While it seems a third party (MJAH) is threatening to quit the MMA as well, though the JUI(F)-JI will of course blame the ISI of scheming to break the MMA.
This is what these types usually do best. probably for the best overall. Now they can get back to splitting hairs over who did what centuries ago and leave politics to the politicians :k:
Unfortunately the MMA has wasted the last year in a fruitless struggle against President Musharraf and his government (over the LFO), and at the end of the day they have conceded one demand after another. In fact in the end they will have ended up to agreeing to amend the constitution more in Musharraf's favour than even the LFO - what an irony. :)
its interesting, if you read the articles, it is all about power, seats, ministerships :)
I mean what happened to theur whole grand vision...I know..they just wanted to get in power, and then did nto know what to do with it, so they went after the stuff that all of the idiots would agree with, banning music and ripping down posters etc..and then they realized that they had nothing else in common.
Maybe it was due to the fact that aside from hot air they had no solid plan for anything worthwhile.
Lets hope that the rest of the "leaders" try to make positive changes for Pakistan and pakistanis, for both short and long term and quit their damn power struggles.
its interesting, if you read the articles, it is all about power, seats, ministerships :)
I mean what happened to theur whole grand vision...I know..they just wanted to get in power, and then did nto know what to do with it, so they went after the stuff that all of the idiots would agree with, banning music and ripping down posters etc..and then they realized that they had nothing else in common.
Maybe it was due to the fact that aside from hot air they had no solid plan for anything worthwhile.
challo khas kam jahan paak..
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Too true mate. Complain about everything and propose realistic solutions for nothing.
its interesting, if you read the articles, it is all about power, seats, ministerships :)
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Yes, that is the spot on. While it maybe true that electorally-speaking these three parties are relatively small in numbers (I think they only have 4 or 5 seats amongst them in total?) it does show their unwillingness to compromise on their political ambitions for the wider goal of Islamic unity. Conversely it also demonstrates that the JUI (F) and JI which command over 90% of the seats of the MMA in parliament are intolerant to the views of minority parties. The alliance suited them only for political purposes i.e. seat adjustments in the elections, and now they are in power (in NWFP and Balochistan) the smaller parties are expendable. Once again political expediency comes before Islamic unity.
But at the end of the day let’s not forget that despite getting a high number of seats, the MMA only received 11% of the votes cast in the 2002 election, or only 5% of the overall electorate. Significant, but still a clear indication that only a hard core of Pakistani people support these people, and the vast majority (90 –95%) are not interested in their kind of politics.
Now, did anybody think the mullah's could stay united. I don't think so. They are just as corrupt and power hungry as the Chaudry, Wadera, Khan and General. Who is left in Pakistan now?
Well, I am appalled at the gruesome murders in Karachi and Quetta of people of one of the sects. But I wonder all these power hungry people coming to power in the name of religion could think of non-issues and raise a hue and cry on the alleged 'obscene' billboards and fahashi (vulgarity). Why is that they don't help the government to curb the spread of sectarianism in Pakistan. Something that I believe should top their agenda, at a time when they boast that they are the biggest alliance of various religious parties of different hues. sighs*
[QUOTE] Originally posted by Minerva: *
Well, I am appalled at the gruesome murders in Karachi and Quetta of people of one of the sects. But I wonder all these power hungry people coming to power in the name of religion could think of non-issues and raise a hue and cry on the alleged 'obscene' billboards and fahashi (vulgarity). Why is that they don't help the government to curb the spread of sectarianism in Pakistan. Something that I believe should top their agenda, at a time when they boast that they are the biggest alliance of various religious parties of different hues. sighs
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I have argued that all along. The number one priority of the MMA and other religious parties should be to oppose sectarianism and extremism in Pakistan. Only then can we start talking about Islamic unity and brotherhood...
Apparently the MMA isn’t finished just yet, excerpts below:
Maulana Samiul Haq
By Raza Rahman Khan Qazi
Maulana Samiul Haq is the head of Jamiate Ulemae Islam (Sami) Group–a component party of MMA-and also the vice-president of MMA. In fact, he was the leading light behind gathering of the Islamist parties to form MMA. Samiul Haq is the son of noted Deobandi Scholar Maulana Abdul Haq. His father established Darul Uloom Haqqania, perhaps the most famous madressah of Pakistan, in Akora Khattak in 1947 of whom Maulana Samiul Haq is now the head. Most of the Taliban leaders of the former government of Afghanistan studied at Haqqania, and it is said that the Taliban head Mullah Umar also got religious education from the same madressah.
PE: What is the relation of MMA with the Taliban?
SH: The biggest relationship is of Islam and where ever Muslims are fighting for independence all Muslim countries and freedom-loving states must help them. The Taliban had brought peace to the war-ravaged country. They were never given any breathing space. Then they were the students of our seminaries. The Taliban were reluctant to surrender to American agenda. The US is itself the biggest terrorist and fundamentalist, and has many ugly manifestations, especially in the form of Zionism. After the Taliban, Afghanistan has returned once again to the era of ignorance.
Everyone had their share in the cake of jihad against USSR in Afghanistan. At that time, the US termed it a great cause. Even the Berlin Wall was razed, communism died and the world got a lesson of liberty due to the Afghan war. At that time, there was a US plan to divide Afghanistan into many states, but the Taliban came in its way. The US did not want to see Afghanistan become a strong nation as it was divergent with its future policy to go there and control from its pivot the whole of Central Asia, South Asia and Iran.
PE: How did so many disparate religious parties unite under MMA?
SH: We had marginal differences such as those between Shias and Sunnis, but for the great aim Islamic forces have always united. We foresaw that imperialist forces were coming to Afghanistan and then would go to Iran, and their main target would be Pakistan and its nuclear programme. For this, we even invited secular forces to join us. On 10 January 2002 I gathered many politicians here at the Darul Uloom and we formed Defence of Afghanistan Council. Ajmal Khattak and Naseerullah Babar also came. We deliberated that once US sets a strong foot in our neighbourhood then we would be the next.
The other reason for unification was that we felt that internally politicians could not solve problems and there is one corrupt force that has a monopoly. So we made an alliance to resist that force. The masses also considered these two factors and voted for us.
PE: It is alleged that behind the success of MMA certain hidden forces played a cardinal role…
SH: MMA grew out of Defence of Afghanistan Council. We saw in the last elections that the government was against us. Governor Iftikhar was lobbying in favour of our opponents and intelligence agencies were giving reports that we were fifth or sixth in the run. Due to wrong reports of agencies, the centre remained in the dark; otherwise it would have made a comprehensive plan to root us out.
PE: Why couldn’t the agencies take exact stock of the situation?
SH: Their officials remained confined to their offices and did not gauge sentiments of the people. Even the CIA has a history of committing glaring mistakes.
PE: What would be your reaction if MPs from MMA are disqualified for being non-graduates?
SH: Government knows many tactics if it wants to disqualify us. Even the General (Musharraf) has alluded towards dissolving NA. If they are disqualified it would be a mockery of the government’s own institutions as UGC has recognised these degrees. The Election Commissioner admitted these degrees at the time of the polls, and he is a former chief justice, and all returning officers were judges. So it would be akin to the law of jungle. On the contrary, many members of PML-Q and allies hold fake degrees. They even have one member who cannot recite the kalima but holds a fake degree from Shahadate Aalamia.
So, in case of disqualification an imbroglio would be automatic. People would rise themselves.
PE: But the people never agitated against Nawaz’s ouster…
SH: Fortunately for Musharraf, he came at a time when people had become fed up of Nawaz.
PE: But the religious parties once backed an autocrat like Zia…
SH: No, religious parties only supported Zia to help him hold elections, which he had promised. Even when Musharraf came we welcomed him in the hope that he would return the country to democracy. Had we been brought by the ISI (as people say) we would not have raised such a hue and cry over LFO.
PE: How much veracity is in reports of cracks occurring within the MMA’s ranks?
SH: So far no such rifts have appeared on the higher level.
PE: But your party has expressed annoyance…
SH: No, it cannot be called rifts. However, when rightful share is not given to everyone, then protest is voiced. It does not mean parting ways with the MMA but to strengthen it.
PE: What are the demands of your party from the MMA?
SH: Our party was not a small one but we gave sacrifices for the sake of alliance. I am striving since 1996 to unite religious forces. First, I gathered them under the banner of Milli Yakjehati Council, then Defence of Afghanistan Council. Establishment of the MMA is a result of those endeavours. Injustice was done to my party; tickets were not given and both the JUI-F and JI distributed these between them; but we demonstrated an open heart. We would not let MMA shatter. Otherwise, practically MMA is only a two-party alliance. It is quite clear that it is the alliance of JUI-F and JI. Administration and governments are in their hands and they have overlooked other allies. We have not made any demands but it is up to them to take allies along.
PE: Why are graduates from religious seminaries called ‘fundamentalists’?
SH: I must clarify that whoever is not a fundamentalist, he is not legitimately begotten. Our fundamental is Islam and its tenets, and who ever shuns them should think about their faith (iman). Fundamentalism does not mean having a gun and run amuck. As the term is perceived in its context Bush is the biggest fundamentalist whose chief pastime is the recitation of apocrypha from oldest Christian and Jewish doctrines. We have our fundamentals like prophets, sahabas, courts, Quran, sunnah, imams, ijmae umat etc. In Arabic, a fundamentalist is called usuleen (principled). Those who call us fundamentalists have no principles even in their births. Every Muslim would be a true Muslim if he/she is a fundamentalist. It is another matter that they use the term as an innuendo, but for us it is an honour.
PE: It is said that the madressah system has become outdated…
SH: It is all propaganda. Quran and sunnah would never change. There are certain things that remain the same. Tomorrow they would say that the sun and moon must be replaced, as they are ancient. As far as compatibility with the new era is concerned, we have taken every possible step. Every month meeting of our boards review madressahs’ curricula. Now all the modern disciplines are included in our curricula like English, civics and science. Computer has greater presence.
PE: What is the future of a madressah graduate?
SH: What do you mean by future? In every sphere, they are progressing. In politics, they are far ahead whether you look at me or Fazlur Rahman, or all the ministers of NWFP. Then when came the moment of jihad against USSR and US they were at the forefront. Moreover, they can join any field they like, such as business, education. They are in teaching and research. Their future is very bright and regarding means of sustenance they are satisfied. Future is dark of those whom universities produce.
PE: To what extent should women be given freedom?
SH: Islam has clearly prescribed separate roles for male and female. There is absolute segregation of sexes as free mixing of sexes is bound to give rise to vices and immorality. It is very much natural.
PE: What about gender-blind education?
SH: We are totally against co-education as in such a system the basic spirit and essence of education gets killed and something ‘else’ becomes a priority. When a young man and a young woman are so close, would they become attracted to one another or would they concentrate on education?