It’s hard to write about the Taliban on a religion blog without giving the impression that this militant movement in Afghanistan and Pakistan is basically religious. It’s certainly Islamist, i.e. it uses Islam for political ends. But it’s hard to find much religion in what they’re doing, while there’s a lot of power politics, Pashtun nationalism and insurrection against the Kabul and Islamabad governments there.
(Photo: Pakistani pro-Taliban militants in Swat Valley, 2 Nov 2007/Sherin Zada Kanju)
It’s often difficult to separate religion and politics in groups like this, but President Barack Obama gave a basic rule of thumb in his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington last week:
“Far too often, we have seen faith wielded as a tool to divide us from one another – as an excuse for prejudice and intolerance. Wars have been waged. Innocents have been slaughtered. For centuries, entire religions have been persecuted, all in the name of perceived righteousness…
“No matter what we choose to believe, let us remember that there is no religion whose central tenet is hate. There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being. This much we know.”
Zeeshan Haider, senior correspondent in our Islamabad bureau, clearly makes these distinctions in his feature “Militants killing laughter and music in Pakistan region” about the intimidation of musicians and comedians in Peshawar. The blame lies not with “Muslim militants” or “medieval Islam” — broad terms often heard when the Taliban first emerged as a force in nearby Afghanistan in the 1990s — but “Islamist vigilantes hell-bent on imposing Taliban-style values.”
(Photo: Polish geologist Piotr Stanczak before his beheading by militants demanding the release of Taliban prisoners, 9 Feb 2009/Reuters TV)
Haider also makes a distinction between the Islamist political parties in Pakistan, who banned music on public buses and movie posters featuring women, and the militants who went further and used murder and bombings to intimidate the population.
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our world peace friends should look and digest the photos that accompany this article.the suggestion that president obama just needs to have a chat with the likes of these, and they will have an immediate change of heart is nonsensical, these people have been conditioned with hatred since they were children,any fragment of any compassion is not even an ember.
- Posted by brian leePakistan surrenders to Taliban in Swat (CNN)
I have read from MANY Pakistani blogs that this is what the people of Swat wanted. So, if they want Sharia Law, let them have it:
If the Pakistani legal system isn’t preferable to Islamic law that tells these Taliban to burn down girl’s schools, behead people, shoot up local dancers and hanging dissenters.
Looks like the lunatics have taken over the asylum.
All I have to say to all Pakistanis is:
- Posted by bulletfish“May you live in interesting times.” (an old Chinese saying).
rajeev,
These kidnapping of SKILLED, Chinese workers. Particularly those that are in Pakistan to help in its development does not look too good for Pakistan. They did not even bother to rescue the Polish engineer who was beheaded.
China has asked Pakistan before to protect its citizens:
Wang Ende and Wang Peng (engineers) had been working on a water dam and a canal in the region for the China National Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Group Corporation.
China had urged Pakistan to take all necessary measures to beef up the protection of other Chinese expatriates there.
On Sunday, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing urged the Pakistani government to take “all necessary measures” to rescue the two hostages and ensure their safety.
Li told his Pakistani counterpart, Khurshid Kasuri, on the phone that the Chinese government and people were deeply concerned with the hostages’ situation.
(the above is an extract from People’s Daily Online, October 14, 2004)
It looks like “All Weather Friendship” is not going to last. Now, they are being held ransom to provide the Taliban with money. What is Zardari going to tell Hu Jintao?
I read (but I am not sure whether its true) that in Islamabad the Chinese built a cultural centre. At this place Pakistanis can come and learn Chinese and study Chinese culture. However, when Zardari went to China and gave his praises (arse kissing) about its advancement in the world. I read that there were no Pakistani translators with his entourage. So, Pakistan and Chnia have been “All Weather Friends” but do not learn each others language.
I had an uncle who was in China when the Imperial Japanese forces attacked in the 1940s. He could speak the Chinese languages even though he never went to school.
- Posted by bulletfishGuys:
Good news: “Taleban release Chinese engineer:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/78 91030.stm
But it said:
“It was not immediately clear if a ransom was paid or militants were freed in exchange for Long Xiaowei’s freedom, although a militant spokesman claimed the government had agreed to demands for the enforcement of Islamic law in parts of Pakistan’s northwest. Long’s release came days before a planned visit to China by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.”
So a bad news in fact.
Ceasefire in SWAT is a news that also cannot be considered good.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/78 91410.stm
—–”Many people in Swat now would favour an early exit by the army as the they have failed to roll back the Taleban or protect the Taleban’s opponents, says our correspondent.”
So people in swat are feeling the same as Afghansitan people were feeling before Taliban formed govt.
Are both news linked to Zardari visit to China?
- Posted by rajeevbulletfish,
- Posted by BloggerIs there any good news?
- Ali, Umair, Qasim, et al are a good correspondents to give good news about Pakistan.
I am a red-blooded Indian (third generation post-independence). I have had relatives in all walks of life in India. I even had an uncle who fought against China and Pakistan in the 1960s.
Every NEWS channel and websites I go to have really negative news about Pakistan:
BBC: Pakistan in fight for survival
Urban Battle (against Taliban in Karachi).
Even on the Gulf Times website there are plenty of negative stories about Pakistan.
Is there any good news?
- Posted by bulletfishHere is a ‘de’composer of the music…
- Posted by Bloggerhttp://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/1 3/60minutes/main4800926.shtml
Welcome to Pakistan…
- Posted by bulletfish…for a short time only a once in a lifetime experience…YES, a once in a lifetime experience that will guarantee to make you lose your head!!! Visit Swat!!! You will not (want to) return home.
Hussain,
You have some nerve to bitch and whine about USA, Israel. This Taliban lot in your home is a BIG wake up call. I am sure at your Pakistan Tourist Board the phones are ringing and ringing with potential tourists wanting to pay Swat a 2 week visit.
Don’t try to deviate from the subject by bringing in Israel and Gaza. You Pakistanis will protest about something that does not affect you AT ALL, but you sit on your arses when one of the areas is atacked.
It seems just like Zaire was synonymous with corruption, Pakistan is becoming synonymous with terrorism.
- Posted by bulletfishPakistan should first stop its terrorists LeT (exclusively for India), Take full control of army, everything will be alright by then.
- Posted by RakumarSaf: The last comment was meant for “Say it as it is”
- Posted by rajeev– mistakenly—>deliberately added
- Posted by rajeev- Posted by Blogger
–Blogger, that sounds much better. Also thanks for the link about Kargil/Mushy/transcript the other day.
The trouble is Islam, Pakistan and Taliban are just mere symptoms of something much more evil and sinister. We have become too weak and liberal to have frank, open discussions.
- Posted by Say it as it is
Saf: Sorry to see you very disappointed here.:-(
- Posted by rajeevLiberal?
“You reap what you sow” - A very wise Indian
thIs Taliban were a product of CIA and ISI….
CIA wanted to use them to throw out the Russians from afghan and ISI wanted to use them to fight a proxy war with the Indians.
And now you have US doing the same thing exactly 10 years after the soviet left.
Believe me this is what that needs to be/has done
Seize all nuclear missiles and bombs from Pakistan.
Because there will be only three targets
India
Israel
US (Afghan)
The sooner we understand this the better for the world
- Posted by TejaswyThe trouble is Islam, Pakistan and Taliban are just mere symptoms of something much more evil and sinister. We have become too weak and liberal to have frank, open discussions.
- Posted by Say it as it isRajeev,
..It appears you have mistakenly added India in your statement and also mistakenly left out “Pakistan” from the list… good one but …
– mistakenly—>deliberately added
- Posted by BloggerPakistan is in a civil war. Its a hotbed of terrorists with islamic insurgents and close minded people. The moderates do not have a voice; with a fear for their life. Its not a civil society anymore. Will Pakistan become another Sudan? I dont think so… I think it already is!
- Posted by Jerry