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Promoting Tolerance for Peaceful Society

The document discusses the importance of tolerance in society. It notes that human societies are naturally diverse and differences of opinion are bound to exist, so tolerance is needed to respect different viewpoints and ensure peaceful coexistence. A lack of tolerance often leads to hostility and conflicts, as seen in examples like world wars, attacks on minorities, and chaos following the Aasia Bibi verdict in Pakistan. The document advocates promoting tolerance through education, media, and by following the teachings of religions and ancient philosophers who emphasized exercising patience and respecting others despite disagreements.

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37 views3 pages

Promoting Tolerance for Peaceful Society

The document discusses the importance of tolerance in society. It notes that human societies are naturally diverse and differences of opinion are bound to exist, so tolerance is needed to respect different viewpoints and ensure peaceful coexistence. A lack of tolerance often leads to hostility and conflicts, as seen in examples like world wars, attacks on minorities, and chaos following the Aasia Bibi verdict in Pakistan. The document advocates promoting tolerance through education, media, and by following the teachings of religions and ancient philosophers who emphasized exercising patience and respecting others despite disagreements.

Uploaded by

khalid ijaz
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

The International Day for Tolerance was observed on November 16 to raise awareness about the

importance of tolerance for a peaceful society. In today’s globalised and interdependent world, all...

The International Day for Tolerance was observed on November 16 to raise awareness about the
importance of tolerance for a peaceful society. In today’s globalised and interdependent world, all of us
are aware that human societies are diverse. There are countless differences between people. However,
the quality that allows us to accept that other people have the right to say and do as they please is
known as tolerance. In simple words, tolerance doesn’t mean agreeing with other people. Instead, it
involves with disagreeing with others in a respectful manner.

We must understand that when people are naturally diverse, differences of opinion are bound to exist.
We have to respect their viewpoint because only tolerance can ensure the survival of humankind.
Whenever we don’t tolerate others, a hostile situation is created.

History bears witness to the fact that such hostilities will always have a negative impact on everyone.
The attack on Iraq by the US and the crisis in Syria are some examples of intolerance. It is believed that
the main motive behind the world wars was an intolerant attitude towards opponents. It is historical
fact that all those societies where the level of tolerance remained low have failed to survive. People in
these societies could never enjoy peace.

In our society, Mashal Khan’s murder, attacks on minorities, and other horrific social crimes also reflect
the rising degree of intolerance. However, transforming our beloved country into a tolerant one is my
ultimate objective. On various platforms, I have stated that if we want to move Pakistan towards peace,
we need to follow Quaid-e-Azam‘s vision by adopting tolerance in every sphere of life. Various ancient
philosophers, including Aristotle, Socrates, Chanakya, Confucius and Plato, have also advocated
tolerance.

Every religion urges its followers to adopt a tolerant lifestyle. In Hinduism, tolerance is believed to be
the most powerful weapon to combat challenges. In Islam, exercising patience is accorded importance.
Similarly, the teachings of Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism focus on promoting tolerance.

Meanwhile, the followers of intolerance gradually lose the ability to differentiate between good and evil.
Such people only value those elements that support their viewpoints. A recent example can be seen in
the reaction to the Supreme Court’s verdict in Aasia Bibi’s case. The chaos that ensued sent a negative
message to the international community that Pakistan doesn’t respect rule of law.

During such tragic events, the Pakistani media should responsibly report incidents while giving top
priority to the national interest. I am also leading a social campaign to promote tolerance and religious
harmony in Pakistani society under the platform of the Tolerant Pakistan Media Network. The motive
behind this initiative is to encourage journalists to promote mutual respect within Pakistani society and
the rest of the world. I invite media organisations and educational institutes to join hands with us and
deliver special lectures on tolerance.

The common characteristic of all successful people is that they have implemented tolerance in their
lives. I have to face my political opponents on a daily basis on different talk shows and during my 16
years of parliamentary struggles, I was criticised on various occasions. But I have always treated my
opponents with respect and accepted their criticism with a smile. A difference of opinion with others is
natural. But it should be exercised within moral and cultural limits. My endurance has helped me
maintain good relations with all stakeholders in society, even though I belong to a non-Muslim
community.

We should also consider making lessons related to patience and endurance part of the school curriculum
so that children are taught about the importance of tolerance, forgiveness, patience and endurance to
lead a balanced life. To ensure a peaceful society, all of us must implement tolerance in our lives.

Common questions

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Media can promote tolerance by responsibly reporting incidents and prioritizing national interest over sensationalism. Initiatives such as the Tolerant Pakistan Media Network aim to encourage journalists to foster mutual respect and convey positive messages within and beyond Pakistani society. Media organizations can collaborate with educational institutes to deliver lectures and discussions on tolerance, creating awareness and understanding amongst the public. Media's portrayal of tolerance can shape public perceptions and attitudes toward social harmony .

The reaction to the Supreme Court's verdict in Aasia Bibi’s case reveals low tolerance levels in Pakistani society, as the chaos that ensued illustrated a lack of respect for the rule of law. Such reactions send negative messages to the international community, suggesting that intolerance is prevalent and that legal and moral disagreements can quickly escalate to unrest. This highlights the need for fostering tolerance to mitigate potential conflicts and promote the rule of law .

Various religions advocate for a tolerant lifestyle by embedding teachings that emphasize patience, respect, and acceptance. In Hinduism, tolerance is seen as a powerful tool to face challenges, while Islam places significant importance on patience. Similarly, Christianity, Judaism, and Buddhism include principles that promote tolerance amongst followers. These religious teachings aim to reduce conflict by nurturing acceptance of diverse viewpoints within communities, thus contributing to peaceful coexistence .

The Tolerant Pakistan Media Network seeks to influence societal attitudes by encouraging journalists to promote mutual respect within Pakistani society and globally. The initiative involves collaboration with media organizations and educational institutions to deliver special lectures on tolerance. This approach aims to educate the public about the importance of tolerance and foster an environment of religious harmony, thus reducing societal conflicts and improving relations among diverse groups .

Ancient philosophers like Aristotle, Socrates, Chanakya, Confucius, and Plato viewed tolerance as a crucial component for social harmony and personal virtue. Their advocacy for tolerance underscored its significance in maintaining order and peace within communities. Today, this perspective remains significant as societies become increasingly diverse and interconnected, requiring individuals and groups to navigate differences respectfully to avoid conflict and promote mutual understanding .

The relationship between tolerance and the ability to differentiate between good and evil is observed through the actions of intolerant individuals who tend to prioritize views that align with their own biases. Such individuals may overlook ethical considerations in favor of their agendas, as evidenced in responses to the Aasia Bibi case. Tolerance, on the other hand, nurtures open-mindedness and ethical discernment, allowing individuals to critically examine diverse viewpoints without prejudice. Thus, promoting tolerance is crucial for fostering moral integrity and discernment in society .

Tolerance is essential for handling political criticism because it allows individuals to engage in respectful discourse despite differing opinions. In a diverse society, political actors are often subjected to criticism, and responding with tolerance can foster constructive dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders. This approach not only maintains political relationships but also sets an example for the broader society to solve conflicts peacefully and productively .

Tolerance contributes to the survival of humankind by allowing diverse societies to coexist peacefully. Tolerance involves respecting different opinions and ways of life, which is essential in our diverse and interdependent world. By accepting and respecting differences, societies can avoid conflicts that arise from intolerance. This is important as history indicates that intolerant societies fail to enjoy peace and ultimately do not survive. Philosophers like Aristotle, Socrates, and Confucius, along with major world religions, promote tolerance as a foundation for social harmony .

The consequences of intolerance in societies are illustrated through both historical and contemporary examples. Historical events, such as the world wars, show that intolerance towards opponents can have catastrophic global impacts. Contemporary issues like the attack on Iraq, the crisis in Syria, and social crimes in Pakistan such as the murder of Mashal Khan reflect how intolerance leads to hostility and unrest. Societies with low tolerance levels have historically failed to survive and maintain peace, as intolerance fosters division and conflict .

Tolerance can be integrated into education systems by including lessons on patience, forgiveness, and endurance as part of the curriculum. Teaching children about the importance of these values can help them understand how to lead balanced lives and respect diverse opinions. Educational programs can incorporate discussions and activities that highlight the benefits of tolerance, preparing students to contribute to a peaceful society by living harmoniously with others .

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