Religion or Culture?

How many times have you seen a veiled woman and drubbed her dressing as an inherent angle of a religious belief?
How many times have you believed or been led to believe that a religion has been the reason for a certain action, or a certain practice?
Pause for a moment
Have you gone through the religious texts of the world’s religions? Have you seen the common thread running through them – that they only preach the values of goodness, truth to your conscience and to remain adherent to goodness in thought and action? Have you seen that each of them propagate only simplistic values that talk of truth, earnestness, sincerity, goodness and peace? This, is Religion speaking.
And then you’ve seen and read, doubtless, of women being oppressed and confined in their houses. You’ve seen and read of women being subjected to violence in the hands of their husbands, their fathers, their sons, their villages and their societies in the name of religion. You’ve seen and read about women being killed to save the honour of their family. You’ve heard how men use religion to wage war. You’ve read how women are beaten, raped, abused, kept in brothels against their will and subjected to genital mutilation in the name of religion. You’ve seen how man kills man and wages war on man in the name of religion.
This is NOT Religion speaking: but a culture, a culture that is built out of impunity-ridden fallacious interpretation.
Let me give you an example.
The Quran does not encourage Polygamy. It reads thus: "If ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, Two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice."
This verse is said to have been revealed in the aftermath of a war, when there were too many widows and orphaned children that needed support and protection. But look at how this is being interpreted by those who don’t look at the Quran in the right way. Is that Religion? Or Culture?
Let me give you another example.
The Caste System in India is perceived among Hindus as an ascription – as a fact inherent in the birth that one takes. Therefore, a person born to a man of a particular caste is believed to belong to the same caste. And this identity is used to enjoy and reap benefits, and is used to perpetrate a constant state of caste-based discrimination. But the Bhagwad Gita says that the caste system is a creation based on occupation: “The four-fold Varna been created of GUNA and KARMA; though I am the author thereof know Me as non-doer and immutable.” Guna implies qualities and skills, karma implies actions done. And yet, today, vote-bank politics thrive on the caste system. People fight in the name of caste, kill in the name of caste. Is this Religion? Or Culture?
There is a thin red between Religion and Culture. Religion is a path to god. Culture is a cumulative set of practices that comprise an ethos. Clearly, as it stands, this thin red line has evaporated in the face of ignorance: A culture of ignorance thrives as an obstacle in the path of understanding Religion truly.

Rinkel Rinkel Little Girl

This is not the first time that a girl  of Minority is abducted and has forcibly been  converted  to other religion.  Forced conversion is the result of insecurity, loss of employment and social isolation which tempts a minority to seek refuge in other religion. When the state itself is hostage in the hands of religious zealot, how can it get its subject free? The Assassination of Salman Taseer, Governor of Punjab, is the case in point, when he  tried to protect Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who was allegedly  involved in Blasphemy . Salman called the law Black as he considered that the law was production of dictator General Zia who used religion to placate Mullahs  to elongate his power during Soviet  War .  

17 year old Rinkel Kumari  of District Ghotki, Sindh was allegedly taken from her home and converted to Islam. Her new name is Faryal and she is married to Naveed shah. Her father seeks refuge in Lahore stating the her daughter was kidnapped by influential person of his locality threatened him of facing severe consequences if protested against it.

Despite the fact, That Islam vehemently prohibits such act “There is no compulsion in religion. Regardless of the fact the founder of nation guaranteed that all minorities will have equal rights as enjoyed by other citizen yet minorities have been exploited in the name of religion,. Race and monetary time and again .

In his historical address of August 11, 1947 he said : “you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religsion or caste or creed, that has nothing to do with the business of the State.”

Perhaps, Mr Jinnah knew that the minority would not enjoy religious freedom only  but he knew not  how hard would it be for  a minority to live in the hands of bigoted hardliners.  Not to talk of religious freedom they even can’t enjoy social, political economic freedom. Newspapers are replete with the news highlighting the relocation of Minorities of Sindh  to neighboring country since they are not given protection to carry out their economic activities. Every now and then we hear of kidnapping of wealthy Hindu Tradesmen in Upper Sindh. And very next day he is released after paying heavy ransom.

Why do religious and fanatic pundits try to find heaven only by converting girls of Minority and not male (since most of the incidents reported are related with women only)? Interestingly when girls are being converted to Islam they are married off with “Islamic brothers” immediately. On the contrary when male is converted to Islam (in rare case) Mullahs or  “warden of religion” bothers not marrying him off with “Islamic Sister”. Wonders never cease! when asked by Media men if she ever knew about Islam and what thing inspired her to convert ,Rinkel  recited few verses from Koran in broken Arabic and other man seated next to her, took her arms and forbade media men questioning further . More interestingly, when girl of minority section embraces Islam and makes off with Muslim Husband the honor of family   is not disgraced, but when a girl of similar religion elopes with the her loved one  of similar religion is problematic for religious warden and tribal chiefs.  

Islam holds woman in high esteem. Why didn’t Mullah find Heaven to rescuing women who were buried alive   in Baluchistan by none other than the custodians of Law (parliamentarian cum tribal Chief) and enlivened the centuries-old odious  practice  of burying women and children  alive. The practice was revived which Islam forbade 1400 years ago.

Why don’t they raise voice against Honor killing, Wata Satta ,Vini and  Marrying off Girls with Koran. Why don’t they issue religious decree against the perpetrators of such heinous crime and earn heaven  ?

The land of sindh is believed to land of Sufis , land of tolerance and love . The people of sindh have secular temperament and Sufis  and Dervaish preferred to cut their heads off  against the ignorant Mullahs . They preferred ‘peaceful’ to ‘forcible’ to bring people into their circle. They won the hearts of Millions by way of their character and morality not by force or compulsion.

By Ashfaq Siyal

The role of religion

Katherine R. Vasquez Tarazona

“(No matter what) never discuss politics, religion or any other upsetting matter on the table.” This is quite a popular saying in many cultures and it has its grounding. Politics and religion are topics that may bring the best and worse from us. Whatever argumentation, no one is ready to give an inch on their belief system. Yet, I have disappointed good manners many times. My huge craving for understanding and further knowledge has led the path to very impolite meals, which fortunately never ended on fights (of any kind). I guess, respect was the main ingredient served during those gatherings.

I have to warn you about the content of this post. I am aware I might raise controversy by discussing one of those forbidden topics. Nevertheless, just like in Economics and Law we discuss the role of the State in society; I believe that in society we must discuss the role of religion on their communities.

2011 left us with a bittersweet flavor on the mouth. True, I have been inspired, moved, and proud. Nonetheless, I have also been disgusted, sadden, and ashamed. One of the reasons for me to react with such strong and dark feelings has been originated in churches or under their names (do please note, I am not addressing one’s religion as such).

Back in November, I heard a lot about Aliaa Elmahdy (20). She’s Egyptian and a blogger. If the name does not tell you much, maybe you will remembered her better when I tell you she was the girl who decided to publish some nude self-portrait photos as a protest to her country’s regime. She calls herself an atheist and claims that the pictures she showed are her revolutionary way to change sexism in her country. Because of them, she has to face the Egyptian justice, yet to decide under which charges. I spent some time on one of her blogs. She is without any doubt very strong on her opinions and helps others, with similar struggles, to expose their voice. Whether you agree or not with her modus operandi, I am sure you concur with freedom of speech and respect. I read most of the menaces that she got and they are quite disturbing. I was even more surprised when I found out that she has been somehow rejected in Tahir square by the protesters, calling her and her boyfriend names and asking them to leave or separate because of their improper manners  (such as having her arm on his shoulder or sharing the same tent).

Shortly after the blogger’s photos went viral, a friend of mine wrote about her and proposed an interesting question: if Aliaa is an atheist why does she have to be judged under the sharia law? Being an attorney myself, I gave her my “legal” opinion about it but, as a community member, I would lie to you if I tell you I felt comfortable with it.

In early December, a report was given to the high-level advisory group in Saudi Arabia stating that allowing women to drive will encourage premarital sex and, therefore, threaten the country’s tradition of virgin brides. (Yes, there is a correlation there and yes, it is also escaping me). Manal al-Sharif (32) was arrested in May, after she posted on youtube a video of herself driving. She spent nine days in jail and was only freed when she agreed to quit the “Women2Drive” campaign (of which, she was a key organizer). On her pledge she said she voluntarily had decided to leave the cause and that she was in deep gratitude to the King for ordering her release. The campaign’s facebook page has not had any activity since June, 1^st.

In even more unsettling news, I read that women with attractive eyes may now have to cover them up, if the resolution is passed in Saudi Arabia. The measure is due to prevent women to provoke men through their beautiful regards. Apparently, men lack of self control and it is the women obligation to prevent them from any improper thought. Saudi Arabia’s “committee for the promotion of virtue and the prevention of vice” deals with cases like this. At this point, I was certain I had heard it all but oh, I was wrong! Thanks to one of my dearest friend I came across the news of an Islamic cleric based in Europe “banning” women from touching vegetables or fruits that could have any sexual resemblance to male genitalia.

At last but not least, let me add to this list this statement: “Gay pride parades resemble KKK marches” –said by Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago, USA. I might be losing my comparison’s skills. For those unfamiliar with the Ku Klux Clan, is enough to say that this was a radical movement born in the States in the 60’s and tried to defend white supremacy, “white-nationalism” and eradicate immigration through terror mechanisms. How does this resemble the gay pride parade? According to the Cardinal, the analogy was perfect because they both hate Catholic Church. I am not familiar with stats on the subject, if anyone has run them, but I am pretty sure that most of my homosexual friends are far from hating religion. In fact, their desire to get married is found on their catholic believes. I am sorry Cardinal; the resemblance is quite blurry to me.

Religion should not promote anger statements or reactions against those who do not share their views or believes. This is fundamental to me, may it be call tolerance or just common sense. In Israel, a little girl, Namaa (8), was called a prostitute and spit on by ultra-Orthodox men on her way to school just because her dress did not adhere exactly to their rigorous dress-code. Take a second to realize that a child was bullied, embarrassed and frighten by adult men on her way to school. How is it possible to defend such acts on the name of any religion?

Extremists usually say that women are treated poorly because of their transformation into sexual objects. I agree with that. It is both sad and frustrating to see how some women are portrayed as mere objects but I also found unbearable to observe how some [women] are emptied from all their rights and put under the obligation of taking care on men’s mind, preventing them from sin. In most common ultra conservative societies, women are exposed to harassment and dishonor in a greater proportion than in other.  When one of my friends moved to Cairo, she said she had to be very careful because men will grab her behind (without consent) anytime. When I went to Morocco, a bunch of guys were walking next to me asking me about the origins of my “pretty face”. Back at home, I cannot wear short pants and pretend not to hear men expressions about it. All of these are examples of sexism and have no correlation with religion, none. However, when religion leaders find their way through words to create those fictional links, people tend to defend them as their own and commit unspeakable acts, such as the ones that Namma went through.

Religion is very strong in some communities. They gather people with similar views of life and they defend those from others. I get that, and I respect it. I do not mind seeing someone with a veil (when it’s by their own choice) or with a cross on their hand[i]. It bothers me to see them attempt against human rights, in a passive-aggressive mode or just in a very aggressive way. How is anyone who asks for someone’s death any different from a terrorist or a murderer? Let me step back for a second here. I do not mean that anyone with a spiritual belief is on danger of becoming a hater nor to be brainwashed. I denote that a person, who is filled with anger and cannot respect a human being for what she/he is worth (life), should not use religion as a mean for rage transference. 

What is the role of religion in their communities? To my modest understanding, promote love and respect for life, in spite of one’s beliefs and ways of conduct. Easier said than done, yes; but trying is significant. Religion should not become a channel or a pillar to hinder humanity. If anything, it should be a bridge that brings together, equally, men and women. And maybe, with some luck religion will inspire understanding and serve as an open channel for communication. I have might gotten all it wrong, since I am not a very spiritual person myself; however, I think it is worth the debate.

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[i]      I do not want to start the debate on some European legislation on the subject but I have it in mind while writing this sentence.