The terror attacks in Pakistan, Afghanistan and other places are only the preview of what is to come if we let the extremists win. And if the hope for a reformed Islam dies, the whole world would pay a terrible price.
I believe that a reform in Islam is necessary and possible and only Muslims can make that reform a reality. The first step is to tolerate diversity. In the early days of Islam, Muslims coexisted peacefully with non-Muslims in the state Medina. Likewise, the Quran says there is no compulsion in religion. “La Ikraha Fiddin”.
If we want to resist religious extremism in Pakistan, we should support political, social and religious freedoms in Pakistan. We must realize that freedom is not optional if we want to live in society peacefully.
Ali Changezi – Quetta
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