March 23 – Pakistan Day
Under the Protection of Allah, the Almighty
Imam Syed Shamshad Nasir, Chicago, USA
“Felicitations to all Pakistanis on this occasion of Pakistan day also known as Resolution Day”
We as a Pakistani celebrate it with great zeal and public holiday is also observed but have we ever what actually 23 March is about? Is it about celebrations and parades or it is something which should remind us about our roles & responsibilities toward state being a good citizen?
These days Pakistan is going through and is facing innumerable hardships and challenges, and the best way to ease out of these challenges is prayer. We should pray for the strength and security of our beloved homeland and that Allah’s blessing and protection may always remain with it.
Pakistan achieved independence in 1947. But struggle for independence have long been started before it. The pages of history are filled with the tremendous amount of sacrifices made to achieve this homeland, but the current generation has not only forgotten about these sacrifices, but has also deviated from the ideology on which this nation was based.
Along with that this freedom was meant to be Freedom of speech, Independence to grow, Equality for everybody. Liberty of mind and thought, Tolerance towards others… which we see lacking in today’s Pakistani society.
Qaid-e-Azam gained this land through his wisdom, acumen, and legal struggle and as because he envisioned a peaceful country and wanted equality between citizens irrespective of their religion, he proclaimed:
You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place or worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State… we are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one State…” (Address to Constituent Assembly, August 11, 1947)
He, not only by his words but with his action, proved this ideology as Zafruallah Khan (An Ahmadi Muslim) & JoganderNath Mandal (A Hindu) were the 2 key members of Jinnah’s first cabinet. This is how he thought of minorities.
Alas! this ideology has been trampled upon with impunity. His vision has been shamelessly forgotten as well as intentionally ignored today. You will find streets of Pakistan peppered with the slogan “Pakistan ka matlab kya… La Ilaaha Illallah”.
While the slogan itself is noble, it has neither been understood nor acted upon.
This slogan told us that only Allah’s oneness will be established and He will be truly worshipped, but we are blatantly disobeying Allah’s commandments. We have made religion a way to play with people, no one is there to solve or answer those confusion which are there in youth’s mind because of which new generation is unable to understand actual meaning of teachings of Islam and ‘la ilaha ilaAllah’ and this is promoting violence and interest toward terror acts.
Looking at the headlines of just the recent times, we find such horrific and heart-breaking news as:
1. Dishonesty is everywhere.
2. Thieves are abundant.
3. Husband killing his wife and children (especially girls) in the name of honor.
4. People jailed due to false cases registered against them in the name of Honor of Holy Prophet (saw)
5. Innocent men / women accused of blasphemy killed while in police custody
6. Extremist / terrorist activities have multiplied in recent times in the name of religion:
Nationally recognized terrorists organizations like the Taliban, etc killed hundreds of innocent children in the Peshawar; Hazara Shia community is often blatantly persecuted / attacked / killed; People of the Ahmadiyya community are branded ‘Kafirs’ and declared ‘Wajib-ul-qatl’ (fit to be killed)
Even the mosques, temples, and churches are not safe.
Mosques: Two mosques belonging to Ahmadiyya community in Lahore attacked & more than 86 were killed in May 2010.
Churches: Two Churches in Lahore bombed and many believers of the faith killed in March of 2015.
Temples: Hindu Dharmashalas, temples, idols and books are often broken or burnt.
7. Even the government is scared of the Mullahs so much so that the person involved in Salman Tasir murder is declared a hero and living like prince in jail.
8. Condition of our country is so pathetic that many of our citizens with their extremist attitude act as “judge of faith” and we see masses gather to kill, burn, destroys houses of minorities:
Eg1: A Christian couple was burnt alive in a brick furnace for rumors about insulting Prophet Muhammad (saw)
Eg2: Ahmadi houses were set on fire for wrong believing that they do not accept Prophet Muhammad (saw) as Khataman-Nabiyyeen
Essentially those who insist on raising the slogan “Pakistan ka matlab kya… La Ilaaha Ilallah” are themselves guilty of dishonoring the name of Allah (swt), Our Prophet Rasool Allah (saw), and Our book: The Qur’an-e-Majeed.
Along with that equal and on time justice is not being provided which is igniting violence in the society because: ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’
When I looked at other countries that gained independence around the same time as Pakistan, it appears all of them have made progress… It is only our country Pakistan that is steadily declining / going into regression… and more unfortunately again it is we ourselves (the citizens of Pakistan) who are responsible for this: If not directly, then indirectly. If we are not attacking people, we do not even stand to defend them Or condemn the atrocities: I am talking this in the general view.
Praying for Peace in Pakistan:
My dear Pakistani citizens, it is time to shape the constitutional principles of Pakistan according to the vision of Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. We pray that Allah may enlighten the nation and help adopt the noble charter which the Qaid-e-Azam prescribed for the nation, and which reflected his vision for this country.
It is time to shift the emphasis from ‘religious ideology’ to ‘fundamental and political rights of individual citizens/constituents’. The religious belief of a person or a community should in no manner impair their rights.
Pakistan must champion as a “place of peace” and not allow a handful of extremists to define it.
Therefore, on this blessed day I must say that we must:
1. Try to understand the true meaning of La Ilaaha Illallah
2. Give equal rights to all citizens fairly and justly without any discrimination of religion or race
3. Establish peace in the region and tackle the scourge of terrorism head-on
As long as those in power continue in failing to provide on-time justice and inculcating the true spirit of “La ilaaha Illallah” within themselves, the nation will never achieve greatness.
The need of the hour is to detect and cut down the roots of hatred which has been planted among us long ago, because of which brotherhood and peace has been demolished and that’s the only mean by which we can save and bring brotherhood, prosperity and harmony back to our beloved motherland, Pakistan.
Minorities, especially, should be given equal rights and justice should be insured because all that hatred and persecution will result in nothing but a continuous wave of unrest in society.
A golden rule given by the Imam of our age, if followed will surely prove to be helpful for establishment of a peaceful society:
It is essential that your heart should be free of treachery and your hands clean from cruelty and injustice and your eyes clear of impiety, and inside you there’s nothing but true love for mankind. ” (Majmooa Ishtihar,Volume 4, page 48)
Let us all earnestly pray, hope and works towards reforming our country Pakistan. May this “Pakistan Day” bring blessings of Allah for all, Ameen
Winter snatches green leaves of trees, smashes colours of butterflies, slaughter blooming flowers. But, when everything is lost there hope dwells and that is the spring, which has to come anyhow after winter and that is the cycle of life.
The winter of crises, problems, destruction has charged our country Pakistan. It has brought many critical times, wreaked havoc in our lives, killed many of us many times through heart-breaking happening…But hopeful springs are not far behind and clouds of happiness are forecasted which will bring pleasures and prosperity in Pakistan, Insha’Allah.
So, let us all try and push the wintery days out, and make way for the outlets of spring to come forth which will be joyous and peaceful with colors full of happiness, prosperity & Success.
Imam Shamshad Nasir
Masjid Bait-ul-Jaamay, 2 S 510 IL Rte 53, Glen Ellyn,IL. 60137
Phone: 630-790-4100 | Fax: 630-793-4100
Mobile: 909-636-8332
Email: shamshadanasir@gmail.com
Categories: Ahmadis And Pakistan, Ahmadiyyat: True Islam, Asia, Islam, Pakistan