The practices of religious extremists are reflected through their radical stereotypes and deep-seated ideology which originate in their fundamental interpretation of the world. They interpret religious beliefs with a strictness which is void of reason or logic. These religious radicals believe in extreme rather than moderate views. Moderate fideism is only non-rational while extreme fideism is irrational or anti-rational which is a blind faith and stands against reason.
A fundamental interpretation of the religious instructions is a serious challenge in our society. History shows that religion has been used as a shield either by political masterminds or hard-line conservatives in our society throughout the centuries. Moreover, the poor and the reactionaries have been used as pawns repeatedly in the political games. This trend is still practicable in Afghan traditional society.
Previously, the religious extremists were plotting to take the life of our people but now they are also poisoning the mind of our men and women in our own society. In recent news released by BBC says that spreading Islamic extremism in a girls’ madrasah in Northern Afghanistan has raised concerns among Afghan women regarding the spread of radicalism. The news reports that a madrasah under the name of “Ashraf-u-Madaris” in Kunduz teaches women religious instructions which are in conflict with Afghans’ culture and tradition. It adds that the students are of the view that listening to radio, watching television, taking photo, celebrating the days like teacher’s day, mother’s day, birthday and outdoor work for women are all forbidden. The way of teaching, clothing, and the way of the students’ interpretation from religion have raised the people’s serious concerns and also raised a question that what are the main objectives of the teachers?
According to the news “Ashraf-u-Madaris” was founded by Mulavi Abdul Khaliq and Mufti Sirajuddin, the influential mullahs in Kunduz province, four years ago and presently six thousand girls are studying there. It is further said that the madrasah has also braches in Takhar and Baghlan and it is intended to open some more branches in 9 provinces of the country.
The news cites Nadira Giyah, the head of women affairs in Kunduz as, “The girls who study in this Madrasah are very aggressive. In gatherings or ceremonies, they start fighting with other women and girls, saying that you have become infidel, why the scarf has fallen down your head? Why your clothes are not Islamic or why you do not know your prayer properly?” She adds, “When such instructions spread and the girls be trained in this way to call everyone infidel, others cannot work or take part in social places freely.”
The strictly ideological behavior of religious extremists is formed by their fundamental worldview and blind faith. They are brainwashed that way. As a result, a documentary, by the name of Afghan Alphabet, was showed by BBC. Perhaps it was filmed in 1980 when about two and a half million Afghan people were killed and seven million were displaced. The documentary was about Afghan people who emigrated to Zahidan, a city in Iran. They lived in camps and their children did not have access to school. They attended mosques for learning Holy Qur’an. Finally, a school was opened for them by the international fund. The students who attended schools belonged to highly conservative families that hardly ever dared present themselves with their faces open. Even, they were not willing to say their names. Samira Uzbak who was hardly convinced by insistence of filmmaker to tell her name was not persuaded to reveal her face. She was persisting that it was a sin which would led to the torture of God on the Day of Judgment. When Samira was asked where she got the idea from, she answered that Mullah Omar said that Prophet had a wife whom he locked her in a box and once in a while, he opened the box and smelt her. Finally, Samira’s school teacher left her between two choices whether to reveal her face or get out of the school; she chose the second choice and went out. A friend of her who revealed only her two eyes followed her outside for convincing to reveal her face. She implored and asked her just to reveal her eyes and then repent to God who will forgive her, she refused to do so. However her friend implored and said that she herself will repent to God for revealing her face, Samira denied continuously. So, she has been brainwashed that way by religious extremists and her idea of Prophet regarding his wife is a great superstation and accusation to Prophet. Therefore, their worldview is so strict and closed.
It is highly naïve and immature of the people who show tendency towards radicalism despite the radicals’ anti-religious and immoral activities. For example, homosexuality, which is a big sin in Islam, is almost rife in the madrasahs led by radicals that also train suicide bombers. Moreover, planting explosives inside Holy Qur’an to kill Muslim worshippers is highly sacrilegious. It is also stipulated in Holy Qur’an that ‘don’t kill yourself’ and committing suicide is forbidden in Islam. I am surprised that how the religious extremists justify such inhuman actions which have been changed to their daily activities!!! There are also so sacrilegious statements made about Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by the religious radicals which are too appalling to be stated. Haven’t they stooped so low by carrying out such activities?
It is beyond doubt that when the minds of our youths are poisoned, they will produce their venom in the society too. In other words, our society is in great danger of radicalism and terrorism. If the government does not take action, our country will never get rid of terrorism.
One will ask that why the younger generation shows tendency towards extremist? The fact is that human beings feel a natural thirst towards religion. The same is the case with our youths. They show religious orientation rather than radical one, but unfortunately they are satiated with polluted and poisonous water and their nature is misled. Thus, to prevent them from extremism, the government should provide them open-minded teachers and better religious schools.