Daily Times

“Welcome to America, but what are you doing in a Muslim country?” He must have been as usual amused. Colonel (r) Anil Madan is a Christian from an illustrious family of Lahore. He was visiting the US. Anil was known for his truthfulness. His Commanding Officer, Colonel Dilawar Bangesh, called him the best Muslim young officer in the unit. This was despite the fact that in those days the religion seldom featured in social discourse and talking sects was considered small-mindedness. Discussions on religion, politics and women were not allowed in the Army messes. Still, Anil kept reminding us that one of the most valued traits in a Muslim was truthfulness.

At heart, they were all better Muslims than today despite being short on rituals. A bearded cab driver was readily preferred over others. They were famous for their honesty and trustworthiness. They never preached and never talked about the virtues of saying regular prayers. In those days wearing religiosity on one’s sleeve was not in fashion. The performance of rituals in public was a rare exception. Human values were the primary concern. The bearded cab driver was an example, truthful and trustworthy. It was by no means a sinless society. It also never bragged about sin, supported or defended it.

Religiosity as commonly perceived elsewhere denotes virtuosity, humility, courtesy, love and peace. It does not mean being a Jew, Christian, Muslim, Hindu or a Sikh as Mr. Trump foxed us into believing and a notion Mrs. Clinton could not effectively dispel. All the religions were sent down with the sole purpose of reforming the society and to turn a person into a good human being. That is why a good Christian is no different from a good Muslim and vice versa.

The nurse in the doctor’s office had voted for Trump and not Hillary despite her being a woman and a well-known Women’s Rights Activist. She had not voted for her because she thought ‘Hillary was a big liar’. It was perhaps the same email scandal she had in mind. The official emails found on her private server, which could have been used for ‘private trading’. Though Trump was a reckless radical, he was still preferred over a perceived liar. The doctor like me was all for Hillary. In our view, she with her intellect, experience, balances and grooming, was a perfect mix for a presidential candidate. She lost because all who voted against her thought she had lied.

A mere allegation of lying could prove so fatal in consequence is a truth Pakistanis will take perhaps centuries to fathom. Heaps of daily lies, on every aspect of life and governance, glaring being the power shortage and dependence on foreign loans, shameless statements on the floor of the House and half-truths being fed to the courts, and it looks as if the government is taking every one of us as a sheer idiot.

Going back by the virtues of the bearded of the 60s one thought the previous Chief Judge would make an example of the kleptomaniac elite. He turned his back on the people. Panama leaks are not an issue between the government and the opposition. It is a long woeful tale of people being swindled, exploited and oppressed. The present honourable Chief Justice has promised Justice. We hope he delivers it not only for the sake of Pakistan and its people but also for his own sake for his inevitable meeting with the Maker.

Trump clamped a visa ban on seven Muslim countries. Constitutionally he is the most powerful chief executive in the world. Yet, he must have found to his grief that he is not a god. The judges have stopped Trump in his tracks. His appeal to the Federal Court also proved fruitless. The legal battle is on.

Nonetheless, there were alarming signals on the social media for the Muslims travelling back to the US from abroad. I was one of them. Slightly sceptical when I landed at Chicago airport, the immigration routine did not take a second more than the normal. In the end, the immigration officer said, “have a good day.” “Thank you,” I said and back came his thank you, much louder, warmer and much more reassuring that all the Americans were not with Trump.

Again, on social media, there was a message from a Pakistani-American from Texas. The mosque there was completely gutted. When the devotees reached the sight in the morning, the local community, all White, all non-Muslims, had already collected over six hundred thousand dollars for rebuilding the mosque. The local church and the synagogue had offered space to the Muslims for offering their prayers until the mosque was rebuilt. I felt a pang of shame in my heart for the treatment meted out to the minorities’ worship places in Pakistan.

When the system of justice takes roots, it impregnates the heart and soul of the society. Basic human instincts give way to the finer human values. Justice and fair play become a way of life. Violence remains no more an option. It is found only in the deranged and the psychopaths. Our Chief Judge has a tremendous responsibility to change the entire psyche of this nation. The foremost necessity for survival for the people of Pakistan is justice, much more than our need for electric power, gas or even democracy.

The governments will keep changing. There might come more Trumps as the presidents. The United States of America will remain the greatest as long as the people here do not give up on human values of justice and liberty.

The writer has served Pakistan Army as Major General