Extremism: too late to contain it?
Posted on 14. Apr, 2010 by Jeff in World News
By Yasmeen Ali
Mosque is where the basic fundamentals of faith are taught
Extremism…Fundamentalism, Militancy, terms used and heard, every day.
Are they the same? Different? Is a Fundamentalist an Extremist and an Extremist a Fundamentalist? I am a Fundamentalist. So are you. But are we Extremists?
I will politely, if need be, rudely, disagree.
Until 1950, there was no entry for fundamentalism in the Oxford English Dictionary, the derivative fundamentalist was added only in its second 1989 edition. The term “fundamentalism” has its roots in the Niagara Bible Conference (1878–1897) which defined those things that were fundamental to Christian belief. The term was also used to describe “The Fundamentalist”, a collection of twelve books on five subjects published in 1910. The same year, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church distilled these into what became known as the “five fundamentals or the basic five pillars of their religion. So any person who believes in the fundamentals of the faith he or she belongs to, is a Fundamentalist.
It was not until the Islamic Iran Revolution that the term “Islamic Fundamentalism” was coined. This made it easy for the west to relate to what was happening in this part of the world. As they were well aware of “Christian Fundamentalism”.
A Fundamentalist is, however, distinct from an Extremist.
In democratic societies, individuals or groups that advocate the replacement of democracy with a authoritarian regime are usually branded extremists, in authoritarian societies the opposite applies.
So you see why I am willing to disagree on the callous way these terms are abused and branded about? Even Extremists are not action based Militants. That is yet another category. A Militant is a person having a combative character; aggressive, especially in the service of a cause. As an intelligent reader, you can discern, that, one, you can be a Fundamentalist without being an Extremist or a Militant. Two, you can be an Extremist without being a Militant. However, you cannot be an Extremist and a Militant without being a Fundamentalist. QED.
Let’s examine as to WHY Extremism and Militancy seem to have captured the minds of so many Pakistanis especially the youth who are willing to blow themselves up to smithereens. Around three years ago, I had a student who hailed from Swat. Both brothers were studying in Lahore, The father had died many years ago There was a sister and a mother who was moved out to Lahore, too, in due course of time. The reason to move the family to Lahore was interesting. He told me, that the Taliban come to the residents houses and ask the able bodied men, of the family, to join them. The “pay structure” then, was Rs. 20000 to Rs. 25000. Should the man die in action, the monies will continue to be paid and in case of a marriage of a sister or the daughter, the Talib organization shall bear the full costs. For many, he said, in the absence of any job opportunities there, this was just another plain job. Many embraced it. Not because of faith in an ideology, not an undying belief in the cause, but just as a vocation job.
It does not necessarily follow, that a great number do not believe, within the ranks of Taliban, that they are answering to a higher calling. Of course they do. But a large number joins ranks due to poverty, lack of opportunities, inability to improve their lot, some join after suffering injustices, some may be negative minded, while others may be simple power seekers.
Now I come to the crowning glory. Our failure to provide for our people .In every sphere. Talibanisation of Swat is a classic case study.
In terms of education. How many schools do we have in Swat? How many for girls and how many for boys in terms of population break up in terms of gender? How do they compare with the average educational standard of other provinces? How many professional institutions? In terms of hospitals, how many do we have in Swat? What standard & quality of healthcare do they provide? What is the numbers & quality of medics there?
In terms of employment opportunities, what kind of manufacturing units, or industrial infra structure development can these areas boast of? What kind of openings do the local have to gainfully employ themselves? The economy of Swat is based on small scale silk and cosmetic manufacturing units Ever since the insurgency and resultant Army action, many of the units are now closed and their revival would take time because most of their technical staff belonged to other provinces and are reluctant to return unless the situation improves.
But what of the locals themselves? How many LOCALS do these units employ? Hardly any, I was told.
More than 25,000 workers were employed by some 500 hotels in the Swat district. The industry is mainly dependent on tourism for its business. Its growth has remained at the lowest ebb because of security concerns for the last couple of years. But still, it was the main source of income for thousands of families.
Are we pushing the locals to succumb to pressure to support Taliban by closing doors to their gainful employment? By allowing an atmosphere of insecurity, whatever little opportunities they had of earning a decent livelihood, have been denied to them. Whereas there is no denying that Militancy cannot be supported, the menace must be dealt with in no uncertain terms. It is also a ground reality that we need to focus on development of these neglected areas and provide the basic amenities, quality of life, justice, education, health facilities, followed by job opportunities. This is an arduous road to take, but one that is unavoidable. We have to do this. That is the only way to contain and reverse the tide. It is still not too late.
We need to distance ourselves from just talking. Tall claims and bravados will not achieve the objective of creating a stable and prosperous Pakistan. Opportunity exists, may be not for too long. Avail it, Mr Prime Minister. The country needs a short term plan coupled with a long term one to rejuvenate the area. We have the resources and we have the skill. But do we have the vision and the will to do it?
Like a dear friend of mine, wrote to me, “All the woulda-coulda-shouldas sitting in the comfort of their drawing rooms, and their High Offices, talkin’ ’bout the things they woulda-coulda-shoulda done… But all those woulda-coulda-shouldas run away and hide from one little did. ”
The writer is a Lawyer and Masters in Mass Communications, currently teaching in Mass Communications Dept. of
Yasmeen Ali
Beacon House National University and a bloggist. She owns and moderates her blog pakpotpourri.
loading...
Wilfred Mische
15. Apr, 2010
Excellent description and analysis .
darethefuture.com » A strategy for US and Every Government …
15. Apr, 2010
[...] Extremism: too late to contain it? [...]
A strategy for US and Every Government … « darethefuture.biz
15. Apr, 2010
[...] Extremism: too late to contain it? [...]
A strategy for US and Every Government … « darethefuture.info
15. Apr, 2010
[...] Extremism: too late to contain it? [...]
A True strategy for US and Every Government … « darethefuture.net
15. Apr, 2010
[...] Extremism: too late to contain it? [...]
A True strategy for US and Every Government … « darethefuture.org
15. Apr, 2010
[...] Extremism: too late to contain it? [...]
A True strategy for US and Every Government … « darethefuture.us
15. Apr, 2010
[...] Extremism: too late to contain it? [...]
A True Strategy for US and Every Government … « Opportunities Have Consequences
15. Apr, 2010
[...] Extremism: too late to contain it? [...]
A strategy for US and Every Government … « Trade needs Peace
15. Apr, 2010
[...] Extremism: too late to contain it? [...]
Laila Isphandyar
16. Apr, 2010
Great analysis. Candid views of the core issues. A wake up call to the govt. But is someone listening?
Laila
Ibrahim
16. Apr, 2010
I find this analysis bull’s eye.
An excellent analysis followed by practicable suggestions to
successfully tackle the situation. Her analysis is down to earth
giving credence to the three pronged strategy 1) Development of the
area thus creating employment opportunities 2) Engage the militants in
dialogue and 3) If no option works, fight them.
I hope this serves as a wake up call to our Leaders.
We hope and pray for return of peace to this beautiful land.
Ameen.
Ibrahim
Ijaz Khan
16. Apr, 2010
Ibrahim,agreed with your analysis. Well written Yasmeen.But unfortunately,our politicians are focused on grabbing,grabbing & more grabbing.They are not interested in nation building.
Ijaz
Shamsa Shafqat
17. Apr, 2010
It is a pleasure to read such well informed views. That too from a woman. Rarely do we see writers suggest solutions like Ms Ali. Well dome Opinion Maker.Continue posting good write ups like this & we will continue readiing you.
Shamsa
fayyaz Shah
23. Apr, 2010
What we are facing here is a combination of both added with plenty of criminals and since this century’s buzz word is Taliban that is what they are now called everywhere. Mulla Umar’s letter to General Musharaf needs to be retrieved where he clearly stated that Afghan Talibaan will never cross over to Pakistan to fight, then how did the boogy cross over. Know thy Criminals and eliminate them no need to label them names that George Bush once thought was a Rock Band.
Mehfooz
25. Apr, 2010
Tayyaz Shah they crossed over because the thousands of miles of rough terrain that divides Afghanistan & Pakistan cannot be physically monitored.
Mehfooz
Rizwan Beg
27. Apr, 2010
Excellent analysis!
Riz
charles buchanan
30. Apr, 2010
On 28 April 2010 00:00, wrote:
dear raja:
there is just as much of a possibility that the NWO-empires of mj-12 and mi5 as well as the fascist of leftover empires of ww-2 japan,italy,germany that form that coalition,and are hell bent on getting america and its even now larger jewish population…back into their fold ala-1770,s! they are the only ones with any monetary or military power of their own(NATO-ESA,ETC)to co-opt the freedoms of either the americas or the muslim empires. we have all been fighting the wrong fight of culture and religion aginst each other for too long.
it is time to put a stop to elitist and empire rebuilding of the old roman empire. they did far more damage to both the jewish and muslim sunni cultures.
charles buchanan
auburn,wa
charles buchanan
30. Apr, 2010
Did you see the picture from russian intel in pravda?
Showed a massive DEBRI-FIELD circling the earth(space junk and shuttle debri from thousands of launches and experiments over the last 20 years or so.
this is probably the real cause for so called global warming,and I might add…….a lot of airliner crashes explained away by the NTSB and the military.
some of these were also relaterd to top secret NRO-NSA super tests of lasers both ground and space based.
do you think they would admit to any errors in judgement? the insurance and credibility costs would be too high.
so it all goes under the heading “NATIONAL SECURITY”
this is what we little people of faith on both sides of the religious and cultural spectrums is faceing.
black box budgets that sponsor weapons of great danger moved into space by both russia the euro-space agency and USA.there is no accountability as dwight david eisenhower warned after the korean war. these are funded largely by drug cartel monies fomented by the kingdom mi5 its associated foreign cartels so that the congresses will not have to see it on paper and act in another one of its useless “comittees”
goldman sachs AIG ,and several other multi purposed insurer liability firms that cover the high level scientis,the warrior and the think tanks are all receiveing big payoffs thru the doodlings of those companie ececs on wall street..
sincerely,charles buchanan 111
seattle,wa
Dr. O. P. Sudrania
15. May, 2010
An excellent post and a very nice analysis. But I would extend her analysis to apply to the rest of the country in Pakistan too. Because it should be planned as a global national programme to fully succeed with a good coordination and building an infrastructure base at the same time.
with best wishes and regards.
Dr. O. P. Sudrania