By: Zainab Bashir
Approximately Shia comprise 10% to 15% of the population in Pakistan, their belief system differs in many ways from Sunni Muslims for example the way of offering prayers, the way of performing ‘Wazu’ (ablution) most importantly they claim to be the follower of Imam Ali after the death of the last prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). They recognize the line of Imam-e-Ali who is the son-in-law of the last prophet (P.B.U.H)
One of the activists who belong to the Shia sect has the following words to say about the violence they have been facing over decades in the country
“We have contributed so much, to Pakistan and we are treated like animals. At least animals are killed for food, why are we killed?”
According to various reports Shias have been facing mistreatment and are being murdered by the extremist groups on the grounds of their practices following Imam-e-Ali. Around 700 Shias were brutally murdered in 2013 in the form of target killings.
The Constitution of Pakistan provides protection to minority groups to practice their religion, it also prohibits discrimination among people on the grounds of the sect, a group they belong to. The question is unanswered for the last many years that who is responsible of all the grenda attacks and target killing of Shias. Some of the suicide attacks against Shias that took place in the year 2013 were in Quetta Balochistan, 10 January where 91 were killed and almost 190 were injured as a result of the suicide bombing in Alamdar Road. A Bazar near Hazara Town in the same year was targeted in February in city Quetta where the incident took place because of a remote-controlled bomb attack on Shia community as a result 110 people were killed and 200 were injured.
According to the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, “The people who were attacked in the year 2013 rose 19% as compared to the last year, militants carried out 1,717 attacks, killing, 2,451 people and injuring 5,438 people” The institute further highlighted that 46 suicide attacks took place in 2013. Increasing level to 39% from the previous year.
The word “Munafaqeen” means any believer who claims to be a Muslim but spreads discord. Shias are familiar with this word because they are being killed under this specific word, but the question here arises is why is that so? They claim to follow the same God as other Muslims do, they have a firm belief in the last prophet (P.B.U.H) then who is responsible for the fear they live in each second of their life, they offer their prayers in Imam Bargha’s in terror. In some cases they are being charged under blasphemy laws, blasphemy is a capital offense in Pakistan. Often the Shia scholars are also subject of target killings as they are declared heretics, disbelievers. This is a repeated story from years now, an incident took place on 4th March, Friday in the north-western Peshawar, the suicide attack took place inside the Shia mosque and as a result 56 innocent were killed. The Friday prayers were being held when the incident happened and almost 190 are injured. Some of them are extremely in critical condition. Two of the policemen were fired by a man and then he entered the mosque to target it from inside, he set off the explosives on him.
“Thousands have been killed, many of them Shia Muslims, in sectarian violence in Pakistan” according to Human Rights Watch and other monitoring groups”
Shooting and explosions in the most crowded areas where Shias are gathered is just another common story now. One of the men named Sardar Hussain, lost three of his relatives in the attack and he also mentioned that the mosque which is targeted was the only worship place of the Shia community in Peshawar’s old city. Targeting worship places, Imam Bargas is a heinous crime. The question here is why the incidents against a specific sect have become an ignorant issue. Not for the first time the sect has suffered terrorist or sectarian violence in the country.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned the suicide blast, the commission also issued a statement that the target of assault was clearly the Shia community as the incident happened inside the shia mosque. We belong to Religion which promotes peace among people, no matter what cast they belong to no matter what class they have, gender, race etc. Everyone is equal in the eye of Allah.
The Right to Life is a basic right and respect of human life is laid down in Quran (the book of guidance) in the following words;
“Whoever kills a human being without (any reasons like) man slaughter, or corruption on earth it is as though he had killed all mankind” (5:32)
The religion Islam clearly prohibits the killing of another human on the basis of his belief.
We must condemn Shia killings in the country no matter whatever their beliefs are, they belong to the religion Islam, follow the last Prophet (P.B.U.H) and obey the guidance provided in Quran. Rest in peace and power to the Shaheeds of this country who were attacked in Peshawar while offering Jummah (the Friday prayer).
The writer is a law student and works with ‘The Dayspring’, she writes on taboo issues and has been part of campaigns for women’s rights. She can be reached at [email protected]