There are a few religio-political parties in this country that are as old as the country. Whether we agree with their political manifesto and agenda or not, there is no denying that these parties are neither religious nor political extremists. Almost all of them represent a particular sect but their history is free from sectarian conflicts. They do not resort to sectarianism for political purposes nor condone such activities. They have always appeared united on the most important occasions in our political history.
Remember the political activities in the 1970s of the late Mufti Mahmood, Maulana Shah Ahmad Noorani and Prof Ghafoor Ahmed or the MMA in later times. These parties have joined hands and their alliances have been broken many times. This doesn’t mean since they can’t work together, their alliances don’t last long. Every political alliance is the result of a situation. As soon as the situation changes, unity does not remain. The greatest evidence is the alliance of secular parties which are formed and broken all over the world. It is noteworthy that no matter these alliances are usually broken for political reasons. Not once has a sectarian divide led to the breakdown of a political alliance.
No one has ever said that since Maulana Fazlur Rehman prayers in a different direction or recites the ‘Durood’ aloud, we can no longer walk with him. Nor has anyone ever said that since Maulana Shah Ahmad Noorani has such religious beliefs that is impossible for us to sit with him. All these parties, of course, follow their own religious practices but do not interfere in the sectarian affairs of others. Neither does the manifesto of any of these parties include that when we come to power, we will cleanse the country from religious innovation (bidah) or introduce our sectarian doctrines.
Mufti Mahmood and Noorani’s families are very close. The mutual history of these two families shows that at one time Mufti Mehmood used to play the role of elder brother and Noorani Sahib as the younger brother. After the demise of Mufti Sahib, Noorani Sahib appeared as Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s elder brother. After Noorani Sahib passed, we see Maulana Fazlur Rehman as Owais Noorani’s brother.
The late Qazi Hussain Ahmed is also a very important character in sectarian harmony. In fact, he was the brightest character with a smile on his face at every moment and arms wide open for everyone. As long as he was Emir of Jamaat-e-Islami, the MMA remained intact and fully active. He was under pressure from within his party but he did not allow his to affect the MMA. After him, those who preferred a solo flight disbanded MMA but were themselves sent packing.
When Qazi Husain Ahmed stepped down as Emir of Jamaat-e-Islami, he devoted himself to inter-sectarian activities. His successor Syed Munawar Hassan instead stayed home for only Qazi Sahib had a generous heart like who could look outside his specific prism closer. A look at his leadership reveals that he came to the conclusion in his first term as Emir that it would be a huge mistake to only think of the Jamaat’s interests. Thus, from his second term onwards, he was more focused on the interests of “Ahl-e-Din” rather than the Jamaat-e-Islami. The first result was the National Solidarity Council. Until his death, his demeanor showed he was not just a part of the Jamaat-e-Islami. This differentiates him not among other leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami but also other politicians as well.
The question is what is our relation with these religious parties particularly other secular parties and the media at every turn of history. These parties have endured every kind of ridicule and have shown brotherhood but the media is constantly trying to disprove them.
Sometimes a question is raised which sect of Islam will be enforced and then there is breaking news that they do not pray behind each other. The next day, even if pictures of congregational prayers are released, they will still find faults that who should lead the prayers and who shouldn’t. Think for a moment whether the media has been spreading sectarianism. Has their attempt succeeded even once? Has the media ever promoted sectarian harmony?
Yes, there was a huge loss, and it was devastating. That these parties have not been able to expand to the best of their ability. The consequences are now being borne not only by Sindh and Punjab but also by Islamabad. There are two provinces where religion plays a big role and religious figures have a social status. As a result, these parties also get millions of votes from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. But the situation in Sindh and Punjab is different as they easily fall victim to media propaganda.
Does religion have no effect in these provinces? Why are religious figures rejected on sight? No, they have an impact but it is pity that they have demonized. They have strong roots in Sindh and Punjab, which is a great ground for sectarianism. This is what gave rise to the Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP). You can’t even give the excuse that it gained roots with the help of the establishment.
There is almost a consensus among us journalists that Jamaat-e-Islami and JUI are also parties of the establishment. Why did not establishment not give roots to Jamaat-e-Islami or JUI in Punjab? What is are only parties and groups with a sectarian agenda allowed to take root in Punjab and Sindh? Is there even one so-called ‘sectarian’ mullah in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or Balochistan?
Do you know what this implies? This means sectarianism cannot take root in those provinces where religious parties have strong roots. This ‘fitna’ only takes root where these parties have been prevented from taking ground through propaganda. And responsible are the secular intellectuals, secular political parties and secular journalists. Suffer your fate for these are the result of your own deeds!
