We can’t eat in Ramzan- publically, why?
There is no compulsion in religion and since when has ritual become religion? Hence the Ehteram-e-Ramadan (reverence of Fasting) Ordinance, issued in
1981, makes no sense.
Those who believe, acknowledge there are
many who can’t fast even if they
wanted too. Those who choose not too, why should public spaces, habits, and
services seize for them? No one is preventing anyone from fasting; so why
should those who choose not to fast be ‘prevented’ from functioning as they do
normally?
And
We have made every man's actions to cling to his neck, and We will bring forth
to him on the Resurrection Day a book which he will find wide open. Read your
book; your own self is sufficient as a reckoner against you this Day."
Holy Qur'an (17:13-14)
The month of ramzan is a period of
reflection, meditation, introspection and soul searching. The point of fasting
and what we ‘gain from this process’ cannot be achieved by imposing a code and forced
public behavioural norms that are untruthful. As a community, hypocrisy has
become a way of life now; say you believe, dress
to be seen to believe and believe what you will. As long as the facade is publically maintained the intent and
spirit be damned.
(Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number……And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know." (2:183-84)
It is deeply disturbing and sad that we
live with this hypocritical attitude and our children grow up with learning and imbibing these double
standards and observe superficial notions of what religion, rituals and faith
has become in the Islamic republic of Pakistan.
‘Allah intends for you
ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. ..’ (2: 185).
Muslim identity has become so fragile, that
its markers have been reduced to outwardly behaviour only. No longer can we
distinguish between hypocrisy, truth or falsehood.
The uproar around Veena Malik’s program on
Express News and the complete silence on Amer Liaqat’s on Geo is a prime
example of the absence of moral judgement in general and in the month of ramzan
in particular. None of the television channel owners have made decisions that
would send out appropriate messages to its viewers, neither have the
advertisement agencies signalled with their withdrawal of support for programs
and anchors, which are merely masquerading, perpetuating a farce, in the month
of deep introspection and reflection. Public viewers don’t seem to have a
mechanism to respond either? The public has little if any control or ability to
respond to those who beam without any regard to content or the messengers they
choose.
The Quran forbids us
from judging others. This has been expressed in many verses.
Say:
"I am no bringer of new-fangled doctrine among the apostles, nor do I know
what will be done with me or with you. God is the ONLY one who can judge
humans.(
Then it will be for (only) Us to call them to account.
There is no running away from the truth.
Pakistan and certainly Islam will not wither away by public eating during the
month of ramzan nor will open discussions on television about the meanings this
month has for all Muslims, including Veena Malik. Our faith and our religion
are open to interpretation by all who choose to explore Mohammad’s (pbuh)
revelation. There can be no judgement by anyone but that of our Lord's and to him only we turn
too. The decision is personal and not the State’s to make. Respect us all.
