Should Religious Processions be Banned ?
 

[FONT=Fixedsys]In the wake of large number of deaths in Quetta, Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar during bomb blasts recently, some sober elements from government and political parties are of the view that religious rallies should be banned for time being as these congregations provide opportunities to terrorists to strike.[/FONT]
[FONT=Fixedsys]Is it a good proposal and will be helpfull in protecting the lives and properties of the citizens ?[/FONT]

[B]I think it's not the solution of the problem, but for the sake of precious lives of the innocent people processions should be held in limited area, [B][/B]for which concerned departments can provide security easily.[/B]

If there are blasts in masajid then should we stop offering prayers in masajid?

I think we should avoid gatherings to the extent where our religious duties are not disturbed. So Processions should held in Halls or big grounds but rallies should be avoided.

Wash AAthke
 

I second to the opinions shared by foresighted icons of the country,who have lent their countenance to the cause of banning religious processions by putting forward their cogent justifications. Processions have been a part of our cultural,social and psychological manifestations,which have their own impact on mental horizons of their participants.It would not be exaggerated to say that via processions we as a nation find a way to express our intrinsic feelings,be they religious,social, ethnic or sectarian.Since pakistan's outset towards war against terrorism after 9/11 myth,entire nation is equally wrangling with unseen enemies,who are waging their fanatic war against innocuous segments of society. Indubitably,these so called pakistani taliban are being actuated by some international agents for their own vested interests.These elements are playing on their hand not for the sake of any ideology,but they are accompanying those in their longterm but never ending ferocious schemes.
Pakistani government is trying its level best to ward off common populace from wave of such threats.But it is impossible for any government to take preemptive steps against unknown threats.Suiciders are circulating and impending dangers,which may blow when they find the targets feasible and cost effective.This strategy makes them succeeded.Outwardly,processions and public gatherings are bare targets for these roaming bombers,whereupon they blow themselves and play their part in fanning the fire and deepening the carnage.
Processions have been a remarkable sickles of alienation,which have created chaos through out country.Such gatherings must be banned and should not be allowed to carry on merely in the name of religious enthusiasm.
All such initiatives,if taken,would enshroud a good deal of mass,from being targeted.It will minimize the death toll,which has crossed the massacres of Iraq,which was supposed to be the deadliest place.
Entire nation,specially the divines,theologians intelligentsia and academia must play their productive role in order to make religious parties believe that these initiatives are being taken in order to make them more secure.

Well said by Riaz Ahmad Alizai.
I am also fully convinced with the idea of banning religious rallies as these are the easy and soft targets for terrorists, and sometime also fan sectrianism among muslims. The broblem in this regard is our religious leaders who have their interests attached with these rallies.
For example, if a jamaat is able to gather maximum people in its rally, it is in better position to blackmail the law enforcing agencies. It is "taqat ka mazara" for them and a mean of threatning the opponents.
I think, if our religious leaders are sincere for peace, they should come forward and accept this proposal in the greater national interest. Furthermore, taking out rallies on roads disturb a large number of road users and it is not obligatory in our religion to have this kind of processions.

Although such religious processions are not proved to be obligatory in our religion (neither from Quraan nor from Hadis), therefore, there is nothing wrong on imposition of a ban for such gatherings because life of a person is much more important than that of showing our religious emotions in such arrangements. But it is a hard fact that imposition of such ban may arise some sort of irritation among few segments of the society with there argument that a ban should also be imposed on shopping because people are gathering in the markets which may attract the terrorists to take advantage of the opportunity. To tackle this situation , the Govt. should hold a meeting with the participation of all the religious scholars to create awareness for the need of such security measures/arrangements and convince them to put off their such activities for a time being.

To ban the processions will mean to corner the different sects like Ehl-e-Tashi and ppl of different religious background, and in this way, they will not be able to perform their religious ceremonies freely, and a sense of deprivation and alienation might develope. To provide them limited area outsite the populous vicinity is acceptable, and till the formulation of this policy, ban can be imposed.

i second the opinion banning religious processions completely will strip away the constitutional right of different ethnic groups to practise there religion freely. However given the grim situation of security in the country it would be wise to limit the vicinity as well as number of people taking part in a procession. It would also be practical that these procession are not allowed to move through markets where it is easier for a bomber to infiltrate into the mob.

well, i agree that it is constitutional right to practice one's religion but do you think taking out rallies is part of religion ?
I think these are cultural practices that have been mixed with religion and are so much mixed that most people think that these are the religious obligations to take part it these rallies. These practices of taking out processions started in a region and then got popularity in other regions and became part of the culture. All sects have their own ways and traditions in this regard.

I think there is no need to carry out such processions as these are soft targets for the terrorists. All the religious parties should voluntarily decide to postpone such events till the security situation improves in the country. No matter how much police force is deployed, it is impossible to secure a rally of thousands of men and it is further impossible to detect a suicide bomber out of them.

I second the views of Shallowwater...our govt cannot impose ban on the Religious processions because it will against their constitutional rights,however,Religious scholors should themselves voluntarily postpone these rallies for the time being till the security situation is improved...:hurt..
Regards