Combating Terrorism

So, if one goes by the verdict of Almighty Allah, it is clearly in favour of a dialogue among civilizations, rather that a clash bewteen civilizations. The world is no doubt lived by people of different races, ethnicities, and faiths. Islam stands for the recognition and appreciation of these differences, rather than making these differences a source of conflict. The Qur’an prefers oneness of humanity to its differential nature. While human civilization may have different ethno-religious contours, seen in its entirety, it is one human civilization. So, narrowing down differences is a principal religious obligation to bridge gaps within this single human destiny in the following words: “We created you from male and female, we made you into tribes and nations to get acquainted and know each other”. [1]

     As stated before, just as religious extremists in other faiths, including Judaism and Christianity, have misused their religions and misinterpreted their religious scriptures to justify acts of terrorism, some extremist organizations in the world of Islam, including ai-Qaeda, have also misused the name of Islam and misinterpreted the word of the holy Qur’an to justify their acts of terrorism. It should be sufficiently clear from the preceding discussion that Islam forbids terrorism in the strongest terms and there are severe punishments prescribed for those who indulge in bringing harm to innocent human beings which is the primary motive of all acts of terrorism. Making ang religion, least of all Islam, the basis for perpetrating crimes against fellow human beings is an abhorrent and heinous act that should be condemned by all people belonging to all religions and faiths.

(To be continued)

[1] Ibid., Surah Al-Hujurat, Verse 13.