EXTREMISM: THE BANE OF OUR SOCIETY

MUHAMMAD IBRAHIM MANDOKHAIL0332-7809022

Hafiz_khan2010@hotmail.com

Independence Day

Celebration 14th August 2014

OUTLINE

definition

Introduction

Historical background of this danger in world & Pakistan

Different types of extremism

Reasons /factors behind this threat

1) Religious a) Fundamentalismb) Corrupt religious peers/clericsc) Misrepresentation and misinterpretations of Islam to the immature mindsd) Militant Organizations e) Children being brainwashed by these so-called religious fanaticsf) Intolerance in attitude and then society

2) Social a) Deprivation/ Illiteracy/ Poverty/ Unawareness/ intolerance.b) Hopelessness and suppression in the Muslim world.c) Illiteracy and un-educationd) Different education systems in one country.e) Unemployment.f) Improper investment in social sector and lack of attention on human

development.3) Political

a) Political Point Scoring/Self vested interestsb) Inability of the political system to deliver.c) People losing faith in current form of democracy prevalent in Pakistan.d) Deficiency of social justice. 

4) Economic a) Unequal distribution of resourcesb) Concentration of wealth in a few handsc) Sense of deprivation/No achievement

Roots of extremism in Pakistana) Soviet war in Afghanistanb) Proxy wars of other Muslim countries been fought in Pakistan.c) Certain areas in Pakistan unchecked by the government.d) Inefficiency of law and order agencies to reduce arms and animations in residential areas.e) Governments unchecked the rise of Madarisa Culture. (No regulation)f) Lal Masjid Jamia Hafsa event. 

Impacts on the country’s image

1) Brutality and atrocity2) Sectarian violence3) TTP Formation or giving birth to terrorism4) Imposition/Implementation distorted shape of Islam5) Tarnished image of the country

6) Economic slum7) Developmental standstill 8) Deteriorating law and order situation and loosening of writ of the government

. 9) Threat to internal stability

Remedial measures/suggestions  

1) Mental and physical awareness2) Educational level ascendancy3) Mass media campaign4) Dismantling Terrorist Organizations5) Durable policies6) Government initiatives needed to uplift economic activities in backward and war trodden areas.7) Rehabilitation of the IDPs and war- effectees8) Zero-tolerance and no-vacuum policy9) Social strata development and uplift10) Modernization and registration of Madrassas11) Investment in social sector.12) Devise a mechanism for dialogue b/w different schools of thoughts in the religion13) Active role of law enforcement agencies for reduction of arms and ammunition.

What is needed at private/ individual level?

Conclusion

DEFINITION

“Extremism” is a type of ideology, both politically and religiously, which is considered far outside of the limits of attitudes of a society or any community that violates completely moral standards.A famous quote by (late) Benazir Bhutto for extremism was…

“Extremism can flourish only in an environment where basic governmental social responsibility for the welfare of the people is neglected. Political dictatorship and social hopelessness create the desperation that fuels religious extremism”.

INTRODUCTION

Extremism is a worldwide menace but Pakistan is facing economically, politically, socially, cultural, and humanitarian crisis due to the danger of fanaticism. It is all due to internal and external factors. Internally due to bad governance, social injustice, inequality and illiteracy while external factors are foreign states involvement in deteriorating and de-stabilizing political, economical and law & order situation in the state. The person who cannot succeed by straight way and is unable to influence others by his views, go for cruel and aggressive way to express their opinion.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THIS DANGER IN WORLD & PAKISTAN

There is a big trace of extremism in the history of world. Different countries and states had been struggling and tried to fight this menace which is increasing in each and every society very rapidly. Srilanka is one of many examples who fought against Tamil Tigers and finished them totally and now they are on the way of success and peace. Pakistan itself is struggling hard from the day when it came in to being in 1947 to cut extremism from the roots. Extremism in tribal areas, in Baluchistan and some other cities of country is critical situation.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF EXTREMISM

There are different types of extremisms like ethnic, narrow nationalism, linguistic but the most severe kind of extremism our society is facing is religious extremism. Main characteristics of religious extremism: • Vehemently imposing own beliefs and religion on others.• Narrow-minded behavior towards other sects and religions.• Strict regulation of women, towards schooling & employments.• Harassment of minorities A new expression coined in recent past is Talibanization; it is a form of extremist ideology that has Its roots in Soviet war in Afghanistan and are currently prevalent in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Apart from above features, there are certain specific features of Talibanization, such as: • Conducting terrorist attacks.• Applying own style of Sharia Laws.• The destruction of non-Muslim artifacts, especially carvings and statues such as Buddha of

Bamyan, in central Afghanistan.• Banning activities like shaving, hairstyles and clothing.• Forceful shutting down of music/video centers and outlawing electronic media.

REASONS /FACTORS BEHIND THIS THREATThere are different factors some of them are expressed here.

1) Religious 2) Social 3) Political 4) Economic

1) Religious

a) FundamentalismIslamic fundamentalism is the group of religious ideologies seen as advocating a return to the "fundamentals" of Islam: the Quran and the Sunnah. Definitions of Islamic fundamentalism vary.

According to Christine L. Kettel, “It is deemed problematic by those who suggest that Islamic belief requires all Muslims to be fundamentalists”.

b) Corrupt religious peers/clerics:Nowadays religious peers/ clerics are getting involved in corruption. They are in politics, administration and even other works of government. They are symbol of peace and right path. But they are themselves corrupt and need correction in life.

c) Misrepresentation and misinterpretations of Islam to the immature mindsin each and every society there are different clerics good and bad. The good preachers have a good impact on the society and its people; in result it is beneficial for the state. But the ignorant and illiterate scholars will lead the society in to big disaster. The society is misrepresented and misinterpretation of Islam is presented, which will lead them on a wrong path of fanaticism.

d) Militant OrganizationsReligious in many situations give birth to different militant organization which in result challenges the writ of government and disturbs law and order situations in the state. In Pakistan presently many militant organizations funded by foreign enemies are in a hurry to increases extremism in youth and society. In stability of the state is there main target.

e) Children being brainwashed by these so-called religious fanatics’children in some of the schools and madrassas of the country are taught anti-state and anti social subjects and literature. It totally brainwashes children brains and their thoughts are converted to anti-state and become narrow minded towards society. This all results in extremism and un-stability in the state.

f) Intolerance in attitude of societyUn-employment and illiteracy in society leads to severe fanaticism in the society. People get frustrated from hardships of life and intolerance in attitude arises. This prejudice brings disturbance in the state and people move towards extremism and brings hurdles for government to bring peace and stability.

2) Social a) Deprivation/ Illiteracy/ Poverty/ Unawareness/ intolerance.

These are the key factors which lead to extremism in the society. These violations of rights increases deprivation and intolerance in society and lead the state to catastrophe.

b) Hopelessness and suppression in the Muslim world.Muslim Religious and political leaders are the persons, on which society has belief and follows.People believe there leaders are brave and will think, work, and struggle in the world for Muslim ummah rights. But when they become deaf and dumb in front of world there occurs hopelessness and suppression in the society.

c) Illiteracy and lake of education.Illiteracy and un-education of society are the key factor which misleads society to dilemma. People are un-aware and ignorant, therefore they have no sense of choosing right path for the country.

d) Different education systems in one country.There are different education systems in even one city and if we consider all the state it has different kinds and techniques of systems. This gap of education between different students brings status gap and differences among their thoughts, beliefs, and cultural values. Every group of student is extreme in its beliefs.

e) Unemployment.After many years of education students when get tired to find any job they are frustrated and has no way other than extremism in their thoughts and acts

f) Improper investment in social sector and lack of attention on human development.

Government get aid and loans from world banks and financers but they ignore or relatively spend less amount on human development. Rather they are investing a large proportion in social sector.

A FANATIC IS ONE WHO CAN’T CHANGE HIS MIND AND WON’T CHANGE THE SUBJECT.

-Winston Churchill

3) Political a) Political Point Scoring/Self vested interests

It is a trend nowadays that every politician is involved in just point scoring and thinks of his interests only. Due to the same reason state is left far behind and the interest of people is ignored. Political parties are just struggling to go ahead from other parties and the state is still on the same ignorant point.

b) Inability of the political system to deliver.After hard struggle in election, the elected government comes with the mandate from people. The point of failure is, when they are failing to deliver and perform their work on the right path. Our country Pakistan is also facing the same scenario. Firstly there democratic government comes very hardly. Secondly they could not deliver or some other factors stop them to deliver and thus military intervention is resulted.

c) People losing faith in current form of democracy prevalent in Pakistan.As the democratic government is involved in blame game, political point scoring and self interest then people lose faith on current form of irresponsible democracy and thus extremism gets the chance to nourish.

d) Deficiency of social justice. Deficiency of social justice in a country grows hatred in the hearts of nation against governmental machinery. A person becomes hopeless from the judicial and justice system because they do not deliver. Most often there delivery benefits higher/elite class people. Poor people are far away from social justice. This discrimination or division of class status increases extremism in society.

4) Economic a) Unequal distribution of resources

People of the state also loose temper when there is no equal distribution of resources between individuals or even provinces. Provincial government also tries to flame the fire when they are fed up federal conservative and unequal policy.

b) Concentration of wealth in a few handsIn Pakistan and many other countries the concentration of wealth is in few hands and they try to control each and every matter. This is our big dilemma that poor people are getting much poor whereas the rich is getting richer.

c) Sense of deprivation / No achievement

In spite of higher education students try many places of employment and when they do not succeed a sense of dispossession revolves in their mind. They get frustrated and short minded. In spite of higher degrees if there is no achievement they get extremist in there ideas as well as acts.

ROOTS OF EXTREMISM IN PAKISTANI SOCIETY.a) Soviet war in Afghanistan

Soviet invasion upon Afghan territory in 1979-1989 was the main stage of increase in extremism. Many jehadi movements in Afghanistan directly or indirectly funded by United States of America through Pakistani support gave birth to Islamic extremists. This uncontrolled increase in jihadi’s brought Kalashnikov culture into Pakistan and there rule in Afghanistan. Later drugs culture started growing in afghan territory which directly infected Pakistani region due to neighboring state.

b) Proxy wars of other Muslim countries been fought in Pakistan.Proxy wars of other Muslim sects are fought in Pakistan. Like Shia (with support or relation to Iran) and Sunni (with support or relation towards Saudi Arabia) sects are both present in Pakistan. Each country wants that their sect people get dominance. This is the reason Shia Sunni sectarianism is increasing to a dangerous level in Pakistan. Our law and order situation is disturbed due to attacks on both sects.

c) Certain areas in Pakistan unchecked by the government.Tribal areas like FATA and few other areas are out of the check and balance of government. Extremists from bordering countries has chance to settle there and develop their command and control on Pakistani territory. From past many years foreign non-Muslim extremists are settled there. But now Pakistan Army has initiated Operation ZARB-e-HAZB in FATA areas to remove extremists or terrorists and bring government’s writ in area.

d) Inefficiency of law and order agencies to reduce arms and ammunition in Residential areas.

There is no such strict rule and regulations in Pakistan so, that illegal arms and ammunition can be reduced. Law and order bad situation shows failure of government agencies and increase of extremists. No residential area is safe from this threat.

e) Governments unchecked the rise of Madarisa Culture. (No regulation)There is no regulation and check and balance in rise of any Islamic institution. Many people in the name of Islam can develop extremist institution. The numbers of Islamic madarisa’s are increased to a level that it’s inevitable to check them on urgent basis.

f) Lal Masjid Jamia Hafsa event. Lal Masjid Jamia Hafsa incident was the worse act or situation which was mis-handled by the government of Pakistan. This incident gave rise to many extremists with a reason that this was attack on Islam. After this incident people openly criticized government and extremism came to peak.

IMPACTS ON THE COUNTRY’S IMAGE1) Brutality and atrocity

Fanaticism increases brutality and atrocity in people of state which directly affects law and order situation and government’s writ.

2) Sectarian violenceExtremism of one side increases in sectarian violence, which in result effects innocent civilians.

3) TTP Formation or giving birth to terrorismRadicalism in society and government failure or slow progress has resulted in formation of TTP and giving birth to terrorism in the state.

4) Imposition/Implementation distorted shape of IslamExtremism shows the bad image of Islam to the world. Each and every person will think of Islam the root of extremism. But it’s not true because people may be good or bad. And we Muslims will make Islam in the world good or bad in eyes of others.

5) Tarnished image of the countryExtremism disrupts the image of country in eyes of foreigners. They will stop thinking of investing

in a country where their investment is not safe or secure. Law and order situation of a country shows its image. The image of a country is good or bad depends upon law and order situations.

6) Economic slumLaw and order disturbance due to extremism or terrorism brings down economy of the country. There is economy loss of country because no one invests in disturbed states.

7) Developmental standstill  When there is no investment and the government has difficulty in law and order situation handling developmental progress standstill.

8) Deteriorating law and order situation and loosening of writ of the governmentIncrease in extremism results in worsening law and order situation and weakening of writ of the government.

9) Threat to internal stabilityExtremism results in worsening law and order situation and weakening of writ of the government. This all situation of terrorism and extremism in the state has bad impact on the internal stability of the state. The progress is considered nil in presence of this fanaticism in people.

REMEDIAL MEASURES/SUGGESTIONS  

1) There should be Mental and physical awareness regarding extremism in society and all schools in the state.

2) The Educational level of country should be developed and modernized with the time passing. Students should be aware of negativity of extremism through their daily educational subjects.

3) There should be Mass media campaign against extremism in society and its fatal impacts on society.

4) Government has to take action against Terrorist Organizations and dismantle them for securing of their state.

5) There should be Durable policies by government so, that there are no chances of extremism in people and country.

6) Government initiatives needed to uplift economic activities in backward and war trodden areas.

7) Rehabilitation of the IDPs and war-affectees should be handled carefully and whole heartedly from government and even the entire nation.

8) There should be Zero-tolerance and no-vacuum policy for the extremists that further no one dares to adopt their path of extremism or fanaticism in future.

9) Social strata development and uplift should be key priority of government. So, there will be no hatred or hopelessness against government.

10) Modernization and registration of Madrassas is inevitable step not because every Madrassa is involved in extremism but there are some extremists hiding behind the name of Madrassas and Islam.

11) Investment in social sector and developmental sector for people can give beneficial point to the government, as well as a sense of support and confidence on government also develops.

12) It is the duty of government that they devise a mechanism for dialogue b/w different schools of thought in the region. And try to develop unity and spirit of brotherhood.

13) The main and inevitable step is active role of law enforcement agencies for reduction of arms and ammunition in the society.

WHAT IS NEEDED AT PRIVATE/ INDIVIDUAL LEVEL?

Family is the basic unit for inculcating the norms and values in an individual. It is family from where an individual gets his basic education and values. An individual, if he is good or bad shows his/her family. It is the duty of each and every person to help in the development of its country. Firstly if an individual is on the right path and working well for state development, than there is no extremism. Each and every citizen has a duty to serve his nation and government.

CONCLUSION

In the end it is finalized that we should avoid ourselves as well as help others from the plague of extremism. Security forces of Pakistan i.e. Pakistan army, Navy, Air force, F.C, Police etc are all working day and night to cut from roots this deadly disease of extremism. We should be thankful to Allah that we are living in a Muslim state and it is our duty to love and secure it from evils of internal and external sources.