The Dirty Kitchen

By:
Advocate Farooq Ahmad Khan 

I had scarcely finished writing my recent article, Rethinking the Sunni–Shia Faultline, when news emerged of a revered religious leader in South Kashmir raising the issue of “Ali tha pahala number” from the pulpit of a mosque and declaring, “Ye yahan nahin chalega.”
One is compelled to ask: why now?
At a time when the Muslim world is passing through one of the most challenging phases of its modern history, when unity, mutual respect and cooperation among Muslims are needed more than ever, what purpose is served by reopening controversies that have divided opinion for centuries?
The issue has understandably hurt the sentiments of many among our Shia brethren. More importantly, it has reopened a debate that contributes little to the moral, educational, social and economic upliftment of society.
Have we exhausted all other subjects worthy of discussion? Are there no pressing concerns confronting our youth? No challenges relating to education, unemployment, drug abuse, corruption, domestic violence, ethical decline and the erosion of social values? Has the reservoir of meaningful topics become so dry that we must return repeatedly to disputes inherited from history?
Even if such matters are considered important, should they be discussed before ordinary worshippers from the pulpit of a mosque? Would it not be more appropriate for scholars of different schools of thought to engage in respectful dialogue and scholarly debate among themselves rather than transforming theological disagreements into public controversies?
I would respectfully appeal to all Ulama-e-Deen to look beyond the boundaries of their respective sects and to appreciate the larger spirit of Islam and the needs of our times. The purpose of religious sermons should be to produce better human beings, better citizens and better Muslims—not merely more rigid followers of one sect or another.
There is an interesting trend in many modern Kashmiri homes. Behind an elegant and spotless kitchen visible to guests, there is often another kitchen where the actual cooking takes place. The visible kitchen is for presentation; the hidden one does the real work. People commonly call it the “dirty kitchen.”
Sometimes I fear that certain controversies are prepared in a similar manner. Somewhere, away from public view, issues are selected, narratives are crafted and old wounds are reopened. The final product is then served from pulpits and platforms to ordinary people who had neither demanded nor needed such discussions.
Whether these hidden kitchens are driven by politics, personal ambitions, sectarian interests or other motives is a matter for reflection. What is certain, however, is that whenever Muslims become preoccupied with fighting one another, they lose sight of the larger challenges confronting them.
The Muslim world does not suffer from a shortage of faith. It suffers from a shortage of unity, wisdom and priorities.
It is time for all of us—scholars, leaders and ordinary believers alike—to ask not who stood where fourteen centuries ago, but where we stand today.
History cannot be changed. The future can.
The choice is ours.

Farooq Ahmad Khan is an advocate practising before the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, and a commentator on law, governance and public affairs.