GUEST COLUMNIST Haven of Peace: Where is that serenity in you?
The so called, ironically named, ‘Haven of Peace’ has become anything but that with the increasing noise pollution that citizens battle with on a daily basis.
Whether this takes the form of honking cars, loud pounding music from nightclubs and day clubs, or more embarrassingly enough, the increased abuse of loudspeakers by houses of worship, day and night.
What was once meant to be a place where members of society received solace from the harsh realities of the world, and guidance and support, has now become a battleground of the human ego, in an attempt to see who can make the most noise; all in the name of worship.
Our government has continuously attempted to restrain and reign in this ever increasing abuse of a privilege, as most citizens will agree that the noise pollution from houses of worship has steadily become more intolerable.
It is a matter of huge embarrassment that houses of worship have had to be included in the National Environment Management Council’s (Nemc) noise regulation laws, as this shows a lack of understanding, compassion and goodwill by the leaders of the various faiths to align with the community’s well-being.
Houses of worship should display exemplary behaviour, and be models of compassion, love, tolerance and understanding, instead of being an added vexation to the daily stress faced by citizens. Most houses of worship do not follow the regulations set forth by the Nemc, and for many citizens it is a long and tedious process to report these, and follow up on the outcome, so often nothing is done, and/or nothing changes, and these places continue unchecked and unrestrained.
One needs to clearly understand that noise pollution has many long reaching negative impacts on the health and well-being of the citizens of a country. Noise pollution increases blood pressure; higher chances of getting strokes and heart attacks; short term tinnitus and hearing loss; affects focus and concentration in school children as well as affecting their cognitive processing.
It also causes heart and circulation problems; cognitive impairment which can affect drivers and therefore causing accidents; sleep disturbances; and mental health problems including triggering for anxiety, stress, and depression.
Noise pollution affects elderly, pregnancy and increased chance of miscarriage. These are just a few of the problems associated with the increased exposure to noise pollution, and one can see that it effects society on all levels.
Members of our society need to take a firm stand and refuse to support any place that harms instead of heals, that damages instead of delights, and that is a place that supports the human ego, rather than a connection with the divine.
All the faiths speak of the good treatment of their neighbours, but sadly most don’t practice it in principle.
I think people need to consciously understand and acknowledge that houses of worship were created by society for society, to provide places of solace for the soul, a refuge from the harsh realities of the world, and connection, guidance and spiritual support for the community.
If they have turned into places that are doing the opposite of what they were meant to, then we need to rethink their function, and in particular the reasons behind this change.
Leaders of all faiths need to get together to address this growing concern.
Poem
I pick up the broken pieces of my peace
And recoil that they broke off from someone’s else’s peace
What peace is there in someone’s pieces
Tearing them apart as you rejoice in pieces
To rejoice as one
Without the need to tear asunder
Someone else’s peace
For your need to peace surrender
In pieces there can be no peace
To know that for your peace
You have stolen the peace
Of others
And left them in pieces
To forcefully surrender.
I conclude my article by sharing these quotes which we normally use but we can’t practice:
“Whoever believes in God and the Last Day, let him not harm or annoy his neighbour…” ~ Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
“Love thy neighbour as thyself” - The Holy Bible
“You can hear the footsteps of God when silence reigns in the mind.” ~ Shree Sathya Sai Baba
“Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.” ~ Francis Bacon
“Silence is a source of Great Strength.” ~ Lao Tzu
“Silence is the mother of truth.” ~ Benjamin Disraeli
“Silence is the language of God, all else is poor translation.” ~ Rumi
Ms Ganatra is a reader of The Citizen based in Dar es Salaam
