Wajeeha Bilal
Growing up and high with the passage of time, we develop a powerful sense of who
we are and where we have come from. Our memories are built with impressionable
stories from childhood, that huff and puff in our brains and are never
forgotten.The human mind has an incredible and voracious desire to understand
one’s ideology through its past. History of religion and culture have long
played a role inunderstanding our individual differences and collective
similarities. At the same time, our existence with other cultures and religions,
challenges pretty much every preconceived notionof our cultural and religious
superiority. The world is a canvas of different religions and their influences,
which is big enough for everyone, yet some people feel threatened by the idea of
coexisting with those whom they do not understand. This can lead to a sense of
fear amongst a few that goes on to develop the basis of excluding others and an
extremist attitude in any society.
People are not born extremists;humansare just people who all want to be valued
and respected. There are many reasons that could be causing an excuse for a
hateful outlet. The biggest reason foran extremist attitude cultivates through
an extremist ideology that spurs the idea ofus AGAINSTothers. It develops
between two races or religions either because one feels superior toor victimized
by the other. This type of emotion breeds fear and insecurities that results in
an offensive behavior. Anothermajor reason that develops an extremist attitude
is politicsand poverty when people are frustrated by injustice and
discrimination. Biasesdevelop due to fraudulent governments and inequal rights
of citizens. Whatever the reason, extremist minds are tuned by frustrated
messages that look for excuses to develop hate.
In an exclusive interview with CBC’s political correspondent Rosemary Barton,
our Prime Minister, discussed Islamophobia and called on the Western countries
to take strict actions against hate crimes towards the Muslim community. He had
stressed thatterrorism has no religionas extremists are found in every society.
The prime minister said the use of the term “Islamic radicals” indicates there
is something wrong with the religion which makes people radical, and the Muslims
have suffered due to Islamophobia, he called for closing the gap by improving
understanding; ‘Islamophobia needs to be countered holistically'.
In fact, terrorism and extremismhave no religion, race, or culture. Humanity is
one race that descended from the same ancestors so what is it that has turned
them against each other over time. All the atrocious developments make us wonder
if we could ever go back in time and erase the moment or the events that lead to
the rising of hate in humanity. Despite its global connection and advancement in
technology there is a global platform for the execution of extremist ideology.
The whole world is connected virtually through the network of technology
bridging the physical gaps through planes yet there is a vast emptiness and
loneliness that people experience around others. This strange, isolated
existence marks the reality of the present world, people feel helpless and angry
with life in general and others in particular.The message of hate that was found
in cultural and historical teachings of the societies is now visible on social
media and global platforms. Everyone feels the need to do something, but they
are not able to understand what. This gap between emotional and perceived
differences can only be solved through a change in education. This does not mean
the compromise of education rather a change of its message. What does it mean to
live with so many people in this world- we all need to look back on the
historical idea of why so many races have come to exist here? You have come to
follow a tradition or religion merely because you were born into it. The miracle
of human birth is more than just an accident when this life is used to make a
difference. You are the most advanced species and being in a position of power
you have the duty to elevate your fellow beings.Respect for others is that one
bridge that serves strangers in foreign lands; this is the kind of education
that is bound to leave a deep impact in one’s life.
The essence of life is not that one race survives on the ashes of the other, but
its essence is that we are all together here. Our history has always revealed
the differences of human culture, religion, and behavior, yet each human is
individually unique. What it genuinely wants us to understand is the gift of
life, that we have come to share here in our own way. Each of our experiences of
life is unique in its own way.
Our ideology serves the purpose of dignifying our unique entity and our
co-existence teaches us to value this uniqueness. With this message we learn
where our place in this world is, which is in alliance with the lives of others.
It is our center of the world that we choose to share with others through our
words and actions. In the end we all have come to inherit this fabulous legacy
of unique behavior and identity. It is embedded in our very existence that we
call humanity, despite all differences. We may not be able to wipe out all the
hateful differences but what we can do is give our own message of hope and unity
in our own unique way so that no one cares how many racial and religious
differences have developed over time.