Loading the blame on “religion” is perhaps unreasonable.
LAHORE: This is with reference to Pervez Hoodbhoy’s article of March 5 titled “Run for your life”. Notwithstanding the fact that the writer happens to be one of the country’s most brilliant scientists, I would, however, like to mention an argument which was not addressed in the article. This is that the killing of Shias and the ostracism of Ahmadis is warranted not by religion, but by the myopic and misinformed understanding of religion by some people. The academic training at LUMS allows for its students to escape from essentialisms and generalisations.
From the Holy Prophet’s (pbuh) own tradition we learn that coexistence of faith is not only a possibility, but also imperative for progress. Therefore, loading the blame on “religion” is perhaps unreasonable. The key to peace is thorough understanding and responsible teaching of religion, which is abysmally lacking in these conflict-ridden times.
Faiza Rahman
Published in The Express Tribune, March 6th, 2012.
