VIEW: Societal homeostasis —Tammy Swofford

Anti-blasphemy legislation may wear a cloak of piety but the law of unintended consequences produces the tense situations that exist on the ground in Pakistan today. A governmental stamp of approval against blasphemy opens the door for vigilantism

Seated across from me was a professional acquaintance, Dr Yusuf Z Kavakci, a council member of the Fiqh Council of North America. Having sought out an eatery with a halal certificate to meet the dietary requirement of my Muslim counterpart, I had chosen a small Moroccan grill near an area mosque. The menu was not disappointing. Greek salad and a plate piled high with couscous and lamb provided a succulent start to a meal that would end in baklava and mint tea. But more important than the savouring of food was the literary palate to be shared. Interfaith dialogue: these things can end in fistfights. Luckily, our venture ended with respect.

In his personal library, a volume from the Ottoman Empire of more than 300 pages on the topic of hisbah (public order); on my shelf, a personal favourite by a man who was the Director of the Department of Islamic Reconstruction, a government institution devoted to determining the ideological and sociological underpinnings of a new Muslim-majority state. His essay, ‘Islamic Constitution-Making’, first published in English and Urdu under the auspices of the government of Punjab in March 1948 was later expanded into a book, The Principles of State and Government in Islam. The man was Leopold Weiss, the grandson of an Orthodox Rabbi, who on conversion to Islam changed his name to Muhammad Asad.

On July 13, I had received the third commentary from the Daily Times written by Professor Ishtiaq Ahmed. ‘Nationalism: inclusive versus exclusive — III’ awaited me. In fact, I had bookmarked the first two parts so that I could read all three as a compendium of thought. Little did I know that his concepts, and my ongoing discussions with my counterpart would transect with a ground reality occurring at that very moment in Pakistan; a situation regarding a blasphemy charge, fear, and a cry for help sent to a friend who administrates a peace collaborative initiative for an east coast university. He sent me the e-mail thread requesting guidance. The man expressing a concern was a Christian in Pakistan who had the same name as a neighbour who had a case on file with the local police department for blasphemy against Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Being confused with the neighbour, a series of phone calls had made him fear for his personal safety. There is no need for me to recount to educated readers the history of the inclusion of the blasphemy laws and hudood penalties into the penal code. Professor Ahmed alludes to the same in his third commentary. He also makes the case for a true lack of need for such a community shield within a nation with a 96 percent Muslim demographic.

So what does all of this have to do with an Islamic constitution, the current penal code and public order? Quite a bit actually. Whilst on the one hand Muhammad Asad makes the case for ‘Amr bil Ma’ruf wa Nahy an al Munkar,’ it seems that hisbah would also make its own demands. Anti-blasphemy legislation may wear a cloak of piety but the law of unintended consequences produces the tense situations that exist on the ground in Pakistan today. A governmental stamp of approval against blasphemy opens the door for vigilantism and even worse, the religious sectarianism by which those with malice against their neighbours wield their personal hatred.

Americans have also dealt with the issue of a population which has a historic religio-political dominance of Christianity with a vast number of “minority” beliefs. Noting the need to accommodate the root systems and practices of the millions of immigrants who for more than two centuries have sought the peaceful pasture we provide, our laws have been promulgated to maintain such peace. Any attempts at extremism by the few have been rebuffed by the majority. We recognise that extremism in any form or fashion brings a polarisation of society. We are cognizant that a national identity provides boundaries against personal malice and discrimination. The right to private worship and its complete expression is guaranteed to our citizens. Public displays of worship are also allowed in abbreviated form. And we understand that our rights are married to our responsibility. The right for me to worship as a Christian demands my own responsibility to uphold this freedom for my counterpart, be they Jewish, Muslim, Hindu or anything else. A trampling of their right tramples my own.

Our national character and fabric are being tested as I write these words. The Cordoba Initiative is in full swing to bring a $ 100 million mosque and community centre that overshadows Ground Zero. For many of us this patch of land represents sacred ground. The lives of innocents were taken. Our citizens plunged to their deaths with hands of flames pushing at their backs. For myself, I consider the timeline insensitive. The plan was put into play a mere two years after 9/11. It is too soon and it feels like a thumb in my eye. There have been protests. Our citizens then go home. Churned out homemade videos are in abundance, but our citizens do not threaten bodily harm. Fiery speeches? Plenty. But there is no jail term awaiting project sponsors. Our character is on full display. May it continue to display in a manner that continues to bring societal good.

The large failures now noted in the shadow of the high hopes that accompanied the birth of Pakistan are not irreversible. But it will be a series of small successes and adjustments over time that will determine the future of the nation. More importantly, is the need for all to begin to look upon their neighbour with kindness. This can be aided by a sound policy, which promotes a societal homeostasis. Deconstruction and modification of the penal code is a fine place to start.

Tammy Swofford is a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserves. She is a Nurse Corps officer who resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She has written articles and book reviews for the Marine Corps Gazette, and Op-Ed commentary for the Dallas Morning News