By Samir Gupta

The world of devotional music and culture in South Asia was dealt a body blow on 22 June 2016 with the murder of popular Qawwali maestro Amjad Sabri. His murder has left a hole in the hearts of all of us.

When I got the news of the brutal murder of Amjad Sabri, I could not make sense of it. Here was a man whose sole purpose in life was to sing in praise of Allah and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

What kind of religious interpretation allows you to kill a man who has devoted his life to your own god? Logic, however, is hardly the forte of the zealots of the so-called Taliban. They falsely claimed to have murdered him in the name of religion – a religion that calls for peace and moderation in one’s words and deeds.

As an Indian and a well wisher of Pakistan, I am generally quite careful about my choice of words when discussing Pakistan and its problems but I feel compelled to share my anguish.

The first time I heard Sabri Brothers was four years ago in an advanced yoga course at the Art Of Living, India. Our teacher played their rendition of “Ye Sab Tumhara Karam hai Aaqa” for us during one of the sessions.

Enthralled by the mellifluous dedication of oneself to the higher being, we asked our teacher to play it several times over the next three days.

At the end of the course, there was a Satsang – a session of devotional music. Normally reticent about participating in a Satsang, I joined the band of dancers in the group when that Qawwali was played.

Pakistan’s reaction to this tragedy has been along predictable lines. Some people are angry. Many are sad. Some blame the Army for the mess Pakistan finds itself in. Others blame the civilian government for the lawlessness.

That is precisely the problem. A toxic mix of geopolitics, sectarianism and insecurity about India’s intentions has left the country confused and disjointed in its response to such atrocities.

At this difficult juncture in its history, Pakistan needs the support of the rest of the world, not condescending lectures. At the same time, Pakistan needs a brutally honest introspection.

Pakistan needs all its stakeholders to join forces and provide leadership — leadership that fills the people with purpose and a sense of direction. The anger, the frustration and the outrage needs to be channelised.

Come on Pakistan! The time for action is now.

Samir Gupta is an IT professional and a peace activist based in Ghaziabad, India.