“Because we are free we can never be indifferent to the fate of freedom elsewhere. Our moral sense dictates a clear-cut preference for these societies which share with us an abiding respect for individual human rights. We do not seek to intimidate, but it is clear that a world which others can dominate with impunity would be inhospitable to decency and a threat to the well-being of all people.” Jimmy Carter.
Injustice is a chronic problem which has always threatened our freedom across the country. Moreover, our individual and social rights were violated and cruelty emerged largely. Of course, when justice dies in a society, the death of freedom will be beyond doubt. In other words, justice is a caring mother for freedom and its elimination will pave the way for the erosion of freedom.
“Our soldiers die but terrorists [the murderers] are freed, why?” This was written on the placard of those who protested against the murder of 21 Afghan soldiers who were killed in Ghaziabad area in Kunar province. Moreover, people were highly enraged when President Karzai did not attend the funeral ceremony.
In addition, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the presidential candidate, criticized presidential palace severely while addressing Afghan people in Kabul. He disapproved of the palace for carrying the body of Mulavi Abdul Raqib, a former Taliban refugee’s minister who was killed in Peshawar City of Pakistan last month, by Afghan helicopter. He was also against calling Afghan enemies ‘brother’ saying that Afghans’ enemies are his enemies too.
Dr. Abdullah’s second deputy, Mr. Mohaqqiq, said in the campaign speech that now people are in dilemma to call ‘martyr’ the soldiers who were murdered in Kunar province or for Mulavi Raqib, who was killed in civil unrest among themselves! It was a satirical statement for those who call Taliban’s leader such as Mualvi Raqib ‘martyr’, a sacred word which is used for those who are killed while fighting against aggressors. He also pointed the finger at presidential palace saying that President Karzai is breaking his promise by backing particular candidates. He added that the presidential palace should stop ‘the game of king and minister’. Mohaqqiq pointed out that currently some sessions are going on in presidential palace among President Karzai and some candidates. He called it an open misuse of governmental facilities.
Afghan people rail against injustice which affects their life in one way or another. For example, they express negatively about the release of Taliban’s prisoners or carrying the body of Taliban’s leader by Afghan helicopter. According to popular belief, these are all injustice imposed on them and they are extremely exhausted.
It is aptly said by Michael Moore, “The worst way to defend our freedom is to let our leaders start taking away our freedoms! It is exactly during times like these [a national crisis] that we need more freedom of speech, a strong and critical press, and a citizenry that is not afraid to stand up and say that the emperor has no clothes.”
Currently, our freedom is limited and our rights are violated largely. For example, when a criminal is released or commits crime with impunity, it means that the right of the victim is trampled upon without penalty. Hence, this injustice is intolerable.
To embrace freedom, we have to adopt some moral qualities or free ourselves from immoral characteristics. Shaheed Mutahhari, an Islamic philosopher and thinker, says that besides social freedom there is spiritual freedom. First of all, we have to free ourselves internally from lust for shedding people’s blood or harming someone; from greed and from many other immoral practices. Shaheed Mutahhari adds that if one does not gain spiritual freedom first, there is no social freedom at all. He argues that if you are tied by chains of immoralities, then you will always harm people and jeopardize their freedom. Therefore, you are threatening social freedoms. Hence, acquiring spiritual freedom is essential for gaining social freedom.
If our officials really intend to bring freedom in our society, they have to emulate the justice of Muslims’caliphs and religious leaders. When the brother of fourth caliph asked for greater share from common properties (Baitul-mal), the Caliph, Hazrat Ali, asked him to touch fire. His brother, Aqil, was surprised. He wanted to know the reason. Hazrat Ali replied that if he was afraid of that fire the Caliph was afraid of the Doomsday’s fire. Therefore, he said that he could not give him a greater share, as it would be a great injustice. Moreover, Hazrat Abobakr Seddiq, the first Caliph of Muslims, and Hazrat Omar Farooq, the second Caliph, lived very simple lives the same as our Prophet (PBUH). It is beyond doubt that they could live in lofty buildings and luxurious palaces the same as our officials; however, they denied doing so.
In addition, when one improves his/her morals and ethics, they will carry out their responsibility properly. As Martin Luther says, “We constantly must be aware that we should be doing our work diligently if we only for a moment think that we are doing our tasks to the best of our ability to please our God. Hence, irrespective of whether we are being observed by our peers or superiors we should be doing our best to complete our tasks to the best of our abilities.”
Therefore, lack of morality is one of the greatest challenges in today’s life which is menacing our commitment and humanity. We should remove it from our life by spiritual surgery otherwise this infectious disease will threaten our society to death.
I believe that human beings have a deep religious mission in their lives which must be achieved properly. They are expected to nurture their talents and use human achievements for the benefit of others. They have to upgrade their moral standards through worshipping God, respecting people’s rights and performing selfless service to society.