Faith and fear: Challenging terrorism’s misrepresentation of Islam

By N.S. Venkataraman*

The terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which mercilessly claimed the lives of 26 innocent tourists, highlights the heartlessness of such acts. Reports suggest that the terrorists asked each tourist to identify their religion and executed those identified as Hindus. This demonstrates the extreme cruelty and warped mindset of these perpetrators. While the Pahalgam attack has sent shockwaves across India and the world, with several global leaders condemning the act, the harsh reality is that such attacks are not isolated incidents. Terrorism has plagued various parts of the world repeatedly.

The September 11, 2001, attack on the Twin Towers in New York, the November 26, 2008, attack in Mumbai, the April 21, 2019, Easter Day attack in Sri Lanka, and numerous other terrorist incidents in Europe and elsewhere underscore the global failure to effectively combat terrorism. These events reveal that terrorists continue to strike at will, exposing the inadequacy of the global fight against terrorism, which often remains confined to rhetoric.

Investigations into the backgrounds of terrorists frequently reveal their allegiance to Islam. This is deeply unfortunate, as the Holy Quran, which outlines the principles of Islam, advocates love, compassion, charity, and adherence to a moral code that leads to spiritual fulfillment. A small faction of individuals has either misunderstood or deliberately of morality. Their actions have led to the widespread use of the term "Islamic terrorists" in global discourse.

The pressing question is: how can terrorism be eradicated? Recently, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged the Hamas militant group to surrender their arms to the Palestinian Authority. Speaking in Ramallah, he criticized the Hamas-led attack on Israel in 2023, stating that it provided Israel with a pretext to devastate Gaza. This stance by the Palestinian President, denouncing terrorism, should resonate with militants worldwide.

Following the Hamas attack, Israel launched a counteroffensive, devastating much of Gaza and causing the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians. Despite the severity of Israel's actions, global criticism has been muted, as many view Israel's response as a fight against terrorism. This raises a critical question: is counterattacking terrorists, even at the cost of innocent lives, the only solution? Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, responding to the Pahalgam attack, vowed to pursue and eliminate terrorists wherever they may be. This approach seems to align with the prevailing global sentiment.

A closer examination of terrorism reveals that many groups operate with bases in specific countries, often receiving tacit support from governments. These nations, which harbor terrorists to settle scores with other countries, must recognize that such groups pose a threat to their own security as well. Terrorists, emboldened by the hospitality of these nations, can commit atrocities both domestically and internationally.

While this article refrains from naming specific countries that harbor terrorists, it urges these nations to reevaluate their strategies, heed global condemnation, and adopt corrective measures.

Finally, as many terrorists claim allegiance to Islam, peace-loving and devout Muslims must actively participate in the global movement against terrorism. Islam is a great religion, and its followers must ensure that extremists do not tarnish its image. While the world continues its fight against terrorism, Muslims worldwide bear a unique responsibility, as these attacks are often carried out in the name of their faith.

---

*Trustee, Nandini Voice For The Deprived, Chennai

Comments

Wave of disappearances sparks human rights fears for activists in Delhi

By Harsh Thakor* A philosophy student from Zakir Hussain College, Delhi University, and an activist associated with Nazariya magazine, Rudra, has been reported missing since the morning of July 19, 2025. This disappearance adds to a growing concern among human rights advocates regarding the escalating number of detentions and disappearances of activists in Delhi.

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

‘Act of war on agriculture’: Aruna Rodrigues slams GM crop expansion and regulatory apathy

By Rosamma Thomas* Expressing appreciation to the Union Agriculture Minister for inviting suggestions from farmers and concerned citizens on the sharp decline in cotton crop productivity, Aruna Rodrigues—lead petitioner in the Supreme Court case ongoing since 2005 that seeks a moratorium on genetically modified (GM) crops—wrote to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on July 14, 2025, stating that conflicts of interest have infiltrated India’s regulatory system like a spreading cancer, including within the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria: An inspiring life from Colombia’s Amazonian valley

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* In the village of Héctor Ramírez, known as Agua Bonita, in La Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia, a vision of peace and renewal is unfolding. In the pre-2016 period, this would have been nearly impossible for outsiders to visit, as it was the epicenter of violent resistance against state oppression. However, after the Peace Accord was signed between the Colombian government and former revolutionaries—marking the end of a 70-year insurgency that claimed over 400,000 lives until 2025, including civilians, rebel fighters, and security personnel—things began to change. Visiting Agua Bonita during the Global Land Forum in Bogotá revealed a village of hope and resilience. Former FARC revolutionaries have settled here and transformed the village into a center of peace and aspiration.

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.

Activists allege abduction and torture by Delhi Police Special Cell in missing person probe

By A Representative A press statement released today by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) alleges that several student and social activists have been abducted, illegally detained, and subjected to torture by the Delhi Police Special Cell. The CASR claims these actions are linked to an investigation into the disappearance of Vallika Varshri, an editorial team member of 'Nazariya' magazine.

India’s zero-emission, eco-friendly energy strategies have a long way to go, despite impressive progress

By N.S. Venkataraman* The recent report released by OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2025 has predicted that by the year 2050, crude oil would replace coal as India’s key energy source. Clearly, OPEC expects that India’s dependence on fossil fuels for energy will continue to remain high in one form or another.

Gender violence defies stringent laws: The need for robust social capital

By Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra* The tragic death of Miss Soumyashree Bisi, a 20-year-old student from Fakir Mohan College, Balasore, who reportedly self-immolated due to harassment, shocked the conscience of Odisha. Even before the public could process this horrifying event, another harrowing case emerged—a 15-year-old girl from Balanga, Puri, was allegedly set ablaze by miscreants. These incidents are not isolated; they highlight a disturbing pattern of rising gender-based violence across the state and the country.

Search This Blog