The message of peace

It is indeed a remarkable coincidence that Eid e Milad-un- Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh), and Christmas, marking the birth of Jesus Christ (Pbuh), have fallen on the same day. Both these great men, throughout their life, advocated peace and tolerance among people.

Prophet Muhammad, in line with Quranic directives, and even as a statesman, laid down a constitution that would ensure peaceful coexistence of all citizens who would be regarded as equals regardless of religion, race or ancestry. To Muslims he advocated tolerance of each other and those of other faiths. Similarly, Christ had dedicated himself to bringing peace among humanity, preaching love for everyone and rejection of hatred and acrimony.

In today's world so rife with violence resulting from intolerance of people of different faiths, these messages from the best examples of humankind are all the more relevant. Extremists are distorting Islam to justify inhuman brutality on innocent people that includes Muslims and non Muslims, which is in direct contradiction of the teachings of Islam and Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). This has given a free field to the Christian fanatics to advocate Islamophobia, creating new enmities and new catalysts of terror.

The numerous attacks on religious gatherings and religious leaders of different faiths have created a sense of insecurity among us that can only be removed if we hold on to the true spirit of our respective religions, all of which promote peace.

On this auspicious day of the Muslims and Christians, let us recall the teachings of the two visionaries whose birth is being celebrated across the globe. Let us be united in our commitment to eradicate bigotry, racial discrimination and intolerance and restore an environment of peace and religious harmony that we, as a people, have traditionally been known for.