Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 8, No. 3, 2009, Page 28
too late that their position was perilous. Some believe that when the militants of illegal
groups entered the compounds of the mosque, the two brothers lost control of the situation.
At the same time, the behavior of the government was quite shameful, one more proof of
its inability to provide its citizens with the rule of law. The final account of the approximately
200 deaths is contradictory, the number of weapons recovered from the mosque is huge,
and the explosions of the attack could be heard in the entire city. Some families are still
looking for the corpses of their sons, daughters, brothers, or sisters.
Conclusions
The ambiguities of the country of Pakistan and its birth theory contributed to a militia
seeking to implement a ―true Islamic system,‖ whatever their concept of that may be.
Adapting Islamic principles to the rules of the country and the present system has not been
achieved. There are modern and rich elites. Yet the mass of common people lack mobility
within society and have few opportunities to progress. A weak state apparatus that lacks
effectiveness and democratic ethos leaves people to look for different ways to have their
voices heard.
The Red Mosque group was one response to this intolerable situation:
They had managed to escape from the usual peripheral situation of most sects that
are in Pakistan (rural and tribal areas) and managed to settle in the capital.
They challenged the State‘s liberal views and its progressive measures (several
backward laws against women had been revoked at the time…).
They had mixed tribal Pashtun ideas with Islamic ones.
But also, they had changed what they considered was backward in that tradition
(seclusion of women) by engaging them in an active and public role, thus changing
their religious-tribal views.
They inherited the notion that Pakistan, being home for Muslims, should be an
Islamic country run by the Sharia, and they considered violence to be the best
means for its achievement.
They called for a change in society and appealed to the masses to revolt against the
infidel government.
None of the hard-line militant students interviewed for this study could explain how they
could represent Pakistanis, while hundreds of thousands had demonstrated in the streets of
the country opposing their visions and ways. All the interviewees could say was, ―We are
right, they are wrong, and we will fight against our infidel government and its allies (the
United States) till a change comes.‖ There are still a few students looking for another
institution that can provide them with a new identity and not just an education. Many
returned to their families, although we still don't know if they adapted themselves to their
past lives. Although it may be a coincidence, recent strikes against the government forces
fighting in the tribal areas against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban come from teenage suicide
bombers.
Implications for the War on Terror
On July 6th, 2008, outside a convention held in Islamabad to observe the first anniversary of
the army operation on the mosque, a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing 17 people, 15
of them policemen. The renewed commitment of the democratically elected government and
President to combat terrorism, Al-Qaeda, and the Taliban feeds the anger of radical groups.
At a time when suicide attacks became frequent and paranoia was running high through the
too late that their position was perilous. Some believe that when the militants of illegal
groups entered the compounds of the mosque, the two brothers lost control of the situation.
At the same time, the behavior of the government was quite shameful, one more proof of
its inability to provide its citizens with the rule of law. The final account of the approximately
200 deaths is contradictory, the number of weapons recovered from the mosque is huge,
and the explosions of the attack could be heard in the entire city. Some families are still
looking for the corpses of their sons, daughters, brothers, or sisters.
Conclusions
The ambiguities of the country of Pakistan and its birth theory contributed to a militia
seeking to implement a ―true Islamic system,‖ whatever their concept of that may be.
Adapting Islamic principles to the rules of the country and the present system has not been
achieved. There are modern and rich elites. Yet the mass of common people lack mobility
within society and have few opportunities to progress. A weak state apparatus that lacks
effectiveness and democratic ethos leaves people to look for different ways to have their
voices heard.
The Red Mosque group was one response to this intolerable situation:
They had managed to escape from the usual peripheral situation of most sects that
are in Pakistan (rural and tribal areas) and managed to settle in the capital.
They challenged the State‘s liberal views and its progressive measures (several
backward laws against women had been revoked at the time…).
They had mixed tribal Pashtun ideas with Islamic ones.
But also, they had changed what they considered was backward in that tradition
(seclusion of women) by engaging them in an active and public role, thus changing
their religious-tribal views.
They inherited the notion that Pakistan, being home for Muslims, should be an
Islamic country run by the Sharia, and they considered violence to be the best
means for its achievement.
They called for a change in society and appealed to the masses to revolt against the
infidel government.
None of the hard-line militant students interviewed for this study could explain how they
could represent Pakistanis, while hundreds of thousands had demonstrated in the streets of
the country opposing their visions and ways. All the interviewees could say was, ―We are
right, they are wrong, and we will fight against our infidel government and its allies (the
United States) till a change comes.‖ There are still a few students looking for another
institution that can provide them with a new identity and not just an education. Many
returned to their families, although we still don't know if they adapted themselves to their
past lives. Although it may be a coincidence, recent strikes against the government forces
fighting in the tribal areas against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban come from teenage suicide
bombers.
Implications for the War on Terror
On July 6th, 2008, outside a convention held in Islamabad to observe the first anniversary of
the army operation on the mosque, a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing 17 people, 15
of them policemen. The renewed commitment of the democratically elected government and
President to combat terrorism, Al-Qaeda, and the Taliban feeds the anger of radical groups.
At a time when suicide attacks became frequent and paranoia was running high through the
