Here’s an interesting conversation that happened in Pakistan. If the “West” is in fact corrupting Muslims, it’s the foil against which many Muslims show their true hatred of Islam by turning their back on the challenge of the Qur’an to think, to appreciate the diversity of and amongst faiths, and by saying ritual is the only marker of righteousness.
‘For how long have you been here?’ I asked.
‘A year and half, now. I’m studying economics at a university in Karachi.’
‘So, how has Pakistan been treating you so far?’
‘It’s nice. It’s my country,’ he proudly said.
‘Yes,’ I smiled. ‘But very violent too.’
‘Yes,’ he said, laughing. ‘I’ve gotten my cell phone stolen twice.’
‘Haven’t we all,’ I said. ‘The crime and violence have rocketed in the last many years.’
‘Yes, I have heard some horror stories,’ he said, shaking his head.
‘And yet our mosques are always full of pious worshippers!’ I said.