By Malik Rashid
There is a council of Islamic ideology in Pakistan that advises government and legislative bodies on laws that are repugnant to Islam. Maulana Sherani, a rural maulvi from Baluchistan, without any academic credentials, has been appointed the chairman of the council replacing Dr. Khalid Masud, a PhD from Mcgill University. Insani Huqooq Ittehad (Human rights alliance), a body consisting of 30 NGOs demanded that the decision to appoint Maulana Sherani must be repealed because it contravenes the criterion laid out for such appointment.
But the nomination of Sherani to please JUI(F), a belligerent ally, for the passage of budget from the current session of parliament raises concerns. Prime Minister ZA Bhutto strengthened his government by declaring Ahmedis as non-Muslims and delivered Pakistan to fundamentalists.
Islamic Ideology Council was instituted by the 1962 constitution. It has been presided by academics and ex-judges of superior courts. Human-rights organizations view the appointment of a rural maulvi without proper education as a reversal to the dark days of extreme Islamism under Zia-ul-Haq. The presidency of the organization by a PhD could not become a guarantee against orthodoxy and religious extremism.
Maulana Sherani criticized the passage of a bill on harassment of women and walked out of the senate. The fight to purge the constitution of Pakistan from discrimination against women and minorities is still in its initial stage. Council’s recommendations on a woman’s right to divorce were sharply criticized by traditionalists. In 2007, the council recommended modification of hudood laws allowing exemption for victims of rape from the charge of adultery.
Recommendations of the council from earlier years include one that suggests erasure of human image from rupee bills. Prohibiting a woman from marrying without approval of a male sponsor (wali), banning women from appearing in ads or songs to banning co-education, the council of Islamic ideology , Federal Shariat Court and ministry of religious affairs have provided enough material to keep Pakistanis embroiled in futile controversy and played their role in perpetuating ignorance.
Khaled Ahmed, in his column published in Friday Times (January 11 to 17, 2002) wrote, “Most people think that extremism comes out of a misinterpretation of Islam. This is wrong. Extremism and violence occur when people do not accept what the Islamists regard as the irreducible crux of Islam in the shape of shariah.” Chopping hands and heads to prohibiting music, dance, insurance and banking, they are all held as the righteous way of sharia.
Instead of a council for rational investigation and enquiry, Pakistanis are stuck with the Council for Islamic ideology and Shariat court. Concern of human rights activists on Maulana Sherani’s headship of the council must be appreciated and shared by law-abiding, conscientious citizens.
Ibrahim Sajid Malick is a Pakistani-American writer, technologist, and social entrepreneur. He has been writing on Pakistani society and politics since 1986. He has held several media, communications, and technology positions for organizations large and small. Mr. Malick graduated from New School for Social Research with a master’s degree in anthropology. He holds several technology and management certifications. He works for a leading technology firm and blogs at www.ibrahimsajidmalick.com
u r a quak. u don’t know what u r talking about. Maulani Sherani is the most respected religious leader of Pakistan. He is ALIM-Fazil, Hafiz a Quran and he complete authority over all types of Hadith. please do some research before opening your shamefull mouth.
JUI-F’s stronghold areas in the country are either some remote areas of NWFP or they are in power in the backward Baluchistan province. Fazlur Rehman leads the party, and his party leaders are just like him. Opportunist and rift-creators.
Sherani sits on Quetta shura and support Mullah Omar. He wants to impose Sharia like Swat.
WATCH GREAT SCHOLAR AND AMEER OF JUI BALOCHISTAN MAULANA MUHAMMAD KHAN SHERANI SPEECH ON KERRY LOGAR BILL IN SENATE .HOWBEAUTIFULLY HE LOGICS . I REALLY IMPRESSED OFHIS KNOWLADGE,PIETY,CURRAE AND LOGIS.REALL GREAT POLITICIAN OF PAKISTAN.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjSiZVmodt0
Mr. Rashid should be questioning the existence of the CII which was instituted by Gen Ayub Khan in the 1962 and later endorsed in 1973 by Zalim ZA Bhutto.
CII is absolutely useless and redundant institution with only an advisory role the Federal Shariat Court already does what the CII was supposed to do. CII members have adopted an obscurantist view on various issues that are not in keeping with the modern and progressive approach of civilised societies. Mulla Sherani was is nominated to head the CII had taken a strong stand in opposing the Domestic Violence Bill last year.
Mr. Rashid is right that it is very much a political deal that Mr. 10% has struck with JUI
tumhara deemag kharab ho gaya hay kia? itnay buzarg kay leaye aisay alfaz likhta hay. hell burning for you.
I seriously doubt that the level of education of a hafiz-e-quran meets the standard needed for the head of an institution in a modern state. Maulana Sherani had reneged on the rights of women voters in his constituency by walking out of senate on the bill against harassment of women. The status accorded to religion(Sunni-Wahabi Islam) in Pakistan’s politics and government has fatally harmed the country and its institutions. Salvaging Pakistan from the ruin caused by dictators, corrupt-elite and gang-lords requires a monumental effort from its neglected, alienated intelligentsia. Thanks for the comments. Peace.
Malik you are saying sin. Maulana Sherani is a pious man. May Allah bless him.
CII must be abolished by the federal government. Religion is purely a personal matter and there is no need on part of a government to interfere in people’s personal matters.
Pakistan should be declared a secular republic!