From: memon@acsu.buffalo.edu (Naveed Siraj Memon)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.pakistan
Subject: Re memories ...
Date: 29 Jul 92 21:51:50 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: UB

From: dogar@rtsg.mot.com (Haroon H. Dogar)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.pakistan
Subject: Re: memories

>I think that there are those who were opposed to Zia and viewed 
>the referendum in the manner that you mentioned above, and had no qualms
>about voting against ZIA (since they didn't see it as voting against
>Allah--as Zia tried to portray it). I also believe that there
>are MANY among us who are opposed to Islam and opposed to the rule
>of Allah in ANY way shape or form. However, I would argue that the
>overwhelming majority is not a part of this camp. I'm not sure what
>the "real results" were, but I doubt that people came out in 
>droves "against Islam."

Depends upon the number of people who came out in droves against Zia, and
the number of ballot boxes that were stuffed. Pakistan is inhabited by
deeply religious people and the fact that they do not want Islamic rule,
was not the issue at all here. If you equate the 11 years of martial law
with the rule of Allah[which I know to me it was'nt] then please count me
in among the MANY who are opposed to such a rule. If the overwhelming
majority does not subject religion to the test of 21st century, they'll 
have the stagnation that we have witnessed in Pakistan after partition
where you do not have a working example of a legal code.



>My point is that if we were able to truthfully ask people
>what type of Pakistan they wanted, we would get a multitude of answers,
>but Islam and the rule of Allah would figure prominently in the
>answers of the overwhelming majority. I don't just mean of the 
>oft-quoted "suppressed masses," or "vernacular class." I also mean
>of the "vernacular" man that we have suppressed within us--the
>westernized elite. [reference is to Iftikhar's article and brainwashing]

I have greatest respect for Iftikhar and you, but you are in for a big
surprise if such a "fair" call for votes turns out to be hanging on to
old provincial lines but I dont mean to open that can of worms again. :)

>Again, please don't take this as a call to any specific -ism.
>I am not calling for Jamaatism or Deobandism [though I obviously
>have a slight inclination is those two directions :-)] or Ziaism,
>or Barelviism, or Shiaism or any other specific implementation.
>I am just making the observation that the reality that is Pakistan
>does not match the intent of its founders [the PEOPLE not the "leaders"]
>or the aspirations of its people.



Pakistan is home! That's it! It's a state of mind. For me it is not Islamic
or secular. I dont have a name to describe it and there does not need to 
be one. Pakistan has been Islamic since 712 A.D while home for a million
years :) Even if they decide to put an Islamic seal on everything, I'll just
stay home, and life will go on as it always did, kind a like a prolonged 
curfew. "Staying home to watch the rain, hanging on to quiet desperation is
the Pakistani way, the time has gone, the dream is over, thought I had something
more to say". [paraphrased] Before I get carried away I should end at that
thought.


>-hd

>P.S. Be sure to leave us [at least me]  your snail mail address 
     >before you leave.


ditto! I'll probably have it in my final posting. Thanks for making me feel
so so <what's the word> special. Well isnt that special :)




Naveed