BEING an educationist, I felt good when I got to know that the implications of the single national curriculum (SNC) were discussed at an event held by the National Commission for Justice and Peace.

Pakistan is a country where religious freedom has prevailed since its independence. Also, whatever is taught at the school level sounds correct. After all, the objective of all books, including textbooks, is to transfer knowledge related to all matters, including ethics and religion.

It is the prime responsibility of parents of minority communities to discuss various matters that are part of Islamiat books with their children at home, and take it as a comparative study of religions.

Indeed, no teacher asks students of minority communities to change their religion. However, to be able to appreciate and respect ethical matters is a common goal applicable to all students irrespective of religion.

Studying Islamiat should be taken as an opportunity, not a problem, which may open the minds of the young, giving them an opportunity to think why there are different religious ideologies and the objectives behind them. Once they are able to understand the spirit of religions, internal, local, regional and global peace is more likely to have a chance.

Munawar Hameed Mangalwala
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2023