MALIK TAIMUR MASOOD AKBER, a renowned politician, says about interfaith peace building

MALIK TAIMUR MASOOD AKBER, a renowned politician, says about interfaith peace building that we are living in the modern age of 21st Century. In this century many things are invented. No doubt, that the people of Pakistan are very hard working and intelligent. They are working day and night for the progress of the country. But the main problem is that they are not working in unity. Our youth is struggling hard for their own goals instead of the whole world. Everybody wants his name on the top of the list. Everyone seems to be selfish. He can shed the blood of others to attain success. As Pakistan is divided into four provinces. The people of these provinces have also classified themselves separately. The people of Sindh province call themselves as Sindhi, the people of Punjab , NWFP and Balochistan call themselves as Punjabi, Balochi and Pathaan. There is also problem in the cast system in Pakistan.
But this concept is not suitable for the believers of Islam. They should live with brotherhood and cooperate with each other. They should call themselves as Pakistanis whether they are living in whatever province of Pakistan.
Religion is very important for our souls. So, without religion, there can be no secure foundation for morals, either religion raises or ennobles man, and it should form an essential part of the youngsters education. In Pakistan unfortunately, the circumstances are very peculiar. The government has wisely adapted the policy of non-interference in the religions of the people and hence it is neutral in the matter of religious instructions.
The demonstrational schools started and maintained by the various religious communities, the Barelvi, the shias and the Adl-e-Hadith are given education according to their sectors and the minds of the youngsters are being disillusioned by putting the wrong conceptions about other sects in their minds. This training is based upon sectarian lines.
All the religious trainings worth the name must be broad based on the spirit of toleration. The first principal which is to be followed is that everyone should not only respect ones cast but should not say badly for others as well. Mutual toleration and a broad minded sympathy and respect for others believe should be an essential part of religious instructions. Without it, it will degenerate into narrow sectarianism and fasten bitterness and fanaticism. As it is stated,
“United they stand divided they fall.”
We are Pakistani and our motto should be “One heart one way.” The great French General Napoleon used to say, “Divide and conquer.” His great victories were by attacking one of his enemy when all alone before the others could come to his support.
Every Pakistani should work hard not only for his progress but the progress of his country. The founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam once addressed,
“ If you change your past and work together in a spirit that everyone of you, no matter to what community he belongs or how does he look like, then there will be no end to the progress you will make.” We all should believe that UNITY IS STRENGTH.

Interview by; Ms Khadijah Shah (ROD).