People of Bangladesh: Time to reflect!

www.muftisays.com/blog/Muadh_Khan/3832_10-03-2015/people-...

Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

As I have written previously, my father served in Bangladesh for many years. Many of our relatives married women from Bangladesh while serving there and speak the language fluently.

My father wasn’t in the military but a civilian.

Growing up, my older Brothers and Sisters have memories of Dhaka (and praying for rain for the Schools to shut down) so they can play with the other kids in the street while skipping School.

My interaction apart from (relatives) with people of Bangladesh is actually outside of Pakistan and it has been terrible. I (as a Pakistani) have been subjected to taunts, abuse, sarcasm and originally I thought that this was a problem confined to older generation.

Now, I am beginning to reflect on the matter (deeply) and I realise that this attitude is prevalent even amongst younger generation who are born in USA, UK and other lands and actually have little knowledge of their country or language.

I was in Makkah and we went to Dinner at a Bengali Restaurant with 3 other Brothers. The waiter spoke no English, Arabic, Urdu so we asked the (British) Bengali Brother to convey what we wanted to order and he was unable to communicate (in Bengali). We somehow managed to order, a little later the Brother explained that he is not fluent in Bengali and hasn’t really visited there. 30 minutes later the same Brother got into a heated argument with a (Pakistani) Brother and became an expert on the atrocities committed by Pakistani Army in 1971.  The (Pakistani) Brother said something about Pakistan Army and the conversation turned very nasty. The (Pakistani) Brother repeated kept saying that I know nothing about 1971 but whoever killed or committed atrocities against Muslims should be punished accordingly, there is no defence for it.

On my last day in Saudi Arabia while packing, I ran out of rope late at night. I drove through town and found a person at the side of the street selling rope. After purchasing the rope the guy asked me my Nationality (I said Pakistan) so he replied, “All Praise be to Allah (SWT) who delivered us from your oppression”. I asked him as to when he was born and he replied (1977 or 1979), I gave him 10 Riyals as a gift and told him to enjoy his freedom but remember that I had nothing to do with him or his freedom!

In UK where there is a large contingent of Brothers from Bangladesh there are definitely undertones and currents of resentment towards Pakistanees, the older generation (actually tell you) while it simmers and comes to the surface (occasionally) for the younger generation based on the testimony of their “uncles & aunties”. Same in USA, I know a Pakistani brother who prayed in a Bangali Masjid for months (lead Salah) and the minute they found out his (Nationality and Job in Pakistan) he was denied food (deliberately) and given a cold shoulder (until today).

Yesterday (9th of March 2015) Bangladesh knocked England out of the Cricket World cup, during the victory speech Bangladesh Captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (Bron 1983) dedicated their victory to the “Freedom Fighters of Bangladesh”.

Today, the people of Bangladesh are demanding for a “parody twitter Account” to be shut down and sending filthy, abusive messages to an obvious “troll”.

For majority of Pakistanees (today) these matters bemuse us, they are neither offensive nor insulting but bewildering. You got your freedom, you got your country, you got your constitution if you were wronged seek redress via United Nations or International Court etc.

There isn’t a single Pakistani who defends, approves or gloats in atrocities (actual or perceived) on 1971 but it’s time to move on. We are (Muslims) and that should be the first basis of our interaction.

Good on you for dumping England, enjoy it. :P
 

May Allah (SWT) give you the best of success in this world and the next (Ameen).
 

Me (personally), I don’t really care much for Nationalism.

www.muftisays.com/blog/Muadh_Khan/3305_17-04-2013/the-ind...
 

1. Praising Pakistan Army

2. Praising (actual or perceived) rape or oppression of Pakistan Army to Bangladeshi civilians

Are 2 separate matters.

I have NOT found any Pakistani who does 2 but if you say that you have found some who do 2 then they are MORONS!

Yesterday's speech in Public is an example of Bangladeshi emotions in a match between Bangladesh vs England.

And please understand that I am neither defending nor praising nor commenting on Pakistan, this isn't a Pakistan issue (to be honest).

Also something comes to mind.

I was speaking to a Pakistani Army Officer 3 months ago who started his Career in 1966 (or 1968 can't remember)  in Dhaka as a Second-Lieutenant; his job was to be Guard at Shaykh Mujeebur-Rahman’s house.

Young Pashtun Officer, first posting. He said that the family often used to send him food at the Gates and Shaykh Hasina used to bring it over so they used to chat sometimes. Rest of the days were spent going to Movies (in Dhaka) or being at the Dhaka club.

He said that Pakisatnees used to treat Bengalis with suspicion and the Banglaees used to have nothing but utter contempt and hatred for Pakistan. He said remembered being in the club one time and a famous (rich) Bengali rich lady was asked about her daughters and told that there were so many handsome young Officers so why doesn’t she marry her daughter to them. She replied, “I would rather give my daughter to a DOG than a Pakistani”

He said this was way before 1971 and her response still rings in his ears (2014); he just ignored it and went to a movie or something but knew that Bangladesh won’t be part of Pakistan.

He said ofcourse we were outsiders. I was Pashtun, I joined Army and then sent to Bangladesh; I didn’t know the culture, the language, the people, I visibly looked different so I could perceive what this will become (and did become a few years later).

He said I had no bone to pick with Bangalees or anyone but the situation became so politically charged that we became a symbol of hatred.

No debate wanted but perspective of a young Pakistani (Pushtun) who joined the Army and then ended up in Bangaldesh.

In UK & USA there are many debates in Masajid over Urdu and revolts etc because Urdu is perceived as an attack on Bangladesh and its identity.

Whatever happened in 1971 happened; its time to MOVE ON; that's what I am saying....

I am not saying to forget it, I am saying to take it to UN or International Criminal Court or whatever but it has nothing to do with me or my generation.

In 4 decades, I have NOT FOUND a single Pakistani who praises, gloats rape/suffering of any Bangladeshi civilian at the hands of Pakistan Army. Based on your experience (as you say that such people exist) I believe you and say that such people are ANIMALS and CONDEMEND.

All I am saying is that praising Pakistan Army is not the same as parising their rape/atrocity/torture against Bangladeshi civialians and Yes I am (honestly) saying it that it should be submitted to UN for war crimes and the perpetrators duly punished.

Any rape, torture, oppression is despicable and heinous. I DO NOT know any Pakistani who backs, supports that with anyone at all and if such ANIMALS exist than they are not worthy to be called humans let alone Muslims.

All I am saying is that it has NOTHING to do with me or present generation. 99.99% Pakistanees have neither ever been to Bangladesh nor have any experience of them (whatsoever). If I didn’t live in USA/UK or worked in the Middle-East I wouldn’t have either but I can assure you that nobody hates them (as it is clearly perceived) including serving and Retired Army Officers.

Me (or any other Pakistani) most certainly has no hate for people of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza (Bron 1983) dedicating their victory to the “Freedom Fighters of Bangladesh” in Bangladesh/England match clearly shows that there are issues in that society which need to be discussed.

I have spent decades reading reports, official investigations, reading books speaking to people (my Father and family included) and NEVER MET a single person who praises rape of anyone let alone Bangali. If you have met people who glorify rape, torture etc then such people are despicable humans; no excuse.

Praising Pakistan Army is not the same as praising (alleged or real) crimes and I hope that despite your feelings you can remain objective and see the distinction.

There is plenty of independent (& Indian) investigations and books on 1971 so no reason for anyone to accept anything but read and come to their own conclusions.

 They defeated Afghanistan & did a Victory Lap

Something is seriously wrong!  Pakistan or no Pakistan...

SriLanka vs Bangaldesh:

SriLanka were physically beaten in 1983 and 13 years later they won the world cup.