Secular Muslims unite or else?
Our mutual friend Jawaid Chaudhry (Virk) informs us that the term 'Muslim' embodies all the
attributes of secular thought, speech, and action.
He may be right, if we
listen to what he's saying.
Interpretations that
twist the meaning of the word 'Muslim' this way and that, he informs us,
deflect us into a hundred different directions so that, either through our
inherent "intellectual dishonesty" or through what he simply
calls ignorance, many of us cannot see the truth of a thing for what it is.
In the light of what he
has suggested, my question needs to be re-worded as follows: Is it possible
for such a secularly-minded 'Muslim' citizen of the world to continue to
remain fundamentally nationalistic and patriotic to the ideals of Pakistanism?
A tough question,
perhaps, but the latest news from
Prime Minister John
Howard has told Muslims [of the non-secular variety] who want to live under
Islamic sharia law to "get out of
His message is crystal
clear: Adapt or leave.
"I am tired of this
nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their
culture," he said in his no-nonsense speech.
"We speak mainly
ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any
other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn
the language!" he said, adding:
"This is OUR
COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every
opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining,
and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way
of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great
Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'."
Rashid Mughal