The 125th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) aired on the subject theme.
The first guest on show, Mr. Molana Mujahid, a religious Scholar, noted that religion is a set of beliefs and code of conduct for the human beings’ respectful and peaceful coexistence. The right to religious freedom is clearly enshrined within our constitution vide Article 20 that guarantees citizens’ right to profess, practice their religion; as well as to manage religious institutions. Accepting religious diversity is very important to strengthen social cohesion as it makes the most of diverse potential of the citizens to formulate and pursue shared goals of development and prosperity. And why not, there is no harm in acceptance of diversity as it only adds more colors to the canvas of this beautiful world. Patience, tolerance and respect are the virtues worth cultivating given their outcome, and public needs to be sensitized on that as it cannot be achieved without respectful and responsible citizenship.
Dialogue is an essentiality to mitigate the inter- and intra-faith conflicts, develop the much-needed social harmony, address misunderstandings about other religions, and promote the core fact that every religion promotes peace, love and respect, and discourages hatred. Such spaces also offer opportunities to fill the communication gaps that have a huge potential to cause unrest and polarization in the society. While the state level interventions should be providing such opportunities to all; especially the disenfranchised groups, the potential of media and civil society should also be harnessed.
The second guest on show, Mr. Muhammad Zahoor, Student of Iqra National University, Peshawar and Ulasi Taroon alumnus, noted that participation in Ulasi Taroon Youth Capacity Building Workshops organized by CRSS exposed him to the ideals of respect, equality, and acceptance in a very multicultural and diverse environment. Youth in the country must be engaged along the same lines to make the most of their potential for social cohesion.
The third guest on phone, Ms. Rubina Moeen, President Minhaj ul Quran Women League, Peshawar, believed that women had the most important part to play in social peace and cohesion given the diverse nature of their role in the family and society.
About Ulasi Taroon
Ulasi Taroon is a counter radicalization initiative of Center for Research and Security Studies that aims to address the radicalization challenges, extremist ideologies and foster social cohesion through a discourse anchored in the core constitutional values which are fundamentally essential prerequisites for social peace and harmony. The endeavor aims to cultivate and sensitize the people of KP in the core values in the Pakistani constitution and our social contract. It’s an attempt to highlight the criticality of abiding by these ideals – such as adherence to rule of law, primacy and sanctity of constitution, equal citizenry, responsible citizenship, respect for fundamental human rights, tolerance for diversity and different opinions, inclusive democracy and good governance – as a measure of strengthening social cohesion and promoting peaceful co-existence.