Two-month delay

I have been keeping busy in some personal affairs and that is why, failed to post any new blog. But, this does not mean that this search for a common ground is over. We’ll back with a gusto. Best regards!

New strategy for Afghanistan?

General Stanley A. McChrystal, the commander of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan has called for a ‘tweaking’ in the Afghan policy. The General does not want any new troops as he thinks that the current policy is flawed. Instead, he thinks that the strengthening of Afghan Army and Police would be sufficent to counter Taliban threat.

Saudis failing to control terrorists

In the recent episode of rising violence in Saudi Arabia, a terrorist detonated himself in the office of Prince Muhammad bin Nayef. Prince Nayef is leading Saudi forces in countering terrorism. Also, this is the first attack on any person of the royal family in decades. The ease with which the bomber entered the office of Nayef and carried out this attack speaks volume about the flaws in Saudi security apparatus.

Malaysian woman awaiting ‘caning’

As we discussed earlier, Malaysia is on a way backward. Although Malaysia is not an overwhelmingly Muslim country, non-Muslims are forced to adhere to Islamic principles. As for the Muslims, some people are trying to impose Taliban-style shariah in the Malay land. These people, with some hidden support from certain government quarters, are waging a war against Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Will Afghan elections change anything?

Afghans will go to polls on August 20 — for a second time in five years — to elect their president. Although the country has hardly any democratic structure, the second parliamentary elections have at least paved the way for a future of democracy on this troubled land. But is that such a simple thing? Additionally, the complex nature of Afghanistan and the rising tide of Taliban have further complicated the matters.

This is Iran

As if the arrests of thousands of protesters was not enough, the authoritarian regime has started raping and executing the inmates. There have been some reports that Iranian regime has brutally executed some protesters. Additionally, dozens or even hundreds have been raped by the Islamic police. This list include both men and women.

Now is not that interesting? Iranian law has a provision to execute homosexuals but on the other hand, their police rape the inmates. Is not that shameful double standards?

Shame on Pakistanis

Yet another episode of shameful behavior that has become a hallmark of Pakistani Muslims. Scores of Christians were burned to death and their residential quarters were gutted by an angry mob of Muslims. The incident took place in a small town of Punjab — the largest province of Pakistan by population with the largest population of Christians.

Pakistan, especially Punjab, has a long history of violence against Christians. They are free to do that under the Islamic laws of Pakistan that allow violence against minorities if they are found to be blasphemous to Islamic teachings. One can even be sentenced to death if he or she is found to be desecrating any Islamic principles or figures.

Mullahs take full advantage of this clause and accuse non-Muslims with blasphemy. They gather large crowds that attack non-Muslims and burn their properties, sometimes also killing them. Interestingly, the later judicial inquireis have never been able to confirm the charges of blasphemy.

Things will continue the same unless and until the draconian blasphemy laws are not repealed by the Pakistani government. Western governments, especially the United States, should put some pressure on Pakistanis to mend their ways. US is giving billions of dollars in aid and it reserves the right to withhold its aid package if human rights condition in Pakistan remains pathetic.

The weird blasphemy

Blasphemy is one of the most favorite words in the Muslim world. The sensitivities run so high that non-issues become a great dispute. Some Muslims love to make a mountain out of a mole hill. It is an understandable fact that Muslims do not want any dirt smacking on the holy figures. But why they became so insane while protesting?

The answer lies in the ignorance of a common Muslim that can be easily brainwashed by the mullahs. Interestingly, these mullahs remain at the sideline (as usual) and a common Muslim dies during violent protests. During the 2006 caricature controversy, dozens of Muslims died in Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh and other Muslim countries. There was a massive loot and arson where banks, offices and shopping centers were set on fire.

There are also minor controversies fueled by religious zealots in the Muslim world. Pakistan is the worst affected country as most Pakistanis think themselves to be the guardians of Islam. This ‘assumed’ guardianship means that they are free to carry out violent protests and chant anti-western slogans. The situation is almost the same in Egypt, Bangladesh and in India. The concept of freedom of speech is virtually non-existent in the Muslim world.

On an end note, there is an old anecdote running under varying scenarios in different Muslim countries. A group of angry Muslim protesters were chanting slogans against a western country (Outside its embassy) in a Muslim world. Police was standing on the sidelines and the protest was turning violent. Suddenly someone started shouting in the crowd that the visa window has been opened and that country is offering free tickets and accommodation. The crowd soon dispersed and one could see a long line of the applicants at the said window.

The crux of the matter lies in the ignorance, poverty and religious extremism. Even those who are educated are not ready to accept the controversial and hypocritical attitudes of Muslim theocracy and that is a real shame.

Pakistan and India’s animosity – when will it end?

Pakistanis have a long ‘infatuation’ with India. I would say it an infatuation because Pakistanis want to do everything in accordance with the Indian action. They made a nuclear bomb and Pakistan went on the same track. They tested it and Pakistan wasted no time in detonating its own nuclear devices. The media and entertainment industry of Pakistan is nothing but a cheaper version of the Indian entertainment industry.

Apart from this ‘copying’ game, Pakistan also share a huge animosity towards Indians, which of course it also receives from its eastern borders. Both countries have fought three major and many minor wars. Every five years or so, the world averts a disaster brewing in the South Asian region. The most recent example of this was observed immediately after the Mumbai attacks.

Now Pakistanis are an aggressive nation. They caused all these war and skirmishes by infiltrating into the Indian region and supporting the insurgency movements (there were many apart from Kashmir including Khalistan and Assamese insurgents). Although India can’t be considered a peaceful nation either, they were at least not provocateurs of violence until recently. Now as they are turning the tables on Pakistan by backing the o insurgency and also some groups of Talibans (as per Pakistan’s ISI reports), Pakistanis are feeling betrayed.

Pakistan is also facing serious resentment because of its suppression of minority ethnic groups. The dominant Punjabi establishment will never allow the empowerment of other ethnic groups nor will the feudal system that controls these people like their slaves. India, on the other hand, is free from any feudal society but is facing another crisis: brutal caste system and religious tensions. The long established democratic system has no place for the poverty ridden masses and religious minorities.

The situation is really complex in both countries. While a storm is brewing in Pakistan that can sweep away the very existence of Pakistan, the minimal democracy in India is at least able to act as the lifeguard of the system.

In the next part of this article, I will discuss the complications and contradictions that are destroying the very fabric of South Asia, especially India and Pakistan.

Iran continues on its discriminatory path

Iran has not budged from its position on the discrimination and brutal suppression of minorities. Although the conservative militant regime is oppressive of every moderate voice, the treatment of minorities is absolutely shameful. As we reported earlier, the regime is continuing with its ’speedy’ justice as it just hanged 13 more Sunni rebels in the south-eastern region of Baluchistan.