Published in English Daily, Pakistan Observers.
Religion is an instrument of peace, harmony and stability in
the world. It brings discipline and order in the lives of the people, imparts
them hope and optimism and consoles hapless and destitute strata of society.
None of the religions encourages violence or violation of human sanctity.
However, unfortunately religion has often been misused by certain elements for
the fulfillment of their nefarious designs and has been proving detrimental to
world peace and stability.
Global terrorism today poses an existential threat to world
peace and this barbarism and insanity is being perpetrated in the name of
religion. In past, the desires of foreign occupations to uphold the superiority
of one religion on the other, led to many deadly wars; and peace remained an
elusive dream. Today on account of misuse and misinterpretation of religious
injunctions, radicalization is on a constant rise, minorities are being
persecuted, sectarian clashes are increasingly jolting the world peace , rights
of women are being infringed and progress in the fields of science, art and
literature is being resisted. It is not the religion, but misuse and
misinterpretation of the religion which has wreaked all this havoc.
However, if a meaningful interfaith and intra - faith
dialogue is initiated, longstanding international conflicts are resolved
judiciously and socio-economic and politico - religious grievances of the
aggrieved factions are addressed, the perpetrators of violence can be rendered
bereft of excuses to misuse religion for the furtherance of their ignominious
designs. In this regard it is the dire need of the time that media eschews
jingoism and hate speech and helps in defusing tension along ethical and
ideological lines and the moderate scholars play their due role in
reinvigorating the true spirit of the religion among the followers of various
faiths. In this way, an ambiance of tolerance, harmony and peaceful coexistence
can be cultivated and the globe can be made a better place of living for entire
humanity.
TASSAWUR BOSAL
Mandi Bahauddin
Daily Pakistan Observer
