The world is engaged in a war not against generic terrorism, nor against Islam, but specifically against Islamic terrorism. Islam is the only contemporary religion that is a common factor in such a wide swath of violence. Few Islamic scholars today are brave enough and objective enough to admit that contemporary Islam has a serious problem. An Iraqi writer quotes an earlier Iraqi satirist: “The disease that is in us, is from us.” A British Muslim writes, “Islam has become its own enemy.” The restoration of religion to the sphere of the personal, its de-politicization, is the nettle that all Muslim societies must grasp in order to become modern. If terrorism is to be defeated, the world of Islam must take on board the secularist-humanist principles on which the modern world is based.

Terror, Terror Everywhere: The Menace Of Islamic Terrorism

The word ‘terror’ immediately brings to one’s mind a surfeit of emotions; when heard or read. A blog from the Medium (dated 29th Oct. 2017) states, “…Whilst a study in 2012 found 261 distinct definitions for terrorism, today it is broadly associated with non – state groups that seek to influence an audience using violence against non- combatant targets.” This leads one to the understanding that terrorism can neither be understood nor fought by just analyzing the last bombing or shooting outrage.

Islamic terrorism or radical Islamic terrorism is one of the most known and is the source of political violence against the states, with attacks being carried out in almost all the continents. The year 1979 was a turning point in international terrorism, because of Iranian Islamic Revolution and the anti-Soviet – Afghan War, lasting from 1979 to 1989. Following that the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, and the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, has been considered as the representative of Islamic Terrorism. “Islamic terrorism – the most prolific form of non- state terrorism”, affirmed by John Moore in Frontline titled: “The Evolution of Islamic Terrorism: an Overview.” The possible reasons for the occurrence of terrorism is explained constantly by thinkers with ideas of – Identity based theoretical Frameworks which includes the theories of social identity, social categorization and psychodynamics as well. In addition, it is to be understood that the vast majority of ‘terrorism’ fatalities did however happen in Islamic regions such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria etc. The possible assumption which can be made to fill the box of “WHY” is ‘Wahhabism’ – which claims to support war against anyone and everyone who is not like them. Accordingly, an appreciation of ‘Wahhabism’ is relevant today, when attempting to understand the ideological impetus of terrorists groups claiming Islamic fundamentalism as their source of inspiration. The essence of this Wahhabi mission is three fold: to cleanse Muslim Society, to rebuff the infidels from Muslim and to expand. “‘Wahhabism’ initially did not spread far from the Arabian region, although it find its way into British India in the form of Deobandism (or Deobandi), mutating into fundamentalist teachings in Pakistani Madrassas, as a form of Islam taught to Mujaheddin students,” stated in Stefan M. Aubrey’s book: ‘The New Dimension of International Terrorism’ (2004). Whereas, Qutbism (collection of violent Islamic thought) unfolds the questions, one have with the ideology we label ‘Islamic – Fascism’. Qutbism refers to the writings of Sayyid Qutb and other Islamic theoreticians’ such as Abul Ala Maududi and Hasan al Banna, that provided the intellectual rationale underpinning Islamic – Fascism. Suitably, one can recognize the center of gravity of the militants’ is ideology.

On the other hand, focusing on the religion itself is the addition in the cause of the issues. Not only is this not tackling the problem itself, but it can also be capitalized on to gain more recruits. Whereby ‘Banning Muslims’ does nothing anywhere but rather adds fuel to the fire. In addition, Dame Eliza Manningham Buller, the Former head of MI5 (Military Intelligence, Section 5), told the Iraq inquiry, the security services warned Tony Blair launching the ‘War of Terror’ would increase the threat of terrorism. “The only way to apply a brake to suicide terrorism,” Kramer argues, “is to undermine its moral logic, by encouraging Muslims to see its incompatibility with their own values.” Hence at this juncture; mankind need to immunize the societal body against the corrupting message of Islamic – Fascism. Whereby strengthening society to fight for the elimination of such a message or philosophy. The understanding of foundation of Qutbism as primarily derived from Sayyid Qutb is needed to successfully defend freedom against the threat posed by Islamic – Fascism. Many efforts have been made to tackle the issue, such as Almaty Act, CICA Declaration on 4th June, 2002, mainly aimed on “eliminating terrorism and promoting dialogue among civilization.”

Moreover, evident active as well as passive support of elite Muslims including Writers, Professors, Scientists, Doctors, Politicians, Businessmen, Artists to the Radical Islamic Movement and ‘Holy’ violence against ‘KAFIRS’ is a matter of grave concern. Muslim intellectual class should be made fully accountable for their “JEHADI” activities. The recent news from Sri Lanka that informs about the arrest of Muslim Principal and a School Teacher from school which is located in ‘Ataweerawewa’ in connection with ‘EASTER BOMBINGS’ throws sufficient light on the reality of modern structural dynamics of Islamic Terrorism. In this context it may be understood that the menace of Islamic Terrorism is a reflection of Islamic Religious movement; success and failure of which directly depends on the support of ‘common mass’ as well as ‘intellectual Muslims’.

A fundamental rethink of the causes and solutions that parts from the simplistic actor-centric lens to a more holistic stance is necessary to reverse the mentality of those brought up within societies feeling the need to resort to JEHAAD through Islamic Fascists acts and brutal violence. Islamic fundamentalism corrupts true good believers since it has a propitious and toxic environment. It has a more powerful logic than either Stalin’s or Hitler’s Godless ideology which is Global Threat. World must unite against it for global Justice and Peace.

Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Noyingbeni T. Erui, Meren and Kvulo Lorin.
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