Hoping, Without Hope

Yesterday was a black day in the history of Karachi. Not because some Islamic scholar was shot dead in broad daylight, but because we have proved, yet again, that we are a backward, third world nation where barbarians live.

If this is Islam, then we should hang our heads down in shame. The religion of peace, harmony, and universal love has been turned into a cult that allows people to kill their fellow men, destroy government property and make lives of ordinary citizens, miserable.

The killing of the Islamic scholar on Sunday unleashed a wave of fear in the city. There were mass protestations by men who believe that wearing shalwar kamiz, a white cap and carrying a checked piece of cloth on their shoulders makes them the chosen ambassadors of Islam. These men broke signals, destroyed banks and restaurants, and burnt cars. This was their way, so called Islamic way, of grieving for their leader.

But then, what leads to this behavior? And who is to blame for it? The brainwashed men who follow what they are told blindly, without using their own heads to differentiate between right and wrong? The government, which has turned a blind eye, very conveniently, towards what goes on in these madrassahs that have become a den for terrorism worldwide? Or us, who sit back and watch everything, helpless? Or is it the scholars, who claim to spread the message of Islam yet always resort to violence when doing so?

The protestations on the death of Mufti Saheb by his followers, though very wrong, can also be viewed from another angle. These men were protesting against terrorism that led to the death of their spiritual leader. Their protest was a message to the government to mend its ways before these men turn all their anger loose. But why is it that all protestations that are made in this country are through such violent and extreme means? Why do these men forget that by destroying signals & burning property they are committing yet another sin? That they are violating Haqooq-ul-Abad (Rights of men) that has been put before Haqooq Allah?

It is a vicious cycle. A scholar dies or a few innocent men belonging to a certain sect are killed. Protestations start and the particular city is gripped by fear and hooliganism. Then the government steps in and order is forced. Things quiet down for a while till bang, there is another explosion. And the entire cycle starts all over again.

Islam is supposed to be a solution for all evil. It is the light of life, forgiveness, truth and love. It has now been maligned and mutilated. It seems that all oppression and hatred flows forward from Islam. Where Islam teaches brotherhood and equality of all men, the religion we see now seems to teach hatred, killings and extremism.

Who will stop this? Or rather, what will stop this?

I hope, without hope.