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The humour that a lot of people indulge in Pahstun and Sindhi jokes where ethnic groups are targeted for being featherheaded, does not really appeal to me. Every time I read a text or an email focusing on the so-called ‘idiosyncrasies’ of different ethnic groups, I truly feel this lame exercise boils down to the fact that we all suffer from some major superiority complex, which mind you is an offshoot of the inferiority complex, that keeps us from being rational and accommodating towards other people.
Perhaps, the jokes and stereotypical tendencies that we generally show towards people who have a different accent or lifestyle is a ‘syndrome’ which has stronger roots than fathomable by an idle mind. Perhaps the spike in ethnic violence, that has cost countless lives, is also an extension of the hatred and intolerance that we have for each other’s customs.
Many people have known to flee their homeland and relocate because the ethnic tensions within the city or province does not leave them much choice. For many patriots, it became a choice between their lives and ‘home’.
Karachi is one of the most densely populated cities of Pakistan, with an estimated population of 18 million people. Being the hub of economic activities, Karachi has attracted immigrants from various parts of the country, who migrate to the city for better income prospects and sustainable livelihood. However, the ethnic massacres perpetrated by ‘unknown elements’ in the city, which once was a realm to people professing different ethnicities, have divided the city into fault lines that are at risk of disintegration.
The problem cannot be solved until the crux of the issue is identified and eliminated. Perhaps what looks like the most apparent reason is not exactly the root cause of the trouble. Various theories, pertaining to human psychology, propose that ever since the existence of mankind, people who are alike and belong to same ethnic group derogate other groups that do not conform to their own lifestyle and practises. This is one of the many ways to protect one’s own ideologies by shunning out ‘black sheep’ prevalent in other factions of the society.
Viewing the current barbaric situation in Pakistan, different political lobbies that represent Sindhis, Pashtuns or Urdu speaking populace, literally bank upon this theory and create divergence amongst Pakistanis. By creating cultural divisions and ‘granting’ each division a status which remains superior from the other ethnic group, it becomes easier for politicians to yank the strings of their followers. The famous theory of ‘divide and rule’ was based on the same foundations however; the irony is that we have failed to learn any lessons from our previous mistakes.
Many incidents take place in front of our eyes, however, most of us have become immune to the ‘fiascos’ and the best way to deal with the situation is to restrict them to ‘drawing room gossip’ where law enforcing agencies and the government are literally bashed for their dysfunctional system and lack of interest in the welfare of Pakistani society.
But most of us feel ‘safe’ as long as the ambush, death and the gunshot do not affect us because we hail from the same group which bifurcate the society into Shia and Sunni Muslims. We ourselves are responsible for creating a rift which is dividing Pakistan into obscure regions.
Creating separate provinces and demarcating territories will do no good; in fact, it will further alienate Pakistanis from each other. Why can’t we all live together whilst appreciating each other’s differences? My idea of a perfect Pakistan remains where no one fears wearing the Ajrak, where Naswar jokes are not used to insult Pashtuns, where Christmas and Diwali are celebrated by everyone regardless of their religious orientation and most importantly, where everyone has a right to profess their own ideologies without being threatened to be killed.
What most of us fail to realise is that the combination of different ethnic groups and religions make up a diverse society – a society which is enriched and has much to teach to the general population, than one which is restricted to a single ethnic group or majority.
Target killing, sectarian riots and ethnic violence are all interrelated and spring from the same tree of violence, which is staged to create breaches amongst the people of Pakistan – which will continue to widen unless initiatives are adopted at a personal level.
Most of the problems that Pakistan is facing currently are blamed on to poverty and a low literacy rate, however, sectarian and ethnic violence is nothing but sheer bigotry which has contaminated our minds and will continue to hamper our growth. Political factions that benefit from this trade of death should think about the prosperity and welfare of Pakistan and stop using humans as ‘bait’ for their self-serving interests.
The writer is a Reporter at Dawn.com
I have read so many good articles like this in Dawn and thousands of good comments in last three years, I have been reading. That makes me wonder why this ancient land is suffering the way it is? The answer was given by Roman phylosopher Roma Rola.He said A nation suffers not because of the strength of bad people but because of the weakness of the good people.I hope good people of Pakistan unite and take control of their country before it is too late.Make laws that prohibits any kind of discrimination between two human beings.As a good neighbor we can only wish well.God bless Pakistan.
Well-written thought provoking article by Faiza Mirza.
The writer says: “But most of us feel ‘safe’ as long as the ambush, death and the gunshot do not affect us because we hail from the same group which bifurcate the society into Shia and Sunni Muslims.”
The division of Muslim Ummah in two groups started just after the death of Holy Prophet contrary to the teaching of Islam.
Allah says in the Holy Quran:
You shall hold fast to the rope of GOD, all of you, and do not be divided (3-103).
Do not be like those who became divided and disputed, despite the clear proofs that were given to them. For these have incurred a terrible retribution. (3-105).
Those who divide themselves into sects do not belong with you. Their judgment rests with GOD, then He will inform them of everything they had done. (6-159).
Today Muslim Ummah is divided in many Madhzab, Firqa, Tehreek, each group fighting the other group for control and power. They are further divided on the basis of their race and languages. May Allah give guidance to all of us.
Ethnic jokes are in poor taste but there is no need to cry over them.
Good to see so many comments to the piece. But what we need to ask ourselves is if we are ready to "act" when needed? To be very honest, I will say no. We do not act. We all break signals, spit on floor/road, throw trash in front of our house and yet make sure our homes are clean. We are a nation of "guftar kay ghazi". We love to talk about issues. We are scared of solving them. WE are responsible for the state Pakistan is in.
its really good try other languages
You are advocatinng for Pakistan to become like India. Why not have friendly relations with that country first and try to imitate it. This is very good way forward.
Good piece of writing but at the same we should think that how to create awarness about and against the mentality which is the root cause of all these societal evils.
Good, Article, but it should be any local Language, or at least in Urdu, because most of our pakistani can not read any english paper, this message should go to the every class of people not highly educated or qualified person…
Well written article.
Precisely! Its also called the cultural discrimination..As pukhtoon i would like to tell whole Pakistani nation that we are peace loving people and in fact we are the only people who in paste and in future could change Pakistan to a well develop country.
This is the problem my friend. With the statements like these I Can only see arrogance of one ethnicity over others and one if would say that we are the only one to bring change and others are like nothing is the real reason for Intolerance in Pakistan. When you think that every segment of Pakistan can change the whole Pakistan then it would be the different case.
Ye pp.. You are spot on dear…
Well written article. Appreciated . God may bless Pakistanis , one day they will defeat American.
Why do you want everyone to celebrate Christmas & Diwali?? It’s the prerogative of every individual what to celebrate & what not to.
Exactly the point of the author……I think bigotry runs too deep….the very name of Xmas and Diwali made you comment in such a manner; I am sure you wont have bothered to comment if the author would have written that Ed should be celebrated by all? This is exactly the problem Pakistan faces today i.e Shallow worldview coupled with religious bigotry and sense of false grandeur!
Until we remove from our mindset that my ethnic people have done this much for Pakistan and the others are just there to benefit from it, we will always find hatred against each other. No one ethnicity is superior to anyone. All are equal in the eyes of Allah, but we seemed to have forgotten that.
God Bless Pakistan
Change the axiom "Devide and Rule" to "Join and love." It is easy. Talk about the new axiom, write about it, read about it and think about it.
Unfortunately Pakistan doesn't give the right projection to all cultures that exist here.
she lives in ideal world, aka fantasy land. she did not offer any actionable solution. waste of time and energy.
A good effort by the author. I totally agree with her concept of ideal Pakistani society. Lets all work together to make Pakistan a safer place for our children in future.
Recently I visited Ghana. Every one felt proud to be called as Ghananian. Even one simple shopkeeper said to me as long I stay in Ghan shall be taken as Ghananians. What casued this pride in the minds of this poor but upcoming nation of West Africa is just the sincerety of its leadership which considers itself first and foremost as Ghananian. And in all acts of its leadership gets the upcoming of Ghana as priority Number One. Can we examine and follow the success story of this tiny nation?
It is so easy to suggest but it is very difficult to implement coz this is karachi (the biggest city of pakistan) which has multi languages and different nationalities. Everyday morethan thousand people come to this city without any registration but government has well informed and the government never want to stop this unnecessary migration. Government never think that where these people will stay and from where they get their daily necessaties. An over crouded city like karachi can,t settle its problem alone. I suggest every province of pakistan should come forward and stop this illegle flows to karachi.
Every individual, should contribute what ever he can to uplift his country, never see on others what they are doing,
Very true! Actually we've forgotten the message of coexistence. All of us by nature try to find week points or target full populations for the heinous crimes committed by just 1%. Need is to preach peace and love as division will weak our position. As no one can merely remain confined to response in case of attack on one's identity. So please respect and give value to each others identities and norms in high favor for the problem stricken motherland
Realistic article … this scenario is rapidly prevailing in Pakistan … as we can see that, recent focus of politicians is on division of provinces, just for empowering their rule on poor class, not for the betterment of people.
Each ethnic group in Pakistan suffers from an illusion of superiority "I am better than the rest just coz i am sindhi ,mohajir , pathan . punjabi…etc", if we cant overcome this false belief, we can never be united.
"which will continue to widen unless initiatives are adopted at a personal level."
How many personalities will change and how can u control them?
Exactly, I have the same question. And I'm hopeful the writer will answer it in a logical manner.
Our nation is already divided by the differences of provinces. People need to be more sporting and accept jokes its no big deal. But in order for ppl to be more accepting is they need education. And for our education standard to improve our system as a whole needs improvement. Provinces being divided can be very helpful in that regard. There should be more provinces with shorter radius of area under their control so that it is easier for them to serve ppl and ppl can approach them with more ease as well. This will also help in policing of areas so it can reduce violence. Proper security measures in the short term and education in long term is required and if division of provinces solves that than why not?
I agree with all that you have said. It is so sad.
It is simply to do with the way we are so sensitive about Islam. It is no more practiced as religion but as a brand. Yesterday I felt sick hearing some clerics talk on a TV channel spewing out their open expressions of intolerance. Instead they should be guiding our people to the path of achieving science, technology and economic excellence in daily walk of life. I somehow cannot see this thing happening in my life time at least.
Very true….hope sanity prevails among us,especially among the civil society & the intellegencias who confine themselves to " drawing talks " only…we are all responsible for the present mess.
I doubt if your idea of perfect Pakistan will ever be a reality.The rate at which conversions are happening in the country there may not be anyone to celebrate Diwali or Christmas.
Good.
Good? How is that good? Did you even read the article 'Adam'. It was about 'Intolerance', by saying good to 'there may not be anyone to celebrate Diwali or Christmas.' is very hurtful to people who are not Muslims, yet call this country their Homeland.
good article … i hope every pakistani understand it
God bless our Pakistan and nation………………