Despite the claims of MAGA Prez TRump doesn’t understand the abcd of Americanism (ii)- If Prez Trump is not able to
International Tolerance Day and Our Society. By John Bosco
Every year on 16 November, the world observes International Tolerance Day, established by UNESCO and the United Nations in 1995. The purpose of this day is simple yet profound: to remind humanity of the urgent need for tolerance in a world increasingly shaped by hate speech, extremism, discrimination, and violence. It encourages all societies to protect human rights by respecting diverse beliefs, cultures, and identities. The observance promotes peaceful coexistence, supports education on tolerance, encourages laws that safeguard minorities, and warns against the dangers of hate crimes and persecution. Above all, International Tolerance Day celebrates diversity as a source of strength and social harmony as a moral duty for every nation.
Reflecting on our own society, I often think about my childhood, a time when communities lived together with greater ease and when differences of faith, caste, or ethnicity did not dominate daily life as sharply as they do now. People had disagreements, but there was an underlying sense of shared humanity. While materialism has certainly shaped parts of our social environment, it is the deeper political, legal, and institutional transformations that have had the most significant impact. In the 1970s and 1980s, suicide attacks and mob lynchings were virtually unknown. Today, however, reports from independent observers and global human rights organisations reveal repeated incidents of mob violence, arbitrary arrests, and legal actions that disproportionately target religious minorities. Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, Sikhs, Shias, and several others frequently find themselves vulnerable to these challenges.
The Parsi and Sikh communities, though small in number, have long played an important role in the cultural and economic life of the subcontinent. Parsis, known for their philanthropy, education initiatives, and business contributions, have traditionally lived peacefully and maintained a strong presence in cities such as Karachi. While they have not faced the same level of direct exposure to blasphemy related accusations as some other communities, largely because of their close knit and economically stable nature, even they sense the shrinking space for religious pluralism. Sikhs, known for their traditions of service, courage, and equality, have contributed immensely to trade, agriculture, and community welfare. Despite their historical contributions, they too face the wider consequences of growing intolerance. The experience of these communities reminds us that when space for diversity begins to contract, every group eventually feels its impact.
Allegations of blasphemy, often vague or unsubstantiated, have on many occasions led to violent mob attacks even before the judicial process could begin. Forced conversions and coerced marriages involving minority girls are still reported in various regions, reflecting deep vulnerabilities within the system. Pakistan’s legal and constitutional framework, shaped by the 1974 Second Amendment and the Islamisation policies of General Zia, placed religion at the centre of state identity. Over time, this influenced how citizenship, belonging, and religious difference were defined. The blasphemy laws, broad in scope and severe in punishment, have been misused repeatedly. This has created an atmosphere of fear and pushed society further away from the values of justice, compassion, and mutual respect.
Political factors have also played a crucial role. Leaders from different backgrounds, including military governments, religious parties, and influential local groups, have used religious sentiment as a tool of political mobilisation. By doing so, they unintentionally strengthened narratives that divide rather than unite. Madrassas, which provide essential services and education for many children, often follow curricula that focus narrowly on sectarian perspectives. Although many madrassas serve their communities responsibly, others limit exposure to pluralistic civic values and broader worldviews, which restricts students from engaging with the diverse society around them.
Education more broadly also influences attitudes toward tolerance. In many regions of Pakistan, gender segregation and predominantly single sex schooling limit young peoples opportunities to interact with those from different backgrounds. When children grow up without exposure to diverse communities, mistrust and stereotypes become more likely. Everyday interaction, which is vital for building empathy and understanding, becomes rare. As a result, social distance increases even without deliberate intent.
Weak law enforcement conditions further complicate the situation. When local authorities lack the power or confidence to intervene, allegations of religious wrongdoing can rapidly escalate into violent mob reactions. In recent years, several tragic incidents of lynching and attacks on places of worship have occurred. Victims often remain unprotected while perpetrators face inconsistent accountability. This fragile judicial environment places minority communities, including Christians, Ahmadis, Sikhs, and Hindus, at particularly high risk despite formal legal safeguards.
To understand how far society has drifted from its pluralistic roots, it is essential to look back at the shared history of the Indian subcontinent. For centuries, South Asia has been a home to a remarkable diversity of faiths, including Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, and many regional traditions. This rich mix of cultures and beliefs gave rise to unique traditions of coexistence, such as Sufism and Bhakti, which emphasized spiritual unity and the universal bond of humanity. Shared festivals, poetry, music, and folklore blended influences from multiple religious backgrounds. Sufi shrines welcomed devotees of every faith, while Bhakti poets spoke to the human conscience without regard to religious boundaries.
Communities such as Christians, Sikhs, and Parsis left lasting marks on the social and cultural landscape. Christian missions built schools and hospitals and played a central role in education and welfare. Sikh traditions of service and community kitchens brought people together, while their contributions to agriculture and trade strengthened local economies. The Parsi community, with its focus on charity, business, and intellectual life, helped shape modern urban centers. These faiths coexisted alongside Hindu temples and Muslim mosques, weaving a social fabric in which diversity was part of everyday life. Markets, artisan guilds, and village institutions formed natural spaces where identity mattered less than shared work and human relationships.
Although coexistence was not always perfect and conflicts did arise, the broader historical pattern shows that the subcontinent nurtured a culture of tolerance that later political shifts, colonial interventions, and nationalistic narratives began to strain.
As we mark International Tolerance Day, we are called to reflect deeply on the direction our society is taking. Pakistan has the potential to revive its rich tradition of coexistence and respect for diversity, but doing so requires courage, empathy, and collective will. We must commit to fair laws, inclusive education, responsible leadership, and strong institutional protection for all citizens regardless of their faith.
If Pakistani society chooses the right path and takes positive, sincere steps, we can still build the peaceful and harmonious nation we aspire to create. It is time to reject religious hatred and embrace the spirit of tolerance, sharing love, respect, and humanity with all.
Reflecting on our own society, I often think about my childhood, a time when communities lived together with greater ease and when differences of faith, caste, or ethnicity did not dominate daily life as sharply as they do now. People had disagreements, but there was an underlying sense of shared humanity. While materialism has certainly shaped parts of our social environment, it is the deeper political, legal, and institutional transformations that have had the most significant impact. In the 1970s and 1980s, suicide attacks and mob lynchings were virtually unknown. Today, however, reports from independent observers and global human rights organisations reveal repeated incidents of mob violence, arbitrary arrests, and legal actions that disproportionately target religious minorities. Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, Sikhs, Shias, and several others frequently find themselves vulnerable to these challenges.
The Parsi and Sikh communities, though small in number, have long played an important role in the cultural and economic life of the subcontinent. Parsis, known for their philanthropy, education initiatives, and business contributions, have traditionally lived peacefully and maintained a strong presence in cities such as Karachi. While they have not faced the same level of direct exposure to blasphemy related accusations as some other communities, largely because of their close knit and economically stable nature, even they sense the shrinking space for religious pluralism. Sikhs, known for their traditions of service, courage, and equality, have contributed immensely to trade, agriculture, and community welfare. Despite their historical contributions, they too face the wider consequences of growing intolerance. The experience of these communities reminds us that when space for diversity begins to contract, every group eventually feels its impact.
Allegations of blasphemy, often vague or unsubstantiated, have on many occasions led to violent mob attacks even before the judicial process could begin. Forced conversions and coerced marriages involving minority girls are still reported in various regions, reflecting deep vulnerabilities within the system. Pakistan’s legal and constitutional framework, shaped by the 1974 Second Amendment and the Islamisation policies of General Zia, placed religion at the centre of state identity. Over time, this influenced how citizenship, belonging, and religious difference were defined. The blasphemy laws, broad in scope and severe in punishment, have been misused repeatedly. This has created an atmosphere of fear and pushed society further away from the values of justice, compassion, and mutual respect.
Political factors have also played a crucial role. Leaders from different backgrounds, including military governments, religious parties, and influential local groups, have used religious sentiment as a tool of political mobilisation. By doing so, they unintentionally strengthened narratives that divide rather than unite. Madrassas, which provide essential services and education for many children, often follow curricula that focus narrowly on sectarian perspectives. Although many madrassas serve their communities responsibly, others limit exposure to pluralistic civic values and broader worldviews, which restricts students from engaging with the diverse society around them.
Education more broadly also influences attitudes toward tolerance. In many regions of Pakistan, gender segregation and predominantly single sex schooling limit young peoples opportunities to interact with those from different backgrounds. When children grow up without exposure to diverse communities, mistrust and stereotypes become more likely. Everyday interaction, which is vital for building empathy and understanding, becomes rare. As a result, social distance increases even without deliberate intent.
Weak law enforcement conditions further complicate the situation. When local authorities lack the power or confidence to intervene, allegations of religious wrongdoing can rapidly escalate into violent mob reactions. In recent years, several tragic incidents of lynching and attacks on places of worship have occurred. Victims often remain unprotected while perpetrators face inconsistent accountability. This fragile judicial environment places minority communities, including Christians, Ahmadis, Sikhs, and Hindus, at particularly high risk despite formal legal safeguards.
To understand how far society has drifted from its pluralistic roots, it is essential to look back at the shared history of the Indian subcontinent. For centuries, South Asia has been a home to a remarkable diversity of faiths, including Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, and many regional traditions. This rich mix of cultures and beliefs gave rise to unique traditions of coexistence, such as Sufism and Bhakti, which emphasized spiritual unity and the universal bond of humanity. Shared festivals, poetry, music, and folklore blended influences from multiple religious backgrounds. Sufi shrines welcomed devotees of every faith, while Bhakti poets spoke to the human conscience without regard to religious boundaries.
Communities such as Christians, Sikhs, and Parsis left lasting marks on the social and cultural landscape. Christian missions built schools and hospitals and played a central role in education and welfare. Sikh traditions of service and community kitchens brought people together, while their contributions to agriculture and trade strengthened local economies. The Parsi community, with its focus on charity, business, and intellectual life, helped shape modern urban centers. These faiths coexisted alongside Hindu temples and Muslim mosques, weaving a social fabric in which diversity was part of everyday life. Markets, artisan guilds, and village institutions formed natural spaces where identity mattered less than shared work and human relationships.
Although coexistence was not always perfect and conflicts did arise, the broader historical pattern shows that the subcontinent nurtured a culture of tolerance that later political shifts, colonial interventions, and nationalistic narratives began to strain.
As we mark International Tolerance Day, we are called to reflect deeply on the direction our society is taking. Pakistan has the potential to revive its rich tradition of coexistence and respect for diversity, but doing so requires courage, empathy, and collective will. We must commit to fair laws, inclusive education, responsible leadership, and strong institutional protection for all citizens regardless of their faith.
If Pakistani society chooses the right path and takes positive, sincere steps, we can still build the peaceful and harmonious nation we aspire to create. It is time to reject religious hatred and embrace the spirit of tolerance, sharing love, respect, and humanity with all.
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