The reasons for EXTREMISM in Pakistan | Solutions to eradicate Extremism in the light of Islamic teachings | For CSS, PMS, and Other Competitive Exams

 

Q6). Enumerate the reasons for extremism in Pakistan and suggest solutions to eradicate it in the light of Islamic teachings.

Extremism

Extremism is a term used to describe the actions or ideologies of an individual or a group that violate common standards of ethics and are seen as irrational, counterproductive, and unacceptable. Extremism is one of the critical problems faced by Pakistan that has led to social, economic, political, and cultural turmoil. In Pakistan, extremism takes many forms namely religious extremism, sectarian extremism, ethnic extremism, fanaticism, and vigilantism. The reasons behind extremism in Pakistan are as follows:

 Causes of Extremism in Pakistan:

The rigid and narrow interpretation of Islamic teachings:

People of Pakistan take Islamic teachings at face value instead of contemplating their deeper meaning. This results in a limited understanding of Islamic teachings and leads to misinterpretation. For example, people have a lot of misconceptions about jihad. At present, different concepts about jihad are floating in the minds of people due to which a distorted concept of jihad is being projected everywhere as every person understands it differently.

Lack of tolerance:

Lack of tolerance polarizes society and creates separation and animosity between individuals or groups belonging to different religions and different ethnicities. When a society becomes intolerant, people refuse to accept the opinion of other people and start blaming them for being wrong. Intolerance causes people to deprive other people of their rights to life and freedom of expression because they think they are on the right path and everybody else is wrong. It divides society into various sects and develops a sense of isolation among the people.

Lack of religious education:

Most of the people in Pakistan are poor and uneducated. From a very young age, people sent their children to work to earn for the family instead of going to school. Poor people find it very difficult to fulfill their basic needs and every day is like a battle for survival as a result they focus more on earning money than anything else. Such people have little or no understanding of Islamic teachings so when they hear people who claim to be religious, they believe everything they say and do as they say without analyzing and verifying it.   

Low-quality education:

Poor curriculum, inadequate number of properly trained teachers, and low-quality education have turned some madrassas into incubators of extremism. The curriculum and textbooks taught at madrassas include hate material and encourage prejudice and discrimination toward women and religious minorities. Madrassas use Islamic teachings for a wide array of controversial ideological objectives that are contrary to the goals of a progressive and moderate Pakistan. Students studying in madrassas are characterized as fundamentalist as well as strict and they are fueled with a desire for jihad and martyrdom. Extremist groups use these traits to their advantage and brainwash them to a point where they don’t hesitate in acting against their fellow Muslims.

Unemployment:

Young people have more energy, passion, and capabilities and they wish to use them to make a better life for themselves but when all facets of society fail to provide adequate resources and opportunities to channel their energy into constructive actions, young people start searching elsewhere to channel this energy. Extremist groups recruit young people by offering education, money, and shelter that their own government has failed to provide. Extremist groups offer an escape from constant frustration and give young people a sense of belonging and purpose that they have been searching for. 

Injustice:

When people go through proper channels to get their rights but get rejected, it instills hatred and hopelessness in people. People start losing faith in the system and decide to take matters into their own hands. Injustice robs people of their minds and clouds their judgment as a result they become violent and act emotionally. When the system fails to provide them justice, they try to take their rights by force which subsequently results in chaos and anarchy. 

Poor governance and unequal development:

Lack of basic facilities and infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, clean water, and transportation facilities are breeding grounds for extremism. Throughout Pakistan, extremism thrives in underdeveloped areas because that’s where the local government has been least productive. This is why extremism is more dominant in rural areas of Pakistan than urban areas because in urban areas people enjoy all the facilities of modern life.

Greed for power and control:

Such people go to great lengths to maintain their status in society even if it means threatening, robing, or killing innocent people. Power-greedy people establish their control through fear and violence and they demand complete obedience and subordination from all their subjects. From politicians to industrialists to landlords, every powerful greedy person wants to sit at the top of the food chain in their own circle. Such people misuse their authority for the purpose of their own personal benefit and have no regard for the wellbeing of other people.   

The Quran commands Muslims to practice moderation and negates extremism in the strongest of words in several places. The Holy Quran says, “And whosoever disobeys Allah and his messenger and transgress His limits, HE will admit him into hell-fire, to abide therein forever.”

Solutions to eradicate Extremism

Inculcating tolerance

Community leaders, intellectuals, politicians, media, and most important religious teachers can all contribute to molding public opinion in such a way that propagates tolerance and not intolerance. The Quran advises exercising tolerance and broad-mindedness while dealing with people who disagree with you. The Quran acknowledges diversity among people and sets the tone for tolerance. The Holy Quran says, “O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.”                                

Holy Prophet (SAW) said, “He who is deprived of forbearance and gentleness is indeed deprived of all good.”

Bridging the gap between the rich and the poor:

Financially stable people can withstand economic pressure but poor people often succumb to the crushing economic pressure and eventually turn to theft and robbery to make two ends meet. On one hand, some people are indulged in extreme luxuries while on the other hand, some people rot in extreme poverty. Money should be circulated and not allowed to remain concentrated in just a few hands. The Islamic system of zakat and charity should be practiced to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.

The Holy Quran says, “Those who spend their money in the path of Allah, then don’t follow their charity with insult or harm will receive their reward from their Lord.”  This also applies to the distribution of resources and wealth among provinces. One province must not become opulent at the cost of other provinces. 

The curriculum of madrassas should be reformed:

The curriculum must include regular school subjects like English and mathematics. The bridge between madrassas and regular schools should be minimized by providing funds to madrassas that are formally registered with the government. In addition to this, a monitoring system needs to be put in place to ensure that no texts are taught that promote militancy, sectarianism, and religious hatred.

It is incumbent upon all Muslims to clarify their concepts about Islam and then educate other Muslims about the teachings of Islam and make them understand the position of Islam on issues such as terrorism and extremism. Religious teachers should clarify the misconceptions people have about Islam and condemn extremism in the strongest of words.

Broad accountability:

From the person holding the highest office to the person holding the lowest office, every person should be held accountable and no one should be seen as above the law. Law should be the same for a person holding the highest office and a person holding the lowest office because if we treat people based on what office they hold, then surely we are committing injustice and supporting extremism. Hazarat Ali said, “A society can survive with kufr (infidelity) but not injustice.”