The Jokes of Islamic Science from Zia Era

I have taken the following diagrams as a fair use from the Urdu translated version of Pervez Hoodbhoy’s book Islam and Science, available for free download at Mashal Books Website. (The Urdu version is named as Musalman Aur Science)

The First diagram shows a graph which presents the relationship (exponential, that is great for the fans of rituals) between the number of people offering prayers and the total amount of Sawab. This graph was presented in an Islamic Science Conference  hosted by Zia Regime in 1983.

The second diagram attempts to present an analogy between the states of the universe (as described by religious teaching) with electromagnetism.

Similarly,  one of the opportunist sycophants, whom the Pakistanis proudly regard as the developers of their weapons of mass destruction, once presented a research proposal to generate electricity from jinns.

What a waste of tax-payers money.

AN OPEN LETTER REGARDING THE ZARINA MARRI CASE

AN OPEN LETTER REGARDING THE ZARINA MARRI CASE

By Alia Amirali

After the horrifying story of the forced sex slavery of Zarina Marri, a young Baloch schoolteacher, at the hands of Pakistani military agencies was brought to light, many people – including members of ‘civil society’ and otherwise vocal defenders of human rights – have requested ‘verification’ of the story, which they assert needs to come from ‘multiple sources’ since it is a ‘very serious charge’ that is being leveled. (As a side, I wonder if they deem this charge ‘very serious’ because of the identity of the accused or because of the heinousness of the crime?) For anyone who does not know Zarina Marri’s story, take a look at the documents attached to this message.

The charges being leveled in this case are indeed serious, as were the charges in the Naseerabad ‘burying alive’ incident, the Mukhataran Mai case, the Shazia Marri case, and scores of others. Like the other cases, in the Zarina Marri case too, the story has been broken by a witness (who is also a victim) of the crime (Mr. Munir Mengal) – which is usually the way such incidents come to light in the first place. In politically sensitive cases, especially those which involve state-perpetrated atrocities, verification is a particularly thorny matter and anyone with the slightest experience in trying to investigate such cases would know that access to information is enormously difficult. Thus, one can hardly expect the accused in this case to tolerate – let alone co-operate- with the investigations in this regard. Regarding the need for ‘multiple sources’ then, I certainly hope nobody is expecting the military to ‘verify’ this story, or expecting that the victim herself (whose whereabouts are unknown) will magically appear before them to ‘verify’ that she has indeed been abused. Zarina’s family has apparently fled their hometown (understandably perhaps) so local human rights agencies have not been able to confirm details about the woman.

However, in this (not unusual) situation of scarce sources and incomplete information, it becomes significant that the Zarina Marri case is based not on informal ‘rumour’ , but rather on a report released by the AHRC (Asian Human Rights Commission) which is considered both nationally and internationally to be a credible organization. (Human Rights Commission of Pakistan is a member of AHRC as well.) Additionally, the story was reported by Reporters Sans Frontiers, and there is an ICRC (International Committee for the Red Cross) report verifying sections of Munir Mengal’s testimony, which he has also given before a court in London. Anyone who wants further information about the source of these organizations’ information, their verification mechanisms etc. may contact them directly.

However, what struck me upon reading various people’s messages regarding the issue was not any inherent ‘unreasonable-ness’ in their demand for further verification. Rather, what struck me was the realization that we are partial in our choice of questioning the authenticity of certain charges. Take the ‘burying alive’ case, for example. Was our first response to request ‘further verification’ of the incident? If the story was in fact ‘verified’, by whose seal was it deemed authentic/true, were those sources considered trustworthy, and if so on what basis did we trust them? (To prevent my words from being misconstrued, let me make it clear that by raising these questions I am not trying to justify the act of burying women alive). A question thus arises: are we questioning the authenticity of the Zarina story because we are not convinced of the witness’s or RSF’s/ICRC’s/AHRC’s intentions? Did we wait until charges against Afia Siddiqui were proven/disproven before protesting for her rights? Examples abound. The fact is, there is no such thing as ‘perfect information’. It’s just about what we choose to accept, and what we choose to question.

Furthermore, it appears that we accept those charges (without asking for ‘further verification’) which fit with our mental image of the supposed perpetrator; we accept that which appears ‘believable’, and suspect that which does not corroborate with our world-view. For example, (in accordance with a certain world-view) those who are ‘backward’ are likely to bury their women alive or abuse them, sell them, etc. America “hates Muslims” hence Afia Siddiqui must be an innocent woman whose release we must fight for. (I am quoting examples from common perception, i’m sure some of you must hold contrary views but it is a general Pakistani middle-class mind-set I am talking about). Thus, because certain charges appears ‘probable’ to us, we generally don’t make the same request for ‘verification’ in those cases, and certainly ‘verification’ is not our first response upon hearing of such incidents. And that’s okay I suppose. We all do it, we’re human, we make assumptions, we believe what we want to believe, we see what we want to see…

As far as people’s image of the Pakistan military goes, I’m not sure what you all have in mind, but I’ve witnessed this Army shooting a man on sight for putting up a flag they don’t like, I’ve met scores of people have been picked up and tortured by them and their intelligence agencies for no fault of theirs… Just read for yourself about what they did in Bangladesh during the 1971 war, about the 1973-77 operation in Balochistan, about Zia-ul-Haq’s era … and then perhaps the fact that they have picked up a young baloch woman and are using her as a sex-slave wont appear to you as extraordinary and your first reaction upon hearing about this case wont be one of disbelief nor will your first demand be that of ‘verification’.

I firmly believe that this case needs to be highlighted, not only because it is a humanitarian issue regarding the unspeakable abuse of an individual, but because it is a case of systematic state oppression. She is not the only woman whose whereabouts are unknown and is reportedly being abused by military agencies in Balochistan. Its not ten or twenty, or even fifty or hundred we’re talking about, thousands are missing in Balochistan. Its not just me saying this. Read HRCP’s, HRW’s, ICG’s, AHRC’s reports, and you’ll get a sense.

In conclusion, I’d like to assure you that I am strongly in favour of ‘verification’ of the facts in Zarina’s case – but not so that a rubber-stamp of ‘authenticity’ can be placed on it but so that the perpetrators of this savagery can be brought to justice. To refrain from protests on this issue- which is essentially a means of highlighting it- until ‘further verification’ amounts to invisibilizing it and appears to me to be an excuse for inaction. On the contrary, we should certainly organize protests on this issue and launch a sustained campaign to bring this matter into the public eye, pressure the government to take action, and demand justice for this young woman and the thousands like her.

regards,

Alia Amirali.

The related AHRC press-release:

http://www.ahrchk.net/ahrc-in-news/mainfile.php/2009ahrcinnews/2434/

The Theologian’s Nightmare

The Theologian’s Nightmare by Russell. In order to make it more laughable, you may customize it by replacing the word “theologian” with “mulla” and “Thaddeus” with the name of any mulla you wish to laugh at.

The eminent theologian Dr. Thaddeus dreamt that he died and pursued his course toward heaven. His studies had prepared him and he had no difficulty in finding the way. He knocked at the door of heaven, and was met with a closer scrutiny than he expected. “I ask admission,” he said, “because I was a good man and devoted my life to the glory of God.” “Man?” said the janitor, “What is that? And how could such a funny creature as you do anything to promote the glory of God?” Dr. Thaddeus was astonished. “You surely cannot be ignorant of man. You must be aware that man is the supreme work of the Creator.” “As to that,” said the janitor, “I am sorry to hurt your feelings, but what you’re saying is news to me. I doubt if anybody up here has ever heard of this thing you call ‘man.’ However, since you seem distressed, you shall have a chance of consulting our librarian.”

The librarian, a globular being with a thousand eyes and one mouth, bent some of his eyes upon Dr. Thaddeus. “What is this?” he asked the janitor. “This,” replied the janitor, “says that it is a member of a species called ‘man,’ which lives in a place called ‘Earth.’ It has some odd notion that the Creator takes a special interest in this place and this species. I thought perhaps you could enlighten it.” “Well,” said the librarian kindly to the theologian, “perhaps you can tall me where this place is that you call ‘Earth.’” “Oh,” said the theologian, “it’s part of the Solar System.” “And what is the Solar System?” asked the librarian. “Oh,” said the theologian, somewhat disconcerted, “my province was Sacred Knowledge, but the question that you are asking belongs to profane knowledge. However, I have learnt enough from my astronomical friends to be able to tell you that the Solar System is part of the Milky Way.” “And what is the Milky Way?” asked the librarian. “Oh, the Milky Way is one of the Galaxies, of which, I am told, there are some hundred million.” “Well, well,” said the librarian, “you could hardly expect me to remember one out of so many. But I do remember to have heard the word galaxy’ before. In fact, I believe that one of our sub-librarians specializes in galaxies. Let us send for him and see whether he can help.”

After no very long time, the galactic sub-librarian made his appearance. In shape, he was a dodecahedron. It was clear that at one time his surface had been bright, but the dust of the shelves had rendered him dim and opaque. The librarian explained to him that Dr. Thaddeus, in endeavoring to account for his origin, had mentioned galaxies, and it was hoped that information could be obtained from the galactic section of the library. “Well,” said the sub-librarian, “I suppose it might become possible in time, but as there are a hundred million galaxies, and each has a volume to itself, it takes some time to find any particular volume. Which is it that this odd molecule desires?” “It is the one called ‘The Milky Way,’” Dr. Thaddeus falteringly replied. “All right,” said the sub- librarian, “I will find it if I can.”

Some three weeks later, he returned, explaining that the extraordinarily efficient card index in the galactic section of the library had enabled him to locate the galaxy as number QX 321,762. “We have employed,” he said, “all the five thousand clerks in the galactic section on this search. Perhaps you would like to see the clerk who is specially concerned with the galaxy in question?” The clerk was sent for and turned out to be an octahedron with an eye in each face and a mouth in one of them. He was surprised and dazed to find himself in such a glittering region, away from the shadowy limbo of his shelves. Pulling himself together, he asked, rather shyly, “What is it you wish to know about my galaxy?” Dr. Thaddeus spoke up: “What I want is to know about the Solar System, a collection of heavenly bodies revolving about one of the stars in your galaxy. The star about which they revolve is called ‘the Sun.’” “Humph,” said the librarian of the Milky Way, “it was hard enough to hit upon the right galaxy, but to hit upon the right star in the galaxy is far more difficult. I know that there are about three hundred billion stars in the galaxy, but I have no knowledge, myself, that would distinguish one of them from another. I believe, however, that at one time a list of the whole three hundred billion was demanded by the Administration and that it is still stored in the basement. If you think it worth while, I will engage special labor from the Other Place to search for this particular star.”

It was agreed that, since the question had arisen and since Dr. Thaddeus was evidently suffering some distress, this might be the wisest course.

Several years later, a very weary and dispirited tetrahedron presented himself before the galactic sub-librarian. “I have,” he said, “at last discovered the particular star concerning which inquiries have been made, but I am quite at a loss to imagine why it has aroused any special interest. It closely resembles a great many other stars in the same galaxy. It is of average size and temperature, and is surrounded by very much smaller bodies called ‘planets.’ After minute investigation, I discovered that some, at least, of these planets have parasites, and I think that this thing which has been making inquiries must be one of them.”

At this point, Dr. Thaddeus burst out in a passionate and indignant lament: “Why, oh why, did the Creator conceal from us poor inhabitants of Earth that it was not we who prompted Him to create the Heavens? Throughout my long life, I have served Him diligently, believing that He would notice my service and reward me with Eternal Bliss. And now, it seems that He was not even aware that I existed. You tell me that I am an infinitesimal animalcule on a tiny body revolving round an insignificant member of a collection of three hundred billion stars, which is only one of many millions of such collections. I cannot bear it, and can no longer adore my Creator.” “Very well,” said the janitor, “then you can go to the Other Place.”

Here the theologian awoke. “The power of Satan over our sleeping imagination is terrifying,” he muttered.

War and Non-Resistance

( This 1915, World War I era,  essay by Bertrand Russell is perhaps the best way to slap war-mongers of current age. )

The principle that it is always wrong to employ force against another human being has been held in its extreme form by Quakers and by Tolstoï, but has been rejected by the great majority of mankind as inconsistent with the existence of civilized society. But I think that the occasions where forcible resistance is the best course are much fewer than is generally believed, and that some very great and important advances in civilization might be made if this were more widely recognized. The so-called right of self-defense, in particular, seems to have only a very limited sphere of application, and to be often supported by arguments involving both mistakes as to political questions and a wrong conception of the best type of character.