The Pakistani Constitution's unpardonable sin!

Are Ahmedis Muslims? Why do we care? In a world dominated by technological and scientific breakthroughs why are we still worried about such frivolous and petty matters? Is the Ship that is Pakistan sinking?

Sadly these questions cannot be answered in the larger public sphere, but luckily in the liberal milieu of Lums, such matters can be discussed and debated openly. I do not know whether to feel happy or sad? Happy because at least we have a place where we can voice our opinions without the fear of retribution, or sad, because in a nation of 180 Million strong, their exists but one oasis of liberal thought.

I do not know whether Ahmedis are Muslims or not but I certainly know that the constitution has no place telling people who they are and what they should believe in. We care because on the mournful day of September 7, 1974 the Pakistani constitution committed the most heinous of crimes. It took away the most basic right of freedom of religion, from the peaceful and patriotic Ahmediya community, and in doing so put Pakistan on the treacherous road of intolerance and bigotry, which will lead us to certain destruction, but on the bright side, at least we have achieved our destiny of becoming ‘The Land of The Pure”.

The constitution is a supreme law. Its purpose is to unite a nation not divide it because people cannot agree on their respective imaginary friends. By declaring Ahmedis non-Muslims the state marginalized a large section of the society and such State Persecution is unheard of in a civilized modern nation State. Before jumping to conclusions just ask yourself, how would you feel if the thing that defines you, your identity, is taken away from you? This is what the Ahmedis went through. In a country, which likes to devour its own, Ahmedis became easy pickings.

Now to answer the last most critical question is no easy task. Pakistan is sinking. It has been sinking ever since its inception, politicians and military dictators have drilled holes in it, every chance they have got. But we have two choices; whether to jump off, or to fix something that may or may not be fixable.

Lets hope you choose the latter.