God and State: a dangerous mix – Asjad Bukhari

In these days in some of the Muslims dominating countries question about the relation between state and religion is burning issue. Some consider this as war of rhetoric between liberal VS fanatics. In reality in Muslim societies it is fundamental question of our time to decide the domain of religion - rather state can dominate the narrative for or against religion OR it is personal matter. For example if somebody is wearing hijab or growing beard or wearing any religious symbol or practicing any ritual or prayer as per his/her believe that individual should have free option without “big brothers” interference. Same goes with religiously motivated personal morality - as long the person is not breaking the law of land or not hurting or forcing others they should be allowed but state should not make the laws as per somebody’s religion or religious interpretations.

We need to understand that religion by its spirit is voluntarily scheme to setup morality, spirituality and social interaction between individual and society; it can’t be forced by power of government or by militant groups. If God’s plan was to send religious scriptures to force on people by power then he would be appointing kings/warriors and other dominating people as prophets.

Let’s go back to current situation in some of the Muslim countries.... due to variety of reason and predominantly global imperialistic agenda and regional proxies there was political vacuum in countries like Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and tribal areas of Pakistan..... and when religious ambitions and narrative become leading agenda in that vacuum then we saw atrocities and complete devastation by religious groups and that was as per their interpretation of Islam. If we are sincere with Muslim majority countries like Pakistan and its people then we have to oppose spreading religious narrative by power of state or by Jihadi militant groups. If state stays neutral about religion and don’t have any religion then state can treat every citizen equally. State should allow all citizens to practice their religion as long they don’t force on others or don’t break the law of the land.

Professor Abdullahi Ahmed an-Naim’s book “Islam and the secular state: negotiating the future of Sharia” is great reading on this debate.

This is the link of lecture by professor Abdullahi on the same topic:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eor8H2CkpE8)

We should have this debate on all levels to resolve this conflicting point of mixing of religion and politics once and forever.