This is the first thing I read on Dawn.com today.

I am reprinting the entire news item in full because it is short and I want to share the latest pain, embarrassment and fear that our government representatives have subjected the nation of Pakistan to.

Taliban true followers of Islam: minister

MANSEHRA: Federal Minister for Tourism Maulana Attaur Rehman has said that Taliban are the true followers of Islamic ideology and the US has been creating hatred against them.

“Ulema and Taliban are the true followers of Islamic ideology and America is the biggest terrorist of the world, which is creating hatred against them,” said the minister while speaking at a public gathering in Allai here on Tuesday.

Mr Rehman said that the ongoing spate of terrorism could not be eliminated until the US and the world gave equal rights and respect to the Muslims.

“It is a misconception that ulema and Taliban are against coexistence of people with different religions, in fact it is America which is against the interfaith harmony to maintain its hegemony on the world,” said Mr Rehman, who belongs to the JUI-F.

Should I even bother?

Ah, hell. Here’s an open letter for the respected minister for tourism.

24 November 2010

Maulana Attaur Rehman Sahib,

I’ll try to keep this brief.

I get that one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. But really? The Taliban are the “true followers” of Islam? They are the ones that have got it right?

Bombing of girls’ schools, public beheadings, bombing of public markets, destruction of religious shrines and flogging teenage girls in public? Are ignorance, inequality, violence, intolerance and the killing of innocent people the tenets of “true Islamic ideology?”

You say, the Taliban promote the “coexistence of people with different religions?” Really? Do you recall mandatory beards in Taliban-run districts, the burning of DVDs, and the destruction of the Bamyan Buddhas and Rahman Baba’s shrine? I guess they are only against other religions in their own backyard, not everywhere.

And of course, everything is America’s fault. The US is no saint, but really? I am happy with one thing though: you managed to point no fingers at Israel and India for all our troubles. That showed restraint.

For everyone’s benefit, I make one request: please refrain from embedding some of your above ideas in any campaigns for Visit Pakistan 2011. Slogans such as “Pakistan. Home to the true followers of Islam: the Taliban” won’t be a magnet for tourists.

Sincerely,
Talib Qizilbash