There can perhaps be no more bitter an irony. For at a time when Imran Khan has vowed to spearhead an international campaign against the defamation of religion — the Prime Minister chose to argue that Jesus Christ is not an historical figure.
This was a gross misstep. Also, a dangerous one. Regardless of the intended context. It is also strongly disputed. For both Roman and Jewish historians have mentioned Jesus of Nazareth. Indeed, as New Testament scholar Dr Simon Gathercole notes: Flavius Josephus, who wrote a history of Judaism around AD93, was the first author outside of the Church to talk of Christ. And then there is the question of denigrating an entire religion that takes as its premise belief in Jesus as a living being.
It is the job of the head of government to safeguard the interests of all Pakistan’s citizenry. This must include assessing the impact of words on, in this case, a minority community already under fire. After all, Asia Bibi is still in Pakistan despite being acquitted of blasphemy by the highest court in the land. The likes of Khadim Rizvi have not let up on their incitement to religious hatred and murder. Rather, they have likely been encouraged by the state’s capitulation to their resurgent and violent agenda. And now there is news that the former farm labourer’s family is on the move; constantly. For a number of clerics are reportedly going door-to-door. Armed with photographs, no less. All in a bid to hunt them down. If located, there will undoubtedly be yet more bloodshed. That much is understood.
Nevertheless, this is the context in which Khan chose to speak about Jesus. And in doing so, he stands accused of flaming the fires of anti-Christian sentiment. None of which will do. Not when shortly after sweeping to power in the summer he made his own social contract with the people. Namely, that he would serve as PM for all. But this must go beyond talk of healing the partisan divide to include non-Muslims and Muslim minority sects. For this was the promise of Naya Pakistan.
Instead, in its place is a return to the status quo. One that seeks action against religious defamation. At least when Muslim sentiments are hurt; as in the case of anti-Islam Dutch politician Geert Wilders and his now defunct controversial cartoon competition that for many crossed over into the realm of outright blasphemy. Of course, the Khan government was right to raise the issue with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Not least because European Islamophobia is an unwelcome reality. That being said, when any Pakistani leader fails to undertake similar efforts to safeguard the sentiments of the country’s religious minorities — regardless of what the Constitution stipulates — he or she unwittingly fuels a narrative which demands that the latter be punished for western Islamophobia.
The PM is promising to deliver an international declaration against the defamation of religion. Yet several already exist such as: the UN Declaration of the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (1981). Thus it would surely make more sense for the Centre to strengthen its own commitments on this front. Both at home and abroad.
For it is time that state and citizenry recognises that every group holds its religious beliefs as dearly as those who enjoy majority status.
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