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—Photo courtesy of Fayyaz Ahmed
‘Thanks to Allah’, as our cricketers would say, “Just 40.1 per cent of the 5-16 age group [schoolchildren in Pakistan] could do two-digit subtraction sums (with carry) whereas a mere 23.6 per cent were able to do three-digit division sums. Only 41.8 per cent could read a sentence in Urdu or their mother tongue (English is a far cry). Far fewer could read a story,” revealed the nuclear physicist Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy in his column yesterday, quoting the recently released Annual Status of Education Report.
You bet if the nationwide survey done for the said report had included questions like ‘how to drink water according to Islam’, ‘what to recite in Arabic before you embarked on a journey’ or ‘which foot be placed before the other whilst entering or leaving a mosque’, the students consulted would have come out shining with brilliance.
Primary school textbooks are now replete with such day-to-day knowledge that will win you brownie points in the hereafter. Wasn’t it the founder of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, who whilst on a visit to Karachi in the 1970s was asked how his country could help Pakistan become an economic power, and he had remarked with words to the effect, that how can you even begin to think helping a people who believe that real life starts after death? Obviously, we were yet to shape our blasphemy laws back then, and the dignitary left this country in one piece.
The thing is that we are a unique nation of a unique people living in a unique country with a unique, past, present and future, as the very learned and respectable Mr Javed Jabbar has argued in his recent book to present his case for Pakistan. It is this sheer uniqueness that demands that perhaps our children’s abilities too, should be judged by a unique yardstick which is tailor-made to judge Pakistani intellect, and not the run of the mill surveys based on the wisdom of ‘one size fits all’. Tune into a quiz show and you’ll get your answers.
Here is a hypothetical example: please don’t be surprised if many schoolchildren would not know the name of the only Pakistani to have won the Nobel Prize, and at the fact that those few who might know the right answer, would also hasten to add that Dr Mohammad Abdus Salam, despite his name, was not a Muslim. That’s why it was important that the state remove the word ‘Muslim’ from his epitaph in the Rabwah graveyard, which originally proclaimed him as the ‘First Muslim scientist’ to have won the coveted award.
Ours is also a country where young adults in a Pak-Afghan border area barely know the name of the country they live in; many do not know the name of the President or the Prime Minister, as a televised interview by journalist Saleem Safi revealed the other day. But surely, if asked, the same bunch would have denounced America as a reincarnation of Satan in our times and hailed Bin Laden as their lost Messiah. And they would certainly also tell you what constitutes blasphemy, and why women should be locked up.
The knowledge being disseminated from the pulpit (including TV televangelist shows) and the textbooks is simply frightening. It is frightening in the literal sense of the word, because it is aimed at instilling the fear of God in your hearts and minds via the most ferocious of interpretations of the religious dogma. This leaves one incapable of thinking for oneself.
Here’s an example: Tibb-i-Nabawi or treatment through recourse to medicines, herbs and curing techniques used by the Prophet of Islam is today a growing field. An entire brigade of pious, qualified doctors and homoeopathists has jumped on to the bandwagon. Many are administering treatment through Hijama, which is Arabic for an old Chinese technique that extracts toxins from the body by superficial incisions made on the skin and drawing blood, using vacuum cups, hence, ‘cupping’.
The Prophet must have used it and also recommended it for its curative properties, but to call it a divinely-guided cure for all ailments, from pain in the back to diabetes and hernia, is really stretching it, especially the divine part of it. This is precisely what Hijama practitioners claim as they urge you to recite Ayat-ul-Kursi (a Quranic verse with healing and helpful qualities whilst in distress) as they administer ‘cupping’. And thanks to Allah, many are cured.
Who needs arithmetic, reading or writing stories in a worldly language, God forbid, when we have our own unique, divine mechanisms, and Arabic, to guide us through this transitory life on Earth?
The writer is a member of the staff at Dawn Newspaper.
critique for the sake of critique,,,,and winning over a discussion….divisions and hatred….hallmark of our society,,,,pressing times ahead..needs,,,,unity, accountability for all, austerity and mutual respect for others…please instill this in your kids, cousins and friends,,,because charity begins at home
Pakistanis are extremely efficient about identifying a problem but wont provide a solution. I say to the educators such as Professor Hoodbhoy, please do somethng about it, put a plan in place which provides the catalyst for the nation to stand up and put education as its highest priority. The guilty are the educators who lay the blame at the govenments feet, the challenge is who will fix it – Pakistanis always look to outside for solving their problems. As Quaid alluded to failure is not an option, this is your country and you need to build and prosper in it….
It is not that there is something wrong or unnatural with Islam. Maybe our "pseudo-intellectuals" just don't get it or do not want to get it. I wish instead of berating Islam he had come out with positive ideas to rectify the shortcomings in our education system and even in our peculiar interpretation of Islam – as per his understandings. The observations are somewhat valid though clearly over stated and sensationalised. The remedy is an unbiased analysis and rectification. Unfortunately, some of our pseudos go overboard. It is sad and even pitiable.
Allah ka shukar hay. This is the beauty of writing a blog. The blogger can say whatever he/she wants, whether it makes sense or not. In my humble opinion, this blog is quiet senseless and fails to leave any impression. By the way, Novack Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Chiristiano Ronaldo, the whole of Brazilian football team and countless others cross themselves (motion the sign of cross) while playing their respective sport! Live and let live.
Because South America was converted to Chrstianity by the Spanish invaders the same way as invaders brought Islam to the sub-continent. None of the layers "Original" Christian countries do such antics on the field. Such follies are usually done by those out to prove their religiosity (making a spectacle of themselves and their religion too)
Why do these pseudo intellectuals need to take a shot at Islam to make a point? This article would still be effective without creating a so called link to Islam. How come Muslims were able to make so many contributions to Science while studying in madrasas? At that time there was no divide between religion and science and basis of all learning was Islam. Why do we attribute our own shortcomings to Islam? I think This writers is short sighted and product of the same education he sat out to blame in this article. Below average.
Sorry what scientific contributions have the madrasah educated made? Baghdad was one of the greatest seats of learning but they were actually accumulators of knowledge learnt by otherwise not the inventors of the same…even a parrot can learn to speak but that does not mean intelligence necessarily…. In per Islamic Sindh 5000 BC, people were more civilised than 99 percent of Arab lands today, don't believe me go to moenjodaro….
A bleak and accurate assessment of why we are sliding towards the precipice so fast.
I agree with most of the things written in this article, western civilizations didnt progress by following any specific religious ideology, they grew because they kept religion and state separate. If only we can grasp this, we would gradually come out of this hole, that we are in as nation.
Although I agree with the essence and the spirit of the article, I think it also relies on a number of dangerous assumptions. Do you know for a fact how Pakistani children would react to the questions you asked? No, you don't – there is liberal usage of 'probably' and 'in all likelihood' in your article, which frankly points to poor research. With that said and done, I would be a fool to disagree with the point that you make; unfortunately, there are also a number of very real, very concrete examples in Pakistan – the murders of Salman Taseer and Shabbaz Bhatti to name but two – of what happens when religion, ignorance, and hatred are allowed to blend unchecked.
God bless Pakistan and all Pakistanis.
Hasan
Many of the comments here claim that writer's message is that Islam is the cause of all the problems of Pakistan, in my opinion all he is saying is that Pakistan needs to strike a balance between religious education and material education, nowhere did he advise not to teach Islamic values or ways, his emphasis is on the fact that we should invest at least same effort in learning new technologies to stay competitive in a modern world. If Pakistani people do not realize this soon they will keep on falling farther behind.
To the person who said that Tib e Nabawi is scientifically validated-you must be dreaming or delusional. The fact is that this compilation is 7th century nonsense that probably has nothing to do with the Prophet, but like most of the collection known as Hadith – simply made up long after his death and attributed to him
Assalamu alaikum,
It is strange how we as humans (not only as a nation) impose a "set of knowledge" across the board, which a group believes is "primary". whereas humans are equiped with the capability and ability to survive even with the most basic of "learning", for which we dont need to "educate" them. we should not restrict learning to what we believe is necessary for people. So what if they do not know multiplication, they know how to sell what they ought to sell in order to survive. It is when we start competing as a nation, and make the west or other countries as our standard, thats where we go wrong.
And yes, it is true that at the Pak Afghan border, people might not know many things which you consider "basic" but they do know that America is the threat. Obviously, if your women and children were dying in drone attacks, you would clearly know who the enemy is.
pretty good. Right on the dot, this is precisely the problem with us.
Thought provoking article and good discussion. Wondering if the concept of athism in Pakistan?
Great article, one of the best I have read in this paper. It's about we stand up for what is right and good. Naipaul had it right when he said: "Islam is in its origins an Arab religion. Everyone not an Arab who is a Muslim is a convert. Islam is not simply a matter of conscience or private belief. It makes imperial demands. A convert's worldview alters. His holy places are in Arab lands; his sacred language is Arabic. His idea of history alters. He rejects his own; he becomes, whether he likes it or not, a part of the Arab story. The convert has to turn away from everything that is his. The disturbance for societies is immense, and even after a thousand years can remain unresolved; the turning away has to be done again and again. People develop fantasies about who and what they are; and in the Islam of the converted countries there is an element of neurosis and nihilism. These countries can be easily set on the boil' Pakistan is at a precipice…
Here are some suggestions for people who are asking for solutions:
Change begins at home, more importantly it begins at individual level: be the change that you want to be before trying to change others, Most importantly: having a rational mind, religion in not the panacea for everything, in fact it should have nothing to do with the business of the state, or how you go about performing your day to day responsibilities in the society, be a good human being, it does not matter what your religion it, have the courage to question your religion and if it something doesn't make sense, leave it behind and dont carry excess baggage and please do not try to thrust it down the throat of others, You can be a great person even if you are an athiest, have respect for your fellow human being and treat them equally and please do not bring Islam into everything, Live and let live,peace and equality for all.
I think it's just depressing that people are so sensitive about their religion, which is after all just a religion. This article highlights that when the focus shifts from education to religion, with people considering which foot to step with in a mosque as important as, say, maths, you know there is going to be a problem.
I won't say that Islam is the cause for this. Rather every religion seeks to control people and for that it always tries to fight education in the sciences.
Asalaam to everyone,
I live in the u.k and born here,the state education is free.
We have a number of private islamic schools for boys and girls and the results are better than the state schools.
Alhamdulillah the goverment has reconised this and are giving funding to schools like this.
70% of parents are concentrating on getting there children hafiz/alimahs good muslims etc FIRST then comes state education.
Islam comes first as this is going to get you to jannat our final aboad Insha Allah.
One should do both so best in deen and dunya.
"get you to jannat our final aboad " this is what is wrong with your thinking .. when majority of then culture believes that life begins after death , then that culture and country is doomed for failure.
The educational statistics terrify me when I think of the future of Pakistan. Today, we are far behind most non-muslim countries in science and technology. Tomorrow we will be further behind, and this exponentially downward slide will continue. The condition of Pakistan will become bleaker and bleaker unless we plan for our future in this Dunya by investing in a state-of-the-art educational system that is at par with the one in advancing countries like China. If this Dunya was not important to us then why do we seek Allah to give us Hasanaath in this Dunya at the end of each Salaat?
Yes it is sad that Muslim Ummah has forgotten its days of glory and achievements in all disciplines of life . Also what it contributed to what we consider modern. You only need to look at Muslim Spain and indeed Iraq. We have just not understood the faith as it ought to be – moderation and passion are the keys. I am happy that somebody did bring into question what the partially educated or in some cases totally illiterate 'religious' personnel has brain washed the masses into equally illiterate view of Islam. Muslims have just stopped trying despite what Allama Iqbal tried to teach us.
In my opinion, my assessment is quiet moderate, valid, fair, and consistent. Is calling 'a-spade-a-spade' extreme in any way, shape, or form?
The reason behind that we have either barred the intellectuals or let them left Pakistan and the country is left on the mercy of illiterate & ignorant mullah & politicians
congratulations Razvi sahib, it seems you managed to unite all the sleepwalkers in unanimously condemning your piece !
For all those who criticise this article coz they think it attacks religion. I think the writer does not criticise religion here but the interpretation of the religion. We all know that religion is not merely about a strict God who has nothing else to do but frown over the deeds of mortal beings and plan to fry them for wearing nail polish or shaving their beards. I think the author does not even criticise the lack of teaching in Pakistan but what is being taught! Yes, it is important to be a good human being but do u think one can be a good human being or a responsible citizen by learning which foot to place first when entering a mosque or which prayer to recite when riding a bus???? The examples that author gave in the beginning of the article indicate that our average students are below the literacy level. The example of dr. abdul salam indicates how our religious bias prevents us from celebrating our national heroes and contributors to general humanity. Does the fact that dr. salam is a qadyani undermine his scientific output in any way??? Is he still not a Pakistani citizen? Do we disown his achievements & contribution just coz we do not agree with his religious beliefs? I think we ll be better off if we ask ourselves these questions n try 2 find answers to them.
It's good to see that people are practising islam but other studies are also important if u want to live in this world.
mr murtaza, i am confused about your 2nd para. it reeks of sarcasm as if knowing all these things are bad. and whatever you state in the first para appears to be a fault of islam as well.
Islam does not stop anyone from getting worldly education, infact Imam Ghazali wrote about 800 years ago that after the compulsory religious education, it was compulsory to get worldly education as it was necessary to run affairs of a state.
what has gone wrong is that religion has not been hijacked by fundos but we have handed it to them as we believe that religion should also be a profession
Well said Kashif. I often find it surprising that some educated Pakistanis refuse to make use of Islamic teaching to support their arguments.
How can a religion which begins the process of the revelation with the word READ, and then goes on to talk about knowledge would discourage any form of beneficial knowledge, how can man (PBUH) who told that seeking education is a faraz, just like Salah.. Arab world is mostly plagued with only issue how to deal with women…looks like nothing else matters…in rest of the muslim world their moral corruption is the result of taking ayahs out of context and applying only those that are easy worldly wise…and a @gentleman who said keep religion at home…why because it tells you to be fair in your business and dealings when you go out…..find solution to the problems in the mind set that creates them we should not blame religion for our inadequacies…it is a universal law not just religious that you get what you strive for….
I feel for the writer. His voice is still unheard and so misinterpreted. He never once criticized islam and said it discourages worldly knowledge. The way you interpreted his article is the way whole of pakistan interprets Islam. And I strongly believe Mazhaab Apni Zaat ke Liye hota hai na ke auron se bhed bhau ke liye hota hai. Aur agar insaan Naik hai tu ussey business dealings mei ya bahar kisi ni nasihaat ki zarurat nahi padegi. After all we're humans and not bots to be fed information and told what to do and what not to do.
there is nothing wrong with knowing about islam or that true life begins in the hereafter. It is imperative that we truly understand this. Our issue is that we see and are being taught only one side of islam. We forget to teach that RasulAllah (saw) also said goto china to acquire education. our struggle in this life is to be balanced and moderate. Both sides of the coin are important. the govt is largely to be blamed for not putting a proper educational sys that allows ppl opportunity to seek wordly education. People obviously resort to any other means when the basic is not provided.
Allah has sent man to this world to practice deen. So deen without dunya will be useless. We must adopt this world as a pre condition of the test.
The first paragraph totally bewildered me, Razvi shb. And after reading the complete article, my first thought was 'Wow! This is one very angry man!'.
Then I went back and read the ASER report through the link that you have so thoughtfully provided in the first para.
Now I am depressed.
What to DO? HOW do we ensure that this is not repeated in 2012?
Pakistan is sleep walking to self destruction.
I wonder what the real intention of the article is????!!! As to me writer is very confused about what he wants to say. confusing two differrent points together. and i would say tainting the thought process of many.
Dear all, and of course the author, when we question, the quality education to our next generation, have u ever bothered wondering, investigating, reflecting that what do u pay the teachers of these kids whom u have refferred to(as singapore has been ref to plesae do relate with HOW the PRIMARY teachers r facilitated in UK), has anybody bothered about the number of students in one class, an example APS at rawalpindi has "48" students in CLASS II, and mind u duration of the period is 35 Minutes. And surely enough the situation would not be much different in other institutions, barring a few exceptions. Here I am not talking about the elite institutions, where the kids of the author or Dr. Hoodbahi may be studying.
This is only one aspect, still important is the teacher qualification, mind u in our system generally the primary teachers r the REJECTED LOT, who can't find better empoyment, if Beacon, ROOts, r paying about 8-12000 pm to primary teachers, what would be others paying, and what would be level of committment.
Please correct ur approach, don't get in the rut of blaming Islam, for all the ills which r selfcreated!.
Very short sighted and superficial observation and ineffective linkage to religion. Both worldly knowledge and knowledge about our deen is necesarry. Our fore-fathers excelled in both , why can't we ? When we face Allah in the end we do have to show what we did for humanity, what we did as per Allah's commands for his deen etc etc. There are no brownie points here , this is very bad choice of words. Our prophet (PBUH) always stressed excellence in worldly skills as well. This essay is a very unfair representation of what islam is all about
If, Pakistan, being unique, has the unique problem of having the largest out-of-school population, it is simply because the adults have failed. Adults have failed because they have failed to see the importance of education as well as training. The most richest countries of the world are going through painful times coping with the high unemployment. The Greeks, being bailed out, have to adjust with a way of life they have never known. Itlay, with a skillful and educated population, also going through hard times. In such a world of Gobalization, Pakistan's indifference towards the illetracy of the youth is simply nothing but an invitation for disaster. It is time to join the world.
A very false line of argument. Classic example of pitting two things that are both good against each other and painting one of them black in comparison to other. Why should not the child know which hand to eat with or which foot to place first in a mosque? This is as important as knowing the answer to 1+1.
Exactly…Islamic education is very important than knowing only 1+1
In your opinion, maybe. I would beg to differ greatly.
The needs of human beings are material as well as spiritual. Why promote one at the cost of the other? In my opinion it's a narrow-minded article.
A good article and well written. I agree that the wrong kind of 'Islam' has crept up into the minds of the masses because of the mullahs and others who forget the basics of this powerful religion, that is peace, tolerance and goodwill towards all!
While the rest of the world is marching forward in the 21st century, Pakistanis want to hurtle towards the 7th century. It will provide for an interesting phenomenon of seeing the validation of Darwin's theory of evolution. By renouncing the rich cultural and intellectual heritage of their lands and adopting the practices of dessert nomads, it is interesting how the Arabs have mentally enslaved the Pakistanis. Even the Mughals and all the Pathan rulers led a cultural life different from the Arabs!
I totally agree with your comments. If only the masses in Pakistan followed your thought process. We Pakistanis have(had) a very rich culture.
Well said, Mr. Razvi.
Thanks Murtaza for such a beautiful article. Vast majority of Muslims is drowned in the darkness of superstitions and ignorance, but even the bigger problem is that every one, but a bigger tragedy is that even the educated ones are not aware of their ignorance, and many are even proud of it!! scientific curiosity, intellectual pursuits, and courage to question and verify the truth of every thing and not taking any thing for granted, these are the minimum requirements for survival in this scientific and technological world.
I am of the opinion that religion is the art and science of dealing with reality. Science and religion go hand in hand and should be partners: in Islam, in Christianity and the other religions. But there should be a balance between science and religion or spirituality.
In America, we have an imbalance (quite the opposite imbalance about which this author complains about in Pakistan). In the USA, science and materialism have pushed spirituality and even religion into a deep freeze. Thus, when one dwells wholly in the material world, there is no room for spiriuality to grow. America should learn some lessons from the spirituality which exists in Pakistan…
Actually no. In the US, religious and secular education are separate. Religious education is through Sunday schools. Americans are quite spiritual, attend church regularly, practice tolerance, generosity, donate to worthwhile causes, but do not display their religious views in the belief that they should not offend others. For example, offices and other places of work display Christmas decorations but no crosses or angels. Home decorations do have them.
Spirituality in United States has to do with being a good person. It has to do with protecting the rights of those who want to construct Mosque next to Ground Zero. It has to do with providing me freedom to practice my religion, whatever it may be. It has to do with providing helping hand to all over the world, however ungrateful and hateful the beneficiaries may be. I hope that Pakistan picks up United States Spirituality rather than other way around.
I am appalled and shocked at the assumption that United States is devoided of spirituality. I hope that Spirituality of United States to be the practicing faith of majority of humans. Spirituality where India would extend a helping hand if a natural disaster comes upon Pakistan and Pakistan would lend a hand to India in case of need.
Very well written article. Nothing we should be ashamed of what we are today thanks to the western world that they have taught us some good ways of living in this modern world other wise we muslim were still residing in the caves.
And the author forgot to mention 'extracting infinite amount of energy out of jinn'. I saw an interview of 3 year old girl sometime back, she cannot say her name but she knows that she will go to hell if she applies lipstick or nail polish.
Mr Razvi Instead of blaming Islam for all the short comings you need to assess the educational system in Pakistan. Over years all the governments choose to ignore education and the void has been filled by self serving groups be it those who have made education a business as well as those who have a very narrow vision of Islam. Only dedicated effort by government, and population at large can turn around the present situation.
The writer is not blaming Islam, in tern he has highlited how Pakistan (ofcourse with the active and blind eye) atitudue of the govt. is fast becoming a mullah state, where every thing will be giuded by the iletarate or semi literate people having only Madrasa education. The people who will opose them will be eliminated and the person who eliminate them will be facilitated. The Best example is Mr. Salman Tassar.
Most of our grim statistics are common knowledge. The "champions" of these causes seek not their redress but to pin the blame on their adversaries. Allah, Army and Ghairat are very popular adversaries among our pseudo intellectuals these days.
Very aptly put,sir
Recently,I read about a christian boy who lost admission to medical college by miniscule percentage because he didnt get 20 extra marks for not being a Hafiz-e-Quran…Though it looks ridiculous to have a christian study Holy Quran for extra marks…
It looks more ridiculous when the knowledge of religion gives u edge in a totally unrelated field called medicine…I know that its tough to memorize the Quran and recite it.I still cant understand what difference will that knowledge make when they operate for my appendicitis….Honestly,when I go to a doctor,I'll enquire about his expertise in the particular field rather than his knowledge on Quran
For once,could Pakistanis keep their religion at home and try to look everything without the prism of religion???
Well said. Can you imagine Muslims in India being asked to read or recite Hindu re limousine books. The Arabization of Pakistan has destroyed it. I was shocked to see that even poor trees are not spared from religious slogans. Please let us keep religion at home away from schools. Well done article.
Pakistan has become the eternal representative of blasphemy laws . Dont we have anything important than that ?
An eye opening and need of the time article. we are under the corrupt politicians and extremely fanatic molvis. You never know how loud a masjid’s moazin can call azan, It is beyond the senses whether its a call for pray or an aggression that we are on right path.
This is an absolutely a rubbish article.
Could you be a bit specific or your comment was exactly what you thought the article was?
I am gona say this :
Islam is not the answer to our problems………. common sense is ………..
When somebody asks me if I am a Muslim or Pakistani first ? How should I respond ?
a human being
The universal one will come first and then the specific; everytime!
wrong… no religion… you are human being and pakistani first.. you are friend of your friends and son/daughter of your parents… religion is your personal thing…keep it in your heart..never ever display it….
Pehlay Insaan, phir Musalmaan…..
Good loving human being who does not believe in fairy tails…:)
Gt. Article. There's absolutely nothing wrong about Islam. But there is a lot wrong with the people living in Pakistan who have embraced it .
Excellent blog.It is pointing our attention to the major ailment afflicting our nation…lack of education which prevents us from advocating for our right to proper housing,health care and basic civil rights. And causing us to get trapped up in the rituals instead of following true islam.
Charles Darwin: "If the misery of the poor be caused not by the laws of nature, but by our institutions, great is our sin." It is not that the teaching institutions are not there, but that they are wasting the opportunity.
"Religion has convinced people that there’s an invisible man…living in the sky, who watches everything you do every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a list of ten specific things he doesn’t want you to do. And if you do any of these things, he will send you to a special place, of burning and fire and smoke and torture and anguish for you to live forever, and suffer and burn and scream until the end of time. But he loves you." George Carlin said this. truer words have never been said
Its a transitory phase from which all muslim world specially our country is going through. Our problems are uniquely complex because of the location, completely messed up political system and low investment in human capital.
Growing influence of Arab culture, whether it comes through people migrating back from Gulf, through annual Hajj, all these factors add to our existing challenges. Its not an easy situation for anyone to keep sanity irrespective of whether he/she is a rightist or liberal! One day this transition will be over, hopefully!
We have everything present in our religion as our Holy Prophet(PBUH) have taught us all. From eating to toilet, if we just follow his teachings then we do not need anyone to dictate us what religion really is. It is a part of our life and we should be Proud of it.
Who taught people to eat and use toilet before Holy Prophet (PBUH)? There is lot of stuff what the religion does not teaches (such as making a bicycle), but it does teach you every thing by saying "read" and "think" (logic), And don't tell me that Islam is an illogical religion.
Knowing how to do two-digit subtractions and three-digit divisions is important. But maybe there are things which are much more important than this. How about making good human being out of these children? Don’t you think that Islamic teachings – of course implemented in the true spirit, and it is not so difficult to do so, provided one has the clear intention to do so – can help a lot towards achieving this goal? You must agree that the so-called “establishment” in Pakistan is composed of perhaps the sharpest and the most educated people coming from the elite class, many of which have been educated abroad. Look at their morals, their deeds and their consequences for our nation? I am sorry to say that I haven’t read a more biased article for quite some time.
Does not make sense at all, to me this seems that the writer wants to let his anger out at religion and is looking for opening lines. He did not do a great job though. Education system in Pakistan needs an overhaul , no doubt. But how on earth he can possibly make a connection between poor education system and revival of Tibe Nabvi ( PBUH) I cant understand. And then suddenly he twists and turns and drags Dr Abdusalam into this discussion, absolutely absurd. And the title of the article, what about that ' Thanks Allah' is it a taunt ?. I simply cant see a purpose behind this article accept dragging the religion in everything that goes wrong in Pakistan. what a load of nonsense
Exactly. He fails to point out the bigger evil being spread through media i.e. Fahashee, porn, glamour etc etc. His anger is only vented on Islam. The bigger worry for parents these days is exposure of kids to such bad things. I think the writer is just twisting the argument and the underlying reason of anger is not education but growing Islamization. It would have been better that he would have expressed his view point straight away (which he is entitled to), rather than lurking behind the argument of education
I absolutely agree with the author… specially this one 'fear of God in your hearts and minds via the most ferocious of interpretations of the religious dogma. This leaves one incapable of thinking for oneself.' really whether it be any religion fear of god rather than love will always be dangerous to humankind. And i firmly believe that this life is equally or perhaps more important to the hereafter coz for the believers it is the same god who put you here for a good reason not just to appreciate and imagine the hereafter.
Revealing article that highlights the consequences when education becomes indoctrination.
Highly Judgemental! Clearly you haven't met many "Educated Muslims". Its the lack of education that is reponsible for our shortcomings and not Islam or any other source of faith. Ignorant masses are bound to misunderstand and misuse religion, culture, social values etc but that doesnt Make the Religion bad itself, I am surprised how an educated individual like youself has notunderstood such a simple fact.
Religion is never bad. It is the people, right?. That is why religion should not be interpreted by people. They how can people use religion?
I am so glad someone finally spoke up. Too much mischief has been done in Pakistan in the name of Islam. No wonder Pakistan has steadily been turned into a living hell for the vast majority of the people. Until our young people are taught to have faith in their God-given common sense and to use their God-given brains, they will continue to be turned into unthinking followers of one self-proclaimed spokesman of Allah or the other.
Thanks for yet another very well said column. As for the religious fanatics with a very narrow view of the world, they should not travel as far as China to gain knowledge. As there will be only worldly knowledge available over there.
excellent
Excellent article. This is just another way of looking at the biggest ailment afflicting our country…Lack of education. Without which we cannot advocate for proper housing healthcare or our civil rights and without this we cannot follow true islam and get trapped instead in the rituals of religion.
This is a SUPERBLY written article I have ever seen here. The most super comment came from Mullah Mama. The other one was by Dr, Aman partly as "It is beyond the senses whether its a call for pray or an aggression that we are on right path."
About 'Faith', it is what you believe in, if you believe in absurd and carry a stopped mind, it is your faith and if you have a thinking mind and believe in rational things, it is your faith because faith remains there no matter whatever you believe in.
As Karl Marx said, religion is the opium of the masses.
Ifan sahib. You are a lucky man that has got the best of both worlds . I am sure your parents or those close to you have a hand in it.How many millions of children in your country can emulate you? If there are or were your nation would be a progressive one with a booming economy.Knowledge of religion alone cannot feed you.Unless you have huge oil or gas reserves.To progress and earn a living you have to look beyond religion. For that you need knowledge and attitude. For that your children together with the Koran need to learn the other basics to survive.If you can embrace western technology for everyday use why not their educational know how
"Knowledge of religion alone cannot feed you….To progress and earn a living you have to look beyond religion….If you can embrace western technology for everyday use why not their educational know how?" Beautiful, all arguments are valid and strong.
technology has not western or eastern or southern. it is just human curious product…..!
Excellent article! A must read.
I'm proud of being an educated Mulslim, thanks Allah. What type of Muslims are you talking about? And isn't there life after death? If you don't believe that, you don't need to advertise!!!!
Should be quite obvious to an "educated muslim" – the author is clearly talking about the vast majority of Pakistanis who are ignorant and uneducated muslims…. and if you believe in life after death etc, please don't advertise that either.
zali must know that most christians,jews whom you copy including usa senators ,high officials and even bill gates strogly believe in life hereafter.will you copy them since you emulate west in everything blindly so what is the difference in believing blindly in hereafter
I think the debate here is about not following any1blindly, be I the religious teacher, the scientist, the so called west or east. Let’s decide 2 think with our own minds and not follow any1 blindly.
Kudos.
Surely, author is talking people like you who believe they know every thing but not. People like you need to wake up and need to see what else is cooking in this world pot. Quran is good for your upbringing in "Ikhlakiat" but worldy knowledge you need in order to earn your bread and butter. If we believe on that life starts after death( which is your rohani life), then we should not do any thins and wait until mano salva descend from the sky.
After death there maybe a life, but before death it may not be a hell.
Life hereafter is totally based on and judged upon what we do here, so this life, before death, is better and important than the other
Good points, but how do you know there is life after death and it is more important than the one you are living right now?
Faraz, when you can advertise your faith then why not Rizvi? I wish someday you be a knowledgeable Muslim not the educated one than I will thank God.
@ faraz, there is NO life here-after. Nobody has come back after death to tell us the stories in heaven and hell. The fun-filled Paradise existed only in the fertile imagination of some sur-realistic visionaries. Death is THE end. So enjoy your life to the fullest extent possible, without harming any one for getting rewads in an imaginary life hereafter.
The most popular of all duas in Islam "rabbana aatina fidDUNYA . . ." places this worlds betterment before the afterlife, the reason is very simple, those who utilise their time here in an efficient manner are worthy of reward in the next. The author seems to highlight the importance of advancement and success in this life.
bitter truth i.e. we must ponder upon. very well written article
Absolutely absurd .. Somehow the writer is trying to portray that Islam is the rootcause behind the evils in our society. In fact, it is the other way round and not following the real spirit of Islam is the rootcause behind all our problems. It is scientifically proven that Tib e Nabwi is extremely effective. You need to differentiate between 'Atai Doctors' and Tib e Nabwi, which is based on herbs. Lastly, Islam is not about following any specific culture but if anything in any culture is contradictory to Islam, we must follow the teachings of Islam in that case. If you think that the life of this world is more or equally important to the life hereafter, you should worry about your faith, if it is still there.
You have got a wrong impression. Please read the frist, sixth and the seventh paragraphs again. Hopefully you are also aware of the story of experimentaiton with five monkeys in a cage. The importance of reading, writing and other worldly eduction and research in Islam is also evident from the history when Muhammad (PBUH) was alive and afterwards. If people are educated, capable of thinking for themselves, they will be able to read and think about the guidance provided by our creator instead of blindly believing on the preachers and so called mullas wihtout any kind of verificaiton. In addition, good eduction can lead to better and more effective ways of treatment then Tib e Nabwi.
This is the main problem in our society. Author simply comparing how ignorant is our society who believes in all this non sense of every day. See those Hakims, Tabis, Sain and many more who promise to give child to the parents who are unable to conceive. Women are raped under this context. Wounds are inflicted to remove Jinns and bad evils.
Well said Mr Tahir Naseer. Lack of education is the problem with us muslims – 80% of mullahs will probably not know who our president is – having said that it may be a blessing
The whole modern world spends handsome amounts on research and development. If Tibi i Nabavi is sufficient, I do not feel any reason to erect universities and research centers. The time tib was practiced, there was no research based treatment. This is unfortunate that the article by Mr. Murtaza Razvi is taken into wrong context. Moreover, who believe herein after should also not forget the jacket squad, who have brought havoc.
I encourage many more people to come forward and enlighten us with good ideas
It is complete absurdity to say that Tib e Nabwi is scientifically proven. Please first check what scientific proof means and then come here to lecture a brilliant writer like Murtaza Razvi. Pakistan is fortunate to have writers like Murtaza.
This is the problem with Islam ( what is been practiced these days) . Folks like you do not even allow intelligent discussion, and simply denounce the person who is making sense as Kafir or a Munafiq. Unless there is open debate in islam without the fear of being prosecuted by extremists, I dont see any reform in the Muslim world.
Absolutely absurd, indeed! The author is NOT trying to portray that Islam is the root cause behind the evils in our society." He is only trying to show that some people attribute divinity to the Prophet (S.A.W.) and ignore the fact that he was human, "like unto us" except that he received Divine revelations. Many things that he did in his personal life, such as how he ate, how he walked and go to bed or how he reacted to some ailment were exclusively for himself and, if others follow them as something divine or theur duty, they may be disappointed with the results. Islam is scientific. It does not encourage belief in totems.
Well said Candid!
An eye opening and need of the time article. we are under the corrupt politicians and extremely fanatic molvis. You never know how loud a masjid's moazin can call azan, It is beyond the senses whether its a call for pray or an aggression that we are on right path.
You have said it all.
wow, yet another “eye opener” (read swipe at Islam article). where the writer finds him/her self compelled to blame Islamic association of Pakistani society for its societal shortcomings.
I am able to distinguish between facts and exaggerations. My faith has never come in the way in my worldly pursuits to acquire knowledge & progress in life so “thanks to Allah” indeed.
Agreed!
u must not take it personal plz. there are many things that you may not do bt it doesn't mean that others dont do them too. i hope u never cheated, lied, or murdered anybody but do u seriously think that no body else does that??? the article is abut general average population, not individuals.
The author of this article clearly does not understand the Arabic roots of our modern civilisation & the dept that is owed to historical muslims in their many advances. Colonialism is the only reason there is abundant ignorance & lack of knowledge in Pakistan as the people have been dis attached from their own sources & systems of knowledge and fed something foreign in exchange.
pakistanis have arabic roots ?? since when
Riz should know then that the Arabic culture is as alien to Pakistan as is the western culture he decries.
If Arabic was the root of modern civilization, how come the region now called Saudi Arabia has not produced anything in science, arts, and new thinking for the last 1100 years.
Well, what it did produce is the fastest growing religion in the world.
I have always wondered why being muslim almost always means following Arabic culture. The original culture of Pakistan be it Sindh or Punjab are in everyway superior and rich. However many feel by being a muslim they also have to be some sort of ‘Arab’. This is bound to cause conflict and identity crisis. Although Christianity follow a similar proselytizing model like Islam – it is careful enough to allow local customs and culture to continue among the converts.
If culture contradicts religion mama sahib, which one would you take? Answer in 2 words please.
Miramshah, USE BRAIN. you are Pakistani first , religion is your personal matter, its ur choice.
Pasha, i dont think you should decide who Miramshah is.
I will talk for myself, i consider myself muslim first and everything else is "just there"
Well said sir. I do agree. I have had this very same point of conversation with my many Pakistani friends here in the US and they hesitantly somewhat agree or outright disagree. I'm glad to know there's another person out there who think in the same vein as I do.
Who are converts, most of the Muslims are converts by few generations.