WHISK

Amidst the relentless coverage of the Lal Masjid Operation, our news channels and papers have tried very hard to keep abreast of the situation and to present the blow-by-blow news, as it happens, when it happens. Along with the situation on the ground, a few channels have presented the history of the Lal Masjid showdown, beginning with their first abduction, back in January. As usual, this is the entire extent of the coverage so far, including various interviews of the surrendering students, and of course, the coup d’etat: Abdul Aziz Ghazi’s drama in a burqa.

While the channels and papers are doing a great job of reporting events, this is what I want to know, outside of what’s happening right now:

1. Lal Masjid students have surrendered and, in some cases, been allowed to return home. I would like to know what the curriculum at the school is. I want to know what the Brothers Ghazi have been doing to instil such fierce loyalty to such a damaged cause. I know of at least one woman who surrendered to the police, who has spent 6 years at the seminary. Surely she has some information on the subjects she was taught, the daily routine of the students, and the kind of news they were exposed to while at Lal Masjid.
2. A black flag is hoisted proudly at the Lal Masjid door (though maybe not anymore). Al-Qaeda’s flag is very similar, if not exactly the same as this flag. The mosque’s clerics have claimed to have ties to Al Qaeda. How far is this true? Remember that these clerics led not only their own flock of about 5000 students, but also the residents from the surrounding areas in prayer every Friday. What is their influence on the surrounding residents, and how far has it spread? How long have these clerics been in this particular mosque, preaching their particular brand of hatred and violence?
3. What exactly is the position of the CDA with regards to the land grab by the Lal Masjid clerics? What was the area originally awarded to the mosque, and how much have they spread over the years? How was it done? By bribing officials, threatening them, or by using their contacts in the government to ensure they turn a blind eye to the illegal encroachments?
4. I want this situation analysed against an Islamic framework: the landgrab, the violence, the state-within-a-state… does anyone, no matter how well-read or qualified, have the authority to judge another muslim’s faith? If yes, then is the use of force allowed? How do we weigh this against the directives of tolerance and compassion? Where are the religious parties at a time like this, and why aren’t they being asked pointed questions regarding this?
5. How is a mosque ’shaheed’? The word ’shaheed’ has been ground into the dust by Pakistan; every other leader is a ’shaheed’, no matter the circumstances of their death. For those who don’t know, ’shaheed’ applies to those who died while fighting for the cause of Islam. Being hung for treason, having your plane blown up, or being assassinated by your own sister doesn’t count. By the same token, mosques built illegally, or with any hint of wrong-doing are hardly built in the name of Islam, and they certainly cannot die for it. Which demolished mosques were the Lal Masjid students protesting about? Did the loss of these mosques lead to a significant reduction of revenue for our clerics?
6. WHY? This is a question that noone has broached, even in passing (except maybe BBC or CNN, both of whom are leading their headlines with the Lal Masjid stand-off). Why has this happened? I don’t believe the response is as simple as disgust with society. Perhaps the hapless students believe they are doing this in the name of Islam, but the cowardice and eagerness to save their own skins leads me to believe that their leaders don’t have such strong convictions. What are their convictions, and how does this violence and rebellion help them in their agenda? How is it so easy for them to gather support for their actions? What are the elements of our society that are pushing us towards extremism? This is not a threat from outside Pakistan - Pakistani people firmly support Lal Masjid and are truly intolerant and judgemental of their fellow citizens. What makes us this way, and is their any way to change it?
7. Most importantly, perhaps, what are the consequences of this action? We’ve already seen protests in NWFP and Balochistan, firmly backing Lal Masjid. Are these protesters something to worry about? How many other people actually support the Lal Masjid viewpoint, and will they be a factor in our future?

Off the top of my head, I can come up with another 3 to 5 angles by which to approach and augment the Lal Masjid story - I am not a journalist, nor am I related to the field of journalism in any way, other than a few book reviews here and there. Why aren’t our journalists and experienced newspeople working on any of these angles? Why are these questions not being asked?