Written by: Ikram Azam
❖ Social Contradictions and Hypocrisy
We are currently engulfed in a
collective shock so complex that analyzing it seems almost impossible. These
social contradictions and our
own hypocrisy are leaving us in a state of
moral and cultural limbo.
❖ The Issue of Co-Education
Mention
co-education, and some will promptly defend placing women at reception desks. Discuss the
ills of media, and modernists will raise their voices. Critique
parental negligence, and others will cry over unemployment. Mention
estrangement from Islam, and anti-religious voices will grow hostile. Talk about the
cultural invasion through Indian movies and dramas, and the advocates of "Aman ki Asha" will take offense.
❖ Silence Seems Wiser
In such an environment, remaining
silent seems the wisest course. Let the
gender equality enthusiasts rejoice, the
modernity lovers bask in their glow, and the
lamenters of worldly trials continue their complaints. Let the
candlelit activists enjoy their gatherings, and peace advocates be greeted with peace.
❖ The Burden of Responsibility
Viewing all this, I hold
myself accountable. As the father of a 14-year-old, I am part of this society's
double standards. I
accept co-education, yet cannot tolerate its consequences. I have given my children access to
TV, cable, and internet, but expect them to
learn nothing from it.
❖ Our Double Life
We claim to be advancing, yet invoke Islam hypocritically. We've adopted
Western lifestyles, where saying "thank you" to a wife for her time and gifting at a daughter’s wedding are norms. We oppose
honor killings, but accept
suicides in the name of love as natural.
❖ A Chain of Hypocrisy
Our
hypocrisy is consuming our children. We defend placing girls at public counters but
maintain strict gender segregation at home. We
organize seminars against child marriage, yet consider
teenage love natural.
❖ Conclusion: Acknowledge Our Reality
We have entangled our lives in contradictions.
One foot in religion, one finger on Bollywood. Instead of restraining our children, we must
eliminate our contradictions. Our
greatest flaw is hypocrisy, and it is
destroying our future generations.
Written Reflection by Ikram Azam