Where God once lived
December 6, 1992 will always be engraved in the memories of Muslims and Hindus residing all across the globe especially in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The day marks the demolition of Babri Masjid which was built in 1598 on a site which is considered sacred for many Hindus. The communal riots that followed the demolition claimed over 2,000 lives of people from both religions.
The resonance of the demolition was felt across borders, both in Pakistan and Bangladesh, where many Hindus suffered the wrath of angry Muslims seeking revenge for the blasphemous act. Dozens of Hindu temples were desecrated, whereas hundreds of Hindus living in Pakistan and Bangladesh faced retaliatory acts of violence in almost all the major cities of both countries
The unfortunate incident raises many questions such as how are the people, who attack temples or churches, considered better than the people who demolish mosques? How is the desecration of one holy site justified whilst the other is not? Shouldn’t demolition of such sites be considered blasphemous no matter which religion is affected by it? And most importantly are people who are destructive towards other religious sites entitled to retaliate or even complain when their sacred sites are damaged?
It is quite ironical how we retaliate when our religious sites are desecrated; however, when we carry out the same blasphemous acts against other places of worship we consider our acts in accordance with religious decrees. Does any religion consider acts of violence and destruction permissible? The fact that we all know the answer to the aforementioned question infuriates me further because it is not lack of awareness which motivates people to do this, but sheer bigotry and intolerance.
Almost two decades after the demolition of the mosque in question, I wonder if we have learnt any lessons from our previous mistakes. The fact that religious sites are still vandalised, and the violence that ensues such acts, speak volumes about our moral decline and ineffectiveness to learn from the precedent.
Whether it is the demolition of Gosha-e-Aman, or act of vandalism against a Hindu temple in Peshawar or the desecration of a Sikh temple in Mardan by the land mafia, the lack of inter-faith harmony is reflected in all aspects.
Whether such violent behaviour is considered a move to convert non-Muslims or a way to eradicate minorities is yet to be established, however, it is quite evident that the hostility certainly does not deter them from practising their religion.
A Roman Catholic from Karachi, on condition of anonymity, said “I clearly remember the day when St Patrick’s Cathedral was attacked in 1998. It was a bomb attack which fortunately did not kill anyone; however, the interior of the cathedral was damaged greatly. Some churchgoers were reluctant to attend mass for weeks but most of us firmly believed that when our time will come nothing would be able to hold us back. This is our way of life. This is our belief and nothing will stop us from practising what we do.”
Further interaction with people from other religions also proved that its not just Muslim fundamentalists who entice people to resort to violent tactics. Fanatics from other religions are also following the same strategies.
A Christian, on condition of anonymity, said, “Biblical prayers, that we grew up reciting, are now being altered. Amendments are being made and they are being modified to motivate Christians to consider Muslims and Hindus inferior.”
“We tend to mind our own business, keep a constant check on our religious sites and do not allow people from other religions to frequent our places of worship. It is not widely known but we frequently receive threats from various religious groups which is why we have become even more reclusive. In fact, most of us are instructed to stay away from non-Parsis,” said a Parsi.
Their narratives proved that the hatred and insecurity are mutually felt by all religious groups. Whether we talk about Parsis, Christians, Hindus or Ahmadis, the lack of respect for each other’s beliefs is palpable. However, the question is: has the majority not given the minorities ample reason to be hostile towards us?
One of the deadliest religious massacres in the history of Pakistan took place on May 28, 2010 when two Ahmadi sites of worship were attacked. The attacks claimed over 90 lives and left dozens wounded. However, the Ahmadiyya community still awaits justice for the deadly attacks carried out against their community.
Ahmadis frequently face the brunt of religious hatred in Pakistan and remain under constant scrutiny. Many of their worship sites are vandalised or demolished each year and others receive threats.
I grew up believing that whenever and wherever people pray, regardless of their religious beliefs; God bestows his blessings and answers to his people. Attacking a place of worship is equivalent to not only launching an attack on humanity but also on God’s blessings and a place which is considered his symbolic abode universally.
Mark Twain must have foreseen the fanaticism which mars us all when he said that, “Man is a religious animal. He is the only religious animal. He is the only animal that has the true religion — several of them. He is the only animal that loves his neighbour as himself and cuts his throat if his theology isn’t straight. He has made a graveyard of the globe in trying his honest best to smooth his brother’s path to happiness and heaven.”
Considering Christians superior to Hindus or Muslims to Christians or visa versa raises more questions on our moral values. It is important to understand that everyone is entitled to practise their own religion according to their holy scripture. It is also pertinent to highlight that every religion and sacred site demands respect and should receive nothing but respect.
Now is the time to get rid of our holier-than-thou attitude and restructure the moral fibre of our society before it is too late.
The writer is a Reporter at Dawn.com
Good work Faiza jiii. Do you have any courage to write such articals to Daily AAJ Peshawar,or to Nawai-Waqt Lahore(Urdu Versions)…..:P
Nice article! Thanks to Dawn for publishing such brave articles. I wonder why religious people feel bad about a delapidated place being demolished. This place was in ruins for decades. Street dogs and homeless drug addicts used this place for taking dump and other activities. Nobody complained. But when it was demolished, they well went bunkers. Does this make sense to anyone?
"Whether we talk about Parsis, Christians, Hindus or Ahmadis, the lack of respect for each other’s beliefs is palpable."
Article is perfectly written, except the above sentence. I can't claim about others, but at least being an Ahmadi, I assure you that our moto is "LOVE FOR ALL, HATRED FOR NONE". This is not just a slogan, this is what we practice and what is evident to the world. Even after the deadliest religious attack in Lahore on 28 May 2010, no destruction, no attacks, no burning of Petrol Pumps, no strikes, so killing, no shooting was done by us; only prayers prayers and prayers. Yes we tried to raise our voice on local and international media for Human Rights Violation & Justice Denied.
As an Ahmadi we also believe, that in Quran where Allah permits the Jehad; it is only with the conditions. If those conditions are fulfilled, only then it will be called Jehad. In the directions for Jehad, Quran teaches us that even if a Muslim defends a church , temple or any religious worship place , it is called Jehad.
SIMPLY WONDERFUL–THE ARTICLE.
In Bangladesh–in 1992–destruction of –Hindu Temples–in remote VILLAGES–is a fact–not massive.
Bangladesh –government rebuilt those TEMPLES–with PUBLIC MONEY–COMPENSATED THE VICTIMS.
IT WAS AN ACT OF SHAME FOR BD.PEOPLE –
—MANY MUSLIMS CAME OUT TO PROTECT TEMPLES AND HINDUS–
AS A BANGLADESHI–I REGRET –FOR THE ACTS OF VIOLENCE–HOPE TO BE EXCUSED–
I SALUTE YOU–FOR–SUCH WONDERFUL–PRESENTATION—–
farid,
tx,usa.
Justice, morality, tolerance etc are taught be all religions. Unfortunately some religious leaders exploit the faith of less educated religious masses.
Nice article by the lady. I am of the view that lets be "human beings" and everything will be taken care of. Please read the news about what all people are doing to each other, in which children, innocent and women are always the victims. It is matter of shame for all of us as even animals donot behave that way. We have to become "human beings" first and anything and everything later.
Sir, human beings are the only mammal that murders its own species with set objective.
I have been astonished that men could die martyrs for religion – and so also they kill for their religion ..
I have shuddered at it… but I shudder no more –
I could be martyred for my religion – Love is my religion – I could die for that.
I could die for you. My Creed is Love .. !
(praphased John Keats)
that,s true that,s true faiza. people must respect of every religion.
Unfortunate but true depiction of our ever decaying society!
Man is indeed a religious animal and we, the sub-continent people, are the worst kind. I, as a Muslim, feel so ashamed what harm we have caused to our beautiful religion by practicing intolerance, hatred and fanaticism, the traits that are so contradictory to the very teachings of Islam.
Religion is such a dangerous weapon in hand which, if used for vested interests, makes your life and of your surroundings nothing less than hell and, sadly, this is what we are witnessing at the moment.
What do you mean by "…once LIVED" ? Where is He now? Doesn't He live there anymore?
(SURA 2:256) There is no compulsion in religion. The right path is distinct from that of error…. Allah is Hearer, Knower.
When Pagan Arabs wanted to know where Islam stands with respect to "Freedom of Religion" and to their polytheism, Allah's answer came in Sura 109…received through Angel Jibreel:
[SURA 109]: Say [to them O'Muhammad] O' Ye disbelievers!
I worship not that which ye worship;
Nor worship ye that which I worship.
And I shall not worship that which ye worship.
Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion.
Moderate Hindus never wanted Babri Masjid to be demolished. It was an act of terror. Love all Serve all is the message every religion conveys. Inter religious intolerance, disputes, fights, disturbances are all unfortunate for the country. "Hum sab hain bhai, bhai; (2)
Mazhab ka farmaan yahi hai,
Admiyat ki shan yahi hai,
Dharam yahi, eeman yahi hai,
Neki aur bhalai,
Hum sab hai bhai bahi.
I wish all Mullahs could tell their flock what Allah says in the Holy Quran:
“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). Holy Quran Surah al-Hujurat (49:13)”
From the above verse from the Holy Quran it is quite clear that Allah wants all mankind to live in peace and co-existence.
Allah is the Arabic word for the Creator of Universe. Every language of the world has a name for the same Creator. For example, God (English), Khuda (Farsi), Eshwar, Bhagwan (Hindi/Sanskirit), Ellohim (Hebrew), Allaha (Aramaic, Jesus called God Allaha in his Aramaic language), Dieu (French), Dios (Spanish) etc.
They are not the same.
Both Islam and Hindu religion have the same concept of “Tauheed” that is worship of one God alone:
Qur'an: "Say: He is Allah, The ONE and ONLY. Allah, the Eternal, Absolute. He begets not, nor is He begotten. And there is none like unto Him." [Al-Qur'an 112:1-4]
Hindu Scriptures: "I am the goal of life, the LORD and support of all, the inner witness, the abode of all. I am the only refuge, the ONE true friend; I am the beginning, the staying, and the end of creation; I am the womb and the eternal seed. I am heat; I give and withhold the rain. I am immortality and I am death; I am what is and what is not"[Bhagavad Gita 9:18-19]
Hindu Scriptures: " O friends, do not worship ANYBODY but Him, the Divine One. Praise Him ALONE."[Rigveda 8:1:1]
Hindu Scriptures: "He is ONE ONLY without a second." [Chandogya Upanishad 6:2:1]
Hindu Scriptures: "There is only ONE God, not the second; not at all, not at all, not in the least bit."[Brahma Sutra]
It is quite clear that a true Muslim and a true Hindu worships the same God but in their own ways.
There is a very old Tamil saying: "Hear everyone, every land is my land, every man is my kinsman."
Wish we in india had any blogger with such guts ….to write so effectively …. we are in minority appeasement mode always .. thus ignoring the wrong doings done by anybody ……
All have been rebuilt for your information.
'God has no religion. 'Mahatma Gandhi.
Religion is meant to provide moral guidance, something that not many religious people can lay a claim to these days (in all religions).
As foretold in all of the world’s scriptures, the time has arrived for the uniting of all peoples into a peaceful and integrated global society. “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.
Enough discussion and there is no iota of doubt about the doctrine of the author. Let us move ahead on this path from all parts of the divided continent and bring peace to our future generations as we have spent our time in hatred, persecution and bloodshed. We idiots feel very proud at sitting on a nuclear stockpile. Kudos Faiza.
BIG salaam to the writer from India!!!_for eevry one person like you in Pakistan – I promise you 1000 people from India… let the war-mongers and haters rot in hell… you have won us over without even a single bullet fired!_