TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE

When differences are themselves a law of nature, how can religion be an exception to this rule? The fact is that just as there is diversity in everything else in the world, so also is there diversity in religious beliefs. We have not thought it necessary to do away with differences in other matters, but, instead, have agreed to disagree. We should adopt this very same practical approach and principle in matters of religion as well. Here, too, we should accept diversity and differences and seek to promote unity despite them, instead of searching for an imaginary unity by trying to do away with them. There is only one way to solve the issue of religious differences, and that is: ‘Follow one, and respect all’. One of the stark realities of life is that divergence of views does exist between people, and that it impinges at all levels. Be it at the level of a family or a society, a community or a country, differences are bound to exist everywhere. Now the question is how best unity can be forged or harmony brought about in the face of human differences. There is nothing wrong in diversity of opinions. In fact, this is a positive quality which has many advantages. The beauty of the garden lies in the presence of different type of flowers and trees. A society whose members hold identical views and never have any discussions, will soon find itself in the doldrums. The intellectual development of the members of this society will be frozen, because personal upliftment takes place only where the interaction of divergent thinking provides the requisite mental stimuli. It is only after undergoing the intellectual challenge presented by others that a developed personality emerges. If, in a human society, this process ceases to operate, the development of character will come to a standstill. Islam gives serious consideration to religious freedom and takes pains to avoid infractions. There is an event from Islamic history that illustrates this point. Umar Faruq, the second Caliph, travelled to Palestine at the request of the Christians to finalise the agreements between them and the Muslims. T.W. Arnold in his book, The Preaching of Islam, relates how ‘In company with the Patriarch, Umar visited the holy places, and it is said while they were in the Church of the Resurrection, as it was The intellectual development of the members of this society will be frozen, because personal upliftment takes place only where the interaction of divergent thinking provides the requisite mental stimuli.