Only the Khilafah will Secure the Muslims and Non-Muslims of Drought Afflicted Thar
Thirty-year-old Marubhat, a resident of Samo Bheel village – a two-hour drive from Chhachhro, Pakistan- decided to end her life on 23 August 2014, after she had failed to provide food for her children, as reported by Dawn Newspaper on 2nd September. In previous years, twenty four such suicide cases were reported in 2011 and 35 in 2012. But this is the 31st death in Tharparkar district as a result of suicide within just seven months, officials say. According to data compiled by AWARE, an NGO working in Thar, suicide is a dilemma faced by both women and men. “We are pressurised to avoid giving exact figures,” says Ali Akbar Rahimoo, executive director at AWARE. “But these suicide cases cannot be looked at in isolation as they are part of a bigger problem which is poverty due to drought.” The drought began over a year ago. Yet, Whilst men and women are killing themselves, with children dying of hunger and thirst, the provincial and federal governments are busy in pointing fingers at each other. The drought in Thar is not a new issue as it is a desert region. The government instead of implementing a permanent solution to the problem has left the remedies to the NGOs with limited funds and resources. And this in a country which is amongst the largest producers of wheat, with 25 million metric tonne per year, ranked 8th in the world and with a similar ranking for overall agriculture production in the world! The situation highlights the problem with distribution of the resources and the absence of a government that cares for the people.
Islam has defined food, shelter and clothing as the individual basic need and health, education and security as the collective basic need for society whose fulfillment is the responsibility of the Islamic state. It is narrated that Rasool Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said
«لَيْسَ لِابْنِ آدَمَ حَقٌّ فِي سِوَى هَذِهِ الْخِصَالِ: بَيْتٌ يَسْكُنُهُ وَثَوْبٌ يُوَارِي عَوْرَتَهُ وَجِلْفُ الْخُبْزِ وَالْمَاءِ»
“The son of Adam has no right to anything except these properties: a house to live in, a clothing to cover his ‘awrah (parts of body that must be covered in public), a chunk of bread, and water” (reported by Al-Tirmidhi who said it is Hasan Sahih).
Therefore we see, the Khulafa’a in Islam striving to fulfill the basic needs of all the citizens of the Khilafah state. In the year 17-18 A.H, Hijaz and Syria were faced by severe famine and drought. Umar (ra) took steps to get food supplies from Egypt, he ordered the wali (governor) of Egypt to send help, he sent three big ships of grains to Madinah which were unloaded in the presence of Hadzrat Umar (ra). He himself distributed the grains amongst the needy. Umar (ra) did not take any delicacy (butter etc.) during the famine period. When he was requested to take care of his health, he said, “If I don’t taste suffering, how can I know the sufferings of others?.”
Moreover, not only did the Khilafah take care of the affairs of the Muslims and non-Muslims living within the boundaries of the Khilafah, it made efforts to alleviate the suffering of humanity outside of its borders. In 1845, the onset of the Great Irish Famine resulted in over a million deaths. The Uthmaani Sultan Khaleefah Abdul-Majid declared his intention to send 10,000 Sterling (which is more than 2 Million USD today) to Irish farmers but Queen Victoria requested that the Sultan send only 1,000 sterling, because she had sent only 2,000 sterling herself. The Sultan sent the 1,000 sterling, but also secretly sent three ships full of food. The English courts tried to block the ships, but the food arrived in Drogheda harbor and was left there by the Uthmaani Khilafah’s navy. Due to this the Irish people, especially those in Drogheda, are friendly with the Muslims of Turkey until this day.
Democracy Remains as America’s Horse in Pakistan, Ready for any Jockey
Throughout the lengthy, disruptive and violent standoff between the PML-N and PTI parties, America repeatedly stressed support for Democracy. In the build up to the crisis, the US Ambassador busily met the different factions, underlining that America will only accept change according to the constitution of Democracy. Then, as the crisis began to deepen, the US State Department Deputy Spokesperson said on 22 August 2014 that the US ambassador “meets quite frequently with a range of officials” and then stressed again upon acting according to the constitution of Democracy. Then on 29 August, as violent confrontation loomed, the US State Department stressed yet again that “peaceful protests and freedom of expression” were “important aspects of democracy.”
Those upon whom America depends on for control over Pakistan and its armed forces repeated their Washington master’s call to support Democracy. The Raheel-Nawaz regime declared via the ISPR on 1 September 2014, “Army is an apolitical institution and has expressed its unequivocal support for democracy at numerous occasions.” As for the PTI, it exposed itself before the people as undeserving to rule Pakistan as the current regime, by struggling for Democracy. On 1 September 2014, Imran Khan spoke with great pride for “My eighteen year struggle for justice and Democracy.”
Thus, both directly and through its agents, America stressed upon support for Democracy because Democracy is the clear guarantor of American interests in Pakistan. This is why in a 12 December 2012 interview to the BBC, when asked about who would win Pakistan’s May 2013 elections, the US Ambassador Richard Olson declared with great confidence, “Our horse is democracy.” Yes indeed, it is Democracy that America steers according to its interests, regardless of who comes to ride as a jockey upon it, whether the PPP, the PML-N or the PTI.
Energy Must Be a Public Property As Mandated by Islam, Not Privatized Under Capitalism
Pakistan State Oil Company (PSO) on Wednesday 3 September unveiled accounts for the year ended June 30, 2014, showing 73 per cent growth in profit-after-tax (PAT) to Rs21.8 billion, translating into earning per share (eps) at Rs80.31 from PAT at Rs12.6bn or eps at Rs46.52 the previous year. A statement by the company said that PSO’s sales and PAT had hit all time high. Sales revenue grew 9pc to Rs1.4 trillion from Rs1.29tr YoY.
“The Board commended the management led by Amjad Parvez Janjua MD-PSO, for achieving outstanding yearly’s results for the Company, which are all time high in the history of PSO” statement concluded.
This grand announcement comes over a year after the government confirmed that PSO will be handed over to private ownership, so that the immense wealth is confined to a few hands. On 13 July 2013 Muhammad Zubair, Chairman of the regime’s Board of Investment (BOI), confirmed that the PSO will be privatized. The privatisation of state-owned companies is one of the conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund’s $5.3 billion to $7.3 billion bailout package.
Islam will end the capitalist economy and establish an Islamic one. As a system Islam ensures the distribution of wealth and one of its mechanisms is the public ownership of oil resources as well as coal, electricity and gas. As such these resources are neither owned by the state nor individuals. Instead, the state administers this resource to ensure that its benefit is used for all the citizens, regardless of race, color, school of thought and religion. The Khilafah will abolish oppressive taxes upon power and fuel which have further greatly inflated their prices. It will charge only to cover their production and distribution costs, if needed, and any profit from sales to non-hostile non-Muslim states will be put to use for taking care of the public’s needs. Islam’s energy policy will contribute to a massive industrialization of Pakistan, supervised by the Khilafah.
Democracy is a Business Opportunity for Corrupt Politicians
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan stirred up a controversy on 4 September with a frontal attack on PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan, accusing him of using the name of the late Benazir Bhutto for business interests and personal gains and being a facilitator of the biggest land mafia in the country. “I know where he is speaking from. He is a representative and facilitator of the biggest land mafia in the country,” Chaudhry Nisar remarked. The charges levelled immediately prompted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to call Mr Ahsan and the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Syed Khursheed Shah, to apologise over the remarks. However, the Interior Minister of the ruling PML-N attacking the PPP over corruption is the pot calling the kettle black. Democracy is a business opportunity for all corrupt politicians. Thus the remarks are not a surprise for anyone who understand Democracy and the apologies of the ruling PML-N are nothing more than embarrassment over its own corrupt financial ventures.
Wherever democracy exists, neglect and exploitation of the people by the few elite will always occur. In Western democracies, the richest people are those with access to political power in democracy, either directly or through sponsorship of politicians. The concentration of wealth in these hands is legalized through man made legislation under democracy. The political families make wealth because they have usurped from society sources of huge revenue. Specifically, the predominately state properties and public properties, such as large scale arms manufacture, banking and energy industry. In Democracy human mind is used as the source of what is right and wrong, despite its limitations in knowledge, error in judgment, inability to be selfless and contradictions. So human beings have been able to legalize oppression over others by making laws to secure it.
So if this is the situation in developed and uninterrupted Democracy’s why should anyone be surprised that it occurs in Pakistan’s Democracy? This inbuilt corruption is the reason that Democracy attracts the ruthless, cunning and greedy. Whereas the sincere and talented people stay away from politics and find a Halaal living in the vibrant and creative private sector. Islam cuts the cause of exploitation of the masses by an elite. In the Khilafah, Muslims live according to the commands and prohibitions of Islam. Allah سبحانه وتعالى has revealed,
وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلاَ مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُمْ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ وَمَنْ يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلاَلاً مُبِينًا
“It is not befitting for a believing man or woman to have any choice in a matter, when it has been decided upon by Allah and His Messenger.”
(Al-Ahzab 33:36)
Democratic Regimes Neglect the Flood Victims
Over the weekend of 7-8 September 2014, the death toll reached 115, due to flooding after recent heavy rain in parts of Pakistan’s provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa (KPK), with others injured. Most of the deaths were caused by roof collapses, landslides and electric shocks. A number of cities received over 130mm of rain. Pakistan’s meteorological office issued a severe weather warning for northeast Punjab and Kashmir, saying more intense rain was expected which could trigger flash flooding.
Despite the history of floods in past four years, no adequate measures can be seen practically by any Democratic government. The NCCP (National Climate Change Policy) that was launched in the aftermath of previous floods in response to public anger has now been shelved. Shortly after coming to power in May 2013 general elections, the PML(N)-led government demoted the Ministry of Climate Change to a Division and slashed its budget, as the issue was no longer under public scrutiny. Regarding the drainage system a WASA official declared, “In December, WASA sent necessary maps and drawings and data on the water and sanitation system to Turkish experts to suggest improvement in the system.” the Turkish officials suggested WASA to specify canals to drain sewage and rainwater separately, so that they did not choke during rains. They had also suggested the construction of new canals as per needs besides urging WASA not to rely on the decades-old combined sewerage system. They also asked WASA to install water treatment plants in the city to be used for irrigation, rather than diverting it to the rivers. They also stressed on educating people to dispose of domestic waste properly rather than letting it flow on roads and streets. The suggestions were never taken up for consideration. Democracy has proven itself as a system that only secures the interests of the democratic political elite and neglects the people.
Islam has made politics as looking after the affairs of the Ummah and an obligation. Failure renders the ruler accountable on the Day of Judgment. RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
«كانت بنو إسرائيل تسوسهم الأنبياء، كلما هلك نبي خلفه نبي، وأنه لا نبي بعدي، وستكون خلفاء فتكثر، قالوا: فما تأمرنا ؟ قال: فوا ببيعة الأول فالأول، وأعطوهم حقهم فإن الله سائلهم عما استرعاهم»
‘The Prophets ruled over the children of Israel, whenever a prophet died another Prophet succeeded him, but there will be no Prophet after me. There will soon be Khulafaa’ and they will number many.’ They asked: ‘what then do you order us?’ He said: ‘Fulfil the Bai’ah to them, one after the other and give them their dues for Allah will verily account them about what he entrusted them with.'” [Muslim]
Thus we see, the politicians in Islam keep looking after the affairs of the Ummah. Umar (ra) when charged with ruling said, “If an animal, in the land of Iraq trips, I would be afraid that Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم would account me, for not fixing the road for it.” When floods struck Makkah after the passing of RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم, Umar (ra) ordered the construction of two dams to protect the Kaaba and also constructed a dam near Medina to protect its fountains from flooding, thus resolving the devastation from flood from it very basis. Also, during a famine, Umar ibn al-Khattab ordered the construction of a canal in Egypt connecting the Nile with the sea. The purpose of the canal was to facilitate the transport of grain to Arabia through a sea-route, hitherto transported only by land. The canal was constructed within a year by ‘Amr ibn al-‘As, and Suleman Nadvi may Allah have mercy on him wrote, “Arabia was rid of famine for all the times to come.”