A plea for tolerance for the sake of the nation
By: Musa’ab El Bereir
In the historical context of the Prophet Muhammad’s entry into Mecca, a clear call for tolerance can be seen when he famously declared, “Go, you are free.” Despite being accused falsely, expelled, and facing persecution, the Prophet pardoned the people of Mecca and chose not to seek revenge. Instead, he responded to offence with forgiveness, showcasing the principles of tolerance in Islam.
Similarly, Christian teachings emphasise love, tolerance, and forgiveness. Jesus, as an example, taught not to retaliate with evil but to demonstrate tolerance by “showing the other cheek” in response to slaps, signifying the values of love, forgiveness, and compassion. These teachings serve as remedies for fanaticism and hatred, highlighting the strength and nobility of those who possess elevated souls and moral standards. Tolerance, mercy, and forgiveness are virtues that surpass the issue of personal dignity.
Tolerance is a crucial skill in civilised societies, serving as a reciprocal value that prevents differences from escalating into violent conflicts among various social groups. Unfortunately, individuals often cling to their own perspectives, refusing to open up and accept others, thereby threatening the concept of coexistence. This closed-mindedness hampers the search for common ground and fosters fanaticism, racism, and hostility towards anything that deviates from the norm. In its broadest sense, tolerance entails embracing diversity and pluralism in all its forms. It can be applied to various aspects, including ethnic and religious tolerance, gender-based tolerance, political tolerance, and more.
Sudan’s case presents a particularly challenging situation, both subjectively and objectively, as the country is grappling with dire political and economic conditions. National consensus seems elusive, and the country is facing the repercussions of political divisions, the military rebellion, and deteriorating economic circumstances. Over the past four years since the December revolution, efforts to achieve a comprehensive and inclusive national vision encompassing political, economic, and social realms have repeatedly failed. It is imperative for Sudan to navigate this transitional phase and establish a genuine democratic practice that embraces all Sudanese, as determined by the will of the people through fair elections.
One of considerable dangers facing the transitional period now is the state of division and political tensions. hindering reconciliation, unity, and the possibility of reaching a common program. Such program should unite the energies and capabilities of our people and control the direction of all political parties and various components of Sudanese society. This will help overcome internal and external issues, as well as the decline of Sudan’s regional and international influence. It is crucial to address these challenges and move away from narrow unilateral visions, and instead focus on achieving a comprehensive national consensus that includes political and civil components of different orientations. This united front will help overcome differences and face the fateful challenges that almost caused the country to collapse.
The strategic goal of the transitional period should be to hold elections and unite the internal front to address the challenges faced by the people’s livelihood, which have been made difficult due to conflicts between political parties. The repercussions of ongoing wars have also affected the homeland and citizens. Therefore, it is important to overcome domestic differences and promote tolerance and national dialogue, not only among political parties but among all components of Sudanese society. This will help achieve the rights of the Sudanese people and their legitimate dreams of stability, security, and a decent living. It will also aid in the reconstruction of what was destroyed by the devastating war.
Our social, cultural, political, and religious structure is characterised by diversity and pluralism. However, we have failed to effectively manage this diversity and harness it as a source of wealth and added value. Instead, it has become a curse that breeds weakness, division, and the cancellation of those who are different. Protecting diversity is a responsibility that falls on everyone, especially decision-makers, intellectuals, civil society movements, and political parties of all sects and ideologies. We must recognize the seriousness of this issue and understand its catastrophic repercussions on all aspects of our lives, as well as the future and shape of our state and our shared destiny. It is crucial that we take steps to contain and address this challenge.
To achieve this, we need to pursue an objective and rational form of governance, devoid of nepotism or fanaticism, and be open to each other’s ideas, perceptions, and interpretations. We should embrace the right to disagree, as long as it does not lead to hatred. Establishing a culture of tolerance requires each of us to take responsibility for the stage and the fate of our people, with the aim of correcting our political, social, and economic conditions. This will require joint efforts and hard work.
During this stage of democratic transition and nation-building, it is important for us to unite society, integrate everyone into the common national entity, and be open to the thoughts and beliefs of others. We must blur sub-differences and work towards the goals of fighting for freedom, peace, justice, and the establishment of a modern national state that serves all components of our great people.
Another dimension
In today’s interconnected world, where knowledge, ideas, and agreements are exchanged globally, it is crucial for us, as citizens of the same homeland with a shared destiny, to be open to each other’s ideas, engage in dialogue, and come to agreements on important issues that affect us all and shape the future of our generations. We all experience the suffering and injustice resulting from exclusionary policies, and we all share the desire for freedom, peace, and justice. It is important for us to recognize that the Sudanese national identity is pluralistic and tolerant, formed over time by various religious and social components that have contributed to its resilience and enrichment throughout history. It is not possible to impose the dominance of one group over another, nor can it be achieved without accepting each other and agreeing on the minimum requirements of national unity and a shared destiny. Failing to do so risks losing our homeland, which we are currently vying for in the struggle for positions of power.