The extremist,
fundamentalist, fanatic and terrorist have once again proven that they will
target anything that comes in their way, and they care least for shedding blood
of innocent people – even if it is of an innocent 14-year-old girl.
The
news about the terrorist attack on a school van, which left three school girls
injured, among whom was Malala Yousafzai, in Swat, Pakistan, spread like
wildfire. This incident of target killing was one of the worst of its kind.
This attack is widely being condemned.
The
attack was inhuman, cruel, brutal, satanic, vicious and barbaric. And those who
did it are being called humans. I wonder if they have a heart, and if it was
beating when they were fulfilling their vicious intentions.
We
condemn this attack unreservedly and categorically; violence has no
justification at all. Violence must be rejected and condemned unreservedly.
These
terrorists hold a mentality that they have every right to enforce their
ideology on others, and for that they are using guns, weapons and bombs. They
find some vulnerable and illiterate children and then brainwash them, showing
them beautiful gardens of heavens, and that they will be welcomed by angels and
will become very close to the Almighty God.
Malala
Yousafzai won international recognition for highlighting Taliban atrocities in
Swat through writing a diary for the BBC three years ago, when militants and
hardliners destroyed girls’ schools in the area claiming that it is non-Islamic
to send girls to school. And they threatened that if people will not abide by
their principles, they should become ready to face harsh circumstances.
During
those difficult and hard days, she stood up and started writing with her pen
name. Her biggest concern was the ban on education, and she decided to raise
her voice against this grave injustice. She describes those days as a ‘bad
dream’.
After
the military operation in Swat, and when the situation ameliorated, she started
a scheme for the education of women and for that she also gave interviews on
television. And she was seen as a hope for the better. She also expressed that
she will work for the education of women and to achieve that goal she will do
her utmost and will leave no stone unturned.
In
2011, she received the first national peace award from the government of
Pakistan, and was also nominated for the International Children’s Peace Prize
by advocacy group Kids Rights Foundation.
Malala
is recognised as ambassador of peace and as a symbol of bravery and
determination. She was the voice for all those who wished to carry on with
their education, she stood against the atrocities and resisted the compulsion
of extremists. She fought them with her power of pen, instead of weapons. She
took a bold stance in the line of fire, and didn’t care for her life.
I
firmly believe all this, and Malala’s story is clear evidence that the
extremist mindset needs to be changed, and this kind of ideology should be
discarded by society. And for this change, the candle of education which was
lit by Malala should be kept illuminated. Education, a non-violent approach,
true interpretation of religion, and a united action and battle against this
mindset is very crucial and has become a need of the time.
All
the stakeholders should join for this noble cause. The responsibility also lies
on the shoulders of religious leaders and representatives who should stand up
and speak loud and clear against this mindset and show the true face of
religion. Do not let these people use the name of religion for their inhuman
atrocities. This element of violence and hatred should be nipped in the bud.
Killing
any human being is a grave crime; it is terrorism, it is barbarism and inhuman
– every religion, society and good-natured person condemns it. These terrorists
are using the name of Islam, but in reality Islam does not teach such
atrocities. Islam categorically rejects and condemns every form of
terrorism. It does not provide any cover or justification for any act of
violence, be it committed by an individual, a group or a government. These
terrorist acts have nothing to do with Islam or humanity. These people are the
worst enemies of Islam and mankind.
The
Holy Quran states:
“Whosoever
killed a person... it shall be as if he had killed all mankind; and who so gave
life to one, it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind.” (5:33)
I
think these so-called Muslims should also read the Farewell Address of the Holy
Prophet Muhammad, when he stood before a large gathering of Muslims and said;
“God has made the lives, property and honour of every man sacred.”
I
want to convey my message to such mindsets that swords can win
territories, not hearts. Force can bend heads, not minds. To win hearts,
this violent ideology must stop.
Malala
is in hospital and is in a very critical condition. We hope and pray for her
speedy recovery and to regain complete health. May she get well soon. Long live
Malala – the ambassador of peace and symbol of bravery.
No comments:
Post a Comment