It is probably symbolic that the victims of last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris included Muslims, Christians and Jews. But more importantly the attacks represented an aggression on Islam in the name of Islam and Muslims. The fallout from these crimes will be huge for Muslims, especially those living in the West. They will give a boost to ultra-nationalist and far right parties in Europe and elsewhere and they will trigger a fresh wave of Islamophobia across continents. Most immediate reaction will manifest itself in tighter security measures, review of treaties and laws on border crossing and immigration and renewed commitment to the global war against militants in the Middle East, Africa and Western Asia.
The Paris attacks have been likened to 9/11 in the US in terms of their long-term repercussions. But the global war against radicals has been going on for more than 14 years with little success. A quick glance at the world map reveals the flare up of new hotspots far more dangerous than a decade and a half ago. The Taleban in Afghanistan and Pakistan have destabilized these two countries despite heavy foreign intervention that came at a hefty cost. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is far stronger today than it was few years ago. Al-Shabab movement in Somalia remains active, despite setbacks, and threatens the stability of countries in East Africa. Boko Haram in northern Nigeria is getting stronger and is carrying out unbelievable atrocities on daily basis. The Islamic State (IS) remains a formidable force in Iraq and Syria and has expanded to war-torn Libya while recruiting supporters in Algeria, Tunis and Mali. The sad fact is that radical thought is growing in influence as it promotes its message among disgruntled youth all over the world. Foreign fighters from Europe, the US and Canada, many of them second generation citizens, have traveled to Syria to fight under the banner of an Islamist caliphate that preaches a nihilistic dogma; alien to the moderate and tolerant message of Islam embraced by the majority. Today extremism has become a cancer gnawing at the heart of the Muslim world.
The invasion of Iraq in 2003 has ignited sectarian wars between Sunnis and Shiites, and the flames of that confrontation have crossed to Syria as well. Religious minorities have become victims of this war, which threatens to uproot ancient communities that have been an integral part of this region for centuries. King Abdallah of Jordan has rightly described what is going on as “a war within Islam.” It is a war where radical elements are attempting to hijack Islam, distort its message and wage, in its name, war on everyone who disagrees with it. It is a menace that threatens Muslims before anyone else.
Recognizing this fact is the first step in combating this growing evil. Security and military measures by themselves will not succeed in reversing or containing this threat. Foreign intervention is a two-edged sword in the fight against extremists. It may contain the militants for a while, but it also comes at a heavy price for the local population. It is difficult not to attribute the chaos that we are witnessing today in this region, in part, to foreign intrusions. Eventually, the militants will employ such interventions to rally support and recruit fighters.
It is time to admit that confronting radical dogma goes beyond the use of force. It is a long and difficult battle that requires collective and determined action by Muslim countries. The challenge is to make sure that future generations are not exposed to these radical ideas. It means that governments must promote the centrist message of Islam in mosques, schools and universities. For this to occur a more equitable and just societies must be created and developed. That is easier said than done, but it is the only way for the Muslim world to deny oxygen to radical preachers who prey on young and disillusioned Muslims. A new Islamic renaissance is needed and only bold leaders can make this happen.
The war within Islam is an ideological one in the end. Enlightened clerics must be given the necessary tools to reach millions of young Muslims who are trying to cope with social, economic and political challenges in their regions. Along that route states must look ahead and find ways to adopt and then instill the globally accepted codes of honoring human rights, creating equal opportunities, achieving social justice and enshrining good governance and accountability. Many governments will resist this, but for moderate Islam to conquer those who are trying to hijack the religion, change must begin at home.
Radical thought has become the centerpiece in the fight against terrorism. Europe and the West will find ways to deal with and contain the present danger. But the onus is on the Muslim world to create and adopt the right formula to deal with the long-term challenges of extremism that has stained the true image of Islam. A more immediate move now would be for Muslim leaders to meet and end the widening rift between Islamic sects. The Sunni-Shiite divide is a ticking bomb that threatens to shatter the Muslim world from the inside. No country will be spared from such an implosion. Radical dogma must be shunned and discredited. The war of ideas must be won by the moderates. It is time for responsible and brave leadership!
