On the Arrest of Peace Activists

“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah , even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.” The Holy Quran (4:135)

Noor-e-Maryam Khanwer is a peace activist and an educationist. She is also Co-founder of Pakistan Youth Alliance, an organization that’s aims to create awareness for the youth of Pakistan, who are the future of this country. She spends her time teaching and inspiring scores of youth towards channeling their energy for a better country for us all. 

Jibran Nasir may very well be the conscience of an otherwise silent society. Putting his own life on the line, he ran as an independent candidate for the 2013 elections. Afterwards he led efforts for human rights activists ranging from setting up food camps for the IDPs of North Waziristan, to efforts for minority rights, youth empowerment and civic responsibilities.

Both these people were arrested today in Karachi for protesting against terrorism by the police, the very people who took an oath to protect us all. 

Here I mention only 2 people, but there were several others, maybe not as well-known but all united by their sense of justice. 

I don’t know any of them. But I do know this: they were fighting for me. And they were fighting for you too.

When they decided that it was more important for them to stand up against an impotent government rather than sitting comfortably in their homes, they stood up for us. When they shouted for peace, they said all that we should have said a long time ago. When they threw caution and security to the wind, they did so that we, who have yet to stand up for ourselves, may not have to make such a choice tomorrow.

I don’t know if, by the time, I finish writing this, they will still be in jail or God-willing, they would be let out. But I do know that none of us can put this behind us. We may not be the ones behind bars but today the police didn’t just try to silence their voices, they silenced ours.  Today, they did not oppress just a handful of peaceful activists, they oppressed us all. 

I am writing this because this is the least I can do. The least I can do is speak up. We all have different strengths. Lets utilize them. If we are not the ones who can lead people in a good and honest manner, lets support those who can in whatever way we can.

Ultimately, I can only urge you to open your eyes and see for yourself, who are the people who are standing for the truth and where do you stand? This is not just for this moment but for every effort that we make in our daily lives we need to constantly recognize the choices we make, to devote atleast some time and some talent or skill we may have for the same cause that these activists were arrested for.