‘Observations on Non-Muslim Pakistanis’
Aimed at understanding the observations of a nationwide study on the conditions, aspirations, and problems of Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and other non-Muslim communities in Pakistan, a session titled ‘Observations on Non-Muslim Pakistanis’ was held at IPS on October 27, 2021.
The session was addressed by Dr. Umair Mahmood Siddiqui, a renowned religious scholar, academic, and member of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). He shared the findings and reflections from his interactions with the key figures of various non-Muslim communities across the country. The session was chaired by Chairman IPS Khalid Rahman, and partaken by the Institute’s research faculty, including Senior Research Officer Syed Nadeem Farhat and researcher Sufi Ghulam Hussain.
Dr. Siddiqui informed the audience that his self-initiated project of reaching out to various non-Muslim communities was driven by the popular depiction of maltreatment of non-Muslims in Pakistan, and more particularly the allegation that members of these communities are forcibly converted to Islam. As part of this project, he had visited several cities and localities across the country to observe and interact with a cross-section of non-Muslims in Pakistan. He inquired about their conditions, challenges, and protection of their rights, including the right to profess religion. He had video recorded the interviews for future reference and had put them on a couple of popular video-sharing platforms on the internet.
The scholar shared that the members of various communities expressed their devotion to and attachment for Pakistan and were generally satisfied with the treatment they received from their fellow countrymen. They categorically refused any intent to emigrate on any basis involving religion. “They face the socio-economic problems that are similar for the members of the majority community of their socio-economic class,” he explained.
The speaker had not found the complaints of forcible conversion to Islam even in those communities that are generally stated to be the targets of the alleged crime. He quoted the community leaders of the Kalash community and the Hindu communities in Sindh to express that they enjoyed additional protection and benefits from the government and cordial relations at the social level. The members of these communities realize that their real issues are being overshadowd by the politically-motivated propaganda to malign Pakistan, he said.
IPS Chairman Khalid Rahman lauded the efforts of Dr. Siddiqui to unearth the truth and reach reality. He deplored that media and information outlets were being used as the tools for political arm twisting. The fact-based responses to such propaganda and their dissemination on the one hand and recording the truths of our culture and society for the world to know on the other will help the truth to prevail. He stressed that deprivation always creates mistrust and shakes confidence, and is more likely to be exploited. “Each of us should strive to bridge the gaps and develop mutual trust through equal opportunities and genuine respect,” he said.
