This refers to the column “When the fringe speaks for us” by Aijaz Z. Syed. After reading the article I felt that I could relate to whatever the author said in his piece as I graduated from a leading mardrassa in Karachi in 2007. I had told my friends to watch closely the outcome of what we were being taught there.
I listened to my teachers, justifying suicide bombing to students, distributing literature, spreading hatred toward different school of thoughts and mocking women’s role in society. What made me more distressed was that 99 out of 100 percent of the students seemed to agree with them. No one was allowed to give opinion. (Remind you that I was studying in a mardrassa, which is regarded as the most prestigious in Pakistan).
And finally, I am seeing the outcome now. The recent Malala issue and killings of aid workers have been too much for me. I even tried to mobilize people by creating a Web blog. We seem to have been stuck between too extremes — religious fanatics and ultra liberals. Very few are seeking or trying to seek the middle way: Islam. I appreciate the author’s efforts in this regard. — M.A., Jeddah
