Ethnocentrism in Pakistan (An Introduction): Ethnocentrism mean: the belief of superiority one's personal ethnic group judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one's own culture. The definition of ethnocentrism is: “Ethnocentrism is refers to as belief in the intrinsic superiority of the nation, culture, or group to which one belongs, often accompanied by feelings of dislike for other groups” http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ethnocentrism Facts about Ethnocentrism in Pakistan: Since the inception of Pakistan, the immediate features of ethnocentrism were started emerging. Hence the political history of Pakistan is divided into two major phases, pre-1971 and post-1971: Pre 1971: when Pakistan becomes a separate country, it was consists upon a nation that was represent different languages, religions, cultures etc… so basically ethnocentrism has been started from the day one of its inspection. If we talk about to the phase of pre 1971 then it was about constitutional, military reforms and separation of east Pakistan (Bangladesh). Pakistan is one of the countries where ethnicity has been come by its birth. We have not giving interest on the quote of Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah when he replies to the Civic Address presented by the Quetta Municipality on 15th June, 1948. “We are now all Pakistanis–not Baluchis, Pathans, Sindhis, Bengalis, Punjabis and so on–and as Pakistanis we must feet behave and act, and we should be proud to be known as Pakistanis and nothing else”. But we are focusing on ourselves to labeling Punjabi, Sindhi, Pathan etc… till today. No one is focusing on its justification that he / she only Pakistani so as a result ethnocentrism was become a permanent part of Pakistan. The ethnocentrism has been started in Pakistan first time when our politicians have started inequality and injustice behavior with its own country part that was called East Pakistan. The main examples of ethnocentrism pre 1971 that we can say also were the causes of separation of East Pakistan: 1- Bengali-Urdu issue: (language issue that was started in Pakistan after 1956) 2- Power adjustments: (based on more superior then other) Basically these are the two reasons that lead ethnocentrism in both parts of Pakistan and as a result we have faced a separations of one part (East Pakistan). Post 1971: after the 1971 war, and separation of east Pakistan that becomes Bangladesh, our nation and politicians can’t stop ethnocentrism from our country. Although we should had learn great lesson after the separation of East Pakistan and we would become one nation but still we are focusing on ethnocentrism in our society . Recently the examples that we have been faced about ethnocentrism are following: 1- Movement for creation of Hazara province 2- Movement for creation of Saraiki province 3- Movement for creation of Bahawalpur province 4- Issues and controversy between religious groups specially in sunni and shiah 5- Abomination between the people of different provinces for example: Punjabi and sindhi, Punjabi and Pathan 6- Baloches want to their own power and rules in their tribes. 7- Muhajir (MQM) in Karachi has started movements for their protections The above are some types of ethnocentrism that we are seen now these days The most notable ethnocentrism could be seen in the politics where people make their voting power just on the basis of tribes and ethnicity. For example in 2007 after assassination of Benazir Bhutto, people vote PPP just because on the basis of ethnocentrism. Same as in our country, the Urdu speaker is seem himself as superior then others. Same as in different regions where people considered their own language spekers as superior for example if we go to KPK (Khyber Pukhtun khwa) their resident considered Pashto as superior language and other languages as inferior then Pashto. Same as if we talk about cultural morals then every Pakistani seem their own culture as superior then of other. For example Sindhis seem their culture as best then Punjabi culture. Pukhtun considered their culture as superior then sidhi / Punjabi. Same as Baluchis considered them self as good then the remained. In short ethnocentrism is seem as very strong in the basis of pakistan. Division of Pakistan by Ethnocentrism: Look at the pics that are defining the division of Pakistan in the form of ethnocentrism: Effects / results of ethnocentrism is Pakistan: These days, Pakistan is lay is very critical situations. Pakistan is facing the problems of economical as well as social. Ethnocentrism is one of those problems which are faced by Pakistan and unfortunately there are no any sign of effective control are on this situation. In Pakistan, our politicians are no united on one agenda or manshoor. Every party have different opinions in different issues. Kala bagh dym, hazara province, Sariki and Bahawalpur province, Target killing in Karachi and Quetta on different political and religious groups are the big challenges which are the caused by ethnocentrism. So as a result this pic shows how these situation effects on our country. Solutions in the eye of Islam:
Islam is a religion of peace and teaches their follower to live in peace manners. Islam strictly again the ethnocentrism and Allah says in the Quran against the ethnocentrism: "The most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you" (49, 13). With this verse, Islam declares equality among people, that is because Islam respect a human for being a human not for any other reason; Islam dose not distinguish between two races, or two groups of people, or between two colors. Now a question comes in our minds that are the basis of making tribes and families then Allah says in Quran that: "O Mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other." (49, 13). Prophet (PBUH) also teaches our selves at the time of last sermon: which states; "O Mankind, your lord is one and your father is one. You all descend from Adam, and Adam was created from earth. He is most honored among you in the sight of God who is most upright. No Arab is superior to a non-Arab, no colored person to a white person, or a white person to a colored person except by taqwa. Reported by Ahmad and Al-Tirmidhi on the authority of Abu' Nadhrah. The line of men in its narration were described by Al-Haithami as reliable In another place, the Prophet (PBUH) was asked: "Who among men is most favored by God?' He (PBUH) replied: "A man who does the most good to people." Reported by Al-Tabarani and others on the authority of Ibn Umar, see Al-Makasid Al-Hasanah, PP. 200-201 So we have been seen that Islam does not allow anyone to involve in ethnocentrism in any case but taqwa, that is only thing that can distinguish a person in the God’s view. This is does not matter how a person is rich, but how a person having taqwa. It is also important that Islam did not only emphasize the equality principle theoretically, but did it practically in some of the worship acts like the five daily prayers in the mosques also Friday prayer is held once every week, Hajj, roza, zakat all the worship acts are practically define the concept of equality.
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