Pak Tea House » Uncategorized » How Moderate Muslims Reinforce the Problem
How Moderate Muslims Reinforce the Problem
Raza Habib Raja
In the recent years, there have been growing concerns that Islam’s, and since Islam is one of the major religions of the world, therefore world’s major problem is Islamic radicalization. These concerns are being voiced in various countries and have yielded various reactions ranging from apologetic defense (whereby some of the western liberals interpret it as a “reaction’ to US hegemony) to outright xenophobia.
Radicalization is a major problem and there is no question about its lethal potential to inflict harm in the form of religious extremism and terrorism. However, it though present, is not as widespread in the Islamic world as is often projected by the media. If a major section of Muslims was actually radicalized, the situation would have been far worse. Most of the Islamic world, whether ruled by democratically elected leaders or by autocratic strongmen, is by and large NOT radical. What actually has happened is that a critical mass has become radicalized whereas a substantial majority remains moderate. In fact the Islamic world itself has faced the biggest brunt of terrorism and therefore there is no way they can endorse it. Religious extremists are a fringe and they do not need to expand beyond that as they are not trying impose Shariah (Islamic Law) through electoral process.
In my opinion, the biggest problem is their state of denial about the presence of extremists in their midst and their complete inability to self introspect. Even today, a huge percentage of Muslims do not believe that 9/11 attack was conducted by Arab Muslims. In fact a very recent PEW research centre poll found out that even a decade after 9/11, there is no Islamic country where even 30% of the Muslims believe that Arab Muslims executed 9/11 attacks. And it even includes apparently very secular countries like Turkey where a whopping 73% of Muslims believe that 9/11 was not conducted by Arab hijackers.
This denial is far more widespread and in some ways even more precarious than the extremism itself. Extremism, IF recognized as a problem, can be fought through a combination of ideas and military action backed by political will. However, if the entire Muslim world is in denial then this attitude inadvertently helps the militants by giving them “soft” support. Most importantly, when you are not able to recognize a problem then there is no way that you can actually expect to counter it.
In Pakistan, we have been reeling under extremism for a long time now and even now the mainstream media continues to come up with complex conspiracy theories according to which militancy is not homegrown but planted by the foreign powers jealous of Islamic “fortress” Pakistan. This mindset has generated a lot of problems, chiefly being our inability to self introspect, identify the core issue and then enough muster collective political will to fight militants. Obviously if militancy is construed as a foreign conspiracy then fight against militants becomes fight against “Pakistani” people, militants become victims and war on terror becomes “their” war.
I vividly remembered what happened in Swat ( region near to Islamabad) around 2 years ago. Militants in a series of aggressive steps took over the entire Swat region near Islamabad. As they kept on annexing town after town by force, stories started to emerge about their degrading attitude towards women, burning of schools and steps to curb even the basic liberties of life. In fact there was even a flogging video which showed a woman being lashed in public for the “crime” of coming out of her house unaccompanied by a male family member. Despite the clear evidence, a majority of the TV watching Muslim population of Pakistan simply refused to believe it. Every news was labeled as Western propaganda being carried out through their funded NGOs and their own media. In fact even when a clear evidence was presented in the form of video, the entire local media’s thrust was on proving it as a fake. The entire nation seemed to be in denial and media was actually pressurizing the government NOT to take any action against militants as according to Pakistani population they were nothing but victims of western propaganda. Then militants forced the government to sign a deal which would enforce strict Islamic law in the region. As the deal was being signed, the TV anchors were actually appreciating the step and trying to spin all the criticism as western propaganda. Literally no TV channel was interpreting it as a deal brought through coercion. In fact none of them were even critical of the hard-line contents of the deal itself, which if successfully implemented, would have resulted in virtual elimination of basic liberties and complete enslavement of women. At that point USA repeatedly criticized the deal and tried to persuade the government not to sign it. However, the government under huge domestic pressure was unable to muster collective political will and therefore ceded to the demands of militants. The next day after signing the deal, the leader of the movement, Sufi Muhammad spoke to a crowd of thousands in Swat and threatened to attack Islamabad if his version of Islam was not implemented across Pakistan. Since the speech was broadcasted live and there was no way that the people could deny the actual words spoken, there was a huge shock. Finally people understood that Swat was indeed under militants. Although this led to a belated army action but people instead of blaming the hard line Islamic militants started to point fingers at USA!!! Suddenly the “freedom fighters” of Islam became paid agents!!!! What happened in Swat is a classic example of how denial ends up supporting the militants.
Closely linked with this denial is the habit of coming up with the apologetic defense whereby extremists acts like suicide bombings are justified as a reaction to atrocities committed by the West. The apologetic defense, although not denying the existence of the problem, does something even worse: it actually creates sympathy for militants rather than revulsion. Some of the western liberals also have a tendency to fall for apologetic defense. What this point of view fails to grasp is that religious extremism though at time fueled by international events is irrational in nature. You can not cure it through “understanding of the victim” approach. Plus even if that interpretation is true (which I don’t think), we need to realize that international events are largely out of the locus of control of the Muslims and they can not hope to cure real extremists in their midst just by lamenting about so called atrocities of the West.
Its this twin faceted mindset of the MODERATE Muslims, which gives soft support to a small minority of the hard-line Muslims and allows them to flourish. The irony is that moderate Muslims actually condemn suicide bombings and other extremist acts and yet due to their peculiar mindset end up inadvertently strengthening the extremists. And as long as Muslims do not realize it, they will keep on strengthening the forces of nihilism and allows the fringe of hard liners to dominate.
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Islam exposed to its real self….
Ali sina is the doctor who has the cure but only for the ones who acknowledge that they are in pain and need treatment not for people who are enjoying the disease.
Avail it while it is still available.
MTG,
Brilliant YouTube link of Tarek Fateh . Thanks.
http://dawn.com/2012/08/29/principle-political-standpoints-in-al-absurdistan/
@Dr. Misra. Sirji just for arguments sake as a hypothesis : Yiu say Speak the truth but a truth which pleases “Satyam Bruet, Priyam Bruet”. You also say Indian History is a mine field. If some Rabid Hindutvawadis try to incite hatred against Muslims by saying Somnath was destroyed because it was a Hindu temple and Apoorva says that it was the riches which attracted Mehmood of Ghazni why should only Apoorva be faulted. He is not distorting History he is presenting his hypothesis. Somnath mandir’s destruction has been the staple diet of the hate spreaders. The genocide in Kashmir or Hyderabad I hv come to know only through tis post. I will readily admit I hv not been a student of History and either played truant or slept during History lessons. I hv blamed my disinterest in the incompetence of my boring teacher lol. The Kashmir genocide has a ring of truth because of the demographic evidence. But for India of today we have decided that it will be a secular country. There is so much to do. Should we keep opening old wounds or move on.
Apoorva, that is a great effort. The emphasis on modernity your website places is most refreshing. There is website called modernreligion or something. The two will make a great pair of authentic sources of modern thought, so consider linking up with them. Saraswati Vidyalaya somehow do not sound right. We can be thankful that you are opposing those.
Should history teach the ‘truth’ or the ‘good’?
The case for teaching history that is ‘truthful’ is very weak. If one is a believer like Dronacharya then one is lucky to know the real and the only truth. But how about the rest? For the rest, Truth is the lunch we ate yesterday. So we should be good people and learn the best history we can find.
Frankly, a very good argument is that India needs to find a way forward that combines the best ways of good believers like Dronacharya (the only one acceptable way) and best ways unbelievers like Apoorva (the best way acceptable to believers and unbelievers). Such optimal path is India’s best bet into a modern and great future like that of our neighbors.
Goel ji
Sir, don’t feel bad about that truancy. The Buddha didn’t learn everything at school.
You are a gyani. Facts of the world come to you – from within, and we are glad you share them with us.
If one keep digging, one might conclude that for Islam to come into existence you need two things – muhammed and reverence for super natural.
We have ton of reverence for super natural in the Indian sub continent.
vijay goel,
You’re also an interesting specimen! My prophesy is, for the rest of your life you’ll always believe your country’s enemies! There is no deliverance for you! Your path is programmed!
KC,
Evil evil. It doesnt matter who perpetuates it. Godhra precedes Gujrat riots precedes this riot precedes that riot.
I think Goel said Indians want to be secular and are worried about the not so mighty rupee.
In fact I am more worried if I can afford to rent an ac air next time I go to India bcos of the fuking inflation there.But then I go to parts of India which are more prosperous than others, whatever that means.
I would love to go to Model Town (Lh) in the dreaded god forsaken Pakiland to see where my Dad stayed when he went to FC college. I want to see Goevernment college LH to see where both my grandfathers studied and became friends.
But then these stupid Pakis wont let me as I am still a card carrying member of the RSS, so they think. But as per the ultimate in Mullah speak Tjinder informs that RSS is not anti-mulsim, so I guess I may get a Visa but I just dont know where to stay.
My muslim friends in India tell me it is fcking bad idea to visit Pakiland. My Sikh and hindu friends want to accompany me.
And for heaven’s sake dont tell me you have become a communist. Been there and done that too.
Evil is Evil is self evident principle . It dont not require the approval of a person or Godhood. This is the fundamental difference between Indians and Muhammadan. Instead of stand alone , self evident principle they keep refering, composing,imposing Person Muhamamd and make him above the principles of Truth. Any one with little conscience understand that genocide is evil, selling women and children is evil, self granted , medieval minded right hand posession deeds are pure evil, inbreeding amoral and assigning these human shortcomings to Godhood is evil as well insult to human intelligence itself
@ rajToo
In my opinion you are also an “interesting” specimen and bigoted and driven not by rationale but instinctive hatred.
You do not have love for humanity but are driven by irrational hatred..
Sorry
You are no differnt from Muslim rightwingers and Ahems of PTH. This is such a tragedy because apparently you are intelligent.
Dr. Misra. Sirji just for arguments sake as a hypothesis…………
goel jee mishra jee should remeber that before muslims PRAJA USED TO CHANGE HIS DHARAM WITH RAJA.when shivbhakt came to power vshnubhakts were slaughtered and vica vera.raja aur praja ka dharam ek hee hota tha.it is only muslims who allowed subjects to continue with their faith.
formation of hindu samaj was first major terrorist act on indian soil.people were forced to accept that they are inferior than others by birth.
But then these stupid Pakis wont let me as I am still a card carrying member of the RSS, so they think. But as per the ultimate in Mullah speak Tjinder informs that RSS is not anti-mulsim, so I guess I may get a Visa but I just dont know where to stay.
ROMAIN,RSS IS ENEMY OF HINDUS NOT MUSLIMS.THEY SAY, JAT PAT TODO.THE DAY CAST IS FINISHED HINDUISM IS FINISHED.they are using muslim baiting and voilence against poor muslims to penetrate in hindu society.brhmnsm and wahabism are satanic cousins.see what wahabis are doing to muslim shrines in mali and libya.before they did the same to muslim shrines in saudi arabia.u will surprize to know that in israel orthodox jews are keeping their women in abaya(burqa)as their brothers in saudi arabia.MANY OF MY FRIEND INCLUDING HINDUS AND SIKHS VISITED LAHORE,THEY FOUND THE PEOPLE VERY FRIENDLY.
@romain
/
RHR isn’t wrong in his observations about Rajmoot….he is really a moot drinking moot!! He provocates others to come back with abuses.
Look at the smarty-pants “old English” users. Hey, pretentious,
“me thinks” is wrong (in case no one told you), make it “methinks”.
Heavy_petting,
whatever suits your fancy
AKB,
Rajtoo wasnt wrong about the camel either
Knowledgeable chap!!!!
Rajtoo Yaar you sound too much like my History teacher. He also said there is no deliverance for me !!
RHR wrote to rajTOO
“You are no differnt from Muslim rightwingers and Ahems of PTH.”
Can you name the muslim rightwingers on the PTH? You mention me by name but those guys “the muslim rightwingers” you just refer to anonymously. Are you scared of them?
Again and again I have noticed that you are “courageous” when naming hindus you don’t like, But when it comes to muslims you don’t like, you prefer to be evasive, nameless. Why this cowardice?
You notice you own cowardice? Don’t try to play bunkum at my expense.
@ ahem
stop trying to play foul with everyone, in this case RHR. Be decent if you ask for decency in return. RHR or anyone for that sake is not to state all the stories of Arabian Nights to anyone…As he has named you you are more than that,infact RHR was very decent and mild with you.
RHR is certainly right in doubting your intelligence,Zero!
.
to AKB
Let RHR answer my question. You are not his bootlicker-flatterer, are you? He can answer my question himself. You don’t define decency when you yourself often use obscene and filthy language.
Ahem…you are frankly an obsessed person and repeat like a broken record
I am sure even Indians do not like you because of your obsessive views. Actually you do Isalmic fanatics a huge favour by existing because they can easily feel solace in the fact that there are people like you belonging to other religions.
I remember even raj too called you an insult to Hinduism because of your views against lower castes.
Regards
Raza
Now anyone can look at your repetitive comments, which are basically the same stuff written in slightly different language. I do not understand whats the point? I remember you even posted the same stuff on the article published on Mehdi Hassan’s death.
to RHR
Everyone is doing the mistakes which I also do. Then why pick only on me?
If I don’t get a response to my idea then I repeat it (may be using different words). Everyone does that, no?
My views are about the caste system and the existence of castes in every society. I don’t have any special feelings, good or bad, about any so-called high or low castes. Don’t accuse me of things that I have not said or done. I write carefully.
What I said was that humans are different and unequal and hence the caste system will exist always, and anyone who promises to get rid of it is lying and will blame his inability on others (as muslims do). May be I myself belong to a low caste? If it is true it is true. I don’t (don’t have to) live from your sympathies, do I?
If you are honest you will find that I have the sharpest and the most incisive and to-the-roots-going penetrative analyses on the PTH.
Islam IS totalitarian-fascistic and of a very dangerous type since it is often so hidden and tricky. It takes special political intelligence to see that.
When a teacher is teaching a stubborn distracter then he has to repeat more often.
So don’t come up with this “you are repetitive” elegy. It’s my right to be repetitive – if I deem fit.
I have recognized that islam is the real (but not the only) danger to mankind. You not yet?
THE CONCEPT : Muslims only can look after Muslim interests is FLAWED. You need good people (IRRESPECTIVE OF RELIGION) to do a sincere job. Infact I would say that a Honest Hindu/Christian is PREFERRED to do a gr8 job in a muslim-majority district.
Ideal Leaders WHO REPRESENT THE IDEA OF INDIA and are most qualified to lead Indian Muslims in India in my humble opinion are :
Mr. Prashant Bhushan
Ms. Teesta Setalvad
Mr. Harsh Mander, who resigned from IAS
Mr. Mukul Sinha, Jan Sangharsh Manch (JSM)
Mr. Rahul Sharma IPS: Ordered firing and saved 300 Muslim kids @ Bhavnagar
Mr. RB Sreekumar IPS.
Ms. Nandita Das
Mr. Sanjeev Bhatt IPS (on forced Leave).
Mr. Ashish Khetan.
When we talk of DG Vanzara (the cop who disgraced the Law !) we must salute officers like V K Gupta, Manoj Shashidhar, Narasimha Komar, Vivek Srivastava, M D Antani, Upendra Singh and Keshav Kumar led from the front and ensured that violence was controlled in their areas.
The Concept of ‘Muslim leading Muslims’ is BORING and repulsive to my spirit. I want good Hindus 2 lead Indian Muslims and solve their problems. I would prefer them any day to the bluffing Indian Muslim leaders who have no content.. who just hark on symbolism with no solid work.
KAAM KARNE WAALA LEADER CHAAHIYE – BAAT KARNE WAALA NAHIN. The age or “ORATORY” / Speeches / Raising Hands and Speaking is passe.
GUJARAT 2002 (or Mumbai 1992) did not happen in 1 day. The ground work was laid since the 1960s. Mrs. Indira Gandhi watered the field of hatred. Bal Thackerey (1992) and Narendra Modi (2002) harvested the crop.
Jaihind… and Satyameva Jayate.
to drona
Talk about all the genocides committed by muslims during the past 1200 years. The muslim-hindu conflict in India was started by muslims. The hindus are the defenders. The muslims are the aggressors or the bootlickers of the aggressors. No muslim can deny that. Hindus need leaders who do not appease muslims and do not take over the muslims’ self-glorifying history-narrative.
Everything good that non-muslims gave to the muslims with good hope ended up in the hands of the islamofascists and strengthened the islamofascists. (Because) the kuran favours the islamofascists in many of its sentences and in its spirit and aim.
yes media is playing very important role negative than posative