This is with reference to the report “Saudi short film carries an anti-terror message” (March 15). It is very important to use different forms of media to highlight the dangers of extremist ideology. In addition to military efforts, such ideas will prove to be very useful to deter unassuming youths from joining the ranks of terror outfits. It is very important to explain to the Muslim youth that the ideology of terror outfits, particularly Al-Qaeda and Daesh, have nothing to do with Islam. They are using Islamic terminologies to promote their selfish interests.

The recent developments in the Muslim world show that we don’t have a proper understanding of our religion. Why is it so easy for a demagogue to twist the meaning of a verse from the Qur’an and to misquote a Hadith?

The answer is: Our concept of religious education is confined to the reading of Qur’an. We don’t know the basics of our religion that is why demagogues find it easy to mislead us.

We should change the way we approach religious education. It should not be confined to seminaries or madrassas. We should teach our children the basics at an early age. Instead of relying solely on governments or schools, we as parents should play our due roles in this regard. Internet should not be used as a source of entertainment. Today, we can download several apps and computer programs to teach our children Qur’an and Hadith with its proper meanings and explanations.

It is just a click away but unfortunately we our only interested in Facebook and YouTube. We should join hands with our respective governments in the fight against extremism and terrorism. It is our collective responsibility as Muslims. We should not allow a handful of people to hijack our religion. It is very important to expedite efforts against the deviant ideology, which is wreaking havoc on the entire world and bringing a bad name to Islam and Muslims.