The Sunday Mail
Linda Mzapi
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said: “There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action.” The world is engulfed with social unrest and deadly wars, with many of this arising from ignorance being put into action. In particular, the lack of religious tolerance has led to much bloodshed.It was with this in mind that Zimbabwe United Nations Association last week launched an initiative called “Inter-religious Tolerance Dialogue” designed to promote religious tolerance in the country.
Zuna co-ordinator Miss Juanita Chimbandi told The Sunday Mail Religion at a workshop at Avondale mosque in Harare that they saw the need to address religious intolerance as it is one of the main causes of unrest in the world.
The workshop attracted schools such as Dzivarasekwa High 1, Lord Malvern High, Ellis Robins Boys High and Fatima Zahra College.
“We saw the need to address religious intolerance from grassroots level so that as Zimbabweans we avoid route of religious intolerant nations. We have started with the Islam religion and we are going to do this for all the religions in this country. As a result this initiative will go a long way in dealing with religious intolerance starting with the youths.”
Religious intolerance is dealt with via processes of socialisation that impart the right knowledge.
“A lot of wars are being fought because we do not understand each other,” added Mrs Chimbandi, who pointed out that Zimbabweans enjoy freedom of worship, which is a constitutional right of every citizen.
Community on Dialogue chairperson Mrs Hajira Makwinja hailed the Zuna programme, saying: “We want to remove fear and stigma but not only to tolerate Islam but all religions as well. We are walking towards one God therefore we should eat and drink together, we are a family, different religions but one people. If you have a misunderstanding ask, not to condemn.
“Let us be ambassadors of each other’s religions; if a person tries to stereotype another religion you should boldly defend it whether you are aligned to it or not because you will be well knowledgeable.”
Ali Mahdavi from the Islamic Republic of Iran said Zuna’s effort would go a long way towards ending stereotypes.
“Ignorance is the problem and this initiative will go a long way in removing stereotypes created towards different religions in the world,” he said.
Students who participated in the dialogue visited the mosque and familiarised themselves with aspects of Islam.
“I came here because I want to learn and understand Muslims better,” remarked Chiedza Nyakotywa, a student from Dzivarasekwa High 1.
“We are here to instil and nurture religious tolerance and respect each other despite the difference in religion,” added Mrs Clara Machingauta, a teacher at Dzivarasekwa High 1.
