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To
a varying degree individuals in every society have a certain
personal freedom which allows them the choice to fix their
priorities in life. Such freedom thus provides everyone the
ability to decide the extent to which one wishes to focus
on personal gains and benefits or work for the collective
good of society.
At
the same time everyone of us must continually remain conscious
of the triangle that needs to remain positively interactive
to build a happy, healthy and balanced society. The concept
of such a society though complex and not so easy to define
still can at least be measured by the overall happiness and
satisfaction of the larger majority of the inhabitants or
any given society. It is in this background that one can try
to define a non-government individual (NGI) and see how they
differ from ordinary individuals.
The
concept essentially involves a deep desire and serious commitment
of an individual to actively participate in efforts to build
a happy and healthy society. Our national poet and philosopher
of the east Allama Dr. Mohammad Iqbal had repeatedly emphasized
the role of individuals (FARAD as he called them) in determining
the destiny of nations.
The
concept of NGI is best illustrated by citing the examples
of such individuals from a society as they are part of every
society. From Pakistan one can easily cite the example of
Abdul Sattar Edhi who is now known all over the world.
From
the point of view of the present discussion on Islam, Technology
and Sustainable development it is extremely important to strongly
emphasize that a large number of NGIs will have to become
actively involved in this struggle to achieve tangible success.
From that point of view in this forum for discussion among
leading scholars it is crucial to discuss the role of individuals
in achieving economic prosperity. Such individuals can at-least
partially develop a “Code of Conduct” for themselves including
being accountable to themselves, and guided by the dictates
of their conscience. With this new approach once it becomes
widely disseminated and accepted one can initiate a new process
for socio economic development.
It
is also important to clearly state that the idea is fully
consistent with teachings of Islam.
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