Fighting extremist tendencies

The statement issued by Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh urging youth to shun radical groups (Aug. 29) is undoubtedly very timely. It is sad to read reports about unassuming youth getting caught in the clutches of extremist groups who use them as pawns to promote their diabolical designs in the name of Islam. The concept of jihad is perhaps the most misused and highly misunderstood concept even among Muslims. The English translation of this Arabic word is “to strive or to struggle.” Unfortunately, many demagogues across the Muslim world have changed the basic concept of this important tenet of Islam.
It is the responsibility of Muslim scholars and other educated and enlightened elements of society to clarify this concept to the youth. It is not all about killing people. The main purpose is to strive against one’s own self. Not losing one’s cool during an argument with a colleague is jihad. Trying to follow the moral teachings of Islam is jihad. It is a very broad concept, which has been misconstrued as a license to kill anybody who does not profess the ideology of the extremists. We should educate our children properly. The best way to fight extremist tendencies and terrorism is to properly disseminate the true teachings of Islam. All of us should play our due roles in spreading the pristine teachings of the religion of peace. We should not allow anyone to hijack our religion. — Lala, Jeddah