1 Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 13020399, Dr. Aamna Khalid, SS-100, Writing & Com, Section # 1, March 11, 2010.

Critical essay The bad Sufi

The article bearing the name The bad Sufi is written by Qalandar Bux Memon, who is a lecturer in the Department of Political science in Foreman Christian College University (FCCU). The article was first published in The Samosa, a UK-based politics, culture and art journal, campaigning blog and website on January 28, 2010. The article mainly elaborates the true face and the true roots of the contemporary Sufism in Pakistan. The writer detests and abhors contemporary Sufism, whether in any form, to the extent that he intentionally or unintentionally declares a Sufi as The bad Sufi. The purpose of the article is to persuade the readers by giving sound arguments and in depth analysis. The whole focus of the article is on contemporary Sufism and landlordism in Pakistan, especially in Sindh and Punjab. The writer tells that according to western and Pakistani policymakers, Islam can be symbolized either as a religion of peace and love by giving the name of Sufism or as a religion of violent jihad. Thus, in order to achieve their ulterior motives, they extinguish the violent aspect of Islam and promote the so-called Sufism or most specifically the present-day Sufism.

2 He further tells that the present-day Pirs/Sufis/Syeds are not what they apparently seem to be. They are not someone tracing transcendence or divinity. They are just exploiting common people to pursue their own interests. Furthermore, we can not expect the supreme authority in Pakistan i.e. the parliament to challenge the activities of these elements as the parliament itself is thronged with Makhdooms and Gailanies who belongs to Syeds and Sufis families. Therefore in the end, the writer tells that it is us, the Pakistani people, who must care. Like a veteran writer, Qalander Memon starts the article by mentioning one of the first hand experiences that he confronted at the shrine of Shah Kamal in Lahore. Immediately after first paragraph he puts forward a couple of critical questions like, why are dollars, pounds, rupees and Euros going to promote Sufism? What function does it play locally in Pakistan? In a way the writer wants his readers to think and get outside from their narrow, self-oriented shells of ideas. Thus he forms a background for infusing his thought in the readers minds. As previously stated, the purpose of the writer is to persuade the readers. The writer has achieved this aim by maintaining clarity and lucidity all over the article. While discussing serious issue like Sufism the arguments needs to be of serious and unbiased nature. However, the writer expresses his ideas in a very easy way keeping in view the aspect of readers. Along with this the writer has maintained unity in the article by putting emphasis on the central idea all over the article and there is no inappropriateness. Coherence, the writer has maintained in the article is not of appreciating level. It is because of the very rare use of transitional devices. For example, he has never used a transitional word at the start of any paragraph throughout the article.

3 Furthermore, the language of the writer is trouble-free and the words he uses is not very hard. He has been doing well in avoiding the use of jargon words. Nevertheless, the writer sometimes uses the words which have no English roots like Makhdoom, Gilani, and Pir for the so-called mystics and the like-minded. But yet the reader is not confused by the meanings of these words. Throughout the article there is a great disparity in the length and breadth of the paragraphs and sentences. There appears a blend of long, average and short sentences in each paragraph. In this way the writer does not let his reader getting fed up. Moreover, the tone of the writer in the article is disapproving, outraged and bitter as regards to contemporary Sufism. Throughout the article, he has quoted the word docile as a prefix for the word Sufism, showing his disapproval towards Sufism. Sometimes he becomes friendly in his tone. For instance, while saying Our holy man explains why he has a Land Cruiser jeep and non-Syeds have donkey carts his tone is quite friendly. Similarly, in the same tone he points towards Sufis/Pirs/Syeds as confidence tricksters. The writer also has mixed feelings of anger and pity for Pakistani citizens that he calls them this mass of the wretched. Additionally, the writer has a straightforward approach towards the topic. He shares with the reader whatever he has on the topic. In this regard he does not become hesitant even while criticizing the prime minister and the foreign minister. Unknowingly, he frequently takes the gloomy side of the picture. Indeed, there are also some aspects of Sufism which are positive, but the writer has always taken the negative side of Sufism. Finally, the writer also has appealed to the emotions of readers in a very good way during the article. In the second paragraph while commenting on his friends gossip, the

4 writer counter-questions him. In the meanwhile he alludes to famous historical happenings in a very emotional tone, Have you ever been in love? Have you had your heart broken? What peace was there when Mansur has his head chopped off on the orders of the Baghdadi emperor? What peace is there in Sassuis peeling feet as she searches for her beloved through the desert of Sindh. when presenting the miserable condition of the serfs and their children the writer again becomes emotional, These serfs create the wealth that sends Bhuttos and Gillanis to universities such as Oxford and Harvard, while their children get blessings and threads from pirs. In the nutshell, the writer has been successful in persuading his readers that how modern Sufism is one of the causes of Pakistans problems. For this purpose he has constructed strong arguments, although some of them lack authenticity and far beyond impartiality. Overall content is fluent and easy to understand. There is somewhat coherence but well-founded unity. The paragraphs and sentences are diverse. The writer has used his pen in a good way to activate the emotions of the readers. He has not left his readers on a desolate ground. Therefore in the very last sentence Qalander Bux Memon advises his reader to be aware and take his care.