RELIGIOUS platforms play a crucial role in shaping societal awareness and guiding people toward noble values and principles, especially in light of contemporary intellectual and social challenges.
However, the impact of these platforms depends on how effectively they are utilised to deliver enlightening messages that promote tolerance, citizenship values and critical thinking, rather than merely adhering to traditional discourse or repetitive preaching.
Recently, I received a video via social media featuring a religious scholar in Bahrain delivering a sermon during the holy month of Ramadan.
To be fair, he deserves appreciation and gratitude for the content of his sermon. He addressed the importance of environmental preservation, public cleanliness along the coasts and the necessity of maintaining public facilities in parks.
He also emphasised the need to avoid damaging or vandalising these state-funded amenities, affirming that such acts are religiously prohibited.
Personally, I have repeatedly called in my previous articles for the discussion of such topics, which aim to correct inappropriate behaviours within society. It is crucial to send a clear message to both citizens and residents about the negative impact of such uncivilised practices.
Religious leaders complement the role of families and schools in moral education, yet both institutions have been significantly negligent in this regard. Everyone shares the responsibility of working hand in hand to elevate societal awareness, instil noble values, and promote correct behaviours, which are already embedded in our Islamic teachings. By doing so, we can cultivate these values in people’s hearts and contribute to sustainable development.
Religious figures hold substantial influence over all segments of society – their voices are heard and obeyed more than others! Therefore, it is essential to utilise religious platforms to deliver sermons and lectures on all noble Islamic values to instil them in the behaviour of younger generations. Such efforts will undoubtedly yield positive and fruitful results.
Furthermore, religious sermons must emphasise the importance of accepting others, rejecting fanaticism and fostering a culture of dialogue rather than conflict. This can be achieved by dismantling hate speech and clarifying the true teachings of Islam, which promote mercy, justice and peaceful coexistence.
Sermons should also address social issues from ethical and humanitarian perspectives, such as human rights, combating corruption and highlighting the significance of work and productivity. Additionally, they should encourage critical thinking, posing questions and linking religious texts to historical and contemporary contexts rather than interpreting them rigidly.
On the contrary, the intellectual stagnation of some preachers and their reliance on outdated methods that do not align with modern times pose significant challenges and barriers to progress.
Moreover, the political exploitation of religious platforms diverts them from their enlightening role, turning them into tools for promoting extreme and negative ideologies that undermine human values and disrupt societal cohesion. Additionally, the lack of proper scholarly training among some preachers can result in unbalanced discourse that is disconnected from the real needs of society.
This raises an important question: How can we develop the role of religious platforms?
I believe this can be achieved through the proper training of preachers and enhancing their knowledge of modern thought, sociology and psychology, making their discourse more impactful and relevant. Additionally, sermons should focus on ethical values and shared humanitarian principles rather than engaging in narrow theological or jurisprudential debates. Moreover, utilising modern communication tools can help disseminate enlightening messages to a broader audience.
In conclusion, if religious platforms transform into conscious and enlightening spaces, they will undoubtedly contribute significantly to building more aware and open-minded societies, capable of facing challenges with a renewed and enlightened vision.
I sincerely hope to see more positive and enlightening sermons delivered in all places of worship. This task is not easy, but it is absolutely necessary if we aspire to create a cultured, aware and exemplary society.
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