The Place of Debate

An article from Dawn has informed us that the level of questioning in Pakistan has risen from zero to very high.

When state officials encourage debate, it appears that Pakistan is well on its way to solving its highly dogmatic foreign policy and other evils of obscurantism. Chowk has since inception argued that debate and discussion are the only means to solve various social and political problems.

The article in question is reproduced here. Chowkwalas are welcome to debate.

"State survival should guide foreign policy, says official"

KARACHI, Feb 2: Foreign policy and religion have to be differentiated and the guiding principle has to be security and territorial integrity of the state that guarantees political and economic well-being and freedom of beliefs to all its people.

This was stated by director-general of the Pakistan Foreign Policy Academy, Mansoor Alam, while speaking on "Foreign policy and religion" at the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs on Saturday.

Mr Alam raised fundamental questions on the raison d'etre for Pakistan and whether religion alone could be the ideal tool for advancing one's interests at this point of time.

He did not believe that secularism was something anti-thesis of Islam. In fact, it was embedded in the holy Quran which teaches tolerance and not to impose one's views on others.

He said prolonged ignorance and failure of the Muslim societies to seek knowledge, to reason, investigate and explore, which had been their hallmark, was responsible for such a misplaced perception.

At the very outset he said although Pakistan was created in the name of Islam, it was not to be a theocratic state, rather a modern, progressive and secular state. In this context, he relied upon the oft-repeated Sept 11, 1947, speech of the Quaid-i-Azam in the constituent assembly.

He said the other view was that Pakistan has to be an Islamic state because if the contrary contention was accepted, what was the need for creating Pakistan? In this context, he cited a passage from Maulana Maudoodi's Khilafat aur Malookiat in which, according to the DG, emphasis was on ideological state.

He recalled the Islamization process during the tenure of Gen Ziaul Haq who took various steps with regard to the introduction of Zakat, Hudood Ordinance, who established Shariat Court, brought in blasphemy laws and separate electorate. He was supported by the religious parties.

Referring to the various sects in Islam, he also referred to the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan where they preached their own version of Islam. He said that from the unfolding events, it appeared that the Taliban and Al Qaeda had a bigger agenda.

On the government policy of recognizing the Taliban regime, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Mr Alam said this policy was primarily dictated by geo-strategic compulsions and not because Pakistan subscribed to their ideas.

He was of the view that after Sept 11, when the religious parties tried to rally the Muslims in the aftermath of the US-led coalition's attacks on Afghanistan, on the pretext that in fact Islam was being attacked by the West, not many people came out and the overwhelming number of people stayed at homes.

About the fundamental question whether "we prefer state or religion," Mr Alam said Islam lays emphasis on pragmatism. He cited from the Quran the exceptions in which even the forbidden pig meat could be eaten.

The basic and what many viewed as the most controversial question was that is it right to endanger the state for the sake of ideology?

In this context, he said if after Sept 11 Pakistan would have continued to support the Taliban, it would have been declared supporter of terrorism and the US-led coalition would have attacked Pakistan which could have had most devastating consequences for the state itself. He asked the question what could have been the prudent step...to stick to ideological moorings and get destroyed or to survive as progressive state guaranteeing political and economic independence of its people.

He also referred to the misconception about the concept of jihad in Islam and said it does not mean indulging in acts of terrorism. He asked whether it was possible to continue jihad whether one has the capability or not. This was a clear reference to the indebted economy of the country which had denied freedom of choice to the government.

On the question of making Pakistan an Islamic state, Mansoor Alam asked which brand of Islam. He also referred to the polarisation that emerged among the Muslims after the Prophet (PBUH). He referred to assassinations of Caliphs, battles of Jamal and Siffin. He said such a polarisation perverted Islamic society which became averse to new ideas.

Referring to the existence of various Muslims states, having history of conflicts, Mansoor Alam was of the view that in such a situation to make Islam the guiding principle of foreign policy and state policy becomes a difficult proposition in the age of differing political and social dispensation.

The DG emphasised the need for giving priority to education and freedom of speech and democracy. He also believed that the people have to take the risk of raising fundamental questions about the Quran.

He said there was also a need for debating on the concept of secularism, whether it is contrary to Islamic teachings and concept?

In view of the different shades of beliefs, secularism becomes need of a society, he said.