ET: In a 2013 global survey conducted by Worldwide Independent Network/Gallup, the public perception of United States saved Pakistan the embarrassment of being labeled the biggest threat to world peace today.
24% of the world believes America represents the biggest threat to peace. In comparison, only 8% believe it is Pakistan, which is closely followed by neighbours China (6%), and Afghanistan (5%) and Iran (5%).
Source: WIN/Gallup International
Citizens from arch-rival India, which is ranked at eight, may have had a large role in Pakistan’s dismal ranking, though, considering 15% of the world’s population lives there.
As for US, the results were not all that surprising considering their awkward history of controversial political and military interventions round the globe. 13% Americans considered their own country the biggest threat to peace.
Categories: Asia
Dear Muslim Times
It seems that you relish every opportunity to demonize Pakistan and feel gleeful in doing so. The latest mention of this strange survey from Network/Gallup is a good example. I shall come to that a bit later.
I have said many times before and I shall repeat it until Kingdom come that it is imperative to criticize any country, including Pakistan for the way minorities are treated and human rights are abused. But and it is a big BUT that you should also be appreciative of Pakistan when good things happen and there are plenty to talk about. That would make your reporting more credible.
Journalists need to be objective and neutral and should not operate from a prejudiced starting point. Unfortunately, that thinking is clearly evident in your coverage of Pakistan.
Coming back to the survey, there are few things, you could have mentioned for your readers.
1. Surveys are very subjective and one can get the results one wants by formulating the questions in a specific way and asking these in a smart fashion.
2. It is totally absurd to call the survey; Global, when the number of people asked are only 67,806 people in total. It is from a population of 7 billion. Does it make any sense to anyone? I doubt it.
3. When survey asked; which country do you think is the greatest threat to peace in the world today, it would be vital to know how may countries were named and in which order.
4. People today get their information from TV, Social media and fast flash news. Of course if the media only mention Pakistan with respect to violence and Taliban, that is what people will remember and respond to.
5. It is also imperative that one defines the words, danger and world. To be a danger to the world, a country has to have a huge navy, air force, an aggressive military, unlimited resources, satellite network and a warrior mindset. Pakistan is million miles away from fulfilling any of the criteria. On the other hand, India is much more dangerous in this respect.
6. Last but not least, 8 % people thought that Pakistan was the greatest threat. What about 92% who did not think so? Why not mention that fact? Why are you gloating that Pakistan is second on this silly list?
So all in all, most of MT’s readers and sympathizers are from Pakistan and have relatives there. It would suit your struggle to make alliances with decent Pakistanis – NGOs, Civil Society and intellectuals who are opposed to religious bigotry, violence and minority oppression. Instead you constantly annoy all most all Pakistanis by being anti-Pakistan.
It is not the right approach.
Kind regards
Bashy Quraishy
Minority Consultant
Dear B Q
Instead objecting MT target ET which has carried the survey. Each citizen has love for the motherland. Same is true for Ahmadi Pakistani citizens. However the way masses are electing the leaders and how these so called leaders are damaging the country has to be seen objectively. See in your neighbour. Masses reacted and destroyed Congress in Delhi by voting AAP. AAP raised the voice against corruption and justice to all. Many voices are raised in Pakistan but masses are behaving like deaf. Allah also does not change the fate of any nation unless nation strives for it. Instead using your energy to advise the MT be objective and educate masses of Pakistan to elect sensible, just and honest leaders.
Personally I do not think that Pakistan is a great threat to world peace. They are may be a world-leader in self-destruction …
Dear Mr. Khan
Apparently you have not understood the sincerity behind my comment.
My point is not that you should not bring criticism of Pakistan in MT but do it for a reason and not only negative articles.
You seem to direct your anger at the country of your origin but do not realize that it only hurts those who have to live there.
People of Pakistan are neither foolish, ignorant or destructive. They are very intelligent and aware people. The political leadership is changing and new fords are coming I. Front. Just hurling your scorn on Pakistan would not solve the problems or serve your purpose – to protect Ahmadi minorities.
Make alliances with decent people who can support you, instead of being arrogant and rejective.
Kind regards
Bashy
Mr.Qureshi: not us, its you who is being arrogant and rejective when you refuse to call us a Muslim minority. There is nothing called “ahmadi minority”. Only deeply bigoted mullahs in Pakistan use that term. If you are sincere call us by what we want to call ourselves i.e. Ahmadi Muslims and prove that you are truly sincere in your work on human rights. Please enlighten yourself on why and how we were declared a non muslim minority and why that is that against fundamental human rights and why we object to being called a minority.
The previous article that you greatly liked was also posted by me and on TMT. That was defending Jinnah and you admired that article so showing the people of Pakistan both sides is important we at TMT intend to keep that balance.
Such responses remind me of the proverbial elephant that walked into a village of blind folks. Everyone described the elephant in terms of the part he/she touched. We Ahmadis should not give such surveys much weight. Besides, as Mr. Tschannen indicated, Pakistan is in no position to be a danger to world peace being too small a fry, on a path of self destruction.
These surveys always have an agenda. This particular one is surely quite anti-Pakistan. However it is also a fact that Pakistan is the arena where international powers are conducting their big game. In such a scenario putting all kinds of blames on Pakistan serves the interests of the Big Game players. It is also a fact that the leadership is not able to play its cards in an efficient manner.
MAV
Sweden
The Original Post OP did not evolve (originate) from any Ahmadi source. Yet B Q had the courage to pick and advise. Instead of agreeing with the gallop poll, TMT was blamed.
Zubair Khan sahib (31 December) has taken good notice and I find his post very useful.
Dear MT commentators
I fully know the history of Ahmedi community’s persecution in Pakistan and other countries as well as the reasons and forces behind it.
But that was not the topic at hand and my worry, which is the non-stop negative information MT brings on its pages about Pakistan and the tone of comments.
It seems to me that somehow MT has already decided to be on the collision course with the people of Pakistan, most of whom are also suffering due to stupid policies of its ruling elite.
It is thought provoking that many Ahmedis focus only on their religious identity and totally disregard their Pakistani roots. To me that is more important than being Sunni, Shia or Ahmedi. On top of that Ahmedis are Muslims and that is what they should adhere to and should not bother what others say and think.
I know also the Bhutoo regime’s fatal action against a peaceful section of the population but insulting and annoying people with Pakistanis background wiuld not help the cause of your community. If you want to have Bhutto verdict cancelled, you need to inform the public and gain their sympathy. There is no other way. Yes, some of you can Migrate to USA or the West but that will not solve the fundamental issue namely; persecution and abuse of human beings.
Anyhow, I shall stop here on this thread, with one request. Discuss the issue I have pointed out and not attack the messenger. That never helps.
Regards
Bashy Q
My post of 02 January is re-presented below:
The Original Post (OP) did not evolve (originate) from any Ahmadi source. Yet some friends had the courage to pick and advise Ahmadis to improve and amend their behaviour. Instead of agreeing with the gallop poll, TMT was blamed for presenting the poll results.
Zubair Khan sahib (31 December) has taken good notice and I find his post very useful.
Well, it is all in the headlines. Instead of saying that after the US Pakistan is considered the biggest threat the headline could have read that a whopping 92 % think that Pakistan is no threat to world peace!
Dear Mr, BQ. you wrote “you need to inform the public and gain their sympathy. There is no other way”
I am sure that you may also have some suggestions, how can we do that in your Country Pakistan without being killed or being arrested? or may be you can do it for us, due to knowing so much “truth” about Pakistan’s behaviour about Ahmadies? while you are representing Minorities?
Copenhagen, Denmark
Dear Rafiq A.Tschannen
Thank you for understanding my point. I know that the survey is not done by TMT or any Ahmedi organisation, but its readers are mostly Muslims – both in Pakistan and abroad.
When they read such bombastic headlines and many others, I have pointed out over the time, they may ask; Why is TMT bringing such news again and again? Why focus on 8% negative and not 92%, which is positive.
I read many Pakistani newspapers on daily basis and I know from my own contacts in Pakistan that majority of Pakistanis are decent people. I read people like Hassan Nisar who has spoken against Ahmedi persecution on National TV and others who write articles in newspapers about the same issue.
My advice would be to use media – social and mainstream, which is at the disposal of Ahmedi movement to challenge the misconceptions about Ahmediyat in Pakistan and other Muslim countries and remove those dogmatic differences.
I personally have lots of discussions both in Europe and Pakistan with ordinary Muslims who believe that Ahmediyat does not accept Prophet Mohammad as the last prophet or Khatam an-Nabiyyin or Seal of the Prophets. When I told them that this is not the case, they say; we did not know that. We only hear from our Mullahs.
So the question is: why not massively challenge this ignorance instead of being silent on this issue. Take the bull by the horn and defeat it. Be the David against the Goliath.
In my political work with Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, I have learned to take the challenge head on. This works in most cases because there is a lot of ignorance in the world. Another thing, which I would advice is the use of certain terms, I have noticed. In many articles in TMT and conferences arranged by Ahmedia movement, one sees slogans such as ; Ahmediayat- the only true Islam or Khalifa of Islam or leader of Islam. There are many more terms like these I have seen. My point is that by projecting the notion that Ahmediyat is the only Islam, you annoy people instead of getting them on your side. After all, there are 1.7 billion Muslims and 72 sects. How do you think, they feel if they are told that Ahmediyat is the only path to salvation and every other sect is a non-starter.
Sorry for the long comment but you need to tell your friends that appealing to the western audiences on the cost of millions who live in non-western lands is not a smart strategy.
I am sincere with your efforts and as such just a messenger. So please do not shoot the messenger but try to understand my sincerity.
Kind regards
Friends … I think Mr. Quraishy has many valid points here. We are the David against the Goliath. …