Interfaith Harmony
Pakistan came into being on August 14, 1947 after the partition of the sub-continent of India, which was under British rule due to the political struggle of different political leaders, even though the founder of the nation Quaid-e-Azam had said on August 11, 1947, “the religion has nothing to do with state affairs”, but Islam being the religion of the majority (97% of Muslims) got a domination status in the
constitutional zed political, judicial, social, cultural and government system. Islam is the official state religion. Being enforced, as the supreme law of the land is the Islamic Shariah, the judiciary legislature and executive are also working under the
constitutional zed law. In this situation, theocracy is prevailing in Pakistan.
Due to this faith based disparity, religious minorities are facing problem in their day to day life. People’s relationship is defined on the bases of their faiths, which is widening the gap between Muslims and Non-Muslims. Religion has become the identity for the people and they discriminate each
other factors are using this situation in their favor and trying to widen the gap on the name of religion.
“Problem” of minorities is never regarded as a major one. It is always assumed that racial or ethnic divisions and faith-based identities are going to wither away as a result of economic and technological development. Particularly the dynamics of industrialization will automatically fall in the national mainstream. As a matter of fact the process of industrialization accompanied by the rise of capitalism and the values attached to it, facilitated by the ‘ nation- building’ policies, is gradually creating an un-diversified society, social stratification.
Not all Muslims in Pakistan are creating problems for the minorities. There is a big majority of them that want to live in a tolerant society and brotherhood atmosphere. However, fundamental groups are misusing the name of Islam, instigating illiterate Muslims against the non-Muslims (Christian, Hindus, scheduled casts) that jihad (Holy War) has to be launched against them to bring the Islam at glorious status. These fundamental groups are successfully influencing (poisoning) the Muslims in general to be brutal hard-liners against the religious minorities (Christian, Hindus, scheduled casts). The governments of the past and present have always been under the pressure of these extreme Islamists. They have always been a part and parcel to the Government. This is why they have been successful to get Islam Shariah and different Muslim laws enforced.
To counter the movement of fundamentalists, there is a great need to promote a culture of cohesion and solidarity. A culture that promotes respect for differences based on individual’s faith. Human dignity and social harmony should be the core value for respect and should be the core value for such respect and should be the same for every human being. No one has more dignity/respect than others. If human beings are created equal and have the same dignity and respect, they must also have certain rights – the same rights – and they mist be able to have a say, an equal say at all levels.
There is a dire need to have a culture, which promote practice of non-violence the recognition of , and respect for, human rights; the promotion of intercultural tolerance and understanding. This culture should consist of values, attitudes and modes of behaviors based on non-violence and respect for the fundamental rights and freedom of all people. If progress to be made towards building more peaceful, cooperative and just society where human security is valued as paramount, social harmony and peace building process must involve local people especially local religious leaders, women and progressive communities seeking solutions through approaches that work in their localities and areas. At the same time, there is a need to involve media in promoting social harmony in the society at large.
This process should encourage people to get involved in this struggle especially women because mostly women are the victims of unjust structures in the family, society and the workplace. They are the one who always face discrimination whether they belong to majority community or minority community. The extent of discrimination can vary but almost all women are going through the same experience. Religions reinforce their secondary status and sanctify them in the periphery. They are also sidelined by the development plans. having different religions and beliefs. Different