Daily news tells us about the darkness of human behavior infesting Pakistan at this time. Literacy rate is low, violence is high, corruption and mistrust at high levels reigns, crimes and subjugation of women are tolerated, suicide bombers strike, a war on terror is being waged that kills innocent people.
A saving grace is that we can choose how to respond to the news we hear each day.
Recently, a young man studying in San Francisco visited the URI office shortly before his return to Pakistan. He carried back appreciation and respect for the diversity that he experienced in the US. He carried back deep love for his country and commitment to contribute to its positive change. As I said good bye I imagined him to be a courier of light (one among many) in the big darkness.
Activities promoting interfaith tolerance, conflict resolution, environmental restoration, women’s development, improved education, and inter-religious dialogue pour out from the URI CCs in Pakistan. URI is proud to connect, recognize and showcase, even in small ways, these outstanding citizen interfaith initiatives. All media should bring to public notice the positive citizen actions in Pakistan dedicated to pluralistic values, human rights and justice, and interfaith harmony and respect.
Like a member of our family who is hurting, let us send special love, blessings and caring thoughts to the beautiful land of Pakistan and its people. Let’s choose to respond to bad news from Pakistan by sending good thoughts, prayers and appreciation for each citizen’s effort. Imagine its fruitful lands restored and harmony among its people renewed. That’s the least we can do for a member of our global family.
