A debate has erupted in educational and social circles after criticism and opposition emerged from some quarters over the recent musical program held at Poonch University Rawalakot in Rawalakot district of Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
Students, teachers and various social figures have termed the program not just entertainment but a positive expression of art, culture, expression of opinion and the creativity of the youth.
Speakers and students said that developed nations around the world have made music, theater, literature and cultural activities an integral part of human development and social consciousness. According to them, art and cultural activities are part of the regular educational environment in universities of several Muslim countries including Turkey, Iran, Malaysia, Qatar and Egypt, where they are considered essential for personality development and mental growth.
Social circles also rejected the impression that religion is against art or music. They said that Islamic history has had great traditions of poetry, calligraphy, naat, qawwali, Sufi music and architecture, while the Sufi tradition of the subcontinent has promoted love, tolerance and philanthropy.
According to student leaders, universities are not just centers for awarding degrees but are also a place for research, critical awareness, creative thinking and positive social activities. They said that if fine arts, music and cultural activities are banned in educational institutions, the society may suffer from intolerance and intellectual stagnation.
Various circles urged the university administration to protect the educational environment from extremist thinking and narrow-mindedness and provide opportunities for healthy academic, literary and cultural activities to students. They said that everyone has the right to disagree, but no one can be allowed to impose their limited thinking on others.
Social and literary figures emphasized that art, music and culture are the identity and soul of any nation, while discouraging artists and creators pushes the society towards intellectual backwardness. They said that a beautiful and cultural region like Rawalakot needs knowledge, love, culture and creative freedom, not hatred or restrictions.
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