Whether Pakistani society is void of any

Whether Pakistani society is void of any

Whether the Hindu culture is invading Pakistani society or not has remained a big debate among people.

While some people take the prevalence as an invasion, others support it by saying that diversity in cultures is always a good thing. Hindu culture has so deeply seeped into our societal roots that it is often hard to distinguish between Pakistani culture and Hindu culture. Following are the positive and negative impacts of Hindu culture on our society and personal lives: Negative ImpactIncreasing ignorance towards Islam Most of the Hindu practices are against Islamic spirit and values. However they have blended so much into our lives that most of us are unaware of Islamic way of doing things. Today we follow these practices without any hesitation. The examples of practices which are prohibited by Allah swt but promoted by Hindu culture are as follow: * Gender Mixing in weddings and other festivals The set up of Islamic society does not support gender mixing in festivals and elsewhere.

Islam teaches strict limits regarding interaction with non Mehrams. However, today Pakistani society is void of any such practices. This is due to Hindu culture which seeped into Muslims in the pre partition era and has remained a part of our lives till today. * Wastage of money Islam commands us to adopt simplicity and save ourselves from wasting our money. “And be not excessive. Indded He does not like those who commit excess” (141:6) Islamic concept of marriage is based on convenience and simplicity so that no one finds it a burden.

In contrast, the marriages which are prevailing in our society based on Hindu practices involve so much spending that poor finds it hard to marry his children. Today, arranging proper wedding functions with mendi and mayoun has become a social norm, so much so that those who don’t do it become the odd ones out in the society. The one who spends more has I higher status in society and is more acceptable.

Thus spending and showing off has become the criteria of acceptability in the society. * Distortion of Islamic values The most important value taught to us by Our Prophet s. . w is modesty. Modesty does not only encompass our dressing but it includes all aspects of life. This value is being destroyed by media especially through soap serials and bollywood movies.

In addition, Islamic values of letting go of your own right for your Muslim brother, truthfulness are being eliminated from todays youth because they are so much influenced by todays media. Positive Impact While some see the presence of Hindu culture as an invasion, others see it in a positive aspect. for some, the prevalence of Hindu culture can be seen as cultural diversity.Considering the fact the Muslims and Hindus lived together for such a long time, it is now difficult o differentiate between Hindu Culture and Muslim Culture. Future Outlook Every nation in the world is identified through its culture. While Pakistan has rich cultural diversity within the country itself, one force that unites its people is Islam.

. It offers a complete code of life which if followed can unite the whole ummah. For us Muslim, culture has two meanings. One in terms of regional culture example dress, language etc.

he other meaning is a broader one and refers to Islamic Culture. Islamic culture, which derives its constituents from Islam, has enough room for the meanings suggested by the concept of culture. Islamic culture is the foundation of the personality of the umma, and the expression of its aspirations and hopes, as well as the pillar of its unity, thus it has become necessary to understand its essence. The prevalence of Hindu culture in our society is not only harming our regional culture, but also destroying our Islamic culture which is even more detrimental.The values of our youth are being destroyed, the youth which is a precious asset of our Ummah is being affected by media so much that he has forgotten his identity of being an ummati.

In short following Hindu culture has stolen our Islamic heritage from us. Today, no culture could survive without getting in contact with other cultures. Diversity has become living reality. This does not mean, however, that Muslims would open up onto alien cultures without being selective. Assimilation of other cultures should be first gauged on the basis of any harm it might cause to our identity of being an ummati.