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| A symbolic example for Social justice. Photo by: University of Wyoming |
"Let us work together to balance the global economy and build a new social contract for the 21st century. Let us chart a development path that leads to greater social justice and the future us want." quoted the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on his message given yesterday for the 2012 World Day of Social Justice. Yesterday 20th February is marked as the International day for Social Justice by the United Nations.
According to the Wikipedia Social Justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The United Nations believes the pursuit of social justice for all is at the core of their global mission to promote development and human dignity. The adoption by the International Labor Organization of the Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization is just one recent example of the UN system’s priority and commitment to social justice. The General Assembly of UN proclaimed 20 February as World Day of Social Justice in the year 2007. Also the Constitution of the International Labor Organization affirms that universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice. Social justice is the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities. According to social work philosophy, Peace is not possible where there are gross inequalities of money and power, whether between workers and managers, nations and nations or men and women. One definition of justice is "giving to each what he or she is due." The problem knows what is "due". Social justice also imposes on each of us a personal responsibility to work with others. If you ask a lot of people to define social justice you’re going to get many different definitions. Definitions will be based on a variety of factors, like political orientation, religious background, and political and social philosophy. But the reality is social justice is hard to arrive at and even harder to implement.
As we are Muslims it’s important to know what the religion Islam says about Social justice. Our holy book Quran contains numerous references to elements of social justice. One of Islam's Five Pillars is Zakāt, aims the objective of charity and assistance to the poor. Equality and a sense of collective responsibility towards one another has been a hallmark of the early Muslim community. The Prophet Mohamed’s teachings tell us that “the Muslim community is like one body; if one part is ailing, the rest of the body responds with fever and ache. Social Justice means equality in law, or justice for all. If ever any religion approached to this equality in any appreciable manner, it is Islam and Islam alone.'
Hello,
ReplyDeleteSocial justice is the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities. It is typically associated with left wing or socialist analyses, policies and prescriptions. Thanks a lot...