Monday, April 26, 2010, | Newspost
IntoleranceMonday, April 26, 2010
The religious intolerance exhibited in Faisalabad involving violence against Ahmedis must be condemned by all sane Muslims of Pakistan. These acts of violence are not in accordance with the Quaid’s vision of Pakistan. Perhaps very few people are aware that one of the stalwarts who supported the Quaid-e-Azam was Zafarullah Khan, an Ahmedi, while the majority of the so-called clergy, that has now assumed the role of custodians of the ideology of Pakistan, opposed him. The need for the creation of Pakistan arose when it was feared that the Hindu majority would economically subjugate the Muslim minority. However, the fact that religious extremists and fanatics have gained a foothold in Pakistan is food for thought. Had we adhered to the vision of the Quaid, this would never have happened here. Pakistan was created to function as a modern, democratic and welfare state and that is the path it must adopt. Today we are a country ruled by a corrupt elite without any rule of law or transparency. We cannot allow any discrimination against minorities in Pakistan, be they Ahmedis, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis or Buddhists. Every Pakistani, irrespective of their caste, creed, colour, faith or sex, must enjoy equal rights. The culprits responsible for violence against minorities must be given exemplary punishment.
Malik Tariq Ali
Dubai
URL: www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=236024