VOLUME - 5, ISSUE - 16,
DHAKA, April 14, 2010
Tackling terrorism and JihadDHAKA, April 14, 2010
Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
The world is gradually getting united on one agenda on combating terrorism and Jihad. International community has reason now to speak out against Jihad as for past several years, multiple forms of terror acts are spreading in the world mostly by religious fanatics or Jihadists. Bangladesh is also a victim of terrorism and in recent days, especially after the arrest of activists of Jihadist outfits in this country, it has become clear that terror groups are trying to create a new avenue in Bangladesh for their notorious activities.
In Bangladesh, unfortunately, terrorism always gets political blessings mostly from parties in power. It is very clear to everyone that, all the political parties in this country are for reason unknown, maintaining their own segment of musclemen and hooligans. Such elements in political parties are used for various forms of terrorist activities. But, those Jihadist groups active inside Bangladesh are continuing to gather strength with the ulterior motive of establishing Sharia rule in this country. Though Bangladesh government already has banned a number of notorious Islamist militancy group, it is yet to take any action against groups like Hizbut Towhid, which is continuing secret activities around the country with the agenda of destabilizing democratic government and democracy. According to several surveys, the growth rate of Hizbut Towhid members is above 17 per cent every year. Meanwhile, this group has very successfully attracted or recruited more than 100,000 people in Bangladesh.
As I mentioned, Bangladesh is an active member of counter-terrorism efforts, there is serious lacking in the very strategy of combating terrorism and Jihad. It is well known that, breeding grounds of Jihadists in Bangladesh are those thousands of Koranic [Qawmi] Madrassas as well as mosques, where Tablighi activists are regularly seen giving sermons in favor of Jihad. Tablighi Jamaat [TJ] though pretends to be an innocent group preaching Islam, the real agenda of TJ is spreading the message of Jihad amongst people. In a number of terrorist activities in the world, Tablighi Jamaat’s involvements were clearly found. But, in Bangladesh TJ is spreading wings everyday, as the government or security agencies are yet to put focus on the activities of this group.
The second largest congregation of Muslims is the Tablighi Jamaat’s so-called Ijtema, which takes place every year in Bangladesh. According to statistics, more than 1 million people gathered at the Tablighi congregation in 2009, which from this year, the congregation will take place on three different dates as the organizers are sensing larger participation of people from this year.
Main objective of Tablighis is to encourage people towards religious conversion. The next agenda is instigating Jihadist notion. Third is ousting democracy. In a country like Bangladesh, where more than 83 per cent of the population are now Muslims, the only reason behind allowing Tablighis to keep active would be to actually ultimately wipe off the existence of Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Bahai, Ahmadiya and Jewish community in Bangladesh. There are series of reports in Bangladeshi media about forceful conversion of mostly Hindu girls and boys into Islam. In most cases, where female Hindus are converted, the entire episode is given a ‘legal’ coverage of marriage. But, no one ever bothers, if the marriage was forceful. Actually, most of such so-called marriages are forceful. In some cases, the abductors rape the girl with the motive of putting mental pressure on her of marrying the rapist and ultimately getting converted into Islam. Members of Tablighi Jamaat are continuing to encourage people in trying to get any of the non-Muslims into Islam. Mostly uneducated or half-educated Muslim youths are getting hypnotized or attracted at such ‘calls’ of the Tablighis. And such, inspiration ultimately leads those listeners of Tablighis is doing anything in getting any of the non-Muslims into Islam.
As I said, Madrassas are the breeding grounds of Jihadists; it is unknown to many that, only 26 per cent of the students coming out of Koranic madrassas ultimately find a job with any mosque as cleric or assistants to clerics, while the larger segment of such madrassa educated people with high Jihadist brain-wash either mix-up in the society or just disappear from the scene. It is well anticipated that, such disappeared madrassa students find ways to any of the foreign countries for joining ‘Jihad’. Iranian embassy in Bangladesh as well the Palestinians encourage those people is joining Jihad against Israel and United States. Iranians spend millions of dollars in such activities every year. On the other hand, Pakistani intelligence agency ISI recruits madrassa educated people for joining war against India in Kashmir. Such elements are also sent by ISI to other parts of India with terrorist dictation. Bangladesh government and those combating terrorism should have carefully examined the case of those 84 per cent of madrassa students, who either mix up in the society or get into Jihadist activities. For the sake of fixing a workable and effective strategy on combating terrorism, such investigation and study is extremely essential. No government or security agency can combat terrorism without specific and in some cases even comprehensive information on the roots of terrorism and bases of such terror acts. For the sake of combating terrorism and Jihad, it is essential first of all to understand the strength and ‘route map’ of the terrorists and Jihadists. Once Bangladesh will get this, combating or countering terrorism will become much effective and meaningful.
URL: www.weeklyblitz.net/663/tackling-terrorism-and-jihad
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