Extremism and the distortions
WHETHER Pakistan is the epicenter of terrorism as claimed by a quarter may be debatable. However, the corrosive impact of terrorist ideology and actions on Pakistani society is undeniable. It is only last week that Pakistan's interior minister presented a plan to bring all of its madrasas (religious schools) under its national education system within one year under a landmark security policy aimed at combating extremism. The “National Internal Security Policy” says that some of the country's 22,000 madrasas are responsible for spreading extremism.
The policy of Pakistan comes in the background of a decade-long Islamist insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives and cost the economy “more than 78 billion dollars.” It also notes “financing from unidentified sources” and the “publication and distribution of hate material.” The policy document reportedly offers a candid and introspective look at where Pakistan has been failing in its efforts to fight terror.
Significantly, the above policy document critically observes that it is up to the civil institutions to plug the deficits in fighting terror, and implores the government “to build a national narrative on extremism and terrorism.” There is also a considered survey-based observation that in Pakistan there is no overwhelming public consensus on tackling extremist groups.
Interestingly, soon after the publication of the said policy document impressing upon the need to counter terrorism, the Pakistani capital witnessed a brutal terrorist attack in judicial precinct that claimed lives in double figures. The question is, have not we in Bangladesh in recent times and yesteryears seen developments that are worrisome from a socio-political and security standpoint? If yes, then what preparations do the state and the society plan to take to tackle the menace? More importantly, have we made a serious effort to understand the genesis of the issue and noticed the distortions in the terrorist advocacy?
Upon examination and scrutiny one would come across the extremist view that Islam is under attack globally under the stewardship of western powers. Reference is made to the presence of American troops on the sacred soil of Arabia, the destruction of Iraq, to the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians at the hand of Israel as also the American led sanctions as a result of which thousands of civilians and children had died. There is, however, no reflection that none of these western actions can justify a murderous attack which has no sanction in either the Quran or the Shariah.
The extremist ideology does not mention that Islamic Law forbids Muslims to declare war against a country in which Muslims are allowed to practice their religion freely, and strongly prohibits the killing of innocent civilians. The fear and rage that lies at the heart of all so-called Islamic extremists' vision nearly always tends to distort the tradition that they are trying to defend. The extremist actions have always been a more flagrant and wicked abuse of religion.
The extremist ideology does not say that the holy Quran condemns all aggressive warfare and teaches that the only just war is a war of self-defense. It does not purposely take note of the historical sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that he had come to bring a 'middle way' of religious life that shunned extremes. It is oblivious of the fact that the current extremism in some quarters of the Islamic world is alien to the Muslim spirit and will not last.
The extremists do not take note of the historical fact that Islam is a religion of peace, as the Prophet (PBUH) had shown when he made an unpopular treaty with the Quraysh at the Hudaybiyah, a fact which the Quran calls 'a great victory'. They do not realise that Islam is just as rational as any western system, and indeed it was the most rational and advanced of all the revealed faiths. They are also oblivious that Islam's strict monotheism had liberated humanity from mythology and that its empirical spirit had in fact given birth to modernity.
While a small minority engaged in terrorism cannot have its way, it is also desirable that the west become aware that is in their interests too that Islam remains healthy and strong. The west has certainly contributed to the development of religious extremism that violates the most sacred canons of religion. It, therefore, should cultivate a more accurate appreciation of Islam and come to terms with others who may opt for a religious way of life as opposed to the so-called secular ideal. One needs to appreciate that there can be more than one way of life.
The writer is a columnist of The Daily Star
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