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Something to think about!
by rawemotions Thu Oct 02, 2014 5:35 am
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/what-islamic-state-could-teach-the-west/articleshow/44091500.cms
Excerpts
These extremists use arms to fight their battles in the short term, but, to hold ground in the long run, they also combat Western education and women's empowerment. They know that illiteracy, ignorance and oppression of women create the petri dish in which extremism can flourish.
That's why the Islamic State kidnapped Samira Salih al-Nuaimi, a brave Iraqi woman and human rights lawyer in Mosul, tortured her and publicly executed her last week. That's why the Taliban shot Malala Yousafzai, then 15 years old, after she campaigned for educating girls. And that's why Boko Haram kidnapped hundreds of schoolgirls in northern Nigeria and announced that it would turn them into slaves.
In each case, the extremists recognized a basic truth: Their greatest strategic threat comes not from a drone but from a girl with a book. We need to recognize, and act on, that truth as well.
For similar reasons, the financiers of extremism have invested heavily in fundamentalist indoctrination. They have built Wahhabi madrassas in poor Muslim countries like Pakistan, Niger and Mali, offering free meals, as well as scholarships for the best students to study in the Gulf.
Shouldn't we try to compete?
Shouldn't we use weapons in the short run, but try to gain strategic advantage by focusing on education and on empowering women to build stable societies less vulnerable to extremist manipulation? ..
Excerpts
These extremists use arms to fight their battles in the short term, but, to hold ground in the long run, they also combat Western education and women's empowerment. They know that illiteracy, ignorance and oppression of women create the petri dish in which extremism can flourish.
That's why the Islamic State kidnapped Samira Salih al-Nuaimi, a brave Iraqi woman and human rights lawyer in Mosul, tortured her and publicly executed her last week. That's why the Taliban shot Malala Yousafzai, then 15 years old, after she campaigned for educating girls. And that's why Boko Haram kidnapped hundreds of schoolgirls in northern Nigeria and announced that it would turn them into slaves.
In each case, the extremists recognized a basic truth: Their greatest strategic threat comes not from a drone but from a girl with a book. We need to recognize, and act on, that truth as well.
For similar reasons, the financiers of extremism have invested heavily in fundamentalist indoctrination. They have built Wahhabi madrassas in poor Muslim countries like Pakistan, Niger and Mali, offering free meals, as well as scholarships for the best students to study in the Gulf.
Shouldn't we try to compete?
Shouldn't we use weapons in the short run, but try to gain strategic advantage by focusing on education and on empowering women to build stable societies less vulnerable to extremist manipulation? ..
rawemotions- Posts : 1690
Join date : 2011-05-03
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