Wednesday, May 23, 2012

12/03/08, Letter to the Editor, printed in The Baltimore Examiner

Pakistan must start condemning terrorism
Dr. Faheem Younus
Baltimore, MD

Now that the world knows that attacks on innocent civilians in Mumbai were perpetrated by Islamic militants of Pakistani origin, we the Muslims are left soul-searching once again.

As a Muslim who understands the sanctity of human life through the Quranic principle, ‘He who killed one life is as though he killed humanity,’ I strongly condemn such heinous acts.

The Pakistani government, however, still distances itself from taking any responsibility for repeated tragedies caused by their home-grown militia.

One could argue that such repugnant acts are deeply condoned by Pakistan’s constitution. Under the cloak of blasphemy laws, hundred of members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community were subjected to target killings in Pakistan and the government did just what they did this time: Offer a soft, political condemnation.

That Pakistan should cooperate with the investigation and follow the evidence wherever it leads is a very achievable expectation set by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

However, Pakistan does not have a track record of following through. As a first step, Pakistan must repeal the blasphemy laws under the constitutional amendment of 1984, which are the root cause of its most unwanted export product.

Share (Social Bookmark)

Email this

Comments (0)

Write comment

Show/hide comment form