MUSLIMS AND THE WAR ON TERRORISM

I chose to write on this subject as the Global Political Scenario is significantly adopting a course where the experts are beginning to believe in a bi-polar world- Islamic and non-Islamic world. Times are gone where the world was seen to be divided between the east and west, north and south, developed and under developed. Today, world politics is seen to be assuming a structure of Islamic and non-Islamic world.




Be it America and allies in Afghanistan, American occupation of Iraq, Threat of an Indo-Pak conflict which is always regarded to be seen on the verge of the battle, battle of Hijab in France, Iran against the western world, or most importantly the old occupational conflict of the holy land between Israel and Palestine, though might be political but in a way takes a shape where these are given a form of Muslims against the non muslims.



Coming to the reason for this structure, many believe it’s the fundamentalist attitude of Muslims around the world and the imposing attitude of Muslim hardliners and the intolerance in the religion itself. A section of Muslims on the other hand believe that the atrocities committed on the Muslims by the western countries, especially the Israel Palestine issue, then killings in Afghanistan and Iraq. Iran in the midst of the above tries to represent the Muslim world taking on America head on. There are others who would term themselves as the moderate population of Muslims who are always confused about the whole scenario and they tend to suffer in their normal daily life, being looked at in suspicion and justifying their never ending struggle of being a section of good Muslims who completely denounce the idea of terrorism and are left with no option but to display their stand in public by clarifying their position.



To understand the reason of the prevailing structure, it is incumbent to understand the concept of Islam and its teachings. In terms of the terrorist activities it has to be made clear in the minds of people about the religion. So called terrorists who claim to be jihadis, who for me are neither terrorists nor-jihadis but a section of people who have just forgotten the purpose of their life as taught in Islam and are a group of maniacs. It is necessary to mention here that the Prophet Muhammad PBUH said that killing a person amounts to killing the whole humanity. Who on earth can question that Islam is responsible for such acts. To get a solution to the prevailing problem of terror, the major powers of the world have to get one thing clear in their policies and agendas; they will have to separate Islam and Muslims from terrorism to fight the menace which has killed n numbers.



But as it is rightly said, u don’t throw stones on others if u live in glass houses. The American led war on terror will be completely ineffective until it stops its own acts of terror, which many term as organized terrorism killing innocent people, wiping out cities creating destruction much worst than the 9-11 attack. Only by beginning to solve the problem on their front will they be able to find a solution to terrorism. Counter terrorism gives birth to more terrorist s than present. It has to be understood that it’s a cycle which will lead to increase rather than end of so called terrorists.



Public opinion in the countries termed as havens of terrorism will have to change to effectively in order to fight terror. No matter how many bombs are dropped, how much technologically advanced are the countries fighting terror, but it will only lead to taking more innocent lives and the problem of terror will further rise. Here I would like to mention the role of media in the world. The so called war on terror can only be effectively fought with the support of the locals in terrorist ridden countries and for them to take the right course, it is necessary for the media to stress more on showing Islam as a peaceful religion and segregating the terrorist activities from the religion. Local Muslims see that war as a war on Islam when cities are wiped out and in their mind they justify supporting terrorism as for them the American led war kills their near ones.



At the same time I feel that a dialogue with these terrorists is out of question as their minds have been manipulated to a point from where there is no return. The role of Muslims plays an essential role at the initial stage. Proper education with regard to their religion combined with a peaceful Islam supportive role of media would according to me make a start which is the only way to change the unfortunate system across the globe. Lets make a start somewhere, rather lets make a right start now, as until present the actions against terror has further widened the think tank of Muslims and non Muslims around the globe. I would end by saying to all, let religion be a personal thing, let’s practice religion in the correct way, let’s be peaceful, let’s be tolerant, lets start respecting others religion and above all lets start respecting life.