THEY are among the most well-known words spoken by Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Uttered on Aug 11, 1947, they are often quoted by those seeking to reiterate that the founder of this nation envisaged it as a country where religion and state would be entirely separate from each other.

“You are free, you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed — that has nothing to do with the business of the State….” he said in that address.

Know more: Quaid’s Aug 11 speech to be included in school curriculum

The decision by the Sindh government to include the speech in its entirety in the school curriculum is a laudable one, for the Pakistani state through the years has made religion very much its business — often with distressing results.

Official patronage of right-wing elements has led to a situation where religious extremism has become an ever-present spectre, fracturing society along the fault lines of faith. Its impact is even being felt in Sindh, the cradle of a benign and inclusive Sufi tradition.

While Sindh has taken the lead in reclaiming its pluralistic heritage through the classroom — much of its primary school curriculum has been purged of divisive, prejudiced material — the other provinces would do well to emulate its example.

However, political considerations and/or lack of courage in the face of regressive pressure groups have so far either stymied curriculum reforms or resulted in an ideological slant being reintroduced in certain textbooks.

Curriculum reform is vital to a long-term directional change in mindset and thereby to the promotion of a consolidated anti-extremism narrative in the country. Inculcating tolerance and appreciation of religious diversity is part and parcel of the latter.

To that end, school curricula should also consider including chapters on eminent personalities from minority communities. Broadening their minds will work to ensure that young Pakistanis of today will be the standard-bearers of a more moderate Pakistan tomorrow.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2015

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