It is shocking to note a phenomenal rise in suicide incidents occurring in Chitral. Scores of the youth have attempted suicides over the years extinguishing the flame of their life with their own hands. The most unfortunate case in the spate of suicides is that of a young brilliant medical student Ashfaq who committed suicide in his hostel room in Karachi recently.

Many a conscientious soul may have struck with utter desperation and bewilderment at the phenomenal increase in suicide incidents particularly among young people in Chitral; but no one hardly tries to delve deep into the causes to dig out the motives behind such acts. The mystery surrouning the dead body is rather interned leaving no traces behind for fact-finding.

Some medical experts cite psychological problems, economic constraints, abject poverty and domestic discords as the immediate cause driving people towards taking extreme steps ending their lives. One may partly agree with the foregoing citation given the increased number of suicide cases in the most developed countries of the world equipped with adequate health care facilities and with provisions for the basic amenities of life.

Contrary to that, the rate of suicide cases is still lower in the less developed Muslim countries confronting severe economic deprivations and minimal health care facilities. The reason is that Islam strictly forbids suicide.

For those who believe in and understand the teachings of islam, that life in this world is just a transitory phase beset with trials and tribulations. Even under extreme and unavoidable circumstances one has to observe patience and steadfastness . One has to be clear about the fact the Allah Al mighty puts His people to trials occasionally to to test them and those who come out triamphantly are rewarded both in this world and the hereafter. Losing hope in Allah is a sin.

No doubt islam lays stress on hard work with sincerity and dedication and one is rewarded for that accordingly. Ironically ,ignorant of the essence of the true Islamic teachings of Islam some of our youth are misled to become suicide bombers to kill innocent lives. Such kind of extremism is repugnant to Islam, which is a moderate religion and shuns extremism and terrorism.

What I want to bring forth from the above thesis is that youths should be groomed and trained in Islamic and scientific lines impressing on them emphatically the compatibility of both fields of knowledge. Divorcing one from the other will be devastating and will create disbalance between spiritualism and materialism.

To address the root causes of suicide one has to be cognizant of the teachings of Islam in toto. Any seminar on the serious issue will fall short of the attainment of the goal provided the Islamic teachings pertinent to be be followed in daily life are stressed in full vigour. To do away with the cases of suicides in Chitral, efforts should be made to intersperse the campaigns' with teachings from Islam regarding the truth and reality of life in this world.

Khalid Pervaiz,

Booni, Chitral,

01 May 10.