Put your house in order first

Almost every Friday, students of various seminaries across Pakistan organize protest demonstrations against the Israeli atrocities against Palestinians. As a ritual, every week they try to attract the attention of the world toward the world’s largest open-air prison, Gaza. There is no doubt that Israeli actions should be condemned at all levels. I, somehow, feel that in addition to these global issues, these elements should also try to focus on the problems facing their own country. The law and order situation is poor triggering a flight of capital from the country leaving the economy in tatters.

The menace of terrorism is on the rise and most, if not all, of these terrorists are the products of these seminaries. Why don’t they condemn those actions in a similar fashion?

I don’t wish to accuse them of sponsoring terrorist organizations but at least these seminaries could play an important role in changing people’s mindset.

Sectarianism in on the rise in various parts of the country, particularly in Balochistan’s capital city Quetta where the poor Hazara community is continuously being targeted due to its sectarian affiliation.

They should also protest against elements who are trying to turn some Hazara-dominated areas into ghettos. Since 2003, hundreds of Hazaras have been killed in cold blood at the hands sectarian terrorists. The heads of religious seminaries across the country should also try to raise their