Your Humanity on Trial
Sunday, June 21, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Pakistanis everywhere are excited as Pakistan plays Sri Lanka for the T20 World Cup on Sunday. Families have meticulously scheduled their chores this Sunday to free up the evening to be enjoyed in front of the TV. The supper might be eaten early in case Pakistan loses and people lose their appetite with it. That is what happened to many people when Pakistan lost to India in the Quarter Final of the 1996 World Cup.
The euphoria has swept everyone—the poor have decided to watch the final live at a dhaba or in front of an electronics shop, the rich in front of their homes and ultra rich in the cafes. Friends have taken time out from their otherwise busy lives to meet up and watch the final together. There are parties planned if Pakistan wins, the sweet shops are stocking up extra sweets in anticipation, the sport shops have already seen their sales go up and the many flower shops will be hoping that the fans will pick up rose necklaces on their way to greet the Pakistan team at the airport. Twenty20 World Cup has already invaded the front pages of the major newspapers. And if Pakistan wins there will be wall to wall coverage.
And, yet the massacre continues in the Swat and the misery of the displaced people of Swat remains. Few more will suffocate under the rubble of a house crumbled by a mortar today and a few more children will breath their last in the refugee camps as the rest of Pakistan tries to contain its excitement. As those who lived a poor but dignified lives stand in a queue to receive their ration of food other Pakistanis will stand in line to buy sweets to be distributed amongst themselves. As the refugees try to coup with another night under the open sky with their dignity shattered and their helplessness exposed to all the rest of the Pakistanis might go to bed content and happy to witness an exhilarating final ending possibly with Pakistan’s victory.
Such is the state of affairs! Tonight is indeed not just another ordinary final. The final gives you an opportunity to take a peek into your character. Will you shed tears of joy when those precious tears should be shed for the dead in Swat? Will you be moved by Pakistan’s defeat in cricket when you should be moved at the scenes of the children, the women, the old and the young living on roadsides as the camps are closed for entry? Will you spend money on sweets when that money should be donated for the refugees? Will you discuss Pakistan’s performance in detail the morning after when you never bothered to discuss the plight of the refugees?
Remember and ask these questions as you watch the match. Remember the superficiality of tonight’s match against the realities of Swat. Remember that as you comfortably watch the game tonight the Afghans are mourning the loss of even more civilian deaths, the Kashmiris are morning the rape, mutilation and deaths of two Muslim women, the Iraqis are mourning the victims of yet another bomb and the two year blockade of Gaza is still crippling the basic life of Muslims there.
If Pakistan wins, in all the euphoria there will be false calls of unity. A win at cricket has never brought the hearts of people together in a meaningful way. The mid-nineties were some of the worst times in some parts of the country which came at the heels of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup victory. There will be false calls of pride at Pakistan’s victory when nothing could be further from truth. When the army of a country is itself involved in ruining the lives of its own people no victory in a final can remove this shame. There will be calls that the victory provides a much needed “distraction from the horrible events”. But ask yourself if this distraction is justified. Is this distraction or another way to become desentisised from the plight of others in the country? There might indeed be a reason for some celebration if the final somehow brings relief to the refugees. But we all know this will not be the case.
So check your emotions tonight and spare a thought for the refugees and others in difficulty. Indeed today Pakistan stand at a peculiar state where one part of it is burning and in a desperate situation and the other parts are ready to explode in joyful celebration. Indeed today our humanity is on trial. Let’s us see how we do at this trial.
Source: via Email
Categories: sports, cricket, madness, Nothing last forever, guest posts
on June 21st, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Salamalaikum
Here is a comment by somebody from Pakistan on cricinfo: “Dohl and bangra all over pakistan, lots of people out and having fun,” says Hassan
Individual celebration of birth of a child, marriage, etc. makes sense because these things never stop and shouldn’t stop. But, a whole nation swept in celebration when a tragedy is occuring right in your own house is tragic.
Shameful!
on June 22nd, 2009 at 12:20 AM
wasalam
I beg to differ a bit. There is no harm in jubilation as long as it’s in limits. I don’t say that dancing on roads is fair ..what I say that such moments could be rare and precious for a nation who have been hearing bad news for years and already suffering a lot on many grounds so a little good news has become a great excuse for them to cheer up. Plus this victory was due to Allah’s help so it was like of thanklessness if we mourn. What all is needed that we do remember those who are suffering. A victory did bring smile on faces of the people who have been displaced.
on June 22nd, 2009 at 12:43 AM
Very nice post. Since we have become so ignorant, nothing can move us untill the things get directly on us. We have stopped thinking out of ourselves
on June 22nd, 2009 at 2:21 AM
Salamalaikum
Two things. I can see where you’re coming from br. Adnan. But, there is a time and a place for jubilation. And, this is not the time. Celebrating today adds in disregarding reality for a recreational sport. The reality is such that the Pakistani people have very little to rejoice over. If some tragedy has struck your home and requires your attention, you do not want somebody to provide any distraction for you let alone help you rejoice in any way.
And, it is not about just “remembering those who are suffering”. It’s to think deeply as to what is happening and to ponder over the consequences of what is going on and to change yourself. You will agree this is not possible when one is willing to rejoice and celebrate and revel in the victory.
Second, of course, everything is due to Allah. But, do you think Allah is pleased with the Pakistani people and want to reward them by giving them an excuse to rejoice winning a World Cup? You will see soon what this world cup victory will do. Tomorrow the newspapers will push the headlines of Swat on to the second page while highlighting the victory. The liberals will teach you that “the good” guys win world cups, bring happiness to Pakistanis and “the bad” guys flog women and shut down prostitution rings. The “Pakistaniat” will be reinforced by columnists telling us the people of Pakistan were brought together by this victory and shariat will be demonized by telling us that it divides people. Would you, then, call this victory a help from Allah?
But, all this is countered by not celebrating and rejoicing and not getting distracted from the realities in Pakistan. I know it’s not easy, but we must resist the nafs that wants us to feel great and content at today’s victory.
If this is not enough wait for big payouts that will be made to the cricket players. Afridi is already promised 5 Lakh from PCB or Zardari (can’t recall) while there is a continuous accute shortage of funds for IDP’s.
A victory did bring smile on faces of the people who have been displaced.
How many pregnant women living on roadsides in Mardan are smiling? The IDP’s hatred for Pakistan is increasing due to what the army is doing. Why would they rejoice?
on June 22nd, 2009 at 6:56 AM
Pakistanis are cheering as if they are now out-of-their troubles
In moments of desperation and frustration even a tiny bit of happiness is worth to long for and cheer for.
We have been humiliated and continue to be humiliated and thus this small victory brings joy to the tired people of Pakistan. May Allah turn the hearts of every Pakistani away from the crooked cartel thats leading the country right now…. Ameeen.
any way check this out… I wonder who is Ch. talking about , Pakistan Army or Talibans?
http://www.jang.net/jm/6-22-2009/pic.asp?picname=1011.gif
Pakistan army is sure the beneficiery of foreign aid ($$$$)
so I don’t know who is the *real* agent here :).
on June 22nd, 2009 at 8:55 AM
Why I think Zaid Hamid is a Kezzab
Check out this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBG7lpYGLcE
a poor patriotic Pakistani asks Zaid Hamid Kezzab about his connection to Yussuf Kezzab and listen to Zaid’s response. He talks of every thing but a direct response to “What was your connection with Zaid hamid”
He starts with the praise of Muhammad (S.A.W.W), enough for a Muslim to open his heart for the message that comes after.
He then never denies his connection with Yusuf Kezzab rather he says that he was never a follower of a “false” prophet. I heard a bit of yusuf kezzab’s speech on esnips.com and couldn’t stand further to hear it. The guy didn’t claim that he was another prophet he said that Muhammad (S.A.W.W) is in him and Allah is inside him.
So his response is still valid without denying any connection to Yussef Kezzab.
In the last bit, he then tells this poor Pakistani that the world is conspiring against him and because Pakistan is in critical situation right now so Just GHOL KEY PEELO (just like Altaf Hussain)
I see another fitna grabbing Pakistanis by their throat.
Pakistanis are desperate in search of a leader, there is a vaccum created
and the same forces that have created a vaccum now behind the scenese are offering an alternative leadership, may Allah save Pakistanis from another fitna
I hope some *real* Ulema really standup and give up *procastination* so that munafiq like Zaid Hamid do not take over the hearts of naive Pakistani Muslims
on June 22nd, 2009 at 8:57 AM
“What was your connection with Zaid hamid” = “What was your connection with Yousef Kezzab”
on June 22nd, 2009 at 9:14 AM
I totally agree with you. Ppl went insane, giving exuberant comments on different news channel slides and on answering to anchors of channels with loud slogans as if we had won a battle agianst India or any super power that had made us ranked in world’s super power. I was irritated by the number of sms-es that were forwardeed asking to pray for Pakistan. The silliest one goes like this “Pray for Pakitan..If we won its the slap on the face of India” and me not being much into sports wondered aint we playing against Srilanka :-D. A girl in geo report shouted hysterically that “we are not terrorist” that made me think again “was thats the proof we required against the allegation of being terrorist nation.”
May Allah help us and bestow upon us wisdom.
on June 22nd, 2009 at 10:22 AM
@Ibrahim: you did not understand my point. There is no harm of getting happy as it’s human nature. What is in our hand to remember our religion and seek how Allah orders us. As a Muslim we should offer 2 Rakat Nafil and Thank Allah to give some good news as well as remember IDPs who are in trouble(they showed on TV that such news did make IDPs happy for a while). As I said..there is nothing wrong to get happy but in limits prescribed by Islam
@Anon: Welcome to blog. you also got a wonderful blog. I wonder why are you being Anonymous
As far as India factor, let’s be honest that both nations consider each other enemy and cricket lovers on both side go crazy. Yeah, I know it because I am also a cricket lover, a typical south Asian cricket lover. I hope you understand my point. And I totally agree media invasion after the victory.
on June 22nd, 2009 at 10:27 AM
dude the post was not about Zaid Hamid. Anyway thanks for sharing info
on June 23rd, 2009 at 4:04 AM
Salamalaikum
Since we have become so ignorant, nothing can move us untill the things get directly on us. We have stopped thinking out of ourselves IUnknown
Well said, IUnknown. That’s my point. The tragedy didn’t move us as a people. But, a victory in a recreational sport has us all out in the streets and deriving useless conclusions from it. What does it say about the character of the people? What does it say about you and me?
Br. Adnan, ask a scholar if we should be praying two rakats for this (not withstanding the opinion that the hadith for shukrana namaz is weak so many people don’t believe in it anyway). Really, do ask a scholar. The way we are and they way we didn’t react because of Swat tragedy and the way we reacted to this victory only reminds me the verse where Allah says that “God will throw back their mockery on them, and give them rope in their trespasses; so they will wander like blind ones (To and fro).” In other words, don’t take this as a sign of some sort of a gift from Allah. As you can see this victory has misguided the people even more (dancing, chanting, music, doing israaf with sweets instead of giving it to poor, etc, etc.)
And, I don’t get this importation of foreign idea that we should put a smile on people’s face when they are in a bad situation. Really? Should this be done in all cases? Are there not situations that require fixes instead of finding a disraction to forget them.
on June 23rd, 2009 at 5:46 PM
“When the army of a country is itself involved in ruining the lives of its own people no victory in a final can remove this shame.”
Shame on people like you. If you can not support our Jawaans sacrificing their lives to protect you and me from this Taliban fitna, at least keep your mouth shut.
on June 23rd, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Insha Allah their will be an even bigger celebration on our streets and in our hearts when the last of these vermin called Taliban will fall. Yes our hearts go for the people who are are having to suffer because of them, and Insha Allah their sufferings will be over soon.