Hate Speech in Mosques Versus Sectarian Violence in Pakistan: Causes and Recommendations

Abstract

Language is a means of communication to convey one’s message to one’s fellow beings. In Pakistan, language has been symbolized as tool of hate, intolerance, and aggression which foment socio-political, economic-religious, and sectarian conflicts. Religious clerics (Imams) hailing from diverse sects play a very pessimistic role to utter such words from the pulpit in Mosques promote extreme hatred and prejudiced among their respective audience and followers which result in the intolerant society leading to sectarian clashes. This study aims at to highlight the hidden major causes of spreading syndrome of the hate speech phenomenon in Pakistani society. The study is based upon observation and interviews; and some prominent literature to address the research question.