The Black Rainbow

by Hussain Zaidi

  “If the local administration was so mindful of its duty, there would be no need for us to act. But I feel sorry to state you people were oblivious of your responsibility and allowed these people to run their filthy businesses,” the maulana returned.

  “I agree that the police may not have acted promptly. But it doesn’t mean that your students or anyone else should take the law into their hands.”

  “I really don’t understand what you are talking inspector. But you must understand that we are living in an Islamic state, where it’s the foremost duty of every citizen — young or old, male or female — to wage jihad against evil in whatever form it exists. Our students did what every other Muslim should do and I’m proud of them,” the maulana said in a crisp tone.

  “Maulana I’m not a religious scholar so I can’t argue with you about what is jihad and what is not jihad. What’s good and what’s evil. I can only say that your students have broken the law on more than one count; the aggrieved party has lodged a complaint against them, so we have to interrogate them. Please cooperate with us” inspector Mujahid said in a sharp tone.

  “My answer is the same,” Maulana Majeed reiterated. “We can’t deliver them to you.”

  “Sir please don’t force us to get tough on you,” inspector Mujahid was as polite as he could be.

  “Get tough on us? You people can get as much tough on us as you want. We aren’t afraid of you and your masters. But forget our students.”

  “Then I’m afraid, the police will enter the premises to nab the accused students,” the inspector sounded a warning.

  “The police will enter the White Mosque premises! Over our dead bodies. You should know what the place of the mosque and madaris in Islam is. Even a conquering army cannot enter there. What to say of the police of an Islamic state.”

  Inspector Mujahid had realized that the maulana was in no mood to hand over the students to him. Nor would it be possible for his men to enter the White Mosque premises without seeking the approval of their high-ups. So he decided they should leave for now.

  “Ok maulana we are going but we’ll come back soon and this time we’ll not go back until we lay our hands on your students.”

  “We’ll see,” the maulana replied contemptuously. “May Allah show you the right path!”

  Ali’s long hours of wait ended and Thursday came. Having taken his breakfast, he made his way to the campus. As he entered the department’s library, he saw Naila, Riaz and Javed talking with each other but there was no sign of Sara.

  “Look who has come!” Riaz remarked as he saw Ali.

  Ali greeted his classmates. “You are probably looking for Sara,” Riaz remarked.

  “Don’t worry, she’ll also be here but only after she has kept him waiting for quite some time,” Naila added pointing towards Ali.

  “I’m not waiting for anyone,” Ali said feeling a bit embarrassed at the fact that his classmates had rightly guessed.

  “Oh really,” Riaz said sarcastically. “I can bet you wouldn’t have come had you not hoped to see Sara here.”

  “Riaz why are you trying to make much of that,” Javed interposed. “After all we are all here but it doesn’t mean that we have come to meet someone in particular.”

  “Javed you are right. Ali can meet Sara anywhere he wants. He doesn’t need this place for a date. Am I right Ali?” Naila was sarcastic.

  “I don’t know what you two are driving at,” Ali addressed Naila and Riaz. “If you don’t want me here, I can leave.”

  “Come on mate. We were just joking,” Riaz said. “How are your studies?”

  “Fine,” Ali replied. “I was just thinking about possible topics for the thesis. Have you decided yours?”

  “Not yet,” they all three spoke spontaneously.

  “I think we have enough time to decide about that,” Javed said.

  “But I believe Sara must have decided hers. She always wants to take the lead,” Naila remarked.

  “But if Sara has finalized her research topic, Ali must know that. Yes Ali have you got anything to enlighten us? Has Sara told you about her research topic?” Riaz asked.

  Ali knew that if he answered in the affirmative, Naila and Riaz would make much of that and make all sorts of silly statements about him and Sara. Therefore, he preferred to remain silent.”

  Javed realized that Ali didn’t like that question. So he came to Ali’s rescue and said, ”Why are we talking about someone who is not present? Riaz you had better put that question to Sara when she is here. Can’t we talk about something else? For instance, how do you see the change in the government?”

  “We have had enough of politics. TV channels are debating this question all the time. However, since you have asked, my answer simply is that change in the government will change nothing,” Naila gave her opinion.

  “We have a new government every two or three years. But there is no real change; the only change is that of faces. It’s often the case of new bottles and the old wine and even sometimes of old bottles and old wine,” Riaz endorsed Naila.

  “In fact, things have gone from bad to worse. Every government is worse than its predecessor. It’s more corrupt, more inefficient, more uncertain of its objectives, more confused in its policies. The result is regression in every field. Unemployment has increased; poverty has risen, national morale has slipped,” Naila observed.

  “But who is to blame for this situation?” Javed asked.

  “Of course the politicians,” Naila replied. “I wouldn’t say that others are innocent. But you know leaders should lead from the front. They should set a good example for others to follow. As the poet Chaucer said, if gold rusts what shall the iron do? But our politicians are good for nothing rascals.”

  Don’t you think we are passing through an evolutionary stage and things will get better by and by provided the current democratic process goes on?” Javed put another question.

  “I don’t buy this argument,” Riaz said with a shake of the head. “Democracy is no solution to our problems. In our country, democracy means only elections and elections repeatedly bring the members of the same handful of families to power. In one election, it’s the father, in another the son and in yet another the brother or the sister. That’s why I earlier said that ours is a case of old bottles and the old wine. Hence, whatever democracy we have is elitist democracy and an elitist democracy can never serve the people.

  “You will bear me out that whenever the military throws out a civilian government, it meets virtually no opposition or resistance from the people for the simple reason that the so-called democratic government never related itself to the people. So my dear friend let’s have no illusions, no wishful thinking, no false hopes. Until there is a basic change in the system, there will never be a change for the better even if the so-called democratic process continues for another hundred or even thousand years. Similar causes produce similar effects. Our problem is that we want to have different effects but are not prepared to change the causes. It’s as simple as that.”

  “Do you agree with Riaz and Naila?” Javed asked Ali. Though Ali was sitting there, he wasn’t really listening to the discussion. So he was surprised at Javed’s question. This prompted Naila to remark, “let’s not disturb Ali; he is preoccupied with something else.”

  Before Ali could answer Naila, the library’s entrance door opened and appeared the tall, impressive figure of Sara. “Think of the devil,” Naila murmured.

  Seeing Sara, Ali Javed and Riaz rose to welcome her. But Naila kept seated. “It’s good to see you all,” Sara said with her signature smile.

  Naila who until then was the centre of attraction was dwarfed by Sara’s arrival. Being eternally jealous of Sara, she never liked her company. However, she also tried to feign a smile but could not.

  “You seemed to be in some sort of discussion,” Sara asked?

  “What else can we do,” Javed remarked so spontaneously that it prompted every one to break into laughter. “Actually, we
were discussing the change in the government,” Riaz added. “But if you are not interested, we can change the topic.”

  Naila was surprised at how Riaz had changed his loyalty from her to Sara, but she kept silent.

  “I don’t mind discussing politics,” Sara replied nonchalantly.

  “I think we have had enough discussion. We had better talk about something else. But right now I’m dying for a cup of tea. I’m going to cafeteria and you are welcome to join me,” Naila said and stood.

  “I never say no to a cup of tea,” Javed remarked and followed Naila to cafeteria.

  “You don’t want to have tea?” Sara asked Riaz.

  “No, I avoid taking tea during summer.”

  “Ok. But I’ll have and I’m sure Ali you’ll accompany me,” Sara said and along with Ali went to the cafeteria leaving Riaz high and dry.

  Sara and Ali went to a separate table in the cafeteria. Naila and Javed were at another table at quite a distance from them so that one could not hear what the other was talking.

  “Sara I wanted to share with you the topics that I have short-listed for the thesis,” Ali told Sara.

  “Oh really! What are those?”

  “Like you, I have identified four topics. The first is ‘critique of capitalism’. The second is ‘Oswald Spangler’s philosophy of history’. The third is ‘political economy of thinking’. And the fourth is ‘radical Islam — a philosophy or strategy’,” Ali explained.

  “I haven’t read Spangler; so frankly I’m in no position to make a statement whether his philosophy of history will be a good topic for you to research. ‘Critique of capitalism,’ well a lot has been written on that and I’ll therefore not advise you to select this topic unless of course you can analyze capitalism from an entirely new perspective. The other two topics seem quite interesting and I don’t know whether in our country any quality work has been done on either. Would you be kind enough to expatiate?” Sara asked.

  “Yes why not. First, ‘the political economy of thinking.’ As you know, there are two modes of thinking — inductive and deductive. Inductive thinking promotes science and skepticism, individualism and liberalism. Deductive thinking, on the other hand, makes for religion and faith, collectivism and conservatism. I want to study how a society’s mode of thinking is related to its political, economic and religious institutions both as a cause and an effect. Our own society of course will be the case study.” Ali paused for a moment and then looked at Sara for her comments.

  “Intriguing! I must say. I’m familiar with induction and deduction but only as modes of thinking. I never looked at their political and economic aspects. Nor am I familiar with any previous work on that. So yours, in case you decide, will be a path breaking study,” Sara remarked.

  “Thanks. And now the other topic. Today a common allegation against Islam is that it’s a militant religion and that it preaches violence and extremism. Our own society is facing the menace of religious extremism in a way and on a scale probably no other society has faced before. I intend to study the roots of the phenomenon to find out whether extremism is embedded in Islam or it is merely a convenient strategy adopted by some misguided souls,” Ali explained.

  “My only concern,” Sara pointed out, “is whether you will be able to do justice to the topic. I mean can you impartially enquire into the connection between Islam and extremism? Moreover, and this is equally important, in case you conclude that extremism is embedded in Islam and that it’s a philosophy and not merely a strategy, would the university accept your thesis? It is one thing to allow freedom of expression in the classroom and it’s another to accept a paper, which runs counter to our cherished beliefs. You get what I mean, I suppose.”

  “Yes I get it. Should not I discuss the topic with Dr Junaid as well?”

  “Well, that’s a good idea. You may discuss both the topics with him,” Sara advised. “I think we should return to the library. I need to borrow some books.”

  From the university, Sara dropped Ali home. On Ali’s insistence, she went to his apartment. “Mother she is Sara, my classmate,” Ali introduced her to Mrs Naqvi.

  “Nice to see you,” Mrs Naqvi said.

  “Pleasure is mine,” Sara replied.

  Sara remained there for quarter of an hour and then took leave of her hosts. “You must come again,” Mrs Naqvi requested her.

  “I’ll definitely,” Sara promised.

  Mrs Naqvi was impressed with Sara. She also saw in her son’s eyes his love for her. So that’s Sara. She is really impressive.”

  “She is also very rich — heir to a business empire — but wealth has not spoiled her. Nor has it made her conceited. She is very simple and down to earth,” Ali praised Sara.

  “Do you like her?” Mrs Naqvi asked.

  The question made Ali blush. “Well I don’t know, but she is very nice.”

  “I think I got the answer. I’m going to have a nap,” Mrs Naqvi said and went to her room.

  The entrance bell rang and as Ali opened the door Farzana entered. Ali was not expecting her and having had a nice time with Sara earlier in the day, he had no appetite to see any other girl, least of all Farzana.

  “You!” Ali yelled with a straight face.

  Farzana realized that she was an unwelcome guest but nevertheless she put up a brave face. “I have come to see aunt Fatima,” she said and went inside.

  “I’m afraid she is having a nap. You may come again if it is necessary,” Ali said in the same cold tone.

  “I know you are annoyed with me. I feel sorry for how my father behaved with you and uncle and the aunt and have come to apologize for the same,” Farzana explained with her eyes cast down.”

  “Ok whatever you have got to say, say it before mother but some other time,” Ali said nonchalantly.

  “Don’t be so cold Ali. You know how I feel for you,” Farzana implored him.

  “Then you must also know that I don’t like this emotional nonsense. At all events, there’s no use of such things. So you better leave. I don’t know how your father will react if he comes to know that you’re here.”

  “This is precisely my problem. Neither you nor father appreciates what I feel or what I want.

  “Look Farzana your feelings or desires are no concern of mine. I’m going to my room. If you insist on seeing mother, you can wait until she wakes up.”

  While Ali was arguing with Farzana, Mrs Naqvi woke and came out of her room. As she saw her, Farzana could not control herself and tears rolled down her cheeks. Meanwhile, Ali left the scene.

  Mrs Naqvi true to her nature hugged Farzana. “What’s it?” she asked.

  “I have come to see you and apologize for what father said to you the other day. But Ali is bent upon turning me out of the house,” a sobbing Farzana replied.

  “Forget what your father said. It’s between us and him. In any event, you are not responsible for what he says or does,” Mrs Naqvi said affectionately.

  “Thanks aunt; you have always been too kind to me. But please tell me what I should do, for save you I have none to turn to.”

  Mrs Naqvi asked Farzana to make herself comfortable and brought her a glass of water. “Tell me what you want. I’ll do whatever is possible for me to help you,” she told Farzana.

  Farzana was greatly consoled by Mrs Naqvi’s kind words and began, “You remember when I came here last time, I met Ali…”

  “Yes, I do,” Mrs Naqvi interrupted her.

  “While you were probably in the kitchen, Ali came closer to me and kissed me.”