CVE/CT & Peacebuilding

Dialogue can reduce ideological polarization among students of madrassas and universities

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Conflicting notions of Pakistan’s ideology, extremist interpretations of religion and lack of tolerance among most of Pakistanis are at the heart of critical challenges facing Pakistan. Economic decay and dearth of opportunities for Pakistani youth further compound the problem. Students of madrassas and universities expressed these thoughts in a dialogue organized by Pak Institute for … Read more

Creating an environment that counteracts militant ideologies and radicalism in Pakistan

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Ambiguous state policies, incoherent and often conflicting institutional responses, distorted education syllabi, and media’s inability to educate the people are among the factors that have let the perils of extremism and militancy grow in Pakistan. Failure to address these areas and to evolve and implement a comprehensive de-radicalization program in Pakistan would not only strengthen … Read more

Peace, harmony and coexistence: National and religious obligations

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It is not so much the religious conflict as a matter of social behaviours that fuels intolerance and extremism in Pakistani society. Poor academic and intellectual responses, absence of dialogue and interaction among different sections of society, the use of religion as a political tool by Pakistani state, presence of extremist groups and ideologies in … Read more

Interfaith harmony in Pakistan: Perspectives, challenges and opportunities

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Diversity is the Will of God and we should accept that. All religions preach similar truths and virtues, which along with shared cultural and social values can be built upon to enhance interfaith harmony in Pakistan. Interfaith dialogue and harmony are possible only on the basis of equality, respect and acceptance. We should revisit the … Read more

Education emergency in Pakistan and responsibility of religious scholars

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Education is a fundamental right of every Pakistani citizen. Also, it is a religious obligation of every Muslim. All political parties should prioritize education and should work out and implement with consensus a comprehensive, effective and long-term work plan for improving the state of education in Pakistan. These views were expressed by Pakistan’s leading religious … Read more

PIPS engages madrassa students in its campaign for peace

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Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) organized two-day activities in Islamabad on November 5-6 to bring madrassa students into interaction with other Pakistani youths educated form mainstream educational institutions, create awareness among madrassa students and teachers about modern political thought and systems, and encourage and award prizes to the position holder madrassa graduates. The activities … Read more

Accepting diversity is the key to resolve ideological ambiguities

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Tolerating the values of diversity and pluralism can help resolve the prevailing socio-political and ideological ambiguities in Pakistan which not only create discord among people but also make it difficult to counter the perils of extremism and violence. Media and religious scholars have a key role in promoting these values in society. These views were … Read more

Poor education and rising extremism key challenges facing Muslim world

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Lack of a culture of research and enquiry, indifference to modern education, and growing trends of sectarianism and religious extremism are the key challenges facing Muslim world today. This was acknowledged by Islamic scholars from Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Iran, Bangladesh and Malaysia in a international conference on “The Emerging Challenges and the Responses from … Read more

Religio-political discourse in Pakistan too narrow and dissonant to curb radicalization

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Religious radicalism has many forms and manifestations and affects almost every segment of Pakistani society in one way or the other. Triggered by multiple factors, it gains strength mainly from the prevalent religious-political discourse in country that offers largely extreme positions to the people in the political, socio-cultural and ideological perspectives. The religious scholars have … Read more