September 11, 2001 changed the gears of history. It changed the nature of warfare. The hatred-drenched attacks on the twin towers of New York left most of humanity, or what is left of it, aghast with horror and disbelief at the nature of the animal that thought out and committed this insane and a more-than-evil crime. The past seven weeks have seen media analysing, and debating and pointing fingers but seldom reflecting – for we have not yet had the time to do so - not in the last 100 years of our violent world history.

Religion and education seem to have failed us. Religion and race have caused more divides and devastation than any other single cause. Nations and regions have been split on the basis of religion and generations have suffered because of race. The concept of ‘superior’ and ‘inferior’ in religion and race has metamorphosed from aggressive to blatant to subtle reality – and a reality it shall always remain in some form or the other – unless we, the victims, do something about it. History has ample examples of alien religion being forced on societies and cultures far removed and remote, in all respects, from the ‘imposed faith’. The effects of this exercise are there for all to see. It is time to cry halt to this religious jingoism and look at the real issues. We need a ‘Universal Religion’ for the world – for all to believe in – as a family. Gandhi’s ‘ Sarva Dharma’ , Akbar’s ‘Din-Ilahi,, and Nanak’s ‘Ik Onkar’ were pleas for one world religion.

The first step towards a ‘Universal Faith’ begins in the classrooms. Multi-cultural societies that have allowed the running of primary schools based on religious denomination are bringing harm upon themselves. Such schools seldom prepare the children for assimilation , a process, which should commence from the start. In fact, they reinforce conscious religious divides. A classroom should be a temple of education and not religious indoctrination.