Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024

Unity in Diversity

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Unity in Diversity

After each of several deadly attacks on Shia peaceful people in Kabul and Balkh province, there has no action taken place except the people are called not to forget the unity while themselves are responsible for most of disunities. Undoubtedly, unity is an undeniable and unique value by which one can overcome many challenges and also pave the way for a civilized nation but a question need to be raised if there is any real strategy or at least a national will to unite the people? Is it possible to gain unity without true platforms or and simply with piece of paternal advices? Isn’t it ridiculous to call people for unity while applying racial policies in every aspect of social and economic arena?
We must note that unity is beyond words or paternal advice!  It is not achieved unless we truly believe in it and know that there is a common Law that one should love his neighbor as himself. Promotion of this feeling is crucial to lead the nation or the world towards its progress, prosperity and sincere brotherhood. It is the only way that can increase trust, sympathy and collaboration against vices like corruption, discrimination and violence. It gives people sense of security so as to know each other better and understand each other’s sensitivity. It can unite and promotes co-operation and opens opportunity to excellence.  People residing in Afghanistan, somewhat, belong to different castes, religion and ethnic origins. This diversity of caste, colors, religions, languages and cultures is our own identity. They are like different flowers in a garden. The beauty of the garden lies in the varieties of its flowers and fragrance. This is the unique feature of Afghanistan. Whatever caste, creed, culture and customs we follow, we are all Afghani the beautiful flowers of the same garden. We should think that the progress of the country is our own progress, the pain of our neighbor our own pain and if somebody is victimized by act of terror tomorrow will be our turn. Thus, we should understand the concept of unity in diversity is the main basis to strengthen the feeling of unity among. According to national and international law, the first important principle of peaceful life is equity and equality regardless of their race, language, culture, color, religion and gender.
Unity in diversity can be defined as a concept of unity without uniformity and diversity without fragmentation that shifts focus from unity based on a mere tolerance of physical, cultural, linguistic, social, religious, political, ideological and/or psychological differences towards a more complex unity based on an understanding that difference enriches human interactions."Unity in diversity" is a popular motto within and among nation states, and also in political and social movements but the deep feeling of unity is not formed by motto or speeches it is beyond words and also concepts. It must be truly believed, widely thought to school children and strongly be committed. In democratic system, election is a good opportunity to choose unifying leaders that is why we have to remember to vote for a leader who unites, not divides, a leader who can unite unities and promote diversity, not racism.
The history of this idea dates back to ancient times in both Western and Eastern Old World cultures. The concept of unity in diversity was used "in non-Western cultures such as indigenous peoples in North America and Taoist societies in 400–500 B.C. In pre-modern Western culture it has been implicit in the organic conceptions of the universe that have been manifest since the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations through medieval Europe and into the Romantic era. As a long lasting human of human being it also certified by holy Quran Translation: there is no compulsion in religion because the right way has become clear from wrong way. So whoever disbelieves evil and believes in Allah, they grasped the firm degree of Allah that will never be broken. Allah is Hearing, Knowing. (Sorah Bakarah – verse 256)
Looking back in the past, we can also realize the importance of unity how this secret changed the destiny of United Nations. European Union, NATO are some of the examples. In African, When the Apartheid of Republic of South Africa celebrated 20 years of independence on May 31, 1981, the theme of the celebrations was "unity in diversity" as a cynical attempt to explain away the inequalities in South African life but Anti-apartheid campaigners opposed these celebrations and called on runners of the Comrades Marathon to protest at the co-option of the event by wearing a black armband. The winner of the race, Bruce Fordyce, was one of those wearing a black armband. This term has since been incorporated into the preamble of the 1996 Constitution of South Africa as a central tenet of the new South Africa. In short, we should believe if there is no unity, no victory.
Therefore, the new generation should differentiate between general peaceful spirit of holy Quran and sinister hatred interpretations imposed by political criminals. We must accept unity in diversity as one of unbreakable principle in our social and political platforms. We must be aware that religious faithwa (decree) is only issued by credible addresses under certain terms and conditions. We have not witnessed any credible Islamic Jihad faithwa at least in recent 30 years while every day innocent children genocides under name of Islam. We should understand that we are as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided!

Mohammad Zahir Akbari is the newly emerging writer of the Daily Outlook Afghanistan. He can be reached at mohammadzahirakbari@gmail.com

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