What is the meaning of tolerance?
Tolerance is a humanistic value that is strongly advocated by the champions of human rights across the globe. Tolerance is a crucial aspect of society and is found in the teachings of nearly all the religions and cultures of the world. Tolerance is a person’s ability or willingness to endure or tolerate the difference of opinions or behaviors that another person is practicing. Tolerance can simply define as the expression of acceptance, love, and gratitude, practicing peaceful co-existence, and allowing others to live as they like it.
What is the importance of tolerance?
The overly globalized world today is demanding tolerance and compassion towards our fellow human beings. aA these qualities are the most important characteristics of human relationships that make their bonding stronger. Tolerance is an essential feature because the humans of the 21st century are more connected than ever before. In comparison to other civilizations of the past. The interconnectedness is resulting in exposure and disclosure to many differences. In beliefs, faiths, opinions, observations, behaviors, habits, rituals, traditions, practices, ceremonies, and customs. In such cases, it is important to express acceptability and tolerance towards each other’s dissimilarities based on their uncommon traits. Increasing intolerance and prejudice can lead humanity towards social unrest and disruption.
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other”
―Mother Teresa
Importance of tolerance in society
A society is usually composed of people belonging to different religious sects and beliefs, practicing dissimilar customs, and recognized through diverse ethnic identities. Neighbors might be following a different set of cultural and religious teachings and practices. yet no person can criticize another person as it is a matter of personal choices. However, compassion and tolerance make society peaceful, and everyone gets a fair chance to respect as a human, enjoying equal human rights. A tolerant society is free of xenophobic sentiments and racial and ethnic hatred. which reduces racism at the national level and isolationism at the international level.
“In order to have faith in his own path, he does not need to prove that someone else’s path is wrong.”
― Paulo Coelho
Examples of tolerance in Pakistan
Pakistani society, being home to almost 220 million people, accommodates many ethnic and religious sects, dozens of linguistic dialects, and other minorities. Based on this enormous proportion of diversity, the Pakistani nation needs to be tolerant and compassionate towards the religious faiths and cultural differences of each other.
Importance of tolerance in Islam
To answer the question, how to develop tolerance and patience in a society?, Islam plays the role of guiding force for the Pakistani nation. Islam, the state’s official religion of Pakistan, promotes the messages of peace and equality in society. Islam also believes in extending support to the oppressed, to minimize the sufferings of the weaker in a society
Tolerance as a constitutional right (Fundamental rights of minorities)
The Constitution of Pakistan 1973, also supports and guarantees the equal rights of the citizens of Pakistan to promote unity and peace in society.
According to the Preamble of the 1973 constitution,
“wherein enough provision is for the minorities freely to profess and practice their religions and develop their cultures.”
“In which it guarantee fundamental rights, including equality of status, of opportunity and before law, social, economic and political justice. And freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, worship and association, subject to law and public morality.”
“In that adequate provision shall be made to safeguard the legitimate interests of minorities and backward and depressed classes.”
According to different articles of the constitution,
“All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law.” (Article 25, 1)
“The State shall discourage parochial, racial, tribal sectarian and provincial prejudices among the citizens.” (Article, 33)
“The State shall safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of minorities, including their due representation in the Federal and Provincial services.” (Article, 36)
Tolerance in the words of prominent personalities of Pakistan
Many prominent personalities in Pakistan, social and political leaders have advocated the practice of tolerance in day-to-day affairs in society. In the words of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the visionary leader of Pakistan,
“Democracy is in the blood of the Muslims, who look upon complete equality of mankind, and believe in fraternity, equality, and liberty.”
“You are free; you are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed—that has nothing to do with the business of the state.”
In the words of other personalities,
“I do not have any formal education… what use is education when we do not become human beings [after being educated]? My school is the welfare of humanity.” (Abdul Sattar Edhi).
All these quotes describe the passion of the leaders to promote equal human rights for all the citizens of Pakistan and to ensure the fundamental rights for the minorities in Pakistan.
To commemorate the 145th birth anniversary of our great leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Christmas, an auspicious occasion for the Christian community of Pakistan. Gulf Alliance Builders and Developers (Pvt.) LTD. promotes the message of unity, equality, and integrity of all the citizens of Pakistan.
