The 68th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on May 10, 2019, on the theme of “Importance of Tolerance Perspectives for Social Cohesion”. The show was prepared in alignment with one of the core project themes of tolerance and its connectivity with fasting.
The guest in studio, Mr. Hassan Madani noted that the essence of the holy month of Ramadan is to display the highest form of patience, tolerance, self-control and support to others. These are the very traits that are essential for a healthy society that is socially cohesive.
“Ramadan is an opportunity to learn and adopt the tolerance perspectives, and then keep practicing them rest of the year”, he said while adding that this month also teaches Muslims to be disciplined and charitable in social life. But it seems as if the people have only accepted the outer form of observing fast – which is to practice hunger and thirst for a certain period of time every day – and not the essence of it.
He emphasized that we need to understand the true spirit of this month i.e. control over anger, evil thoughts and to support and help the needy. We should teach our children the real essence of this month from the beginning and make them realize that only by serving and helping others, can we peacefully coexist, develop and also get the consent and forgiveness of Allah. Fasting impacts the attitude and behavior in ways beneficial to the community at large where it prompts us to empathize with the disadvantaged people.
It is a collective responsibility of both state and society to propagate the values of peace and tolerance perspectives that are common to all the religions and also enshrined in the constitution.
The guest on call Dr. Fakhar-ul-Islam shared that the true purpose of fast is to foster tolerance, respect and peaceful coexistence among the members of a 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 fostering social cohesion and peaceful co-existence.