By: Tashbih Sayyed, Ph. D.
A killer earthquake struck Pakistan killing almost 40,000 people but could not jolt the Islamic republic out of its historical anti-Semitism since Pakistan snubbed Israel's offer of humanitarian aid. The snub endorsed the view that Pakistan's recent overtures toward Israel should not be taken as either a "historic breakthrough" or a "revolutionary breakthrough", but rather, as meaningless political rhetoric.
ZOA President Morton A. Klein said, "We are deeply disappointed by President Musharraf's snub of Israel's generous offer of aid. It seems to indicate that Pakistan's hatred of Jews is greater than their desire to save Pakistani lives. By this appalling action, Pakistan seems to refuse to acknowledge Israel's very existence as a state simply because it's filled with Jews. The only other country that has refused Israel's aid is Iran, which said at the time, 'The Islamic republic of Iran accepts all kinds of humanitarian aid from all countries and international organizations, with the exception of the Zionist regime.'
Pakistan government's reluctance to publicly accept assistance from Israel clearly shows the difficulties it faces in following through with what it believes to be in Pakistan's national interest. It also confirms what observers have long held that President Musharraf, despite his military uniform and US backing, still doesn't feel strong enough to challenge radical Islam's sway on more than 70% of Pakistan.
Experts find the military ruler responsible for the dilemma. They point out that despite his public statements against religious extremism, Musharraf, just like his predecessors, has never challenged the anti-American and anti-Semitic diatribes of Pakistan's religious and political leaders. The government's silence in the face of hate filled speeches and incitements against non-Muslims has not only encouraged the extremist state of mind but has also created the impression that the Pakistani government is not sincere in extinguishing the fires of religious terrorism.
It is not difficult to note that Musharraf has yet to use the elite moderation of urban areas to neutralize religious leadership on anti-West, anti-American and anti-Semitic issues. Musharraf is well aware of the existence of a significant number of people in the cities who fret at the possibility of Pakistan going Taliban way, who also hate the fascist nature of Wahhabism, but has not taken any steps to harness their anti-extremist energy against a very visible and bold radical establishment. Watching this procrastination, some experts have concluded that general Musharraf is not any different than the US backed "pro-West" rulers of the past who did nothing to nourish a healthy, enlightened and tolerant Pakistani popular mind.
Pakistan has always been ruled by individuals and regimes who claimed to be pro-Western and pro-American. But they could never find the nerve to challenge a religious leader's anti-American or anti-Semitic position or contradict his retrogressive teachings. None of the so-called moderate and progressive leaders had the honesty to sponsor an alternate forum to spread moderation and tolerance on a popular level. It was obvious that they all wanted to keep anti-Americanism going in order to use it as leverage against Washington.
Such dishonest rulers only helped in perpetuating a social and political culture that was based on double talk and shortsighted populism. Everyone took the short cut to be popular by adopting the most obvious rout of anti-Semitism. Even the media, which could have served as the watch dog or a protector of national conscience, found it easy and profitable to follow the popular trend instead of setting a new and correct one.
It is not difficult to discern for anyone with an access to the popular mind that there is no dearth of people who can challenge the religious bigots on each and every argument that they advance against the free world. It is also a fact that there are many in Pakistan who would like to take on the extremists on the issue of the U.S. and Israel. But they did not find anyone who could back them up. They only needed official backing and sponsorship just like the Islamic terrorists who have the backing of the Wahhabi establishment. Many city dwellers find it expedient to establish some kind of relationship with Tel Aviv.
But they are discouraged by the government's shaky position. Musharraf can use all these freedom loving individuals and groups to silence the extremists who are not only stoking the sectarian fires to burn the house down but are also pushing Pakistan towards a dark abyss.
General Pervez Musharraf took great pride in pointing out that the Islamist leadership could not bring out its followers on the streets to register their anger against the meeting of Pakistan and Israel's foreign ministers in Turkey. But according to knowledgeable circles the reality is entirely opposite. There has been a tacit agreement between the government and the religious establishment on keeping the free world guessing so that US aid continues to flow in.
Whereas the media and the popular leadership continued with their campaign of misguiding the masses, government of General Pervez Musharraf did not issued a single statement either to challenge the media that wrote, "A primary factor is that the Jewish state has long been an enemy of Pakistan. We had refused to accept Israel as a legal entity because it was illegally imposed upon Arab land by force by the United States. This exercise had resulted in the death of thousands of Palestinians and the expulsion of millions from their homes in what is the holy land."
The newspaper continued, "Pakistan's non-recognition cost it dearly as it invited the enmity of the powerful American Jewish community, which has a major stake in the US media, economy and politics. At the same time Tel Aviv became a staunch friend of India, benefiting it with much needed assistance in military hardware, training and supply of state of the art AWACs–Phantoms. The American Jewish community also heavily lobbied in favor of India in influencing US policies. The benefit we gained by opposing Israel was Arab gratitude that was translated into support on the Kashmir issue and economic help."
Qazi Hussein Ahmad, Chief of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI)' stated that Israel is using its diplomatic recognition to penetrate the Muslim states for the purposes of espionage and sabotage. The state's silence on such statements by those leaders who without any doubt command more respect and authority than a government that lacks the popular mandate, only goes to consolidate popular anti-Semitism and empowers anti-Americanism.
General Musharraf or any of his representatives did not respond to the lies and disinformation being spread by the chief of Pakistan's largest radical Islamist political party, the Jamaat Islami. Qazi Hussein Ahmad further stated that Jerusalem was not just an Arab issue but directly linked to the faith of every Muslim because it was the first 'Qibla' and the place from where Prophet Muhammad went to Mairaj (ascension to heavens). Pakistan government also chose to remain silent when the leader of one of the radical Islamist political parties making up the Islamic bloc in parliament (MMA) warned that no Arab ruler or army had the right to amend the concept of Jerusalem land which was declared as Islamic trust by the second caliph Umar.
It is imperative for President Musharraf to commit himself publicly on the side of truth and enlightened moderation by directing his government to reject and contradict all such statements that are based on manipulated history and reflect old prejudices. As a leader of an Islamic nuclear power that has always championed the Islamic causes, it is incumbent upon Pakistan to undo the injustices done to the civilization by autocratic Muslim rulers.
Muslims were only introduced to the city in 622 and that too because of the Jewish connection, when it was made the Qibla (direction of the prayers) of the Muslims which was later changed. But Jews are associated with Jerusalem for over three thousand years without any interruption. "They pray in its direction, mention its name constantly in prayers, close the Passover service with the wistful statement "Next year in Jerusalem," and recall the city in the blessing at the end of each meal." Also Jerusalem appears in the Jewish Bible 669 times and Zion 154 times.
Muslims must be informed that Palestine is simply a real estate issue created by Arab anti-Semites to keep the war of attrition against the Jewish State going.
Another thing that must me remembered is that Jerusalem as part of Israel will remain open to all those who honestly and sincerely believe in Abraham and his faith. People who did not hesitate in destroying the tomb of Joseph and do not feel any shame in preventing the faithful from worshipping at the Western wall cannot be given such a sacred trust.
President Musharraf's government must repudiate Qazi Hussein Ahmad's statement that presenting Palestine as a sole Arab issue was a heinous conspiracy of the imperialists and colonists, aimed at disintegrating the Muslims and shattering the concept of unity of Muslims. Pakistan must silence such ignorance; it is not the question of Palestine that has shattered the Muslim unity, it is the issue of Wahhabi terrorism that has been occupying the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. These holy places must be liberated and placed under an international Muslim authority. Also, it is not Palestine that is disintegrating Muslim Ummah, it is the Wahhabi insurgency that is murdering Muslims in Iraq.
Pakistan must condemn Sunni insurgency in Iraq that is going to breakup Iraq and cause thousands of more Muslim deaths. Islamabad must take note of statements such as of Munnawar Hasan, Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami, who said, "Whoever supports Israel supports tyranny and supports millions of Palestinians not coming back to their homes." Islamabad must categorically state that Palestinians do not have any right of return.
Without Pakistan government's sincere and honest campaign to introduce Muslims to the truth, radical Islam will always control the hearts and minds of the masses. And so long as Pakistan's popular mind remains anti-American there never will be any place for the Islamic State among the dignified comity of nations. It can begin the good work by accepting the humanitarian aid from Israel.
(The writer is editor-in-chief of Pakistan Today and Muslim World Today, California-based weekly newspapers, president of Council for Democracy and Tolerance and adjunct fellow of Hudson Institute.)
