Attempting to find an answer to this question, Taseer sets off on a personal pilgrimage through the Islamic world. Starting in the fiercely secular Turkey, where many Islamic religious practices are forbidden by law, he makes his way slowly to Pakistan via Syria, Saudi Arabia - where he travels to Mecca - and finally the nominally Islamic state of Iran. Through conversations with various people, and his observations of life in each country, it becomes clear that there is no set answer. In Turkey he meets young men who dream about a world where everyone is ruled by Islam because it is the only faith which can tell you how to live properly. In Syria he sees how that dream is being actualized by a regime with its own political agenda and not above cynically manipulating people.
By offering people a version of the world free of all contradictions and questions, a world in which there is only one "truth," they can control them with the help of a compliant clergy. In Abu Nour, a centre for international students in Damascus, people come from all over the world to learn Arabic and take classes in Islamic studies. However sermons in the mosque include distorted views of history designed to depict Muslims as being persecuted throughout the ages and work up antagonism against an enemy simply referred to as the West. The result is the creation of a world that exists in isolation designed to equate being Islamic as a supporter of the Syrian government and any who oppose Syria are enemies of Islam.
When the book shifts to Iran the depiction Taseer offers is no different than any other description you've read of people living under any totalitarian regime. Here he finds that Islam is being used to harass people over trivialities, like the length of their shirt sleeves, in order for an insecure government to exert control over them. In fact in what is supposedly an Islamic republic where you'd expect to be able to find answers as to what is a Muslim, there is even less chance of discovering that here than anywhere else. For, as a university professor he meets puts it, "People were very connected to religion even though the government was not religious. But now the government is religious most people want to get away from religion... It is very hard for me to say I am a Muslim."
Article comments
1 - Christy Corp-Minamiji
And yet another book to add to my "I want" list. Nice review.
2 - John Lake
In the past and even today in many parts of the world, religion is the fundamental issue. This is true, in fact, in many parts of the United States. In remote areas, atrocities are being committed in the name of religion. The Muslim religion seems to answer many questions, and to give guidance to people, but young people today are beginning to think, perhaps rightfully so, that any religion is in fact flawed; any irrational belief is counter- productive to rational pragmatism. Every society must give its members reason beyond law to behave in a socially acceptable manner. Given only the law, many would see no reason not to follow their personal greed, or lasciviousness, to the destruction of that society. So, we have an impasse. If we are being constantly watched by an all-powerful figure, capable of reward, or punishment, we will comply, and yes, the world will be better for it.
But this dream of a better world has been tinged and tainted. Many with little else to live for try to expand these religious ideas to fill the hours and years of their lives. Personal drives become a factor and, over generations, the zealots begin to see this supreme judge actually wanting them to do things destructive to all society. Superior people, who have devoted more time to their study of religion, feel they must force their beliefs on others.
In any case, I have seriously digressed. My purpose here is and was to address the changes taking place in Pakistan. A religious person assumes that the changes are hinged on belief and idealism. A more pragmatic person may suspect an economic motivation. If I were to undertake to criticize the Pakistanis, I would look for an economic issue. I would involve the American Secretary of State, and her overwhelming belief that money will solve all the problems of the world. She gives away millions of dollars of more, and bitterly accuses those accepting her money of wanting still more. It wouldn’t be surprising if that very money were at the core of the current upheavals.
I don’t have enough insight into the world of Pakistan to create an intelligible article. Perhaps you do. If someone could outline some of the crucial issues, it would be a meaningful step in their resolution.
I might apologize for my long-windedness. I am hopeful that someone can give a clear, rational explanation or interpretation of the ongoing developments in Pakistan.