Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comment that religion must be held separated from terrorism is the very timely comment that deserves appreciation at this critical moment in global politics.
His observation in a speech in Singapore on Monday that human values define every religion where extremism has no place is equally important to understand extremism away from religion.
By saying this he has rightly pointed out that extremism does not grow from religious belief but from the sickness of mind of mischievous people for which religion can’t be blamed. Terrorists may be from any religion. What is important is that nobody should support terrorists and provide funds to them.
Narendra Modi’s comment added to a chorus of global calls by world leaders like US President Barack Obama or German Chancellor Angela Merkel who are trying to let people understand that refugees are refugees, no matter they be Muslims or Christians and they deserve to find a home in Europe or America as homeless people from war ravaged countries.
About a million Syrian refugees have so far crossed the Mediterranean looking for shelter in Europe. More people are living in tents in the region. But right wing groups in Europe and the USA are at work to spoil the resettlement of refugees terming them as Muslim terrorists.
The blame has become stronger after the Paris attacks and Narendra Modi’s comment appears to have come at a right time to make the distinction that terrorists have no religion. They are terrorists and they need to be separated from their religious identity.
India is home to 125 crore people including Muslims, Christians and so many other religious groups. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s own political party BJP is also largely made up of ultra nationalist religious groups.
But since becoming prime minister he finds the reality is quite different to make compromise on many issues. His latest comments also appear to be partly directed to those groups within his party although he has spoken from a global perspective.
Terrorist groups have already destroyed many Middle East countries using the cover of religion to kill people which not only Islam, any religion does not approve.
The Islamic state (IS) is the worst demonstration of non-state entity to claim to be a state killing people and destroying ancient civilization. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is destroying his own country to stay in power. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is brutally killing the Palestinians to wipeout them and grab their land.
So this is time what Indian Prime Minister said “the world must speak in one voice and countries must be held accountable for sanctuaries and support to terrorists,” to quell with global peace. The point also did not miss India’s archrival Pakistan.
Whether the terrorists belong to ISIS or al-Qaeda it is wrong to call them Islamist terrorists. They are reckless adventurists and nihilists. They have no ideology. They are ruthless killers and definitely anti-Islam and working against the interest of Islam and Muslims.
To fight and finish this curse on civilized and peace loving people is a common cause of humanity. It is not a fight of any particular religion against any particular religion. In the fight against terrorists Muslim and religious scholars should join more actively.
Bombing will not be enough. Their insane plan is to make Muslims see them as victims to start a religious war. We must resist them unitedly in defence of faith, civilization and world peace.
