Joyful noises are no longer heard about the concept and practice of multiculturalism. The concept per se isn’t new. Poets, philosophers and sages have explored it at different levels because the diversity with which it deals is as old as human society. It has always been an opportunity as well as a challenge. But its recent version popularised by the West has socio-economic and politico-cultural significance because of its overall dominance of the so-called global world.

According to Cambridge Dictionary, multiculturalism is the belief that different cultures within a society should all be given importance. It can also refer to a situation where all cultural or racial groups in a society have equal rights and opportunities, without any being ignored. The fundamental principle is that multiple cultures coexisting in a society should have equal standing and be valued. It is defined as a social state or a policy that promotes cultural diversity and pluralism. The cultural importance it holds is that it’s a belief system where multiple cultures within a society are considered important and given equal weight, with the addition of equal rights and opportunities.

It suggests a social state where different cultural and racial groups coexist with equal rights and chances, and where no single culture is seen as dominant.

Multiculturalism can be a doctrine or policy that promotes or advocates for a multicultural social state, with it being often described using the metaphor of a “Cultural Mosaic” and “Melting Pot”, showing the distinctness of different cultures with “Cultural Mosaic” rather than “Melting Pot” which implies the fusion into a singular culture.

Such a concept has been practiced for thousands of years in a low-key manner. Migration, internal and external, has shaped human society and its evolution. Our way of life, food habits, languages, architecture, music, arts, in short everything we enjoy and take pride in as ours has visible and invisible markings of borrowings from others. After the initial interaction resistance gives way to acceptance. What comes to your mind when you think of the subcontinent cuisine /food? Chilli, of course. But chilli is not of Indian origin. It was introduced here by Europeans.

By the mid-20th century colonialism had come to its end. But by this time colonising countries were sitting over huge piles of resources extracted and stolen from the colonies which were otherwise derided as resourceless and underdeveloped. These resources added to wealth and created new jobs by introducing modern and innovative sectors in industries and services. But at the same time such a development rendered a number of jobs unattactive for what was called Western lower ranks and middle classes. In the expanded job market they could pick and choose. Traditional and menial jobs got wages slashed. Hence the need arose of ‘importing’ foreign workers from diverse societies and cultural backgrounds. The policy was carefully crafted with a view not to give the foreign workers a free run. Bonding and resolve to secure their rights become doubly difficult among such a motley crowd on a foreign land. Problem with the non-Europeans, especially Muslim immigrants, has been severe. They had/have one common trait; a religious mindset that religiously guards their notion of religion which exhorts them to proselytise regardless of whether they are from the Middle East, South Asia or Africa. But this is not an isolated phenomenon as it was an outcome of the Cold War and international power politics.

American universities invented and popularised among Muslim societies the notion of political Islam to counter the Soviet Union and at the same time to crush the Leftists, democratic and liberal forces at the local level. The bedrock of political Islam has been Jihad. In other words, deadly fight against infidels and their godless system. The Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 provided a perfect opportunity. The US-led West and Islamic world created and nurtured a new breed; Jihadists and militant Islamists believing this was their holy war to save Islam from the clutches of communism and atheism. Groups and organisations loyal to this new ideology were funded, trained and launched in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria. The result is there - destruction of Muslim countries and death of millions. Members of these extremist bodies were given free access to the western society. When the wind started blowing in opposite direction; stayed economy, increased joblessness, inflation, high cost of living and visible presence of immigrants with different skin colours and features, hoarse cries are being raised on the streets of Western countries ‘take back control of the country’ pretending as if the country is being controlled by conniving infiltrators disguised as hapless immigrants. This anti-immigrant campaign has recently been stirred up by the US white supermacist politicians. When they came into power they started doing what the representatives of imperial power do; use of force against what they call illegal aliens. Groups of bullies in uniforms hunting and humiliating poor people from poor countries.

In Europe, which is slightly more civilised than the US, political agitation is being used as a tool to purge it of non-white immigrants who are a threat to European nationalism and Christian values. This is not to say that immigrants, legal and illegal, are free of blame. Some of them have been involved in criminal activities. Many misuse laws and take advantage of loopholes in the laws. Certain groups such as some extremists Muslims want their religious laws implemented on foreign lands which provided them sanctuaries.

In a nutshell, multiculturalism has its bubble bust. This can be seen in the patriotic and nationalistic cacophony on the US and European streets.

CLARIFICATION: In Punjab Notes titled Quaid-i-Azam library and Punjabi books published on Oct 26, 2025, I made some critical remarks about DHA library, Lahore. Retired Col. Arslan Qadeer, Director Defence Public Library, contacted me and protested that I had given misleading information about the library. But he admitted that what was said about gender-based seating arrangement etc., was something that happened in the past. Currently there are no gender-based seatings, membership is open to all and no one is denied entry into the library. — soofi01@hotmail.com

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2025