Children of Zia
Photo by Fayyaz Ahmed
In elite academic institutions, we often make a knee-jerk and erroneous assumption that we are not responsible for the intolerance that now permeates our land. It is easy to blame the non-English speaking public sector and madrassas. We like to believe that we are not responsible for the fact that today, according to Ayesha Siddiqa, 56 per cent of elite youth do not want a secular state. We like to believe that we are not active agents, but are we?
Very few across Pakistan, elite or not, teach critical thinking which is absolutely essential and should be compulsory from an early age. Without the ability to think, education starts to resemble indoctrination. And in a country like ours, where schools have no option but to teach state-sanctioned propaganda under the guise of Pakistan Studies and Islamiyat, which aims to indoctrinate with a linear vision, this becomes even more necessary. One is not allowed to challenge the syllabus and is expected to regurgitate a single perspective – the chosen perspective. If you don’t, you fail and that is not an option most are willing to take. This sends a clear message: difference and diversity will not be tolerated.
We need to stop, pause and think about our current situation. Isn’t this just a logical outcome of these students having been taught NOT to challenge alternative perspectives, and blindly believe what their teachers and texts tell them? Indeed there are many who fail critical thinking courses because they stubbornly decided that what we, the liberal teachers, are doing is part of the grand Hindu-Zionist-CIA conspiracy just because we are presenting them with alternative perspectives and asking them to be sensitive to other views. They are, after all, a product of the society they live in and most do not have a living memory of the world before September 11.
What personally depresses me the most is that once the class is over, many choose to go back to their linear vision even though they know they are speaking in fallacies. Some even say, outright, “I choose not to think about any other perspectives because they challenge my worldview.” There are many reasons for this since they return to a culture which has a tunnel vision.
Most of my on-going research is based on extensive interviews with students in elite institutions who are outside the (state-sanctioned) political and religious norm today. Intolerance in academic institutions is growing at a visibly rapid pace. Because teachers are self-censoring out of fear, students are not being properly educated and many of them know it. They fear being fired and being viciously (mostly verbally) attacked by their students like some have been many times in the past. Teachers are afraid to use the word ‘Darwin’ or even dare admit that they believe in evolution instead of creationism in medical schools! Many refuse to bring up religion or politics in critical thinking classes, which defies the senses for critical thinking relies on challenging people’s deeply rooted, deeply ingrained perspectives. We live in a country where religion and politics is in the air we breathe. It must be acknowledged and it must be challenged.
When it comes to students, many say that they are also self censoring their comments now more than ever. They also feel that the students belonging to the religious right are a much bigger problem for them than the teachers. Many of them have been attacked, mostly by fellow students, for voicing their secular opinions or for presenting any other perspectives. For example, a student, let’s call him X, who openly said that Mumtaz Qadri is a murderer was verbally attacked and called a “liberal extremist.” This is despite the fact that he actually tried to reason with his opponent, explaining that Taseer was not an “infidel” but someone who just wanted justice. X used to openly voice his perspective until recently. Now he’s a bit wary and he’s not the only one.
Similarly, those who say that Ahmadis are Muslims and should NOT be killed also get attacked. I have witnessed students say that they would like to personally behead Ahmadis. I’ve heard them say this out loud in a class with Ahmadi students who are, more often than not, hiding their religious affiliation from the others. I’ve also heard rants against Hindus while a Hindu student has been sitting in the room. That is how shameless we have become.
Students also talk about “the look” they get from other students who blindly believe in the religious right rhetoric. “The look” is a stare so deep, so uncomfortable, that it silences and scares them. They know that these students will later cause problems for them. These very same students bang on people’s door for fajr namaz, demanding they say all their prayers at the mosque, which they then regulate.
In hostels there are students who don’t let other students play “haraam” music or constantly preach to them, dousing them with unwanted and unwarranted advice on how they should live their lives. Once a student was accosted in the middle of his campus by a religious student who told him that he should stop hanging around with girls. He had never met this student, who was junior to him, before. He is now scared, since there seems to be a sort of watchdog spy network amongst these students who are not at all afraid to intimidate and attack.
None of this is new of course, but the level of intolerance is higher and leading to more and more violence than it ever did before.
Education should aid evolution, but our students are going downhill. This is our reality but I will maintain that we are also to blame. By putting up with this and allowing students to intimidate as well as regulate others, we are guilty of perpetuating an intolerant culture. We should not be tolerant of the intolerant. By putting profit above quality and by not teaching critical thinking from an early age, we are a part of the problem. What we are breeding is an even more dangerous form of terrorist than the ignorant, brainwashed madrassa students who do not know any better. They were never taught to think unlike those who choose not to and continue to believe in conspiracies, which are trendy and perpetuated by celebrities like Ali Azmat. It is shocking when it comes from a well-dressed, articulate student in a suit attending the top business school in the country; one whose aim in life is to then move abroad, work for a multi-national that he is currently dismissing as an evil Zionist company. I wonder how many future Faisal Shahzads and Dr Aafias are out there. They were the result of an earlier, more tolerant generation. Now, we are witnessing the children of Zia in their full glory and splendour. Something has to be done and something has to be done now.
Nabiha Meher is a writer, a feminist and an unapologetic, outspoken eccentric who blogs at “I am woman, hear me roar”.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
@Nabeeha,
The gleam in the eye or "the look" as you put it is the hallmark of all fanatics, be they religious or political. When they sport this look, we feel they are not human beings but some aliens.
A big applause for you miss nabiha meher , you are the voice of many voiceless , infact mine too , this is the article always kept in my mind from my school age , I never found words to explain all this but you did ! Thanks a lot for being my voice ! I study at BZU multan in evening program , it’s a government university , and whenever we discuss any issue political or non-political our ma’am sets this as condition to debate in issue that “religion and politics” would not be kept in mind while debating , moreover in our morning sessions , any lecturer is not allowed to pass any comment against or about government , my question is even if we change our curriculums can we avoid religion and politics in our critical thinking ?? I DON’T THINK SO . this is not only about changing curriculum in schools , its about changing the whole system of “so-called universities” .
Secondly , everyone who’s student and commenting on this article can never even think about leaving his/her studies for the sake of Pakistan , because no one is so hopefull enough to get fail for right thing , as you said “ if you don’t follow the chosen perspective –you’ll fail and that’s not an option most ppl willing to take , so what we have to do right here miss nabiha ?? you cant convince a student to leave behind his/her 16 years of endless hardwork because what you all did till now , so sorry to say was “wrong” . so first we need for our students is “HOPE” , don’t know from where will it come in these circumstances but still we need it like anything , your article was one if these hopes !
I will like to add 1 thing to the head of this article that we are not only ZIA’s children , we are also children of our blind and selfish parents too , who supported us fully for our disasterous future just for an easy way out of it , and when we question them we get labeled by tagline of “disrespecting children” therefore becoming hindrance to our after death heaven .
PRESENT is now part of the PAST . FUTURE is CURRENCY. SO look ahead CONCENTRATE only on YOUTH . IMPROVE their health and sel image and then teach them SCIENCE and MATHS. DO you all hear me?
Many years ago , in the throes of creating an islamic republic , general Zia decided to hold an Islamic Science conference.
Such theories as Djinns and their energy levels were discussed , or the other one was – the temperature of hell.
Islamic science – what is it ?
A passionate and well-written article. I am an educator but I am not from Pakistan although I have been following Pakistani affairs since the late 1990's. The issues raised by Nabiha Meher were articulated even then, and perhaps before. Two generations of Pakistanis have been subjected to a rigid and inelastic educational system that emphasize two things most: Pakistani identity and Islam. There is nothing wrong with it. All of us need a sense of identity and belonging. As Meher has pointed out, the problem is undue emphasis, and distortion, if not falsification of facts. These are the twin problems of education in Pakistan.
Curriculum design is fairly standard in most parts of the world. It relies on distilling established facts, and presenting them with the unresolved questions. From this comes rational inquiry. I teach Biology and Physiology, and when I touch upon evolution I stick to the known facts. My textbooks stick to the known facts. I cannot deny the validity of Darwin's theory because it is the theory that best fits the known facts. As a scientist I am not wedded to the theory but it is the best available. This attitude distinguishes rational thinking from irrational belief. However, my open mind does not go so far as to admit intelligent design because that is an unsupported belief, supported only by blind faith. If there are students in my class who believe that the universe is 6000 years old, then they know that it is best to keep their opinions to themselves. I do not care to hear about it, and I do not allow them to articulate their unfounded speculations. That is my right as a Professor and my university supports me. I determine what is taught. Empowering educators in Pakistan with the right to teach facts and not fiction is one problem. Finding those who can teach facts and not fiction is the bigger problem. These are the immediate, and twin challenges, that Pakistan faces.
Two generations of indoctrination will require at least 50 more years to wash blind belief and irrational thinking out of the system. Because those who are young today will remain in positions of authority for at least so much more time before they retire. These are the students of yesterday who will govern Pakistan tomorrow, and run its industries, and universities. This is the price that Pakistan will unfortunately pay. So, the time to start is now. Or Pakistan will lose yet another generation.
Brother Usman, I am curious. Which theory did you prove wrong? The one taught by your teacher or the generally accepted works of Darwin and others? What did your audience say?
atleast we dont have these kind of things in india-thats the reason we r one of the fastest growing economy of the world-india should try to get more closer with china atleast both the societies have secular and modern thinking-
You can not teach critical thinking to a culture where you can get killed for criticizing, or where the Mullahs call you an apostate for questioning any of their proclamations, or where you killed.
You cannot talk freely when you are constantly threatened with death every time you speak up.
Critical thinking will not only make our people develope understanding and tolarance which lead us to peace and security but it will also lead to choose better leaders and make better economic decisions so prosperity for the nation will also follow through..
Good article Nabeeha. Look after yourself, if you live in Pakistan – it seems that there are too many intolerant bigots in our country.
Excellent Article Ma'am! Core of problem is Identified. Lets, hope people start addressing the causes not its affect
The problem is not only Zias but the parents and peers, who have failed Pakistanis. When people are deterred to ask critical questions for the fear of punishment, you create average citizens, who will only learn to follow the orders. Pakistanis should ask whether they need more followers than critical thinkers, who will take them to the next level.
Kudos to Miss Meher for firing the first shot!
I really doubt the picture is really as horrific as you try to paint.
I agree critical thinking should be made part of lower class curriculum, as it would definitely root out a lot of problems (related to blind following) that we are facing today. Especially when it comes to religion they need to critically analyse to know what is religion from what is usually simple plain bigotry. By divine law, for e.g., one is not even allowed to harm an animal without right, let alone a human being. So whoever you encountered, who openly speaks about harming minorites, ask them to give you a valid justifiable cause, if they can't provide one, then they should be sent back to the Madarsa/seminary they came out of, to relearn the hadith and Quran on the sancitity of human life.
Separate religion from state . Period
Look into the admissions forms of the schools. I refused to send my son to Beacon House School Systems when I found that the admission form for KG has a column for religion and preferred the other school. It starts when the children get admission in school and then continues.
Dear Moderator, Why are you removing my comments? Could you explain it please.
The author is trying to demoralise the pakistani youth.Every one knows that Bhutto was the one who declared Ahmedis non muslim.Bhutto also developed our 1973 constitution and started the subject of Pakistan studies in schools.
Is it not disgraceful that you want to be called Pakistani but are opposing Pakistan studies.
Think on your own rather than trusting the anti-pakistan media.
Nabiha, well written. This is an old strategy to make the minds slaves of a tunnel vision. Critical and analytical thinking for new generations is a must if the country need to be among the developed ones. There is a need of chnge in attitudes and they are contagious. The present setup is not producing the positive role models in the society where the most of the environment is not conducive as well. Regards
A chilling reminder of where we are heading
Well written-
i will like to share my experience – i did my A- levels back in 2003-4, i had Biology as a subject- when the lecture on evolution came our teacher taught us about Darwin theory and all others (as they were in syllabus). i took it as a challenge and began research on the theory of Darwin and evolution- i did paper work of approx 25 pages, and prepared a presentation on proving the theory wrong and presenting reality. this all effort was self generated and self motivated. But, ironically my TEACHER was not ready to listen to me, and i never got a chance to speak in his class- although i gathered class afterward and presented my work.
I just wanted to second your article- this is what is going on- we are not prepared to do research and we are not prepared to think what are we doing and which direction are we heading, we must learn to challenge the philosophy and at the same time learn the philosophy.
Be glad that they taught you evolution theory! Here in US they are teaching world was created in 7 days..In longer run, standard of Mullah Pakistani kids will be same as evangelical USA kids!
No difference at all. You think there is a difference. But I tell you Cambridge is producing duds now as is the metric system. I am a teacher and have taught in the Cambridge system. It only gives you the privilege of learning English. That's it. Nothing much else. All exams can be aced by doing past 3 years of papers, and you don't have to understand anything.