Living together in peace: A choice we must make

Every day, we encounter countless kinds of people in our lives. The world is made up of people from different religions, races, and belief systems. From the dawn of time, ethnic conflict and communal tensions have been part of human history. Perhaps, because of our inherently quarrelsome nature, even from the earliest days of civilisation, humans have clashed—sometimes fatally—with their kind, including closely related species such as Homo neanderthalensis and Homo erectus. These groups eventually disappeared into the folds of time, leaving Homo sapiens as the sole survivor.

But even among the sapiens, division continued. Tribes, castes, and communities emerged, and the record of ethnic conflict throughout history paints a picture of humanity as a species often bent on destruction rather than peace.

Yet, for the sake of human progress—and for building a just and beautiful society—the ability to live together and be tolerant of each other's views is crucial.

Recognising this, humans established institutions like the family, society, and the state. At the core of all these institutions lies one vital value: tolerance.

Without tolerance, we cease to be human in the truest sense. We become aggressive and hostile. When we can no longer accept others' viewpoints and feel compelled to impose our ideologies or beliefs, peaceful coexistence breaks down.

Take a look at Dhaka city today. Are we even aware of our surroundings? Many of us are so busy that we barely know the people who live next door.

This emotional and social distance, despite our physical proximity, interrupts the very notion of coexistence.

What we need is mutual respect and understanding. We must learn to accept that not everyone will share our opinion, and we must still show tolerance and empathy toward them. That is the foundation of peace.

To emphasise the importance of this value, the United Nations established the International Day of Living Together in Peace, observed annually on 16 May.

According to UNESCO's official website, "Living together in peace is all about accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognise, respect and appreciate others, as well as living in a peaceful and united way."

The day calls on UN member states, organisations, and civil society to celebrate through education, awareness-building, and cultural activities. The goal is simple yet profound: to promote peace, tolerance, unity, and harmony within diversity. But what exactly does "peaceful coexistence" mean? Is it simply the absence of war or avoiding conflict? Not at all. Peaceful coexistence means creating a society where everyone is tolerant of differing views, where human rights take priority, and where individuals and nations alike stand united in upholding the dignity of every person. It's about forming connections not only between individuals, but between countries.

The day advocates a world where all countries, regardless of differences, speak in unison for justice and human dignity.

This vision is aligned with the UN Charter, which aims to protect future generations from the scourge of war.

In today's world, where religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity is ever-growing, the need for interfaith dialogue, intercultural respect, and tolerance has never been greater.

This day is open for everyone to celebrate. You can share messages of peace on social media, read books about different cultures, attend cultural events, or have a conversation with your friends and family about the importance of harmony.

You can volunteer at a local peace-building initiative or actively avoid unnecessary conflict in everyday life. You can also join international webinars and discussions to contribute to the global movement for peace.

Because in the end, every small act of tolerance contributes to a more peaceful world. Everyone must develop awareness at a personal level to ensure peaceful coexistence.

We need to learn to accept that differences of opinion are entirely natural. Every individual has genetic distinctions and is shaped by a unique environment. So, expecting everyone to agree on everything is nothing but a fanciful notion. This must be believed and kept in mind.

Since disagreement is natural, we must respect individuality and remain tolerant and respectful toward others' views.

No one should be attacked for holding a different opinion. Believing in diversity, we must move forward to build an inclusive society.

To create a more peaceful world for future generations, we must uphold tolerance and respect for all, keeping the door open to a better and brighter future.

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