Scorching heat, Ramadan and
Pakistani minorities
ISLAMABAD:
Islamic Republic of Pakistan, a Muslim dominated country, where, it is imposed
to respect Islam and if any one talk about its force imposition, it can be
consider as blasphemy. Minorities of the country are already living under the 24/7
threats and being dealt as second class citizen. Many people are being indulged
in blasphemy laws and thousands have been facing such an insulting environment that
made their life hell. Discrimination and hate are daily routine matters, at
work place, public place, eating place and other areas. Though protection is
given in the constitutions but ground realities are different.
This
evening, when every Muslim was greeting each others for the blessings of Ramadan,
I was thinking about the minorities of Pakistan because willing or unwillingly,
minorities’ living in Pakistan have to fast with their fellow Muslims, means law
of the country force everyone to go hungry during the month of
Ramadan. In Pakistan, it is unlawful to drink, eat or smoke in public places during Ramadan. You can be sent to jail, heavily fined or may even be beaten by vigilantes. Its peak heat wave in Pakistan during June, with temperatures rises in the different regions routinely around 40 and above degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) and days at their longest of the year, governments are trying to alleviate the hardships of the month long sunrise-to-sunrise fast.
Ramadan. In Pakistan, it is unlawful to drink, eat or smoke in public places during Ramadan. You can be sent to jail, heavily fined or may even be beaten by vigilantes. Its peak heat wave in Pakistan during June, with temperatures rises in the different regions routinely around 40 and above degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) and days at their longest of the year, governments are trying to alleviate the hardships of the month long sunrise-to-sunrise fast.
Last
year, a brutal heat wave killed dozens of people in Pakistan. Many of them died
of dehydration while fasting in sweltering temperatures. Even then the respect
of Ramadan is mandatory for all citizens of Pakistan.
During
the military dictator Zia ul Haq Ehtiram-e-Ramadan (Respect of Ramadan) bill
was imposed that prescribes punishments of up to three months in jail and a
fine for people who drink or eat publicly. According to the tenets of Islam, is
under an obligation to fast shall not eat, drink or smoke in a public place
during fasting hours in the month of Ramadan, the law says.
Nearly
every restaurant is closed from dawn to dusk, and shopkeeper can only sell take
away food items. And if you are hungry
or thirsty the only place for you is home. At offices, public and private
places are not allowed to eat.
Basharat
Khokher, social activist said that the law is inhuman and violates the
fundamental human rights. Those who want to fast have the right to do so, but
those who don’t want to fast have equal rights. I am religious and respect
Ramadan, but it also is not intended to make you sick or put you in danger. Sometimes
it’s so hot, that we can’t touch the metal poles on the scaffolding without
gloves. A laborer cannot work in these conditions without water, he added.
“We
cannot allow the liberal people to secularize our country, our society,” said Omar
Bhatti, a student of Islamic research. “The respect of Ramadan is mandatory for
all citizens of Pakistan. There can’t be any compromise on it.” As for
religious minorities; they live in an Islamic country and must have to obey its
rules.”
Those
who do not fast should behave as if they are fasting, Qari Abdul Qadir, a
cleric said. “Non-Muslims and elderly or sick Muslims can eat but they should
show respect for fasting Muslims and avoid eating or drinking openly” he said.
With
the growth of Islamic outfits such as Taliban and it’s representation in the
region, situation have become worse in the past years. Religious extremism and
intolerance are on the rise in this region. Now even hospital cafeterias and
bus stands don’t serve food during Ramadan. And if someone found around eating
or drinking might accuse of blasphemy.
Maryam
Khushi, a beautician, said forget about Ramadan, I have to be careful about
what I do in public throughout the year. What I say, what I wear. People become
more pious during Ramadan and I have to be more careful, she added.
Ramzan
Qadir, a liberal Muslim in Islamabad, said respect needs to be two-way street. “If
the religious people can’t respect my rights, I am not ready to respect theirs.
It is simple as that he told. “And when these people go to Europe and the US,
they insist on their rights. They protest against veil ban in France, but they
don’t allow Christians in Pakistan to live freely. I found it hypocritical.
The
tiny liberal community in the country is not powerful enough to challenge the
Islamic laws. Occasionally observed, it is not just involving Ramadan, fanatic
Muslims have taken law into their hands and had punished Christians and Hindus
for a perceived lack of respect of Islam. In either case, minorities of
Pakistan have to respect Ramadan.