Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Who's side are the Muhajirs on?

As explained in this article the so-called "Muhajirs" of Pakistan are not a single ethnic group as commonly perceived.
They come from all over the subcontinent. But as the linked article also mentions, they have a lot in common with one another when it comes to main language of communication, political and religious values.

This is not to say they all share the same views or values, but a significant amount of them or even perhaps majority of them seem to be stuck and obsessed in various ideologies.
Out of all the various peoples living in Pakistan, I find the Muhajirs from whatever ethnic background they may be to generally be the most religious extremists. Religion seems to be a strong obsession amongst them. I find them to be amongst the most intolerant Muslims in general.

They are amongst the strongest promoters of Pan-Islamism. Always calling for the Islamic Ummah and brotherhood with Muslims in the Middle East many of whom are too arrogant to ever get close to Pakistanis or Muslims outside of their region.
The Muhajirs make the problems of the Middle East look greater than the problems of Pakistan. They frequently promote Arab culture and tradition in the name of Islam.

Many Muhajirs feel a close Islamic brotherhood towards Turks, Arabs, Persians etc. But when it comes to Muslims like Bangladeshis or African Muslims, they suddenly change their attitude as they look down upon these peoples. Muhajirs I also find to be amongst the most racist people in Pakistan.

At the same time there's another set of them who promote Pan-'South Asianism' or the belief that the people of the subcontinent are "the same" and should live together as one large state. Many have a love for India and Indian people. They frequently promote anti-Pakistani propaganda manufactured by the Indian media.

They frequently promote the positive things of India while highlighting every negative thing on Pakistan they can find.
There's also a small minority of them who promote Western-style liberalism sending their off-springs to Western schools and countries for education, always promoting Westernization such as the overuse of Western languages. They love to learn English, French, Spanish, Latin and take huge pride in it but few are willing to master themselves in the languages of Pakistan, including Urdu/Undri.

It seems that the Muhajirs have a love for everything outside of Pakistan. This is not to say they are all like that. In fact many have been significant contributors to Pakistan. I believe Dr Quadeer Khan is a Muhajir, though I read somewhere is a Muhajir of Pakhtun descent.

Pervez Musharraf is also a Muhajir and he did more for Pakistan than Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif both whom were native to Pakistan but amongst the most corrupt leaders. Musharraf stood up to religious extremism, gave more seats in parliament to women and minorities.
Under Musharraf the Pakistani rupee and economy gained significant forward steps.

Other Muhajirs I've met are relatives I have who run large factories which provides many jobs for people in the middle class and contributes to Pakistan's economy.
Another relative I know of who is Muhajir but has learned Sindhi language and culture. His love for Pakistan cannot be questioned.

Indeed there are many, many Muhajirs who take upon the native cultures of their provinces and do their best to assimilate. But amongst the powerful elite and middle classes their confusion towards Pakistan is still unresolved.

There are those amongst them who consider themselves pro-Pakistan. But pro-Pakistan in a very different sense of their own. They favor Urdu being the only language to be used and taught in Pakistan in the name of "unity."
They favor Arabic cultural invasion of Pakistan in the name of Islam (Shia Muhajirs seem to be more favorable to Persians and Iran). They promote Islam as the absolute state religion.

This has only caused rebellion and resentment amongst the indigenous peoples as it did in East Pakistan before it became Bangladesh.

The Muhajirs also frequently talk of religious persecution and claim they were forced to move to Pakistan. They promote this story amongst their newer generation. At the same time they claim they came for opportunities, but never got any. Many of them despite claiming persecution denounce the so-called "partition."
Another popular claim is they came for the sake of Pakistan and Islam. These claims seem to contradict each other and regardless of which claim they stick to, many regret coming to Pakistan at all.

Even their political parties such as the MQM which was known as the Muhajir Quami Movement until recently when they changed it to Muhteda Quami Movement promote various agendas.
At one point they are against Sindhis. Then they join the Sindhis, adopt Sindhi clothing claiming to be the new Sindhis and fight for a better Sindh.

Now over sixty years on is it not time for these people ask themselves what they stand for and which country's side they are on? What exactly do some of them hope to achieve by terrorizing and battling Pakistan's local peoples? If Pakistan means nothing to them, shouldn't they at least make an effort to try and get back to the country they consider home?

For those Muhajirs who regret coming to Pakistan and constantly see all their problems in Pakistan, they certainly must immigrate back to India or wherever they came from for Pakistan would be a much better country without their racism, religious fundamentalism and love for the enemies of the country.

Do they really believe they will feel welcomed by Pakistan's local populations if they keep this up? If they feel sad that they had to leave their country for Pakistan it does not mean Pakistan is suddenly going to join India to satisfy their sorrow. Pakistan historically was never a part of India and it's time Indians and Muhajirs accept this fact.

Those Muhajirs who see themselves as Muslims only and came to Pakistan for the sole sake of Islam are clearly in the wrong country. With their love for Arabs and Persians and hatred for Sindhis, Balochis, Punjabis and Pakhtuns, they would be better off living in Iran, Saudi Arabia or another Arab majority country in hopes they'll be welcomed there.

As I mentioned in another post of mine, I too am partially of Muhajir descent, but I clearly know where my loyalties lie. My country means a lot to me. My ambitions are for a unified and strong Pakistan with a sustainable population number and later the same goal for the rest of the world, not one with injustice towards the various ethnicities under the guise of "unity."

Certainly it is time for the Muhajir community to now ask themselves what are their future goals and who's side are they on. Unless they do not ask and answer these important questions, their future seems unclear and so is Pakistan's if it is not determined weather the country is to keep some of these people or not.

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