Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Tuesday, April 30th, 2024

Could Afghanistan be a Fertilized Land for Growing Terrorism?

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Could Afghanistan be a Fertilized Land for Growing Terrorism?

After the fall of the Taliban, following the Bonn Agreement few elected governments came on power in Afghanistan, the country has grown and was on progress for a short time. Unfortunately, the defeat of the Taliban have not brought an end to its extreme form of Islamic rule and, arguably, an improvement in the lives of most Afghans in the long term. Since, the terrorist bases have not yet destroyed in neighboring countries. As the consequence, civilian casualties and humanitarian disaster remain contentious rather increased. Nevertheless, some international reports mentioned that Afghanistan context is prepared as a fertilized land for growing terrorism. Now could it be true to claim that the state is a nourished land for rising violence? Mainly there are two arguments:
First opinion, some believe that Afghanistan itself is a fertilized land for increasing extremism. Based on the statement, the issue of counter terrorism will be the first challenge that continue for some more decades in this country. For research found that democracies were the more common targets of terrorism in the world, the more democratic a country is, the more terrorism it would experience. In addition, the word ‘terrorism’ came into wide usage only a few decades ago.  According to most scholars, terrorism is the deliberate use or threat of force against noncombatants by a non-state actor in pursuit of a political goal. But, in Afghanistan context, the violence, such as terrorism is considered as one of the prime threats to peace, security, economic and cultural development. Conversely, in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the United States, the US-led coalition in Afghanistan following their national interests rather than humanitarianism issues. The rationale and the formal legal basis for the US-led intervention were self-defense. However, the coalition defined goals were the dismantlement of an international terrorist network and the removal of the Taliban regime that had given support to that network. Though, the USA were engaged in what it termed peace-building and peacekeeping effort in Afghanistan. After two decades, the instability in Afghanistan is not promoted; the country is about to become a base for international terror again.  So what is clear; today the Afghans are paying the heavy cost of terrorism largely. As well, the negative effect of Terrorism on the enjoyment of all human rights in Afghanistan is too much.  Even though it overshadows every aspects of economic, social, cultural and political life. The fact is Afghans have been experiencing the direct negative effect and impact of instability and terrorism in Afghanistan’s progress since 1978. Ethnic division is made the land a fertilized terrestrial for continued war. The issues like political violence, internal conflict, civil liberties; civil war, suicide bombing, mass killing, and civilian casualties are the hot topics of Afghan media in the country today. The worst case is the Afghan Taliban are killing their Afghan fellows. As we witnessed every day, Afghan including the security and defense personnel and civilians lost their lives. 
Secondly, as Afghanistan is an Islamic country, Islam rejects terror and terrorism, therefore Afghanistan will not be a fertilized land for growing terrorism any more. The main motive is Islam is a peaceful religion. The glorious Qur’an says “…if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.” [Al-Qur’an 5:32].  Could it be possible that Islam, whose light ended the dark ages in Europe, now propound the advent of an age of terror? Could a faith that has over 1.2 billion followers the world over, and over seven millions in America, actually advocate the killing and maiming of innocent people. Could Islam, whose name itself stands for peace and submission to God, encourage its adherents to work for death and destruction?
As the conclusion, we live in an age, where the manipulation and loss of innocent lives has become commonplace. With all these challenges, however the Afghan country will not be a save heaven for the world terrorism any more. Though it is struggling with the world terrorism attacks extremely.   Because, Afghanistan is on the way to become a new democratic country.  The patriotic citizens will not allow the country to be controlled by extremism. Secondly, it is now time to look at the sources of Islam, and its history to determine whether Islam does indeed advocate violence, while Islam in general is misunderstood by the Taliban leaders certainly, perhaps no other Islamic term evokes such strong reactions as the word ‘jihad’. The term ‘jihad’ has been much abused by terrorism to conjure up bizarre images of violent Muslims, forcing people to submit at the point of the sword. Unfortunately, it survives to this day. The word ‘Jihad’ comes from the root word ‘jahada’ which means to struggle. So, ‘jihad’ is literally an act of struggling. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that the greatest jihad is to struggle with the insidious suggestions of one’s own soul. Thus ‘jihad’ primarily refers to the inner struggle of being a person of virtue and submission to God in all aspects of life. Thus Islam enjoins upon its believers to strive utmost, in purifying themselves, as well as in establishing peace and justice in the society. A Muslim can never be at rest when she sees injustice and oppression around her. Islam enjoins upon all Muslims to work actively to maintain the balance in which God created everything. However, regardless of how legitimate the cause may be, the Glorious Qur’an never condones the killing of innocent people. Terrorizing the civilian population can never be termed as ‘jihad’ and can never be reconciled with the teachings of Islam. In the other hand continues international support of the Afghan central government together with putting pressure on the Taliban leaders will be vital to achieving stability and peace in the country, but it will ultimately depend on the Afghan people and, especially, the actions of the regional leaders.  As the final point, international terrorism is an ongoing challenge requiring a multitude of long-term responses.  The key to a durable peace in Afghanistan will be striking a balance between the country’s different ethnic groups and between the central government and regional leaders particularly the neighboring countries. While it brings instability and disrupts peace and coexistence environment, it directly endangers the lives of people and brings every types of violence in the society.

Dawlat Bakhtiari is the newly emerging writer of the Daily Outlook Afghanistan. He can be reached outlookafghanistan@gmail.com

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