Taliban-like fires burn in Pakistan, Elected Islamists imposing strict law in province

Chicago Tribune ^ | June 8, 2003 | Liz Sly

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- A pall of gloom has descended over the ancient musicians' bazaar in this sprawling frontier city. Music has suddenly become most unfashionable.

In days gone by, one could earn up to $60 a week playing at weddings and other functions, said harmonium player Khayal Gul. But since an alliance of Islamic fundamentalist parties won control of the provincial government in elections in October and declared music to be un-Islamic, people have begun to steer clear of music in any form.

Police raided the bazaar in January and detained 24 musicians, marking the start of a creeping campaign of Islamization that culminated last week with the passage of a bill establishing Shariah (Islamic law) in Pakistan's North-West Frontier province.

"They have taken all the happiness out of our society," Gul said. "Before, the love of music was everywhere, but now the customers have fear in their minds, and we have fear in our minds too."

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

"They have taken all the happiness out of our society"

That line says it all.

[Im Your Huckleberry]

Yup. Islam in a nutshell.

[chachacha]

Anyone surpised?

[xJones]

"They have taken all the happiness out of our society," Gul said. "Before, the love of music was everywhere, but now the customers have fear in their minds, and we have fear in our minds too."

Then why doesn't he get off his butt and do something about it? Afterall, suicide bombers are honored in that "culture".

Moan and groan, but it's their country and it can't be up to West to save them.

[knarf]

"They have taken all the happiness out of our society," Gul said. "Before, the love of music was everywhere, but now the customers have fear in their minds, and we have fear in our minds too."

Unfortunately, Islam has carved from their hearts the will to be free, they are doomed.

We in America ... well ... many of the revolutionists, couldn't live with ANY form of oppression and tyranny.

It cost blood and lives, but we are the beneficiaries of that magnificent struggle.

We live in historic times. Let's pay attention to these dark ages nations and be reminded that there is a force that desires the destruction of all men.

God bless America.

God help the men in her.

[cardinal4]

Im surprised it has taken so long for the Sharia supporters to overtake Pakistan. Its all part of the plan.

[xJones]

We live in historic times. Let's pay attention to these dark ages nations and be reminded that there is a force that desires the destruction of all men.

Well said, so true.

[trebb]

This bolsters my theory that, when we were heading into Afghanistan, President Bush went behind the scenes and made it absolutely clear that if Pakistan didn't act in support of us, we would treat them like Afghanistan. I can't think of any other reason why we would have gotten the support with Pakistan turning so solidly "Taliban"...

[angkor]

Either Musharraf agrees that music is an offense to the "glory of Islam," or he is no longer running his country.

"Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam ..."

The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Fundamental Rights and Principles of Policy