by B. R. GOWANI
The Tehrik-i-Taliban Punjab claimed responsibility for assassinating Pakistan’s Minister for Minorities Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti (the only Christian minister), in Islamabad on Wednesday for his stance against the Blasphemy law. On the right is the bullet-riddled car. PHOTOS/ Dawn & Independent
Gaddafi is cussed
Obama’s effigy is burned
Putin is called “alpha dog”
Sarkozy is “an emperor with no clothes”
Zardari is just abused
Jesus became “Jesus Christ Superstar”
Tanakh is criticized
Hindu gods and goddesses are made fun of
…
the followers, supporters, and believers in vain protest
then after a while the episodes are all forgotten
things get back to normal
but when someone draws on Muhammad
or criticizes the Quran
or makes fun of Islam
the reaction is not normal:
all hell breaks loose
violence is unleashed
bodies are fell
cities come to a standstill
war-like situations arise
diplomatic relationships are strained
and brave voices are nearly silenced
the Muslims in the West
who don’t have to fear for their lives
and have the freedom to raise their voices
most have chosen to remain silent
on the other hand, Muslim militants
behind the garb of defending Islam
run parallel governments
instilling fear in people
and try to drag their countries back to the 7th century
Shahbaz Bhatti, Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs
the only Christian minister in Pakistan
was assassinated because he criticized the Blasphemy Law
Muslims in Pakistan and elsewhere
have yet to learn to accept
that their right to believe
should not deprive others right to blasphemy
or criticize
or make fun of Islam, the Quran, or Muhammad
of course, Muslims do have the right to counter attack/respond
nothing is divine, sacred, or holy
religions are all human-made
we gave birth to God, Allah, Yahweh, Bhagwan, …
we are Marys, Marias, Maryams, Madonnas, …
the prophets, imams, rabbis, pandits, …
gods and goddesses (in human form)
men, women, old, young
Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Shintoists, atheists, agnostics, …
blacks, browns, whites, …
straights, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, …
…
we’re all human beings
there’s nothing divine or holy about any of us
we all eat, drink, piss, and shit
unless there’s physical deformity or medical problem
if there is anything that is holy, divine, or sacred
then that is “life” that should not be snuffed easily on whim
but we are to assist all in living it out to its full potential
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com