Lal Masjid......In the Name of Allah

It was a tense gloomy night of July 9, 2007 that loomed large over Islamabad. The menacing darkness sprawled and swallowed the place with all its sinister designs. Things had gone from bad to worse over the last couple of months but the insane drama had yet to culminate into its most horrifying peak in a few hours time. The worst had yet to come.

Having seen a failure of the most pathetic efforts at the diplomatic front, Lal Masjid was under siege for almost a week. A bunch of Muslim fighters and preachers proclaiming to be fighting for the cause of Islam were detained within the four walls by an army of the country founded in the name of Islam. The food, electricity and other basic supplies were cut off and the detainees were urged to surrender or let go of the students that were held captive as claimed by the government. Militants denied having held anyone in confinement and presence of any foreign elements and claimed to go down fighting for the just cause. There was an occasional exchange of firing and a rare blast that inflicted casualties upon the forces standing stubbornly on the both sides of the un-bridged chasm during the past few days. Some of the residents of the vicinity, living close to Aab para and Melody in sector G 6, had to migrate to the other areas following the insecurity and curfew prevailing in the area.

Media and certain other quarters were unofficially but still directly in touch with the commanders inside as they made last ditch efforts to pave way through the virtual impasse. Even the influential religious scholars, religious leaders and politicians from both sides had failed to break the deadlock. There was a hint of some hidden forces, as something would go wrong just at the last moment when both parties seemed to develop some sort of understanding.

It was a couple of massive blasts that rocked the city before the dawn that woke many others and me from our slumber but could not stir those that counted the most at that moment. In the perspective of cynical backdrop, it was evident what was going to happen. Still hoping against hope and praying for the peace and sanity to take over the sheer madness, I switched on the TV. Enthusiastic accounts of the first and second hand information were being given. A massive and decisive attack was being launched on the Lal Masjid and both sides still proudly and profoundly defended their positions (or should I say shamelessly?). There was utter silence in the shell-shocked city except for the intermittent thundering blasts and firing and the raging sirens of the ambulances that commuted between the glorious Mosque turned battlefield and the hospitals. One of the TV channels was successful in establishing live telephonic contact with the rebellious supreme leader Abdul Ghazi. While he confirmed the deaths of his ailing mother and dear ones surrounding him in the background of heavy firing, his voice was amazingly calm and peaceful. In his own words, Ghazi was all committed to embrace “Shahadat” and predictably and understandably his last message to the “ummah” was to confront the dark forces instead of succumbing to their pressures and assuming the roles of their associates. However, to my disbelief and surprise, in those moments of approaching inevitable death, the man was still worried about the goodwill and morals of the society. In his eloquent but tranquil short speech, he urged some of his “known” friends in particular and society in general to cast away the various evil practices and transform themselves into good practicing Muslims. Before the line went dead, he gratefully thanked God for bestowing upon him the honour of being a Shaheed.

While I paced the room in shock and resentment with damp eyes, there were clips of wounded but emotionally charged uniformed soldiers running on the screen one of them yelling at the top of his voice “Ghazi ya shaheed”. There was fierce fighting going on the floor of the Mosque where millions had prayed over the years for the peace and unity of the ummah and nation. Heavy fatal and other casualties were registered and it was all over but not without an unprecedented bloodshed and not before the Mosque was completely destroyed in the heart of Federal capital of Pakistan.

Days afterwards, I visited the most unfortunate place where one of the oldest mosques of Islamabad once stood with all its magnificence. There were a few security guards and the place was thoroughly fenced. The ruined building was razed to the ground and turned into a complete rubble.

Standing by the debris, I could just sob not quite understanding what had gone wrong. It was all done in the name of Islam. Islam that literally means “peace” and “salamity”. Muslims were killed at the hands of their fellow Muslims; As Muslims we greet each other with words of peace “ Asalum-u- Alikum”. Islam is a religion that preaches tolerance and moderation; that believes in virtues of patience and sacrifice; a code of life that conveys the message of brotherhood, fraternity and thorough harmony.

Then from where did that hatred sneak into our folds?

Abdul Ghazi gave his life for the sake of shahadat and the commanding Lt. Col of the Pakistan Military, whose widow received the award conferred upon him by the government of Pakistan, too did not care about his innocent children for the sake of Shahadat and laid down his life in the name of Allah. Who was wrong and who was right only the time and history would decide.

Now when we can’t do anything about one of the biggest national tragedy, have we really learned something from the horrific incident and bleakest chapters of our history?

As the polarization grows, the schools are burned, bombs are exploded by the Muslims to kill fellow Muslims, the Muslim security forces are pitched against the Muslim proclaimed offenders how many more Red Mosques would we see bath in blood before we see the end of this agonizing era? Will we ever be able to pull ourselves out of this identity crisis and discover ourselves?

The intense hatred, classification, stratification and intolerance are only growing further deepening the abyss and dividing the people while the country burns and sizzles. In the name of Allah, I beg all of us to follow the true spirit of Islam and strive to bring peace, unity, moderation and harmony to the nation.