Imran Khan, we are proud of you!
The way you handled the protests following the acquittal of Blasphemy Charges against Asiya Bibi, was the right thing to do.
While the “Authoritarianism” disease is severely infecting many nations, you did the right thing! You spoke up, that is all it takes to restore law and order in a country.
Sam Brownback, our Ambassador at large for Religious freedom said something powerful in one of the bi-weekly meetings he holds on Religious freedom around the World. To paraphrase him, “If the leaders speak up immediately after a bad incident, asking people to focus on harmony and prosperity, the conflicts will subside instead of going out of hand.” It is like extinguishing the fire at once when it is a spark.
Ambassador Brownback also said, if you want a nation to have peace, give the people their freedom, but if you push them to the corner, their anger will morph into extremism, and everyone will lose in the end. “
Prime Minister Imran Khan, you did both, you did not aggravate the protestors to go nuts; instead you have urged them to focus on prosperity, and of course, your response was immediate and direct.
You cited the Madinah Charter as the guidance to govern Pakistan, the one expert on the subject is Jordan’s King Abdullah II, please consult him. Interfaith leaders from around the world gathered in Morocco two years ago and made a commitment that Muslim majority nations to follow the Charter.
You articulated your thoughts superbly in this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vATw4enavyw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vATw4enavyw
I wish Trump, Modi, Erdogan, Putin, and others follow your lead, much of the internal division and rift will cease to exist. Keep it up!
I wrote the following two pieces this morning and ten years ago.
Quelling the Protests in Pakistan about Asiya Bibi
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Islamic knowledge and his capabilities will be tested now. Is he going to yield to the mob frenzy protesting against the ruling of Pakistan’s Supreme Court to absolve Asiya Bibi from blasphemy charges?
The protest must be allowed, that is the only outlet people have to express their frustrations, but no one has a right to damage public property or harass and frighten a fellow Pakistani. Islam was meant to create peaceful societies where people don’t have to live in apprehension or fear of the other.
Prophet Muhammad is a mercy to humanity; all his acts were that of kindness. Once he was pelted with rocks and was bleeding, his associates wanted to go beat up the miscreants, and the prophet said no, then the archangel Gabriel said, Muhammad, if you permit me, I will crush them, the prophet repeated no. He said, let’s forgive them, for they know not, and he prayed for them and asked God to guide them. Muslims proudly share this story, but it is time, they apply it in their own lives.
It is time for Muslims to think, is Prophet Muhammad going to disappear because someone criticizes, curses or draws his cartoon?
Muslims need to be assured by the leaders that the prophet is not going anywhere, his message of peace and kindness will be carried through the end times. Muslims need to have faith in God and the prophet. Prophet will always be there.
These lost souls protesting against the judgment of the Supreme court need to know that, they are wrong. Prophet does not need these men to defend him or protect him. The prophet would not approve their acts of harassment and creating chaos and fear among fellow Pakistanis who are Christians.
Indeed, Muslims love to quote sayings of the prophet, “if you are unjust to others, on the Day of Judgment, I will speak against you and stand with them.” Moreover, there is a document by the Prophet at the St. Catherin Monastery where he asked his followers to protect the places of worship and care for people of other faiths.
Is Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) mercy to humanity or not? If he was mercy, is this the way his followers depict him to the world?
Imran Khan needs to explain to the crowds that the Blasphemy Laws of Pakistan are not Islamic, but were British laws under penal code 295A to control the uprisings against colonialism? There is no place for Blasphemy laws in Islam! There is no history of it during the times of the prophet, and the Blasphemy laws are an invention by Muslim rulers a hundred years after the death of the prophet.
The blasphemy laws go against the God-given freedom, and it aids the tyrants to abuse it. In Pakistan, a man framed a girl for desecrating Quran, and the entire Joseph Colony, a Christian town was destroyed before they discovered the truth.
It is time their belief matches with their acts. If the prophet is a mercy to humanity, then his followers need to show it to the world that he was a mercy to humankind. Their acts are a zulm (oppression) against those who did not believe in him.
Imran Khan talked about the rule of law being the anchor for any peaceful, secure and prosperous societies, and it is time that he applies that in Pakistan.
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Asiya Bibi’s acquittal of Blasphemy Charges and Muslim Efforts
Congratulations to all the human rights activists around the world for their efforts in seeking the release of Asiya Bibi. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has finally acquitted Asiya Bibi of the Blasphemy Charges.
While the virus of “Authoritarianism” is severely infecting many nations, the supreme courts of the lands are delivering justice around the world.
The Blasphemy Laws are a stain on civilization. They were a tool of oppression of the colonial empires to quell the uprisings against their grip on the colonies. Both India and Pakistan wrote those laws into their Penal Code under Section 295A, and it is time to remove these laws from the books.
The Muslims were misled to believe that Blasphemy Laws are Islamic, on the contrary, they are anathema to the values of Islam. Islam is about free will and free speech. I hope Muslims wake up to this nugget of Islam.
Here is the Muslim effort in seeking the release of Asiya Bibi in December 2010
Prophet Muhammad did not punish anyone for blasphemy. Instead, he did the right thing; prayed for them.
The blasphemy laws go against the God-given freedom, and it aids the tyrants to abuse it. In Pakistan, a man framed a girl for desecrating Quran, and Joseph Colony, a Christian town was destroyed before they discovered the truth.
A Petition was written years ago, urging the Pakistani Government to release Asiya Bibi, and an apology from Muslims to Christians was a part of it for causing fear and apprehensions. Many a Muslims refused to sign because of the inclusion of the word ‘apology.’ They were willing to sign if the ‘apology’ was removed from the petition. We chose not to.
Appeal for Justice to Asia Bibi and mercy to humankind
To: The People, Ulema and Government of Pakistan
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is a mercy to humanity, he is indeed a blessing to the understanding and rightfully known as Rahmutul Aalameen. There are innumerable examples of forbearance, forgiveness, and kindness of the prophet (PBUH) towards those who insulted and even tried to harm him.
One of the most famous stories, often repeated is about an old lady who threw trash on the prophet every time he passed in front of her door. One day, the lady did not throw garbage at him. Concerned, he asked the neighbors and found that she was sick. He knocked on her door to and offered help. Overwhelmed with kindness and love, she chose to become a Muslim.
Once on the way to the city of Taif, the Prophet was pelted with rocks by miscreants, his associates wanted to retaliate, even the archangel Gabriel offered to help bring relief to the situation. The prophet said no, instead he asked God to forgive them because he was the last messenger. If they were destroyed to whom would they preach? He hoped that if not them, their progeny at will accept the God-sent message to humanity.
He enjoined us that “if anyone eats a full meal when his neighbor is hungry or starving, then he is not from among us.” He never said ‘Muslim neighbor.’ He loved humanity and asked Muslims to be role models of charity, kindness, concern, and love to all.
What was the need for the Prophet to have endured such painful experiences? It was to guide humanity towards kindness and shape long-term solutions for peaceful communities and the greater good of the society at large. He was committed to mitigating conflicts and nurturing goodwill; indeed, he was the ultimate peacemaker, mercy to humanity.
As Muslims we need to keep his message of kindness alive and bring to fruition what he was all about; Rahmutul- Aalameen. Let the mercy and compassion he taught become a blessing to the universe and continue to shower on humanity.
We appeal to the Ulema, thoughtful people and the Government of Pakistan to give life to the examples of the Prophet in representing Asia Bibi. What would Rahmutul Aalameen have done?
Asia Bibi is not a Muslim, and her menial work was considered unclean (Napak) by others, who believe themselves to be good Muslims, denied her water from the common source. Is this not a most egregious insult, and the denial of water, the same as a denial to sustain life?
First of all, he (The Prophet) would not have denied Asia Bibi the water of life, indeed in another famous occurrence, a person fed water to a thirsty animal and the Prophet had said God would grace the person for that act of kindness. He would have been kind and magnanimous and would probably have us pray for Asia Bibi’s wellbeing. God loves the forgivers and those who repent. Let the mercy and compassion he taught become a blessing to the universe and continue to shower on humanity.
We owe an apology to Asia Bibi, her family, and the Christian community. We should build goodwill in our and their hearts.
We ask the people of Pakistan to debate about the blasphemy laws seriously. The violent silencing of Governor Salman Taseer calls for an immediate need for a discussion on the topic. Islam is about free will and as Muslims we need stand against any oppression towards any human being following in the footsteps of the prophet. Amen!
In humility, we submit this appeal to bring Rahmat (Mercy) and Justice to every human being including Asiya Bibi.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
- Mike Mohamed Ghouse, World Muslim Congress
- Dr. Mirza A. Beg, World Muslim Congress, USA
- Dr. M. Basheer Ahmed, USA
- Dr. Nauman Anwar, USA
- Bishop Ijaz Inayat, Pakistan
- Dr. John Dayal, All India Christian Council, India
Muslims claim that the prophet was a mercy to humanity, shouldn’t the actions of his followers reflect that attitude towards fellow humans? Does Asia Bibi see the prophet as a Mercy? Whose fault is that? The Muslims who denied her water must be punished for their acts, had they given her way ahead of them to take the water for her sick child, she would have not only given the “Duwa” prayers to them but also the Prophet who taught them to be merciful.
God bless the Supreme Court of Pakistan!
Mike Ghouse is a public speaker and the founder and President of the Center for Pluralism in Washington, DC. He also established the think tank, World Muslim Congress in 2001 and is revived now. He is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeghouse/ and http://www.theghousediary.com/mission-accomplished/