A challenge and an opportunity to build a better world.
The loss of human lives in the Sikh Temple (Gurudwara) in Oak Creek, Wisconsin on August 5, is a challenge and an opportunity for all people to ponder over the future of our world. That this crime has been condemned by all in the USA and world is an indication that the we all respect human life. This tragedy should be used to create a better world.
The world has become one, thanks to transport and telecommunication revolutions. All religions proclaim the fatherhood of God and brotherhood of Man. All countries, especially democracies, have enshrined liberty of religion, thought and expression in their constitutions and guaranteed them through legislation. In spite of all this, why hate crimes are committed in most of the countries ?
The cause of strife and wars were well diagnosed by UNESCO ( United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) in its preamble in 1946 itself. Throughout the history of mankind the ignorance of each other's ways and lives has been the main cause. It leads to suspicion and mistrust between the peoples of the world. "Since war begins in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that defenses of peace must be constructed", it added. It means that there should be constant efforts to educate and inform people about the culture, civilization and ways of life of other people and other countries to remove ignorance, suspicion and mistrust.
It is very heartening that this has been recognised by Congressman Ed Royce in his interview with Aziz Haniffa ( India Abroad, Aug.17) : " I will continue to push to make sure we do a better job of teaching in the schools that the motivation for people traveling to the new world from the onset of this country forward, has been to protect religious diversity, freedom of religion - which is the cornerstone of this country." This has been supported by Tejinder Singh Bindra, the president of the Sikh Art and Film Foundation when he wrote, " Many people who have attacked Sikhs are blue collar. They do not watch CNN or read books on other religions, and the American schools, I fear, do not do an adequate job of letting students know enough about other faiths and traditions." By educating the young on other faith traditions, USA can set an example to the world.
Now the real challenge and also an opportunity to all governments and the educational authorities in the world is, how to educate the general public about other faiths and traditions. It may be a good idea to include the high ideals of UNO and various religions of the world in the curriculum in all schools and colleges to remove the ignorance of other faiths and the prejudice against other ways of life. UNESCO could be requested to prepare books on all religions with the help of the people who follow them. UN should ask all its member states to prescribe them in all schools and colleges. This is necessary if we want to unite the human race and build a better world as envisaged by the United Nations.This is the basic groundwork for that goal. And 'catch'em young' would be the right way to reach the goal. Only then nobody in the world would ask the question, " Am I my brother's keeper ? "
August 23, 2012.
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