Westminster Presbyterian Church hosted two Pakistanis, one Muslim and one Christian, as part of a lecture series of interfaith forums Wednesday.
Mehboob Sada was the Christian component of the team, while Dr. M. Alsam Khaki presented his Muslim views and experiences. These two have been working together for nearly six years in Pakistan in an attempt to create a better interfaith dialogue among the Pakistani people as well as the rest of the world. They came to Auburn after visiting Albany, Houston and parts of Massachusetts.
Sada gave the audience a background in Pakistani culture and history.
In 1947, Pakistan was declared independent of India and its then-current leader declared that it would be a secular state, with an understanding and appreciation of others and their respective religions. After the death of this leader, Pakistan came under the rule of an Islamic leader, and then it became a theocratic state. By 1972, all churches and schools were nationalized. By the early 1980's all non-Muslims were separated from the mainstream population. They were denied the right to vote, even if they wanted to vote for a Muslim politician. Likewise, Muslims were not allowed to vote for any non-Muslim politicians.
On Jan.16, 2002, this was finally reversed and non-Muslim groups were re-admitted into the mainstream of Pakistani life. It was declared that each and every Pakistani was a first-class citizen, and would be treated as such.
"We do not see this as a religious issue," Sada said, "we see it as just a violation of basic human rights. This is why we are working on interfaith dialogue and social harmony."
Sada made one last point.
"This is to be understood," he said, "Islam, the real Islam, is a religion of peace and tolerance; interfaith dialogue is needed in order to have people respect and try to understand one another; it should not be a source of separation."
Khaki focused on the issue of terrorism and the fact that, especially after Sept. 11, many people have looked at Pakistanis and Muslims in general as terrorists. "Terrorists have no religion but terrorism," he said.
"Sometimes they are Muslim, some are Christians, some are Jewish," he continued, making the point that one group of people should not be the sole target of blame.
Khaki also explained the original meaning of the word 'jihad' , which is 'to restore peace, to correct the violation of peace.' It is often a term that is misunderstood to just mean a great war against other religions, explained Khaki.
In the end, Khaki shared the same view as Sada.
"We should all get together, (all religious and intellectual leaders), and discuss religion, discuss the problems of the world: of poverty and unemployment and disease. And we should not involve our personal sentiments in interfaith dialogue."
The event was sponsored by the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse.
Sada gave the audience a background in Pakistani culture and history.
In 1947, Pakistan was declared independent of India and its then-current leader declared that it would be a secular state, with an understanding and appreciation of others and their respective religions. After the death of this leader, Pakistan came under the rule of an Islamic leader, and then it became a theocratic state. By 1972, all churches and schools were nationalized. By the early 1980's all non-Muslims were separated from the mainstream population. They were denied the right to vote, even if they wanted to vote for a Muslim politician. Likewise, Muslims were not allowed to vote for any non-Muslim politicians.
On Jan.16, 2002, this was finally reversed and non-Muslim groups were re-admitted into the mainstream of Pakistani life. It was declared that each and every Pakistani was a first-class citizen, and would be treated as such.
"We do not see this as a religious issue," Sada said, "we see it as just a violation of basic human rights. This is why we are working on interfaith dialogue and social harmony."
Sada made one last point.
"This is to be understood," he said, "Islam, the real Islam, is a religion of peace and tolerance; interfaith dialogue is needed in order to have people respect and try to understand one another; it should not be a source of separation."
Khaki focused on the issue of terrorism and the fact that, especially after Sept. 11, many people have looked at Pakistanis and Muslims in general as terrorists. "Terrorists have no religion but terrorism," he said.
"Sometimes they are Muslim, some are Christians, some are Jewish," he continued, making the point that one group of people should not be the sole target of blame.
Khaki also explained the original meaning of the word 'jihad' , which is 'to restore peace, to correct the violation of peace.' It is often a term that is misunderstood to just mean a great war against other religions, explained Khaki.
In the end, Khaki shared the same view as Sada.
"We should all get together, (all religious and intellectual leaders), and discuss religion, discuss the problems of the world: of poverty and unemployment and disease. And we should not involve our personal sentiments in interfaith dialogue."
The event was sponsored by the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse.
The Citizens' Say
There are No comments posted.