By
Sajjad Shaukat
Although terror-related
sectarian incidents have continued in various regions of Pakistan in the past
few years, yet as soon as the month of Muharram approaches, the shadows of fear
and uncertainty cover the country. Similarly, these events occur throughout the
year, claiming human lives, but during this month, the incidents of religious
extremism increase manifolds becoming a source of shame for Muslims and Islam
i.e. religion of peace.
In the last week of
Muharram, in Novemeber 2012, several people had been killed and injured in
suicide attacks and bomb blasts. Despite the tight security measures, a bomb
attack on a procession killed five mourners in Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa province on November 25, as Shias marked their holiest day Ashura.
On day ago, a remote-controlled bomb killed eight people near a Shia procession
in the same city. Earlier, 22 people were killed and several injured in
Rawalpindi on November 21 when a suicide bomber targeted a Muharram gathering
near Imambargah. This terror-event came hours after two bomb blasts occurred in
Karachi near Imambargah, which killed three people.
Besides some sectarian
events and assaults like targeting killings which took place during the month
of Muharram, on November 15, 2013, sectarian violence between Shia mourners and
Sunnis in Rawalpindi left 10 dead. Angry protesters targeted the mosque and the
seminary, torching its building. Very soon, the incident enveloped other cities
of the country where violent demonstrations and bloody clashes between the two
religious sects took place, which also caused some deaths. Curfew was imposed
and Army was called to restore peace not only in Rawalpindi, but also in other
affected-cities.
In this regard, several
Ulema (Religious scholars) and politicians belonging to
Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, Sunni Ittehad Council, The Sunni Tehreek Ulema
Board, The Melli Yakjaheti Council, Tanzeem-i-Nefazi Fiqa Jafria,
Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F and Muttahida Quami Movement said,
“Conspiracies were being hatched to destroy peace in the country through
sectarian divide…the enemies had once again succeeded in igniting sectarian
strife.” They also urged the masses to be patient to foil the international
conspiracy and asked the government to unmask the culprits including some
hidden forces behind the Pindi sectarian incident.
It is mentionable that
sporadic sectarian violence against the Muslims cannot be seen in isolation as,
it includes multiple anti-Pakistan designs. Notably, secret agencies like
American CIA, Israeli Mossad and Indian RAW are behind sectarian unrest in
Pakistan.
In fact, the US had
planned to spark a civil war between the Sunnis and Shias in wake of global war
on terror. So, we cannot blame these secret agencies without solid evidence.
For the purpose, a study
of the Rand Corporation, titled ‘US Strategy in the Muslim World After 9/11’
was conducted on behalf of the then US Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Force. The
report of the Rand Corporation-a leading think tank, released on December 27,
2004 advocated that Sunni-Shia sectarian division should be exploited to
promote the US objectives in the Muslim World.
The report of the Rand
Corporation was first implemented in Iraq. In this context, CIA also got the
services of Mossad and RAW to fuel sectarian violence in Iraq. In 2004, major
terror-attacks were carried out against the Shias in Karbala and Baghdad.
Afterwards, a chain of Shia-Sunni clashes started between Iraqi Shias and
Sunnis, targeting each other’s mosques, religious leaders through bomb blasts,
suicide attacks etc.
After Iraq’s experiment,
more deadly pattern of sectarian strife and clashes have been conducted in
Pakistan, which still continues in one or the other way.
As a matter of fact,
some banned religious outfits like Lashkar-i-Janghvi and the Sunni militant
groups, Jundollah (God’s soldiers) which have claimed responsibility for a
number of terror assaults on Shias in Balochistan get arms and ammunition from
RAW and CIA. These foreign-backed militants groups which have close connections
with each other and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan are behind target-killing of many
Sunni and Shia leaders, political figures of these sects, bomb blasts, suicide
attacks, assaults on the religious processions, mosques, Imambargahs etc., carried
out in various regions of Pakistan to achieve the covert aims of the US, India
and Israel.
Now, these
foreign-backed entities have made Pakistan to wage proxy war of Saudi Arabia
and Iran, while these hostile elements are also manipulating sectarian
differences between Riyadh and Tehran—also noted in Syria and Yemen which have
been destabilized due to civil wars.
In this context, while
hinting towards US, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei had rightly
disclosed, “The bloody actions being committed in Iraq, Pakistan and Iran are
aimed at creating a division between the Shias and Sunnis—those who carry out
these terrorist actions are directly or indirectly foreign agents.”
However, various
measures should be taken in countering the sectarian violence in Pakistan,
especially in the month of Muharram. In this connection, the right hour has
come that religious clerics, political and religious parties including media
persons and the intellectuals must play an effective role in creating religious
tolerance and enlightenment amongst all religious factions, particularly those
of Sunnis and Shias, convincing them to live in harmony and peace. They must
point out that violent attacks on places of worship and clashes against each
other’s sect, and damaging the property is against the teachings of Islam.
In order to tackle the
sectarian divide, forbearance, self control and tolerance must be preached by
all segments of society, and especially media must educate the people to adopt
the principle of mutual co-existence, while religious clerics must come forward
to impress upon the audience to remain cool and promote cohesion and
brotherhood among different religious groups.
At the same time,
sectarianism should be taken as a serious threat and dealt with strictly.
Sectarian vulnerability should not be allowed to create ferocity, unrest and
disorder in the country. This entails application of stringent measures and
harsh control over sectarian groups to avoid conflicts and spread of religious
hatred.
It is of particular
attention that Islam stresses upon forgiveness, kindness and safety of
everyone. It is not possible that we who believe in One Allah and Prophet
(PBUH) cannot live together with harmony and peace. Both Shia and Sunnis
must unite to shun sectarianism and extremism in the country. Muslims must know
about the conspiracies being hatched by their enemy to divide Muslims into
sects and they have to remain vigilant to foil these nefarious designs.
Again, the month of
Muharram is equally respectable for Sunnis, Shias and all other sects of Islam.
Media’s role for bringing harmony and unity among different sects can
not be over emphasized. Religious scholars should act as a binding force of the
nation and they must play active role in discouraging sectarian issues. Islam
and all other recognized religions always denounce reckless killing and acts of
violence in the name of religion; therefore, we must refrain from speaking
against religious personalities who are respected by people of different sects.
No gathering or activity should be held without the permission of local
administration. Muslims should also respect people, belonging to other
religious groups and their places of worship. The government must take strict
security measures for Muharram Majalises (Religious ceremonial sittings) and
processions and organizers of such events must cooperate with the
administration.
Sajjad Shaukat writes on
international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants,
Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations
Email:
sajjad_logic@yahoo.com
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