Ramzan has almost come to end and Eid is scheduled for August 31 or the day after (depending on the sighting of the crescent). The holy month has been a good month for Hyderabadis, with no major trouble of any kind affecting the lives of the people. But Ramzan in the Arab-Muslim world has not been as peaceful. Our beleaguered neighbour Pakistan continues to suffer and bleed. There is no winner in situations of extreme violence. Karachi, the city which was once the pride of Pakistan, has become a killing field. Hundreds of people have been killed. Security forces are desperately trying to end the cycle of violence, but have met with little success. It pains to think that the Eid in Karachi could also be celebrated under the shadow of fear.
It is unwise to write off Pakistan as a failed state. The civil society in that country is very much concerned about the rise in intolerance, exclusivist policies of major religious groups, long term negative effects of getting deeply involved in Afghan war of independence, India-centric suspicion on everything that goes wrong in the country, the stranglehold of the military, non-availability of opportunities for the lower classes to break loose of the feudal system and many more such factors. The weapon of suicide bombing that was once used and promoted ‘against the enemies of Islam’, has now become a self-destructive ‘nuclear warhead’ in the hands all those who have the strength to push the horribly wrong interpretation of their faith. Its frequent use to destroy a political opponent or a religious sect has disturbed the core of Islamic society. Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq right now are main grounds where human bombs are being used frequently.
The ulema across the world have condemned suicide bombing but they need to do more. They should launch a worldwide focused campaign using every possible platform against this dangerous phenomenon.
The situation in Libya has become more dangerous with the disunited rebel forces taking over Tripoli. To believe that toppling of dictator Moammar Gaddafi would bring a quick change and end strife in Libya would be too naive. There are two serious dangers facing Libya. One, the delay in forming a united coalition to usher in the rule of democracy and two, the competition among the Western nations to gain an upper hand in this rich oil-producing strategically located nation. The US that paved ground for the use of Nato’s power against Gaddafi, France that made the first European move against Gaddafi rule, Britain, the old fox, and Italy, the former colonial power of Libya, are already in the game of one-upmanship. Hope they do not create more mess and uncertainty by supporting one rebel group against the other and help in setting up a popular interim government.
The worsening situation in Syria is a cause for concern. There is hardly any doubt left now that the base of Bashar Al Assad has been badly shaken. But the man who inherited the brutality of his father Hafiz Al Assad might use all tricks to outwit the rebellion. Already, nearly 2000 people have been killed, hundreds of them in this Ramzan, and the number of missing touching 10,000. More violence is expected. It is better for the US and other Western countries to persuade the Arab-Islamic world to exert pressure on the Syrian dictator to quit and allow people to live in peace. Saudi Arabia and Turkey Iran should realise that it is not a sectarian war in Syria. It is a battle for democracy for which it had earlier offered support.
As Ramzan departs one hopes that the Arab-Isalmic world puts in practice the spirit of piety and peace among their governments and people. The Muslims in parts of the world are awaiting this move.
–Agencies