Pakistan is the 36th largest country in the world and the only one created in the name of Islam. It was founded in 1947 for Muslims of the Indian subcontinent immediately after the British left India. Adopted in 1956, the Constitution officially declared Islam the religion of Pakistan. Today, the country is considered the second largest Muslim majority, second only to Iran.
Islamic Republic
The state religion of Pakistan is Islam, and the laws of the country are written so as to conform to its teachings. However, this does not mean that all Muslims are united in the same faith, because even within them there are differences, especially regarding doctrinal interpretation.
Religion is central to everyday life: mosques are located in almost every district, and a call to prayer is heard in the city limits five times a day. In the latest census, 97% of Pakistanis were recognized as Muslim. Although not all of these people can regularly practice Islam, religious beliefs and principles are widely recognized and respected.
Two branches of Islam
Sunnis and Shiites are the two main Islamic sects practiced in Pakistan. Both versions of Islam have many religious schools. Most, 76% of Pakistanis, are considered Sunnis and 20% are Shiites.
The largest among Islamic religions in Pakistan is considered the Sunni Hanafi school. She departs from harsh interpretations of Islam and treats it rather flexibly. In Pakistan, the Hanafi religion has a traditional foundation, but is considered in the context of the modern world.
Interpretations of Islam and levels of conservatism vary across the country. Domestic and international political movements have contributed to increasing the visibility of religious conservatism (for example, people's clothing and the number of people attending mosques). The veneration of Allah is also very noticeable in the manner of speaking - praises are common in ordinary conversations.
However, not everyone adheres to an orthodox understanding of religion in Pakistan. Many Muslim women prefer not to wear hijab. The most common coating is dupatta, which is a lightweight fabric that is worn over the head and reveals most of the neck and hair.
Religious freedom
An estimated 3% of Pakistanis belong to a non-Muslim religious minority. These include Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Zoroastrians and Baha'is. Among Muslims, there are also minorities, the most significant of which are Ahmadiyah, which make up about 2.2% of the Muslim population.
In Pakistan, religious minorities are allowed to practice, practice and spread their religion and have equal rights to work, education and property. However, freedom of speech is also subject to any reasonable restrictions in the interests of the “glory of Islam." Thus, despite the assertion of freedom of religion in Pakistan, whatever it may be, the government imposes restrictions, and the Sunni clergy have a very strong influence.
The highest positions of the country, such as the president or judge in the Federal Shariah court, can only be held by Muslims.
Religious minority
Christianity is one of the largest non-Muslim religions in Pakistan. It is professed by 1.4% of the population, most of whom are Catholics and Protestants. Christianity appeared in the country in 1877 thanks to the Rev. Thomas Valpy, a Frenchman from the Church of England.
Later began to build Christian churches, colleges, schools and hospitals. However, when Pakistan became an Islamic Republic in 1956, minority activities declined markedly. Currently, Christians are targeted by the Taliban.
Buddhist community
Before the advent of Islam in the 10th century BC. e. the main religion was Buddhism. On the territory of the country there were some archaeological Buddhist sites. These include the Buddha Mantal Rock and the Hunza Sacred Rock.
Also, according to legend, a Buddhist sage Padmasambhava was born in a village near the modern city of Chakdara in the Lower Dir District. In Tibet, he became known as the guru of Rinpoche.
The main festival of the Buddhist community is Baysakhi Purnima - the day the Buddha was born. This is the same calendar date when later he is believed to have achieved his great wisdom and enlightenment.