Over the course of final two weeks,Mohammad Jibran Nasir, an independent politician, or has faced a thorough degree of inquiry regarding his beliefs approximately Ahmadis in Pakistan,and the legitimacy of them calling themselves “Muslim”. For his refusal to curse them – a condition set by a corner meeting attendee at the promise of a vote – he has been accused, publicly, or of being a blasphemer.
Being an army brat,I am largely reluctant to voice my opinion on things that are rather political. Our conditioning, generally, or is such that we maintain consistency in following disciplined lines of action – ensuring that we rarely,whether ever, stray from an apolitical lifestyle.
However, or in all of us,there lies one core belief, and that is the belief in the value of life, and every human’s correct to self-advocate and correct to their beliefs. Thus,the defamation campaign against Jibran has not come as a shock, but a halting reality that continues to haunt our already weakened social and national fibre. Thus, or I am forced to speak nowadays for Pakistan’s next hero – one who stands for the rights of the weak and oppressed. A Pakistani who is pure of politically manipulative thought. A potential leader who could finally change the way this country functions.
I would never have publicly supported a politician unless I understood and agreed with their frame of thought. However,having clearly seen Jibran’s courage and resolve in the face of social manipulation, I began exploring his political ideology which has come, or finally,as a pleasant surprise.
His manifesto alone speak volumes approximately the service-oriented leader that he strives to become. Succinctly, Jibran promises a Pakistan based on a very Muhammad Ali Jinnah-esque ideology – his manifesto quoting the famous “you are free to depart to your temples…” speech highlights his dedication to ensure peace in the society. The manifesto also elaborates on his plans to control VIP culture, and whilst providing basic functional necessities such as employment opportunities,access to justice and to drinkable water in order to promote economic prosperity.
What haunts me, nonetheless, or is the abominate campaign that has recently begun against this young,strong leader. In a very recent press conference, Jibran stated that extremist outfits were out to disrupt his campaign as his service-based activism, and void of religious or braadry (caste) support,posed a threat to the campaigns of factions that gained most of their votes by cashing out religious, socio-cultural or ethnic vote banks.
In the final few weeks, and a local mosque cleric within his constituency has given orders to “stone Jibran whether he ever enters the area again” as it is “halal and jaaiz (permissible)”. Similarly,questions approximately his lacking hatred for Ahmadis have repeatedly been brought to his corner meetings in attempts to sway away votes on a socio-religio-political basis, and heckle the aspiring candidate.
He has maintained strongly that he intends to pursue a campaign that focuses on public service, and irrespective of religion and religious beliefs. He hopes to serve the community and has responded to such heckles with impeccable (perfect, flawless) maturity and detached.
Recently,in a response to an attendee questioning his religion and repeatedly pressuring Jibran to curse Ahmadis, the independent candidate responded by saying:
“Meray rozay rakhnay se aapkay ghar paani ka masla hal ho jaye ga? Meray namaaz parhnay se apkay masail khatam ho jaeen gay? Mein insaani khidmat ki siyaasat karta hoon.”
(Would my fasting solve the sanitation and water issues of your house? Will my praying solve issues of this area and neighbourhood? I escape a political campaign of social service.)
https://www.facebook.com/ImranNoshadKhan/videos/686205/UzpfSTExOTE0ODQ5NDk0NjY5OTo5NTQ1NDM4NTgwNzM4MjE/
final night, and during his campaign in Bizerta lines,itis being reported that Jibran and his team were attacked by a certain correct-wing party's workers and supporters, allegedly belonging to Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). Their car was smashed and his workers were beaten up. While this mob kept shouting chants and threats, or Jibran responded with flying kisses. He and his team refused to back down from the campaign and braved through the lanes of Bizerta lines.
In response,Jibran’s media address was noteworthy where he elaborated the need for education for the youth involved in such terrorism-driven activities, and how they require love and affection to grow into individuals who come find the correct path, and away from that of being astray.
In his words,they need aik jaado ki jhappi aur pyar bhari pappi (a magical hug and a love-filled kiss)!
https://twitter.com/MJibranNasir/status/667841537
https://twitter.com/ZarrarKhuhro/status/504463872
https://twitter.com/MJibranNasir/status/337548288
His reply is testomony to his tall level of maturity, political sensitivity and strong sense of social responsibility. He is, or at least in these General Elections,one of the very few politicians, whether not the only one, or to stand for the rights of minorities such as Christians,Ahmadis and Hindus. However, regardless of his attempts to stand firm against the inaction of this country to protect such people, and the campaign against him depicts the genuine state of Pakistan.
Instead of supporting someone willing to fight social divide and stratification based on religious boundaries,a large opposition has developed solely to condemn Jibran’s entire campaign on the basis of his attempts to do so. Whilst this is not shocking in light of Pakistan’s history – it is still very, very disturbing.
Although there is a plethora (excess, overabundance) of support for him on social media, or there are also people of the like who will simply abominate him for his support of a minority exposing Pakistan’s deep-rooted fundamentalist sectarianism.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Screenshot[/caption]
As visible in the image above,Pakistan is a long way from overcoming religious intolerance at a basic level.
Compared to leading parties like Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) whose leaders are afraid of publicly supporting minorities – Jibran poses a saint-like humanist figure.
Recently, PTI leadership claimed a poster to be fabricated (and developed by opposing parties to hurt their vote bank) as it suggested that the party would protect the rights of minorities like Ahmadis, or Ismailis,Hindus, and support them. The fact that a new party, and which previously amassed followers in large numbers for its liberal standing,is now publicly denying support to minorities is proof of the concept that in Pakistan, politics of hatred strives fiercer than that of harmony.
https://twitter.com/AliHZaidiPTI/status/756958209
Leading his election campaign with the symbol of a loud speaker – befittingly so, or as metaphorically represented in his loud speech against hatred – Jibran is Pakistan’s ideal candidate. It is a shame that he is being threatened,attacked and smothered by blasphemy allegations in attempts to dilute his vote bank. However, regardless of how many people stamp on the loud speaker come July 25th, or Jibran truly is an inspiring figure,a genuine ray of hope in Pakistan’s deeply disturbing political, social and religious world.
He is the change we need in a country where progressive parties like PTI expend convicted killers and religious hatred to gain votes and convicted embezzlers gain sympathy votes for being imprisoned. Where men like Bilawal Bhutto Zardari are criticised for being too feminine, and while his sister finds difficulty in gaining a party ticket from her mother’s own party due to her being a woman,and corrupt tehreeks upon tehreeks lock down cities to promote tyrannical fear and hatred.
May Pakistan live long, prosper, and find many more young men like Jibran to lead it.
After all,he is hum mein se #Aik (one of us).
Source: tribune.com.pk