Musharraf's Secularism is a Joke

http://www.mideastinsight.org/03_02/musharraf2.html ^

[BlackIce]

From the man himself:

Are you interested in seeing Pakistan in the model of a secular Islamic state along the lines of Turkey?


MUSHARRAF: No, not at all. This is not a secular state. As I said, our forefathers, the founders of Pakistan, created Pakistan as an Islamic republic. So this is not a secular state, as opposed to Turkey. Certainly not. And I am not going to change that at all.

[AM2000]

Musharraf's Secularism is a Joke

Pakistan has proudly and loudly claimed to be an Islamic nation since the days of General Zia. Musharraf has never, to my knowledge, said or done anything, to suggest a change in course. The title of your post is, therefore, misleading.

[BlackIce]

Remember how the Media was portraying Musharraf as the next Ataturk??

Well thats why my title says that.

[AM2000]

The media is stupid. Musharraf never said any such thing, nor has the Pakistani nation ever pretended to be anything but Islamic.

[BlackIce]

Yeah thats true. Look I'm not disagreeing with what you said earlier, I'm just saying that THE MEDIA (as you said) labelling Musharraf as the next Ataturk is a joke cause the man himself says otherwise.

[GOP_1900AD]

How come no one ever confronts this bast%&#$ about his Axis with the PRC? What, is it some sort of taboo topic? What a lame interviewer...(one of many...)

[Dog Gone]

I haven't read the article yet, but the headline from the source is "PAKISTAN WILL REMAIN A PARTNER IN FIGHTING TERRORISM"

[BlackIce]

Damn man, I can't get any Poetic License?? :)

[Dog Gone]

That was a way more than poetic license, but I'm still glad you posted the interview. I was under the impression, at least, that Musharraf had some vision of moving toward a secular state eventually.

That's not the case. At best he's moving away from a radical islamic state.

[Torie]

The poor man is trying to survive. Do you really want him to fall on his sword in public? That would be ugly and unfortunate.

[Dog Gone]

I'm lowering my expectations of Musharraf. I wanted him to be Ataturk. I don't think he's going to be that.

I'll settle for useful dictator. For now.

[Torie]

The man would be dead in a week if he went down that road publically. He did shut down the Muslim fundie schools though.

[swarthyguy]

Calling President Bush and Colin Powell. Hey, you guys, listen up. Here's WAZZUP!

Pakistani secularim is as real as a three dollar bill.

[swarthyguy]

Nothing's been shut down. They're ALL still operating.

[keri]

Not only are they all operating, but only about 4,000 out of the 15,000 - 40, 000 have even complied with the government's ordnance to register. (issued in June)

I'm trying to decide if Musharraf's public statement about Pakistan remaining an Islamic State is PR for the Madrassas, or the simple truth.

[swarthyguy]

The simple and plain truth.

A jihadi in a uniform, well groomed, with proper British English.

Just shaves, unlike arafat. But far more devious and dangerous.

I'm glad he'g giving these interviews.

Of course, Musharrafat's apologists will cite the pakistani street, speaking to the domestic audience, blah blah blah. So who's he lying to today; us or them.

Pakistan's islamicness is enshrined in the constitution.

"A person shall not be qualified for election as President unless he is a Muslim of not less than forty-five years of age and is qualified to be elected as member of the National Assembly."

The Constitution, Article 41(2)

[BlackIce]

I got another Interview with Musharraf but the only thing is I cant find the link...yet. Its even better than this.

[anu_shr]

Musharraf has no choice but to talk about Pakistan as an Islamic nation - secularism is poisonous to ordinary Pakistani as is socialism to Americans. From what I remember , he has been as secular as any Pakistani leader can become and survive. He is not some stupid Islamic Jehadi. His hatred of India has greater pathological roots than Islam ... he is a proud soldier whose army has been defeated by India twice when he was a junior officer and once when he himself led the army to the Kargil adventure. He wants revenge and will not rest till he gets it. Unfortunately for him..India is not exactly the Soviet union and has limitless number of people who can fight and run over his country. Terrorism is the best way to hurt India. That is the weapon of the weak and Musharraf knows that.

[keri]

So who's he lying to today; us or them.

Us and them, I'd say. Credit the guy for being smart, unlike Arafat. Musharraf has probably done more for Pakistan's military than any other dictator the Pakis have ever had.

Point blank, I think the guy's a con. A darn good one.