Principles versus Pragmatism
With the reinstatement of the honorable Chief Justice, backed by the power of the people, a new chapter in Justice has opened in Pakistan. The courage of one man to say "no" to a dictator without fearing the consequences proves how being firm on principles pays off in the longer run than short-term gains offered by pragmatism.
The Chief Justice is back with a bang and just today a 5-member bench of the Supreme Court has issued arrest orders of local village elders in Jacobabad, Sindh. The case involves the inhuman and regressive "tradition" of handing over minor girls of a family to the victim's family in "compensation" for their injustices on the latter. Such practices have been going unchecked for the past 60 years and womens' rights champions such as Asma Jehangir and even Musharraf have done nothing more than lip service to protect people from such injustices.
For the first time in our history the Supreme Court is working with complete autonomy and not as a marrionette of the government. Now that the legislative body of law is independent and bold, it is only a matter of time that its executionary body - namely, the police - also becomes independent of societal and governmental pressures.
To the anti-Islam brigade on blogosphere: Let's see you comment on rulings such as these where the true face of Islam is presented. Or will you conveniently look away? Please take note that this change has come from within the Muslims and from people whose names you probably haven't ever heard. We have our problems and we have their solutions, too. All we ask from you is to stop meddling in our affairs - we can do without your unsolicited advices and stupid "roadmaps".
Now if our Pakistanis could muster enough courage to call the American bluff and give a big "fuck you" to their so-called "war on terror"...
The Chief Justice is back with a bang and just today a 5-member bench of the Supreme Court has issued arrest orders of local village elders in Jacobabad, Sindh. The case involves the inhuman and regressive "tradition" of handing over minor girls of a family to the victim's family in "compensation" for their injustices on the latter. Such practices have been going unchecked for the past 60 years and womens' rights champions such as Asma Jehangir and even Musharraf have done nothing more than lip service to protect people from such injustices.
For the first time in our history the Supreme Court is working with complete autonomy and not as a marrionette of the government. Now that the legislative body of law is independent and bold, it is only a matter of time that its executionary body - namely, the police - also becomes independent of societal and governmental pressures.
To the anti-Islam brigade on blogosphere: Let's see you comment on rulings such as these where the true face of Islam is presented. Or will you conveniently look away? Please take note that this change has come from within the Muslims and from people whose names you probably haven't ever heard. We have our problems and we have their solutions, too. All we ask from you is to stop meddling in our affairs - we can do without your unsolicited advices and stupid "roadmaps".
Now if our Pakistanis could muster enough courage to call the American bluff and give a big "fuck you" to their so-called "war on terror"...
posted by al-republican at 3:11 PM
7 Comments:
ha
lets see if they can carry on and sustain this throne of justice or was this just a mere publicity stunt?
AD
Mmmh – I am certainly not a member of the anti Islam brigade on the UAE blogosphere, but would like to ask you for a little more patience with those that have misunderstood this conceptual, ideological and philosophical debate.
Just a simple example to get my point across:
My mum ask me yesterday why Muslims are not doing anything about all those hideous crimes committed in the name of Islam and my response was simple: How do you know? Well, everyone knows the answer to that question: “The media did not report anything like this!” In this case of course the Western media! (just like the other side likes to portray the opposite picture of the “terrible Westerner”). I ask her to google this question on the Web and miraculously she found that there are many Islamic scholars who condemn those crimes, just as much as we do only it is not fashionable theses days to spread those insides around.
I believe, I already clearly demonstrated in several of my comments that I fully agree with you that all those so called “humanitarian interventions” as a result of the “Responsibility to Protect” need some urgent “ethical updating” from the West and that change always has to be endemic, in other words we should stop meddling in your affairs. So far, so good, but when it comes to research in order to achieve sustainable development and human security we should urgently participate a little bit more, to find the appropriate responses . I don’t want to make this another long post, but think about it Al-Rep – is it ethical and/or Islamic to allow people to starve or to face future difficulties because some anti Western sentiment prevents you from cooperation?
Don’t you for example (and your parents in the past) help another ethical group to develop and maintain a status quo that without the presence of the global community would instantly face anarchy and chaos?
Can we not all benefit from our combined knowledge? Certainly all this should be a little more honest, but preferably with some more principles and less pragmatism from both sides …
Personally, I would rather ask our politicians maybe to listen for a change what some radical groups have to say, instead of spreading even more weapons across the globe – but that is just me …
Sevensummits:
I agree with your views cent per cent. I do understand that the West and the Muslim World need to work together on a number of matters such as those that you highlight.
However, this is easier said than done. What you refer to is pretty much the underlying motives for having a global institution such as the UN. But, you can see how even with such common interests and the utilitarian good of mankind is secondary and the powerful dictate terms.
As for suicide bombings, I have made my stance very clear on SD's blog. There is NO WAY to stem this phenomenon EXCEPT for political dialogue and resolution of geo-political disputes. No one can be brainwashed to blow himself/herself up. Humans take this decision as a result of political deprivation and marginalization.
The only sure way to stop these things is to solve these political disputes, but think about it for a second: Do you really think the UK, US or the West in general is serious about solving the Palestinian problem?? The (mis)adventures in Afghanistan and Iraq are clear proof that there are ulterior motives and that a segment of the Western World has designs to re-shape our part of the World. These days they are pretty candid about it, too!
My suggestion is that the Muslim World disengages from this crazy "war on terror". There is no such thing and such a war is only complicating matters even more.
Whether scholars condemn terrorism or not is immaterial here. Even if there are zero scholars who condone suicide bombing, the fact is that injustices such as occupation will breed terrorism and more suicide bombers.
Wow, Al Rep, you never cease to amaze me! :- )
There is no doubt that we fully agree in almost every respect and trust me that my previous old professor and mentor, who considers me a “conservative hardliner” would just love to have a discussion with you. He held a lecture and wrote a paper (very sadly only in German –he is old and thank God the world has now finally agreed that a global scientific language can add to our communication) on this Palestinian issue and you would really enjoy reading his work. The word for word translation of the title into English would sound like “Terror is the expedient of the powerless (or utterly helpless)”, but in German it sounds a lot more to the point.
Of course this entire dilemma is based on filthy Western politics and we can witness those “double standards” in respect to the rest of the world as well. If you should ever feel like reading an entertaining book on international development and the uselessness of “planners” have a go at William Easterly’s “The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good.”
It is a simple and satirical read that everyone can enjoy, which of course instantly received some criticism from Prof. Amartya Sen
(I actually know him and am not surprised that he opposes something so pragmatic, simple and down to earth :- ) )
Just think about us conveniently ignoring HR violations in Russia, China and of course the UAE – just for economical interests. [We will always find some small poor state to point a finger at!] Well UN – mmmhhh – I have to be careful not to start bashing the h*** out of this institution and somehow I can even agree with Nick in this respect! (Contrary to this, my previous prof just loves them, obviously because he is a professor of international law, as well as being a political scientist.) Well agreed that they are somewhat the legitimate global voice, but then why is there an “illegal war” going on? (ah yes, now we call it civil war - I almost forgot!) Well, I certainly have my doubts about at least their efficiency and here is a humorous article entitled
“Why the UN sucks”
Afghanistan – my temper is rising ….. grrr - better not!
The only issue that we will never agree upon are your objections in respect to cross-religious/ cross-cultural partnerships and it is still beyond my scope of understanding why someone so educated as you can find any logical reasoning in this standpoint.
Got to worry about the tragedy in Peru now!
Cheers and good night …. :- )
Assalam Alaykum
Good blog.
Sadly enough, it is our own leaders of the Muslim/Arab World who are silent and won't condemn the 'War of Terror' and some have the audacity to support them instead.
Veiled Muslimah:
wa alaykum as-salam
Thanks for the appreciation. Please do keep visiting.
"firm on principles"
Apparently before the current CJ came in, 2 of them resigned before because they refused to change the Constitution, which the current CJ agreed to do. Justice? Principles?
Musharraf has brought more prosperity to the country than before: education, peace. Making changes in such a vast country is a tough job, he can't win in every field.
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