Re: Towards theocracy?--State and society in Pakistan today
Although some points mentioned in the article are understandable, however it is silly on Mr. Hoodbhoy's part to be so scared of certain things.
What is wrong with women covering up? In fact, its a basic human right and in accordance with freedom to practice ones way of life.
He says that abaya and hijab are "foreign". Is jeans and t-shirt for girls not foreign? So why has he not mentioned the other side of the story? Why is he always biased towards Islam? By covering up how do women become lesser species? The guy seriously needs to get over his narrow mindedness.
Yes there is extremism in Taliban and it is condemnable. Just as injustices in Kashmir feeds extremism, (as he also mentioned) injustices in our country also feed extremism. Taliban are gaining ground in those regions because our government allowed them to do so. Taiban simply provided what the government was not able to provide. We may like it or not, they do have support in those regions otherwise they wouldn't have succeeded. Its quite sad that they are imposing their narrow brand of Islam.
Had people like Hoodbhoy done any better for the country they would have helped the poor, fought a moral & practical battle for eradicating poverty (a root cause of many evils) and thought about issues in Pakistan from their own balanced perspective instead of demonizing Islam and its symbols, besides following foreign agendas.
Plus, he seriously needs to study sociology and than write something. I am sure Physics is not helping him in this.