Understanding Religions: An Inevitable Need of the Contemporary Era

By Dr. Zafar Darak Qasmi, Tr. New Age Islam 23 November 2024 The Power of Knowledge: How Studying Religions Can Heal Divides Main Points: 1. Urgency of Promoting Peace and Harmony 2. Importance of Understanding Different Religions 3. Need for Interfaith Dialogue and Religious Study 4. Role of Tolerance in Society ------ In the changing attitudes of the contemporary era, it is becoming increasingly evident that society must urgently promote and disseminate the principles, actions, and factors that foster an atmosphere of peace, harmony, and respect for humanity. Today, every sensitive and conscious individual, when looking at the global stage, feels a strange sense of unease and dissatisfaction. A clear example of this is the heart-breaking and tragic events happening in Palestine. The so-called defenders of human life and human rights have remained silent bystanders. In Gaza, not only is humanity drenched in blood, but death dances in every courtyard. The situation in Gaza is undeniably tragic. Savage individuals have initiated an endless night of suffering and misery, and the ruthless dance of oppression continues. The unfortunate reality is that the efforts to restore peace in Gaza have not been of the magnitude needed. If the international community had genuinely exerted pressure on Israel, a ceasefire could have certainly been achieved. The situation in the Arab world is even worse, with their attitude towards the Palestinian people being even more deplorable. The way fire and iron are being wielded in Gaza is both terrifying and dangerous, which is why a ceasefire is absolutely essential. In today’s world, where communication tools and learning opportunities (through experience and experimentation) are growing rapidly and the entire world has transformed into a connected community, the societies that are known for their pluralism and diversity are also facing a variety of issues. These issues stem from a lack of understanding and awareness about each other’s religions, beliefs, cultures, and civilizations. Ignorance about different faiths leads to social division and fragmentation, which proves detrimental to society. To rebuild relationships and promote social unity, it is essential to understand the teachings, essence, and spirit of various religions and cultures. Unfortunately, even today, certain sections of society view efforts to study religions as unnecessary and even harmful to social progress. It is equally surprising that, despite living in close proximity to people of diverse faiths and beliefs, we remain unfamiliar with their religious practices and make no effort to understand their perspectives. In the modern world, those societies that advance through knowledge, research, and proactive efforts to foster unity are the ones that make meaningful progress. The consequences of ignorance about other civilizations are always disheartening. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, in the 1927 session of the All India Congress, emphasized the importance of creating awareness about the religions and beliefs present in our society. He said: "A well-educated Indian has been compelled by circumstances to study European culture, but remains completely unaware of the culture of his fellow countrymen living in his own neighbourhood. It is essential to eliminate this dangerous unfamiliarity and massive ignorance." It is important to recognize that, within the Muslim community, insufficient work has been done to study religions, especially given the pluralistic nature of a society like India. Only a few individuals have worked on this important and intriguing topic, helping to preserve social diversity. Even within our own nation, there has been a lack of positive and constructive efforts to understand Islam. In other words, the division exists on both sides. Therefore, it is equally crucial for our fellow countrymen and Hindu intellectuals to undertake an objective study of Islamic civilization, society, teachings, and guidance. Only through this approach can we achieve a fair and constructive understanding. The study of religions requires that followers of all faiths in India study each other's beliefs and ideas. Only in this way can we address the misunderstandings and doubts that have been deliberately sown among us. While it is true that we will encounter views and ideologies that conflict with our own when we try to understand opposing perspectives and other cultures, it is essential that we learn to tolerate them. This will undoubtedly have a positive impact on society. Tolerance and intolerance play a significant role in both the personal and collective lives of individuals and nations. The habit of intolerance has led to the destruction of many societies. The greatest tragedy of today's world is the rise in fanaticism, disharmony, and intolerance, especially among our youth. If we seriously analyse the reasons behind the growing incidents of intolerance at a global level, we find that religious and doctrinal differences are at the core, and these differences breed hatred. The concept of intolerance that has emerged from these religious and sectarian differences is inherently uncertain. This notion can only be eradicated when we establish objectivity, balance, and moderation in our thinking, perspectives, and methods of study. For social harmony, the most effective tool at present is the study of religions. Through this knowledge, individuals can transcend the limitations of their own thoughts and experience the vastness of the universal world. Along with moral elevation, this study encourages one to work for the welfare of the majority. The teachings of Islam, in particular, invite contemplation and reflection, urging the study of the universe. Engaging in interfaith dialogue and the study of religions clears the path for peace and stability in society. In light of religious study, we must also observe the effects this study has on society and what teachings different religions offer in solving human problems. Imagine a country renowned for its rich heritage of cultures, religions, languages, and colours. Not only that, but its ancient monuments and relics are a source of pride, and its history and civilization are subjects of great interest. Yet, today, on this very land, there is a wave of hatred and alienation. It is, therefore, the responsibility of every individual to step forward and work towards removing these conditions from Indian society that pose a threat to the country's unity and social harmony. The growing hatred can only be eradicated, and its dreadful consequences prevented, when we become familiar with each other's cultures, civilizations, religions, and thoughts. We must develop the strength within ourselves to tolerate differences of opinion and religious disagreements. Consider this: today, both national and international media deliberately discuss topics that are linked to specific communities or religions. The role of provoking tension and causing emotional harm in the name of religion and nationality has been creating significant obstacles to global brotherhood and the spirit of love and unity. Hence, it is essential to understand the tactics used by sectarian forces and biased media. If we want to make our society a shining example of peaceful coexistence, it is vital that we respect shared values, care for one another, protect each other’s rights, and ensure the respect of religious texts and personalities. We can only fulfil this role in society when we not only understand our own ideas and beliefs but also make an effort to understand other viewpoints without prejudice or narrow-mindedness. Therefore, understanding religions and faiths is an indispensable need of the present age. ----- November 22, 2024, Courtesy: Inquilab, Urdu Newspaper, New Delhi. (Translated into English by Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam) URL: https://www.newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/religions-inevitable-contemporary-era/d/133796 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism