On Tolerance

Why are Pakistanis so intolerant? I am talking about the common man. This by no means refers to the entire Pakistani population. No one is good or bad because of his or her nationality. And all individuals are different. But I am talking about a near majority here.

First, let me explain what I mean by tolerance. I mean the ability to respect other people’s faith and beliefs - - this extends not only to non-Muslims but also to people of different sects and even to people of the same sect, having diverse opinions with regard to their religion.

Since God has given each person his own will, he should be free to exercise it to the extent that he does not hurt others in any way. Faith is a very personal thing. It should not matter to us if every Tom, Dick and Harry doesn’t think about God the way we do or doesn’t pray to Him in the same way.

Many people would like to argue that this is not so and the common man in our country is not a fundamentalist or a terrorist ruining the name of Islam. But think again. He is not a terrorist, I accept. But don’t several people say that the Taliban are righteous, ignoring the way they made life hell for the Afghanis. Whatever I may feel against the American government for its war against Iraq or Afghanistan, I would never say that the Taliban were good and pious or that what happened on 9/11 was justified.

Stating a specific instance that reflects intolerance: during the recent intermediate exams, something out of syllabus was given to non-Muslims. The other private candidates were given the Islamiat paper. When a Hindu candidate, at Khatoon-e-Pakistan, complained to the invigilators, they were very rude to her and exclaimed: "If your paper has been changed then change your religion."

Several Muslim candidates started laughing and the non-Muslims there were left quite helpless.

We can also consider the Shia Sunni tensions today that are quite open. The killing of so many Shiites in Quetta, not so long, was a despicable and inhuman act. Okay, okay. You will say that it wasn’t the common man who killed them. Everyone cannot kill a human being. But do you support the people who say that Shiites are not Muslims?

Pakistan’s ideology is the two-nation theory: Muslims cannot live with Hindus. Now, will you say that Sunnis cannot live with Shiites? When religions don’t coexist, differences arise between sects. Is this not an example of intolerance? Mullahs cannot impose their opinion on us. They are only encouraged by public support.

I seek this opportunity to mention some examples from my own life. Once, when I was in class ninth, I said to my teacher that Mahmud of Ghazni was not a nice man because he did not respect other religions. My teacher spent the entire period in lecturing and protecting his image and even scolded me for saying such a thing.

Secondly, whenever some controversial topics like modesty etc. are raised, people don’t have the patience to listen to your point of view and don’t encourage a healthy debate. I know that these problems exist in other parts of the world also, but their predominance in our part of the world, persuades me to mention it.

People say that Pakistan was made for Islam. Then where is that Islam today in this country? Why are the people, following the most peaceful and tolerant religion, so incapable of allowing others the freedom or belief and the freedom of speech? Where is the independence for which people celebrate on the 14th of August?

Education is of no use unless it makes you a better and civilised person and teaches you to respect others. I have written this article not only to criticise but also to make several people realise the consequences of such behaviour.