Pakistan is faced with both extremism and terrorism for quite long. It has affected political stability, economy, social cohesion and the unity required for peace and prosperity, besides  colossal  loss of lives of both civilians and army personnel.

Sectarian extremism and violence is, however, most deadly of these as it eats up a society from within. Both the sects were living peacefully despite doctrinal differences. The factor of difference in religious believers of Sunni and Shia is not a new factor. These differences are there for centuries which remained within the limits and under surface. Sadly this difference of believes has surfaced fiercely and turned into militancy. Though there are ulterior motives of foreign hands to stoke schism yet there is something wrong with us as well.

Till 1980 both the sects were living amicably. Unfortunately some internal and external developments that occurred almost simultaneously aggravated the situation. Zia-ul -Haq’s  Islamization programme, Iranian Revolution and Pakistan’s implication in Afghan war against Russian aggression there, had their cumulative perturbing  impacts that turned the differences into violence.

Zia ul Haq announced implementation of Sharia. Though it was very sensitive and delicate issue, which  required to take all the stakeholders in confidence and lot of home work, but Zia being obsessed with it get going. Though some Sunni sub -sects were also opposed to it but Shia community got hostile. Angry voices were raised and emotionally charged protests were held.           Sunni groups close to Zia were also charged. Overall situation in the country was volatile.

in this background revolutionary forces in Iran ousted Shah and Iranian Revolution succeeded and with that  clergy regime settled in. with the  implementation  Fiqah-e-Jafria Iran was declared Shia state.Then Irani emotionally charged leadership intended to export it to neighbouring  Gulf Arab states. Sectarian uprisings in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and even in Saudi Arabia were seen, though crushed by force.

 The Gulf Arab states were panicked and deeply concerned with the probable political and sectarian spillover. They naturally wanted to ward off the danger. The situation made Iran and Gulf Arab countries openly hostile. This hostility crossed into Pakistan. The perceived danger and fear engaged both Iran and Arabs states, Particularly Saudi Arabia, in a proxy war for political and religious clout and influence in Pakistan.

Both the parties started encouraging, motivating and funding their respective following and parties.  With well substantial motivation ,funding,  training and  proper networking  these sectarian groups  were set  for open show down.

 This foreign intervention aggravated the sectarian situation to worst. Both the sectarian groups resorted to terrorism. Bomb blasts became almost routine. Even mosques and Imambargahs were blasted. This frenzy did not even spare children. Clerics of each sect were targeted to kill .Professionals from each side were killed. This zealotry took thousands of lives and damaged the economy badly.

Despite all violence and killings and attempts to create and widen the gulf between these sects it is much relieving to see that majority of both the sects still hold cordial relations socially and individually. Violence is carried out by a handful of zealots but the majority is in right mindset.

Saner elements of the society must rise to the occasion and do their best to reduce the gulf between the two. Basic cause of the problem is the sentimentality of unenlightened clerics. These clerics on both the sides seem not properly to have grasped the spirit of Islam, for their own pride and benefits are exploiting their followers. It is imperative to discourage rather disown such prejudiced clerics.

It is certain that no sect is going to quit its deeply entrenched believes because of pressures and violence. Allah ordains not to impose one’s believes on others by force and not to denounce others believes. Allah says to even His prophet Hazrat Muhammad that he is only a messenger  who is to just deliver the message of Allah to people and leave one alone who does not accept it and let it be with him and Allah.

 Unfortunately our emotional narrow minded elements are condemning and calling names to each other. This negative mentality has to be discarded and preaching for peaceful co-existence, remaining within the limits of our believes, is required most. Allah emphatically sanctifies human lives. He says killing of one innocent person is killing the entire humanity and saving the life one is saving the lives of humanity, what a surprise we the believers of Islam ignore Orders of Allah and resort to fratricide. The dilemma is our clerics have assumed the position of Vice-regents of Allah and declare one and other Kafir. The prophet of Allah has so clearly stated that one who hurts a Muslim by his words and deeds is not a Muslim, how come our clerics can violate orders of Allah and His prophet.

Saner elements on both the sides will now have to accept the hard realities and realize the futility of zealotry. It is undeniable fact that both Sunnis and Shias in Pakistan have the same destiny and have to live together. Neither of the sect can force the other to change believes, nor can exterminate or push the other sect out of the boundaries of Pakistan. We are bound to have tolerance and accommodation for each other.

WHO IS KAFIR AND WHO NOT WILL BE KNOWN ON THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT AND HOW ALLAH WILL DEAL WITH US IS KNOWN ONLY TO HIM.

LET US REALIZE THAT ONLY WAY WE HAVE IS LIVE AND LET OTHERS LIVE

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 27 2023

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