On December 10 the entire world celebrated Human Rights Day. Different NGOs and
civil societies conducted seminars, workshops, walks and so on, to raise their
voice for human rights. Talk shows focused the topic, aired and discussed the
brutal acts and the very next day it was all forgotten. My question is should
human rights be limited to one day or 365 days?
Reflecting on 2017, every single day shocked us with stories of human rights
violation. The year we started with many promises, wishes and celebrations and
ended up again with sad memories.
Today when I opened the book and started turning the pages, each page opened
with shocking news that shook my soul, feelings and emotions. Each incident
raises the same questions. Are we human? Do we have feelings? Are we sensible
or…
Allah has blessed us with the capacity of thinking, reflecting and reasoning and
because of this we humans are superior on other creations of Allah. due to
thinking and reasoning power angels prostrate Adam. We have degraded ourselves
to lower than animals, when we stop thinking, reasoning and reflection.
Reflection is a power, capacity, potential and process of human being that gives
them a sense of right and wrong and stops one’s erroneous step. Human being used
this power and explored the universe to benefit mankind. The same power these
days is misused for ones’ satisfaction and exploitation of others.
I will never forget Mashal, an intellectual young man killed on 13 April 2017 by
an angry mob in the premises of university where he was a student himself over
fake allegation of blasphemy. A boy who raised voice against the injustice and
violation was made silent forever. He cried and requested for help, but his
college fellows instead of rescuing were busy in making videos.
I was shocked when I heard the news of an 11 years old girl in Ghizer Gilgit
Baltistan died due to physical punishment by a female teacher, later on
identified as a sweeper. It hurts me when I reflect on Shervin Maseeh who lost
his life just because he was caught using the same glass the Muslim boys used.
It hurts me again when I think about an 8 years old child killed by a landlord
over trespassing of donkey into his field.
I am still in shock on an incident that occurred in DI Khan where a teen age
girl was forced to walk naked in village, who requested many people especially
females for help but did not get a brave and courageous lady or man to support
and save her honor and prestige. The people who wear huge turbans to cover their
heads were unable to cover that young girls body. We Pakistanis who live in the
culture of honor, who are sensitive about their women because of her position
given by Islam were busy in making video of that naked girl.
There are many more brutal acts happening around the world and within Pakistan
that creates insecurity and anxiety among people. My question is who to blame?
The parents, the teachers or the civil society?
Reflecting on all the above and many other incidents/events that took place in
2017 and in past clearly shows the draw backs of our education system, absence
of harmony and lack of intellect, attitude of civil society.
We have schools on every foot
step that gives education but the essence of it is missing. We are imparting
knowledge and skills but fail in changing attitudes. Our students are getting
98% percent s and so on but they are unable to contribute to the society
positively.
Our education system in 21st century still fails in developing critical thinking
and problem-solving skills, resultantly, impatience, intolerance and lack of
acceptance is getting its roots stronger in our society. My question is why the
school owners, book publishers and curriculum developers are showing such
irresponsibility and paying zero attention towards such social issues. My stance
is, the education system must not only focus on its students’ career but
character as well.
On the other hand, the civil society in Pakistan is always waiting for such
incidents to happen so to raise their voice. My concern is why to wait for such
incidents why not to stop them before it gets too big to handle.
I would request the education system to please teach values. Please read about
value-based education and implement its ingredients so to help our new
generation to identify and explore best in themselves and others. Sow the seeds
of respect, acceptance, appreciation, tolerance, peace, positivity, critical
thinking, wisdom, humanity, diversity etc. Give the students positive experience
as what they learn makes the society. Engage the students in volunteer services,
inquiry-based learning and co-curricular activities.
My request from civil society is to arrange life skills sessions for our youth,
engage them in positive and healthy activities.
We cannot bear more brutal acts and do not want to lose our visionaries,
intellectuals and our future any more.
Pakistan "land of the pure" won with intellectual war not by fight is suffering
from many social, political issues that weakens the roots of this strong land
and nation. If civil society will work jointly with educational institutes, it
will definitely bring promising results and lead Pakistan back on to the road of
progress.