A NEWS item in Dawn (Sept 23) revealed that Paris’s illustrious Louvre Museum has opened a new wing of Islamic art.

The wing was sponsored by Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Kuwait, Oman and Azerbaijan.

One of the very first visitors, after the inauguration of this latest religion wing in the museum, registered his comments. According to him, the exhibition depicts that ‘Islam is a refined and peaceful civilisation’.

This is the swift impact which art can generate on the minds of the recipients. It’s a feasible and effective tool for making religious principles more comprehensible. The Islamic world needs to change the gear for countering actions that openly aim at denigrating Islam.

Islamic calligraphy and art itself is renowned and lauded all over the world. Any form of art should be considered for utilisation to target both believing and non-believing audiences. An anti-Islam film calls for elucidating and clarifying religious injunctions with a motive of communicating their true essence.

Comparing this aesthetic medium with the grotesque protests in the streets of Pakistan in the name of ‘Day of love for Holy Prophet (peace be upon him)’ makes one think that ‘artistic manifestation’ of religion is far better.

This can have a longer and profound impact of a religion that is a symbol of peace. Muslim countries across the world need to react unanimously and with prudence. Even if they label it as propaganda, then an intelligible ‘counter-propaganda’ is required.

Art is among the long list of peaceful ways of propagating Islam, as it is. A more sensible attempt was made by ‘Discover Islam UK’, a non-profit organisation working to promote a better understanding of Islam and Muslims.

After the release of anti-Islam film, this organisation started to distribute large numbers of copies of books, which reflected the correct version of Holy Prophet ’s life.

Islam is a peace-loving religion and it does not need burning tyres or remonstrating mobs to claim that we love the torch-bearer of this religion.

Those who chant slogans of jihad must carefully look at its forms as well. One of the forms, known as ‘Intellectual Jihad’, demands that the arguments raised by non-believers are answered carefully. For that Muslims should accoutre themselves with weapons of intelligence, reason, truth and logic. In my opinion, art can make ‘Intellectual Jihad’ much easier.

FAKIHA HASSAN RIZVI Lahore

Nadra and rioters

THE recent destruction and looting by the mob in Karachi was, I believe, in those zones which are covered by CCTV cameras.

With the help of Nadra, which is one of the best database registration systems in the world, it would be quite easy to apprehend the culprits and punish them.

This will set an example for the future when the elements who think they can take the law into their hands will think twice before doing so.

A year ago when riots took place in the UK, it was generally these CCTV cameras which helped the authorities to catch many of the offenders through their database and punish them accordingly.

MUHAMMAD ASIF Karachi

Hate mongers IN a recent statement Raja Pervez Ashraf has asked the international community to work together for interfaith harmony and take strict measures against hate mongers. He has rightly called the recent act of blasphemy ‘a grave violation of all basic norms of humanity, international law, interfaith harmony and UN conventions on religious freedom, tolerance and civilized conduct.’’

The government’s decision to call for an immediate meeting of the OIC to find solutions to the problem deserves praise.

SULTAN AHMED WARRAICH Grand Bassam, Cote d’Ivoire

Govt mistake

EVERY thoughtful Pakistani was ashamed to witness the violence displayed by workers and sympathisers of religious organisations, religious political parties and right-wing parties to express their love, respect and affection for the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him)’. They burnt, looted and damaged the property of their fellow countrymen.

They conveyed the message to those who provoked the religious sentiments of Muslims that Pakistanis are ready to even kill their fellow countrymen and damage their country’s image.

Such acts seem to be helping the notorious movie producers who provoked the Muslim world. The government shouldn’t have provided any opportunity to protest knowing well that there does not exist a peaceful protest when religious Jihadis are out in the open.

The government has failed to protect the lives and properties of its citizens.

SYED TASADAQ Lahore

One voice

THE Muslim world should become one voice and defend its rights. No Muslim is reported to be involved in blasphemy or desecrating Holy Books of other religions.

Let us as a one nation under the umbrella of Islam tackle this issue.

NASIRUDDIN SOOMRO Tharparkar

Day of reverence or rage?

THE strike cost the nation in the billions. No business was done that day. Many police vehicles were torched and a lot of public and private property was destroyed.

A number of people died in demonstration throughout the country. The worst thing that happened was the torching of a church in Mardan.

With Rs125 billion loss, not only the country suffered, all daily wage workers, who are in the millions, were out of work and were unable to earn.

They and their families must have gone home hungry. What would the Holy Prophet have done for such people? How would he have felt for those people who went to sleep hungry?

Would it not have hurt the feelings of the Holy Prophet? Then the Christian Church that was torched, here too I wonder how the Holy Prophet would have felt. The Prophet declared once that those who do not believe in the Holy Books before the Holy Quran cannot be Muslims.

It is time we stopped all this madness and began to undo what we have already done.

It is hoped that those injured will receive medication and support, but what about those who lost their lives.

The Christians of Pakistan have nothing to do with the publication of that film. Please don’t attack them, don’t destroy their churches and don’t burn their Holy Books.

ABID HABIB Mirpurkhas