Religion without morality?
We have these two overlapping realities to contend with. In the first place, there should be no quarrel with the fact that the common citizens of Pakistan are overwhelmingly religious. A manifestation of this religiosity is strikingly evident in this month of Ramazan.
At the same time, the Pakistani society is infested with corruption, intolerance, lawlessness and a general intimation of moral and intellectual deterioration. And this state of affairs would not be possible without a penchant for deviant behaviour on the part of a very large number of people.
Now that Ramazan is here, the entire rhythm of our lives has changed. We do have some inspiring and engaging expressions of a collective participation in the observance of ‘roza’, with all its prescribed routines. Iftar becomes an occasion for family and friends to get together and this can be a socially gratifying experience. There is a kind of celebratory atmosphere and its tempo must gradually increase to welcome the festival of Eid.
With all this show of piety and spiritual righteousness, Ramazan does not bring any respite from the normal rigours of living in an almost anarchic and ungodly society. On the other hand, the real paradox is that violence and disorder tend to rise during Ramazan. Crime is also seen to escalate.
For instance, on the very first day of the Holy Month, there were three terrorist attacks. Nine persons were killed in a suicide blast in the tribal region of Orakzai. Near Gawadar, in Balochistan, seven personnel of Pakistan Coast Guards were killed in an ambush. Four persons died when a bomb exploded near a pick-up truck in Upper Dir.
So the cycle of violence is continuing and the law and order situation has worsened in Karachi. In fact, Ramazan is the month when shopkeepers go for larger profits, prompting extortionists to make larger demands. Besides, more people lose their temper more easily. Productivity falls in most sectors.
The point simply is that even when a remarkable majority submits itself to the devout discipline of Ramazan, our collective behaviour betrays no ethical revival or any inclination towards atonement of any kind. Those who indulge in corrupt practices continue to do so. The exploiters and the cheaters, though they fervently seek God’s forgiveness, remain unrepentant.
Indeed, the contradictions that are highlighted in this month have a larger and abiding significance. As I have alluded at the outset, it’s the juxtaposition of an obsessive religiosity and a deep-rooted malaise in a moral context that one cannot easily explain. There seems to be a symbiotic relationship between the two.
Having said this, I would hesitate to enter into a debate on the consequences of a passionate induction of religion in the public space – in politics. We just do not have an environment in which a rational debate can be held on these matters. It would be pointless, at this time, to emphasise that religion is not the business of the state. Remember that speech made by someone on August 11, 1947 – someone who is increasingly becoming irrelevant in this country?
Likewise, those who are genuinely religious and aspire to live in accordance with the universal values of truth and integrity and high moral values find it difficult to adjust to the prevailing circumstances. All around us, the ideals that would sustain a civilised community are disintegrating and the entire system is falling apart. Social injustice is manifest in the poverty and degradation of the underprivileged that are also deprived of human dignity.
Actually, there is no need to underline the gravity of the present situation because it is very much an accepted fact. Everyone you talk to gives the impression of becoming more depressed as new calamities unfold. There is no end to reports and events that illustrate the wickedness that has polluted our society.
On Thursday, British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Adam Thompson, said in Islamabad: “Unfortunately, you people are world leaders in visa scam. Forgery is a strong industry here”. He was obviously speaking with reference to the so-called ‘UK visa scam’ story published by the British tabloid The Sun.
Also this week, the Gilani Poll/Gallup Pakistan reported the results of two surveys conducted in their series on Ramazan and the role of religion in Pakistan. It was reported on Tuesday, with reference to ‘self-per caption as a religious person’ that 84 percent of Pakistanis define themselves as religious persons, 12 percent say they are ‘not religious’. Interestingly, one percent say they are atheists while three percent did not answer the specific question.