On Monday, Christians across Pakistan mourned the Gojra tragedy, which led to the death of seven people over the weekend. Hundreds of Muslims, apparently spurred by a banned militant group, stormed a Christian neighbourhood, burning dozens of houses after reports surfaced that some Christians had desecrated a Quran. In response to the attack, the Christian community held protests and insisted that charges of negligence be registered against the Gojra DCO and DPO.
Does the Gojra incident emphasise the fact that the government is finding it increasingly difficult to protect Pakistani citizens from attacks by organised, well-armed groups? What should the government do if the Gojra incident is proved to have been spurred by a banned militant outfit to spark Muslim-Christian riots? Is Gojra an isolated incident, or yet another indication that Pakistani society is becoming increasingly extremist and intolerant?
Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy law has often been criticised for breeding religious intolerance. Under the law, the mere accusation of saying or writing something deemed insulting to Prophet Mohammad or the Holy Quran is enough to be arrested and imprisoned. Religious groups see the law as important for the ‘protection’ of Islam, while minority groups see it as an unfair law that is used to intimidate non-Muslims. Since 1986, at least 892 persons have been accused of blasphemy and in virtually every case the charges were completely fabricated. In your opinion, would repealing the blasphemy law help prevent incidents such as the attacks in Gojra?
The views expressed in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Muslims and Islam always give respect to all religion. Islam is the example for whole world that Islam is not threat for anyone whatever they have religion because Islam taught us about brotherhood and sisterhood,kindness, propriety, forgiveness, make bridges among the whole nation it doesn”t matter whatever religion they have.
We Pakistani feel proud as a Muslim country that we always respect all religions in the country. Non-muslims have same rights as muslims have. Non-muslim could live in our country without any hesitation and they can perform all their religious ceremony freely.
Government must take it seriously and punish them who involve in this evil act.
This incident is extremely sad, not only for Christians but Muslims too feel it is totally against any law, religion and so on. The law should be for every person in a country and not only the majority of the people. Why can’t be impose democacry realistically and not just pretend we’re trying our best to impose it ?…we need to respect people of other religion that exist in Pakistan and it’s the governments responsibility to let the public know this!
Does not surprise me..a country whose foundation was laid on mistrust of other religions..does not surpise me at all. Pakistan is not a country for non muslims..err wait a minute for Muslim too like shias, ahmediyas, sunni muslim who are secular, muslims who do not agree with Taliban, muslim who have a western outlook, muslims who question certain things of Kuran, muslims who do not wear burqa..oh my god the list goes on and on….in a nut shell a FAILED STATE…sorry Mr. Jinnah it just is not working.
In my opinion exemplary punishment to these attackers will block the way for future attacks on minorities in Pakistan. The few Mullahs who always ignite this fire should be permanently removed.
The blasphemy law was designed to legally pick on and victimize minorities. There is no other practical purpose of that law. It was made because it could be made. However, the damage has been done long enough and repealing this law is not particularly likely to undo decades of abuse. Pakistan needs to move on and come out of the cloak of religion. Religion was a means to attain statement 60 years go but it’s time to move on.
Most of all, where are all the concerned ulemas who are out there giving fatwas all over the place over KESC, women and what not? Oh, they are busy saving their jobs probably. What a shame.
I don’t think abolishing blasphemy laws would bring any change in society, as it has already become very intolerant and extremist society. The real motive behind such horrific incidents is personal revenge of an individual or group of people and when opportunity arises, others join for their financial, political and religious gains. In the absence of blasphemy laws, the miscreants will find other ways to settle the score.
Long time ago, we the members of a residential society removed our Imam Masjid, as he was too extremist, especially against one sect of Muslims. As soon as we removed him, he was immediately welcomed by nearby mosque for better pay and benefits, which was also bigger than our mosque and had more permanent Namazis. Though he got better job and should have left us alone, instead he kept on accusing us, this writer was his special target, but I always ignored him,..my big mistake.
One day I gathered few students of society to clean our mosque, when we were working inside mosque, one of my friend came and asked me to come to nearby football ground, and play from their side, as they were short of one player. After instructing students about work, I left with my friend for football match. During half time, when were relaxing, those students whom I had left in mosque, came there carrying very Old pages of Quran and many other pages of other holy books, which they had found in book shelves. It was normal, because early morning Quran Lessons were attended by many young kids, and with passage of time, it happens to all books. As I was thinking what to tell them, I saw (above mentioned) Imam Masjid on side lines watching football match. As I could not think anything else I pointed towards him and asked kids to get his advice. He received those Old Qurans and other holy papers from kids and told them that he would find some proper place to keep them and immediately left ground on his motor bike .
After the football match was over and both teams were about to leave, we saw hundreds of people approaching towards ground with all kinds of weapons, sticks and chanting slogans, and to my worst fear, they were chanting my name. Fortunately there were many well built football players still in ground and some other people who knew me. They pushed me behind and stood in front of me like a wall to save me from a very violent crowd. When crowd saw a different situation they stopped. The same Imam appeared from crowd and yelled again, “You all Jahanimi Poeple”, what are you waiting?, that’s the person who humiliated and desecrated your holy book, Get him,….again crowed did not move. Meanwhile more supporters came to my side and we out numbered crowd. After few minutes of discussion and reconciliation, crowd dispersed and Imam vanished with them.
Those few minutes were my worst nightmare. If the situation had been different, the consequences could have been very disastrous for me.
As far as law is concerned it was impossible to initiate any action against Imam, who preached hate for many more years till his death. There was not a single person from that violent crowd who had come to apologize and ask for forgiveness nor they ever questioned Imam’s wrongful accusation. Such miscreants hide behind religion and religious passion and society simply ignores it, and that’s the real flaw.
In this Feudal and Naudaulatya (nouveau riche) dominated Political Scenario its not possible to think that the Top Person will ever take the responsibility. Scapegoats are the middle order cadre of the bureaucracy. If you are a good human being you are the best Muslim. Which definitely majority of the people are not.
Looking through the history of the human race, it is evident that when the religious sentiment have gone overboard it has caused nothing but problem. When the religion is advising to love peace and brotherhood, the followers, blinded by their personal convictions and interpretation have gone the totaly opposite way and caused bloodshed and disharmony.
The recent incident in Pakistan is just another example of the imbalance in the nation who is not “thinking”. Where is this grounded? in the socio-economic system? in the conviction that killing others will take you to heaven? in believing in doing the “right thing”
I enjoyed my days of youth in Karachi, Pakistani where I did not even have a thought of not belonging to Pakistan or belonging to a different religion. The times seems to have changed, unfortunately not for the better.
Please, review where the nation has gone wrong and amend the mistakes carried out or the consequence will be suffered by the generations to come and it will not be a desirable consequence. We can not live like savages anymore, we are the citizens of the global society and children of the age of enlightenment. Let not the darkness take hold of our mind and heart but follow the light and the path of the righteous.
The good in all human being will prevail, have faith.
Be blessed.
There are forces in our country who are like the VHP or the Jan Sangh of India.These are so called the Muslim Jan Sanghes who are trying to act exactly against the Quranic Principals and the saying and deeds of the Holy Prophet.They are the worst enemies of the Humanity,Islam and Pakistan.After opening the fronts in NWFP now they are creating the disorder in the Punjab.
The blasphemy law is just one aspect of the problem. The problem is intermingling of religion and the state.
That’s hard to do after one generation of “Pakistan Studies” has blurred that distinction.
Firstly, my condolences to the members of the families of the martyrs who paid the price with their lives just like their Leader, Jesus Christ as he did for all of us. Secondly, the culprits should be detained and tried for deaths and punished to the harshest extent of the law after a brief trial. Police charged for negligence and be released to teach lesson to the rest. Rest of the police forces should be given education as to how keep control of the mob and be honest officers of the force.
In addition, government should call an emergency session of the parliament and look into the following suggestions:
The government of Pakistan should abolish the blasphemy law;
Call back the bill from Swat to practice Shria Law immediately;
Introduce a bill to have the Christians practice double voting right in the national and provincial election and reserve percentage of Senate seats for Christians;
Restore rights for the minorities as stated in the Constitution of 1948;
Return rest of the Christian owned and operated Schools, Colleges and Hospitals.
First of all, my condolences to the families of the martyrs, they pay the price for all the living members of the largest minority of Christian People in Pakistan. Second, I expect the government should arrest all attacking animals and the leaders and those responsible for causing death should sentenced to death after a brief trial.
I empathise with the ones who fought back with their few guns to protect the honor of their families, faith and property. However, since the all government’s current and past, provincial and federal, the following suggestion is the only solution:
What I suggest is that Pakistan gave us 176,000.Sq.km from Balochistan to form our own Province which will be part of Pakistan with the head being a Governor, appointed by the government of Pakistan and it will be called West Balochistan. Since it is mostly underdeveloped, it makes economic sense to give half of it to those people who know how to develop economy and we will be self supporters and will not even ask for large share as the other provinces. This newly formed province will shine within few years from its existence.
Pakistani Christian community and the Human Right groups all over the world have voiced their concern against the ill-inked blasphemy law in Pakistan, which has led to imprisoning and killing innocent citizens of Pakistan. Time and again it has been exposed to the government and the judiciary that this law is being used to intimidate people particularly the religious minorities. The Blasphemy Law should be repealed with all its sections in order to avoid such incidents in future. We are giving a bad name to Pakistan all over the world.
Brilliant comments from Nexus and Syed Khan. I compeletely agree with both of them, as we need this law for the protection of sentiments of the people of the book ( muslims, christians and jews) but we need to punish these killers with the punishment provided in the same law. As I beleive the same law provides the punishment for those who would come up with false blame.
The governement needs to be very very tough on these blackmailers, who are playing with the beiliefs of innocent people. I am a muslim but I am ashamed today for the acts done by these killers in the name of My tolerant religion and I could’t comprehend that how these so called protectors of Islam and Prophet(pbuh) would face Allah and Prophet (pbhu) on the day of judgement when He would ask them that who gave them the authority? who proved this blasphemy actually occured? and how they decided that this was done by the same people they killed?
May Allah help us learn actual Islam.
It is a very sad incident and those who committed this crime should be punished but it would not happen in Pakistan. Punjab is the centre of all kind of criminals and provincial govt has no control at all. Their ministers and MPAs are also involved in crimes, so how can expect justice from these guys. Pakistan should provide protection to minorities and it is every individual responsibility to take care of other communities.
As a muslim I am extremely saddened by these incidents. I pray for all the familes of my Christian brothers and sisters who lost loved ones.
On the Blasphemy law, it is one that has been abused by many since its inception to harass non-muslims. By, Allah, by Koran and by Sunnah, non-muslims have the same right as Muslims living in a muslim nation. Our leaders and religious zealots might not agree, but who cares for them? Its not like they have done anything for Islam or Muslims in the last 1400 years anyways.
Drastically change the law, that is my recommendation. Treat everyone as equal. Make everyone a 1st class citizen. Give minorities voting rights.
We cannot and never will be able to remove hatred againts Islam and Muslims by torching their houses and killing them. Education and equality is the key to sucess.
The tragic incident which happened in Gojra, is a big shame for the whole PAKISTANI nation.We are very much ashmed with the Christan society that due to our few extrimist barbarians we had to suffer such an unbearable incident. The Maulvee who announced from the mosque for this illegal move must be hanged in the main bazar of GUJRA, so that effectees may get some relieve. All the christians living in Pakistan they are our brothers Pakistani. They have all the rights which a Pakistani deserve, so don;t say that they are in minority.Pakistan is for every one who is living in Pakistan, does;nt matter from which religon he belongs, he is first Pakistani then comes religon.In my opinion not only Chief Minister of Punjab, but Prime Minister and President of Pakistan at once visit Gojra and regret from the grieved families, and give them assurance that they will be given respect and protection.
How can we prevent a repeat of the Gojra attacks?
We can prevent these incident by abolishing and making Amendment to this blasphamy law becuase it is misused and misinterpreted.
Christian, Should have thier own political party, Our christian should have thier own state or City, I think.
xcept pray we cannot do n e thing so brother and sister keep praying for the people who sufring my personal relative live in gojra they burnt there house aswell
I agree with Syd Khan. Debating the validity of the law is turning a blind eye on the real problem, i.e. people willing to kill recklessly and indiscriminately. It is not the law at fault here, but people having no respect for human life. These people are to be targeted and dealt with. Otherwise, if you abolish one law today, they will find a new one tomorrow to justify their blood lust.
The recent occurrences of Gojra, Toba Tek Sigh, Bahmani Wala village in District Kasur are the continuation of similar episodes from the past 2 decades. This is not only the shocking news for the entire Pakistani Christian community but this time every Christian is thinking.
• Am I a Pakistani Citizen? If yes then why am I treated as a 3rd class citizen?
• What are my rights as a Pakistani citizen?
• Why the non-state actors are backed by the police, clerics and then the state ?
• Why the Pakistani Government forgot the mission of Quaid-i-Azam – founder of Pakistan? He stated in his speech of Feb 1948:
“In any case Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state to be ruled by priests with a divine mission. We have many non-Muslims-Hindus, Christians and Parsis — but they are all Pakistanis. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges as any other citizens and will play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan.” Quaid-i-Azam, Feb. 1948 [3]
In order to control and eliminate such crimes I would like to give few suggestions:
The culprits should be penalized and must be sent to prison, so that in future no cleric will take law in his hands by using the loudspeaker from the mosque to instigate and motivate for such crimes. They must get the same punishment, which had been applied to many unblemished Christians for the false statement of burning Koran and blasphemy against the Prophet.
Why can’t they send to Jail when they are involved in burning Bibles, Churches and other Holy materials? Why police do not take any actions against these people who do such crimes in front of them? Is law different for the Minority and majority? I think justice could not be provided to the common man until the police understand what is their duty and responsibilities. The govt should take strict and appropriate actions against those involving innocent Christians in such crimes.
Why can’t sections 295 B & C of the Pakistan Penal Code could be amended and be deleted the offensive sections? As far as their insertions are concerned, we are aware the motto was to achieve the political milestone and make happy few people. However, due to this action many Pakistani Christians lost their lives, homes and properties. This must be debated until unless we can’t find the solution. The only solution I can see (295 B and C) offensive sections need to be deleted from Pakistan Penal Code.
I would like to request the renowned TV anchors, columnists, writers and others to please debate this hot issue – invite Pakistani Christians, minority leaders and Liberal scholars from Islam to review this blasphemy law 295-B and; C, which introduced to achieve the political milestone. Hurry up this is vital issue for the Christians.
Please go back to the time of our beloved probhet muhammad (peace be upon him),during his time many people said bad things about him even though one lady use to throw garbage on our beloved prophet (peace be upon him) ..but but but …our beloved prophet(peace be upon him) never punished them instead when the lady didnt throw garbage one day he went to her house to ask what happend and the lady converted to islam just coz of our beloved prophet’s (peace be upon him)kind and generous and forgiven personality, but now a days our mullah’s do all the sin. the government must abolish this law if they truley love our beloved prophet (peace be upon him) and educate all the mullah’s. These mullah’s are axes of Evil and they have no idea and information about real islam.
i think history is repeating itself. like muslims had problem with hindu majourity before partition.same situation is here with muslims and christians they seem hard to get along with each other actually i should say majority seems to have problem with all the minourities. if somone says that minourities have all the freedom they need that person need to go out and talk to minourities . so i think there is only one option wich is called ” awareness ” let me add one suggestion that people should keep thier children away from extremists ,the people who seed hate in our kids against other religions.
“Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy law has often been criticised for breeding religious intolerance” – Strongly disgree, for even Holocast contesting is a UN approved criminal offense. This law is preventive in nature but its implementation requires redical measures. Those taking law in their hands hiding behind this law shall be punishable by death in case they cause death. It should be law to decide whether or not blaspheme has occured. Few imprisonments or capital sentense to such criminals will do good to both, increase the respect of law and at the same time get rid of these criminals (including officials if involved)taking law in their hands with impunity.
Some may ask what is real education ?
Real education is something which make you creative and in our schools and Madrssas kids are just changed into parrots who just learn few words by heart.Our bureaucrats are just good in writing English just like the parrot is good in reciting their few words.There is no creativity whats so ever.When whole of earth are utilizing their own natural resources e.g big water dams on rivers.We cant even build one dam and today we have to live with the azab of Load shading.Countries like Tajikistan whose water resources are nothing compare to us are selling electricity to us thats just a big shame and we are just busy in corruption or how to runaway to another country and now even those countries dont want our cheap slavery.Our idols have left us to face the demon of our bad deeds.Lets unite lets learn lets teach other lets be patient.Laws in some law book can not change peoples but peoples can change peoples.