News & Comment
Kartarpur Corridor: Opening a Religious Hub for the Sikh

News:

Pakistan and India signed the agreement on Kartarpur Corridor on Thursday, paving the way for its inauguration next month ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev. (Source: Dawn)

Comment:

Kartarpur border will be open to public on November 9, 2019. The proposed corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district of Punjab and facilitate visa-free movement of Indian pilgrims, who will only have to obtain a permit to visit Kartarpur Sahib, which was established in 1522 by Guru Nanak Dev. What is expected from us is to be excited about opening a religious hub for our so-called “Sikh brothers” while ignoring the plight of our Muslim brothers all around us.

The status of any minority in a Muslim state is supposed to be upheld, but only where that community has obtained the protection of the Islamic State. The Islamic State does not owe anything to any member of a minority that does not owe it allegiance, which has not accepted its protection. It will not spend state funds on special arrangements for other religions ceremonies.

The stress at Kartarpur would have been on facilitating the local Sikh community, who would be zhimmis, in carrying out the anniversary celebrations. However, the question of allowing across even one, let alone so many, non-Muslim citizens of a non-Muslim country, would not normally arise.

A proper relationship between the state and minorities cannot be governed by temporary national diplomatic needs. It can only be governed by the Sharia rules. Establishing the Sharia rules can only be done by the Islamic state, under a Khalifah. It is only through a Khilafah state (Caliphate) that a proper relationship between the state and minorities can be established, and the establishment of such a state, on the method of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), is the only way not just to solve the problems of Muslims, but also of non-Muslims, in accordance with the commands of Allah (Suhanahu wa Taala).

(يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا بِطَانَةً مِّن دُونِكُمْ لَا يَأْلُونَكُمْ خَبَالًا)

“O you who believe! Take not as (your) Bitanah (advisors, consultants, protectors, helpers, friends, etc.) those outside your religion (pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you.” [Aali Imran 3:118]

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Ikhlaq Jehan