SINCE Hamas recent strike on Israel, the world as a whole inclusive of Pakistan is silently watching all that is happening in Palestine. Majority are hearing while a few may be listening exactly like the majority who are seeing with a few may be watching closely. Ashraf Jehangir has aptly put Pakistan’s stance over the situation in the narration form of “blowing hot in public and blowing cool in private” in his article titled: Ana Dammi Filasteeni”. Hearing Vs Listening and Seeing Vs Watching is what I realized from Watsapp Group with majority who merely hear and hardly see, while a few with intently listening and closely watching.
Unfortunately, the good listeners and real watchers in Pakistan are commoners who are raising voices to show solidarity in their simple ways. Some are propagating to boycott the Israel’s products, others are uploading religious clerks calling on the ongoing inhuman and tyranny that’s going on while the majority sits back. The stance of commoners on Watsapp or social media goes aligned with Omar Sulemain’s, the American Palestinian’s view who opines that even small act of “Dua “against the tyrants is a huge contribution as the Last Prophet (P.B.U.H) did the same during the War of Uhad. Even boycotting their products in personal capacity is a way of contribution and at least the commoners in Pakistan are doing the same.
Looking into the reality on the ground of consumer preferences for food items and hustle bustle on KFC & MacDonalds, the all-time favourite products of Cosmetics such as Loreal&Estee Lauder, Clinique, the craze for brands like MKs,Boss and Armani, sweets and confectionery and many more things narrates a different story and strengthen the statement of “blowing hot —-in private”. It is a fact that boycotting the Israel products by Pakistani might not cripple but will certainly hurt its economy. However, the success of boycott depends on consumers’ preferences and if Pakistanis strongly support the boycott, it could impact Israeli product sales. In today’s interconnected world, public opinion and media coverage can have a significant impact on shaping political decisions and these small acts of commoners will eventually result in major decisions by the people of authority and influence and certainly will give a blow to the economy of Israel.
On a broader scale, drawing comparisons to historical figures, like Saddam Hussain, is complex, in addition to the US and European opposition, internal dissent and opposition arose during his regime as a result of his prioritization of support for Palestine over domestic issues, as well as regional tensions by neighbouring Muslim countries such as Egypt and Jordan that had peace treaties with Israel. However, the majority may argue and favour Saddam Hussain and perhaps may not shy recommending strong immediate responses, such as the back-to-back 40 missiles that Saddam Hussain fired on Israel when a mother of a murdered daughter pleaded before him. During his trial that eventually ended in his execution, he stated that the 40 missiles ignited his opponents’ flames and not weapons of mass destruction. When the innocent are dying or crying out for help to Arab leaders in particular and Muslim leaders/community at large, it is critical to analyze the narrower implications of such actions rather than the broader implications of power play and geopolitical alliances.
A few weeks ago, I came across a notification from a Turkish university expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people in compliance with the Higher Education Commission of Turkey’s guidelines. It was an eye-opening realization because of its proactive approach, visionary approach, symbolic gesture and strong message encouraging others to participate in nonviolent protest against the situation in Palestine. Regretfully, it seems that we lack vision, as evidenced by the fact that no Pakistani university has formally addressed or displayed the same level of vision in promotion of justice. The HEC should direct universities to organize events, conferences and awareness campaigns to effectively utilize their influence to support the cause of Palestine. It is equally disappointing that majority of the leaders of educational institutions – exceptions apart – have time for fun-seeking activities of students, attending international events with no real contribution but lacks a vision or courage to speak through solid actions to observe a minute silence as protest against the genocide and brutal killing of the Palestinians.
Pakistan is the only country in the world that came in the name of Islam. We, as a nation of such a state, and more significantly, as members of a sector recognized for influencing society via knowledge creation, critical thinking and fostering social awareness, are deafeningly mute. I may not have been the first to raise my voice, boycott products, or make ‘dua’, but I am among many who refused to remain silent in the face of the daily brutality that witness on the internet and social media. I’m speaking up to join the greater community of commoners in vehemently denouncing genocide, the horrible conditions under which Palestinians live without access to water, electricity, or healthcare, and the world leaders, who have failed their nations despite of criticism for betrayal by their citizens and Muslim countries who have maintained neutral stance.
By not choosing silence and the statement that “I am Palestinian too” is my way of contribution to the larger narrative of empathy and support for the oppressed. However, there is a need for more unified and appropriate response from more than 56 Muslim countries and Arab leaders towards the atrocities of Israel. A complete boycott of economic activities can land a tiny and illegitimate country of Israel into some real trouble. Quran says, “Why don’t you seek assistance for those who beseech their Lord, saying, “Oh Lord, remove us from this oppressive land and send us helpers.” Leaders who are silently observing will undoubtedly be questioned. We commoners be questioned in our capacity too.
—The Author is Deputy Director Planning & Development Bacha Khan University Charsadda.
Email: [email protected]
views expressed are writer’s own.
