Eagle Eye

               27^th July 1880, Malala was victorious, then against the British in 2^nd Anglo-Afghan war. Today, after almost 2 centuries, Malala is again on Pukhtoon horizon. A minor of 14, she was, really brave, she proved that she deserves the name. She was shot because she raised her voice for education of females, for peace.  “TTP claimed responsibility.” I heard, “action perceived as cowardice of Taliban” I heard. But I said nothing. Malala deserves a salute.

                But let us put Malala aside for an instance, and talk of perpetrators; Taliban, and then let us conclude in the end. Taliban, stem word ‘Talib’; Arabic word meaning ‘Seeker’ terminal meaning ‘Seeker of Knowledge.’ Now question arises who on the earth or why on the earth are guns, instead of pen and books, doing in the hands of these ‘Seekers.’ The answer lies back there in Cold War era. But before we go back in time, let us have a close look at these ‘Seekers.’ Who they are? Where do they come from? What is their origin? These are questions not frequently asked. And I think these must be answered before we move t o our previous question regarding “guns instead of pen in the hands of these Seeker of Knowledge.

                Taliban; ‘Seekers’ or students, as we call them, are nothing but students, studying Islamic jurisprudence, Islamic law at various, globally renowned Islamic universities, or madrassas as we call them. In these universities they study how to apply Islamic law in daily matters of life and how to lead life in the light Quran and Sunnah. They learn to be a good and learned Muslims, the former quality rare in Muslims now-a-days. They learn to pray 5 time a day, keep fasts of the month of Ramadan, give 2.5% of their wealth to poor and needy every year, follow the principles and code of conducts of Holy Prophet strictly no matter what the circumstances are, they follow him. In their universities they are told to live in peace and harmony, look after their kin and neighbours, respect elders and female members of the society, love the younger ones, promote education equally among men and women, give women their rights, fight for your motherland, stand against any foreign invader and dying for the cause is a great deed. This is what they learn and they’re taught and these ’Seekers’ consider it their moral and religious duty to follow their learning.

                So far we should now be clear about who they are, now let’s move to our first question for which we’ll have to move back to Cold War era: Christmas eve of 1979 marked the beginning of a 10 year bloody, full-fledged, conventional offensive of Soviet’s Red Army in Afghanistan as a part of their master plan to reach hot water ports of either Iran or Pakistan. A Muslim country invaded and rest of Muslim world remained silent, no action taken, nothing. These ‘Seekers’ felt the responsibility of saving a Muslim land on their shoulders after being certain of the fact that their leaders are no longer potent enough to stand the might of Soviet Union. Hence they left pen behind and took hold of guns. Unknown till then the word ‘Taliban’ as they called themselves was now, at large in the communist bloc and was praised in the imperial and capitalist bloc. Seen as liberator and saviour of Afghans and America, hailed as heroes in the western media, they were openly supported. Thus started an influx of military aid, which meant they were authorized at international level by the big powers to continue their war. And so is answered our first question, now what next -? Well we all know that, but I am not done yet.

                Feb 1989, Red Army retreated, formally marking the end of a decade old war. With Soviets out, Najeeb ullah (former Afghan king) sacked, country fell in chaos, into the hands of warlords. It was at this stage when again a young ‘Seeker’ from a renowned madrassa of “Dar-ul-uloom Haqqania”, at that time teaching at his own madrassa in Afghanistan, came to the rescue. After putting an end to all the chaos, established his rule, now came the time when he put in practice all he learnt and was taught, he established a just society, educational rights were equally granted to women within Islamic codes. Afghanistan at that time was major producer and exporter of poppy, with his rise to power this export, according to a survey, fell by a massive 75% thanks to the crack down on all poppy crops by his orders, not to mention a 30% increase during Najeeb’s reign and an 80% increase in planting and export after NATO offensive of 2001. And he is none other than one as West and we know him Mullah Muhammad Omer, Ronald Regean, 40^th American president, held these ‘Seekers’ in high esteem by saying; “these ‘gentlemen’ are the moral equivalents of America’s founding fathers.” So does that mean that Regean is comparing Mullah Omer with George Washington?? If so what has happened now, tables have turned so badly that they now have announced a bounty on the head of their equivalent of George Washington, well that’s pathetic.

                           

                Everything changed so badly that the word ‘Taliban’ is now associated with; terrorism, anarchy, chaos, kidnapping for ransom, killing innocent, drug trafficking and even with the blowing up women’s educational institutions. Now I’ve question here, is this what the Prophet(PBUH), Quran or Sunnah says, is this what they are taught at their universities; to kill innocent, does Quran teaches us or them to collect money for war against invaders, by any means necessary, no matter its drug trafficking or kidnapping for ransom?? Since when Islamic law change? A religion for all ages and all times suddenly changed for 21^st century. Did the Prophet (PBUH) say to cut the hand the writes for peace or to silence a mouth that voice for it-? No, not at all, neither are these ‘Seekers’ taught such crap. My concepts of these ‘Seekers of Knowledge’ tell me that if Prophet (PBUH) or Quran or Sunnah forbade them from these misdeeds then they would definitely refrain from doing so. Wakeup people the name is being used to create chaos and anarchy. Shooting Malala is of no good to Taliban, neither is this their way of warfare, i.e. to go for females or children.

                The acceptance of responsibility by TTP leadership clearly shows how infiltrated the circle is; if one sees all this through an eagle eye he can see the difference between Taliban and “Taliban.”