Humanity Has No Religion

In Jammu and Kashmir, two major religions are Muslim and Hindu which constitute 68 % and 24 % respectively. These religions have significantly influenced the lives of millions of people across the world, however, the little do we known that there are many similarities in their teachings. Despite the vast differences existing between individuals and religions, one thing that unites us is our shared humanity. This suggests that humanity has no religion, as religion itself is a man-made construct that attempts to define and understand our existence. An understanding of the world and our role in it can be gained through a variety of religious practices, rites, and beliefs. Although it could provide people a feeling of direction, meaning, and purpose, religion also has the capacity to cause strife and disagreements. This has been clear throughout history, as conflicts and acts of violence have often been sparked by religion.

Hinduism and Islam both view people as God’s own creations. In contrast to Hinduism, where it is thought that the god Brahma formed humanity from the cosmic soul, Islam holds that Allah created humans from clay. Humans are viewed in both religions as being a part of the greater cosmic order and connected to all other living things. Both religions place a high value on belonging to a community and taking care of others. This is represented in Islam’s notion of ummah, which describes the universal Muslim community that is united by a common religion and set of principles. Similar to this, the Hindu idea of dharma emphasises the significance of upholding one’s moral and social obligations to others. According to the teachings of both religions, people have a responsibility to improve their local communities and society at large. Both religions place a strong emphasis on humility and accepting one’s own limits. This is represented in Islam’s notion of tawheed, which is the acceptance of one’s own insignificance in relation to the divine and a belief in the unity of God. Similar to this, the Hindu concept of karma places emphasis on the notion that people are accountable for their own actions and must bear the consequences of those actions. Both religions advocate for humankind to seek to live in line with divine ideals and to be humble before the divine.

Islam and Hinduism emphasize the importance of service to others in the pursuit of self-realization. In Islam, the concept of khidma, or service, emphasizes the importance of serving others as a means to gain closeness to God. Similarly, in Hinduism, the concept of seva, or service, encourages individuals to serve others as a means to achieve spiritual enlightenment. Growing interest in spiritual traditions that go beyond specific religious identities is a sign of Kashmir’s shift towards a more human-centric society. For instance, a lot of people in Kashmir are looking into the Sufi teachings, a branch of Islam that places a strong emphasis on compassion and love as well as the oneness of all living things.

There are many instances of people and groups that have overcome these differences and worked towards a shared objective, despite the bad outcomes that might result from religious diversity. The people of Kashmir would want to work together for development, peace and prosperity. One such example in the recent times in Kashmir is when the residents of a village named Padgampora in Awantipora, South Kashmir, paid tributes to an Army soldier Sepoy Pawan Kumar through candle light march, who lost his life in an encounter with militants who were hiding in a mosque. He neutralized the terrorist while maintaining the sanctity of the mosque. Thousands of people were heard shouting slogans like ‘Pawan Kumar Amar Rahe’. In another example thousands of Muslims gathered for candle light protest against a Kashmiri Pandit named Sanjay Sharma, who worked as a bank security guard, was killed by terrorists in his native village Achan in Pulwama. These examples show that the fight against good and evil has no religion and ultimately people unite together for the betterment of humanity. They highlight the fact that while religion may be an important aspect of an individual’s identity, it does not define their humanity. There are many organizations and individuals working towards supporting the Kashmiri Pandit community and advocating for their rights. These efforts include providing financial and other forms of support to Kashmiri Pandits, raising awareness about their plight, and advocating for their inclusion and representation in decision-making processes related to the region. These efforts are a testament to the resilience and determination of the people of Kashmir to overcome the obstacles they face and work towards a brighter future.

There are also individuals and organizations working towards promoting education and empowerment in Kashmir. They recognize that education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and conflict in the region. These efforts include the establishment of schools and vocational training centers, as well as programs that provide scholarships and other forms of financial assistance to students who may not have access to education otherwise. Another example of efforts towards promoting humanity in Kashmir is the work being done by local activists to raise awareness about the conflict and advocate for peace. These individuals work to bring attention to the suffering of the people of Kashmir and call for an end to the violence and unrest. They use various forms of activism, such as protests, rallies, and social media campaigns, to spread their message and engage with the public.

The teachings of Islam and Hinduism are very similar, despite the fact that there are major disparities between their beliefs and practices. Both faiths place a strong emphasis on the monotheistic, morality, the family, the community, and the quest of knowledge and enlightenment. Mankind is devoid of religion. Although it may play a significant role in a person’s identity and offer a framework for understanding the world, religion is ultimately a human invention. Any religion can’t separate us from our shared humanity, which serves as a foundation for mutual respect and collaboration amongst people of different faiths and groups. Instead, then letting our differences in religion divide us, it is crucial that we celebrate and acknowledge our shared humanity. Individuals from various religious origins can coexist by acknowledging and appreciating these similarities.

Ideas, Opinions and Views expressed in articles are Writer’s own and may not be in accord with those of SUBAH KASHMIR