“We won’t be going to school for sometime Ami says,” she said to me, as the mob set fire to the school, where just a day earlier she had attended classes.
Located in a densely-populated area near Kareem Park, the school had been providing education to girls up to grade 10, with most of its former students now sending their children to the same school.
Owing to the nature of the blasphemy allegations levelled against the school administration and a sixth grade teacher, emotions of the protesters were high that day.
These charges stemmed from comments allegedly written by Iftikhar in a class 6 student’s notebook while checking a homework assignment to translate a passage about the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet (pbuh) from English to Urdu. Photocopies of the offending page were being handed out at the protest.
As I talked to the protesters, I realised they had, it seemed, made up their mind. The verdict was out: the school was not to function there any longer and the protesters were not willing to wait for the outcome of legal investigations which had been initiated by the police.
The protesters took charge of the street on which the school is located, burnt its furniture and computers and spray-painted “Gustakh-i-Rasool” on the walls. A car parked in the courtyard was destroyed.
For almost an hour, violent protesters chanted slogans and burnt down every single thing they could lay their hands on in the school.
Despite a heavy police presence of around 200 officials, protesters managed to not only vandalise the school but also attack law enforcement officials, eventually claiming control of the entire street, which soon turned into a battlefield.
They charged on police officials from both ends of the street forcing everyone —police, journalists and even peaceful local residents — to take refuge in small alleys and on rooftops of nearby houses.
Eventually, after having thoroughly demolished the school, the protesters calmed down, following intervention by a few elders of the area allowing the police to return.
But amidst the unrest, what was most disturbing was the helplessness with which local residents looked on as the mob vandalised and destroyed a 30-year-old school in front of their very eyes.
Matters of faith are, indeed, sensitive but does that justify the mob’s actions against the school?
If no, why did this happen?
If yes, then can somebody please tell Maryam where she should now study?
I failed to answer her query.
Read more by Aroosa here, or follow her on Twitter@AroosaShaukat
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.
Thank you. 🙁
This certainly gives religion a ‘bad’ name, because it is done in the name of religion. Now, everyone knows that no religion condones or teaches violence or restricts acquiring knowledge by females or anyone for that matter.
An ex-American Secretary of State in his book puts forth a theory that goes something like ‘ As the Neocon lobby realises that it is not workable to attack Pakistan directly. The thing to do is to use its own energy to destroy itself. Knowing that we are highly emotional regarding matters that are religious and will resort to shooting ourselves in the process, without much thought. A simple well thought out strategy.’ Destroying a girls school is akin to shooting ourselves.
The religious parties play along with this for their own political ends, wittingly or most likely unwittingly doing the work of others. This was also seen in the incident only a month back when that obnoxious film was released and we shot ourselves without so much as thinking.
There are alot of girls other than faroqi girls high school.. writer has made up in his mind that there is only one school in Lahore. As a resident of lahore myself there is a school in every street.
Extremely disappointed with the author. She thinks it is a big joke. Learn to respect people’s sentiments.
@Biased:
there are schools i agree but does dat justifies burning a school down.
So the people burnt down their own children’s school. Wow, beats any logic.
Dear Biased, lahore is a big city with over 10 Million….,,
do u think its not good to have a school in each street and or can we afford to burn schools …
in this particular school people from lower Middle class and poor people study…. do these people have no right to get education. this is an established institute since 34 years….
Its pitty that now its burned down……
.
ASALAMOALIKUM to my all teacher SIR ASAM FAROOQI, SIR UMAIR& SIR SAMEER
ASALAMOALIKUM to my all teacher SIR ASAM FAROOQI, SIR UMAIR& SIR SAMEER my hart is carring for my school my future i love my school
I LOVE MY ALL TEACHER OF FAROOQI SCHOOL
@Biased: your ID should be insane, not biased.
@Biased: ‘writer has made up in his mind’ … Incase you didnt notice … the writer is a female.
It is really disturbing to note the trend of general public on the rumors of blasphemy. People proudly engage in vandalizing and looting the possessions of those who are blamed to have committed such act without even being sure whether the information is correct. The agonizing fact is that they do so under the pretext of ‘being a good Muslim’. The question is that whether Islam allows to punish someone before their crime is proved in a court? Of course it does not, nor does the law. So why is the society rampant with these so-called ‘good Muslims’ who pop out from everywhere after a blasphemy rumor circulates, and wreck havoc with the properties and lives? I really feel pity for the 77 year old principal whose decades long struggle came to an abruptly unpleasant end for something he did not even do. And I pray that may Allah direct all of us toward the right path, the path of peace, which is the literal meaning and true essence of Islam.
@Parvez: I am surprised by your comment. Are you blaming a former American secretary of state for this multifaced attack on women’s education in Pakistan? This comment is not unlike your normal highly balanced comments.
IT must surely be obvious that Taliban and people of Talibanized mentality are against providing any education besides the scriptures to the women. The Afgghan Taliban had made it very clear during their rule in 1996-2001 and they justified it using verses from Quran (whether you agree with their interpretation or not). In Pakistan, the TTP is trying to implement something similar:
– 600 girls school in FATA and Swat have been blown up
– An dvocate for women’s education has been shot at point blank range
– A 77 year old principal of girls school has been accused in a false blasphemy case and is being denied bail
– Last year around the same time 6o armed bandits had attacked a girls school in Rawalpindi because the girls were dressed in school uniforms instead of burkhas. Police had received instructions from higher ups to not intervene.
I hope that patriotic Pakistanis like you will fight back this radicalization instead of indulging in conspiracy theories blaming US for this state of affairs.
Just another example of Intolerance and Criminality pervading through Pakistan today. Did these protesters stop to think which table or chair carried out the alleged blasphemy? before they burned it. What about the poor policeman trying to maintain law and order? How about the sacrilegious act of burning all the books some of which may have contained parts of the Koran.Did they stop and take these out before they burned the rest? ( i doubt it)
This was a criminal act perpetrated by thugs!. The law of the land clearly protects the Prophet (PBUH) and would have eventually found out the truth. WHY are we so quick to take the law into our own hands, WHY do we not respect the law or other peoples property for that matter. Morality and faith is nowhere to be seen, yet when it comes to alleged blasphemy we all remember our faith. This is most definitely NOT what the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) taught us.
All schools are sacred and should be treated as such.
When Pakistanis will grow up???? Please Allah safe Pakistan from Pakistanis.
@gp65: This comment is so unlike you. Kindly read my comment carefully. The ex-Secretary of State has written a book and put forward a thoery that makes absolut sense.
A. Girls are not be educated.
B. Killing them one by one takes too long.
C. Burning down schools achieves the same goal faster.
Nobody objects to girls’ education. But no Muslim can allow a blasphemer or anyone who tolerates blasphemy against our Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) teach children.
@Parvez:
If the ex-Secretary actually created this theory.
And, if you are aware of this.
The question is- why are you still falling for it?
Or, do you have to find someone to blame all the time?
@gp65::Did you read the comment by Parvez.I doubt you did.Your comments generally make good sense but this time you are quite out of context,sorry
@Parvez: Clearly we have our wires crossed. Time to untangle them.
You always write sense so I was surprised by what appeared to be subscribing to a conspiracy theory. Perhaps I misunderstood. Can you please tell me which book and which ex secretary of state?
Also what have I written that surprised you? I have always been a strong votary for women’s empowerment – be it India or Pakistan. What did you find about the earlier post that was different?
I think Pakistani just crave entertainment. Kuch dino se bomb blast band ho Gaye or politics me bhi kuch naya nahi chal raha to chalo rumour pe school jala dein.
Also our society is mentally sick. I have seen numerous people on online forums defending malala shooting, Sialkot lynching etc. I don,t expect much better from this qom
Let’s be clear: Anyone who doesn’t unequivocally decry such a disgraceful public over reaction is an utter coward worthy of all the contempt and scrutiny that is thrust upon them. Anything short of a public disassociation and denouncement is unacceptable. Let’s drop the tired apologist behavior, shall we?
@curious and @ gp65 – The ex secretary is Zbigniew Brezinski and if I recollect correctly his book is ‘ The Grand Chessboard ‘. In a nutshell, he correctly says that it is easier for Pakistan’s enemies, to exploit the weaknesses of the Pakistani mindset and use it against itself, than to attack the state directly.
This is a theory not a conspiracy theory – there is a difference.
@gp65 – what surprised me was, what I thought was a knee jerk reaction to my comment and that to coming from one as balanced as yourself.
Thank you @yousaf for understanding this.
@biased:
Yes there are schools in every street in lahore but fyi no school admits kids in the middle of the term. its November, whose going to admit the poor kids?
According to the teachings of Islam any individual who is involved in such an act must receive death penalty after investigation, but burning school is not the answer to the question. The teacher involved would have been given the punishment why the school was burnt?
@Pir Bulleh Shah:
Apparently the people who burnt the school down object to everything. If this happens again will we burn down the whole city and then whole country?
This mindset of senseless violence only proves that we are incapable of rational thought and action.
If a person commits a crime that person should be brought to justice instead of random mob violence against a structure it takes years and decades to build and run.
You say so what if there are other schools? its just like saying so what if i killed my child i have many more.
@Umair Naseer: According to YOUR teachings of islam. My teachings of islam taught me peace and tolerance.
@Parvez:
If Brzezinski said that he was only echoing a strategy that has been known for ages.In fact any book on ‘Statecraft’ whether by Machiavelli, Sun Tzu or Chanakya.
In fact in sports too you will find that in Jujitsu (Judo) the Judoka uses the opponent’s strength to defeat him. In Cricket too the better players of fast bowling use the pace generated by the bowler to their own advantage.
So the question is, When you know your enemies can use your fault-lines why do you still accentuate them?
Ahmadia amendment, Blasphemy laws, Wajibul Qatl announcements, Youm e Ishq e Rasool all included.
@Pir Bulleh Shah: If your sentiments for Holly Prophet PBUH force you to think that you can burn a place where students go for education then shame on you. Where do your sentiments go when you abandon our beloved Prophets preaching in everyday life? Nam kay Muslim. Shame on you.
Indonesia –the largest Muslim country in the world has strict Blasphemy laws..and the people take it very seriously—up to five years of punishment ! In Pakistan the thirst for blood has little to do with respect for the prophet but borders on prophet worship.
@curious: Now, you got it – and there in lies our problem.
These protestors are not religious! They do not know the basic meanings of Islam. They do not know that Islam promotes peace. Who would gain out of this vandalism? I am dead sure that these people would not know the answer to this question!
@gp65: Considering the US or India as the enemy would be very naive. In his theory he has used the word Neocon……..but I used this only as a reference to show that in the end we ourselves are our worst enemy.
Enjoyed the exchange. My respect for what your father is doing.