Role and Responsibilities of Religious Leaders
The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (Debate and Council) discussed the role and responsibilities of religious leaders in promoting peace.
The first guest in the show, Mr. Mujahid Ali, a religious scholar, said that we are the successors of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his life is the greatest example for all of us in terms of promoting peace, interfaith harmony and tolerance. He said that as religious leaders have a strong say in the society, therefore, it is their responsibility to use their influence in a positive manner and spread the word of love and peace. He was of the view that although we are supposed to follow the principle of tolerance in our daily lives on a regular basis we usually fail to do so.
The second guest, Mr. Gurpal Singh, a religious leader from the Sikh community, said that religious leaders must emphasize on the commonalities as the teachings of Sikh religion are also for peace and harmony. He said that according to Sikhism humanity is the biggest religion of the world. The four doors of our Gurdwara (holy place) represents that people with different religious background can come and sit there as the symbol for brotherhood and harmony and this is a lesson for religious leaders of all faiths.
Talking about the role of women in peace process both the guests agreed that without the involvement of women and improving their status of education and awareness the process and efforts for peace cannot be fulfilled.
The report by Mr. Inamullah stated that because of the difference of opinions among different sects, the maintenance of peace cannot be fulfilled and only religious leaders by putting their efforts can make it happen.
The report by Mr. Afzal Mohmand elaborated that unity and efforts for establishing peace and harmony is the need of the hour. We should be united and portray a message to the world that we are not Sikhs, Hindus, Balochis or Pukhtoons, but just Pakistanis.
Five calls were received during the show.
About Sabawoon:
Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since 2011. It began as a counter-radicalization, strategic communications programme, designed to highlight and promote the fundamental governance values such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry, social cohesion.
The show airs Tuesday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 kHz from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM.
On Tuesday, Jarga Maraka covers current affairs and important regional issues with input from government and other senior officials. Jawandai Jazbey airs on Wednesday and deals with issues of relevance to, and significance for, youth, and students. Socio-cultural affairs and issues of women are discussed in Ranra on Thursday.