No more sectarianism. This is the time to strengthen bonds between people and people. Religion must unite us as that is the underlying philosophy of Islam, writes Ayaz Akbar.

● Does Kashmir Stand the simmering volcano of sectarian strife?
● Does religious extremism progress viciously in this world famous country of communal tolerance? And given this background are there possibilities in future of developing circumstances as prevailing in Pakistan?….

.. It is not merely the unfortunate episode of Kumgamdara Pattan that set the sensitive minds of this society thinking. There are also some other factors that have raised the importance of these questions. Although Kashmir as a whole has a glorious past of communal harmony and tolerance but during the last two decades the situation has badly degenerated. The problem does not end with Shia-Sunni strife. Devbandi, Baralvi, Muqalid, Gair Muqalid, Itiqaudi and bud Itiquadi are other brand names used as fuel for sectarian rivalry and political mileage.

Nobody can deny the fact that Ummah is divided by these issues, however violence is a new addition in this regard not known in early times. Now in almost every area such highly inflammable substances are piled which can turn in a vast conflagration by a mere friction of cold tension. Who is responsible for this discord, dissension and destructive situation? What forces are behind these plans of divide what dividends they want to cash? These are some crucial questions which we must address not merely as a third party but as a part and parcel of this hapless society. After a little pondering, one reaches the conclusion that no single person, party, institution or organization is responsible. On the other hand a number of forces are causing these circumstances. Some people relate every mishap in the society to some external conspiracy. Behind every incident they suppose the hidden hand of intelligence agencies. It is high time for us to ponder thoroughly on every aspect of this problem. There is no doubt that Indian state can go to any extent for suppression of Kashmir cause and religious discord is one promising tool in this regard. However over looking or understanding the role of local factors in this regard is not only injustice and inappropriate but by doing this we can not diagnose this disease properly. Forceful occupation of people by some power believing in the formula of “Divide and Rule” is not some unexpected thing. Infact it has always been an affective tool of conquest states to perpetuate its rule. Thus no body can deny the fact that behind this great purge there is certainly the hand of agencies. However it is a fact that without the aid and involvement of local elements no trick of theirs can bring calculated results. Needless to say, except for our follies enemy can not succeed to breach our fort. It is more important to locate those local factors. These local factors have polluted the pristine environment of our proverbial communal tolerance; they have aggravated the situation and promoted the tendency of sectarian extremism….. Isn’t the handiwork of those politicians who employ every foul method for the assumption of power. who believe in ends justify means, who lack values and moral code and frequently compromise with consciousness just to retain power. It is their routine disposition….. or isn’t it because of the follies of the semiliterate molvies who misuse religion sometimes innocently. They not only consider every other Muslim belonging to some different school of thought as irreligious but they simultaneously consider the heaven and salvation the prerogative of their clan only…. No less responsible are common masses for this malignant situation. Unfortunately even in this age of comparatively better educational awareness, these masses are being misled by exploitative elements. The hawkish politicians also exploit them for their petty gains. They are also misled by visionless molivies. With the result they fondly do who Islam prohibits to do. Thus they eradicate those fundamental values which form the foundations of Islamic civilization….. Suffice to say everybody contributes to this mess. No sect or section of society is immune from the responsibility of contributing to this chaotic situation. The mundane molvies are as much responsible for this situation as the wily politicians. The mushroom of these molvies flourishing from past few decades have carved their basis in every locality. People are also not less responsible for this worsening situation. As a token of respect they have surrendered their cognitive faculties before selfish politicians or before make up molvies….

So far as India and its paid agents are concerned I think the think tanks in Delhi had already succeeded in sowing the seeds of dissension when they succeeding in floating the political outfits of PDP and PDF and brought them in political arena as opposite parties of another pro-Indian political organization NC. This caused dissension and rivalry at grassroots level in our society and this was fully capitalized by pro-Indian politicians for their political goals, sometimes this evil game was played openly when groups, party fractions clashed against each other resulting in loss of life and property. If at some point of time on impartial enquiry is conducted on the unfortunate Kungamdara episode it will prove beyond doubt that the persons involved in arson and loot belong to the same interest fraternity of pro-Indian politicians who always fish in troubled waters. Those molvies who either for their mundane pursuits or due to ignorance preach such teachings which negate the pristine principles of Islam, is second most important factor responsible for sectarian crises and religious extremism.
Needless to mention Islam is a tolerant faith. But the height of the thing is that these people put all the efforts in the zeal of declaring even Muslims as kafirs, while on the one hand these fake molvies are fully patronized by state, on the other hand the nuisance of cable network has viciously encouraged them. The tragedy is that at times a few politicians advocating Kashmir cause be-friend them as a rule of “what works best”. It has greatly helped them to hide their sinister designs. A cursory look on their ‘contribution’ and ‘religious work’ during the last ten years brings forth some glaring realities. Religious sensitivity was infuriated for causing violence some times. Mosques were locked or partitioned….

At the same time we must address another important issue, that is the rapid growth of madrassas and dar-ul-alooms in every nook and corner of Kashmir. No doubt they have considerably contributed to the development of religious consciousness but at the same time we must ensure that they do not promote sectarianism. We must ensure that they do not serve our younger generation the sugarcoated capsules of intolerance and bigotry in the name of religion Instead of encouraging and respecting the religious work of fellow organizations they ‘methodically’ indulge in fault findings of their activities. Neither have they seriously worked for the integration of Muslim brotherhood which is the need of the hour. Although some times they initiate some steps in this direction but with the passage of time they cool down to in action. Their role as educational institution is admirable, but better it will be for them to desist from anything that means dissension or discord.
Every true son of the soil has to contribute towards unity of the people. Divisions are to be discouraged at any cost. Leadership too has to come forward and ensure that there is no strife in an already strife torn region.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST