Article on Celyon Today: Pluralism and its Contemporary Challenges [24/09/2015]

This lecture which was organized by the Bakeer Markar Centre for National Unity (BMCNU) drew an august assembly of academics, artistes and politicians. Speaking on the topic ‘Pluralism and its Contemporary Challenges’, the professor highlighted the significance of co-existence with other communities whilst being comfortable with one’s own identity.
He added that in the current backdrop the main questions are about minorities, ‘assimilating, and integrating as models’ of potential living together as community. He however, deemed the terms ‘integration and assimilation’ in relevance to minorities coexisting with other communities was very ‘loaded’.

“I would never use the term integration with regard to Sri Lanka. We do not know who is integrated to what. Is asking the minority be integrated? This is their country too, they are not migrants. If it is migrants, the difference between indigenous people and migrants, is that the indigenous people are older migrants. It is a question of time and a question of history.” he said.
In Sri Lanka, making reference to integration must be avoided and there should be an inclusive narrative of all the people from all spiritualities, religions, background, and cultural memories which shapes the definition of being a Sri Lankan citizen, he said.
“The only mutual term that I found in our terminology was ‘pluralism’, pluralism is a fact. We live in pluralistic societies,” he said. This means that people with different backgrounds, religions and memories are shaping countries where they should refer to the same narrative in achieving the same future and trying to share the same hope, he said and continued; “The more you do not know who you are, the more you fear who you are not.”
Prof. Ramadan explained further, “We are often asked who we are first. To whom are we loyal to first? We should be loyal to our principles. We must use our multiple identities to stand against justice. If you are a Sri Lankan, and you see the Sri Lankan Government do something unjust, you must speak up using your identity as a Sri Lankan citizen. If you are a Muslim, and you see a Muslim committing injustice, even then you have to speak up. The same applies whether you are a Buddhist, Christian, or a Hindu. It is important to build connection in universal values, and the only universal values are the shared universal values common to all, be it Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, agnostic or atheist. In all the spiritualities in the world, they speak about dignity; they speak about justice, and freedom. We have common values. Sri Lanka has a long history, identity was not a problem here several centuries ago.” he said.

Continuing he said that the freedom comes with limits adding that all the religions in the world comes with strict rules, as more disciplined when one is with their own self, then the process will be more liberating, adding that freedom cannot be experienced without discipline.
“This is the problem of the modern culture. It takes us to the periphery of doing what you want, and follow your instincts. You think you are free, but you are actually following the stimulus which is coming from outside. This is not freedom, it is a superficial attraction. This is not in contradiction to the Christian traditions, Buddhist traditions, or the Muslim traditions. We have to have limits and principles.” Prof. Ramadan explained.

He further added that freedom was vastly challenged in the modern world, adding that a ‘New slavery’ is prevalent in the world.
“From Eastern Europe there are those who come to the Western Europe and engage in prostitution. There are many migrant workers from Sri Lanka and other countries who work in Gulf States in challenging conditions. These are not acceptable. We must stand up against these in the name of dignity and in the name of respect. The influence of western thought on freedom is ‘tolerance’ with others. Tolerance means to suffer the presence of another. However, we cannot ‘suffer’ a person presence; we should get to know the other well. You should go beyond the concept of tolerance.” he remarked.

He further added that spirituality must not be confused with emotion, adding that spirituality must not be set against rationality. He further added that in countries where one ethnicity or religion holds the majority, the politics are driven by emotions.
“Spirituality is what you get deep down in your heart. Emotion is what you get. When Princess Diana died the emotion which flowed was unbelievable. When one picture of drowned little boy was shown on the internet, the whole world reacted, despite the fact that for five years people were being killed and were dying in the Mediterranean sea. Who is playing this? And how come are we reacting to this? This emotion driven politics is very dangerous. The act of freedom must be dealt with intelligence. We shouldn’t confuse the deep spirituality which is giving us freedom and emotion which give us superficial freedom from the surface of our instinct, and there manipulate our freedom. Now the media decides whether or not the people are going to react tomorrow,” he said.

Sri Lanka has gone through difficult times; however, it is important to try to understand the people and to be compassionate, and to know how to forgive.
Prof. Ramadan said “the only way to solve what happened in this country is with justice and respecting the wounds of the people and it has to be through forgiveness, and then to work to move beyond that.”

BY SHAAHIDAH RIZA