Religious extremism in pakistan

Religious extremism in pakistan

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  Religious extremism in Pakistan
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   The problem: ReligiousExtremism in Pakistan  Description of the problem: A usually religious movement or point of view characterized by a return to fundamental principles, by rigid adherence to those principles, and often by intolerance of other views and opposition to secularism. More formally, it is the act of taking an extreme view regarding a specific religion.  The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “ Beware of extremism in religion, for extremism destroyed those who went before you.” ( IBN MAJAH, NASA’I)
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  Background  Back in1979, millions of jihadis were trained in Pakistan to achieve US interests of containing Soviet Union in Afghanistan. These Mujahedeen were tagged as ‘terrorists’ soon after the 9/11 incident. They felt used and deprived of their rights and showed their reaction in the form of extremism.
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  Consequences of theproblem  Threat to faith and life: Religious extremism threatens the faith and life of other people. It does not allow them to practice their religious rituals freely and openly.  Threat to peace and security: It threatens and harms the peace and internal security of the country/nation.  Domestic war: Religious extremism results in clashes between social groups and religious sectors causing domestic war.
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   National solidarity: Itweakens national solidarity and allow others countries to invade.  Terrorism: It gives rise to terrorism and people misunderstand the difference between terrorism and jihad.
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  Reasons The factors leadingto religious extremism in Pakistan can be categorized into: 1. Internal factors 2. External factors
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  Internal factors: some internalfactors are as following:  Illiteracy : Ignorance, lack of awareness, backwardness and lack of knowledge are the main reasons for religious extremism. ► Brain-washing: In some areas, children are sent to madrassas where they can be easily brain washed. Example of this is the incident of Laal Masjid, Islamabad.
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   Faulty system: Terroristacts across the country, improper security situation and faulty political system leads to severe extremist thoughts.  Law enforcement: Lack of law enforcement (regarding the organizations supporting acts of religious extremism) also leads to religious extremism.
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  External factors: Some externalfactors for religious extremism are: ► Drones/NATO : Drones/ presence of NATO/ 'Ethnic cleansing policy' against Muslim states (Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine etc.) causes frustration and revolt in the masses. ►International Policy : No step is taken by authorities when foreign countries violate laws. Example: Aafia Siddiqi case , Raymond Davis case.
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   Furious Youth: All aspects like drone attacks and NATO activities are the factors which lead to a furious youth resulting in religious extremism as a reaction to such problems. Domestic interference : Allowing domestic interference to USA is also one of the many reasons of religious extremism in Pakistan.
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  Solutions  Safe environment: The state should provide enabling environment and institutions to ensure equal access to the resources of life and freedom of expression. ►Exposed to general public: To expose those in the public arena so that they cannot continue to find access to the general public. ►Training of religious workers: To continue training new religious workers and Sheikhs with the know hows and the rebuttal documents enabling them to expose extremism and its proponents.
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   Focus onhuman centered values: Religion-based approach of political and social engagement should transcend differences and focus more on common human centered values. Religion should not be hijacked by religious leaders with personal agendas.  Role of education : Special emphasis should be put on the role of education in the fight against religious extremism.  Role of media : To maintain a media broadcast that supports rebutting and curtailing extremism act undressing their disguise and motives.
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  Best Solution  Ithink the best solution to this type of extremism is that the government should take serious measures to educate the population of the country, as religious extremism has its base in the fact that Pakistan has a high rate of ignorance and illiteracy.  It is easier to brain-wash a dull mind, but it is impossible to convince an educated mind about something that has no rational justification.
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  Conclusion  My pointof view is that religious extremism is basically a state in which a person goes far beyond certain limits. The person or group of people hold rigid beliefs and are not ready to bring any sort of change in it. They cannot even rationalize their rigidity and their point of view. They believe that they are always right and others should adapt themselves according to their beliefs like in case of terrorists.