"STATIC" IS THE SIGN OF DEATH WHEREAS "MOVEMENT" IS THE SIGN OF LIFE – ALTAF HUSSAIN
London – 12 January 2000
Mr Altaf Hussain, Founder and Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement, has said that "static" is the sign of death whereas "movement" is the sign of life. Any system suffering from stationary will soon die whereas if the system adjusts itself with the changing times then not only it remains alive but also prospers. Mr Hussain was addressing the Members of Muttahida Organising Committee over the telephone at the MQM Head Office "Nine Zero", from London.
Mr Hussain said that whatever the system, whether it is the political system, the social system, the educational system or any religion, if it becomes static then it would decay. Whereas if the system adjusts itself with the requirements of the changing time and continues to eliminate the antiquated elements, will always remain in motion and as movement is the sign of life, therefore, not only such a system prospers but all who believe and follow that system will prosper and flourish.
In all those countries where the system had become static or deadlock and not able to adjust with the changing time, the system came to an end or, if efforts were made to continue with the static system then it resulted in the destruction or collapse of that country. For the past 52 years, Pakistan is being run under the medieval feudal system, which cannot meet the needs of the modern world. The rulers have made verbal promises to abolish the feudal system but in reality, the Establishment with the use of State power is making every effort to continue with this static and medieval system in the country. This is the only reason why a State operation is continuing against the MQM because MQM is not only a threat to the prevalent medieval feudal system but also struggling to eliminate the feudal system from the country. If power and ruthlessness is used to keep alive a medieval and static system, which cannot meet the needs of the changing times, then the natural process comes into action. As a result, not only that system breaks but the country where the system is in operation also disintegrates. This rule not only applies to political system but also to educational system, social system and all other systems including the religion. While preserving the true essence of religion, if the religion is not accommodated with the changes in time then that religion will not only become static but also will distance itself from the rest of the world and ultimately cease to exist. Similarly, the follower of that religion will become dormant, remain backward and will never progress. Contrarily, the religion or the ideology, while preserving its true essence, adjusts with the needs of the changing times and harmonises itself with these changes not only remains alive but also continues to flourish. Similarly, the followers of that religion or ideology continue to progress and flourish. It is for that reason "Ijtihaad" (interpretation of Islamic Laws) was introduced by Islam but today the Muslims have stopped practising Ijtihaad which was the way according to the essence of Islam to bring about changes to meet with the needs of changing conditions. Today as compared to the Christians, the Muslims are declining towards deterioration. The Christians while keeping the true essence of their religion accommodated their religion with the needs of the changing conditions and the result can be witnessed by all. When Taleban took over the government in Afghanistan, they banned the education of women, the women were kept locked in the homes, the televisions, video recorders and tape recorders were destroyed and it was announced that all these products are prohibited (Haraam) in Islam. They also pronounced that music and photographs are also prohibited in Islam and at that time when the representatives of international media wanted to take photographs of the leaders of Taleban, they used to hide their faces or put their hands on the lenses of the camera. However, a few days ago when the hijacked Indian Airline plane was in Afghanistan then the same leaders of Taleban voluntarily came in front of the international media and video cameras to give their interviews and allowed the media-men to take their photographs as well. The question arises that how an action that was according to Islam prohibited (Haraam) previously is being considered legitimate and permissible (Halal) today. The basic principle remains the same that any system that brings around changes and accommodates with the needs of the changing conditions remains in "motion" and movement is the sign of life. On the contrary, a system, which remains static and does not bring about changes in it, remains "static" and stationary is the sign of death. Similarly, the followers of that system also become dormant and continue to decline.
Mr Hussain reminded that for the past 22 years we are struggling for our fundamental and constitutional rights. During this period, we adopted every available means according to the Constitution and Law of Pakistan to achieve our basic rights. We have not left a single institution where we have not approached for our rights. However, no one is prepared to listen to our appeals, to accept us or to provide us with our fundamental and constitutional rights. Mr Hussain emphasised upon the office bearers and workers of MQM to be prepared mentally and should now understand that if we do not modify our strategy with the changing needs of time then the Movement will also become "static" and "dormant". Therefore, it is the need of the time to formulate a new strategy according to the needs of changing times and he will soon announce the future strategy.