Sorry Sona I didn't see your comment until after mine was published. I accept your points and I agree that there is an inability or unwillingness to shoulder the responsibility for reform here. But the perception that the sovereignty of Pakistan is being undermined is an important one nonetheless, even in the debate over the blasphemy laws. I had some reservations but put it in anyway as I thought it worth drawing attention to this. The notion of a crusade against Islam is ever-present in the Muslim world these days, and sensitivy over the person of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)in any country can not be understood without an awareness of this perception.
Dear all, thanks for the comments. Several points are worth replying to:
Suleyman F: humanistic spirit - I understand your point, but could not really go into a debate over Quranic ethics, I merely used this term to better frame Dr. Khalid Zaheer's position.
Yusuf Legere: could you send me your personal email? I would like to discuss some of the arguments and evidences offered for the jurists on this point.
NassirH: who do you think is espousing an essentialist point of view?
Yusuf: please add me on facebook; Rob Adil Wainwright. Cheers.
Sona: agreed.
Sorry Sona I didn't see your comment until after mine was published. I accept your points and I agree that there is an inability or unwillingness to shoulder the responsibility for reform here. But the perception that the sovereignty of Pakistan is being undermined is an important one nonetheless, even in the debate over the blasphemy laws. I had some reservations but put it in anyway as I thought it worth drawing attention to this. The notion of a crusade against Islam is ever-present in the Muslim world these days, and sensitivy over the person of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)in any country can not be understood without an awareness of this perception.
Dear all, thanks for the comments. Several points are worth replying to:
Suleyman F: humanistic spirit - I understand your point, but could not really go into a debate over Quranic ethics, I merely used this term to better frame Dr. Khalid Zaheer's position.
Yusuf Legere: could you send me your personal email? I would like to discuss some of the arguments and evidences offered for the jurists on this point.
NassirH: who do you think is espousing an essentialist point of view?
Thanks.