In the post-London bombing days many Muslim states have become more introspective and have started identifying ways in which to rein in political extremists. But most Muslims believe this is only one aspect of the broader challenge of dealing with growing political violence. And that challenge requires a collective international response.
Meanwhile redefinition is also needed by the Muslims. A host of factors related to the contemporary Muslims have together created an outcome that is now forcing us to seriously rethink our worldview and actions. Some of these factors were facilitated by the non-Muslim world. The weak and dependant Muslim states have often allowed the defining of its actions by the external world. The sociological impact of these political and security-related developments has also been significant. A collective intellectual stagnation and spiritual distortion is an added dimension to the challenge of reform within.
However the key question is the source of frustration and reaction that creates distortions in the Muslim mind, spirit and emotion which often pulls them away from the essence of Islam itself. These frustrations and distortions have internal and external causes. The ongoing tragedy of the Palestinians, the dollar-bankrolled Afghan jihad, the genocide of Muslims in Bosnia and Srebrenica, the killings in Chechnya, the state-terrorism in Indian-Held Kashmir, the US occupation of Iraq, the largely non-representative governments in Muslim countries, a corrupt state apparatus, the use of Islam jointly by Muslim states and the Western governments in the Afghan war against Soviet occupation are some of the primary causes. To this should be added intellectual stagnation in Muslim societies and the exclusion and marginalization experienced by the migrant Muslim communities in Western societies.
The 9/11, London bombings and Sharm El-Shiekh blasts and the continuing terrorism-related deaths in Pakistan are the cumulative outcome of these causes. Muslims have been rudderless through this harsh encounter. Perhaps Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, stands out as the lone example of a proactive, constructive and successful leadership in times of turmoil and trouble that the Muslims of British India encountered.
With his towering personality he single-handedly ensured that the interests of the Indian Muslims were protected through an astute and principled strategy. His qualities of leadership enabled him to successfully attract the support of million of Indian Muslims leading to the creation of a homeland, Pakistan, for them.
Today however any attempt to arrest this terrorist tide will require altering the context of Muslim encounter. This is a colossal task. While immediate steps to enforce law and order and citizens’ security are essential, the temptation of marking or interning the Muslims in Western societies has to be resisted.
It is time for Renaissance — not Muslim or Christian, Western or Eastern but a global renaissance. The indivisibility of a collective human future has never been more apparent. If it has to be a bright future, the effort has to be collective.
