Celebrating the Fire in Los Angeles: An Act of Ignoranc

Celebrating the Fire in Los Angeles: An Act of Ignorance Written by :- Shah Nawaz Ali Sher Advocate Nakyal / Kotli Secretary-General, Bar Association, Nakyal 03418848984 03558383148 snsher02@gmail.com We express our deep concern over the wildfires in Los Angeles, USA, which have resulted in natural calamities, and extend our solidarity with the American people. The people of Los Angeles are going through a difficult and testing time, and this is the moment when we should cultivate a spirit of empathy and support in our hearts. "Our prayers, good wishes, and hopes are with those affected, and we stand by them in this hour of grief. A formal solidarity event is being held on January 13 at the Nakyal Bar Association, which is a welcome step based on humanism." Natural disasters occur worldwide, and these are not punishments or trials, but rather part of the natural process, influenced by human errors and weaknesses in the system. These calamities teach us that no matter how advanced humanity becomes, it remains helpless before the forces of nature. Much like the fire in Los Angeles, the helplessness of humans during natural disasters and the need for help from others has become a global reality. However, despite this, some individuals celebrate such grave situations, which not only show their moral decline but also trample upon the fundamental values of humanity. This irresponsible attitude not only reflects their own degradation but also questions the entire social system. We must not ignore the fact that when natural disasters strike in our own regions, we expect help from others, but we also need to focus on our own resources and preparedness. "During the 2005 earthquake in Azad Jammu Kashmir and the floods in Pakistan, did we celebrate those disasters? No, instead, we appealed for global support to stand by us." Many Americans and Europeans, including Angelina Jolie, actively supported the victims in Muzaffarabad in the name of humanity. Even today, nearly a million people from Azad Jammu Kashmir are employed in Europe, contributing to the livelihood system here. It is important to note that in Los Angeles, thousands of Muslims are also affected by the fire; their homes and children are at risk. If the logic of celebrating is applied, why should Muslim families and children be caught in the fire? It is a bitter truth that we always expect help from others, yet we fail to take concrete actions to improve our own country's situation. "Those who are celebrating the fire in Los Angeles today, will be the first to request help from the West when the next disaster strikes." Such individuals need to change their thinking. These are the people who focus only on their own interests and hope for help from other countries when needed. If a visa is offered to save them from the effects of the fire, they will be the first in line. This double standard reveals that their sympathy and humanity are merely superficial, and in reality, they lack the pain of humanity or the spirit of empathy. I want to ask the youth of the Nakyal Tehsil in Azad Jammu Kashmir who are celebrating in ignorance that "America is burning," did they not see the fires in the forests or the city fires a year or two ago in Nakyal? Here, you have a "push-start" fire brigade that is more of a novelty than a solution, and it doesn't even have water. Nakkyal doesn’t even have a rescue department. Several young operators of excavator machines died, unable to be rescued for hours. Here, if a dog is bitten by a jackal, there is no vaccine available. The largest and most organized protests in support of Palestine have been carried out in Europe and the USA, based on humanitarian principles. In Azad Jammu Kashmir and Pakistan, there were hardly any protests; on Friday, a few hundred people gathered, and even in Islamabad, those protesting for Palestine were beaten with sticks. Some clerics declared jihad, but since then, there has been no evidence of their active role. Collective apathy and irresponsibility were displayed. "We must realize that natural disasters and environmental crises are not just the problem of individual countries but have become a global challenge. We need to adopt a collective global strategy to mitigate the effects of these calamities and build a better, more sustainable future." We must bring about a change in our social, environmental, and moral behaviors. "If we truly want to be the champions of humanity, we need to develop the moral strength to share in others' suffering and stand with them in their hardships." We need to make better use of our resources so that when natural disasters strike, we don’t just rely on others for help but improve our systems and preparedness to face these challenges ourselves. "Our Prophet (PBUH) never rejoiced in the suffering of his enemies; instead, he always prayed for their guidance. Islam’s message is one of peace, humanity, and empathy, not celebrating the suffering of others, especially non-Muslims." Islam itself is based on the philosophy of humanity. The Prophet (PBUH) forbade cutting down trees, burning crops, destroying homes, and killing innocent people, including women and children, in enmity. The real issue is the mindset. It is about changing misguided thoughts. We must think and act based on the principles of humanity. "Today, we live in an era where most of the world’s resources are controlled by a few capitalist powers, and this system has given rise to environmental changes and natural disasters. Until this system is dismantled, the cycle of destruction will continue." The devastating impact of the capitalist system on natural resources and the environment cannot be ignored. "This system, which controls the world’s natural resources according to its whims, is responsible for the global environmental crisis. This system needs to be changed so that we can protect natural resources and maintain environmental balance globally." The capitalist system has sacrificed the ecological system for profit. We need to change our thinking and systems so that we live according to the principles of humanity and contribute to making the world a better place. "If we want to bring positive change to the world, we need to work on internal reforms and create a society based on humanistic principles, where instead of celebrating others' suffering, we support each other." We need to emphasize moral teachings, global environmental crises, and social responsibilities so that individuals change their behaviors and work towards a harmonious, humane, climate-friendly, sustainable, and just future. ---