Good Bye Taseer, Good Bye Liberalism

Very usual trend in Pakistan that is followed by politicians, media and now I am following the same; exploring a personality after his demise.

Salman Taseer was not an ordinary name. Born in 1946 and assassinated in 2011, the man left behind a lot of controversies to resolve. Belonging to the family of literates and great thinkers, and he himself was an intellectual who always had a different and outstanding opinion on controversial issues that lead him to success in business world but unfortunately many enemies in his political career.

The story started from Meher Bukhari’s show at Samaa Television. Salman Taseer was interviewed and there he declared his support to Asia Bibi, the lady who was sentenced to death by Court under Blasphemy Law. That was another controversy which I am not and don’t even want to discuss here.

Salman Taseer was a blunt speaker who always commented openly and straight forwardly on various issues either political or religious. His was a frequent user of Twitter, an emerging social networking tool, to give his personal opinion about different issues. This was and is another reason of his huge followership.

Salman Taseer lived the life of controversy and died leading to many more. In his life many political and religious leaders had issues not only with his open statement, but also with his western influenced lifestyles, the family’s way of celebrating weekends and parties (which is very common even in religious leaders though) and most importantly with the soft corner in his heart for non-muslims and Ahmedis specifically.

Jan 4, 2011 in Islamabad near his house in F-6, he was assassinated by an armed guard who shot him 27 bullets using AK-47. I was shocked at the brutal and insane killing of a human and a leader this way just in the name of Love for Messenger who himself said “killing one human is killing whole humanity”. But that was not it, the response from Ummah of Beloved Prophet (P.B.U.H) was even more insane and showed their insensitivity.

A huge sms campaign started right away, congratulating each other on his death. The notifications of early closure officers brought cheer for them; everybody was busy spreading messages of vacancy for the post of Governor of Punjab. The so called “Ulemas” whom this nation follows blindly asked people not to spread regrets and express sympathies on his assassination. Not only this, the other day many refuse to offer his Namaz-e-Jinaza. According to them, “Those favoring the person indulged in blasphemy are themselves blasphemous, they announced. Paying glowing tributes to Malik Mumtaz Hussain, and his courage, who killed Governor Salman Taseer, they said he is lover of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and is a ‘Ghazi’. Mumtaz had revived the 14-century-old tradition of Islam and put their head high in pride. It was only Prophet (PBUH) who could forgive any act of blasphemy but none other could ever do it”

After reading this, I am feeling ashamed of myself, calling myself and feeling myself part of this land, part of this group of people. I am a Muslim but unfortunately neither Quran, nor my parents or teachers taught me these definitions of being a Good Muslim. I belong to the religion who spread the message of peace not only among muslims but in the overall humanity. Please tell me one thing today - I don’t belong to this community, or these people