Islam, Obama & Pakistan

America has never been popular in Pakistan, despite the fact that the country has been aligned with it since the early fifties.
The first prime minister of Pakistan was invited by the Soviet Union, but he used that invitation to solicit one from the United States and ditched the Soviets.
The country became a member of CENTO and SEATO, and provided the Americans with an air base at Badaber near Peshawar to monitor the Soviet Union in the Cold War.

The relations however started to deteriorate when Pakistan signed a border agreement with China in 1963; and when the United States suspended military aid to Pakistan during its war with India in September 1965. This `betrayal’ prompted the military dictator who ruled the country from 1958 to 1969 with active American cooperation, Field Marshal Ayub Khan, to title his autobiography Friends, Not Masters.
The common man on the street unanimously supported the Viet Cong against the Americans in the Vietnam War; despite President Nixon rescuing the western wing of the country, from Indian aggression following the downfall of the eastern wing that subsequently became Bangladesh.
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was toppled by General Zia-ul- Haq in 1977, and subsequently hanged on a dubious murder charge in 1979. Bhutto in his last book, If I am Assassinated blamed the Americans for toppling his government due to his continuing with the nuclear programme, despite the then secretary of state, Henry Kissinger, warning him against such a course of action.
Massive American aid poured into Pakistan during the Eighties in the midst of the Afghan War but the covert CIA support to the Afghan Mujahideen played havoc with Pakistani society. Heroin and kalashnikovs that had never been heard of became a norm. Many blamed the Americans for this mess, and the criticism became more acute due to the failure of the aid to reach the common man. It only made the rich generals all the more richer.
The Taliban took over in Afghanistan and the people saw this as an opportunity to stand against the Americans: Islam had finally triumphed against communism and the Americans. Pakistan was one of the few countries where some rejoiced on the streets when the twin towers collapsed in New York.
Osama Bin Laden was a national hero even before 9/11 and it was common for people to name their children after him.
Almost every second car in the country carried a bumper sticker saying ‘Crush America’ when America was planning to attack Iraq during the Gulf War, and the tribals from the state of Swat under the TNSM formed a lashkar consisting of thousands armed with nineteenth century guns and hockey sticks to fight the American marines in Afghanistan.
However, the quick downfall of the Taliban, followed by that of Saddam Hussein, dampened everybody’s spirits. This opposition explains the intense hatred in the whole country against General Musharraf due to his support for President Bush in the War on Terror.
In the midst of all this hatred for the Americans and everything associated with the United States, it was a pleasant surprise to see almost everybody rejoice in Pakistan over Barack Obama’s historical victory in the recent American elections. Every TV channel could be seen holding discussions and the print media went euphoric. There is little doubt that he was popular with the younger generation, particularly the ones going to colleges and universities, but even the older generation was generally delighted with the victory.
It would however be wrong to attribute this ecstasy for Obama to his being an African American. Pakistan, like other countries, is racist in some respects, and hardly associates itself with the black community.
`Kala’ remains a derogatory term. Our driver upon seeing Obama giving his Victory Speech in Chicago, despite being excited, exclaimed that the guy hardly looks presidential. He did not say it but he meant that he was not white.
The people of Pakistan are excited about Obama because they consider him to be a fellow Muslim that may come as news to Obama himself. All the television channels are constantly making it a point to refer to Obama’s middle name and emphasise his Muslim credentials. The point that Obama used to pray at school while in Indonesia is being harped upon.
This is the height of naivety. President elect-Obama is obviously not a Muslim even if his father was. And even if he was, it would hardly have made a difference as things are much more institutionalised in Washington, DC than in Islamabad. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that Obama has provided the United States with a golden opportunity in decades to placate the anti- American feelings prevalent throughout the Muslim world, including Pakistan. If he can succeed in taking a few positive steps in alleviating the suffering of the Palestinians, even if unable to achieve a total resolution, he would become a hero in this part of the world for a long time.
The Kashmiris in the Indian part of Kashmir danced on the streets upon learning of Obama’s victory. They perhaps are waiting for him to take a keen interest in the resolution of this long-pending issue.
The presence of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan is a sore point with the majority of Muslims and they would be delighted with their withdrawal. The closure of Guantanamo Bay facility, and the release of some even if not all the prisoners, will go a long way in earning Obama immense good will. The release, of Dr Afia Siddiqui may not brighten Al-Qaeda’s prospects in the world but it definitely would earn Obama a few brownie points in Pakistan.
The constant missile attacks through drones in Pakistan’s tribal areas, despite repeated protests by the Pakistan government, are extremely unpopular and their effectiveness remains dubious. They may be resulting in targeting a few Al -Qaeda and Taliban militants but they are also resulting in collateral damage and many innocent civilians are getting killed in the process.
This is something that would be unacceptable in any state. Pakistan may be too weak to do anything about their constant and repeated attacks but they are making the United States lose whatever support it had in this country. Obama may consider putting a stop to these attacks.
The time has come to find out if Obama is simply a crafty politician who outmaneuvered his opponents; or is a statesman who will act upright by balancing pressure from all directions

author :
Anees Jillani is a prominent Pakistan Supreme Court lawyer.