Extremism rooted in the past legacy



DR JAVED IQBAL AMIRI

KARACHI - Extremism may be defined as absence of ability to understand and reconcile with others’ viewpoint. But it never means resorting to violence to counter an opponent’s viewpoint or to gain one’s objectives by force.

There are people who insist first and resist but later listen to others and choose a mediation path. Dr. Javed Iqbal Amiri, Assistant Professor of Philosophy Department in Karachi University stated this in an interview on ending extremism to The Nation.

He said that nearly in every era of the history of mankind one or another nation has had a brush with extremism and its causes could be many and varied. But the manifestation has nearly always been in the form of politics or religion or both. The present era is witness to many such sad episodes daily in overt or covert forms.

Viewed from this side of the globe, terrorism appears to be an indignant reaction to the excesses of the West, mainly of the United States.

This leaves the field open to US global capitalism to carry on their rapacious activities and stain their hands with the blood of humanity. Not only this, as the rapacious campaign of implementing global capitalism through indiscriminate privatization these merchants of death are active partners in the wholesale plunder of public assets. This nefarious programme which was set afoot by Zia and his cohorts more than 25 years back has its most sturdy proponents in the religious right going today under the name of MMA but which in the past operated under the label of IJI and PNA in the past.

A few words need to be said here about the role, genuine religion can and ought to play in countering terrorism in all its forms. Religion in the real sense, is the overwhelming realization that the entire creation is the handiwork of a Creator who not only creates but also lovingly cherishes each speck in the Universe. Seen in this light, not only is the entire universe brimming with life but because of being related to the Creator is worthy of respect and love. This realization leads not only to the acceptance of the dignity of human life where such human life does not endanger the rest of creation but also to the right of every human being to enjoy the basic necessities and comforts of life without undue hindrance form other beings.

It should not be difficult for discerning readers to see that both capitalism and the narrow view of religion are quintessentially irreligious. In the Islamic world, the so called religious forces have left the field open for capitalism to exploit both human beings and nature in a patently unjust fashion by focussing merely on religiosity as exemplified in the doctrinaire practice of rituals. Ritualism leads naturally to disregard for other faiths and other conceptions of divinity. The unavoidable consequence of such a conception of religion is terrorism which we find rearing its head every so often these days. As told to Farhan Ahmed.

http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/aug-2005/31/index8.php
The interviewed gentleman has correctly analysed that extremism is the absence to see the other's point of view.

However, it is a misconception and a wee bit supercilious to claim that on this side of the globe (East), it is believed that to quote "terrorism appears to be an indignant reaction to the excesses of the West, mainly of the United States".

In fact, it is presumptuous.

His equation of capitalism and narrow view of religion both being irreligious is quaint as his justification by stating, "In the Islamic world, the so called religious forces have left the field open for capitalism to exploit both human beings and nature in a patently unjust fashion by focussing merely on religiosity as exemplified in the doctrinaire practice of rituals. Ritualism leads naturally to disregard for other faiths and other conceptions of divinity. The unavoidable consequence of such a conception of religion is terrorism which we find rearing its head every so often these days".

If this is the mindset of educted and lettered men like Dr. Javed Iqbal Amiri, Assistant Professor of Philosophy Department, one wonders what is required to be done to ensure that such men realise the full potential of the damage being done in the name of religion.

If such men have such radical views, couched in diluted fanaticism, then why blame the madrassas?

Sadkly, such men cheer from the rear and send the soldiers of Islam from the madrassas to carry out their evil designs and then step back to ooze such honey laced rabidity while the poor sods of the Madrassas die dreaming of the 72!!

I wonder if this is a common trend of thought world wide of Islamic formally lettered men and I am not meaning the Mullahs.