The fact is that religion obsessed societies are doomed to failure now more than ever.
AMANZIMTOTI, SOUTH AFRICA: I agree with every word of your editorial “Sad exodus” (January 4). We make a lot of noises in the press when it involves Christians, because of reasons which we all know, but other minorities get significantly less attention. Your paper needs to be commended for highlighting the troubles Hindus and others are confronted with. The fact is that religion obsessed societies are doomed to failure now more than ever.
The Mughals ruled India well but Aurangzeb spoiled it all by forcing Hindus to convert to Islam and making laws that were not acceptable to the majority. We need to learn that in this age of science, religion should be a personal matter. To achieve such goals, we must start to educate the young in schools and mosques to be tolerant. We can say our faith is dear to our hearts and better than other faiths, but should also allow others to claims the same. In my opinion, that is tolerance.
Here in South Africa, I see many Muslims walking around with the hijab, burqas and long beards, and they are accepted by the majority. At the same time, many blacks and whites are free to walk around in bikinis and shorts. Some have little clothing on in this heat.
I can just imagine the turmoil in Pakistan if anybody were to wear this kind of clothing in extremely hot weather.
Sharif Lone
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2011.
