It is indeed disillusioning to see that the workplaces in Islamic Republic of Pakistan are emerging as romantic spots. The workplaces’ norms and ethics fail to recognize Islamic principles of modesty and bashfulness in fulfillment of work responsibilities; especially while pursuing teamwork and other group settings comprising males and females. It is really bizarre and morally shocking that the teamwork dynamics at various workplaces gradually take the shape of love affairs, dating and scenarios of infatuation between male and female colleagues working together.
The male and female colleagues gradually begin developing close ties with each other while executing project’s tasks and activities. The poor souls fail to recognise what is actually happening with them as they gradually progress working together! By sharing feelings, attitudes and thoughts regarding different aspects of life in the course of carrying ahead with their official tasks together, they fall into a platonic relationship. The conversations gradually beef up using different social media and technological tools even once they are off their work sites. These ultimately end up in love ties or stories of romance developing between male and female colleagues.
The aforementioned scenario sounds indeed miserable! It negates the religious rulings of modesty and bashfulness. It is prudent to say that such scenarios merely indicate misuse of the workplace norms and ethics. It is indeed satanic instigation falling upon a man and a woman at workplace to fall into a romantic relationship or develop close bonds while working in a mixed group setting. The question is where does the Islamic principles stands, which constantly inculcates modesty for the Muslims? It is an absolute sin for the believing men and women to communicate undue with members of opposite gender. Falling in love and romantic affairs is indeed a grave sin!
Considering such grave situation, there stands a dire need for the ministry of religious affairs of our nation to ensure a congenial environment at workplaces, which would keep the religious rulings of modesty intact. The management of the workplaces should make it mandatory for the females to wear hijab and the men must be strictly advised to wear decent and modest clothes. A proper religious culture should be inculcated and effectively embraced by all the employees at the workplaces with a particular emphasis on modesty in dealings. An effective awareness should be disseminated amongst the employees, which should discourage communication besides work activities between man and a woman at workplace. This can appropriately hinder the workplaces from becoming romantic spots.
AIYZA JAVAID
Lahore
