Posted by Belharvi
12 died, 80 injured and millions of
rupees damage caused to the properties of the people in the sectarian
violence of 16 November in Rawalpindi. Authorities have imposed a curfew
for two days in Rawalpindi after sectarian clashes erupted at a
Muharram 10 procession near Fawara Chowk. Beyond any doubt, one can
deduce that the sadism resulted due to the negligence of local
administration and prejudice conduct of the religious leaders who just
promote radicalism in their followers.
Sectarian division also exits in major
countries of South Asia as well, but unfortunately it is only Pakistan
where sectarian violence is extremely getting intense with its brutal
face of aggression and conflicting antagonism. The growing trends of
sectarian fighting in Pakistan indicate that sectarian violence as a
menace is turning into a second most threatening monster after
terrorism. In fact, Pakistani Muslims particularly Sunni continue to
participate in and support the Ashura processions of Imam Hussain.
Muharram used to be observed with unified harmony and reverence by all
sects including Shiite and Sunni Muslims. While Shias moved in
processions the Sunnis would line up managing SABEELS, paying respect to
the Shia procession and providing protection.
Last two decades witnessed a
frightening upsurge in the Shia-sunni sectarian violence in Pakistan,
both in term of scope and intensity. These clashes between the two sects
left hundreds dead and thousands injured, including Iranian diplomats,
senior state functionaries and important religious leaders on both
sides. The ongoing sectarian strife has engulfed even those areas, which
were previously unaffected, largely because of the interference of
hostile agencies and emergence of organized terrorists group along
sectarian lines. Besides target killing, these groups now hit even
ordinary members of each other sects, whenever and wherever they find it
operationally convenient. Pakistan is already going facing foreign
sponsored terrorism, in Balochistan, FATA and Karachi.
It has become extraordinary challenges
to security forces to fight against terrorism on internal and external
front. The friendly Muslim countries are also involved in promoting and
strengthening of sectarian organizations in the country in general. Iran
is backing Shia organizations and Arab states are financing Sunni and
Deobandi sectarian groups to further their own interests. The Western
countries are also providing funds to moderate religious groups as part
of their strategy to hit Islamic Ideology in Pakistan. These foreign
interventions are major agents of sectarianism in the country, which are
eventually harming the cause of national integration. Thus, there is a
need to highlight the interference by foreign elements that are fueling
sectarian strife in our country due to their own vested interest.
Government should take steps to create unity and brotherhood amongst
various sects, especially at this moment when Pakistan is facing multi
dimensional external as well as internal threats.
Sectarian divide has become a
susceptible vulnerability that is posing neurotic and precarious threat
and making it difficult to maintain peace, mutual harmony and tranquil
politico-social order. Routine gets disturbed and business stalled,
impeding the economic activities in the country whereas the feelings and
emotions are negatively charged. Hatred and vengeance spreads through
social settings and blood-shed marks its signatures disturbing law and
order situation in the country, to an irreversible degree. Under such
circumstances anti Pakistan elements and rival out-groups (foreign
agencies) leave no stone unturned to exploit the situation to accomplish
their wicked designs. They use money, influence and other means to
ignite sectarian emotions and hateful communications to keep the issue
alive at community level contaminating the entire structure of civil
society as people fight among each other without going into the details
of the dispute and hollowness of their claims. The aim of foreign anti
Pakistan elements focuses on destabilizing the state of Pakistan. The
people of Pakistan must understand the wicked scheme of anti Pakistan
elements desirous of creating permanent fissures among core sectarian
groups to geographically divide the country into Shia – Sunni zones,
thereby weakening Pakistan as a viable and effective state.
Though brutal acts of cold blooded
target killings have been condemned by the entire nation, yet general
public feels insecure with instant feelings of sinking into pit or
suffering lapses of depression, as avenging reactions may lead to
sectarian strife, thereby exploding the sectarian bomb with its negative
psychological impact and devastating brunt on law and order situation,
social order, political stability and economic growth. In short,
religious leaders should deliberate make efforts to create harmony
amongst in all sects. We must remember Muslim community though consist
of various sects but believe in one God, one Prophet (PBUH) and one Holy
Quran. Historically they have been living in harmony with each other.
They should revive old traditions of mutual respect and reverence.
Government should take steps to educate the people on tolerance as basic
tenet of Islam and professes that extremism needs to be curbed for
peaceful co-existence of different communities in the country.
Pakistan is a progressive Islamic state
and a responsible atomic power thus surge in extremism always be taken
as serious threat to its ideology. But external powers infiltrate their
agents in the extremists groups to work towards fulfillment of their
nefarious designs. Therefore, as Pakistani, we must realize our
responsibilities and indicate the moles present in our society .Every
individual need to apprehend that outside powers are using Pakistan as a
turf for fighting their ideological wars by promoting sectarian and
extremist organizations and by providing them with funds and weapons to
fight their proxy wars in Pakistan. Poverty, religious illiteracy, iron
hands against terrorism, registration of madrassas and banning of all
terrorism organizations are those steps which can help in eradication of
sectarianism from Pakistan.(By Zaheerul Hassan)
