As we mark Eidul Azha today, it is a time to think of just how much has changed and will change in the coming days and months. A festival devoted to the spirit of sacrifice must indeed give us pause to think about what the Covid-19 pandemic has brought in its wake – and why it has struck the world the way it has. We should be thinking of how we can all, as individuals, groups and communities, sacrifice to improve the situation of the 220 million people who now form our rapidly growing nation. Not only that, as people of a world that is facing similar challenges and nightmares, we must see what we can sacrifice easily for the good of the world at large. For now, we must pray for peace and health for everyone. For a world that can meet each other without fear of getting ill and dying. For a world where travel is possible. And where children can go to school without worry, or meet their grandparents openly.
Most of all, Eidul Azha is a time when we should be thinking not only of our own families, but also of others who may live less privileged lives. This is especially important today when the pandemic has struck people's livelihoods in a cruel manner. The spirit of the occasion is all about compassion and sharing. There is unfortunately too little of this in our deeply segmented world. Divides need to be bridged and a more even space created in which all can share. We must hope the groundwork that can make this possible can be laid down step by step. Let's hope this Eid is more than just rituals, and that people go beyond the superfluous so that its true meaning can be brought home to everyone in the country and a sense of commonality constructed which links up people everywhere within our own borders, and also those living across them in the region as a whole and in other parts of the world. To create a better world, we must hope for a better system – which serves all of humanity and not just the one percent of it.
Shahzaib Rind, Pakistan's martial arts fighter from Quetta. — Facebook/shahzaibrindhofficial/FileShahzaib Rind has...
A representational image showing women at a market. — AFP/FileIn the six weeks since he assumed office, not only has...
Country witnessed 432 violence-linked fatalities and 370 injuries among civilians, security personnel, and outlaws
During Raisi’s visit, Iran and Pakistan signed a total of eight accords on varying subjects to enhance cooperation...
Every year, millions of girls silently say goodbye to their education and the promise of a better career and get married
Ruling party emerged victorious in by-elections and as per unofficial results has won at least two out of five NA...