Diversity is an all-encompassing concept. It is not just limited to recognizing di erences between people, but also celebrating them as an asset and a strength. It includes acceptance and respect of others; recognizing their uniqueness and di erences. Diversity can include dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious belief etc. In order to celebrate diversity we need to be positive and nurturing to embrace and celebrate the dimensions of diversity contained within each individual.

There is a general lack of understanding and ambiguity in with regards to the subject of Pakistan’s diversity, its religions, culture, ethnic history and gender. Nevertheless, diversity is one of Pakistan’s key resources. Diversity is We believe that the study of diversity can inspire our youth to become better citizens who respect cultural one of and religious di erences. Despite being unique Pakistan’s individuals belonging to di erent communities, at the end of the day we are all connected through our shared key value systems. The study of diversity explores di erences and commonalities, and provides tools to resources equip us to play a positive role in transforming negative attitudes, perceptions and behaviors.

We aim to do this through our Building Bridges course at FCC. The course is based on the concepts of ‘ilm’ (knowledge), ‘adab’ (propriety) and ‘insaniyat’ (humanity). The course is designed for students of bachelors/baccalaureate level. It is inter-disciplinary with humanities and social sciences. It has a syllabus, teachers’ guide and recommended readings. It is intended to foster dialogue rather than debate and to take students through a collaborative learning process.

The Center for Dialogue and Action, Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) (CD&A-FCC) aims to infuse Pakistan’s education curricula with an overt appreciation of diversity and to promote pluralistic vision of society through peace studies. CD&A-FCC plays a role in education and are developing peace-building courses (short and extended) and textbooks. These are produced for di erent educational levels (primary, secondary and higher) and address the subjects of diversity, dialogue, pluralism and peace-building.

Centre for Dialogue and Action Dialogue requires each party to engage with the other, letting the other express their BUILDING beliefs and convictions on their own terms and understanding them as they wish to be BLOCKS FOR understood. By engaging in dialogue with others, one learns and attains understanding. DIALOGUE For dialogue to be successful one should: Avoid o ensive action or language Respect the rights of others to disagree with us Ensure that dialogue does not lead to a quarrel Listen to others with sensitivity, honesty and straightforwardness Respect other people’s freedom to express their beliefs and learning

Thus to communicate what we believe and value, we need to understand what others believe and value. We need to do this on others terms. While talking it is easy to disagree, however, instead of spotting di erences it is healthier to focus on what people have in honesty common i.e. piety, human values like mercy, honesty, good manners. good manners EXPLORING DIALOGUE AND DEBATE

Dialogue Debate is collaborative: multiple sides work is oppositional: two opposing sides toward shared understanding try to prove each other wrong.

one listens to understand, to make one listens to nd informational errors, to meaning, and to nd common ground spot di erences, and to counter arguments

creates an open-minded attitude: creates a close-minded attitude, a an openness to being wrong and determination to be right an openness to change

searches for strengths in di erent searches for weaknesses in the other’s positions position

assumes that many people have pieces assumes a single right answer that of answers and that cooperation can somebody already has lead to understanding and help create solutions remains open-ended. There is no right demands a conclusion, whether /wrong conclusion ethically/morally right/wrong 2 Empathy is from the Greek empathia meaning ‘in-feeling’. Although the word was not coined in the English language until 1904, it does not mean that the concept was not available in earlier times. Aristotle called human beings ‘moral creatures’ to explain empathy and William Shakespeare dened this concept as ‘fellowship’. Empathy is a form of emotion sharing i.e. feeling ‘with’ a fellow human being rather than feeling ‘for’ her/him. It is distinct from sympathy which is an instinctive response to someone’s misfortune.

Most people from the arts, sciences and literature recognize empathy’s potential to help understand human experience from another person’s point of view. They agree that the skill of empathy is vital to make sense of human behavior and to relate to others e ectively.

‘Empathy refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It means to understand others’ feelings, emotions and actions through love, sympathy and compassion. Sympathy is me-oriented; Empathy is you-oriented. (David Howe)

Social scientists have termed the present times as ‘The Age of Empathy’ with ‘The Age of Reason’ behind us. (Jeremy Rifkin)

‘Self-absorption in all its forms kills empathy, let alone compassion. When we focus on ourselves, our world contracts as our problems and preoccupations loom large. But when we focus on others, our world expands. Our own problems drift to the periphery of the mind and so seem smaller, and we increase our capacity for connection - or compassionate action.’ (Daniel Goleman)

‘Empathy is not just knowing what a person is feeling but also communicating with compassion, the recognition and understanding of the other’s emotional experience; based on history, personality and belief system.’ (Mark Davis)

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Are you willing to accept diversity in society and respecting other ways of living? Are you non-judgmental? Do you have an open mind? Do you have empathy and understanding? Do you show exibility and adaptability while dealing with others? Are you sensitive to others and responsive to act on this awareness? Do you support a sense of belonging for all?

3 WORDS OF WISDOM

For each [Prophetic Community] We have appointed a Law and a Way. Had Willed, He could have made you one community. But in order to test you with what He has given you [He has made you as you are]. So compete with one another in good works. And Unto God you will all return. He will reveal to you [the truth] of that about which you di ered (Holy Qur’an, 5:48)

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7:9

A perfect Muslim is one from whose tongue and hands humankind is safe. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart. St. Francis of Assisi

You are not a drop in the ocean; You are the entire ocean in a drop. Rumi

An individual has not started living until [she] he can rise above the narrow connes of [her] his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity. Martin Luther King, Jr.

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner. Nelson Mandela

4 ROLE Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (1817-1898) MODELS His real contribution is in the eld of education for . He was a reformer who wanted to reconcile modern scientic thought with religion by rationalistic interpretations.. He emphasized that religious di erences should have no political and national signicance. He contributed to transforming the traditional Muslim, into a progressive one. He believed that the past had its merits and its legacies were valuable but the future is more important.

Do not show the face of to others; instead show your face as the follower of true Islam representing character, knowledge, tolerance and piety

Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1876-1938) He is a philosopher, a poet and a political personality. His literary work primarily focusses on the spiritual direction and development of human society. In the west he is admired for: his condemnation of weak will and passiveness, inequality, discrimination and oppression in all forms i.e., economic, social, political, national, racial, religious, etc.; his preaching of optimism, an active attitude towards life and human beings high purpose in the world; his assertion of the noble ideals and principles of humanism, democracy, peace and friendship among peoples. His works guide Muslims and non-Muslims alike into the twenty rst century in the spirit of the Asian Renaissance.

The ultimate aim of the ego is not to see something, but to be something

Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah (1876-1948) Pakistan’s Founding Father redened the future of the Muslims of , by giving them a land, where they are free to practice their way of life. He championed the cause of minorities, especially the cause of Dalits, even before he joined politics. Quaid-e-Azam was against using religion as a tool and believed in negotiations and constitutional means. He believed that a nation could not make any progress without the co-operation of women. As Governor General of Pakistan he spent his rst Christmas with the Christians in and declared himself Protector General of the Hindu community in Pakistan.

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

5 Mohtarma Fatimah Jinnah (1893-1967) The sister of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Ms. Fatimah Jinnah established her identity as a biographer, stateswoman and professional. She stood shoulder to shoulder with the Quaid in the Independence movement. She encouraged the Muslim women to contribute towards welfare and development of society. She was courageous as she stood out in public to promote fundamental human and women’s rights.

The story of this [Pakistan] movement is a story of the ideals of equality, fraternity and social and economic justice struggling against the forces of domination, exploitation, intolerance and tyranny

Abdul Sattar Edhi (1928) Edhi Sahib has dedicated his life to help the poor and needy. runs the world's largest ambulance service and operates free nursing homes, , , women's shelters, and rehab centers for drug addicts and mentally ill individuals. It has run relief operations in , , the Caucus region, and the US. He involves himself in every activity at Edhi Foundation from raising funds to bathing corpses. In spite of his hectic work, Edhi nds time for orphaned children. Edhi sahib is popularly known as ‘Nana’ (Grandfather). Despite his fame Edhi adheres to a simple and modest life-style. No religion is higher than humanity

Justice (retd) Nasira Javid Iqbal (1940) Justice (retd) Nasira Javid Iqbal is an eminent lawyer and of late, has been associated with relief work in Pakistan. She became a judge of Lahore High Court in 1994 and remained so till 2002. She was also elected as a President of the Lahore High Court Bar Association for the years 2009-2010. She is the president of the Punjab Medical Health Association as well as the president of a well reputed activist group called ‘The Concerned Citizens Society of Pakistan (CCP). She has worked hard for laws related to the empowerment of women e.g. Domestic Violence Bill-2008, women’s right to land-legal framework etc. She continues to be sought after as a member of various organizations and has received a number of awards from a variety of forums. The most important thing for a society to improve, is imparting quality education to its women…and education is not only about reading and writing, it is about emancipation and the ability to think for oneself

Dr. Ruth Katherina Martha Pfau (1929) She was born in Leipzig, Germany and experienced the ravages of World War II at a young age. As a girl she dreamt of a professional and married life. However, fate had other plans. She became a medical doctor and a nun (sister). During a social mission to South-Asia, she had to stay in Karachi due to visa problems. Here she visited the leprosy patients’ colony, McLeod Road (I. I. Chundrigar Road) which though unsettling for her, sowed the seeds of her settlement in Pakistan. She started the Marie Adleide Leprosy Centre (1960), which rooted out leprosy from Pakistan in 1996. The centers now work for elimination of the disease by addressing its underlying causes and are at the forefront of relief work when a disaster strikes Pakistan. In recognition of her services, she was awarded Pakistani citizenship in 1988. She is recognized at home and abroad as a distinguished human being with many national and international awards to her name. Not all of us can prevent a war; but most of us can help ease 6 su erings of the body and the soul Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi (1980) Aisam-ul-Haq is the most successful tennis player from Pakistan. He has won numerous tournaments, trophies and awards at international level. He is the only Pakistani tennis player to reach the nal of a Grand Slam. He remained a top-10 doubles player in the world. He has won the most Davis Cup matches for Pakistan. Following his success in tennis, he uses his status to promote peace. He has paired with a person of Indian (Rohan Boppana) and Jewish (Amir Hadad) origin for peace, inspite of pressure from various groups, both home and abroad. With his partners he has won the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year award twice. Qureshi is now a member of the ‘Champions for Peace’ club. Qureshi and his Indian counterpart Bopanna initiated a campaign, ‘Stop War Start Tennis’ between and Pakistan. This is now a foundation which has donated tennis wheelchairs to Iraq, Sri Lanka and Cambodia. The foundation plans to do the same in Pakistan and Syria.

Baig Siblings (1991) Samina Baig is the rst woman and the third Pakistani to climb with her brother Mirza Ali Baig. Chashkin Sar (app 6,000 m) in Pakistan is the rst peak she climbed, which is now renamed Samina Peak. Samina was trained in by her brother. She worked as a mountain guide and expedition leader in the Himalayas and Hindu Kush and became a professional climber in 2009. The brother-sister team partner with Indians to spread the message of India-Pakistan peace. They also state that partnering as brother-sister is a demonstration of gender equality. While climbing the Mount Everest, approximately 248m short, her brother let her go on alone to give the message of women empowerment. They have taken up the challenge to conquer summits from the seven continents of the world to promote peace. Mountaineering, for them, is not an end but a means to bring di erent countries together. Their goal, through climbing summits, is to show that the world is connected and needs peace and empathy to remain connected. Women of Pakistan are not oppressed we are the brave face of Pakistan

Like the above, there are countless other dedicated Pakistani women and men who have contribute to peace and the building of a positive society around them. You are a part of them!

You are a peacemaker. You can show kindness, forgiveness, compassion, empathy, generosity, sincerity, humanity, tolerance, positive attitude and change the lives of people you meet. You can extend a helping hand and show how much you care. You can forgive. You can forget. You can listen to mend a broken heart or heal a wounded soul. You can walk a mile in someone else’s Yes You shoes. You can ease their pain. You can think. You can speak. You can act. You can change. You can make the world a better place. You are a blessing. You are a peacemaker.

7 CD&A-FCC promotes peace through educational initiatives. The center exists to resource educators through CENTRE curriculum, courses, and materials that promote dialogue, pluralism and peace Celebrating FOR DIALOGUE building. We are a service for educational institutions, civil society organizations, Diversity & ACTION policy makers, and for Pakistan’s civil (CD&A-FCC) services and the armed forces. Respecting Humanity

FACULTY & STAFF

Dr. Amineh Hoti Executive Director CD&A, FCC Fellow-Commoner Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge, UK Dr. Charles M Ramsey Assistant Professor (Religious Studies), Director CD&A, FCC Ms. Khalida Ahson Research Fellow CD&A, FCC Mr. Umar Anjum Research Associate CD&A, FCC Ms. Saleha Majeed Project Associate CD&A, FCC Ms. Najma Malik Administrator, CD&A, FCC Mr. Naseer John Oce Manager CD&A, FCC

Centre for Dialogue & Action (CD&A) CD&A House # 8, Forman Christian College ADDRESS (A Chartered University) Phone +92 (42) 9923 1581 - 88 & CONTACT Fax +92 (42) 9923 0703 Email: [email protected] For further information please visit: http: cda.fccollege.edu.pk/

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