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Eleventh Study Circle of Bacha Khan Fellows

Tuesday, 11 July 2017 21:53
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Eleventh Study Circle of Bacha Khan Fellows


Report: Natasha


The 11th Study Circle for Fellows was held at the BKTEF headquarters on July 8,2017. It was based on "Naveed e Fikr" by Sibt e Hassan. The study circle was attended by almost 55 participants belonging to Swat, Dir,Chitral, Waziristan, Hangu, Swabi, Mardan, Peshawar and Charsadda.


Different aspects of the book were broadly discussed by Faheem Ullah, Tahira Kaleem, Nadia Khan, Mehnaz, Gulalai Ismail, Afsar Afghan, Jamila Gilani, Aqeela, Sana Ejaz, Zubair Hasrat, Sher Alam Afridi and Tariq Pukhtunyaar.


They shed light on the major themes of the book, i.e., evolution of various civilisations, State, secularism and individual and religion. They discussed in detail the scientific way of thinking, the difference between Nation and State, Pluralist narrative, patriarchy, and the state of Pakhtun nation in the present political scenario.


The discussion was further taken forward by all the fellows in an open discussion where they discussed various aspects of the book. They maintained that Secularism needs to be properly understood which is in fact freedom of thought, freedom to criticise, respect for diverse faiths and freedom to argue. It was established in the study circle that secularism has brought individual freedoms and discouraged people from using religion only to promote vested interests and legitimise their usurpation of power.


The study circle was concluded by Dr.Khadim Hussain on the note that faith is embedded in the subjective existence of an individual while nation, society and state arise out of social relations of individuals within a particular geography as an objective reality. Historically, religion in militarised states has been used as a tool to for the interests of the ruling elite of the State. He argued that activists in this part of world have to be engaged in a two pronged struggle. One way for the Pakhtun nation is to identify their resources, mend the ruptures in their history, find space for political struggle and create alternatives to the existing monopolised institutions of knowledge creation. The second simultaneous strategy is to work for inclusion of all nations and ethnicities in the decision making process of the state, challenge patriarchy, create alternative education system, challenge the class nature of the state and develop alternative media. Networking among political parties, social organisations, academia and professional organisations to achieve the goals of collective empowerment and genuine representative democracy is the need of the hour. We need to strengthen civil society through genuine political parties and gather support for enhancing the scope of federalism at the same time.


Next study circle is decided to be held on August 5, 2017. Text selected for the next study circle is "Da Pakta Wena" by Basheer Khan Matta.



Last Updated on Tuesday, 11 July 2017 22:06
 
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