TO some there is no need for a comparison to be made - these apologists point to all kinds of differences, but ignore the basic similarity, individuals and groups motivated by an ideology arising from a particular area of the world, from a particular country, from a particular religious ideology - and of course the most basic, the justification of terrorism based on the religious quality of that ideology.
You mean 'Islam'? Because outside of the AQ, I don't see 'Arabi's' bombing schools and police stations, which, in Pakistan, the TTP and associated Pakistani groups have done far more than AQ.
It is even more important for Pakistanis, than it was for Americans, to define clearly, who and what they are and who and what they are not - even more important for Pakistanis to define what is good, what is bad, what is right and what is wrong - OR be prepared for a whole lot more "shaheeds" as our admin call them.
It is important to define what we face and who we face, and it is 'US' (as in we, not the country), not some 'Arabi bogeyman'. And to facing our indigenous demons involves addressing several socio-economic and cultural issues and clearly defining the values we wish to live by as a nation - 'outsourcing' blame and creating external bogeymen to vilify does not address the problem. The Barelvi's oppose the Taliban and, by extension, the 'Deobandi/Wahabi ishtyle of Islam', but that does not stop them from advocating in favor of Blasphemy laws and promoting violence and intolerance against those that disagree with them. No Arabi bogeyman is going to stop 'rape by Jirga' and discrimination and denigration of women in our society - these are issues that Pakistanis have to think about and determine where they stand on them, both from a religious and cultural perspective.
You don't go into a debate and argue that something is wrong because XYZ practices it - you argue it is wrong by offering alternate interpretations of the justifications used by your opponent and/or refuting your opponents justifications.
Merely arguing that 'Wahabi interpretations of Islam/cultural values' are wrong because they are not 'indigenous to Pakistan' is a logically flawed argument and a flawed way of promoting an opposing POV.
The apologists must answer as to why Pakistanis should see the murderers of their families, compatriots, and servicemen, as "humans" and not monsters, these apologists must answer why Pakistanis must not be able to identify the origin of the ideology motivating terrorism justified by religion.
The origin of the ideology is in Pakistan, the murderers are Pakistani, those currently spreading the ideology of hate, intolerance and violence are Pakistani. Even if the 'Arabi' were at some point the source of the ideology, that time is long past. The current perpetrators of terrorism and those disseminating the ideology supporting terrorism are Pakistani. The ideology has been absorbed into Pakistan and it is now indigenous to Pakistan, even if followed by a minority.
must answer to the faithful, the morality of religion as a tool of political violence and political power.
Multiple polls in Pakistan would indicate that a significant majority of the 'faithful' wish to see 'Islamic Law implemented in Pakistan' (even though they differ on what exactly that means). The view that religion has a place in politics and daily life is already deeply ingrained in Pakistan, you cannot change that by merely positing that 'this is an Arabi view and wrong since it is alien to Pakistan', it is too late for that. The arguments for moderation in religion and tolerance and respect for all regardless of race and religion, is an argument that needs to be made using universal truths and a refutation of the justifications used by those in favor of intolerance, not by merely casting these beliefs as 'alien to Pakistan'.
At one point even Islam was 'alien to Pakistan'.
on this forum -- They can't just come up and say, "Kinda an arbi and I'm proud" - their rule is always, the radical is n.ot so much wrong and bad, but you are for pointing it out, so the the rest if the world, especially these "dot heads" (aren't I racist now?) here and reading this stuff,(Haw, Hai) will see just how lame we are (as if it's nuz to them)
