Talha Qadir,
Political science
I feel pity and sad for the people who subscribed to the above titled argument. Wait; even an argument? I used the words ‘sad’ and ‘pity’ purposely.
I will have to concede that Mehwish reacted in a very principled and appropriate manner over this situation. The advocates of the titled inference claim being Muslims. And I hope, they didn’t fail to remember:
“And those who accuse chaste women and then do not produce four witnesses – lash them with eighty lashes and do not accept from them testimony ever after. And those are the defiantly disobedient” (SURAH NOOR, AYAT # 4)
“And those who harm believing men and believing women for [something] other than what they have earned have certainly born upon themselves a slander and manifest sin.” (SURAH AL-AHZAB, AYAT # 58)
Thus in Islam, accusing someone is extremely sensitive and burdensome issue. This religion demands special investigation and strong honest belief (capable of being proved) even for accusing someone. Moreover, if someone commits theft, it doesn’t make you entitled to call him murderer or rapist. As his theft can’t be justified, similarly someone accusing him of the murder without investigation, just because he is a thief, can never be justified. Absolutely never!
After stating my clear position on the issue of her character assassination, let’s accept Mehwish’s proposal (stated in her latest tweets) of discussing the merits of her award. Even being extremely occupied these days, I couldn’t resist writing on this particular issue. May be because this decision was not only political one but also social one. Note for the poor liberals, as I expect getting messages and emails after this publication as usual, I will not present my opinion but some basic philosophical principles and logical arguments.
Artists are the assets of a nation. No doubt. But if any kind of art breaches/violates any moral principle or obligation, it is discouraged or even stopped. For example, if in England, any person’s art breaches anyone’s right to enjoy life or any other right, not only that art will be discouraged and stopped but also be punished. Similarly the religion Islam demands certain moralities to be fulfilled on individual and societal level, while determining right and wrong.
Without going into deep interpretive debate, relying on unanimous (bare minimum) requirement as per almost all renowned scholars of Islam, Mehwish acting (at various instances) and dances were clear cut violation of required conduct in Islam.
Now, the addresses are the Muslims, I feel contemplative on government’s decision of giving her the dignified award of “Tamgha-e-Imtia”. Instead of discouraging her shameful acts, by awarding her “Tamgha-e-Imtiaz”, government has encouraged her course of conduct. Pathetic! What has the government of Islamic Republic of Pakistan given the message and gesture to the innocent masses, particularly youth? Where, as a Muslim society, are we moving? Our biggest problem, as a society, is intellectual colonization, which I maintain again and again.
Now addressees are the non-Muslim world, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has 95 -98 % of the Muslim population. If you have the right to determine your standards of moralities and if you accept everyone’s right to follow religion freely, you shouldn’t look down upon us, if we maintain the above stated position, in the name of your defined artistic and moral standards. Absolutely, not!
We need to progress in religion intellectually. We need to decolonize our thought process, about which I will publish my book soon. We, the Muslim world, need periods of reformation and enlightenment. We need to present our case in front of the non-Muslim world in their language and method. We need to understand some basic philosophical requirements of being Muslims at individual and societal level. I hope this article will not hurt the feelings of poor liberals, who feel insecure and out of logical square as soon as they hear the word Islam. I have merely presented some basic philosophical principles in the form of arguments. Good luck!
