Rehman Faiz

The circumstances of religious intolerance in Pakistan highlight perceptions of Islamist groups and government responses to them, which are widely held by observers in Pakistan. Less clearly perceived is the human rights cost of the upsurge of Islamist groups in Pakistan: the growing influence of Islamist groups is linked to growing religious intolerance in Pakistani society especially after the record victory of religious fundamentalists during the recent elections. Religious extremism manifests itself in hate speech against Muslim and non-Muslim minorities like Shi’as, Ahmadis, Christians and Hindus.

Introduction

The book Kayenat, Insan Aur Mazhab is a research based peace initiative in the ever increasing environment of religious extremism and intolerance in Pakistan.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part describes Man in relation to the universe. Based on the modern works in the different branches of science like cosmology, physics, paleontology, and geology, it describes the universe as a live, active and organized system and not a lifeless, inactive and mechanic structure. Then it invites to visit the internal universe of Man, which is not less organized, synchronized and complex than the outer universe. Here the author challenges the common concept of free and unrestrained nature of Man by analyzing the will oriented “good” or “bad” actions and their ultimate results on human body and psyche and thereby presents Man as so organized and synchronized an entity, as is rest of the universe.

The second part of the book elucidates deep relation of Man and Religion. By establishing Religion as indispensable requisite and the comprehending part of human personality the author presents it as a natural contributor in the process of evolution. As evidence, the author imparts the positive role played by Religion to save humanity from total disaster and self-destruction during the period of one thousand years B.C. (Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Zoroasterism).

With account of the lives of Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), the author insinuates humanity, unconditional love and peace as the core theme of the world religions with no room for the immoral passions of terror, hatred and violence. Here Religion seems a natural force directing Man toward positive and constructive acts to be a healthier part of the universe. The book ends with the famous prayers of the world religions aspiring to the world peace, integrity and righteousness.

The book Kayenat, Insan Aur Mazhab is expected to be a dynamic addition to a small number of Urdu books on philosophy of Religion and thereby is anticipated to contribute admirably in the promotion of religious tolerance and peace in society.

"I have never offended any religion but only tried to spread my words of love and unconditional service to humanity. The purpose of this book is to foster understanding and our role in society as good humans. Indeed, this is what Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) would have wanted his followers to do. I welcome any ideas, corrections and concerns people may have after reading the book."

Taqreeb E Roonumai (The Launching Ceremony)

On Saturday April 12, the launching ceremony (Taqreeb E Roonamai) of the book was held in the vision house, Lahore in which renowned intellectuals, religious leaders and people from different walks of life participated and presented their views about the book and the background religious, social and political situation of our society.

Addressing the ceremony, historian Dr. Mubarak Ali said that all religions had brought a message of peace and hope for mankind. But world peace was disturbed and battles fought to prove supremacy of one religion over the other. He said religious intolerance and conversion has been the main cause of battles between the followers of Christianity and Islam and the crusades could be cited as an example. Conversions resulted in religious confrontation between the nations in the history. Though there was no conversion in Hinduism, Hindus had started Shuddhi movement in the subcontinent to convert those Muslims to Hinduism whose forefathers had converted to Islam.

Dr. Mehdi Hasan said whenever Religion was exploited for political purposes by the vested interests there have been riots and bloodshed. The message of Religion was to give peace and hope but it was misused and exploited. He said anthropologists claimed that Man has been on the planet for the past six million years and the human civilization and Religion were not more than 6000 years old. How Man lived before civilization developed he asked. Answering himself he suggested that there was no religion in prehistoric time, which prevented people from fighting wars.

Writer Qazi Javed said every religion wanted an end to injustice, tyranny and exploitation of man by man. The prophet of Islam had invited the followers of various religions to forge unity against injustice and tyranny and to establish peace in the world. Mr. Javed said as mankind has advanced in science and technology there is a greater need for peace than ever before. But the resources were being used for war. The clash of civilizations was in fact the clash of religions and the process was continuing. Religious bigots have proved to be tyrant and cruel like US president Bush and Osama Bin Laden in the modern times.

Theologian and the priest of St. Anthony’s parish, Lahore, Father Emanuel Asi felt that the need for peace and justice was never greater than now. No development would take place without peace. He said a balanced religious approach could ensure world peace. Kayenaat Insaan Aur Mazhab is a milestone towards the great destiny of religious peace and tolerance in the society, Father Asi said . The last words of the book should be the start, he emphasized.

Bahai leader Mr. Riaz Shahid said it was not religion, which caused bloodshed, but the people who had forgotten religious teachings. He said that Religion had been the greatest source of ethics and morality throughout history. Whenever Religion performed against peace and humanity, actually it was being used by the materialistic and worldly desires of the people.

The author Rehman Faiz argued that scientific analysis of Religion divides it into different phases. The first and the purest stage is the one when its founder is introducing Religion. It is such a wonderful phase when the people around the founder practice unconditional love, unreserved service and even sacrificing self-desires over others’ needs. He said it is entirely the opposite state of the selfish and worldly status of greed, hatred and possession. The founder of Pakistan had in his mind the idea of a state in which all citizens would get equal rights and none would be deprived of his basic rights due to colour, race, creed or ethnic origin. Unfortunately, the extremist elements in Pakistan gradually strengthened their grip on the socio-political system and ultimately succeeded in developing a specific fundamentalist religious approach as the rudiments of the state system. The process severely affected the rights of the citizens outside the circle of this narrow approach.

Most participants likened the book Kayenaat, Insaan Aur Mazhab to a blow of fresh wind in the suffocated environment of religious extremism and intolerance. They also urged all progressive and positive minded people to come into the field of research work on Religion so that religious tolerance and peace should prevail in society.

Book: Kayenat, Insan Aur Mazhab (The Universe, Man and Religion)
Language: Urdu
Author: Rehman Faiz
Publisher: Maktaba Enaveem Pakistan
Year: 2003
Pages: 336
Price: Rs. 180/-

Copyright ©2002 Rehman Faiz. About the author