Pakistani Women: The Islamic Militants' New Target

"The situation in Pakistan has deteriorated to alarming levels and the Taliban can soon invade Islamabad". You must have heard this statement plenty of times Although the Pakistani military and political establishment denies this fact, the situation is actually worse than what is reported in the western media. The Taliban insurgency -- that also has support from some elements of Pakistani spy agencies -- is making its way through the mainstream Pakistani society. The Pakistani military was partly successful in rooting out extremists in Swat valley but was unable to nab its top leaders; these men are now biting back by launching guerilla attacks.

Pakistani society, that was once known to be a follower of Sufism, is turning towards the militant version of Islam. The urban lower- middle-class of Pakistan is fast becoming a hostage to Islamists. In recent years, numerous Islamic organizations have been set up; most catering to average Pakistani urban women. These women, who have got some education and can influence others, regularly visit gatherings where they 'learn' about the 'actual' Islam.

Most of these gatherings are arranged by the women wing of radical Jamaat-e-Islami (that also has links with Al-Qaeda). There are other parties as well like Hizb-ul-Tehreer and Ahl-e-Hadith organizations. These entities, with direct interests in militancy, have adopted a new method to boost their outreach to common Pakistanis; they are targeting women as they find it easy to 'brainwash' an illiterate or semi-literate Pakistani female who is totally dependent on her male relatives for sustenance.

A typical congregation of women would start with a lecture on the basic teachings of Islam. This, however, soon changes into an America-bashing exercise. Using distorted definitions of Islam, these women are encouraged to model their lives as per Islamic teachings. The focus always remains on Jihadi tendencies; "send your children to fight the evil Americans"; "the West is behind all our problems" and "boycott the use of American and Jewish products" is what you will hear in these 'seminars'. And they have gained currency with average Pakistani women. These gatherings, mostly held on a weekly basis, attract thousands of women. Some of these organizations also help the participants by teaching them skills like sewing and embroidery and thus attract a large number of poverty-stricken women.

This mass infiltration is going on without any checks. These organizations draw their funding from rich and mostly corrupt Pakistanis; some funds also come from overseas, mostly from expatriate Pakistanis in Britain. The popularity of these extremist organizations is really alarming. Almost all Pakistani women now wear the hijab as they are taught that traditional Pakistani dress is un-Islamic. Most also shun Western products, terming them as Jewish and pro-Israeli. Those totally brainwashed are even ready to send their sons to fight 'nasty' Americans and Western 'infidels'.

What is the Pakistani government doing in this regard? Unfortunately, the weak and corrupt Pakistani government and politicians have lost their ground in urban areas of Pakistan; People are fed up with corrupt politicians and this void is being filled by militant organizations. The war against extremism is far more complex than it seems. It is possible that Pakistani forces claim some victory in the recent offensive, but an army of young and brainwashed boys is ready to replace the current Taliban. And their mothers are fully supporting them.

The biggest threat to the United States and European countries is the fact that some of these organizations have strong organizational bases. This can be verified by visiting any local mosque in Birmingham, Cologne or Paris. In New York, areas with a high concentration of Muslims, like Brighton Beach, have some elements that sympathize with these organizations. The battle against Islamic extremism cannot be won if the US and European countries turn a blind eye to their own backyard.

The need of the hour is to chart out a new strategy for the Muslim world. President Obama is pressing congress to approve billions in aid to Pakistan. The country definitely needs some assistance but it should not be given as a charity without any checks. Instead of stuffing the coffers of corrupt government, direct assistance to organizations working for literacy and public health would be a better option. Pakistani society is hostage to terrorists and militant organizations. The US should not allow the descent of Pakistani society into total chaos as it would prove far disastrous than Afghanistan (of course, with nearly 100 nuclear bombs).

Comments

[Abdulameer]

". Using distorted definitions of Islam, these women are encouraged to model their lives as per Islamic teachings. "

This is pure Moslem propaganda. If those "definitions" of Islam are so distorted, then why are all those Moslems in Pakistan so easily persuaded? Maybe, it's just the other way around. In fact, the Taliban are strict followers of Islam, not distorters of Islam. It is the moderates who are distorting the requirements of Islam. Here is what Islam says, in undistorted form:
FROM THE KORAN:

-- Surely the vilest of animals in Allah’s sight are those who disbelieve. (8.55)
--The unbelievers are your inveterate enemy. (4:101)
-- Mohammed is God's apostle. Those who follow him are ruthless to the unbelievers but merciful to one another. (48:29).
-- It is unlawful for a believer to kill another believer, accidents excepted. (4:92)
-- Believers, take neither the Jews nor the Christians for your friends. (5:51)
-- Make war on them until idolatry shall cease and God's religion shall reign supreme. (8:40)
-- Fight against them until idolatry is no more and God's religion reigns supreme. (2:193)
-- The true believers fight for the cause of God, but the infidels fight for the devil. (4:76)
-- We will put terror into the hearts of the unbelievers. (3:151)
-- I shall cast terror into the hearts of the infidels. Strike off their heads, strike off the very tips of their fingers. (8:12)

[MarcusT]

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"If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother, his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town. They shall say to the elders, 'Our son is stubborn and rebellious­.' Then all the men of his town shall stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you." (Deuteronomy 21:18-21)

"Your male and female slaves are to come from the nations around you; from them you may buy slaves. You may also buy some of the temporary residents living among you and members of their clans born in your country, and they will become your property. You can will them to your children as inherited property and can make them slaves for life, but you must not rule over your fellow Israelites ruthlessly­." (Leviticus 25:44-46)

[Zebulin]

When was the last time did you read about these laws in Deuteronomy and Leviticus getting implemented or propagated as part of being Jewish or Christian ?

[JerryLevy]

For some reason, the enslavement and mistreatment of women in the Middle East and other Arab lands gets minimal coverage from the press. It also gets minimal coverage and concern from women's rights groups for that matter.

[ModernTimes1]

Sadly, in the Arab world only acts committed by non-Arabs against Arabs seem to be worthy of condemnation: if an Arab is responsible for crimes against his brethren then there is always room to debate the merits of the argument. Saddam killed Iraqis and Kuwaitis. "Yes, but so did the Americans, why don't you condemn the Americans?" Hizbollah and Hamas were partly responsible for hundreds of innocent deaths in 2006 and 2008 respectively. "Why don't you condemn Israel?" Typically, talking about a crime by an Arab leader in the Middle East, one will almost always end up talking about other concerned parties. It seems to be a special built-in ability to auto-dodge accountability. No one ever admits responsibility in the Arab states and no one is ever held accountable (unless he is toppled, that is).

Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sultan-sooud-alqassemi/a-waltz-with-president-al_b_193382.html

[Jyoti Naik]

Bing accountable for your actions would require the kind of insight and honesty that generations raised with dogma and brainwashing do not have. They are trained to never question anything no mattter how illogical it sounds becasue it is "balsphemy". To have insight you have to be able to question. Look at the vast economic, political and social differences between India and pakistan which both achieved freedom on the same day. Pakistan is mired in poverty and violence while India has one of the top economic rate of growth next to China.

So, I guess we are stuck with corrupt, violent islamic regimes for the rest of our lives. The question is "what are we going to do about it?"

[ModernTimes1]

Accusation of Pakistani government's corruption is illogical. ALL Pakistani, government are/were corrupt. Especially civilian. Corruption and bribes form the very foundation of Pakistan state. But this is what Pakistanis wanted, a wildly kleptomaniac weak civil government as a remedy to mildly corrupt strong military governance.
Well, be careful what you wish for, you may get it. And Pakistanis got it.

Regardless, anyone who thinks that electing Mr. 10% instead of Musharraf hasn't got any sense.

[MarcusT]

"But this is what Pakistanis wanted" You are exactly the kind of "authority" we all would consult on Pakistanis desires.

[ModernTimes1]

As opposed to Turkish jingoist from occupied Cyprus... hmmm....

[ModernTimes1]

Pakistanis elected Asif Ali Zardari, Mr. 10%--- easily the most corrupt politician in Pakistani history.
Get familiarized with the subject. Far better than posting unformed asides.