Religious Intolerance is a slippery slope to walk! Why? Because ‘All Religions Are Not The Same‘! Usually, the Western administrations love to taunt India on its supposed violation of secularism or democracy! However, recently the US was forced to acknowledge the atrocities committed in the name of religion by Bharat’s neighbors! The USA has designated China and Pakistan, among many others, as “Countries of Particular Concern.”
Why did the US make this list? Well, the Western power center finally chose a side on the issues of severe intolerance and lack of freedom in many parts of the world. Unsurprisingly, China and Pakistan fairly won prime spot and notable mention in this list of intolerant regimes. This move, announced by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, showcases the West’s outlook on certain nations. Let’s delve into the religious freedom situations in China and Pakistan, Bharat’s two hostile neighbors, that persistently display inhumane behavior in their lack of religious freedom.
China’s Religious Intolerance – Freedom of Violation
The US finally spoke on China and its severe violation of religious freedoms. The country earned its place in the list of “Countries of Particular Concern”. The communist regime of China has killed its democratic election process. It is the place of the true death of democracy. The CCP is the only political party in the nation. Additionally, the independent candidates that dare to fight elections often find themselves intimidated under legal, economic, or professional pressure.
A part of the communist ideology is that religion has no place in China. The nation recognizes six religious bodies that are strictly governed by the administration. These bodies control the religious practices in the nation under the CCP’s strict eye! The regime-driven targeting of Uighur Muslims and Tibetan Buddhists finally caught the West’s notice. Reports of mass detentions, forced labor, and religious repression in Xinjiang are a grim reality. The re-education centers are nothing but polite religion-based forced-labor concentration camps.
Thus, the USA’s decision to add China to its list is long overdue! However, will China take note and take a step back in its religious deracination of China? Or will China further pull down its iron curtain to hide the dire situation of religious intolerance? Only time and CCP can answer these questions.
Pakistan’s Abismal Religious Intolerance
Even as the understudy of the USA, Pakistan finds itself designated as a “Country of Particular Concern” by its paymaster. The country has a long history of religious intolerance. The 25% Hindu population has been reduced to less than 2%! The authorities turn a blind eye to the forcible Islamic conversions that occur in Pakistan. The Muslims of Pakistan are mostly radicalized Islamists that vandalize, loot, rape, and murder the non-Islamic population daily.
Kidnapping and forced Islamic conversion of child brides is the brutal truth of Pakistan’s diappearing minorities. Moreover, the blasphemy laws of Pakistan are often misused to target its religious minorities; including Christians, Sikhs, Jains, and Hindus. Violent attacks on places of worship are commonplace in the nation. Additionally, even Ahmadiyya Muslims face discrimination in this nation of pickpockets and deviant-minded fools! The inability of the religious teachers to teach tolerance coupled with the incapability of the authorities to uphold the law has ensured that Pakistan is hell on earth for all non-Islamic religious entities. Thus, its designation by the US highlights the urgent need for reform in Pakistan to address issues related to religious freedom within its borders.
Addressing Global Challenges to Religious Freedom
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent announcement of Religious Freedom Designations brings attention to the widespread challenges faced by religious communities globally. While the main focus is on China, Pakistan, and North Korea; the U.S. recognizes that religious freedom violations occur in various countries like Afghanistan, Myanmar, Iran, Cuba, Eritrea, Nicaragua, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Did you notice the large number of Muslim nations on the list? Do you still believe that Islam is a ‘peaceful’ religion?
The list is the USA’s attempt to guide worldwide condemnation of the abuses religious minorities face in these nations. However, while a promise to promote equality is a good cause, this list will not force such nations to reflect on their reality! To foster a world where all individuals can live with dignity and freedom of belief, the US must lead the Western nations to sanction such nations. The road to achieving the egalitarian goal of world peace involves sustained efforts. Therefore, religions or beliefs that teach intolerance must be neutered internally and externally! They must be revamped into a version where religious hate is condemned. Only then global cooperation will be able to combat religious hatred, intolerance, and persecution!