THERE is no connection between Islam and sectarianism. Islam is the only religion that uplifts the status of humanity irrespective of caste, colour, ethnicity or social status. It says all human beings are equal before Allah.

Islam demands that respect be given to all other religions and strictly forbids the use of derogatory comments against them. It teaches tolerance, patience and forgiveness to its followers and discourages them from irrational and negative thinking.

Islam has always promoted peace, prosperity, unification, harmony, enlightenment and progress among all sections of society and emphasized on its message of universal brotherhood.

Allah clearly rebuffs divisions among the Muslims in the Holy Quran, stating: “strongly hold fast on to the rope of Allah, and be not ye divided among sects.” Unfortunately, the Muslim ummah has forgotten all about the real spirit of Islam.

The need of the hour is for the Ummah to relearn Islam’s message and practise it stringently.

The central principle of all Muslims should be the following verse of the Holy Quran in which Allah says: “a person who saves the life of one, saves the life of all, and one who kills an innocent person, kills all human kind.”

Imran Tagar

Larkana

Published in Dawn January 1st, 2017