Women abused, harassed at Lahore musical concert

[Astronut]

Taken from jang.com
By Muhammad Ali

LAHORE: It seems the City Canal incident which saw five Dutch women humiliated at the hands of semi-naked bathers has not shaken the conscience of the Lahorites, as on Sunday night a group of lousy youngsters displayed yet again a high degree of moral turpitude during a musical show organised at Alhamra Cultural Complex.

The event was awaited for days by the music lovers as leading lights of the music scene, including Abrarul Haq, Shabnam Majeed, Dr Sohail Amjad, M Ijaz, Hai Dar and Imran Naser, were to perform but as a strong 10,000 crowd turned up and watched the show with rapt attention, the end only left them wondering whether the city deserved to host a public gathering including men and women alike.

There was a pass-entry system for the show, but as a large number of music lovers pulled up at the only entrance to the Complex, they hewed their way into the hall trampling and crushing the pass-checkers and doormen in the process.

The concert went well despite the early hiccups but minutes before it ended, a section of women and girls brushed aside the instruction of the compere and left their seats to leave the hall to avoid confusion and disorder often witnessed at the end of such functions.

As the families rushed out, four girls and a middle-aged woman were trapped among a mass of desperate eve-teasers. Shouting and teasing, some boys went close to the hapless ladies and started touching their bodies. "The middle-aged woman slapped a boy when he took liberty with a girl but stubbornly shameless as the youths were, they continued roughing up the women," said an eyewitness.

However, what happened next was more shameful as a group of people gathered around the targeted ladies not to help them, but to see their ordeal. "The boys were pushing each other the way people do to enjoy some street performance," another eyewitness said. He said the girls were trying to make their way out of the crowd when over 50 boys surrounded them and started teasing them with brazenness only befitting animals. Their number grew as more and more youths joined them, he added.

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[B] Quite shocking! This happened in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Before blaming our neighbour or the west, look what happens in our own backyard! Also reminds you of a similar incident in New York.

[Yankee]

sad.. it really is ...

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Don't love everybody--specialize.. ;-)

[Dr LoveLess]

Sad, but who asked those women to go some concert? Keeping in mind that they are muslims, they want people to think they are and have some "sharmoo-hayaa" right so why go, WHEN YOU KNOW THOSE THINGS WILL HAPPEN TO YOU!!! Then they name it sexual harrasment and abuses, give it a rest already! You make things happen than blaim others for the cause, and ask for the rights, when you go beyond the circle of the Islam this is what happens to you.

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*~~~mOrE LoVe iS NeVeR eNoUgH~~~*
Jaan-e-mun Jaan-e-Tamanaa
Edharr aah teriyaaN LaatTaanN PunNaa-n

[Akif]

The incident itself is sad, and what makes it even sadder is that we will resort to justifying it by saying that since they were 'doing an unislamic thing" by going to the concert, they "deserved" to have this done to them? Is it ok for men to rape any girl walking down the street without a burqa? Did she deserve it just because she wasnt dressed the way you want them to?
Mutual respect in Islam calls for responsibilities that swing both ways, and just because one side doesnt fulfil their responsibility, doesnt mean it automatically absolves the other side of their responsibility. The mistakes that we make and the sins that we commit are not interconnected with some other person living in a totally different stratosphere. If youre not supposed to steal in broad daylight, youre not supposed to steal in the still of the night either. A crime is a crime and a sin is a sin, whether youve been lured into doing it or not. All the men who visit brothels wont go scot free on the day of judgement, just cause they were lured by the lustful desires initiated by the girls working there.

The youth of Pakistan, while for the most part very responsible, still have some growing up to do. And Id love to see those kids burnt alive. Or at least given lashes....cause i dont see this any less than a rape situation. We need some hardcore actions taken, which will prove to be trendsetters, and will instill some sense into the people, enabling them to think twice before they commit a crime.

[Dr LoveLess]

Akif...well said! Good one.




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*~~~mOrE LoVe iS NeVeR eNoUgH~~~*
Jaan-e-mun Jaan-e-Tamanaa
Edharr aah teriyaaN LaatTaanN PunNaa-n

[k2pk]

DrLoveless,

First let me say that though the ladies may have been Muslim, it was not stated so, and one is likely to believe they are not since they were Dutch tourists. But regardless, that is beside the point as no one deserves that type of demeaning treatment. I cannot even fathom believing that someone deserves or is expecting to be 'sexually harassed' if they are unprotected around a mob of immature frustrated kids.

And, you are totally contradicting as you said that '…make things happen than blaim others for the cause, and ask for the rights, when you go beyond the circle of the Islam this is what happens to you.' without questioning or making any comments on the deplorable actions of the these local boys while you yourself are judging and questioning the 'decency' and 'sharmoo-hayaa' of the victims whom you ironically portray as guilty flirts.

I think Akif summed it up by saying ' Mutual respect in Islam calls for responsibilities that swing both ways, and just because one side doesnt fulfil their responsibility, doesnt mean it automatically absolves the other side of their responsibility.'

We are not here to judge the innocent...

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...thats life and then you die

[Yasin]

Dr. Loveless, you must be one of those ******* how harassed those poor gals.

And if I'm right you are the one how use to come on this forum with Nick "Jasoos" and "Harron". And I have feeling that WaveRider is also your nick. U need to be banned again. If u dont know how to respect gals than you care no better than animals. And dont consider yourself muslim and dont preach Islam. U need to improve your ethics.

Take care, bye for now.

[Yasin]

Correction!!

I mean "Jawaan" not Jassos.

Sorry about that. Anchal Thanx for correcting me on that.

bye

[Anchal]

Jawaan i have had it with you ....at one point you are over there preaching Islam and on the other you are uttering nonsense ?

Originally posted by Dr LoveLess:
Sad, but who asked those women to go some concert?

Oh....It was a concert not a mujra
Why shouldnt they go ...are you telling me that The Islamic Republic of Pakistan cannot even provide security to its Muslim women?

Keeping in mind that they are muslims, they want people to think they are and have some "sharmoo-hayaa"

Funny, so the men and boyz who harassed them had specifically come from non muslim countries ..just to harass the women
Those men who harassed the women were Muslims too
Are you telling me that Islam teaches that Men can abuse, harass, fondle, any woman they see in a public place?


right so why go, WHEN YOU KNOW THOSE THINGS WILL HAPPEN TO YOU!!!

*laughz*
I am sure when the women were leaving their homes to attend the concert the last thing on their minds was 'I will get harassed'

Then they name it sexual harrasment and abuses, give it a rest already!

No!! You give it a rest already
what should it be called if not sexual harrasment? Respect?

You make things happen than blaim others for the cause,

Ahem!
Sure the women said '...yohooo hey we are here come and harass us ...'
thats so lame of you to say that they made it happen

and ask for the rights, when you go beyond the circle of the Islam this is what happens to you.

With all due respect
pls quote hadiths, ayats, lines, suraahs which clearly state to us that these women had gone beyond the circle of Islam

[BoSS]

I think Islam or for that matter any other religion should not be dragged into issues such as above....where cheap actions are defended using religion. It humiliates the religion and other people who hold the same belief.
Dr L! you have no right to play with serious issues just to get a few moments of publicity. Your owe your religion and community some responsiblity before supporting your arguments by quoting religion.

About what happened at the concert is now becoming a norm which is pathetic. I wouldn't be surprised if the guilty group belongs to supposedly good educated families...This has got to stop! maybe we as a nation we don't know how to entertain ourselves.

ciao
BoSS

[Pristine]

The incident itself, if reported correctly is very sad. However, more shocking were the comments of Dr Loveless, blaming the victims instead of the perpetrators for this cruelty. However, since many users have already taken Dr Loveless to task on his, rather reckless comments, I need not harper on that particulr line of comments, thankfully.

I will state something else. These concerts are genuinely well-anticipated due to shortage of quality entertainment. Hopefully as the weather improves, more and more concerts will be held.

This makes the following submissions more relevant. Those who organize these concerts have a heavy responsibility. Their role does not end, once they have booked the artists and sold all the tickets. A well-managed concert needs proper understanding of mob-control methodolgy and to avoid creating situations which makes small problems roll onto to huge embarrasing situations. The above incident is a case in point.

I have had the pleasure of attending several concerts in the Defence Club, Lahore during the last 3-4 months. And these are beautifully managed shows. Here are some pointers:

1. The ticket sales are well-organized and tickets are low-priced (Rs 100). This makes for lesser incentive for the rowdy crowd to "gate-crash".

2. There was ultra strict checking of tickets at the gate, with ample security arrangements, metal detector passage, and very visible security personnel. There were proper queues prepared by the security personnel in case those entering come in large numbers.

3. Security personnel were polite yet firm. No manhandling, and no tolerence of gate-crashing.

4. Once you actually enter the concert arena, a sufficient number of chairs were available. Number of chairs available should be close to the tickets sold, otherwise the problems can incur.

5. There was a pre-assigned arrangement for girls who wish to sit close to the stage in front. Carpetting and cushions were already placed there for their comfort.

6. For young men, who do not wish to sit still, there was a pre-assigned place on the right of the stage, where these young men would not obstruct the view of the rest of the attendees. They were allowed to dance there and be as noisy as they wished.

7. The remaining audience, mostly families, sat on the chairs in groups and enjoyed the show.

8. The show should start on time, or not very late. Late-starters makes the audience impatient and upset. This is always bad.

9. If any young men want to block the passage-ways in order to get closer to the stage they were politely but firmly asked to go back by the security personnel. Security personnel must be constantly on guard inside the concert arena in a visible position, preferably moving in the passageways to keep an eye on things and to check any minor skirmishes, which inevitably occur where young, hot-blooded crowds are gathered.

10. Towards the end of the show, security personnel ensured that all guests depart peacefully.

The trick is to have enough and appropriate security for controlling crowds. For concerts with fine performers, the crowds can be more than 10,000, easily.

This posting is a guide to gauge whether the show you are trying to watch is worth going, and is it well-organized. You can pretty much judge at the gate or in the fist 30-40 minutes how well the show is organized. If the security arrangements are poor, getting away from the venue is a far better alternative than to take the risk with rowdy crowds. This goes true even if the performer is top-class.

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Life is too short to waste
Enjoy... and be Happy

[This message has been edited by Pristine (edited September 13, 2000).]

[Mr Xtreme]

BOss:

About what happened at the concert is now becoming a norm which is pathetic. I wouldn't be surprised if the guilty group belongs to supposedly good educated families...This has got to stop! maybe we as a nation we don't know how to entertain ourselves.

It's only going to stop if somebody is prosecuted. I thought police in Pakistan were supposed to be handy with the laathi? This is a simple case of law and order. if it isn't enforced, doesn't matter where you are in the world, there will be chaos. I think journalists hold a big responsibility in these cases that they don't just complain about behaviour in general, but hold the law enforcement agencies accountable.

[ashik]

gurbat nahiN ghareeb khatam karo!!

aurat rey aurat, teri izzat kon karay yaar!!
its a difficult task for us!! so please, take it easy!
(ironical)

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beyond the horizont°°°my heart gone

[ghalib]

>>>Akif...well said! Good one.

I can see where Dr. Loveless is coming from. Akif just slapped him silly and he didn;t even realize it.

Dude! he pulled one one over on you!

[Dr LoveLess]

Hold your horses you "parey likhey jahils"!

First of all those concerts shouldnt be held according to REAL ISLAM.
2nd those women or men shouldnt be there mingling with each other.
3rd some of you are muslims, you should look at it from the islamic perspective and NOT from your personal agendas.
4th, I think you "sorry asses" are the ones who abuse the women and harrass them when they are attending and bringing their sorry asses to the concerts.
5th, do you consider you self a muslim? Yes? No? Yes! WEll than act like one!
Would you like your sister to go to some concert with some guys you dont know? Would you like the things that happen and "people" do while on concerts done to your sisters? (lets see how much geyyraaat you sorry SOBs have)

Yes its your own fault when you dont follow the real islam and go beyond the circle of islam you pay the price! Same thing happened here, those women are so called or want to be soo called "sharif" ones. I think they brought it upon their selves. Its as if you walk in the street naked and you dont want no one to look at you, thats pathetic.

I dont attend concerts!

Ghalib sahib forget the part he said or refered to me....
Yasin first find out how does your mother(do you know where she is?) feels about you. Than come and assume things about me and look like a total ass!

Anchal its clear said in hadith that strange men and women are NOT be to mingled or mixed.

None of you are looking at it with a islamic point of view, you all are looking at it with your own personal agenda that is NOT islamic.
Pakistan is a muslim country so keep in mind what ever SHOULD happen, it should happen according to what islam says. Does not matter if there were dutch or who ever.

Call me moulana, but one as a muslim should look at it with islamic point, not what west will think or what others will think, if i dont think with islamic point. SHame on you all.

Laterzzz

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*~~~mOrE LoVe iS NeVeR eNoUgH~~~*
Jaan-e-mun Jaan-e-Tamanaa
Edharr aah teriyaaN LaatTaanN PunNaa-n

[This message has been edited by Dr LoveLess (edited September 13, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Dr LoveLess (edited September 13, 2000).]