Taliban within us

Being a Taliban is not about a way of life, it is a state of mind and many of us Pakistanis are prone to suffer from this condition at least once in his/her life time. The way I see it, we are all Taliban but the degree of extremism varies from person to person. Whether we like to be called it or not, in a way, we are all moderate Taliban.

To my untrained eye, I see so many Talibans around me and it scares the hell out of me. Maybe, I am being paranoid here but just writing about them gives me goosebumps.

The below list is not complete and nor it is compiled according to any particular ranking. Psychologists need to understand this ‘state of mind’ and put a label on each for our easier understanding and comprehension.

• People who resort to violence, they are Talibans of the 1st degree, no doubt.
• People advocating holding ‘peace’ talks with Talibans come next.
• People venting their anger on America, they come next on my list.
• People who claim that their religions is the only true religion and that they are the best for ever and ever; yeah, you too buddy, you’re next on my list.
• People, who say that it is their primary duty to spread religion on the four corners of the world, are also included therein.
• Then there are others who want a revolution (in the real sense) in Pakistan.
• Some others have a problem with young men and women mingling around. These people are pretty high on my shit list.
• Last but not the least, there are people who have this unstoppable urge to cast stones at stray dogs and cats mating in the streets. I label them as ‘looney Talibans’.
  

From the above noted irrational behavior it can be safely assumed that Talibanisation can take any form of shape ranging from pure militancy to utter hypocrisy. It can exist under the roof of any high mansion or hide under the thin shelter of any poor man’s hut.

I am sure this piece of mine will not go down easily with many people and some may declare it as an outright war against religion but we need to recognize that these are not healthy behaviors and we cannot go on fighting this war against extremism indefinitely.

Here I would like to add from a recent article by journalist Thomas L. Friedman who points out that ‘in places like Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan or Pakistan have violent religious extremist movements fighting with state security services. … And while the regimes in these countries are committed to crushing their extremists, they rarely take on their extremist ideas by offering progressive alternatives. And when these extremists aim elsewhere … these regimes are indifferent. That is why there is no true war of ideas inside these countries — just a war.’ Mr. Freidman further adds that ‘these states are not promoting an inclusive and tolerant interpretation of Islam that could be the foundation of people power.’

Textiles from Swat valley: A strategy to make ROZ’s work

The idea of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZ's) was proposed by Mr. Obama in March 2009 to provide duty-free access for Pakistani textiles and apparel produced in certain remote areas bordering Afghanistan. At that time Pakistan's textile industry strongly opposed this idea because of the security situation and also because major export products were not included. No work has been done on ROZ's so far but now with the success of army operation in Swat, there is a good chance to bring about employment opportunities to the poor people who are most affected by terrorism.

Here is how it can be done:

Textile is a labor intensive business and by setting up small scale stitching units in Swat will help employ the poorest of the people especially the women. Yet another way to make this work is linking these stitching units with local schools where vocational training is provided to the children. In this way, the stitching units will be ensured a trained labor force. Also, by providing one time meals at schools, the female workforce will have an additional incentive to send their children to school.

Role of USAID:

USAID can play a very important role of facilitator, implementer and monitor in setting of ROZ's in Pakistan. As a facilitator, it can encourage joint ventures between US textile importers and Pakistani's textile manufacturers. As an implementer, USAID can offer ready-made projects to the joint venture companies. Also, by ensuring a registered workforce will speed up setting up of ROZ's. As a monitor, USAID can monitor and verify exports from ROZ's and also ensure that ROZ's are working according to the laws of International Labor Organization (ILO).

Marketing strategy:

Swat valley is now world famous as it was here that the march of Taliban was halted. Now a brand can be developed by the name "Textiles from Swat valley" and a marketing campaign can be devised for consumers who will buy these products knowing that their money will go to the people who are directly affected by terrorism.

This strategy can very well enhance ties between America and Pakistan and if successful, it can also be replicated in Afghanistan.

Lessons taught by the Taliban

Besides suicide-bombing-made-easy, there are actually a lot of lessons Pakistani society needs to learn from the ongoing insurgency of the Taliban. The whole Taliban debacle has certainly opened up Pakistani society just a wee bit. People have now started talking on issues which were previously considered taboo. People now do tend to analyze religious clerics and what they stand for. The Pakistani society did stand up for the murdered Christians of Gojra and showed their rejection to the politics of hate. But we still have far to go before we can claim Pakistan as a religiously tolerant society and following lessons should be learned:

Why do we have such fiery religious clerics?

All Muslims say that Islam is a religion of peace yet we continue to see the system producing successive militant clerics. These clerics blame all our troubles to be caused either by America or Israel or India, yet they never bother to address issues which are all around them and can be solved just by taking a small initiative. Our society should look into the system which is producing such hatred. There is now a strong need that we start looking at our religion from a fresh perspective.

Can there be a moderate Taliban?

Can there be such a thing as a moderate Taliban? I certainly don't think so. Taliban follow a very rigid religious philosophy according to which they have right to eradicate social evils by taking matters into their own hand. They consider it their rightful duty to prevent girls being sent out to schools, shaving of beards, etc. Those who advocate talking to ‘moderate' Taliban should know that these moderate Taliban will always make life miserable for the people by enforcing their own brand of Islam. If moderate Taliban are let loose, we will continue to see baton-charging-burqa-brigades and morally-right-mullahs.

Education for the people

It seems that the Taliban were following a very well thought out strategy by blowing up schools in Swat and other adjacent areas. Around 100 schools, mostly girls' schools, have been blown up. This strategy shows that the Taliban wanted to keep the masses, especially women, illiterate. By keeping the poor illiterate and by allowing no commercial activity, the Taliban wanted to induct more and more deprived people to their ‘noble' cause.

Justice to the poor

Pakistanis took really serious note of the Taliban issue when government announced enforcement of Sharia Bill in Swat. The Sharia Bill called for speedy justice handed down by the Qazis (religious judges). The Taliban, through this Bill, wanted to get hold of civil administration in Swat by exploiting the corruption and inability of the conventional courts. They had very wisely realized that their movement will get strong support if they start dispensing justice quickly.

As Pakistanis, it is very important for us to take serious note of these lessons as taught to us by Taliban so that we may never again face such an insurgency.

America as I see it

Recently much has been written on America’s role in Pakistan’s politics. One school of thought in Pakistan suggests that America should stop its interference and withdraw is forces from Afghanistan immediately. These people point to American policies of past and suggest America cannot be trusted. This argument has some truth in it and same was admitted by Mrs. Clinton during her various discussions at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee meetings. The other school sides itself with Mr. Obama and his promise for change. These people are forward looking and are willing to let go of the troubled past. I, on the other hand, have a slightly different perspective which I shall try to explain.

To me, America is truly a great nation not because of its economic, political or nuclear power but because of its people and for the values which they hold true. History tells us that the American nation had its share of troubles on which they had to take very painful decisions but the people of America always took decisions as dictated by their conscious and which proved them right. If we go through America’s history we will learn that they fought their independence way back when the British were still trying to establish their hold on the Indian subcontinent. The proclamation of Fist Amendment and the Civil Rights Movement are just a few examples and there are many others.

One recent example of these great decisions is the election Mr. Obama for presidency. I do not praise American people for selecting the man; Obama, for his promise of change but I praise them for electing a man whose race was brought to America as slaves not so long ago. This can only happen in America. Although, our religion Islam tells us not to discriminate on the basis of color or caste but we, the Mulims, are not morally strong enough to take such a step. Obama has promised much and he may or may not make good on his promises, we the Muslims have yet to see that and so does the Americans. Still, even if Mr. Obama fails there would certainly be many many “Obamas” to come, that is what I expect of the American nation. I do not expect a smooth ride on this hopeful thought but progress of mankind has always been a two-step-forward-one-step-back process but that’s the way God works.

In the end, Mr. Obama may fail and I may get lynched for writing this but I have already decided to place my bets with the American people because they are the ones who truly understand the meaning of the words, freedom and democracy.