TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE

There is nothing wrong in diversity of opinions. In fact, this is a positive quality which has many advantages. The beauty of the garden of life is enhanced by the variety of flowers. An advantage ensuing from this attitude is that it builds character. If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if you behave properly with those holding divergent views from you or who criticize you, you deserve to be credited with having an excellent character. In the same way, a society whose members hold identical views and never have any controversial discussions will soon find itself in the doldrums. The intellectual development of the members of this society will be stunted, because personal evolution takes place only where the interaction of divergent thinking provides the requisite mental stimuli. The adoption of a policy of tolerance during controversy and in the face of opposition is not a negative step. It is undoubtedly a positive course of action. Nobody in this world is perfect. If a person is endowed abundantly with some qualities, he may be lacking in others. This is one of the reasons for differences cropping up between people. But, for life, this disparateness is actually a great blessing. The good points of one may compensate for the shortcomings of another, just as one set of talents in a person may complement a different set in another. If people could only learn to respect others’ differences, their very forbearance would become a great enabling factor in collective human development. Islam, a revealed religion, is based on monotheism. Its supreme concern is the discovery of the Creator and submitting oneself to His will and creation plan. It addresses the individual through the Quran. Islam holds the principle of follow one and respect all. Islam desires peace to prevail in the world. The Quran calls the way of Islam ‘the path of Peace.’ (5: 16) For us to tread on the path of unity which is the path of peace we need to understand a few basic concepts . Very few tasks can be accomplished The adoption of a policy of tolerance during controversy and in the face of opposition is not a negative step. It is undoubtedly a positive course of action.