Daily Times

Pakistan was founded on the fundamental principles of unity, faith and discipline. Most people are going to disagree with me because they will argue that they were taught that Pakistan was meant to be a separate homeland for Muslims. Some might even go to extremes and add a threatening connotation to their so-called opinion that “Islam and Pakistan are synonymous with each other; don’t you dare try and argue otherwise.” See here’s the thing; Pakistan was not founded upon the idea of being an Islamic state. While there is historical accuracy with regards to the idea of Pakistan being a separate homeland for the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent, I believe the intention of Muhammad Ali Jinnah was not to instill Islam as a religion of the state but to ensure that each individual has the right to practice whatever religion they want, with the state playing no role in what someone chooses to do or not do with regards to their religious beliefs.

“You are free, you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in the state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion caste or creed – that has nothing to do with the business of the state.” -An excerpt from Jinnah’s first presidential address to the constituent assembly of Pakistan -11 August 1947

Jinnah went on to further argue that religious persecution has historically been linked with conflict worldwide. He went on to talk about the war of words and eventually swords between the Catholics and Protestants in Europe and cross referenced this to the situation in the subcontinent where tensions existed not just between Hindus and Muslims but also within the different sects that existed within each major religion. Jinnah made it a point to address religion as a private matter and not one where the state should get involved in because he believed in the idea of the individual over his religion. Fast forward 68 years later and his vision of a state where religion does not reign supreme are very obviously tarnished.

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan prides itself on being just that, an Islamic Republic, but we have to start asking ourselves a very simple question, is having a religion of the state doing more harm than good?

I must make one point very clear; I am in no way attacking the religion. I am attacking the principle that we have a state religion. I am attacking the premise that one religion has state granted superiority over another simply because there exists a majority of Muslims within the boundaries of Pakistan. That is not what Jinnah envisioned for Pakistan and fast forward into the future and we can clearly see why. A religion of the state has done more harm than good for us as ordinary citizens. Not only is there conflict between Muslims and other religions, but there also exists tension within the Muslim community itself. In fact, it is an almost common occurrence to hear about how Sunnis and Shias are at each other’s throats; it is common to hear about churches being burnt down; it is common to hear about how there is a community called the Ahmeddiya Community, who have been marginalised by the very state of Pakistan itself. That is not what this country was founded on. That is not the premise of a democracy. A truly liberal democracy is one where an individual has the right to express itself in a religious way so as to express not only their beliefs but to be able to do so without fear of persecution. A truly liberal democracy is one where an individuals’ private life and beliefs are not subject to persecution by the state or those who dwell within it.

Pakistan was founded on the premise of freedom to be whoever you want in a state that prides itself on the idea of unity through diversity. There is absolutely no doubt that we are a diverse nation and that does not just include religion. However our ability to identify ourselves as Pakistani is what should matter at the end of the day, not whether we choose to identify ourselves as Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Sikhs, Atheists or Agnostics. Mutual respect is a concept that has not been ingrained within Pakistanis simply because we have been taught that religion is a tool that can be used to differentiate. I believe the opposite, I believe religion has the power to unite, if we so choose to believe. Of course there are differences between the teachings of one religion over another, but the basic fundamental assumption upon which all religions are based is the value of respecting others’ beliefs. Part of the reason some believe they are at a moral high ground is because the state advocates a certain religion over another. However, Jinnah’s vision was clear. His Pakistan was one where a person is not to be judged on their religion but by their values and merits.

Do not believe in those who try to separate us because our beliefs are different. Believe in the idea that our beliefs should have no decision in how we choose to interact with each other because that is precisely what our beliefs teach us. It is almost a paradox, we are separated by our beliefs but at the same time our beliefs teach us to tolerate and respect those who may not have the same opinion as us.

At the end of the day, I am not trying to advocate the idea that this country was founded for Muslims. I believe this country was founded for a people and not a religion, for an idea not a theocracy, the freedom to be whoever you want and not be judged for it and in turn expect the same of others. It is really not that hard. Feel free to be who you are in the state of Pakistan and respect others for who they are. Although it does not look like secularism is a concept that is in anyway feasible in the near future (that issue requires a separate blog altogether), it is always good to remember that religion teaches us mutual respect, love and compassion; not to isolate, marginalise or treat someone differently simply because they do not believe in the same things as you.

The blogger – a student of economics and international studies at Ohio Wesleyan University–is a vocal individual with a variety of interests including politics, diplomacy, literature and sports.