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.

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*Trustee, Nandini Voice For The Deprived, Chennai