External and Internal Influences over Radicalism in Afghanistan



Abstract

This article argues that wars, atrocities, radicalism and extremism have been caused by many interrelated external socio-economic, political and ethnic factors, even though religious communities are involved. However, internal factors such as the role of religious education are instrumental in understanding religious radicalism and extremism, including among some Muslims. This article also elucidates the dual nature of Islamic religiosity in Afghanistan i.e. its manifested diversity and underlying unity, traces Muslim historical treatment of religious extremism, and suggests that certain methodological and doctrinal aspects of contemporary Islamic education may have contributed to an extremist outlook and behavior. It offers a few specific and practical recommendations involving the external and internal factors to significantly reduce the phenomena of extremism among Muslims, especially in Afghanistan and in the central Asia.

External and Internal Influences over Radicalism in Afghanistan

Introduction

In the 1,400 years of Islam, this call Islamic fundamentalism has begun only in the last 150-200 years. Islamic fundamentalism has nothing to do with Islam; it is only a means to use the name of Islam for their programs. The country of Afghanistan portrays the marks of history where the struggle started with the invasion of the mughals till the time of the induction of the Talibans in their society.it shows how the country was forceably changed that led to its destruction.

As per Oliver roy, even if the muslim extremists take up a few regions under their supervision yet they will never be able to implement the Islamic Universalism as they are fundamentalists due to which no one will follow their league, except for some. Roy states that the Muslim Intellectuals has made it possible for the other Muslims to survive in a secularized system which is exclusive of extremism. Islam has always been a peaceful religion all around the world including Afghanistan where people lived with peace and harmony and they would were modifying themselves with the requirements of the changing times, but that is when the Talibans emerged as a voilent force that would force everybody within to obey the law or die instead. Islam has never been a religion that claimed embracement with the sword. Once Islam had conquered a land, they would not force people of that land to embrace infact it would be through their free conscent, rather the people that embraced Islam were influenced by the good deeds of the Muslims that changed their minds.

To understand Islamic fundamentalism we need to learn about its birth. The movement began in the early 1800s Whabbi with the teachings of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. He reasoned that "jihad" can be used against Muslims who do not believe in the teachings themselves to him. Muahammad ibn Abd al-Whhab decided to align with Ibn Saud, who took over Arabia and spreaded of the sect of Whabbism. This was extended by force, and not the will of the people in any modern day Saudi Arabia. After the death of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab and the same school of ...