Religious Extremism at Public Places

It is indeed a very delicate topic and most of the literate people would avoid writing or even talking about it.

It is not easy but lets try to understand what exactly we mean by religious extremism.

For those who have read about Islam and Prophet Muhammad May Peace Be Upon Him (571 AD- 634 AD), he taught Muslims to be very tolerant and never mourn. He himself practiced it all his life. So much so even when he lost some of his dearest kith He did not lament or Mourn their death.

Today we follow somewhat different Islam. Mourning seems to be a display of respect and love. Religion after centuries of diverse Interpretations has divided Muslims amongst various sections. Each Signifying its own beliefs and undermining or negating the beliefs of other sections of Islam. This has lead to a never ending battle of Opinions and Influences. Some of the sections continue to live and operate in low profiles because of their numerical limitations. many others try to operate and live through numerical display of their followers. For Each Religious Procession they use roads, public places and/or parks  in order to prove to others that they are in majority.

Here comes another law of human behavior into action. "Mob Mentality" means when a large number of people get together for whatever reason and they start feeling over powered charged or influencing, they start acting uncontrolled.

I do not see any instance in the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) where he advised Muslims in a Muslim state to hold rallies or processions. Now yet another part to this is using tape recorders, sound systems, sectarian slogans and physical gestures in such a way that generates competitive feeling of animosity amongst those watching over from other sections of the religion.

These divides are never good for a nationalist society.

These public displays on mass processions lead to strategic and paradoxical divides. They Nurture hate, anguish, knavery, rivalries, animosities much more than any other thing.

Even Younger Generation or Children get more infected. Furthermore in order to win over each other in terms of influences the religious clerics love calling their followers on main roads. Not Realizing:-

a. Using Tape Recorders and Audio at such high tones near residential societies where people with different beliefs might be living is an Offence against basic Human Rights.

b. A public road is a public road principally for transporarion of sick, travelling, needy or as thorough fare. When religious group organize their get together on such roads they put lives of many people in danger. I have seen ambulances with dying patients stuck in road blocks or traffic jams because eof these processionas as well apart from so called high profile VIP movement.

c. Yet another aspect is the security threat, Imagine ten thousand people travelling in the midst of densely populated high rise buildings and houses. How much protection can police ensure? in a world like today where not only enemies fight one on one but also those not even part of our environment try to take advantage.

Overall speaking, the public and mass display of religious inclinations would only increase the religious extremism which further ignites or seed the grass root of terrorism.

Expressed and written by Captain Zahid Faqir (Red) MSPS, MAIR, M.Phil. IR presentably in the last leg of his PhD Research Work,

Please do not hesitate to write your comments and opinions