KARACHI, July 16: Dr Atiya, a scholar of Islamic teachings, taking stock of rampant contradictions in Pakistani society leading to discontentment, has underscored the need for a proactive approach among all segments.
In her presentation on "Self-Awareness" at Sobhraj Maternity Hospital on Friday, she said, the stress factor, casting its negative impact on each and every individual, is registered to be manifested mainly through a reactive attitude.
Citing the same negative aspect, the scholar said the health-care personnel with maximum public dealings need to be all the more conscious of being patient, sympathetic and avail the space to analyze and then respond to the stimulus.
According to her, the more a person is proactive and concentrates on freedom to choose his/her response to a particular situation or dealing with patients, the more maturity the latter gains.
Elaborating the factors registered in a reactive person, it was stated that such individuals were unable to choose their response; were affected by their physical and social environments; and were driven by their emotions.
While on the contrary, proactive individuals were said to be generally unaffected by their social environment but fully aware of their responsibility to make things happen.
According to her, it was at this very point of understanding that members of society could develop a sense of satisfaction with themselves and others besides acquiring a greater sense of satisfaction and fulfilment.
Dr Atiya, referring to the rampant depression, frustration, melancholy in the advanced world but gradually creeping into the developing world including Pakistan, regretted the unchecked commercialisation luring people towards unhealthy trends.
She also regretted the growing indebtedness on part of people towards their creator and their inability to make optimum but positive applications of the blessings of Allah.
Elaborating her stance, she pointed out that locals without realising what a mother went through during the phase of conceiving children could be seen asking for a son or daughter and not a healthy and absolutely normal child.
According to her, gynaecologists and relevant medical professionals at this phase too could play a proactive role sensitizing the couples about the blessing.
Meanwhile, the speaker also took strong exception to the unethical approach to promote consumerism tempting people towards over indulgence, be they edible goods or luxury and recreational products - possession or application of which could be cited as mere status symbols but gravely affecting the very fibre of society.
The speaker was also extremely critical of the media and referred to programmes churned out by the local channels as phlegmatic emulation of Indian channels, casting a gravely negative impact on human minds particularly of children - made to belief that social values and religious injunctions hold no meaning for an individual.
The scholar maintained that under the given situation, each and every member of society, particularly those holding influential positions, such as doctors, need to play a proactive role not only in fulfilling their professional obligations but also in making meaningful contribution to help society pull back to the path of sanity and sensibility.
"We as Muslims ought to belief, in its truest sense, that the body with its physical and spiritual aspects are complimentary to each other, and there are certain obligations on each of us to ensure that the soul too has to be duly nurtured."
The speaker concluded that realization on part of Muslims that they would be answerable to their Creator offer them a chance to correct their approach towards life and ensure peace in their surroundings.
Dr Shabeen Naz Masood, the medical superintendent of Sobhraj Maternity Hospital gave vote of thanks. The session was largely attended by doctors, nurses and students of the Sobhraj School for Midwifery Training. -APP