Yesterday, six people were killed when two suicide bombs went off at International Islamic University. It was the most recent in a series of attacks to rock the nation.
A video on the University’s website sums up its purpose, “At International Islamic University, Islamabad, we are for knowledge beyond boundaries.”
The Pakistani public and various media commentators seem to be bewildered at the choice for the twin attacks. After all, this is an institution that emphasizes Islamic principles and lifestyle choices with the technological world.
“International Islamic University represents the sphere of deliberation and institutionalized religion which attacks the very notion of militant warfare that is being espoused by groups like Al Qaeda and the Taliban that see themselves as counterrevolutionary forces,” said Rafia Zakaria, a columnist for Dawn, the country’s most prestigious daily newspaper.
Why would extremists harm this institution and Pakistani students?
The answer is simple: we are dealing with groups that have no respect for life or liberty, and they are entering into a new phase — one in which any death is acceptable. In the days leading up to the Pakistani Army’s offensive into South Waziristan (which began Saturday), Pakistan saw attacks and fatalities almost every day.
These are people who live in a world of inconsistencies and general hypocrisy. They would berate the US and the West for allegedly wanting to take over their country, while killing their fellow citizens. They claim to treat women better and respect them more than the West does, but will not hear of equal education. There is a reason a bomb was detonated specially in the women’s area of the University.
Public opinion has been staunchly against the Taliban, but has never transferred over fully into support for the administration’s anti-Taliban efforts.
It is time to fully support Pakistani initiatives to free the country once and for all…we need to stop losing the bright, caring and hard-working people to these extremists.
