The sectarian harmony that our country once knew is no more. We know this already, with terrorist attacks targeting Christians, Shias and other minority groups across the country. More and more groups are moving into the crosshair of the extremist elements who carry out such killings. The previously low-key Bohra community of Karachi, which has mainly restricted itself to business and trade activity, has in recent years come under threat. The latest attack on the group came on Friday afternoon with a mosque in the Aram Bagh area in the centre of Karachi hit by a bomb placed outside it, reportedly on a motorcycle. As a result of the blast, two were killed and at least 10 injured. Police say they are conducting investigations. The worst such attack on the Bohra community was in September 2012 when seven persons were killed and many others injured in twin blasts in a predominantly Bohra locality in the city. It is unclear which group is behind these latest attacks, but it is obvious a pattern is being followed.
Essentially, the blasts are a result of the increasing hatred that has drifted across our country and created deeper divides. As it continues to spread, more and more elements that had previously never been at the centre of religious strife are being drawn into the horrors that unfold in our nation. As this process continues, we are losing all sense of social unity. The situation is essentially a disastrous one. It has particularly grave repercussions in a city as diverse as Karachi. Over the decades, this diversity has gradually been lost with the groups that formed the essence of Karachi forced away as a result of growing orthodoxy. It is unfortunate too that few political parties or major religious forces speak up when smaller groups are hit. They must do so, and so must citizens if we are to prevent a further splintering of a society that has already been torn apart with increasingly shrinking semblance of the tolerance we once knew visible anywhere in our country. With the continued onslaught on defenceless minority groups, the problem will only worsen. From where we stand right now, it seems we have no means at our disposal to prevent this and save our county from standing divided and in a state of what essentially amounts to civil war.http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-8-308123-Shattered-peace
Comments are closed.