A Dream World with Peace!

Toward a world of peace – where neither state nor religious terror shall exist

Around 2013, every year after Eid I used to publish photo albums showcasing Eid celebrations from different countries around the world. These photos were taken after Eid-ul-Fitr in 2013. I have included only a few selected pictures from many. I have added both joyful and sorrowful images in order to evoke mixed emotions among readers.

In the first image, you see a girl from Romania. She is doing a photoshoot during Eid celebrations, expressing the beauty of the festival. Again, let me remind you—these are images from 2013. In the second image, you see a girl in Karachi lovingly decorating her feet with henna. In the third image, you see a couple visiting a beach in Tel Aviv, Israel on Eid day; nearby, you can also see the peaceful coexistence of people from different cultures. In the fourth image, see an Eid congregation in Morocco. In the fifth image, in Srinagar, Kashmir, India, a mother’s face-veil cloth has slipped onto her child’s face. In the sixth image, two children in New York are sharing their Eid joy. These are the normal scenes of a festival. However, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic in the past two years, it is only natural that celebrations worldwide could not remain normal. But even in normal times, do festivals around the world bring joy to everyone? Leaving aside everyday issues like hunger and poverty—have killings of humans and crimes against humanity ever been suspended at any time? We do not see that happening.

In the seventh image, on Eid day in New Delhi, you see thousands of hungry people gathered in front of a mosque, waiting for a small portion of meat and bread. (If you feel like showing off knowledge—go ahead and tell whether it should be called “meat” or “gosht”!). This is also a photo from 2013. Can anyone say whether the number of poor people in India has decreased in proportion to its economic growth over the years? Has the number of ICU beds or ventilators increased accordingly? In the eighth image, you see another scene from Srinagar, Kashmir, India. Hindu minorities are protesting against the provincial government for their rights. Thousands of Hindu Pandits were once driven out of Kashmir. The ninth image is also from Srinagar, where a nearly lifeless woman is being carried away after a clash with police. Neither the police nor those who claim to be the “greatest nation” (though not really a nation) spare even Eid day from bloodshed, despite being among the most backward in knowledge, science, education, technology, and human values.

In the tenth image, you see a Palestinian child posing with a toy gun. There, people grow up seeing and learning about guns, war, violence, and conflict from an early age. The Israel–Palestine conflict has persisted for generations, sustained by political and religious interests. Just a couple of days ago, in an attack in Palestine, Israel killed many innocent people, including children. Later, Hamas launched rocket attacks on Israeli cities. People in Bangladesh and many other places went to sleep happily, thinking Hamas was winning some kind of jihad, believing Israel would finally be destroyed! But in 34 hours, more than 170 rockets fired by Hamas killed only 2 innocent Israelis—such is the ignorance about Israel’s air defense system. Instead of progressing in knowledge, science, education, economy, and military strength, they are advancing in ignorance! In response to these toy-like rocket attacks, Israel’s advanced weaponry is now killing hundreds of Palestinians. Even on Eid day, innocent lives—including women and children—are being lost. This is both a display of Israel’s state power and the result of the foolishness of incompetent and extremist groups like Hamas. Every human life on earth is valuable—everyone has the right to live as long as they are not a threat to others.

The eleventh image—can you guess the country? You guessed it right: Pakistan! An injured police officer is being taken to the hospital. In 2013, on Eid day, a suicide bomb attack killed 38 people and injured more than 50. This attack was not carried out by Israel, but by domestic terrorist groups or sectarian militants claiming to be fellow countrymen—Shia-Sunni extremists. Such attacks happen frequently there. Even during Eid congregations, where thousands gather, terrorists become eager to turn it into a festival of killing.

The twelfth and final image is from Afghanistan. Eid-ul-Fitr, 2013. In an attack, around 14 women were killed. In this valley of death, even Eid is never safe. Just recently, militants in Afghanistan burned alive more than 70 schoolgirls in a bombing. Hundreds of children were left permanently disabled. Hundreds will live with lifelong psychological trauma. In Palestine, Israeli attacks do not target any specific group—people, including women and children, die indiscriminately. But in Afghanistan, the attack was specific—terrorists deliberately targeted Shia schoolgirls. Which do you consider more heinous? You will see that so-called social media and street “jihadists” loudly criticize Israel, but remain silent when it comes to terrorists of their own kind in Afghanistan. If you examine their profiles, you will find that they even justify the targeted killing of these Shia schoolgirls—though they remain silent publicly out of social pressure.

Today I heard, from a distance over a loudspeaker, a religious prayer (monajat) by a cleric. He prayed for peace for the Muslim ummah and wished for the destruction of Israel—but did not even mention these obvious terrorists in Afghanistan. Why? Can we not criticize all forms of terrorism and pray for the well-being of all people in the world? If we can pray for the recovery of COVID patients in Iran and Turkey, why not in India? What kind of prayer is this that seeks happiness, prosperity, and safety only for one’s own group? On such a major festival day, wishing peace for all humanity would reflect true generosity and nobility. In prayers, we only hear descriptions of the suffering of hell—but no call for the destruction or restraint of those who turn this world into hell! The celebration some people show at the rise of COVID cases in India—is that a sign of a healthy mind?

A human being alone is nothing—before a lion, even a small wolf, one is helpless. Humans are powerful only collectively. Let our efforts for a humane world be collective. First of all, let these false claims—“I am superior,” “my religion is superior,” “we are the chosen nation,” “others are ignorant,” “others are destined for hell”—fade away. Let hatred and violence perish. Let love, harmony, and coexistence flourish among all humanity. Not just religious brotherhood—let the bond be between human and human.