Combating Fundamentalism and Terrorism
By M.A. Quassem
August 18, 2013
Fundamentalism and terrorism have emerged as a menace to security, co-operation, socio-economic and cultural development at country, regional and international levels. However, defining fundamentalism and terrorism is very sensitive and delicate, more so are the ways to combat it.
Fundamentalism can be defined in a simplified way as strict adherence to specific set of theological doctrines and is generalised to mean strong adherence to any set of beliefs. Extremism, sacrifice, and aggression are some of the characteristics of fundamentalism. The mentality of self-sacrifice is central to fundamentalism. Fundamentalists are scared of attacks on their beliefs and practices, which makes them aggressive.
But for terrorism, there is no universally accepted definition. During the 1970s and 1980s, the United Nations attempted to define “Terrorism” but could not reach a consensus due to differences of opinion between various members about the use of violence in the context of its objective. The “only general characteristic generally agreed upon is that terrorism involves violence and the threat of violence.” However, this characterisation alone is over-simplified and not acceptable. Those who fought with arms for our liberation, or the Palestinians who are fighting for their rights, are not terrorists but freedom-fighters, although the colonial powers termed them as “terrorists.”
Although — due to the acts of some fundamentalists like the attack on Twin Towers and western propaganda — the word “fundamentalism” has become synonymous with “Muslim fundamentalism” and is commonly used as a pejorative term, it has its roots in Christianity, to be more specific, in the Niagara Bible Conference (1878–1897), which defined those things that were fundamental to Christian belief.
In 1910, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church distilled these into what became known as the “five fundamentals.” By the late 1910s, theological conservatives rallying around the Five Fundamentals came to be known as “fundamentalists.” The movement’s (1910-1920) purpose was to reaffirm older beliefs of Protestant Christianity and zealously defend them against the challenges of liberal theology, Darwinism, and other movements which it regarded as harmful to Christianity.
Many scholars attribute the rise of present day Islamic fundamentalism to Wahhabi movement (Wahhabism), which emerged 250 years ago to protect the purity and originality of Islam.
The media, in an attempt to explain the ideology of Ayatollah Khomeini and the Iranian Revolution to a Western audience, described it as a “fundamentalist version of Islam” by way of analogy to the Christian fundamentalist movement in the US during the early twentieth century. Thus was born the term “Islamic fundamentalist.”
Enquiring into the causes of the rise of Hindu fundamentalism in the Indian Sub-continent, historian Prof. Salauddin Ahmed noted: “In the early thirteenth century A.D., Muslim domination was established in the northern part of India through the invasions of the Turks and the Afghans. Introduction of Islam in India posed great challenge to Hinduism. Failing to resist Muslim invasion, the Hindu rulers decided to protect themselves under the cover of religion. They started to strengthen Hindu conservatism — by orchestrating the old Hindu religious and social ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts.’ Thus was the rise of Hindu Fundamentalism in India.
Fundamentalism emerged in Buddhism also. A Japanese school of Buddhism, called Nichiren Buddhism, which believes that other forms of Buddhism are heretical, has been labelled as fundamentalist. However, there are several sects of the Nichiren School. In Tibet, there also exist extremists and fundamentalists among the Budhists, who are not even able to pick up the idea of a possible dialogue.
Fundamentalism and terrorism conglomerated together have become a menace. The world has witnessed the destruction of the Twin Towers; India has experienced the destruction of the 450-year-old Babri Mosque and many terrorist act-induced deaths; Pakistan has witnessed the assassination of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and many killings; Bangladesh has faced bomb attack on a pro-left cultural rally on March 6, 1999, bomb explosion on Bengali New Year Day in 2001,grenade attack on Sheikh Hasina on August 21, 2004, countrywide explosions in 63 out of 64 districts in August 2005, suicide-bombing in courtrooms and court premises in 2005. These are a few of the numerous incidents in these countries. Indonesia, Malaysia are no strangers to acts of terrorism by the fundamentalists.
After one-eleven, the US government has waged its so-called war against terrorism; nevertheless, the US government should take a great part of the responsibility for the spread of international terrorism.
That fundamentalism cannot be fought with counter-fundamentalism, and terrorism cannot be fought with counter-terrorism, has been proved by the failed policies of the US. It is necessary to address the issues which are contributing to their emergence and growth (diagnostic approach).
The new recruits of fundamentalism are taught that violence is the only way of implementing the Shariah, which can rid the society of exploitation and social injustice. To fight this attitude it is necessary to fill the present ideological vacuum with something which will catch the imagination of young boys and girls.
Some madrasas and religious institutions are the recruiting centres of young boys and girls, as the recent arrests in Barguna have shown. The education curriculum of madrasas and other educational institutions have to be reformed so that the young children are exposed to science, literature and culture to inculcate a modern, scientific and progressive outlook. Through education and training, young children have to develop natural inhibition against extremism by inculcating (a) tolerance and endurance (b) democratic principles (to combat chauvinism), (c) believing in peace for mankind (to combat aggression) etc. Also, religion has to be looked at positively. For example, all religions teach tolerance, but fundamentalism does not; Prophet Muhammad (peace be on Him) warned against overdoing religion, but fundamentalism does the opposite.
It has been observed that young children are recruited from poor families. They are motivated against exploitation and evils of society to have a happy life in the next world. Along with exposing the children to science, literature and culture, meeting the need for socio-economic development to ensure the basic needs like food and shelter, water and sanitation, education and health-care is crucially important for combating conditions for recruitment of potential extremists and terrorists.
People and leaders of all faiths need to be assured of freedom of their religion and religious practices. This should be protected at all times by the state.
All hotbeds of oppression, including Palestine, need to be addressed to establish peace and justice. Playing double standard, i.e. fighting terrorism in one place and aiding terrorism in another, will not help.
As fundamentalism and communalism are undermining the vitals of society, eroding democratic values, norms and institutions, and because these forces are focused on gaining political control by any means, it is necessary to unite all the forces for peace, progress and democracy nationally and internationally.
Let one not forget that fundamentalism — be it Islamic, Hindu, Christian, Judaic or of any other nature — is retrogressive and counter-development, and a threat to peace and security. Governments, political parties and social groups should refrain from using fundamentalist and communalist ideologies as well as these forces in furthering their ends.
Finally, presence of strong progressive intelligentsia and conscious media in all countries is a guarantee for carrying forward the struggle for peace and security, solidarity and progress against fundamentalism and terrorism. There lies the opportunity.
M.A. Quassem is General Secretary, Bangladesh Peace Council.
Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/combating-fundamentalism-and-terrorism/
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-terrorism-jihad/combating-fundamentalism-terrorism/d/13102