Extremism: Causes and Solution
Introduction
The menace of extremism has plagued Muslim societies especially in the recent decades. This is perhaps
the most serious challenge the Muslim world is facing at present because most Muslim societies, with
only a few exceptions notwithstanding, are marred by extremism. Passing through the stages of
infecting thoughts and behaviours and plaguing speech and writing, to our misfortune, extremism has
turned into practical manifestation in massacre, bloodshed and terrorism. In this write-up an attempt
has been made to adumbrate the causes of the rise of this monster.
What is Extremism?
Extremism literally, means driving something to the limit or to the extreme or adopting extreme or
violent course of action. Nowadays, this term is being increasingly used in religious and political context
with reference to Islam. The Muslims who adopt violent means for enforcing or propagating their own
version of Islam are termed extremists by the West. The term is applied to curse those Muslims who are
against undue US-led Western interference in internal affairs of economically feeble Muslim states on
the pretext of War on Terror.
Origin & Historical Background
The term ‘Extremism’ got prominence in international affairs especially after 9/11 attacks in the US.
Muslims belonging to the militant group Al-Qaeda, which was led by Osama bin Laden, were accused of
carrying out those attacks. Soon after that fateful incident, the then US president George W. Bush
announced the War on Terror ‘to dismantle the terrorist groups accused of orchestrating 9/11 attacks.’
Then, the US in collaboration with some Western powers launched an all-out military campaign against
Taliban government in Afghanistan for providing shelter and support to Osama bin Laden and his Al-
Qaeda affiliates. Eventually, Taliban government was toppled only to be replaced by US-backed
government that was dominated by Northern Alliance. This whole exercise took only a few days.
Thousands of Taliban were either killed or wounded and a large number of them were detained by the
occupant forces. Although Taliban were removed from the government, yet their influence over the
country could not be abolished. Even today, in order to bring durable peace and stability to the war-torn
Afghanistan, the US, China and Pakistan are striving to initiate a meaningful dialogue process between
pro-US Afghan government and the Taliban.
After removing Taliban government, the US alleged that some Taliban groups were having safe havens in
Pakistan-Afghanistan bordering areas. So, the US started to carry out drone attacks in this belt. Although
the US claimed success in eliminating high-value targets, there are widespread reports of losses of lives
and material of innocent people in these attacks.
Since the launch of US-led military campaign in Afghanistan and the start of drone attacks in its tribal
areas, Pakistan has been facing intermittent deadly terrorist attacks that have resulted in huge losses of
life, property and infrastructure. These heinous acts of terror are claimed by certain extremist and
terrorist groups on the pretext of taking revenge from US and its allies. Even innocent schoolchildren
were not spared by the terrorists. After the inhumane massacre of APS Peshawar students on 16th
December 2014, Pakistan Army launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan. On account of this
successful military operation, the people of Pakistan have heaved a sigh of relief as this operation has
broken the back of terrorist groups.
Causes for Rise of Extremism in Islamic World
1. Negative Role of the West
The first major cause for the rise of extremism and anti-West sentiments in the Islamic world is the
dubious policies and double standards adopted by the Western powers, especially the US. In 1979, when
the USSR invaded Afghanistan, the United States started a proxy war against the Russians through
Afghan Mujahideen. Throughout the 1980s, Afghanistan was the battleground for a fight between pro-
US Mujahideen and Russian troops. The US provided the Mujahideen with sophisticated weapons
through Pakistan because at that time these fighters were being hailed as heroes by the US. Since
Pakistan faced serious threats to its sovereignty from the USSR, it had no option but to become a US ally
in this war.
The Afghan War had serious ramifications for Russian economy which forced the withdrawal of the Red
Army from Afghanistan in 1989 ergo disintegration of USSR in 1991. So, it was the US that patronized
extremist and militant elements in Afghanistan to achieve its vested interests. After collapse of the
USSR, Afghanistan was left on the mercy of fate and of warring groups of Mujahideen as they took up
arms against each other and ransacked their own country. Hence this civil war and turmoil created
power vacuum in Afghanistan. In order to fill that vacuum, a new group Taliban emerged in 1994. The
Taliban Mujahideen brought the entire Afghanistan under their sway within a few months. Though
Taliban were hardliners and rigid in their policies, they brought peace and stability to the war-torn
Afghanistan. Nevertheless, the same Taliban, who once were being hailed as Mujahideen, were declared
terrorists and extremists after 9/11.
Middle East is another region that has witnessed surge in extremist and anti-US sentiments. Once again
the dubious role and unjustified meddling of the US-dominated West in Arab states’ internal affairs is
the fundamental cause for it. Since the establishment of Israel in the heart of Arabia in furtherance of
the notorious Balfour Declaration of 1917, the West has protected this rogue state. Each aggression and
violent act that Israel carries out against the neighboring Arab States has a complete military and
diplomatic backing of the West. This immoral patronage of Israel has generated genuine reservations
among the Arabs.
After 9/11, the US intensified its meddling into the region’s affairs on the pretext of War against
Terrorism. In Iraq, the West exterminated Saddam Hussein in a military action in tandem with some
local groups to punish him for amassing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) — which were never
found there. After Saddam’s removal and his subsequent hanging, Iraq still has precarious law and order
situation on account of sectarian differences.
More recently, Syria has also plunged into sectarian strife which has resulted in enormous bloodshed
and destruction. The West has failed to play a positive and constructive role in controlling internal
differences in Iraq and Syria. In the aftermath of the Arab Spring, central governments in certain Arab
states have weakened and some countries like Yemen are confronted with bloody civil wars. These
developments have led to the emergence of new violent and extremist groups in the region like Daesh
or IS.
2. Lust for Power and Internal Differences within Muslim States
The rulers of some Muslim states do also share responsibility for the rise of extremism in the Muslim
World. Decades-long rules of dictators in some Muslim countries ignited dissident tendencies which
weakened economies of these states that, in turn, provided opportunities to the economically and
technologically strong West to meddle in their internal affairs and to overwhelm them. Instead of
curbing extremist groups, the power-hungry dictators patronized them to prolong their rule.
3. Negative Role of Muslim Clergy
The clergy of Muslims is also responsible for the rise of extremism in Muslim world. Instead of
propagating the real Islamic tenets of peace, harmony, tolerance, peaceful co-existence and
forbearance, they fan the flames of negative tendencies like sectarian differences.
How to Counter this Menace?
The Muslims need to realize that they cannot neutralize Western influence in their internal affairs by
resorting to extremism. On the contrary, this will further deteriorate the state of affairs as is already
manifest in the destruction of states like Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, etc. The Muslim world can counter
West’s imperialistic designs only through education and unity, and not through militancy and
extremism.
The West and the US should also revisit their policies of consolidating their economies and military
prowess at the cost of killing and weakening Muslims. Otherwise the growing unrest among the Muslims
may fuel the already burning flames of extremism and terrorism.
1. Islam Condemns Extremism
Peace and harmony are the very essence of Islam whereas extremism and intolerance are in sheer
contrast to the Islamic teachings. The word Islam has been derived from Arabic word “Salam,” which
means peace and Islam means entering into peace. Allah Almighty says:
“There is no compulsion in religion.”
(Al-Baqarah: 256)
2. Peace and Quran
At a number of places in the Holy Quran, the Muslims have been directed in unequivocal terms to avoid
creating mischief on earth. Furthermore, in verse 32 of Surah Al-Ma’idah, Allah Almighty declares slaying
of one person as slaying of the whole humanity and saving the life of one person as saving the whole
humanity.
3. Peace and Sunnah
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) propagated message of Islam through peace and never forced his opinion
upon others. As a head of state, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) patronized principle of peaceful coexistence
with other nations through steps like charter of Madina. On the occasion of the Conquest of Makkah,
the Holy Prophet (PBUH) announced general amnesty for even those who had severely persecuted
Muslims. He (PBUH) was even benign to prisoners of war and in all the battles fought during his lifetime,
the Muslims were defenders, not the aggressors.
Once an Arab Bedouin came to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and requested for only one prefect advice. The
Holy Prophet (PBUH) said “Avoid anger” and repeated it again and again.
4. Unity of Ummah
“And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and do not be divided
among yourselves.”
(Al-Imran: 103)
5. Improve Education
“Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know.”
(Al-Zumar: 9)
Conclusion
He (PBUH) said to the Muslims:
“Facilitate things to people and do not complicate things for them, give good tidings to the people and
do not make them run away from Islam.”
Hence the need of the hour for Muslims is to shun tendencies of extremism, militancy and non-
tolerance and to promote qualities like integrity, harmony, brotherhood, tolerance and peaceful
coexistence with other communities.
