A society at war with itself
-Illustration by Faraz Khan/Dawn.com
The professional Muslim Ulema of Pakistan have influenced our thinking so much that we see everything in religious terms. We keep a keen record of “atrocities against Muslims” but we ignore the enemy within who hides behind Islam. Earlier, we used to see two centres of evil: India and Israel but with time they have increased to include America and Europe. Iran is rapidly moving away because of our growing sectarianism and it is hard to name any real friend – Saudi Arabia and China are our ‘friends’ only in the sense that they are not enemies. They have excellent relations with our enemies and do not support us in our disputes with India and America, or in our red-hot anger against Israel.
We strongly believe that in our 65 years of national life, we have been attacked five times by India, once by Russia, that we are “spiritually” fighting America for the last 12 years, that we fought our East Wing and lost it because of Indian aggression which the world supported because of the bias established by Indian propaganda. We believe that we were always on the right side, that we were persecuted.
It was always hard for us to ask: are we really so innocent and so persecuted? Why does the world hate us? All these 65 years we have been teaching our students that one billion Hindus hate us because they are bigoted and jealous of our merit. It has been considered unpatriotic to ask why we failed to befriend them in 700 years.
War is a tragedy but we refuse to see that a society at war with itself is an abomination. We love to talk of “we”, but we are “we” only in hate against “others”; when it comes to sacrifice or service, everyone is an individual.
War is a tragedy because it tries to achieve an objective through use of force and destruction. Even when it ends in one’s victory, it does not end; it sows the seeds of future wars because those who are vanquished and disgraced never forget the wounds of defeat. Their collective memory passes to posterity generation after generation and nourishes the desire to avenge. Our subcontinent remained in a state of war for centuries between the Muslims kings and a resisting India. A narrow class of Muslim victors in India won prosperity and power but the large Indian population suffered the tragedy of defeat and suffering for all these centuries, while Muslim masses had no share of victory except vain pride and widespread ignorance. This history of war has left an aching scar on both sides of our people. It is partially, if not wholly, responsible for the lingering misery of our masses on both sides. Although for several reasons we in Pakistan refuse to see, the fact is that India started its recovery only after 1947, Bangladesh only after 1971 while we have yet to start.
As a result of this war, Muslims remained a medieval-minded crowd for centuries, taking pride in their ability to wield the sword, until the Aligarh University movement of modern learning started some change. But we, in Pakistan, never questioned our Civilizational Narcissism which keeps breeding new tragedies of paranoia and chaos. The legacy of centuries of war never leaves us. Both the nations have spent, since 1947, trillions annually on meaninglessly large armies and arms-building, keeping their masses in misery, stupor and barren hate. The total resources spent by both amount to a sum that could have brought us to modern European levels of life and learning, had we spent them productively.
War is a tragedy but a society at war with itself and everything around, with no objective and no remorse is more than a tragedy; it is a total disaster. Our society with its special mindset is at war with itself and the world, with other religions and its own religious diversity. It is in a state of schizophrenia passing into paranoia. The roots of this mindset lie in our narcissism, in our self image of righteousness. We do not take criticism and never feel sorry for our wrongs. A semi-educated boy can start yelling at you if you point out a mistake.
It is a depressing state of affairs. Many sensitive patriots have lost all hope that health can be restored. Ever since 1947, the nation has been moving down the slope. Each period has left us more frustrated and hopeless. Every time we discover that standards have fallen further. But that is not how human societies should move in this age of immense opportunity.
It is right to reject what was wrong in the past but it is not right to predict that the wrong will continue forever. Admitted that it is our special ability as humans that we conduct mass destruction; this special ability is a tragic aspect of our mind but that same mind is capable of science, wisdom, tolerance and inclusiveness. We can perhaps halt destruction by practicing and preaching critical thinking with humility. Human societies all around us are growing and developing. Why can’t our land of disaster outgrow its roots? And do we have an option other than trying?
Listen to this in Urdu
The author is a renowned Pakistani intellectual. His urdu books Tehzeebi Nargisyat and Mubaalghe, Mughaalte are widely regarded as the revival of critical thinking and free inquiry in Urdu non-fiction.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
In our case we provoke by our self rightieous behaviour instilled into us by a very heavy doze of religion. Ever one else is wrong and we are the only one always right. we are a non entity in the comity of nations. if we will not learn to live in peace with others we are doomed into self oimposed solitary cofinement.
very good analysis
Salute to the Author for showing courage and guts to hold a crystal clear mirror before a society which basically creation of some egoistic politicians and srude British. It is unfortunate that Pakistan never got a leader with wisdom and ability to convince their people to give up wrong thinking and followings.
To realise the reality is a wisdom in itself.
excellent master piece of article. Author able to reflect the fact . Its now high time for people to understand to bring prosperity in Pakistan.
Very nice article but too late for Pakistan,to change people’s attitude and mind set it takes centuries.The culture is destroyed, it takes centuries to evolve.Imitating other language and culture do not bring self respect. As for the defense expense India will have to spend,not to fight any one but to defend against other super powers.There is none other then India in south Asia which can defend the region.With out strong India we will be like Africa where all big and mighty will exploit.There is no tendency in India to control any other country.Today we see many in Pakistan talking about winning India but none in India.
Hi Haider, at last an honest appraisal. This was precisely the question I have often asked others. why does the world hate Islam? does anywhere Islam lives in peace with others? No. if it is not hindus, it is jews, if it is not jews, it is christians or Budhists in Burma. Pray why are there not many like this author in Pak. that is why the mullas rule. raise and fight for your rights brothers! then see the sea-change
Waziritan has been made the real big bazaar and virtual laboratory of the global arms /drone industry. Most of us are not familiar with the real colonial history of the Waziristan and the clever, petty games Western colonial powers and their puppets in Kabul, Greater Mardan, Peshawar, Islamabad and Pindi have played to exploit it in every possible way. Major reason that the masses and world polity don’t have a clear idea of the situation in Waziristan is that any criticism or complaint about genocide, no matter how well-researched and moderate, is swiftly attacked and labelled by strong war profiting mafia as either Pro-Taliban or Pro-Alqaeda or anti-Pashtuns or Anti Pakistan or Conspiracy Theory.
“Why of course the people don’t want war. Why should some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally the common people don’t want war neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders.
That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”
Gen Hermann Goering – Nuremberg Diary (Farrar, Straus & Co 1947), by Gustave Gilbert (an Allied appointed psychologist)
Bravo, I hope your tribe increases. I do not want to go right wing Hindu, but I see the craziness and total lack of rationalism on the other side that makes me want keep my weapons sharp. It is very encouraging to see such thoughts of introspection.
God helps those who help themselves.
God almighty has given all human beings the same strengths and its up to us as individuals and groups of people to use our faculties for the betterment of ourselves and others or we may opt for the destruction purposes.
As the saying goes ” Bura Jo Dekhan Main Chala – Bura Na Miliya Koi. Jo Munn Dhoonda Aapna Mujh Sa Bura Na Koi”. There is nothing wrong about self analyses, finding the shortcoming and then to work for making improvements.
May God bless all those who love his creation and all his creatures.
Its a knocker on the head type article and his efforts would not go waste, if even a single person wants to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Nice and rational article. Only healthy mind and righteous intellect can save the humanity, not the negative emotins, blind religious or wild national sentiments.
People are better off with religion than without it. However religions are codes of conduct that do not really solve external human problems. Religion helps us manage our personal problems.
Simply a masterpiece.
The author succeeded in conveying the whole message (the ills of present society) in a very concise and effective manner.
I sincerely hope it does reach the intended audience and change is forthcoming.
Change is always forthcoming. The problem is that it does not always go our way.
Brilliant piece. All this innocence monger-ring by our media and text books. As such all nations and governments/establishments involve themselves in some form of this behaviour but in Pakistan we have made this into a vocation.
the result is quite debilitating yet comical – we have achieved the status of the best excuse makers in the world. someone else is always at fault for us.
let’s hope we are able to snap out of this dementia soon
“All this innocence monger-ring by our media and text books.”
From an outsider’s point of view this is why Pakistanis annoy others.
Even serial killers want others to think they are nice guys.
very biased piece not a single word against america israel or india for that matter very unfair mr writer it takes two to tango
What does Pakistan have to do with Israel?
Are there not enough problems in Pakistan to be solved? Isn’t that American’s problem, not being able to mind it’s own business?
One more “balanced and unbiased” article that our Indian friends love to read. Till the next reality check comes up, when it’ll be more of the same Pak bashing again.
And we lived happily ever after in our state of denial.
And also screwed royally time and again and again and again by the whole world, isn’t it?
Sorry Dude, I dont agree with your views or say way of saying…. i find every word of this article true to purity. you tell me…. whats that in this article which is not true for pakistan
For our fellow loving indian commentators, everything that criticises Pakistan, no matter how unfair it is, is truth and purity and balanced and unbiased.
On the contrary, any small bit of positive news, even if it is about a growing shipbreaking industry in Pakistan, is absurdity, wrong statistics, trivial achievement etc.
Narcissism at display! The author is right!!
The definition of an intellectual is one who has the courage of his beliefs. In several articles, Mr. Haider has not been afraid to question existing mindsets and told us what he thinks. It is time to stop the farce of retired generals and diplomats meeting for so-called track two diplomacy (which has produced nothing), and instead get intellectuals on both sides of the border to sit down and look at the myriad of questions we always wanted to ask but never had the courage to. This should be the start of clearing some cobwebs on BOTH sides of the border.
It is not so much about intellectuals who have the courage of their beliefs, it is about more ordinary men driven by uncompromising integrity who cannot be bought for any price.
Hi … good point but one thing … it shouldnt discuss all the issues of historical back ground but should look towards future solution with conceptual parameters under current circumstances …. i know one should know the history for solution but keeping respect to mutual parameters and flexibility of acceptance and then moving into right direction with co-existance based on sharing can result in development of relationship and ideas with beauty of companion ship and most important of all, great friends as neighbors for each other.
When you cannot differentiate between State & Religion you come across this kind of situation. Nevertheless, the writer has chosen correct word “narcissim” to explain the state of mind of people.
keep the articles from Mr. Haider comming
Thank you very much sir. Thank you very much. May your god bless you.
“Although for several reasons we in Pakistan refuse to see, the fact is that India started its recovery only after 1947, Bangladesh only after 1971 while we have yet to start”. Mr. Mobarak Haider this is1000% true. Although the demand for Pakistan was justified during independence because of the ‘huge volume of muslims’, but that demand has been hijacked by zamindars and jagirdars. India was lucky to have leaders like Gandhi, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Sardar Vallabhai patel etc who beleived in secularism, democracy, equal rights, woman rights, socialism, progressive and liberal ideas. Pakistan was unlucky that they had leaders who were actually zamindars/jagirdars who didn’t want to lose their authority over the masses and had they joined India they would have lost that authority (because of land reforms). These zamindars have used army for their own benefits and never allowed democracy to flourish.
“Although for several reasons we in Pakistan refuse to see, the fact is that India started its recovery only after 1947, Bangladesh only after 1971 while we have yet to start”.
.
Touche’
The word secularism was not in Indian constitution in 1947, the time you agree India took the direction of healing. If at all anything this insertion by semi educated Indira Gandhi, who along with most Indians do not understand this term, has been the source of violence in India. To understand that please understand what secularism means and how it is incompatible with Indian ethos.
I completely agree with you Krishna. Now the time has come that Pakistan will throw away all the trash to a place where it belongs and make good people sit in high positions. Our people have learnt alot through hardships specially during the last 5 years and after these upcoming elections you will see a good govt in Pakistan. A govt that will try to make Pakistan a better place for everyone. India and Pakistan are twins and I think every sensible nation would want to have excellent relations with their neighbors specially when they share a common past. We all make mistakes the important thing is to realize and not to repeat .
Very well written.article. Very courageous and introspective. I would like to add one more point..I dont think the Muslims of this subcontinent takes into recognition that India is the only society which successfully resisted Islam. Hindus (Jains/Buddhists) by and large refused to accept islam even though their Kings suffered defeat in war. So even though Islam had temporary political victory the spiritual victory remained minimal/marginal. Thats why the subcontinet is by and large non-muslim even till today. The situation is entirely different in Persian and Byzantine where Islam was ‘accepted’ within matters of a life time. By now the Islamist should realise that waging war on Hindus will not necessary mean a victory for Islam. Perhaps It will be a political victory but never a spiritual victory.I think the Hindus have successfuly proved this point over the last 700 years.
Commendable and bold article indeed, my compliments to the Pakistani author.
Issues you highlight are not unique to Pakistan or its people but these are common world-over at different phases of any country’s development. It is a good that Pakistanis are at war with themselves as that will push them to find solutions. Historically many nations went through such phases in their own way. You as an author this interesting article, are a product of such evolution.
As a foreigner visiting Pakistan and knowing the country did not inherit much in any way or form post independence, it is nothing short of astonishing to see the development that has taken place.
Civilizations step in to future with strength it musters in the present, but with the confidence, that arises from the past. If you annihilate your past for some myopic reasons, you will annihilate that confidence and the courage to chart the future.
“it is nothing short of astonishing to see the DEVELOPMENT that has taken place”
Seems like you have the ability to see the un-visible. May I ask, what astonishing
developments do you see besides McDonalds, KFC, TGIF, Starbucks, Mr. Donut etc.
very nice….