1. Meaning of the term Extremism
Extremism is usually defined as an immoderate, excessive, radical or severe attitude or behavior. It stands for deviation from the centre of opinion to the greatest degree of extreme.
It is used in politics with reference to extreme right (statusquoe; conservatism) or extreme left (advocacy for change).
2.In the contemporary usage of this term it mostly refers to movements for change in statuesque.
Most of these movements, at their best, observe constitutional means for change, yet are branded extremist, fundamentalist, backward, anti modernity and even anti – democracy e.g. the Jamat – e- Islami, Pakistan, PAS (the Party Islam) of Malaysia, or the FAS of Algeria.
3. By there very nature, the movements for social change, are essentially pro-active and not reactive movements. They call for social justice, human rights, a pluralistic world and recognition of right to self – determination and religious and cultural freedom of the people.
However the euro-centric media and academia projects them as a threat to the west. This negative image and perception needs to be corrected.
4. What Causes Extremism
5. Difference between Terrorism and freedom struggle
In 1987, the Secretary General of the U.N Convened a conference to define terrorism.
“The conference made clear distinction between terrorism and those fighting for the right to self-determination against foreign and racist regimes, which were categorically exempted from the crime of terrorism”.
(U.N Report A/42/832); also A/9028/1973.
6. Religious Wars:
One deep rooted myth about Islam and Muslims, rotates around the concept of Jihad, incorrectly translated as “holy war”
Is jihad a holy war?
“Holy War” is essentially a Christian concept inspired by a series of Crusades launched by the Church between 1095 and 1291. In the name of proselytization and gaining control over Jerusalem, Church assumed a more prominent role.
Its main target were Muslims and Jews. It justified use of force for their conversion to Christianity.
- “Crusades” in Encyclopedia Britannica, Macropadie Chicago, 1974, Vol 5 P-297-310
The Qur’an does not contain the concept of “religious wars”. Jihad in the Qur’an stands for:
• Not a “holy war” for converting people at gun point. •It is a systematic, on going struggle for realization of peace, justice, human rights, religious and cultural freedom and liberty. It is not a defensive warfare.
7.1 It is a corrective methodology for Islah, balance, moderation and ‘adl. •It stands for declaration of war against oppression and aggressive systems, ignorance, insecurity, pornography and immorality. •It stands for war against corruption, exploitation and violation of law and order.
8. The Qur’anic view of Jihad
Respect and protection of human life.
“And that you slay not the life which Allah has made sacred, save in the course of justice. This He has commanded you in order that you may understand”
Al-An‘am 6:15
r-index:1;mso-font-kerning:12.0pt;language:en-US’>It stands for war against corruption, exploitation and violation of law and order.
