Islamic Fundamentalism

Islamic fundamentalism is a movement that has gained momentum in recent decades in many Muslim nations and it is a reactionary, non scientific movement aimed at returning society to a centuries-old set up. In the past few years, it has acquired a militant and Jihadi form. The setting up of an Islamic state and Jihad are the two objectives of a fundamentalist movement. Pakistan is one such nation where fundamentalism has been posed as one of the most intimidating questions. The rise of Islamic fundamentalism began in Pakistan in 1980’s when General Zia started using the name of religion in order to justify his rule. In his foremost address to the people of Pakistan, he stated that Islamic laws would be imposed and serious consideration would be dedicated towards setting up the Islamic society for which Pakistan had been formed.

General Zia’s most malignant legacy is the Islamic extremism which has taken firm roots in our society. Islamization was used to increase the gap between rich and poor. General Zia implemented a number of steps to wipe out non-Islamic practices from Pakistan. Zia discriminated the non-muslims by introducing a system that non-Muslims could only vote for a candidate of their own religion.

Also, in Zia’s regime, a non-Muslim could be convicted on the evidence of a Muslim but a Muslim could not be convicted on the evidence of a non-Muslim. Non-Muslims were not given an equal right as the Muslims and as the Quaid had promised. In Zia’s rule, the converted Muslims were also downgraded and given no importance. General Zia wanted the nation to understand that there is only one true religion and one correct way of life. Women had to bear most of the burden of Zia’s Islamization. Zia put forward the theory of “Chadar Aur Chaar Deewari” which oppressed the rights of women to a great extent. Islam gave equal rights to women but Zia degraded the women and made separate laws for them.

Pakistan was created in the name of Islam, but it wasn’t created for Muslims only. The non-Muslims were to be given equal rights in Pakistan as stated by Quaid-e-Azam that,

“Islam and its idealism have taught us democracy. It has taught equality of man, justice and fairplay to everybody. We are the inheritors of these glorious traditions and are fully alive to our responsibilities and obligations as framers of the future constitution of Pakistan. In any case Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic State to be ruled by priests with a divine mission. We have many non-Muslims — Hindus, Christians, and Parsis — but they are all Pakistanis. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges as any other citizens and will play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan.”