Re: What’s YOUR problem with Islam/Islamic laws/Political Islam?
a) I don’t think that Pakistan was established as an Islamic state. Having said that, Pakistan has no obligation at all to follow the vision of its founding fathers - its people’s sole obligation is to follow the commands of God, and as such in principle should work to transform it into a state run on the principles of Islam.
b) Shariah law needs to be brought in when the people themselves are committed to following Islam wholly, as was the case with the founding of the first Islamic state in Medina. If Islam is forced on a people unwilling to accept it, the people will seek to undermine it and rebel against it. Social transformation is required prior to legal transformation; a sign that the people will willingly embrace Shariah is when the people vote for parties that are committed to it.
A blasphemy law is needed; however, Pakistan’s current blasphemy law is not. Any law under which a doctor can be put in prison awaiting trial for throwing a business card into the trash is obviously flawed.
c) Pakistan has weak Islamic political institutions, particularly when compared to countries where the Muslim Brotherhood operates. The main cause of this is the extensive religious fragmentation of Pakistan’s Muslims. We have large numbers of so many different sects that make it impossible for them all to align on what Islamic political actions are. The break-up of the MMA is the prime example of this.
d) The differences amongst Pakistan’s muslims will permanently undermine efforts to evolve into an Islamic state. The Islamic state will more likely re-emerge in a middle-eastern country with a more unified Muslim community, which will absorb Pakistan as a subordinate province.