufficient in eradicating sectarian terrorism. Some other measures need to be adopted to prevent the supply of such elements. In my humble opinion, we have to address the causes of sectarianism. We have to convert such schools of thought which are producing killers by reasoning and justifying sectarian differences and inciting intolerance among different sects. It does not mean that we don't have any better solutions. We do. We can reduce it down to the limits of zero by adopting a very soft way of teaching the masses: by utilizing the services of religious scholars and leaders who have great numbers of followers. Bring them all on a single platform and get them to make statements and fatwas (decrees) about Islamic brotherhood, harmony.
Blood of any 'kalmo go' is haraam on another 'kalma go' be he is of any sect. All ulema and scholars of all sects should pronounce each other Muslim. National and International scholars should be called on and they should offer prayer together according to their sect, embrace each other and renounce intolerance, even if they have differences under the shadow of Islam. Representatives of each sect should declare the other sect a Muslim and announce brotherhood and harmony between each other. They must condemn killings strongly. They must realise that we are victimizing ourselves which is leading us towards a total disaster.
The world sees us as terrorists not as Muslims. In response to their claim, we have to create harmony, peace and brotherhood to shun this stereotype. We can use any means to spread this message to every corner of our country. We can record and document their preaching during such meetings and telecast and broadcast them on all media channels throughout the day and for many days, many months till the results are observed. Once these videos, pamphlets, or news reach their followers, it will encourage them to reconsider the ideas and teachings that have filled their minds with hate.
The practices I have mentioned have already been tried by some religious figures, but only up to the level of a photoshoot or a statement which did not have long lasting impact. This time, it should continue for a long time till it reaches everyone and we can observe the results. Revise our school curricula and encourage students to embrace ideas such as Islamic brotherhood and harmony. In madrassas, especially, it should be made compulsory for all that all kalma gos are Muslims and nothing else. Eventually, Muslims will be recognized as good humans instead of terrorists. Inshallah.
This is merely an idea which can be further polished and improved. This idea should reach every segment of society, so much so that it engraves in peoples' hearts and no community is bereft of the message.
It is my humble request to the Government to follow this advice in its true spirit. If it does succeed in implementing it properly, it will be considered as a bigger achievement than making the Motorway and running Metro Buses, since it is the greatest need of the time and the greatest gift that the government can give not only to the nation, but to the entire Muslim world.
