Saturday, April 23, 2011

Nationalism or Islam, Nation or Ummah, have to make a choice

Nationalism or Islam, Nation or Ummah, have to make a choice

During my Childhood
Like any other Pakistani boy i grew up with strong lessons and slogans of nationalism in my course books, TV, newspapers and schools. We were used to put CRUSH INDIA badges on shirts. India was primary enemy of Pakistani nation and Islam. Kashmir was burning issue and Govts were used to exploit the sentiments of people over Kashmir as it was national as well as Islamic matter. Israel was always unanimously cursed by all segments of society. Later my nation got engaged with Russia in Afghanistan. Even then it was OK as Russia was a threat to Pakistan and Islam as well. Those were very good old days.

Middle phase came
Then there were some matters where i like other common people was disturbed by US attacks on Iraq. I was not satisfied by Govt stance on these issue. Collation forces captured the major resources and sensitive points of Arab world (till today). Any how it was still not a threat to nationalism ideology as Pakistan was not involved in any of collation activities there.
Along with that Ex-Jihadi groups appear with war slogans against US and west. Osama Bin Laden declared war on America from Khost. US navy targeted that camp through cruise missiles by violating Pakistan's air space. It was a clear response of USA for Osama's declaration. Till here nationalism did not confronted the Ummah or Islam.

9/11 also destroyed my ideology
Then time came when Al-Qaeda launched attacks on USA on Sept 11 2001 and US president called for a clear distinction of friend and enemy. He rejected the option to stay neutral. Pakistan at that time was under the rule of dictator Gen. Musharraf. Due to extreme strategic importance and Afghan connections US leadership asked the dictator to assist the collation forces for culmination of Taliban regime and Al-Qaeda activists. For whatever reason dictator stood on the collation side and offered every type of support to US lead forces from 35 countries of the world.
USA brutally carpet bombed Afghanistan with ferocious weapons. Pakistan on his side captured the great Arab mujahedin and sold to USA. Several ex-jihadi individuals were killed at the spot without even a single crime on their record against the state of Pakistan. Even women were sold as later came the case of Dr. Aafia Sidiqui. Here i did not find any way to satisfy my nationalism and Islamic ideology both at the same time. Along with twin towers 9/11 also destroyed my innocent and very firm bond of nationalism and Islamic ideology.
Dictator Gen. Musharraf grasped this reality very much and introduced the attractive but mean slogans like "Sab say pehlay Pakistan". And crushed every local/international individual/organization with some aim to apply Islam in society.

National Security set ups
Almost a decade has past after 9/11. Pakistan is bound to wage a war that is against the mujahideen of Islam. During this process we have created more enemies and less friends. Intelligence Agencies and national security set ups are extremely patriot without any doubt but they are totally failed to justify their actions according to Islamic perspective. This situation leaves no way to opt either nationalism or Islam. Or in other words opt nation or Umma.

Main Concern
The main concern is how could we put nationalism and Islamic bond back same as it was before and what should be done to make sure that in future nationalism and Islam would not be mutually exclusive?

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