A call for peace
By Seema Sengupta
KOLKATA _ Peace is a very sought after and elusive word these days. As the world is riled by frequent acts of violence, the spiritual elevation of each heart might soothe our chaotic lives to a large extent.
I often felt that perpetrators of terror acts are actually disoriented individuals seeking to attain fulfillment and freedom in a disorderly fashion. A disciplined human being can meticulously organize his or her life without compromising their ancestral dignity.
But then today’s so-called revolutionaries are intellectually enfeebled species remotely controlled by spy agencies to ferment anarchy to sub-serve the strategic interests of respective nation states. As a niece of an undercover officer who was clandestinely involved in indoctrinating pro-insurgency groups on behalf of his state, I find myself in a peculiar position analyzing the perspectives from both sides.
Though it is beyond doubt that my uncle and his colleagues were merely obeying the orders of the state, they do, however, remain guilty of destroying many lives at the altar of the motherland. The intelligence community must realize that we live in an interdependent world of relationships. It is therefore criminal to incite one community against the other by way of malicious indoctrination.
Such propaganda has ultimately resulted in a particular religion being stamped and its followers disgraced at every step. Can anybody logically decipher the positive aspects of the infamous Clash of Civilization doctrine? U.S. President Barack Obama was visionary enough to make the right and judicious move of deleting all mention of a particular religion vis-a-vis terrorism from his national security strategy document.
It is indeed a matter of concern that establishments otherwise lethargic in releasing funds for developmental and social cause are cryptically proactive in aiding guerilla organizations. Unfortunately, there are instances of influential sections extending moral and material support to sustain such a senseless cycle of violence thereby providing an alibi for state agencies to persecute innocent people.
To neutralize such a trend, religious leaders from all hues should come forward and proclaim that terrorism has no link with any religion. It is neither a way of life to be glorified unnecessarily nor a panacea for problems encountered by the masses.
Though it is virtually impossible to sensitize a brainwashed offender, efforts must be made to detoxify their polluted minds. The world will change drastically if we can divert these men to wage a jihad against illiteracy, poverty, hunger and unemployment _ a holy war bereft of bloodshed, assassination or serial bombing.
Though genuine oppression cannot be condoned, imitating the violent Communist movements of the past that encouraged butchering of innocent lives and vandalizing properties in the name of resistance is however a fallacy.
The present day jihadis can still usher a positive change in the lives of their fellow brothers and sisters by upholding the sacred duty of treating all people justly and protecting the needy. Surely, this will be a challenging journey on uncharted territory.
Every decision taken during the course will be unprecedented and have the blessings of the Almighty because all religion commands love, mercy and peace. The states on their part will also be required to play a proactive role and tone down their aggrandizing attitude for the sake of lasting peace.
No worthwhile political personality can deny the intricate relationship between Cold War politics and the rise of fanatical extremism. The brutality invoked under the guise of religion at that point of time has spiraled into a complicated socio-security problem that has been bleeding humanity continuously.
Nobody seems to have any clue on the method of arresting the Frankenstein determined to jeopardize international harmony. Castigating a particular section and religion for all the evils inflicted on earth is to my mind completely irrational.
Promoters of terrorism are after all insane elements intellectually bankrupt to comprehend the message of universal peace, compassion and tolerance. I for one cannot reconcile with the concept of Islamic terrorism as my personal experience is far from what is being sought to be established.
In fact saints from this great religion have exhorted their disciples to develop respect for religious diversity. That is precisely the reason why this author, a non-Muslim can offer prayer at South Asia's most revered and Holy Islamic Shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti to seek respite from continuous financial instability and hardship in private and professional front.
The spiritual blessing of the saint gives me the requisite courage to encounter the fluctuations of life despite all odds. People from all faiths including foreign dignitaries throng the Holy Shrine at Ajmer in India to attain personal fulfillment especially during the sacred occasion of Urs, symbolizing the ultimate meeting of an individual with God.
Syed Sarwar Chishty, the hereditary keeper of the Holy Shrine having lineage to the saint has been a strong proponent of universal brotherhood, communal harmony and spiritual bliss. Anybody seeking his assistance to offer prayer at the shrine can reach his Web site at https://gharibnawazajmer.com
Seema Sengupta is a journalist based in Kolkata, India. Her articles have been published by The Tribune, The Telegraph, The Pioneer, The Asian Age and other newspapers. She can be reached at seemasengupta@vsnl.net.