Secularism may not automatically mean tolerance, but makes sure those thinking different are not punished, persecuted.
NIDERRAU, GERMANY: This is with reference to Daniyal Noorani’s article of September 8, titled “Secularism does not equal tolerance”. Secularism may not automatically mean tolerance, but it makes sure that those who think differently are not punished or persecuted. I admit that many in the West are not happy to see a different culture obsessed with faith. Women wear burqas or headscarves, men have long beards and girls have given an inferior status within the family. It is true, though, that the West should accept different cultures more willingly, in spite of these differences. But the point is that the laws of such countries treat minorities as equals. You cannot control the minds of people because that would imply being brainwashed. Laws do not make one faith more powerful than the other. In Germany, with the arrival of a greater number of Muslims, many states have removed portraits of Jesus from schools so as not to offend non-Christians. That is tolerance. I am sure, slowly, things will get better in the coming years for Pakistan as well.
But let’s not make the mistake of accusing such societies of being intolerant. How can Pakistan become secular when it is called the Islamic Republic? How can you give equal rights to women when Islamic laws are applied in which men get twice the share of the cake than women? I have met men who drink and call themselves secular, but wait until there is a case of property distribution — suddenly they want sharia laws.
Sharif Lone
Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2011.
