The 37th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on October 05, 2018. The show was dedicated to the Annual Alumni Gathering of Ulasi Taroon initiative held at the City University, Peshawar whose purpose was to reinforce the core concepts – including the ideals of peace and cohesion – of engagement with the youth leaders from the universities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Among the guests on show were the youth alumni members including Ms. Maham Khan and Mohammad Mustafa, and Mr. Shams Mohmand representing CRSS.
Mr. Shams Mohmand highlighted the objectives of the initiative and the milestones achieved during the first year of the program.
Ms. Maham and Mr. Mustafa, both were highly appreciative of the initiative and noted that they feel that Ulasi Taroon had really transformed their lives, the way they interact with others and their approach and behavior towards and with the society respectively.
Ms. Maham, Student of City University Peshawar said “It is a good step for peace and awareness in our society and a wonderful intervention to raise awareness among youth on their mandate for social cohesion. I think that CRSS is making tremendous efforts to raise such awareness to create a critical mass of youth as ambassadors of cohesion. I really appreciate CRSS and I will remain a part of CRSS. Ms. Maham further said that the difference of opinion is natural but it shouldn’t lead to major conflicts. We must learn to accept the difference of opinion. She emphasized that protest is justified but we must promote dialogue equally and resort to this tool to sort out issues. She appreciated the interactive activities of the workshop that involved the participants in such situations where they were taught to pay respect to the opinions and beliefs of others. We believe that such practices will help avoid conflict in the future, she concluded.
The second guest on show, Mr. Mustafa from the University of Peshawar said that the key to a cohesive society is tolerance and acceptance. The social cohesion lies in respect for others regardless of color, cast or creed, acceptance of different opinions and not to be judgmental. Only by cultivating such attitudes and behaviors, can we except any positive change in the long run. Everyone in the society has some positive qualities and wisdom demands to learn from each other.
“I belong to a small city but my hopes were high. I never had the courage to speak publically and share what I felt. I was not bold enough and before speaking with others, I was often confused. We have a small campus of Abdul Wali Khan University and I attended this program by CRSS. I learnt a lot from them. It gave me the courage to express myself and the confidence to speak to others”, said Faiza, Student of Abdul Wali Khan University, Timergara while sharing her success story in the radio report.
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.