Prejudice and Patriarchal decision of Sindh High Court
While there are waves of progressive movements, Pakistan seems to be far behind in making mainstream media inclusive for all. Recently, a Canadian-Pakistani musician, Urvah Khan, was denied permission to hold a music festival called ScrapFest by Sindh high court in Karachi. Over the past few years, Urvah Khan has touched many Pakistanis around the world with her incredible music which blends of our south Asian music with Rock. Many south Asian Queer, Transgender and gender non-binary people see Urvah as a performer with overwhelmingly positive impact on all of us, as there aren’t many of us. This Supreme Court decision is an indication of male dominant patriarchal influence on legal court decisions. Regardless of reasoning provided by the officials, it seems obvious to Muslims like myself that the court decisions are made to comfort the religious conservatives who have been spreading hate against Trans, Khwaja Sira, communities and have been using Sharia as a tool to hate. From embellishing musicians of Lyari, a low-income community of Karachi, to the music video of ‘Oh Pakistan’ that was recorded on the streets of Karachi where she spent her childhood, Urvah’s work represents love and inclusion for all.
On the other hand, ‘Sar-e-Rah’, a mainstream media show about a young female taxi driver shows a successful queer person with a very supporting Muslim father that was very well received by the public. In Sar-e-Rah, Writer, Adeel Razzaq, and Director, Ahmed Bhatti, focused on highlighting challenges of women and gender minorities in current culture. After watching Sar-e-Rah, many queer folks like myself felt as if it is indeed a step forward for mainstream community to think outside the ‘Sharia box’ that religious conservatives, politicians, and government has used for many decades to oppress Khwaja Sira. However, banning a talented artist, Urvah Khan, to host a festival is an indication of existing Sharia based violence, prejudice, discrimination and seems outdated with current culture of Pakistan. It is hypocritical to me to prevent minorities from having spaces where they get to be themselves and feel safe. If we are putting in efforts to show positive representation of Queer and Trans children in mainstream media, it is extremely crucial to our culture that comes from 6000 years old history of performing arts to be continued with live music festivals and concerts. In Pakistan, there are millions of Transgenders, Khwaja Sira’, that are out and live their authentic lives and could have benefited from ScarpFest. With having a handful number of seats in the position of power, a large percentage has been refrained from basic human rights such as education, employment opportunities, residence and now from attending a music festival. We can bring change if artists like Urvah Khan are given the same opportunities that are given to mainstream artists. If locals are exposed to events like ScarpFest, it might connect Pakistanis from all walks of life in one space hence changing our image globally through media. If officials of high court continue to restrict public access to such events to comfort conservatives, how do we expect gender minorities to have equal opportunities as other Pakistanis? What message are we sending to the world about tolerance in Pakistan? If we keep restricting opportunities from khwaja Sira communities, how can we expect them to contribute to re-build Pakistan? Meanwhile, neighboring India continues to grow with diverse representation in Bollywood in films like ‘Sheer Qorma’.
In Pakistan, performing arts and media can bring back our traditions that are lost behind the walls of Sharia by conservative leaders and it will only happen if Pakistanis stop staying quiet about such court decisions. Muslims for Progressive Values have long challenged the use of sharia law as a tool of hate and discrimination. We urge Pakistanis and everyone to sign onto MPV's #NoHateInMyFaith campaign, which pushes back against patriarchal and unjust prejudice against “the other”, whoever that “other” is.
Kandeel Javid
MPV Boston & MPV Marriage Services Officiant