Imagine the outcry if there were a sign barring Muslims from buying or renting apartments in a building anywhere in the world. But no one will take any particular notice of this.
“Property for sale, unless you are a non-Muslim,” by Raj Kumar, Express Tribune, September 30, 2019:
It is no secret that Pakistan has an abysmal record when it comes to protecting religious minorities and ensuring that their rights are safeguarded. But legislation and government action can only do so much; ultimately, it is the attitude of the masses which will determine whether we as a nation wish to protect religious plurality or not. Thus far, that seems rather unlikely. A torrential downpour of blasphemy cases, forced conversions and the fleeing of religious minority groups from Pakisatn has only led to the increasing marginalisation of those who belong to a religious minority in the country.
There is however a misconception that such bigotry and vitriol lingers only along the fringes of the nation and is a sentiment which is not echoed in the urban centres of Pakistan. Unfortunately, this is simply not the case. A recent example of discrimination against non-Muslims in Pakistan came to the fore when some pictures began to do the rounds on social media. The images show a sign on display in an apartment building in Karachi which states that non-Muslims cannot rent or purchase the apartments. Regrettably, for non-Muslims in Pakistan, this is not a new phenomenon, although I would have hoped for something better from a metropolitan and diverse city like Karachi.
This incident reminds me of my personal struggle of trying to get a place in Islamabad. At the very last hour, a proprietor in Islamabad told me that I could no longer acquire the property because I was a Hindu, and he said that he was afraid I would perform my religious activities which could ‘harm’ his religious beliefs. Truth be told, I have learned to ignore such attitudes and pay little heed to them. But it is deeply worrying when such incidents impact families and children. A friend of mine was told to vacate his premises in Islamabad, along with his family, simply because the neighbours took issue with the fact that a Hindu family was living in their locality. More than anything, I worry about how that will impact his children and shape their perceptions about the country they call home. Being born a non-Muslim in Pakistan comes with a cost, and being a Hindu is simply the ‘icing on the cake.’ You will often be called a traitor, an Indian, and will be considered an inferior individual.
I have regularly been lectured by others on how I should convert to Islam and how I must keep in mind that I live in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. But does living in an Islamic republic mean that the masses will not protect the rights of religious minorities?…
David Allen says
There are the same signs in London. Apparently it’s okay for Muslims to discriminate against who they let to. No one else would get away with it.
James Lincoln says
David Allen,
Interesting, can you supply any linked references?
mortimer says
DOUBLE STANDARDS are normative Islam, rather than aberrations. It is part of AL WALAA WAL BARAA … Islam’s APARTHEID TEACHING.
‘AL BARAA’ is translatable into English as ‘Islamic Apartheid’ or Shunning, Avoidance, Hatred, Cleansing, etc. Allah ordered Muslims to have Baraa (to be cleansed) from the dirty kufaar and from kufr and shirk (wrong worship). ‘AL BARAA’ is the reverse of ‘COMRADESHIP WITH MUSLIMS’ (AL WALAA).
AL BARAA is NORMATIVE ISLAM, rather than an aberration.
‘Baraa’ is HATRED directed towards Kafirs ‘for the sake of Allah’…Al Bughoud or Al Mu’adaat (hatred) is the opposite of Al Muwalaat (love towards Muslims). Baraa is:
– To Hate
– To keep distance from
– To be enemy to
– To desert
– To decline to help
– To disrespect
– To put down
– Not to ally with
– Not to support
Allah ordered Muslims to have Baraa (to be cleansed) from the dirty kufaar and from kufr and shirk.
-Imam Abdul-Latif ibn Abdur-Rahman Rahimullah said, “It is not possible for someone to realize Tawheed (Islamic faith) and act upon it, and yet not be HOSTILE against the mushrikeen (i.e. wrong worshippers). So anyone who isn’t HOSTILE against the mushrikeen, then it cannot be said that he acts upon Tawheed nor that he realizes it.” [ad-Durar as-Saniyyah 8/167]
-“The doctrine of al Walaa wal Baraa is the REAL IMAGE for the actual practice of this faith.” – source “Al Walaa wal Baraa According to the Aqeedah of the Salaf”, by Sheikh Muhammad Saeed al Qatani, authoritative Saudi Sharia lawyer and imam at the Abu Bakr and Al Furqan Mosques in Mecca.
DHazard says
An excellent outline of the conflict and division that is inherent and intrinsic to Islam.
gravenimage says
I’m sure this happens informally all the time, David–but do you have any examples of it being so blatant in London?
CogitoErgoSum says
Islamic Republic = a country full of racists.
European pagan says
I think it is better for the pakistani religious minorities to buy property in an other country. Pakistan is a sh*t country, better to go from there.
gravenimage says
Non-Muslims–Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians–from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan–have been offered citizenship in India. I hope as many as possible get to India. There is no future for them in the Muslim world.
Angemon says
Right – because “diversity is a strength”…
Infidel says
Honestly, India and Pakistan should resume something that had been interrupted by Gandhi and Nehru in 1947: a complete exchange of populations.
Pakistan and Bangladesh should b/w them take in all of India’s 200 million Muslims (barring, say, MINOs like Nusrat Jahan, a Muslim member of parliament married to a Jain), while India in return takes in all Pakistani Christians, Hindus and Sikhs and Bangladeshi Buddhists, Hindus and Christians). Pakistan can do what China did and settle them all in Balochistan. Bangladesh can put their new arrivals anywhere
The unexpected voice says
I couldn’t agree more.
gravenimage says
Pakistan: Sign at apartment building in Karachi says non-Muslims cannot rent or purchase the apartments
………………
This is very common in Dar-al-Islam.
Arthur says
I remember adv from Birmingham/UK – no pork, no alcohol allowed in the house
gravenimage says
Was this a rental?