by B. R. GOWANI
Left, Aasia Bibi PHOTO/The Telegraph Right, Naushad Valiyani PHOTO/Jinnah Institute
Pakistan
created in the name of Islam
amidst the rivers of blood
is now being destroyed in the name of Islam
amidst explosions by suicide bombers
and blasphemy charges by hypocrites
always in the news
almost never for a good reason
Pakistan, without
bĂȘtises, barbarities, bombings
is unthinkable
accused of blasphemy
(burning the pages of Koran)
Imran Latif was granted bail
but within few days was shot to death
Aasia Noreen Bibi, a Christian, accused of
passing derogatory comments against Muhammad
has already lost one year in jail
is awaiting execution or presidential pardon
while a cleric has offered $5,800 for her murder
the latest victim is a doctor
an Ismaili Muslim, Naushad Valiyani,
it is said that he threw
the medical rep’s visiting card into a dustbin
the card was not hurt
nor was the rep
but the name on the card felt traumatized
because the name was Muhammad
which also is the name of Prophet of Islam
this is one more new excuse
to get even or harass a non-Muslim
or a Muslim you don’t like
or a Muslim from a different branch of Islam
so now every Muslim named Muhammad
will have persecuting powers
Muhammad is hungry
goes to a restaurant
eats without paying
Muhammad wants a ride
gets a rickshaw or taxi
reaches destination free of charge
Muhammad wants another wife
sets his eyes on a houri-like beauty
all objections overruled
…
Muhammad has skin irritation in his rear
wants someone he hates to scratch his ass
the refusal results in being charged with blasphemy
what if Muhammad encounters another Muhammad,
quite a common name among Muslims
then the one belonging to the dominant group will prevail
and if both Muhammads are from the dominant group
then one with the power or more power will triumph
Where would it end?
Allah has 99 or so names/attributes
which are also common names among Muslims
does it mean that
Muid, Khabar, Latif, and others
would use similar tactic?
This terrorist game must end
but how?
lock-up Allah, Muhammad, Quran, and Islam
in houses, hearts, and mosques
outside of these places
they shouldn’t be seen, mentioned, or invoked
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com