Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Pakistan on the Brink
The news out of Pakistan grows ever more discouraging. It seems like the country is on the verge of falling into out and out civil war between theologues and those who support the semi-secular government.
From the suicide bombing yesterday, to riots in the streets; from threats, intimidation, harassment, even violence against women who do not conform to the most conservative interpretations of Islam to groups such as the Red Mosque students who have taken to patrolling the streets and a non-governmental morality police; from sectarian violence between Sunni, Shii, and Ahmedi Muslims to the repression of non-Muslim minorities -- no where is the news good.
Most troubling of all, is that the government seems either unwilling or unable to to anything about the situation. Rather than shutting down the Red Mosque group, their abduction of women and even police officers is giving a blind eye.
Unfortunately, it looks like the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better. Wish I could do something more than pray for the safety and sanity of that nation and its citizens. Wish I knew how the world can convince people that no end is worth killing other people. Not political power, not ideology, and most especially not religion, which must be genuine, from the heart to be of any value at all. ¶ 8:14 AM
From the suicide bombing yesterday, to riots in the streets; from threats, intimidation, harassment, even violence against women who do not conform to the most conservative interpretations of Islam to groups such as the Red Mosque students who have taken to patrolling the streets and a non-governmental morality police; from sectarian violence between Sunni, Shii, and Ahmedi Muslims to the repression of non-Muslim minorities -- no where is the news good.
Most troubling of all, is that the government seems either unwilling or unable to to anything about the situation. Rather than shutting down the Red Mosque group, their abduction of women and even police officers is giving a blind eye.
Unfortunately, it looks like the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better. Wish I could do something more than pray for the safety and sanity of that nation and its citizens. Wish I knew how the world can convince people that no end is worth killing other people. Not political power, not ideology, and most especially not religion, which must be genuine, from the heart to be of any value at all. ¶ 8:14 AM
