Culture is not just about what we wear or celebrate; it is a whole perspective of life. It is a set of principles we mould our lives around; a system of beliefs that differentiates us.

Culture is a feeling, an expression and a way of seeing life from your own perspective. What is even more important is that for Muslim societies, it is a map that connects us to our Creator. Faith is inseparable from our culture; our events, principles and beliefs revolve around Divine consciousness. And so, our efforts to preserve our culture are a means to preserve our spiritual consciousness. It is our identity, and when the essence fades, identity blurs!

This age of globalisation has brought up trends that are leading us to a stage where we are all imitating each other in a constant race, without realising the uniqueness that our own cultures offer us. In today’s world, we witness the West’s cultural dominance in our societies. We have imported their lifestyles and values. What is needed is integration, not imitation, the idea of being unique while celebrating and respecting others without losing ourselves. Progress does not require imitation.

Life will look a lot more colourful if we understand this simple principle: to live by your culture is not about rejecting others. Staying true to one’s roots is an act of courage in a world that constantly tells us to blend in.

When a nation forgets its culture, it forgets the rhythm of its own heartbeat

Language, too, plays a vital role in portraying our identity and preserving our culture. Every language is a reservoir of wisdom and grace. It is not just words or a way of communication, but a way to keep alive the echo of our ancestors’ dreams, a lens through which people understand each other, a medium to exchange our ideas and sentiments, and a bridge that connects different cultures.

Urdu, for instance, binds Pakistan’s diverse ethnic groups with its poetry, softness and depth.

Preserving the architecture, calligraphy and literature of a nation is another certain step if we desire to preserve our heritage in this modern world. Every carved stone and every verse etched in calligraphy carries the legacy of centuries and the struggles of our ancestors. That is why, whenever places like the ancient mosques of Lahore, the intricate blue mosaics of Thatta or ancient sites in Karachi are visited, people not only see the buildings, but they see their identity, the craftsmanship and the devotion of our ancestors.

We can look to Türkiye for inspiration as well. It has gracefully revived Ottoman art and architecture in modern designs. Their mosques, museums and cityscapes carry a sense of identity that feels timeless, not outdated. In short, art and architecture are the anchors that keep us from drifting in the waves of globalisation.

Another key point to consider while discussing the preservation of our heritage is the role of education. Our education system should be designed in a way that it not only teaches science and technology, but also cultivates cultural consciousness, inculcating a sense of identity in us and provoking enthusiasm among young individuals to learn about our heritage with equal passion.

The role of education is to teach us to look forward without losing sight of what lies behind. So, teaching young minds history, culture and literature, alongside biology, chemistry and physics, will lead them to become a generation who knows how to preserve ancient treasures, how to value their roots and how to embrace their identity.

Take the example of a tree: it strengthens its roots. New things keep growing on a tree — leaves, fruits, branches, twigs and whatnot — but the roots stay, allowing the tree to stand and face even the fiercest storms. Likewise, a nation must embrace technology and innovation without letting go of its cultural essence. Modernisation without identity creates imitation, not evolution.

To sum up, cultural revival begins with spiritual awakening. Therefore, the preservation of culture does not begin in museums or classrooms; it begins in the heart. When a nation’s heart remembers its Creator, everything else falls into place.

In the end, in a world rushing to look the same, the truest form of advancement is the courage to remain yourself.

Published in Dawn, Young World, June 13th, 2026