Extremism sows seeds of tensions

By Our Middle Eastern Correspondent

In the wake of major changes in the international system and as regions become important following the changes in the course of interactions together with alignments in international relations, in particular, when regionalism in the international system got significance, macro strategies and thoughts in international system broke through at the regional levels, which has led to the introduction and explanation of concepts associated with certain geographic boundary; that is, region. 

Concurrently, given the specific features of the Middle East; including, being as the cradle of three divine religions and holding the world’s most energy reserves, it is still known as one of the most important regions based on this vision in the international system. Nevertheless, the Middle East has turned to be a ground for the formation of Takfiri groups, that is to say, extremist groups, and the growth of radicalism. The said groups are building up their influence in the four corners of the world. This has consequently made the Takfiri current and extremism as one of main challenges in the international order. 

The upshot of extremism is nothing but violence. An act of violence among people occurs in three individual, group and mass levels; violence begins with an individual and the said individual gathers the likeminded people and this leads to the formation of bigger groups.  Many extremist movements take the lead of extremism behaviour policy with radical interpretation of religious teachings. The latter forms their behavioural foundation and causes to illustrate a violent and illogical image of a country or a group.  

Poverty and ignorance are two major factors for the formation of religious extremism and radicalism; something that can be seen in countries such as Afghanistan and some of the Middle Eastern countries. Despite enjoying huge mineral and energy resources, these countries have always been held back for many reasons such as colonial policies. This has made the region a ripe ground for the evolution and emergence of extremist groups in the world; namely, Al-Qaeda, Taliban, ISIS, Boko Haram, which are the products of this same thought in the Middle East. These groups have the capacity to easily recruit members through misusing various factors such as poverty as well as low literacy in some countries or via one-sided interpretation of religion. By virtue of this fact, they have gradually emerged end evolved in regions other than the Middle East, as well. 

The growth and expansion of radical groups leads to terrorist acts, which inflicts a fatal blow to the structure of international security as well as the security of governments and the societies; this has not only brought with itself Islamophobia but also depicts a negative image of Islam. Besides, it paves the ground for a surge in the violence and conflict among different faiths and religions with Islam. 

The growth of extremist groups and the presence of terrorist groups in the Middle East region has so far inflicted a large-scale damage on many countries, namely Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen. However, with the spread of these groups, other countries have also been exposed to damage. The rise of radical groups in countries not only affects the security of the international system and these countries’ national security but also negatively affects the security of the citizens of these countries. As a clear example, on 5 April, a young attacker affiliated to extremist groups stabbed three clerics in Mashhad, left two dead and one injured. 

This issue is highly important and sensitive since governments often adopt measures in order to fight radical currents and terrorist groups, and these measures give rise to religious and political tensions within the society and between governments.