There is a need to form an effective network of secular civil society forces at a regional level to counter growing religious extremism in South Asia.
This was stated by well-known Bangladeshi civil society activist and scholar Shahriar Kabir while speaking at ‘The Rise of Religious Extremism and Militancy in South Asia’ seminar organised by the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) on Thursday. Kabir, also a senior journalist and a documentary filmmaker, opined that most of the countries in South Asia are directly affected by religious extremism and militancy and only secular elements can counter such forces.
A documentary titled ‘Portrait of Jihad’ prepared by Kabir and produced by the South Asian Peoples Union against Fundamentalism and Communalism covering the rise of Islamic militancy in Bangladesh was also screened at the event. “A strong civil society is important to support the State in crushing militancy,” Kabir stated and cited the recent ruling by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh ordering the restoration of secular provisions in the country’s constitution.
Terming it a ‘huge success’, the scholar said the decision would pave the way for reclaiming the lost space from those espousing a violent brand of religion. “Sufism can also play an important role in countering Islamic militancy and creating a peaceful atmosphere as it has deep roots in the subcontinent society. In fact, the spread of Islam in the region came through Sufism and violent extremism never succeeded in spreading Islam at any point in the history.”
Kabir emphasised that militancy is a political issue and there is need for strong political will and committed leadership to curb terrorism in the region. “We can’t expect the people to rise up against militancy on their own. They need a strong leadership to lead the struggle,” he said. “Thousands of people joined Anna Hazare’s movement in India because he took a stand on the issues being faced by the people. A majority of the population of the region is anti-fundamentalism and anti-violence. Whenever given an opportunity, they have expressed their support for democratic forces and a secular and progressive political system.
“In the recent elections in Bangladesh, there were 15 million new registered voters, mostly youth. A majority of them voted for the secular political forces now in power.” The social activist suggested holding a regional conference on Sufism in Pakistan. “No single government can uproot religious extremism from the region and should be united to end religious militancy.” Reflecting on the causes of emergence of Islamic militancy in Bangladesh and the South Asian region, Kabir said the first post-independence constitution adopted by Bangladesh was secular in nature.
“Militancy only increased after the assassination of Shaikh Mujeebur Rahman and it was later promoted by the regime of military dictator Ziaur Rehman that changed the secular provisions in the constitution and declared Islam as state’s religion.” The Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led alliance’s government by former Prime Minister Khalida Zia promoted Jihadi elements in the country, since the major political party of the ruling alliance was Jamaat-e-Islami, he said, adding that some elements in the Bangladeshi government support the militants. “Pakistan is unfortunately seen as responsible for exporting terrorism because of the Inter-Services Intelligence’s alliance with local militants in the region.”
The present Awami League government has arrested the chiefs of secret agencies and their trial is underway, he added. “The secular nature of the Bangladeshi constitution has been restored and the government has introduced many reforms.” Kabir informed the participants that the present Bangladeshi government has introduced a new education policy under which it has initiated a uniform curriculum for all private and public madressahs. “All the Islamic religious schools have been asked to follow a single curriculum.”
Due to poverty, people are sending their children to seminaries because they offer free education, food and residential facilities. “Same is the case with madressahs in Pakistan where a large majority of private seminaries get funding from the Middle Eastern countries, seeking to impose their brand of Islam in the region through these schools.” For encouraging a progressive education system the government must allocate more funds for the sector, while the budget for military expenditure be rationalised.
Kabir was of the view that militancy in Pakistan amplified after the 1971 war because the responsible generals of the military operation in East Pakistan got impunity from the genocide that they carried out in East Pakistan. “[The generals] were given key positions in the post-1971 Pakistan that encouraged them to exploit Afghanistan as another battleground with the US support in the 1980s.”
Earlier, PILER’s Sharafat Ali welcomed Kabir and introduced him to the guests. A large number of trade unions’ members and peace activists attended the session.
