The drastic decline of Pakistani minorities
-Illustration by Faraz Aamer Khan.
It is fairly true that some people just do not learn the lessons. Maya Khan, the unprecedented queen of controversial morning shows, quite evidently remains one of them. Whether we talk about her endless stream of crocodile tears shed during the live transmission of her shows or her posse of women running after young couples, Khan certainly knows how to stir up sensation and ratchet ratings.
Khan, popularly known for running after people in the parks, was sacked after a social media campaign was launched against her. However, she was hired by another private TV channel soon for her sensationalism and controversies.
Her recent escapade, which involved converting a Hindu boy on live television, has angered many people. The show revolved around the ritual of conversion and people calling in to congratulate Khan, her team and Sunil, who was later, renamed Muhammad Abdullah.
When asked what motivated him to accept Islam, Sunil responded incoherently about his intentions. Most of his responses revolved around praising Sarim Burney Trust, where he works and supposedly received the courage to change his religion.
I am truly ashamed to have witnessed such a hideous mockery of the two religions. I am appalled to be a part of a society which hails such unjust and unethical practises and deeply saddened to know that minorities are blatantly marginalised on live television while the silent majority lives in denial.
It was ironical to see that not a single caller objected to this ridiculing of religions or safeguarding the rights of minorities living in Pakistan. I am positively sure that at this rate minorities will cease to exist in Pakistan.
It is rather disappointing to see that people such as Khan and Shahid Masood who are best known for gaining popularity through such shoddy tactics are being followed around like deities.
Amazingly, most of us fail to understand that spirituality and religion are matters of personal choices. Advertising and exhibiting religion is neither permissible in Islam nor is recommended by the ethical parameters of any progressive society. The bombardment of Ramazan transmissions featuring religious clerics, public and pseudo-religious scholars-cum-hosts that aim to question and reinforce the concept of faith, are nothing but promotional stunts to fool the public.
When will we learn? Why cannot we see that the only chance of our survival lies in tolerance and coexistence? Why cannot we respect other religions the way we honour Islam? How can a person who disrespects one religion, honour another?
The forced conversions and abductions of non-Muslims living in Pakistan are hushed-up whereas ‘victories’ such as the one we witnessed this week are publicised on national television, further intimidating and isolating minorities.
We talk about atrocities carried out in Indian Kashmir and the Gujrat riots but forget about the minorities who are living in constant fear of their lives, legacies and children. Khan’s show depicted the true picture of people because of whom the non-Muslims population in Pakistan is declining drastically.
Whether the conversion was forced or willful remains arguable, however, we all know how Pakistanis would have responded if a Muslim would have been converted on live television. The ensuing catharsis would have engulfed the entire country in a raging fire; however, the minimal reaction this episode has received just proves that we are a failed society.
Equally if not more, Pakistan’s media ethics are also to be questioned. The code of conduct which is found missing in most of the cases is one of the main reasons why such grotesque shows are approved for broadcast.
Who has given electronic media the right to disseminate such negative propaganda about religion? Is it not more important to address issues related to the suppressed minorities of Pakistan and broadcast messages of peace in harmony during Ramazan?
It is important to understand that unless we learn to live in mutual harmony, we will continue to suffer. The silent majority must rise and reprimand such media houses, producers and anchorpersons who entice masses to laud such medieval practises.
We saw a revolution on social media after Khan’s “chasing couples in park” fiasco and we must continue to raise our voice. The change will take time; however, it will also only be brought about by you.
The writer is a Reporter at Dawn.com
Dear All,
It is with a heavy heart that i say that what has been done is wrong. but i think it is my moral duty to enlighten you that what has transpired was done by the hands of people (MERE HUMANS) who claim to be muslims. MUSALMAN is not just a name and ISLAM is not just another religion it is based on very strong grounds. So first study it as i am ashamed to say people of muslim world have drasticly failed to provide a clear picture of ISLAM and its TOLERANCE.
i just want to relate a small example here. All Pakistanis have doubtless heard of music maestro A R Rahman, right? Do tou all know that when he converted to Islam just a few years ago, he was alteady well lnown. yet there was absolutely no hoohaa or controversy or huge national debates over his conversion, the whole Country continued to admire him and heap him with love and affection, and when he won an Oscar, the nation was so proud!
Now just do a little introspection, , dear Pakistanis and tell me, had it been the other way around, he wpuldve been hunted down and killed! Then tell me which in practice is a more tolerant faith, Islam or Hinduism.
See we can be form different cast but then the same point at which we should have a consensus is that we all are Muslims and then We are Pakistani, irrespective of being Shia, Sunni or any other caste. i strongly believes in Be Pakistani Buy Pakistani
By posting reviews on the incident is like adding fuel to fire. I do not know what the Muslims scholars have to say about all this but I am feeling bad on reading articles about the incident. I do not watch Tv because most things broadcast on it are fake but to write up on such a sensitive issue may make matters more worse. It would have been much better, had the write ups been delivered in a positive way to let the people of all religions know that Islam is a religion of peace but a certain part of the society is using it for their own gains. I shall again say a Muslim scholar will be able to explain things more correctly but for me, who has not watched the program and only read about the reaction, this is not how we should react, its like spreading more hatred among other Religions.
You have analysed and presented it rather well. A Muslim scholar may not have done any better.
Indian media shows all the Muslim actors doing pooja ,playing holi and celebrating dewali but no body cares about the feelings of Indian minorities . hahahahah what a justice! All the Indians are showing here that they are very polite with their minorities I don't understand where was this politeness gone in 2002 during Gujarat violence . we all know about shiv sena who are completely against of muslims . we don't have any party who is against of minority . I'm a Pakistani and we really don't have time to think about majority or minority .everyone is busy here in their own life .
You dont have any minority, You have already finished them.
Yes, you don't have any minority so chill. I'm from Gujarat. I grew up in the 60's and had many muslim friends. We used to celebrate Id and Diwali together and visit each other house. During the 1980's, Saudi dollars started coming in and within few years, there were more than 10,000 madrasas sprang up in the coastal areas. Students are taught only from Quran, nothing else. How could these kids compete for jobs without any knowledge of English or Gujarati ?
Gujarat riots was started by such muslim elements who lived near the Godhra railway station.
Stop crying about Godhra riots, and think about the way your Army treated Bangladeshi Hindus and also your Bangladeshi sisters, mother.
at one side of my house are living christen and another side hindu .we people dont have any poblem . we are living happily .you just keep saying bla bla bla bla blaaaaaaaaaa !!!!
Kisiko convert kia — Almost 20 years ago, I saw a Pakistani television program on local Virginia (USA) channel. A lady was interviewing a sweet 13 (or 14) year old girl with hijab. Her first question was
'Aap to achchha muslim ledki hai, up-ne kisi-ko convert kia?'. I was stunned.
Pakistan, so far from Allah, so near to these muslims!
BTW, a brilliant article by a brave writer!
From an agnostic born in a hindu family, and no one in my family bothers
As an Hindu i believe in deity and Hindu principles but its personal to me…..i will never enforce it on 3rd person not even on my children's….they are free to choose their own religion or they can be Atheists also….their choice!! Religious intolerance is the biggest enemy of humanity!!
Your statement proves that you do know that whether your children believe in your belief system or not is irrelevant…because your beliefs have no relevance in truth. So it matters not the fantasy. A parent who has any truth to offer, he will bequeath it to his children for sure.
I live in USA. Here Christian channels show Muslims converting to Christianity. They bash Islam all the time, I have not heard anyone like you take a issue with that. Why you seem to have a problem with conversion to Islam on live TV? They do the same here, why if others copy it. After all Pakistanis copy American in pretty much everything, don't they?
Exactly Zubair, this is what I wanted to highlight. Such write-ups can spread more hatred among the Religions. If that person has converted with Consent, then we should not be spreading hatred just for the sake of it. The elite of the society take up a non-issue and the rest follow. We should have a practical thinking and do our homework before writing something so sensitive.
"Nestled among the valleys of Pakistan's mountainous northwest is a tiny religious community known as the Kalash.
The Kalash say they are descendants of Alexander the Great’s Macedonian soldiers who passed through the area in the 4th century BC.
They have been able to practice polytheism – a belief in multiple deities with its own rituals – without much interference.
For generations, the tribe and the country's Muslim majority have co-existed peacefully.
But there are now concerns about the future of this ancient culture."
It should not surprise any one from the many views expressed here that Muslims the world over are the most socially
backward and culturally ignorant section of the humanity on this planet . This includes me as well.
sheikh siddeeque
USA
Specially you.
If you are genuinely concerned, convert back to your forefather's religion and set up an example
hats off to the writer,brilliant article.maya khan should be banned from all the chennels
Too bad for the country and shameful act for its residents. what worse educated pakistanis who should be against those heinous practices are fighting for superiority and comparison statistics. Come on…common sense says greatness comes with sacrifice, forgiveness and humanity not with feeling of superiority and suppression.. Remember two wrongs dosn't make one right… Be human before anything else…
The sad and bitter truth is that having utterly & miserably failed to make any creative and positive contribution to mankind for the last 700 years, religious exhibitionism is all that is left to blow your own trumpet.
Give skywards points for successful conversions …………….
Well maya khan is sick!!!!she didnt even know whar she is going to do. She should be penalised.
Well such elements exist in every society but Pakistan has topped all of them. I am a Pakistani National and Muslim by birth and even i am afraid that one day they will ask me to turn into a Muslim or die. That's very sad though.
Who watches Maya Khan? There are still people who actually watch her show?
Oh well, if Amir Liaqat can make a comeback, so can Maya, I guess.
However the channel should be held responsable for this mockery of religion, and mockery of freedom of religion.
If the boy has converted to Islam with his free will there is no harm in broadcasting it live, we must all learn to tolerate each other and respect all religions this is what Quaid has told us…
i agree with the writer i am totally ashamed of being pakistani muslim
Please don't live in shame. That is awful. Crossover the border and convert. You will probably have to start at the bottom untouchable level or less. Wish you this respectable proud life, away from the shame you live in as a Pakistani Muslim.
Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism) is the only religion which believes in humanity before God. Because no one has proof of existence of God but human existence does not require any proof.
Whose humanity? The Brahmin or the Dalet?
A FALSE and arrogant assumption
You have no proof. That does not mean someone else does not.
Good article
First they came for the Christians. And I stayed silent.
THEN they came for the Sikhs. I still stayed silent.
Then the Hindus, Jains, Gujjars. I absolutely stayed silent.
Then they came for me. And there was no one to save me.
The fate of Pakistanis future rests in the present day fate of its minorities.