Sectarian violence and hatred

Sectarian hatred in Pakistan is rapidly increasing due to hate speech and intolerance. Shia-Sunni violence is a notable feature in Pakistan’s history. It has intensified over the past two decades and so far claimed thousands of lives. The deadliest sectarian terrorist attacks so far have been against the people of Shia faith, by the empowerment of sectarian groups, seminaries and religious extremists who pose a threat to the country’s stability. They also target mosques, shrines and places of worship of people of other faith as well.

Unfortunately, the country became a hub of inter-sect disharmony when foreign forces began to offer financial and logistic support to Pakistani religious groups as they competed for influence in the Muslim world. These forces were also involved in promoting sectarian-based terrorism and clashes in Pakistan which resulted in killing of thousands, from common people to state functionaries, to religious leaders. The vicious cycle of killing should be condemned by the whole nation. I do not consider religion the most adequate means of keeping it under lock and key. For that, literature alone avails humanistic science, the ideal of the free and beautiful human being. I would like to urge the government to bring madrassa reforms by removing hate material from the curriculum for the sake of the sectarian harmony in the country and also take measures to promote peace and harmony in the society.

FATIMA BEGUM

Karachi