INDIA MUST LEAD ANTI IS FORCES

IS has become the biggest threat to the world today. Due to numerous reasons it has evolved rather quickly; attracted youth from all over and has developed capability to strike almost anywhere. Using technology and people from Europe/US it has become an idea that cannot be bombed into oblivion. Very intelligently it’s trapping the world through provocations of horrendous killings. Many Muslim believers view it as a saviour capable of taking on the might of the world out to destroy Islam and its values. Being Sharia advocates/supported by Saudi Arabia, IS probably will never be short of funds and manpower because of its power to attract new recruits from all over. Surprisingly some of the new recruits are not poor; impoverished or from lower strata but are educated with western knowledge and staying there for quite sometimes. Muslims like other migrants have left their homelands for better future mostly in non-Islamic countries. Having got disenchanted after enjoying the world they aspired for suddenly the all-powerful call of Islam is motivating reverse movement. Dangerous; dilemma; disenchantment; inferiority complex or whatever one calls it. As things stand today, call of Islam is proving to be more powerful than everything else west has to offer.

        World powers have combined their might with best weapon systems and modern technology to destroy IS in area between Syria and Iraq being called the Levant by the rulers of this self-proclaimed state. In all probabilities, this may not succeed in destroying the pull of Islam though would result in destruction to IS resources and loss of life and killing of some leaders.

        Why is the world helpless against Islamic terror? The most reasonable answer is it’s trying to destroy a powerful idea expanding in the minds of Islam believers across national frontiers using all means including cyber; local populace; sleeper cells; mosques; religious teachers etc. This strategy can never succeed- can’t destroy an idea with weapons or physical threat on an idea in the mind. No way – will fail with disastrous ramifications.

        India can lead the world to take on IS in dual triple attack. First is the physical attack. This is already underway. Any serious collateral damage could have devastating ramifications.

Second battle has to be fought on economic front by choking finances. Saudis hold the key with support from local countries wishing to contain Shias. US and west can minimise should and as and when they so decide. Doable but Saudis falling in line would be gigantic task due to its internal Wahhabi pressures.

Third is the mind space. The philosophy being propagated by IS is not being questioned and its spreading like wild fire. India has the potential to fight this battle with resources at its command. Indian strengths:

        Multi religious society living in harmony for ages’

Soft versions of Islam. Sufism practised in J&K teaches tolerance and pious life through music and living

Sunnis; Shias and all variants of Islam live and practise faith much better than Islamic nations.

All religions flourishing in India and economically progressing

Richness of culture through fusion of music, foods, culture, literature, thought, cinema, fashion and every aspect of life.

Women scaling heights of excellence in all professional fields happening here. Empowerment of women is in India.

Free will of expression. Muslim women in burqas; jeans and whatever they wish to wear but so are many Hindu women following same norms of dress code

Indian schools, government aided Madrassa and Missionary run Convents all running concurrently. We choose notwithstanding religious back ground.

Celebrations of life through festivities. Majority celebrates all festivals when it comes to good things of shopping; lighting houses; bursting crackers or sharing foods.

You have Haj; we do Char dhams, Kailas Mansarovar, Amarnath yatra. So very common.

You sing songs in praise of Allah’s, so do we. Bhajans and aarti have the same spirit

Most visit Sufi shrines of Pirs and temples notwithstanding religion to offer prayers and misery mitigation.

This soft version of Islam as being practised in India today is the way forward for all.

All family is one world- basic approach to life as propounded by India has the most powerful message for one and all.

Yog and our new age gurus talk of humanity with certain common values and practise of religion specific rituals. Beautifully harmonised

The battle of minds is difficult and long but would contribute seventy per cent towards demagnetising false Islamic propaganda being spread by radicals. It’s doable and only recipe for long term success.

India has the potential and wherewith all to lead the counter against radical Islam and time to take it on now when threat is still away from our borders. But it may not be for too long. Time to start now initially from within and then lead the World.