Leaders’ silence on issues like forced marriages, forced conversion and missing persons of minority communities hurts a lot
National Minority Day is being observed today – August 11, for paying tribute to the contribution of minorities to the progress and prosperity of Pakistan. The day is observed every year at the national level to recall the real vision of Father of Nation Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah who emphasized being one nation.
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the first who recognized the rights of non-Muslims as equal to any other Muslim citizen in Pakistan.
Quaid e Azam, in his landmark speech on August 11, 1947, gave a vision for Pakistan, and had declared: “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, caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State.” He always wanted a state without any discrimination against any race, ethnicity, caste, or creed.
It is state’s responsibility to provide and secure the fundamental rights to minority communities
The Quaid’s words tell us the real meaning of Pakistan but unfortunately, various issues and incidents have happened against the minority communities where in most of the cases they have felt exclusion from various aspects in the social, political, and economic dimensions.
The minority communities are not treated the way Father of Nation desired. It is state’s responsibility to provide and secure the fundamental rights to minority communities but our leaders’ silence on various issues like forced marriages, forced conversion and missing persons of minority communities hurts a lot.
We are thankful to ex-president Asif Ali Zardari who officially announced to celebrate minority day in 2009 and gave many opportunities but the basic thing required is the safety and peaceful life. There are many heroes from minority communities who have sacrificed their life in the line of nation and serving the nation in different departments and professions.
Our last breath is dedicated to our beautiful Pakistan. We are Proud to be Pakistani. Long Live Pakistan.
Anthony Sahotra
Larkana Sindh
