In defense of our tolerant life style

Sindhi Press Jan 20
In defense of our tolerant life style
Ibrat
President Zadari has warned that we have to defend our life style and there is no option of defeat. While talking to president of NWFP Chamber of Commerce said that some militants wanted to capture the state power and impose their agenda…. Who are these militants and what are their stakes in the state? They have become so strong that they were dreaming to capture state power. Would our army be able to stop these elements?...

What is agenda of these militants and terrorist which they want to impose in this country? This needs not many explanations. One had seen this agenda in Afghanistan during Taliban rule and some glimpses we are witnessing in Swat and Bajaur. Thousands of girls were deprived from education in FATA as extremists had threatened to explode the schools with bombs if they were opened for girls education…. Some time back CD and music centres were set ablaze and restrained the promotion of music, art, and literature. Their agenda is clear: either obey them or die. And to implement these agendas they resort to suicide bombs, firing, kidnapping, public hangings etc.

As Islam is peaceful religion, it prohibits such acts which lead to killing of innocent people. Islam also allows every one to lead his/her life according to the belief. Contrary to this some extremists had found interpretation of Islam of their own choice and to translate this interpretation they adapt fascist means…
Contrary to it our life style is of tolerance, peaceful and moderate. A majority of people of this country are leading a moderate life style. Our approach is humane and humanitarian. It is to take on board all the people without any discrimination of faith, belief, race or caste.
This region has remained under influence of Sufis. These Sufis preached to avoid extremism and live with peace and love with other people. These Sufis had set a number of examples of religious tolerance. The people of this region belonging to different religions have a common culture….. They never resorted to kill any one to accept a particular belief.
Our history of recent past also tells that till the Z.A Bhutto period there was no such extremism. It was in the dictator Zia era sectarian riots broke out and touched to insanity level.
We witnessed a number of events including PNA movement against elected government of Bhutto to operating militant camps, run by particular school of thought hence we saw many groups operating under this particular thought. On behest of USA, we fought war against Soviet Union and religious frenzy was used to fuel this war. This all continued with the backing of the state machinery till the war against terror started. After 9/11, it became difficult to live with it. Some reforms were made and the state separated itself from this thought. It is still to be seen, whether Gen Musharraf really separated itself from this thought or it was only for show off.
In brief one can see how extremism was imposed on the people of this region. People were forced to live a life according to the philosophy of extremists. Despite continuous pressure and poisoning for decades people still want to live a moderate life. That is why the extremists are resorted to militant and fascist means.
Its true that we have no option in the war against terrorism but to win it. But this all should be seen and done, while keeping away American interests. – (Jan 18)

Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi