Unity and Diversity- Islamic Perspective By Dr Muzzamil Siddiqi
I believe that it is possible to have unity with diversity. In the world in which we are living today, and it is rightly called "the global village", we cannot imagine having unity without diversity. It is not only that people in different parts of the world are diverse, but now we have a lot of diversity in our own cities, towns, indeed in our neighborhoods. People who live next door to us are often very diverse in colors, cultures and religions.
I am pleased that in USA there are many people who are thinking and exploring ways and means to develop a society where people of diverse faiths and cultures can live together in peace and harmony. American democracy is built on the principles of unity in diversity (E pluribus Unum). To a great extent we can say that in modern times United States presents a fairly good example of such unity in diversity or what is called today as pluralism.
As a Muslim I must say that we appreciate these efforts and we support them. Our religion Islam gives much guidance on the subject of diversity, unity, harmony, tolerance and peace. I thank you for inviting me to share with you some of my views on this issue from an Islamic perspective.
Diversity:
Islam teaches us that diversity is a fact of nature and it makes the nature beautiful. God has created this whole universe with diversity. God says in the Qur'an:
See you not that Allah sends down rain from the sky? With it We then bring out produce of various colors. And in the mountains are tracts white and red, of various shades of color, and black intense in hue. And so amongst men and crawling creatures and cattle, are they of various colors. Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge: for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving. (35:27-28)
There is diversity among human beings. They have variety of genders, colors and languages and multiplicity of races and tribes. These diversities are considered natural and are called "God's signs" in the Qur'an (30:20-22). They are indicative of God's creative power and wisdom and are good and healthy since they endow human life with richness and beauty. God wants human beings to derive benefit from this diversity and not to allow it to generate unhealthy schisms and divisions in their ranks.
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