Culture (from the Latin cultura stemming from colere, meaning “to cultivate”) generally refers to patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activities significance and importance. It is a broad term that encompasses beliefs, values, norms, behaviors, and overall can be understood as our “way of being.” When we go out into the world, we will come into contact with people from different backgrounds and walks of life. It’s a good rule of thumb to honor cultural diversity with our actions. Cultural diversity is synonymous with multiculturalism, defined by the Encyclopedia Britannica as, “the view that cultures, races, and ethnicities, particularly those of minority groups, deserve special acknowledgment of their differences within a dominant political culture.” The importance of cultural diversity can be interpreted on the basis of these related actions: Recognizing that there is a large amount of cultures that exist, Respecting each other’s differences, Acknowledging that all cultural expressions are valid, Valuing what cultures have to bring to the table, Empowering diverse groups to contribute, Celebrating differences, not just tolerating them. Fundamentally, cultural diversity is about bringing people together from a diverse set of backgrounds and cultures, then creating an environment that not only recognizes the differences between those cultures and backgrounds, but celebrates them. It helps create a space for people to be authentically themselves. So, what are some examples of cultural diversity? In a work place, we observe multilingual team, having a diverse range of ages working together, having policies that are vocally against discrimination, etc. Cultural diversity in the workplace refers to hiring employees from different backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, and culture. Hiring a diverse pool of talent is beneficial for the company and the employees. Embracing cultural diversity in the workplace is essential for every business to establish its brand value. This is why many organizations have implemented diversity and inclusion programs. when you plan to hire new employees, consider making an effort to engage a diverse group of people. Include people across racial and ethnic identities, sexualities, and cultural backgrounds. By doing so, your organization will be able to avail the benefits of cultural diversity. In a school setting, we observe students from all over the world, accepting all religious practices and traditions, supporting students to share their cultures with one another, etc. Cultural diversity is important in every setting in life, but it can be even more crucial when it happens within education. Students around the world have the right to equal access of quality education, and as such, there are many upsides that come along with it when institutions believe in the power of diversity. Cultural diversity in education helps to support: 1. Deep Learning-s Learning happens within the curriculum and outside of it. With a diverse student population, students have the privilege of gaining more understanding about people and backgrounds from all over. This also contributes to diversity of thought and perspectives that make learning more interesting and dynamic. 2. Confidence And Growth- When students participate with people from varied cultures, it provides them with more confidence in dealing with things outside of their comfort zones. It can build strength of character, pride, and confidence. 3. Preparation For The Future- If a workplace has done the necessary work, it’s bound to be culturally diverse. Attending a culturally diverse institute of education will prepare students for their future in a workplace. 4. More Empathy- Interacting with people who have diverse practices, beliefs, life experiences, and culture promotes empathy. While you can never fully understand someone’s life without being them, you can learn, listen, and understand. The world is naturally multicultural. Approaching cultural diversity with a mindset and actions that embrace this fact leads to many benefits, like: Compassion: Communication and understanding of differences leads to increased compassion instead of judgment. Innovation: Varied perspectives and lens of looking at the world lend to innovative thinking. Productivity: People who come together and bring their own style of working together tend to support a more productive team. New Opportunities: The diversity opens the door to new opportunities and the blending of ideas which would otherwise have been homogeneous. Problem-Solving: Challenges are layered, so having people with different backgrounds can lead to better problem-solving with richness of opinions. Individuals and institutions alike have the agency to support cultural diversity. If you’re unsure how you can take action to do so, consider these ideas: Interact with people outside of your culture, Be open-minded to listen and let go of judgment, If you see anyone who is being culturally insensitive, speak out against it, Accept that differences are beneficial and not harmful, Don’t force your beliefs on people with opposing views, Advocate to hire people or work with people who are not within your same culture, Travel the world as much as you can to take part in cultures and understand them from the source, Read literature and learn from different cultures, Absorb media and art from around the world, Learn a new language and communicate in a friend’s native language rather than your own. We know, the University of the People was founded with the mission to offer accessible education that’s affordable to students from the entire globe. We believe that our differences bring strength and can help to promote world peace, just like education. That’s why we have a global student body with students attending our online degree programs from over 200 countries and territories. While institution is set up to be affordable to all because programs are tuition-free, with specific scholarships that help to grow cultural diversity. In brief, the world is filled with people who have different beliefs, religions, traditions, and ways of living. It is within our differences that we can find beauty. Both in educational and professional environments, cultural diversity benefits everyone. It paves the way to better problem-solving, more empathy and compassion, deepened learning, and approaches the world from various perspectives. Religious diversity brings awareness to the significant differences in religious belief and practice. In searching for a richer and deeper understanding of diverse cultures, one must embrace religious tolerance, understanding, acceptance and a willingness to move beyond our differences. We know, Monotheistic religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam agree that there is a sole God. Polytheistic religions such as Taoism, Japanese Shinto, and Chinese folk religion hold that there are multiple deities (gods). While Hinduism typically recognizes many gods and goddesses, it is not polytheistic. Religion can then act as cultural identity marker. There are, however, many potential cultural markers (i.e. language, shared history, race and geography). People can view others not in terms of ethnicity but primarily in terms of religion. The major religions of world teach tolerance and understanding of diverse cultures. Islam is not culturally predatory, and it teaches Muslims to look upon all cultural heritages with an open mind, especially those where they live and to which they belong. Once, a group of Ethiopian converts began to dance with drums and spears in the Prophet’s mosque in celebration of an annual Islamic festival. The Companion ‘Umar attempted to stop them, but the Prophet intervened and urged them to continue. In one Hadith, he said to them: “Play your games, sons of Ethiopia, so that the Jews and Christians know that there is flexibility (fusḥa) in our religion.” By this and similar acts, the Prophet set the precedent of affirming cultural differences and made it clear that, for non-Arabs, entering Islam did not require them to give up their own cultural norms for those of the Arabs. The holy Qur’an revealed the following verse to the Prophet on the eve of his migration to Medina, where his legislative activity began. It establishes several primary legal principles, acceptance of culture being one of them: “Accept from people what comes naturally for them; command what is good by custom; and turn away from the ignorant without responding in kind” (Qur’an 7:199). The Prophet’s attitude toward ethnic and cultural identity provides an example of the application of this verse. He did not destroy the indigenous cultures and subcultures of pre-Islamic Arabia, rather he lived in harmony with them, correcting what was unsound and repealing what was degenerate. Perhaps, the best example of the Prophet’s accommodation of Arabian subcultural norms was his practice of propagating the Qur’an in the seven principal dialectical variations (aḥruf) of Arabic.
Both in educational and professional environments, cultural diversity benefits everyone. It paves the way to better problem-solving, more empathy and compassion, deepened learning, and approaches the world from various perspectives. In brief, Allāh created all the different peoples with their peculiarities as a sign from Him, not to be ignored and destroyed.
Throughout Arabia, the Arab tribes understood the Meccan dialect of the Prophet’s tribe, Quraysh, which served as the linguistic standard for all. The Prophet’s use of the seven dialectical variations was not a necessity; it was a respectful gesture toward the Arab tribes, which acknowledged the integrity of each tribe’s cultural identity. The Prophet’s attitude toward the cultural norms of the Arab tribes and other ethnic groups constitutes a major precedent and a basic standard in Islamic law. Because the Prophet gave broad endorsement to diverse cultural conventions and did not alter them except when necessary. Islamic legal theory regards sound cultural norms as constituting an independent and authoritative source of Islamic law. Cultural conventions make up a fundamental part of identity and have a strong hold over people accustomed to them. Islamic law acknowledges this reality till it does not go against basic teachings of Islam. World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, sometimes abbreviated World Day for Cultural Diversity, is a global event led by UNESCO, supported by the United Nations which enables people all around the world to reflect on what diversity is within our culture. It’s also a time to think about why cultural diversity continues to matter in today’s world, and to discuss important issues affecting people of different cultures. The main aim of the event is to reflect on the importance of cultural diversity and how it enriches society. It also promotes dialogue between people of different cultures, so everyone can work together to achieve important goals including peace and sustainable development. World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is celebrated every year on 21st May. This year is no exception- the event is taking place on Sunday 21st May 2023. When UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity in 2001, it became obvious that dialogue between people of different cultures was an essential factor in creating a more sustainable, peaceful society. The United Nations got on board with this idea, and, in 2002, declared that 21st May every year would be a global event dedicated to celebrating cultural diversity and promoting intercultural discussion. Some of the issues the event was set up to tackle include:recognising how cultural diversity enriches our society economically, intellectually and emotionally; understanding that culture is key to social cohesion; creating more sustainable global development; promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms. World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is a global event that everyone can get involved in. It’s all about recognising and understanding each other’s differences, but also celebrating these and promoting peace and harmony between everyone around the world. Not only can this event help people to recognise each other’s differences, but it can also help us understand how cultural diversity is key to creating a more harmonious, equitable world. The day can be a launch pad for people to discuss important global issues, and think of ways different cultures can work together to resolve these. In World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 2023 anybody of any age can jump right into this awareness day. Here are some top ideas to get started. i.Display diversity posters. ii. Make recipes from around the world at your own dinner party. iii. Listen to music or watch an international film from different cultures. iv. Create artwork that promotes different cultures and diverse artists. v. Fundraise for a charity that’s making a difference, like The Diversity Trust. vi. Download some resources to educate children about the event. By getting involved in the event, you’ll be planting seed for children about diversity, so that when they grow and learn, they’ll value everyone’s differences in society. World Day for Cultural Diversity is celebrated by events bringing together specialists from many areas of culture as well as representatives of government and non-government agencies. Since 2011, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) has run the “Do One Thing for Diversity and Inclusion” campaign, in partnership with UNESCO and other public and private organisations. This asks people to spend the World Day for Cultural Diversity learning about other cultures or sharing their own culture with other people. The cultural diversity expands choices, nurtures a variety of skills, human values and worldviews and provides wisdom from the past to inform the future. It is a mainspring for sustainable development for individuals, communities and countries. The world is filled with people who have different beliefs, religions, traditions, and ways of living. It is within our differences that we can find beauty. Both in educational and professional environments, cultural diversity benefits everyone. It paves the way to better problem-solving, more empathy and compassion, deepened learning, and approaches the world from various perspectives. In brief, Allāh created all the different peoples with their peculiarities as a sign from Him, not to be ignored and destroyed.
(The author write regularly for the opinion pages of “Kashmir Horizon”. The views, opinions, facts, assumptions, presumptions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the authors and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)
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