Making sense of Pakistan: Imagining Pakistan sans the religious fixation

[yamahaguy]

Re: Making sense of Pakistan: Imagining Pakistan sans the religious fixation

@picoico

Did Jinnah want a state ruled by Mullahs/clerics? No. Did Jinnah declare pakistan secular, and rule out the application of Shariat/Islamic Law/Muslim Personal law? NO.

Does it really matter what Jinnah declared? No. As far as most of the people who bought into the idea of Pakistan were concerned, Pakistan was to be characteristically Islamic. The notion of a “secular” muslim is a very modern one, and had no recognition back then. A secular muslim polity is equally absurd to suggest. For all intents and purposes, at that point in time, one was a muslim if and only if they practiced Islam.

What may well have happened was Jinnah pandered to Islamic sentiment to win over the idea of Pakistan. But then, that’s not a very flattering view of the principled leader most contemporary secularists have in mind.

Quotes from Jinnah are ambiguous. There is definitely an appeal to Islam, the ideals and principles. Yet, he ruled out a cleric-lead regime (perhaps known to him, alien to Islam anyway). And no, these are not identical in any way shape or form to the christian-heritage often sited by conservative european politicians. TNT was based on the very notion that the culture and religion of Islam itself was under threat within the Indian context. Islam in danger WAS a slogan, and so it follows that Pakistan was meant to be a safe haven for those who wanted to practice Islam, it’s legal traditions, customs, rituals, etc.

Islam in danger WAS a slogan?? Even after so many years after creation of Pakistan, every 2nd Pakistani is still shouting and screaming “Islam is in danger”. “Islam is in danger” was a fashion/political statement in 20th century even now in 21st century is still a fashion statement. Every 2nd person uses this statement to push his own agenda.

Islam Khatre mein hai, despite being fastest growing religion. Biggest Khatra to Islam is from Muslims who keep on repeating this like a parrot.