The Oxford University Press and The Jinnah Society hosted a talk by Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy, Professor and Chairman, Department of Physics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad.
In his talk titled 'The Dialectics of Faith, Unity, Discipline: What Does Pakistan Need Today?' Dr Hoodbhoy pointed out that Jinnah's call of 'Faith, Unity, Discipline' has been the one dominant motto for Pakistanis.
He said that by applying the principle of Hegelian dialectics towards understanding 'Faith, Unity, Discipline', we can creatively re-interpret what this could mean for today's Pakistan. 'Faith', Dr Hoodbhoy maintained, must come with critical judgement and Pakistan needs minds that can deal with the complex nature of truth.
As a man of high intellect, Jinnah could not have meant blind faith but, rather, one that is tempered by the right amount of good judgement and scepticism. Dr Hoodbhoy explained that 'Unity' is excellent if it can be achieved but it should not come at the cost of diversity. Pakistanis need to accept diversity and differences as a virtue, If we want unity in the face of diversity, then the majority must stop trying to force themselves upon the minorities. It is imperative that all Pakistanis be declared equal citizens in every way. Discussing the third element of Jinnah's dictum.
Dr Hoodbhoy was of the opinion that 'Discipline' is essential for a civilised society but freedom is just as important. He said that the 'Talibanization' of Pakistan is the antithesis of freedom which will create an unhappy, violent society that crushes the human spirit and destroys all creativity. Pakistan, particularly its women, need freedom from the crushing oppression all around.
Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy holds a Ph.D. in nuclear physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and is the recipient of the Abdus Salam Prize for Mathematics, the Baker Award for Electronics, the Faiz Ahmad Faiz Prize for contribution to education in Pakistan, and the UNESCO 2003 Kalinga Prize for the popularisation of science.
Dr Hoodbhoy has written and spoken extensively on topics ranging from science in Islam to education issues in Pakistan, and nuclear disarmament. He is the author of Islam and Science: Religious Orthodoxy and the Battle for Rationality, which has been published in five languages.
The talk was followed by questions from the audience. Earlier, Liaquat Merchant, President, The Jinnah Society, welcomed the guests, and Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director, Oxford University Press Pakistan and Secretary-General, The Jinnah Society, introduced Dr Pervez HoodbhOy.-PR