Photo with Muslim Fundamentalists

Next to Islamic Fundamentalists at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore — I want to make sure that everyone understands that a common misconception to think a big number of people in Pakistan are Islamic fundamentalists. This is simply NOT TRUE. Pakistan is a diverse country with a population of over 220 million people, and like any country, it has a wide range of beliefs and viewpoints. Here are some facts:

• Pakistan is a predominantly Muslim country, but it is home to a number of religious minorities, including Hindus, Christians, and Sikhs.
• Pakistan’s constitution guarantees religious freedom for all its citizens, regardless of their faith
• While Islam is an important part of Pakistani culture and society, it is not the only factor that shapes people’s lives and identities

I have been here for 2 months, and I have mostly met with moderate to very liberal Muslims but is also important to acknowledge that extremist groups do exist in Pakistan. And what are some ideas to counter fundamentalism?

1. Promoting education and critical thinking
2. Counter social media extremist propaganda
3. Supporting moderate voices
4. Addressing issues such as poverty, lack of education, and social and political marginalization (root causes for fundamentalist ideas to develop and spread)

Pakistan has been a country where they are so many lessons to be learned, being here has provided me with massive insight into every single aspect of human life and myself. I am grateful to be here in Pakistan…