MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE

This is with reference to Miss Falak Naz�s recently published article with the same title, I would like to endorse the views expressed by the writer and present a few other ideas to augment that what the learned writer has said. �How we can make this world a better place�? is a philosophical and psychological question, subjective in nature having no scientific answer, but the most significant and pressing issue of 21st century. I briefly discuss the phenomenon from three perspectives, including the law of nature, the role of religion and personality development.
To my view, this universe is functioning on the principles set by the nature. There is a perfect order in functioning of subsystems, systems and the supra-system _____ the universe. The sun, the moon, the stars and other heavenly bodies are linked together in a splendid way. Violation of the systematic rules will result in destabilizing the working of universe. For example, stream flows down wards but changing its course of flow un-naturally will cause disorder in the smooth flow. The things in the universe are created for the benefit of mankind but irresponsible usage can again cause disorder. For example, oxygen keeps human body alive, but excessive release of carbon monoxide gas turns it hazardous to health. What I want to bring out from this thesis is, humankind should accept the law of nature and its functioning to ensure the world remains an orderly place.
Today our world is in the grip of problems like wars, diseases, terrorism, man made catastrophes, poverty, starvation, prejudices, religious intolerance, crisis of civilizations, and so on; which have badly overwhelmed and frustrated the minds of the people. One fundamental reason of this disorder is the degraded moral values. In fact, men need religion to solve all his existing problems caused due to distorted morality. Human life is incomplete without religion. The teaching of religion is so natural, universal and full of life that even those firmly believing in materialism can�t keep themselves away from adopting some of its principles. It�s beyond doubt, that if (1) betterment and bright future of mankind is desired (2) the riddle of human life is to be solved, (3) love and brotherhood is to be developed among people, (4) safety and survival of the human race is cherished---------- nothing is more helpful than the teachings of religion. The concept of humanity is common in almost all the chief religions of the world including Islam, Christianity, Hebrewism, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. Among all worlds� religions, Islam is the greatest being the last and complete code of life. Since Islam believes in justice, equality, brotherhood, fraternity, harmony, cooperation, freedom of speech, balance life, obedience, unity, self control, patience, perseverance, endurance, contentment, tolerance and goodwill, so by understanding the essence and enlightened teachings of Islam we can make this world a better place.
God has created men with a body and a soul, which are to a great extent interdependent. Correct harmony in growth and ultimate functioning of both leads one to make the world a better place. To put it psychologically, there is a hidden and invisible man inside the visible body. That is why psychologists term the visible human personality as a tip of the iceberg, where a very negligible part of the personality is known to others. In my view correct, balanced and harmonious growth of these two aspects can contribute a lot in producing balanced human beings. What I want to stress here is, the current education system must be critically reviewed and apparent dichotomies be eradicated. The present system unfortunately produces youth with divergent thinking. One is traditional Mullah, ignorant of what is happening around him in politics, economy, world affairs, etc. He is living in the world with the thinking that God has created it for his sake only and where he wants all others to be like him both mentally and physically, to the extent that a fellow worshipper if doesn�t put hands together like him is declared out of religion. The other kind of product of the existing system is the secular young graduate, ignorant of his religion and both mentally and apparently in line with the so called western world. He hates the religious teachings, and doesn�t like to be called a person of eastern thinking. In between the two extremes is the third kind of product of the system, although balanced in approach, having some regard for religion and some worldly knowledge, but without the requisite potential to bring positive change in the society. This kind of product is normally entrusted with low grade assignments, having no say in the system. To make the world a better place we will have to bring harmony through a balanced education system.
There are however, certain confusing remarks in the writer�s article which require elaboration by the writer. According to the writer, �It is true that we cannot stop war from happening but we can make our own life more peaceful�. To my view today�s world is a global village, where human beings are interdependent. How can a villager make his life peaceful, if there is a war going on the other corner of the village? Take the example of wars in Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan which are located far away from most of the countries of the globe, but those distant countries are affected in one or the other way as a result of the war. In another place the writer says, �All of us should decide and try to work hard, so that we should have enough money to spend, proper houses to live in and good clothes to wear�. May I ask the writer, if only material things are needed to have a happy life, then why not the westerners are happy, despite possessing worldly things in huge quantity? Yet at another place the writer is of the view, �There is tension in everybody�s life, some tension is necessary for the soul to grow and we can put that tension to good use�. May I ask the writer to justify that what level of tension is necessary for the soul to grow? Of course we can measure temperature with a thermometer, but how can we measure the level of tension?

Tariq Mehmood (Yarkhoon)
Islamabad
Cell: 0321-5821275