TEACHING OF ISLAM: JARANWALA TRAGEDY

WebDesk August 20, 2023 2 minutes read

Islam’s real peaceful image should be implemented and a few countable anti-peace and anti-human people should not be allowed to destroy the image of the country and image of Islam for their vested interests. Hence, we need to present the true picture of Islam and the Holy Prophet, and those countable fanatics should be mutilated and obliterated before they take their roots deep. Fortunately, we have solid legal grounds to obligate everyone to respect minority rights. The Constitution of Pakistan under Article 20 grants freedom to every citizen to profess his/her religion and to manage religious institutions. Article 25 guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the law. Through Article 36, the state has been called upon to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the minority communities. The Constitution also stresses affirmative measures to create a non-discriminatory and protective environment for all. These constitutional provisions are in sync with the guidance provided by the Quaid-i-Azam in his speech to the Constituent Assembly on Aug 11, 1947: “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state.” The faith of Islam also provides clear guidance to Muslims. Surah Al Ma’idah states that “whoever takes a life unless as a punishment for murder or mischief in the land it will be as if they killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity. It is further ordained in Surah Al-Baqara that “there be no compulsion in religion”. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) practiced religious tolerance towards non-Muslims. As an Islamic state then, Pakistan is expected to guarantee religious rights to non-Muslims and to treat them fairly and equally. The greatest danger to domestic peace in any religious society is religiously inspired extremist violence. Passionate religious differences are normal but once converted to violence, they destroy societies.