Page 113 - Non-violence and peace-building

Non-violence and Peace-building in Islam

think it very important to maintain their separate
identity. Co-religionists of the Indian Christians from
Western countries—Western colonial powers—invaded
and conquered India and exploited it for centuries. A
Christian colonial power sided with the people who
wanted to partition India. The centres of religious
loyalty for Indian Christians are located outside India.
Christians are sometimes accused by some people of
being agents of imperialist powers.
Yet, despite all of this, the Christians’ interests are
fully preserved in India. This is because as a community,
they benefit others. They are givers, not just takers.

Christians number just a few million in India,
around 2 per cent of the country’s population. The
country’s Muslim population is much more than
theirs. Yet, there is a tremendous difference between
the two communities. In this country, Christians have
established hospitals, schools and social service centres
on a vast scale. A sizeable proportion of government
officials and employees have studied in Christian
schools. Christian hospitals are considered to be
among the best in the country. There are thousands of
social service centres run by Christians all across India,
helping the sick and the needy. And so on.
On the other hand, Muslims in this country are a
community that knows only how to protest and make
demands. They have hardly any educational institutions,
hospitals and social service centres—certainly far from
enough for serving even their own needs, leave alone
for serving others.

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