Shamim Masih writes about pseudo-peace negotiations between the Islamic Terrorist organization Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) - which is outlawed in Pakistan – and Pakistan’s recognized legitimate political parties. Shamim finishes by recognizing the propaganda absurdity of a seminar that took place sponsored by the Asian Study Group promoting the concept that Islam is a peaceful and tolerant of other (i.e. non-Muslim) religions. Here is the quote put out by the Pakistan event that Shamim responds to:
“Many mistakenly believe that Islam does not tolerate the existence of other religions. Islam recognizes that there are a plurality of religions on this earth, and gives the right to individuals to choose the path which they believe to be true. They gave the examples from the life of their Prophet (PBUH) epitomize the verse of the Quran which promotes religious tolerance and sets the guideline for Muslims’ interaction with people of other faiths.”
JRH 2/6/14
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Religious Bigotry
By Shamim Masih
Sent: 2/4/2014 7:17 PM
ISLAMABAD: Because of my internet problem, I couldn’t release however this matter forced me personally to do this. We are building not so much a multi-racial society or a multi-cultural society, we are building separate societies which really don’t have much to do with other. Equipped with just enough religion to hate those with another faith but not enough to love their coreligionists – Pakistanis have mostly turned their backs on religious atrocities. Religion is not to be, and was never, forced upon an individual against their own will. Unfortunately Pakistan is facing terrorism and some Islamic fundamentalists want to impose their rigid rituals and rights and the Pakistani government is in a state of confusion whether to face them or to face terrorism. In this turmoil, government is again wasting time to negotiate with them, knowingly that this process will bring no solid result.
Taliban peacekeeping troops and government of Pakistan negotiators are meeting to devise a strategy for formally kick-starting a much-awaited dialogue process. The Taliban had nominated five prominent figures – Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) [Alternative PTI profile] Chairman Imran Khan, Jamiat Ullma-e-Islam (JUI-S) chief Maulana Sami ul Haq, Jamaat-e-Islamai (JI) leader Prof. Mohammad Ibrahim, JUI-F politician Mufti Kifayat ullah and Lal Masjid prayer leader Maulana Abdul Aziz to act as intermediaries between them and the government’s negotiating team. But JUI and PTI – the two avid supporters of peace talks wished the proposed dialogue luck and excused themselves from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s intermediary committee. And now the Taliban will be nominate Insar Abbasi and Oriay Maqbool Jan in the squad.
Fawad Chaudhry, one of the PPP [Pakistan Peoples Party (Alternative PPP profile)] political leaders has demanded that people nominated by Taliban for negotiations should be arrested and investigated for their links with terrorists. I support his stance because once these people are living in the country and if they are representing the militant groups and will negotiate on their behalf it means that they are one of them either in spirit or practice.
Asian Study Group, in collaboration with Kuch Khass, arranged a multimedia presentation on Religious Tolerance & Islam. They believe that – “Many mistakenly believe that Islam does not tolerate the existence of other religions. Islam recognizes that there are a plurality of religions on this earth, and gives the right to individuals to choose the path which they believe to be true. They gave the examples from the life of their Prophet (PBUH) epitomize the verse of the Quran which promotes religious tolerance and sets the guideline for Muslims’ interaction with people of other faiths.”
I am not a religious scholar but I know about my faith and very well aware of it as well. I wanted them to ask, which Sharia you wanted to impose, either the Taliban design or what about the Sharia which is already imposed in the constitution of Pakistan or both? I feel it is already scripted and its nut shell is; both groups will sit and negotiate and design some restrictions to be imposed on margined position in the society like women and religious minorities. It may demand to tighten the rope and neck of the minorities likely poised to make the death penalty compulsory for blasphemy. Earlier Pakistan faced a looming deadline to either comply with a court ruling to amend the country’s penal code to make the death penalty the only lawful punishment for blasphemy or to appeal the order. It may restrict religious freedom or freedom of expression. It is already the practice that religious minorities are not leading a healthy life in this arena. I am afraid that Pakistani Christians are already living a miserable life and do not have the right to be heard. If the government shot the bullet putting on Taliban shoulders, what will be Christian future in this country?
Be Blessed,
Shamim Masih
___________________________
Edited by John R. Houk.
All explanatory links provided by the Editor. Brackets indicate Editor Additions to the text.
© Shamim Masih
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