West karay tou saala, character dheela hai !
It’s not the first time, and definitely, not the last time, when Chinese govt. is tightening the screws on Muslim population of this region. What’s surprising though, is the reaction of Islamic political parties in Pakistan on this issue.
Chinese imams forced to dance in Xinjiang region, Onislam– 10 February 2015
I am not surprised at all when I saw above mentioned news because I have been following developments in Xinjiang region. It’s not the first time, and definitely, not the last time, when Chinese govt. is tightening the screws on Muslim population of this region. What’s surprising though, is the reaction of Islamic political parties in Pakistan on this issue. JUI, JUP, JI, etc. have been playing mute and dumb on such news coming from China and it seems that they have either decided themselves or are being told not to take serious action against Islamophobia as long as it is not connected to ever-maligned West.
Even in 2014, Chinese govt. barred Muslim population of same region from observing fasting and it is highly doubtful that this ban will be removed this year. Just imagine if such ban was imposed in US or any European country, I bet, you would have seen huge protests concluding at a rash clash with law enforcing agencies at the embassy of that Western country. There will be fiery speeches enticing attendees to get ready to burn the oppressive country to ground. Muslim brotherhood would have been highlighted through Iqbal’s poetry. Govt. will be labeled as Anti-Islam and rebelling against such regime will be declared as duty of every Muslim living in Pakistan in the name of Muslim brotherhood.
However, what we have is complete silence, utter inactivity and total don’t-care attitude. I don’t have any other words to describe all this as nothing but hypocrisy. Let alone declaring Jihad against China, there is not even a single call of expelling Chinese ambassador in Pakistan. Given their strong stance for Islam and Muslims, Islamic political parties should have at least called for boycotting Chinese products but it seems that I am expecting too much sincerity from JUI, JI, etc. This dual standard of these parties put a big question mark about the principles they preach and ideas they propagate. Even highly respected JI leader, Siraj ul Haq, didn’t have enough courage (or permission) to even throw some sympathetic words toward Xinjiang Muslims. It seems that they are living up to their reputation of using Islam where it suits them.
Frankly speaking, these Islamic parties feed on anti-American sentiment and treat China as a substitute. Ispo facto, it is not possible for them to highlight Chinese govt. oppression as it will hurt the idea of China being a perfect substitute to USA. As soon as they start highlighting Islamophobia in China and accuse Chinese govt. of being kaafir, they will start losing their vote bank as well. So, if you are good with hypocritical democratic politics with Islamic flavor, this all goes perfectly right with the script. But if you are not, you will end up with frustration, like me.
For those who are thinking that I am making up a whole case from single news, here is another for you, this time from Tajikistan.
Tajikistan: No Hajj, No Hijab, and Shave Your Beard – The Diplomat, 17 April 2015