Secularism:A Broader Overview

One of the broadly prevailed delusions and misconceptions across the Globe is about the word "Secularism".People argue and challenge it on the daily basis and debates are organized on the core concepts of secularism.There are mainly two groups,one group is that of religious fanatics and the second one comprises of people who are hardcore,irrational atheists and apparently these two groups are staunch opponents of each other but interestingly their perception about secularism is same and that is secularism is a system in which there is no belief in deities and a system which challenges the pretensions of religion.
 In fact secularism is defined as the system of the separation of State from religion and religious dignitaries.The term "secularism" was first used by George Jacob Holyoake in 1851.Although he himself was an Agnostic and said that the term is not used against any religion particularly Christianity,he also stated that it does not challenge the pretensions of Christianity.Previously during the dark ages of Europe there were strong ties between the ruling elite and the Vatican and religious intellects were considered the most influential across the whole Europe.There was a time in which scientific experiments were discouraged at every level and scientists were blamed of blasphemy and so many people were executed by the church.Europeans consider that period of time as Dark age.Secularism in its essence has the role of mother in a family in which she doesn't discriminate her children,which is similar to the role of Government in a country where the subjects are not treated on the basis of caste,creed,ethnicity and religion.Secularism finds the unity in diversity and it is proud of its pluralistic society where the righteous deeds and humanity is the bench mark.Where no body can dictate another being,where no body is judged on the basis of religion,it doesn't make any difference to the state whether you are Muslim,Christian,Hindu or Jew as long as you are the law abiding citizen of the secular country.Don't you think all these statements have striking resemblance with Islam,the religion of humanity,the religion of Peace and Universal brotherhood.I personally don't think Secularism is on the confrontational course with any religion.I consider secularism is a too short booklet of a much more lengthy and comprehensive book and for me that book is the Book of ISLAM and Humanity which are the mirror reflections of each other.
I am a Proud Muslim,Pakistani and as well as a Secular and this is my version of Secularism.

Wake Up Call

     After the tragic incidence of Peshawar the country's political and strategic scenario has totally evolved into some thing which all of us never expected.The news of brutal attack on innocent children of Army Public School has become a pandemic and will certainly affect the future national agenda of our country.The good news is that,that this incidence in particular has turned the key political figures who were staunch opponents of each other into political allies of part time which is a good and a certainly a rare gesture in political history of Pakistan and have proved that "Better late than Never".
     Now this should be crystal clear that war on terror is not merely the war of US or EU but Our's.The earlier we understand the better.Although it is a bitter reality that this wasn't our war but has actually imposed on us by US and our military dictator.Now that when every one is on same page about this issue,serious measures should be taken against those who challenge the writ of government on daily basis.
    The Armed forces and Government should work on these issues and must release a unanimous manifesto about how to cope with these butchers and cold blooded murderers.After the Peshawar incidence things will not remain same as they were before,so solid measures should be taken by the government to regain the confidence of Public.There should be meaningful negotiations with new Afghan government because politically and economically stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan's strategic interest.Speedy judicial trials should be done and Hang all those terrorists who are convicted of crime.
    War against terrorism can't be solely won by military operations,so there should be war on different levels.If we really want to defeat terrorism,we have to defeat the ideology of terror which is a bit complicated issue so we need intellects from all over the country to address the nation through electronic,print and social media.We must look out for those reasons which have forced them to raise weapons against the state.Bear in mind what we have to defeat is the mindset not just bunch of terrorists.
    What happened in Peshawar was tragic and barbaric and we can't do some thing about it but may be that was a wake up call for all of us and we all must listen to it and do some thing about it as it is said "Make hay while the sun shines".