The problem of extremism and militancy is not confined to the Muslim world alone. All societies have an extremist fringe, and at times of crises, such extremists sometime turn rebellious and revolt against the established order. The phenomenon has been witnessed throughout human history in varying forms.

This is not to justify extremism and militancy witnessed in some of the Muslim countries today, but to draw attention to it so that the situation could be studied and analyzed and a systematic approach could be made towards a solution of the problem.

It must be appreciated that it has not happened all of a sudden. It is a reaction against years of persecution of the people and naked aggression and usurpation of their home lands by forces of imperialism, Zionism and neocolonialism. It is after almost a century of harassment and injustices to the Arabs and Muslims that they rose in protest and some young men, out of extreme disappointment and frustration, took to violence and even acts of terrorism.

What is being witnessed today in Palestine, Indian occupied Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iraq etc., should be seen in the perspective of what the Zionists, the neocolonialists and their mentors have done or are doing to the people there.

What turns the young people to violence has been the stark injustice and denial to them by the occupying powers, and failure of their efforts to get their rights. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and Kashmiris have been thrown out of their lands and denied their fundamental rights. For four generations they have been living in camps in foreign lands as refugees. It is from those camps that militant outfits have sprung up, some of whose members later turned into terrorists.

These extremists and militants cannot be fought by police and armed forces alone, in particular by the forces of the western countries.

What is important is that besides the military deterrent, there should be persuasion and dialogue with them. They should be confronted on the intellectual and ideological plain too. That is the task of religious scholars, intellectuals and political leadership. They should be convinced that terrorism is against the teachings of Islam. The initiative should come from the Muslim and Arab governments and international bodies like the OIC and NGOs. Simultaneously, sincere efforts should be made by the United Nations and the big powers to resolve the Palestine, Kashmir and other disputes. Without that there can be no lasting solution of the problem.

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