STUDY CIRCLE
IMPORTANCE OF GOOD CHARACTER IN IDEOLOGICAL MOVEMENT
(A THOUGHT PROVOKING LECTURE OF MR. ALTAF HUSSAIN TO WORKERS OF MQM LIYARI AND RANCHOR LINE SECTORS)

London – 11^th November 2006
From the time of birth, every child observes the movements, way of talking, and way of life and the norms of the house where he or she is brought up. While growing up he or she tries to understand the language of the family members. Tries to repeat the words and in this way learns the language and the accent. He or she also adopts the culture, respect and etiquettes of the house, so much so that he or she observes and adopts the way of worship as practised by the family members. And he or she practically acquires the family etiquettes, norms and way of life. If there exist an atmosphere of love, respect, care towards the elders and youngsters, good housekeeping, tradition and courtesy in the family then normally all these traits become practicably visible in the child. For example if the norm of the house is to offer salam to the elders of the family then the child will learn to offer salam to every elder of the community (mohallah). On the other hand if the atmosphere of the house is such where there is no consideration towards respecting elders or youngsters, uncultured, bad-mannered and impolite then the child will adopt the same. When this child goes out in the community the people around him or her (ahle-mohallah) not only identify his or her family background but also decent and courteous people and the classmates stay away for such a bad manners person. Every human being learns etiquettes from his or her home. Let us take the example of eating a paan (beetle) – one way is to eat the paan, clean the hands on his clothes and speak while the mouth is full of paan spit thus splashing the spit around – the other way is to sophisticatedly eat the paan, clean the hands with handkerchief, not allow the spit to gather in the mouth and to spit the excess in the spittoon while covering the mouth with one’s hand and then continue the conversation. The issue is not if eating paan is right or wrong – the issue is etiquettes. On the one hand having a paan while spreading filth whereas on the other hand it is being taken with etiquettes thus preventing dirtiness. Such manners and etiquettes one only learns from their home. If family practices tidiness, culture and courtesy then the child will learn the same. For example after returning from school he will hang is uniform appropriately because he or she has seen their elders doing the same and also has been taught to behave in such manner. On the other hand, if the child observes that his of her elders are throwing away their clothes, not placing the shoes or socks in the right place – then he or she will adopt the same. In the cultured and well-mannered households attention is paid when the child is going to the school that their clothes are neat and clean, hair is done properly, face and hands clean – however many households don’t care and as a result the child does not become accustomed to such etiquettes. Seeing these children in such a bad state other classmates choose to stay away from them. Some hold poverty as the reason for such behaviour but in my opinion etiquettes, respect, culture and courtesy have no direct relation to poverty or wealth. Even if a household is poor the etiquettes can be demonstrated by keeping the old clothes clean and to keep the house tidy even it is small.

Just as a child learns the etiquettes from their home, similarly, the new members of any organisation observe and learn from the senior members and office bearers of the organisation. As one can identify the family background by looking at a child’s attitude and approach, similarly, by observing the actions and approach of the members of the organisation one can easily draw conclusion about their organisation. If the attitude of office bearers and workers is courteous, respecting, of love and to serve the people then this will create a positive image of the organisation in the minds of the people and they will come close to the organisation. On the contrary, if the members of the organisation are discourteous towards the public, their mouth filled with paan spit, misbehaving, not caring towards elders or youngsters, demonstrating difficult behaviour then what perception of the organisation will be created in the minds of the public? And how then can the message of the organisation spread?

Our movement is an ideological Movement; our struggle is for the collective good and to bring about a positive change in the country. If we are to challenge the medieval feudal system then we must strengthen our ideological base and adopt a positive attitude. Every member must become a walking image of civilised and cultured manner; our way of talking should create a positive impact on everyone. We must always remember the basic aim of joining the Movement? What is the mission and cause of our Movement? When one puts the collective aims aside and give their personal interests priority then he or she slowly but surely moves away from the ideology. They become ideologically weak and in difficult times they quickly change their loyalties and leave the Movement to safeguard their personal interests. When on 19 June 1992 an army operation was launched against our Movement then those who were in the race of personal interests, changed their loyalties – however, the ideologically strong workers remained steadfast, faced the hardship and difficult times, were incarcerated, went into hiding and even did not hesitate to sacrifice their lives for the Movement. To achieve the goals of the Movement it is essential that all the members of the Movement must be ideologically strong, keep improving their character and actions, acquire knowledge, follow the organisational policies and rules of discipline, carry out self-accountability instead of pointing the finger at others.

On the issue of haqooqul ibad ( rights of the people ) Allah Almighty has relinquished from His right and said if someone has usurped the right of a human being then until and unless that victim forgive the perpetrator He too will not pardon. The Allah Almighty is the ultimate power and He loves His creation so much that He will not pardon the usurper until and unless the victims forgives despite all the other worships, fasting and prayers of the usurper. Similarly, breaking a promise and going back on one’s words is a great sin in the eyes of Allah Almighty. We must now think how many promises and pledges with the Movement we have fulfilled? Everyone is aware that the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) used to meet people with love, affection and courtesy. We must analyse are we following the lifestyle of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) or not? If we cannot even adopt this act of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) then do we have the right to call ourselves as his disciples? If we are not practising even the basic teachings of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) then will the Allah Almighty accept our daroods or salaams towards Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)?

In the Holy Quran Surah Al-Asr, the Almighty Allah says; “By (the Token of) Time (through the ages), Verily Man is in loss, Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.” Here the Almighty Allah is reminding us that to save oneself from loss, the condition is not only to have faith but also to do righteous deeds. This means that by practising good deeds no one will steal, no one will suppress, no one will disrespect others or usurp other’s rights. It is therefore that Allah Almighty is saying that one cannot be saved just became of having faith until he or she practised good deeds along with faith. In the same surah the Allah Almighty says that those who preached righteousness and as a consequence faced oppression and difficulties but remain steadfast did not deter from the path of righteousness, observed patience and constancy. Here again the Allah Almighty has installed a condition that it is not enough just to preach righteousness but it is also essential to face the hardships that come as a result and continue to observe patience and constancy. This means that those will not be at loss who preached righteousness, continued to observe patience, faced the hardships and remained steadfast. Thus to adopt the path of righteousness, it is essential that the members must be strong ideologically, rise above personal interests and firmly believe in collective goals and be of good character, honest and sincere.

Our Movement and struggle is for the right of common people and humanity. This is not for personal interests but for collective goals. If we give priority to personal interests over collective goals then we cannot remain steadfast in testing times. Therefore, all the members of the Movement should be ideologically strong and be prepared to improve their character and etiquettes so as to further the message of the Movement and bring about positive change in the current medieval system of the country.