Pakistan is a multi-ethnic and multi-diverse country with a rich history of conquest and migration, which has contributed to Pakistan’s cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity.
Our unique landscapes in each province also present a vast picture of ethnicity and religious disparities. Therefore, it is also difficult to identify our country with a single religion or with ethnic or cultural beliefs and practices. We have our own history and cultural heritage with indigenous philosophical identities and practices that vary from different cuisines, music, poetry, literature, and arts. Usually, our ancestors felt pride in declaring our country as a cultural mosaic and hub of tolerance, but in reality, we are still hanging between the strings of traditionalism and liberalism.
For more such Opinions click here.
In Pakistan, our society is divided into many different classes and segments on the basis of socio-economic conditions, religious sects, culture, ethnicity, castes, and other differences. The group in the majority wanted to dominate the minority group by imposing its extremist ideology. As one of the main purposes of society is to transfer culture and values from one generation to another. However, unfortunately, our ancestors are responsible for transferring the toxic and outdated set of ideas into young minds without teaching tolerance and patience. We are living in a frustrating society surrounded by corrupt practices, injustices, and discrimination due to a lack of education, understanding, knowledge, critical thinking, voice, and tolerance that led to violent speech and actions. Such a group of young lads can create a fuss in society as their issues and voices go unnoticed. It takes an exception for being an honest, non-judgmental, and critical thinker to help young people to advocate their voices for a good cause and transform their thoughts into positive actions.
Being an educationist and peace activist, I have been working for peace activism for the last three years. I believe that the rise of extremism and intolerance is a multi-faceted issue that starts in our homes and families. The lap of a mother is said to be our first learning hub, and the upbringing of a powerful nation depends on it. Nevertheless, on the contrary, our minds filled with extremism, intolerance, and superiority complexes.
Since I was a child, my parents have always told me not to make friends with people from other religions or interfaith groups. The echoes of calling bad names and making derogatory remarks about lower castes, Christian sweepers, or roadside singers still haunt me.
Many young people in Pakistan are deeply concerned about the rise of extremism and intolerance in their country. They fear that this trend will lead to further violence, discrimination, and intolerance, which will make it difficult for them to lead peaceful and productive lives. Also, the rise of extremism and intolerance has led to more religious and ethnic minorities being treated badly and being persecuted. This has created a sense of insecurity among us, especially those from minority communities.
It is unfortunate to highlight the poisonous strings of intolerance, extremism, and caste system pride. These negative trends are deeply ingrained in the social fabric of our Punjabi culture and have been perpetuated over many generations.
One of the factors contributing to the prevalence of intolerance and extremism in Punjabi society is the historical context of the region. Punjab has experienced centuries of political instability, invasions, and violence, which have left a lasting impact on the people’s psyche. This has created a culture of distrust, fear, and suspicion, which has made it easier for extremist ideologies to take hold. The caste system in Punjabi society is another factor that contributes to intolerance and extremism. Caste discrimination has been prevalent in Punjab for centuries, and it has led to the marginalization and discrimination of certain groups, particularly lower-caste individuals. This has created a sense of superiority and entitlement among higher-caste individuals, which can manifest as pride and intolerance towards others. They often use caste identity as a means to mobilize people and justify their actions, which further reinforces the caste-based divisions in society.
It is important to address these issues and promote tolerance and equality in all spheres of society, particularly in terms of caste and religious identity. This requires a concerted effort from all members of society, including government officials, civil society organizations, religious leaders, and individuals themselves.
Whenever young and enthusiastic peace activists like me try to take some crucial steps to address this issue and promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence among all communities through individual and collective actions, We are accused of propagating the foreign agenda of secularism with paid campaigns. Most of the time, whenever people get to know about my association with any NGO for any peace project, it just triggers their fragile egos for no good reason. Sometimes, they think that I am being paid in dollars, but I feel pity for their being so judgmental. They never understand our passion and struggle to bring all young people belonging to different religions, sects, castes, and ideologies together. We have the capacity and potential to be part of a solution instead of poisoning our minds with toxicity. We need to prove that our languages, cultures, dresses, religions, and ideologies can be different from each other, but we can still work as one voice to spread peace, and harmony and celebrate our differences.
Recently, the Peace and Education Foundation organized a four-day capacity workshop for journalists titled “ Media Voices for Peace” to help us understand the importance of digital content creation to help spread peace, encouraging dialogue among people from different ethnic backgrounds and nationalities. We all know that social media and online engagement influence our lives. Social media is affecting not only private enterprises, but also governments and policy decision-makers, to design and implement public policies. Social media can help spread peace, encouraging dialogue among people from different ethnic backgrounds and nationalities. It can affect perception of ethnicity, change attitudes, and promote tolerance and mutual understanding. Thus, it can bridge the divide between ethnic groups that would not otherwise communicate with one another.
Being responsible journalists, it is our duty to understand the importance of digital content creation and how it can play its role in countering extremism and eliminating negative narratives and mindsets. Now, we can create positive content to promote tolerance, understanding, and peaceful coexistence. We can provide the opportunity to different individuals and communities to share their voices, which are unheard of for decades. This can be particularly powerful in countering extremist narratives, which often seek to portray a particular group or ideology in a negative light. By producing and sharing their own content, individuals and communities can challenge these negative narratives and provide a more balanced and nuanced perspective.
For more such Opinions click here.
Digital content creation can also be an effective tool for promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue. By sharing stories, images, and videos that highlight the commonalities and shared values between different religions and cultures, individuals and communities can foster greater understanding and respect. This can help to break down the barriers of intolerance and promote a more inclusive and cohesive society. However, it is important to ensure that the content produced is factual, balanced, and respectful of all communities, religions, and cultures to be effective in countering extremism and intolerance.
Pakistan: a victim of the mediocratic and the cartels
This write-up has been contributed by Dr. Sadia Khalid. She is a Ph.D. Education/Peace Activist.
Stay tuned to Baaghi TV for more. Download our app for the latest news, updates & interesting content!
