Here comes the French Mayor Robert Chardon: “We Must Ban the
Muslim Faith in France”, calling for governmental legislation that will ban
Islam. He also stated in one of his very
recent statements that, “It’s the only solution for most of France’s problems,”
and, “We also need a Marshall Plan to send Muslims to countries where the
religion is practiced.” This man is the mayor of Venelles, a French town with a
population of about 8,000 people, and according to the news reports and media
he is more righteous than any of the politicians in Paris.
Here we go, French flag being projected on most of the
profile pictures on social media as the face book makes a French flag display
picture filter. The dilemma is not of the display picture (DP) filter, it is
with the mindset of our youth who are changing their DPs without knowing
anything. Who are the forces controlling the minds of our youth and what is
being injected in the brains? I think the issue again rests with our media.
Let’s put this question to ourselves, are we inculcating the right thoughts
among our youth? Wake up my dear Pakistanis and especially the youth infected
by the social media. Being a true Muslim, after reading my opening lines think
for a while about the dire need to stand united and campaign on social media
for the rights of the other innocent souls.
Has any group from Pakistan questioned Face book about why
they never created a Palestinian, Pakistani, Lebanon, Yemen, Burma, Africa,
Syrian, Iraqi, Afghan or any other country’s flag filter where hundreds die
each month and are bombarded on daily basis? Who raised voice to create a
Pakistani flag filter after 16th December Army Public School attacks in
Peshawar? Was there anything brutal than that incident where hundreds of
children were ruthlessly tortured, killed and the teachers burnt alive?
Be it a Muslim or a non Muslim, all souls are precious! No
soul deserves a death of terror! I condemn Paris attack on humanitarian
grounds, and each of us should too, but not at the cost of discrimination.
Pakistan has been standing up to take the war against terrorism and Zarb-e-Azab
is the living example in which thousands of army officers have given away their
lives.
Muslims have been killed brutally in Bangladesh, Egypt,
Palestine, India and many other countries, but the extreme hypocrisy of western
imperial mindset never raised any voice for this, nor did the social media.
Many of the news are not even taken up by the social media. Why this
"Selective" Humanity and Imperialistic mindset? And my dear youth, I
am asking you why you are following it? This actually shows our devotion for
nationalism, level of awareness, understanding of issues and polluted mindset.
Are we going in the right direction? You should question yourself, if there
were any Americans, British or French who changed their profiles to condole
whatever is going on in these countries? Ask them that how many of them supported
and showed outrage of ISIS terror attacks on these countries by changing their
profile pictures to the flags of these countries.
Dear youth, it’s not my argument about changing the profile
pictures, I am requesting you all to show your care for human life other than
that of Paris too. Do these innocent souls not deserve recognition or
humanitarian support like Paris?! Why are their brutal deaths not highlighted
or given outrage?! Why are you sleeping at other incidents?
Let me answer as well for the youth, your minds are polluted
by the media projection. You all need to assess for yourself and understand what
is right and wrong. Condemn the attacks, where ever they happen, raise your
voice on social media platforms, give all the attacks and brutalities an equal
response. You have responded to what the social media demanded, but learn to
put your demands too. Speak for your country and other souls who depart
unnoticed crying for someone to stand up for them. Try to make best use of
these media tools rather than following a trend. I ask you to be a trend setter
not a trend follower. Take up a stand for once and make the world follow you.
This is the age of e-media and most decisions are subsequent to what is
highlighted by it, then why not to stand by all the innocent lives and
incidents that take place. I do not suggest to be prejudice but think for a
while who are building your opinions and then try to be an opinion builder.
Terrorism is condemned everywhere, not just where social
media chooses to report and our youth following it blindly. Try to bring
humanity together for all innocent lives not just the ones the social media
chooses.
(The writer is a media professional and can be reached at taniaq29@gmail.com)
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