Ibrahim Malick August 27, 2006

Tags: jihad , secularism , violence , terrorists

It is time now to reject Mullahs

href="/tag/youth">youth…no more can we let them hide our women behind veil. No more can they deprive us of art, culture, science, and humanity. No more!

No more can we dilute our debate by blaming external conspiracies; imperial design, Zionist strategy, Hindutva resurgence etc. Our enemies are within… Jihadis are the enemies no matter what cause they represent; Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Kashmir etc. No land, no territory, no nation, no state, no freedom, no independence can justify violence. No more can we tolerate those who preach "eye for an eye" because soon everyone will end up blind.

Majority of the Pakistanis like me have resigned ourselves to the fate of oppression. We have been fearfull of the Mullahs. Instead of outright rejecting the authority of religion in our daily lives, we acquiesce. No more can we surrender to the oppressive religious zealots of our society.

It’s time now for us to re-write our constitution. Our constitution must represent two principles; people belonging to different faiths and sections of society should be equal before the law, the constitution and government policy. Secondly, separation of state and religion. We must modify our constitution to limit the realm of validity of religion in the public arena and society.

It’s time now to recognize that a democracy does not become inclusive merely by giving everyone the right to vote; its institutions must be even-handed as well. The struggle against militancy should go beyond a security response to providing justice, economic and political, to all.

It’s time now to recognize that growth with welfare is the only long-term bet against religious extremism.

It’s time now to promote a way of thinking and living that aims to bring out the best in people so that all people can have the best in life.

It’s time now to reject authoritarian beliefs.

It’s time now to take responsibility for our own lives and the communities and world in which we live.

It’s time now to emphasize reason and scientific inquiry, individual freedom and responsibility, human values and compassion, and the need for tolerance and cooperation.

It’s time now to reject violence.

It’s time now to act!