“WAAR and Cold War” - by S Roman Ahsan (Aug'14)

“WAAR and Cold War”

by Syed Roman Ahsan

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A review of Pakistani film ‘WAAR’ and an analysis/evaluation of Pakistan Army as the ‘Chosen Ones’ – Originally written in November 2013 and revised August 2014

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During the cold war era the two Superpowers of the world, Soviet Union and USA were engaged in a continuous dangerous race to take the lead in the world. The two countries actively tried to beat each other in all fields including the sciences, the arms race and the space missions. Hollywood produced many films then to present Americans as the knights in shining armor against Russians who were mostly portrayed as evil. We cannot also ignore the American TV shows/serials and books/novels based on the same theme. Talking of movies, ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Rocky IV’ are some Hollywood movies worth mentioning apart from many others which were made on the subject. Noteworthy also were some of Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 thrillers made in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s in which the UK and US intelligence agencies, MI6 and CIA were shown fighting righteous spy battles. 

Since Hollywood has always been more popular and had a greater reach in the whole world compared to film industries of other countries, these movies played a significant role in establishing a higher moral ground for UK and USA against USSR in the minds of common people all over the world. People all over the world hated Russians just like they hated the Native Americans (Red Indians)!

When we switch over to the scene in third world, Pakistan and India are seeing no end in conflicts between them ever since these two countries were born. At times border tensions escalate while we cannot forget the number of wars the two countries have fought with each other. The intelligence agencies from both sides are playing their roles too in safeguarding the interests of their respective countries. Sometimes this role can be very negative and to support terrorist activities inside other country. And here comes our topic of discussion, the Pakistani movie “WAAR” released in 2013!

The movie WAAR addresses the internal and external threats faced by Pakistan amicably. The action sequences, the overall filming and the dialogues are good. Compared to the general trends of Pakistani films, this movie certainly ranks high as it does not revolve around the usual mundane background of traditional Eastern cheap love-stories with songs. The plot revolves around a former Pakistani Army officer (played by actor Shaan Shahid) who has taken an early retirement due to a personal tragedy and is asked by ISI to thwart a major terrorist attack in future. Bollywood has produced many propaganda movies over the years against Pakistan, hence if Pakistan has made ‘one’ such movie against the Indian RAW, then it is very strange if some Pakistanis have voiced their opinion against it. Actor Shaan definitely did justice to the role with his firm moves and crisp words!

After giving the merits of the movie, it needs to be stated that there are many things the movie fails to convey in the right spirit. Towards the end of the movie, there is a scene when an Army officer is driving a truck on the road between the mountains knowing that a powerful bomb would go off any minute. In his last moments of life on this earth, he starts singing the Pakistani National Anthem which shows his love for his country. Unfortunately, this is teaching a wrong practice to the audience. In Islam we are told that this is just a temporary life we have in this world, after which an eternal life awaits us. And someone who is close to death should recite the first Kalma "La ilaha ill-Allal-La, Muhammad-ur-Rasool Allah" (apart from a life in submission to God’s commandments) which will open door to salvation in the hereafter - hence this forms one of the basics of our Islamic beliefs!

A movie like WAAR is confusing the beliefs of a common Pakistani Muslim. The movie does not do any service to Islamic beliefs and there is little focus on character-building in the movie even though it takes hints from movies like ‘The Gladiator’ which emphasized better on some morality concerns of the lead character. We need movies like ‘The Message’ more in these times because of high decadence trends in the society. And it would be even right to make movies like WAAR considering the terrorism situation in the country but attention should be paid to some details considering these times when the whole Muslim world is oppressed. Hollywood movies are made by Non-Muslims, so we never judge them according to these standards and are always very careful while selecting them for viewing!

There is a final war coming between Pakistan and India, they say. It is mentioned in the sayings of the Prophet (pbuh) though there might be difference in some interpretations. If we are calling it just war, then the spirit of nationalism is fine. However, if we are calling it a ‘Holy War’ since it has been predicted by our Prophet (pbuh) then we need to pay attention to some details

I would like to talk about some personal observations here. Like others, many of my own relatives, family friends and friends have been serving in Pakistan Army. It means years of exposure and observations. In particular, let me mention about an observation taken three years ago. I went with my family to a cousin’s house to attend a religious event. Another cousin’s son who was a Major then in Pakistan Army was also there apart from his brother-in-law who was also a Major in Pak Army. Both these gentleman are in their thirties and from middle-class conservative families basically. ‘Maghrib’ time came and both men remained seated in the living room chatting with others. ‘Maghrib’ time passed and they did not offer their prayers. Did I myself offer ‘Salah’ then if someone questions me? If we want to be called Muslims, then we definitely need to strive not to miss ‘Salah’ wherever we are!

Consider the case of the second Caliph of Islam Hadhrat Umar (RA). He embraced martyrdom as a result of the wound of a dagger inflicted by an enemy. And even while he was critically injured, he did not leave his prayers! Another case relevant here is of Hadhrat Imam Hussain (RA), the grandson of the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa-Alaihi Wassallam). After his little son Ali Asghar’s throat was slit by an arrow, he stepped in the battleground all alone surrounded by the enemies. He was wounded very badly but when time for prayers (Salah) came, he at once got down from the horse and prostrated on the ground not caring for his life where finally the cruel soldiers severed his head thus making him meet his martyrdom. Those were the real soldiers of Allah or ‘Mujahideen’ which we need to follow and here we see that they never left their prayers even in extremely tough situations. The officers in Pakistan Army come from the same population of Pakistan like us and it should be admitted that majority of them are not practicing Muslims. They need to be perfect in ‘deen’ (religion: Islam) or at least striving in the way of Allah otherwise they cannot be soldiers in the path of Allah!

A verse from Qur’an is very meaningful and relevant here: 

“O Prophet, urge the believers to battle. If there are among you twenty [who are] steadfast, they will overcome two hundred. And if there are among you one hundred [who are] steadfast, they will overcome a thousand of those who have disbelieved because they are a people who do not understand.” - Surat Al-'Anfāl (The Spoils of War) -  8:65

The detailed explanation of the above verse should be sought from a senior scholar of Islam regarding how, why and when! But it is clear that Almighty Allah is promising the believers who are engaged in a just battle against enemies that if they are steadfast (which means both steadfast in battleground and steadfast in religious practices as a practicing Muslim) then a single believer could overpower ten non-believers. The soldiers and officers of Pakistan Armed forces need to acquire a lesson from this Qur’anic verse and apply it to their lives!

It is said that many people are witness to how spiritual forces helped Pakistan Army in the 1965 Pakistan-India war. Our elders have conveyed this to us as well. It would be pertinent to mention also that overall society in Pakistan was very conservative then. Television had just started its transmission compared to today when we have 60-70 cable TV channels that are mostly destroying the morality of our nation and polluting our hearts, minds and souls. It cannot be denied that there is positive role of media also like healthy talk shows and other informative programs but the overall trend is negative for sure. Hence, by and large, the level of faith of Pakistanis has declined manifold since then. Should we expect Almighty Allah to help us now when we are not steadfast in religion?

It is never too late to realize and wake up!