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DAWN EDITORIALS & OPINIONS

ANALYSIS
Dated: Friday 24 July

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 CONTENTS TABLE
Page Title Section/Category
05 Sleeper cells active again Domestic Issue
08 Bangladesh Phone Call International
Relations
10 Pakistan's AIDS Problem National Issue
11 Findings the Right Solutions Domestic Issue
15 The evolving battlefield of South Asia International
Relations
18 Can we achieve global prosperity adter COVID- Current Affairs
19
20 Covenant with God Essay and Islamiat

COLOURS Used:

Red for Difficult Vocab

Green for Important Figures and contents

Others colours used where necessary

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 DAWN+ EDITORIALS SECTION

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 Read the simple Passage if your reading flow gets disturbed

Sleeper cells active again?

Editorial 24 Jul, 2020

THE existence of sleeper cells is often the caveat to declarations about militancy having
been eradicated. That is especially the case in a complex urban scenario where violent
extremism has spread its tentacles deep within society. Recent developments in Karachi
appear to illustrate this phenomenon. On Wednesday, Sindh Police’s Counter Terrorism
Department claimed it had arrested five men suspected of having links with the Lashkar-i-
Jhangvi, a sectarian outfit responsible for having murdered thousands of Shias across the
country. These individuals, according to the CTD, have revealed that four teams of hitmen
had become active on the directions of two incarcerated LJ leaders who had told them to
target religious personalities and policemen. The detainees themselves are said to have
‘confessed’ to the murder of six people. A list of potential targets has allegedly also been
recovered from them.

After a considerable period of relative calm, Karachi’s crime graph of late has shown an
uptick in targeted killings, with policemen comprising the majority of victims. At least four
cops have been attacked this month in separate incidents, with three of them losing their
lives as a result; the most recent incident occurred yesterday when an ASI was killed in the
Lines Area. While law-enforcement agencies have yet to definitively link these murders to
the alleged confession of the men they have apprehended, the implications are ominous. The
LJ is among the most dangerous extremist groups ever to have existed in Pakistan. Not only
is it virulently sectarian, it has also at times joined hands with global terrorist organisations,
at first Al Qaeda and later — through its ‘international’ chapter — the militant Islamic State
group, to carry out horrific, high-casualty attacks. The LJ’s shadowy nature and its tendency
to operate through splinter groups makes it more difficult to trace. Law enforcement must be
on its toes to ensure that this outfit does not find a conducive environment to once again
become the hydra-headed monster it was.

The claim about LJ leaders having issued orders from behind bars to their foot soldiers on
the outside is a plausible one. While security features have been enhanced in Karachi’s
Central Jail, the main chink in the armour is not the infrastructure but the ill-paid human
resource. Prison personnel have been known to smuggle in mobile phones and SIMs to the
inmates; in the past, raids on prison barracks have turned up shocking amounts of such
contraband. In June 2017, two high-profile LJ militants — one of whom had committed
nearly 60 murders — escaped from Karachi Central Jail. A subsequent investigation
determined that over a dozen prison officials had “abetted and facilitated” the jailbreak.
Unearthing sleeper cells requires a revival of the old ‘beat’ system and the community
policing model. Interaction between law enforcement and society at the grassroots is vital to
nip this threat in the bud.

4 ICEP Dawn Analysis

Sleeper cells active again? | Dawn Editorial
Introduction:

THE existence of sleeper cells is often the caveat to declarations about militancy having
been eradicated. That is especially the case in a complex urban scenario where violent
extremism has spread its tentacles deep within society. Recent developments in Karachi
appear to illustrate this phenomenon.

Detailed Analysis:

On Wednesday, Sindh Police’s Counter Terrorism Department claimed it had arrested five
men suspected of having links with the Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, a sectarian outfit responsible
for having murdered thousands of Shias across the country. These individuals, according to
the CTD, have revealed that four teams of hitmen had become active on the directions of
two incarcerated LJ leaders who had told them to target religious personalities and
policemen. The detainees themselves are said to have ‘confessed’ to the murder of six
people. A list of potential targets has allegedly also been recovered from them.

After a considerable period of relative calm, Karachi’s crime graph of late has shown an
uptick in targeted killings, with policemen comprising the majority of victims.

▪ At least four cops have been attacked this month in separate incidents, with three of
them losing their lives as a result; the most recent incident occurred yesterday when an
ASI was killed in the Lines Area.

While law-enforcement agencies have yet to definitively link these murders to the alleged
confession of the men they have apprehended, the implications are ominous.

LJ description:___The LJ is among the most dangerous extremist groups ever to have

existed in Pakistan. Not only is it virulently sectarian, it has also at times joined hands with
global terrorist organisations, at first Al Qaeda and later — through its ‘international’
chapter — the militant Islamic State group, to carry out horrific, high-casualty attacks. The
LJ’s shadowy nature and its tendency to operate through splinter groups makes it more
difficult to trace. Law enforcement must be on its toes to ensure that this outfit does not find
a conducive environment to once again become the hydra-headed monster it was.

Critical Analysis:__The claim about LJ leaders having issued orders from behind bars to
their foot soldiers on the outside is a plausible one. While security features have been
enhanced in Karachi’s Central Jail, the main chink in the armour is not the infrastructure
but the ill-paid human resource. Prison personnel have been known to smuggle in mobile
phones and SIMs to the inmates; in the past, raids on prison barracks have turned up
shocking amounts of such contraband. In June 2017, two high-profile LJ militants — one
of whom had committed nearly 60 murders — escaped from Karachi Central Jail. A
subsequent investigation determined that over a dozen prison officials had “abetted and
facilitated” the jailbreak.

Recommendation:

Unearthing sleeper cells requires a revival of the old ‘beat’ system and the community
policing model. Interaction between law enforcement and society at the grassroots is vital to
nip this threat in the bud.

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 Vocab Description

Sleeper Cell: A sleeper cell is a group of operatives, spies or terrorists, living in secret among
a targeted community waiting for instructions or an opportunity to act.

Caveats: A caveat is a warning. When someone adds a caveat to something they’re telling
you to beware — maybe what they’re telling you comes with certain conditions or maybe
there’s something dangerous lurking.

Tentacles:
Zoology. any of various slender, flexible processes or
appendages in animals, especially invertebrates, that serve as
organs of touch, prehension, etc.; feeler

In English we mean by tentacles the spread of any group to

different places like the tentacles in Animals.

Incarcerated: imprisoned, jailed, confined, held in

detention

Uptick: small increase in the price of a stock

Ominous: delivering bad news; foreboding; threatening

Virulently: poisonously; hatefully; obnoxiously

Splinter group: withdraw from an organization or communion; "After the break up of the
Soviet Union, many republics broke away"

Contraband: goods that have been imported or exported illegally: customs men had
searched the carriages for contraband.

Unearthing: discover (something hidden, lost, or kept secret) by investigation or searching:

they have done all they can to unearth the truth.

6 ICEP Dawn Analysis

 Idioms used in the article

On its toes: ready for any eventuality; alert.

"The captain always keeps everyone on their toes
during games"

Hydra-headed monster: Hydra, a legendary

monster in Greek Mythology that Hercules killed. The
Hydra was a snake-like monster with many heads; and
if you cut off one head, two more would grow in its
place.

Chink in armour: small defect that can bring about problems

7 ICEP Dawn Analysis

Bangladesh phone call | Dawn Editorial
Introduction:

PAKISTAN-Bangladesh relations have been going through a decidedly cool phase,

particularly since Sheikh Hasina Wajed began her second term as prime minister in 2009.
Perhaps the biggest irritant has been the ‘war crimes’ tribunal set up by the Bangladeshi
leader to re-examine the events of 1971. However, the ice appears to have been broken as
Prime Minister Imran Khan made his first call to Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday, calling for
improved ties between both South Asian states. “Pakistan is committed to deepening
fraternal relations with Bangladesh,” Mr Khan told his counterpart, adding that there
needed to be regular bilateral and people-to-people exchanges.

Critical Analysis:

Compared to the acrimony(bitterness) of the recent past, the prime minister’s move to
improve ties with Dhaka should be lauded. While the events of 1971 continue to cast a
shadow over the relationship, there is a need to move forward in a spirit of conciliation and
friendship. Despite the tragic events that led to the loss of this country’s eastern wing, both
Pakistan and Bangladesh share a common history and many aspects of culture. There is a
need to come to terms with the past, and look to a better future for the people of both
countries. There are hostile regional elements that will not want to see cordial ties between
Islamabad and Dhaka. But vitriol (bitter criticism) and propaganda perpetrated by those
who seek to play the hegemon in South Asia should not be allowed to thwart (prevent) any
attempt at strengthening ties. Efforts to improve relations with neighbouring and regional
states requires countries to look to the future and put behind them painful memories.

Conclusion:

Instead of summoning the demons of the past, let Islamabad and Dhaka work together to
bring peace, prosperity and progress to their people and all of South Asia. This can only
happen when both sides work on a relationship of trust and respect, and ignore the
mischievous efforts of third parties to derail ties. Mr Khan’s olive branch should not be
given short shrift.

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Notes of the Editorial:____

Why Pakistan and Bangladesh deplomatic relations are halted?

It is believed that the Liberation War in 1971 was a determining factor in

Bangladesh-Pakistan Relations.

▪ The Indian influence in the region has also made the bilateral relationship
between Bangladesh and Pakistan suffer.

▪ The support of Indian Government for the Awami League is known as a

turbulent factor. The long term Indian plan for isolating Pakistan in South
Asia region has made Bangladesh remain hostile and antagonistic to it.

▪ Pakistan has always presented a gesture of a friendly relationship from time

to time, but a response from Bangladesh has not helped, remembering the
war trials as central to its healing and national reconciliation.

How Pakistan and Bangladesh can start new deplomatic relationship?

It is possible if both of the countries want to do so. There is a dire need for policy
shifts by both governments to resolve the old issues in an expeditious manner to
meet new challenges posed by the world order.

Both governments should formulate a policy plan to overcome the economic

conditions in the way of people-to-people contacts.

To address the old issues, both countries should work together in their business
visa regimes. Sports diplomacy can further improve the relationship between the
two countries.

Cricket series like the one being played will further cement relations between both
countries, and they will support each other as two brothers and friends rather than
fighting one another as between two rivals.

The latest data report from the UN shows Pakistani exports to Bangladesh were
$778.8 million and imports by Pakistan amounted to $72 million in 2018, which is
a good basis for building steady economic relations between two countries. If they
can forget about the past for a better future, both governments of Bangladesh and
Pakistan may come together to show the world that we were together, are together
and will be together.

9 ICEP Dawn Analysis

Pakistan’s AIDS (disease) problem | The News Editorial
Introduction:
While the latest UNAID report shows that the global AIDS epidemic is decreasing in parts
of Asia and the Pacific, it mentions Pakistan as a country where new infections and
mortalities are both on the increase. The report focuses on global inequalities which
influence progress in tackling AIDS and especially in expanding access to drugs which can
keep the disease in control. The report states that this highlights the need for countries to act
urgently to reach the millions who have still not been able to benefit from the latest
developments.

The Description of Report:

The report notes an especially sharp increase in HIV/AIDS in Pakistan and the
Philippines. It also highlights the difficulty for most countries in reaching targets and says
that in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Philippines late diagnosis and poor adherence to
treatment are major factors in pushing forward transmissions and AIDS-related deaths.
About half of the key populations living with HIV are not aware of their status and there is a
need to improve the rate of diagnosis. The report also notes that the goal of reducing
AIDS-related death to fewer than 500,000 will not be met this year, especially with the
Covid-19 pandemic drawing attention away from other diseases.

Critical Analysis:

HIV infections according to the report are rising more sharply among young people aged 15
to 25 years. This is a major concern for Pakistan, with the majority of its population
falling in this category or very close to it.

▪ UNAIDS states that ending punitive laws and policies and tackling rising stigma can
help make progress in dealing with AIDS. The countries which offer needles/syringe
programmes and moderate coverage of narcotics substitution therapy have fared well
in reducing AIDS.

Conclusion:
These are all factors Pakistan needs to consider. Discriminatory laws and the stigma
attached to AIDS are still high in the country today. This is also true of Afghanistan. These
factors could help explain why the rate continues to rise in these nations while others
including Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand have been able to control it.

We must reconsider policies and also put in place large-scale awareness campaigns to give
people accurate knowledge about the AIDS issue and the fact that the disease can be
successfully treated if it is diagnosed early and proper therapies begun. So far, we have not
been able to do this. As a result, people who suspect they may be living with HIV do not
seek treatment while the lack of diagnostic facilities also hinders them.

Way forward: Overcoming these challenges is vital to our future and to our success in
pushing down the HIV/AIDS rates in our country.

10 ICEP Dawn Analysis

Finding The Right Solutions | The Nation Editorial
YouTube Ban?

Introduction

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court’s (SC) remarks in a case concerning content on

YouTube concerned the general public immensely, with the fear that yet another ban might
be in the offing. However, members from the government and the ruling party—including
the Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry and Special Assistant to the
Prime Minister, Digital Pakistan Tania Aidrus—quickly came out against the strategy to
ban the social media platform outright (total).

Critical Analysis:

We already have lessons from a blanket ban on YouTube, when we experimented with the
strategy for three years; after all this time, community guidelines have undoubtedly
improved, but the base issue remains the same. The damage that those three years did on our
digital economy however, are still being felt today. YouTube is easily one of the most
lucrative websites for independent content makers, and our nascent(newly developed)
industry on this platform is just finally beginning to reach international standards, not to
mention the many thousands that have been employed and earn lucrative(profitable) sums
for their efforts.

Even if we ignore the many benefits that the platform provides, such as employment and
education, the sheer amount of information on the internet makes it virtually impossible to
remove all content deemed objectionable. This is why expecting that platforms will be able
to remove every single item of content that goes against our laws or is seen to be
objectionable is only going to end up leaving us unsatisfied at the technology company’s
efforts.

Conclusion:

The only way to tackle misinformation and objectionable content is to fight fire with fire;
make content that addresses our concerns and gives the information we feel is more
accurate. For everything else that goes against our sensibilities, the option to not consume
such content always exists.It is time to see these social media platforms for what they truly
are in many cases; businesses that can help spur self-employment opportunities for the
youth. In the changing global economy, these are vital components that cannot be shelved if
we want to compete internationally.

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 General Important Idioms Section

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13 ICEP Dawn Analysis
 DAWN+ OPINIONS SECTION

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The evolving battlefield of South Asia
| Pakistan Today Opinion
By: Hamzah Touqeer

Thesis Statement
The nature of war as described by Clausewitz as like that of a chameleon,
which is constantly changing. The proponents of change in battlefield believe it
consists of political, economic, technological and industrial factors impacting
the strategic, doctrinal, operational and tactical levels of warfare. The era from
1789-1815 industrial revolution saw a change in the way of warfare from
agrarian to an industrialized form, which changed the operational structure of
military forces.

Revolution in Military Affairs

Different Waves:

The impact of the Revolution in

Military Affairs (RMA) could be best
explained by Alvin and Heidi
Toffler’s three-wave model of
warfare, starting historically from the
advent of gunpowder which revolutionized the agrarian form (for example ill equipped
irregular army battles during the Crusades) to the first wave, such as during the Napoleonic
Wars, calling upon the use of artillery, and rank and file of troops.

The Industrialization Warfare:

The industrialization of warfare demanded a well-equipped army capable of carrying

blitzkrieg manoeuvres, using armoured and mechanized troops and naval battleships along
with the use of air power, such as during World Wars I and II.

The Information Warfare:

The third wave of warfare called upon the role of information-based systems exploiting the
cyber and space domain impacting C5ISR (Command, Control, Communication,
Computers, Cyber and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) as seen during the
network-centric wars after Operation Desert Storm.

The Fourth Generation Warfare:

The fourth generation warfare saw a drastic shift in the unconventional domain, employing
subversive tactics to defeat the enemy with use of irregular and asymmetric warfare below
the threshold of conventional war.

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The emergence of Pakistan with the end of British Colonial Rule:

The independence of Pakistan and India being entrenched in blood and animosity over
the distribution of resources and the territorial disputes resulting from the unjust
division at the end of British colonial rule over the South Asia, these disputes led the two
neighbours into three conventional wars and a conflict which had engraved the strategic
culture of these states into security states and resulted in a security dilemma and subsequent
arms race in the region.

Introduction of nuclear weapons into the battlefield in South Asia:

India in 1974 conducted its first ever nuclear test named Smiling Buddha which
enforced Pakistan to follow the suit and develop its own nuclear weapons programme in
order to maintain strategic balance and the force parity distribution in the region. Between
11 and 13 May 1998, India carried out five nuclear tests which were rebutted by Pakistan
equally by carrying out five tests of its own between 28 and 30 May 1998. Thus, this marked
the formal introduction of nuclear weapons into the battlefield theatre in South Asia,
rewriting the positions for diplomacy and military engagement and strategic doctrines during
peace and war altogether.

The development of modern weapons created new strategic balance in the region:

The onslaught of Indian Cold Start Doctrine to insert its integrated Battle Groups IBGs
within Pakistani territory under the nuclear threshold, forced Pakistan to develop tactical
nuclear weapons for the battlefield to counter any Indian military adventurism. This move
not only changed the dynamics of rules of engagement in the battlefield but also forced
Pakistan to maintain a full-spectrum deterrence doctrine. Thus, the development of new
technologies and weapon systems impact the strategic balance and consequently shift
the strategic thinking and culture of states.

Indian ambitions in space must be kept in check, and Pakistan should develop its
capabilities for a space programme to keep pace with the evolving battlefield in South
Asia
The Delicate Strategic Balance within South Asia:
The delicate strategic balance within South Asia has kept Pakistan and India in a security
dilemma causing an arms race cycle in the region for maintaining the strategic balance, as
either side deems national security interests are thus best secured. The Indians, by
undergoing force modernization, nuclear proliferation and increasing acquiring fissile
material, have caused grave concern for decisionmakers in Pakistan for securing its own
interests. The Indian changes in its Land Warfare Doctrine, shift in nuclear doctrine from
No-First Use to First-Use, increasing strategic coordination with the USA, Russia and Israel
in military and space technology have played an important role in disturbing the strategic
balance in the region.

16 ICEP Dawn Analysis

India's Space Investment pose a threat to Pakistan's security:
India has over the years invested and developed its space programme very effectively and
poses a major source of concern for Pakistan’s national security.

▪ India maintains a well-organized and under-development military space programme.

▪ India maintains over 55 satellites with over 17 dual-use military satellites and 8
designated military satellites which are capable of conducting ISR missions in
electromagnetic, radar imaging, cartographic and electro-optical imaging satellites.

▪ These satellites are capable of monitoring force deployment and movements, tapping
into military communication posing a challenge to sensitive communications.

These developments in space also pose a risk to the sensitive critical infrastructure as it
makes them vulnerable to surveillance and reconnaissance, enables India to carry out cyber-
attacks, locate, coordinate and execute deep strikes on weapon systems including cruise and
ballistic missiles, manipulate the ISR capabilities and information undermining the
movements of strategic assets.

Space: The battlefield of Future

Space is considered the battlefield of the future, with major states including the USA,
China, and Russia maintains a constellation of 1327, 263 and 192 respectively out of
over 2666 satellites in space. The majority of satellites used by these states act as important
ISR platforms, communication relay bases, with scientific and environmental applications.
The USA is the first state which has inaugurated its space force as a separate armed force on
21 December 2019 with a hefty budget of over $1.4 trillion. These space forces are
designated to perform three major functions in strategic military roles which are to collect
ISR, enhance protected communication and protected data link within the command
hierarchy and also to protect own space assets while destroying and targeting enemy space-
based assets by using kinetic kill vehicles such as Anti-
Satellite Weapons ASAT or directed energy weapons.

Conclusion:Understanding the international strategic

picture we could analyze the domino impact on the
South Asian region where India is aspiring to emerge as a
major regional hegemon and maintains a comprehensive
space programme with devious ambitions undermining
the peace in the region and also internationally by maintaining ASAT capabilities. Thus, this
not only threatened but the peace of the outer space with the weaponization and offensive
capabilities development but also undermines the strategic stability of the region. Thus,
Indian ambitions in space must be kept in check, and Pakistan should develop its capabilities
for a space programme to keep pace with the evolving battlefield in South Asia.

17 ICEP Dawn Analysis

Can we achieve global prosperity after COVID-19? |
Pakistan Observer

Important for Current Affairs

Introduction
THE globe has observed one of the big crises in the shape of COVID-19 with the closer of more
than 200 economies within last two quarters. The intensity of this virus varied based on the
characteristics of the countries but everyone is affected. Currently, there are 14.65 million
people effected with 0.61 million deaths throughout the world caused by this deadly virus. There
are still 5.3 million active cases, out of which 99 percent are in mild condition and only one
percent are in critical zone. Overall, the recovery rate is 93 percent with 7 percent fatality.

This pandemic hits severely the people with any sort of chronic disease or emotionally
imbalance personalities through phobia. By analyzing all the information on COVID-19, the
severity of attack is entirely different for all the countries.

COVID-19 : Facts and Figures of developed and developing countries

The highest number of deaths is observed in

i. USA (143,000),
ii. Brazil (80,000),
iii. Mexico (40,000),
iv. UK (45,000),
v. Spain (28,000),
vi. Italy (35,000),
vii. France (28,000) and
viii. Belgium (10,000).

Whereas, the lowest number of deaths is recorded in

i. Tanzania (21),
ii. Malta (09),
iii. Angola (29),
iv. Togo (15),
v. Chad (75),
vi. Zimbabwe (25),
vii. Sri Lanka (15),
viii. Nepal (40),
ix. Sudan (693),
x. Nigeria (789),
xi. Bangladesh (2600) and
xii. Pakistan (5600).

There is huge difference in the active cases and death rates based on the country profile. Such type
of information would be helpful for public policy makers for designing pro-poor decisions in
future.
COVID-19 has slowed down the economies of more than 200 countries and the severity of the
crisis is not lighter as compared with the Great Depression of 1929.

Major Challenges amid Pandemic

18 ICEP Dawn Analysis

Currently, every country is facing

▪ deficit in budget,
▪ deterioration in trade,
▪ increase in youth unemployment,
▪ closure of businesses and even educational institutions are not imparting education
properly.

All these causes are the source of emotional and psychological disorder for children, parents,
youths and working class.

There is a variety of conspiracy theories regarding COVID-19 but we have to accept this bitter
reality and also plan the inclusive future for our next generation. On the basis of given statistics,
it is observed that COVID-19 hit severely majority of the developed countries with highest
number of cases and fatality rate. On the other hand, the above numbers clearly depict that there is
very low intensity of attack on the poor nations in the perspective of active cases and death rate.
Even the impact on economic indicators of poor nations is mild, as compared with developed ones.
The important question arises in the mind of every one about the causes and consequences of this
discrimination among poor and rich countries.

Almost all the health practitioners are convinced that immunity level in the human body will
help fight any sort of disease or virus. There is a variety of contributing factors in the strength of
human immunity and the main thing is living conditions. In developed countries, state is
responsible for the provision of health, education, employment and even social safety nets. There is
no need of additional efforts and activities for their quality living, even they are emotionally very
sensitive. On the other hand, the people in developing countries are facing a lot of issues regarding
food, education, basic health facilities, employment, saving for the events along with crisis of
floods, earthquake, political unrest, etc. Such sort of major issues having a very high intensity in
their living and they are capable of managing the COVID-19 easily, both physically and
psychologically. They are considering COVID-19 as low intensity disease in comparison with
tough working conditions, severe weather, load shedding, multi-dimensional poverty and
vulnerability.

Way forward
In a nutshell, we have to prepare the globe for managing any type of crisis because lock down for
crisis control is very costly option.

▪ In developing countries, people are very strong and hard worker but need of the day is
to empower them in soft skills for inclusive development otherwise they will become
more vulnerable in future.
▪ Whereas, the people of developed countries are exceptional in soft skills but lagging in hard
jobs and there is dire need to empower them in hard routine and activities.
▪ Immunity development through change in life style would be helpful in managing health
based crisis in comparison with artificial modes of immunity development.
▪ In the times of crisis, policy makers may learn the skill of inclusive development by strong
coordination with developed and developing economies for transfer of life style habits and
soft skills.

Such type of inclusive policies would be helpful in sustainable development and prosperity of both
developed and developing economies in future. Even these interventions are very effective in
creating the balance in poor and rich nations for building peaceful societies. So, this is the
appropriate time to re-think on the development and sustainability patterns of the globe, by
observing the intensity of COVID-19.

Dr Sami Ullah
—The writer is Assistant Professor in Economics, University of Gujrat, Pakistan.

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Covenant with God | DAWN OPINION
Nikhat Sattar

Important for Essay and Islamiat

Topic: Are we up to the mark with our commitment to God?

The writer is a freelance contributor, with an interest in religion.

20 ICEP Dawn Analysis

 i. ON May 13, 2020, a group of men entered a maternity hospital in Kabul, killing several
mothers and babies.
ii. In India, Muslims face daily murders, rapes, humiliation and conversions.
iii. In April 2017, Mashal Khan, a young student, was lynched(murdered) by a group of men
within the premises of a university in Pakistan.
iv. In 2019, 62 worshippers performing Friday prayers were By and large
killed by a bomb blast in Nangarhar.
v. Back in 2002, a fire broke out at a girl’s school in Makkah. Definition :Used for
Fifteen young girls died and 50 injured, allegedly because they referring to something
were beaten back to go inside: they had not covered their heads. in a very general way
vi. In 1987, more than 400 unarmed pilgrims, mostly Iranians, Usage: By and large I
were killed in Makkah during a protest. The list goes on. think the emphasis
should be on recruiting
One fact stands out: most of the outpouring of anger, sympathy and the right people.
concern came from non-Muslim organisations, people and countries.
Muslims were, by and large, silent. Related Words
Even as the world seems to have come closer, with a more formalised largely
structure of human rights, it has regressed (decline) into increasing mainly
hatred and acts of violence against the ‘other’, whoever it might be. It chiefly
took the Christians six centuries of religiously supported wars and generally
torture against Muslims and Jews to decide that they could safely in general
predominantly
replace religion with science. They colonised, ridiculed Muslims, substantially
spread false rumours, destroyed traditions of Muslim scholarship and primarily
weakened Muslim societies through carefully orchestrated propaganda. overall
Islamophobia has increased since 9/11 with Muslims being held in for the most part
Guantanamo Bay prison and tortured. Very few Muslim governments in the main
stood up to help them. principally
in great measure
Muslims have shunned progress and new ideas.
Muslims did more than their share of bringing themselves down,
spiritually, intellectually, economically and scientifically. From being pioneers of science, logic
and rational thought, their contribution to world science literature is now meagre. Forty-six
Muslim countries contribute 1.17pc to science literature as compared to 1.66pc by India and
1.48pc by Spain. Where their schools were centres of learning for all, regardless of religious or
ethnic background, they are now sectarian, often teaching tunnel-vision versions of their faith.
By and large, Muslims have turned away from progress; destroyed their own institutions, and
refused to self-analyse.

The Sharia was a path towards divine guidance, lighting up

minds, providing opportunities for knowledge seekers from Of all prisoners at Guantanamo,
all over the world, opening hearts to mercy, compassion, Afghans were the largest group
kindness, graciousness and all that is beautiful in God’s (29 percent), followed by Saudi
world. The Sharia, along with human thought, was the core of Arabians (17 percent), Yemenis
ethics. Instead, it is now often trivialised(minimize) , used (15 percent), Pakistanis (9
mostly for matters regarding women and sex segregation and percent), and Algerians (3
enforcing marital subservience(willingness to obey others percent). Overall, 50
unquestioningly) of wives. nationalities were present at
Guantanamo.
Islamic classical tradition assumed a condition of isma or
inviolability of human life, based on the Quran and the Prophet’s
(PBUH) sayings.

21 ICEP Dawn Analysis

Many Muslim theorists forbade the practice of takfir (accusing someone who calls himself a
Muslim of not being one and producing inferred evidence). The Quran called idolaters ‘kafir’
(those who denied the Truth in presence of and after conclusive arguments by the Prophet);
the faithful now find it legitimate to declare anyone kafir, hound them, turn them out of their homes
and destroy their property. The easiest way to do this is to level false allegations of blasphemy and
raise such a hue and cry(uproar) that even courts issue guilty verdicts.

States have begun to profess (declare) a religion, so all who believe differently are second-class
citizens, with few rights. The tyranny of rulers can no longer be questioned.

One of the worst consequences of this political and moral weakening of Muslim societies is the
breaking of Muslims of their covenant(pledge) with God. This covenant was to establish qist
(reasonable justice) which cannot be achieved unless the grievance and remedy is assessed from
the perspective of the victim, and to call for maruf (good) and
advocate against munkar (evil). Classical jurists of Islam
equate the maruf with how a person would like to be treated. Mete sth out
The understanding of what is maruf and munkar is resident
within a person’s nature. God places the responsibility of the (Phrasal verb)
morals of a society squarely upon its people and declares:
“...Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people Definition :To give or order
until they change it themselves. ... (13:11)”. a punishment or make
someone receive cruel or
The Quran calls upon humans to give evidence of the truth, unfair treatment:
even if it means going against one’s family or interests. In
other words, Muslims should raise their voices against Usage:In the past,
crimes perpetrated by Muslims, even more than they would schoolteachers regularly
for those committed by non-Muslims. meted out physical
punishment to their pupils.
Today, this has been turned on its head. Non-Muslim societies
provide justice far more in line with the Sharia, mete out
humane treatment, provide refuge to those who have suffered
under oppressive regimes at home and speak up against rights
violations. As Dr Khaled Abu El Fadel says, it is as if
“someone uses the superficially technical Sharia to violate Sharia”.

22 ICEP Dawn Analysis

23 ICEP Dawn Analysis