DOCSLIB.ORG

Crisis of Islamist Extremism in Contemporary Bangladesh

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Crisis of Islamist Extremism in Contemporary Bangladesh COMMENTARY Before the twin terror attacks, mili- Crisis of Islamist Extremism in tancy expert, Zayadul Ahsan (2016) reported that in the last 18 months, at Contemporary Bangladesh least 47 persons have been killed by the Islamist extremists in Dhaka. Out of 47, eight persons were allegedly killed Maidul Islam by the pro-Al-Qaeda group, Ansar al- Islam, previously known as Ansarullah Islamist extremism in Bangladesh n the evening of 1 July 2016, Bangla Team, led by the dismissed emerged as a response to seven gunmen, allegedly associ- Bangladesh army offi cer, Major Ziaul authoritarian populism and in Oated with the Islamist extremist Haq. Haq triggered an attempted mili- group, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria tary coup within the Bangladesh army the absence of a credible (ISIS), had stormed into a Spanish cafe, in 2012. Haq-led Ansar recruits are from anti-establishment left-wing Holey Artisan Bakery in the Gulshan various Islamist organisations like Ahl political project to articulate an area of Dhaka’s high security diplomatic al-Hadith, Jamaat-ul Mujahideen Bangla- JMB alternative agenda to the existing zone. These militants took over the cafe, desh ( ), Hefazat-e-Islam and are eventually killing mostly foreigners who usually poor madrasa students. Ansar’s status quo. Islamist extremists were fi rst taken as hostages. Similarly, operation areas are generally in the represent a politics of revenge on 7 July, a terror attack was organised northern part of the country and have so and hatred with no clear objective with crude bombs and gun shooting far targeted free thinkers, bloggers and to uplift the socio-economic before the morning Eid prayers in the gay rights activists. Sholakia Idgah of Kishoreganj district in In contrast, the pro-ISIS group, which conditions and livelihood Bangladesh. Sholakia has the biggest has taken the responsibility of killing 28 prospects of the people. Eid congregation in the country with at persons in the last one and half years is least two lakh people attending the Eid led by a Bangladeshi–Canadian, Tamim prayers. Both the incidents in Gulshan Chowdhury alias Shaykh Abu Ibrahim and Sholakia are organised forms of al-Hanif. This pro-ISIS group recruits terror in the wake of recent attacks by a relatively affl uent and urban upper section of Bangladeshi Islamists who middle class professionals. It has close have adopted extremist methods to links with a section of Islami Chhatra- target civil society members, religious shibir, the student wing of Bangladesh minorities (Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, Jamaat-e-Islami. This group primarily Bahais), Ahmadiyas, atheist bloggers, targets religious minorities, foreigners Maidul Islam ([email protected]) is the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgen- and university teachers. It operates mainly with the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, der (LGBT) community and progressive in Dhaka and its surrounding suburbs, Kolkata. political activists. Savar, Tongi, Gazipur and Mirpur. Economic & Political Weekly EPW OCTOBER 1, 2016 vol lI no 40 25 COMMENTARY If terrorism makes symbolic statements JMB militants, as confessed by a JMB bombings in Chittagong and Gazipur on then it is important to note that these commander in court (Daily Star 2006). 29 November 2005, where 10 persons, terror attacks have occurred in a context In the last one and a half decades, the including two police offi cers, were killed where the Bangladeshi government has Hindu, Christian and Buddhist minorities (Ganguly 2006: 2). According to news on record, denied the existence of the in Bangladesh have been getting threats reports, last year, from October till ISIS in the country. from several suspected Islamist extremist Christmas, at least 37 Christian priests Moreover, these attacks seem to be a groups. According to a report by a senior were allegedly threatened by Islamist violent response to the recent crackdown South Asian security analyst, since 1999 extremists (Daily Star 2015). On 15 June, on the Islamist extremists by the Bangla- Islamist militants in Bangladesh have the principal of Dhaka’s Ramakrishna deshi government. These attacks were unleashed a series of attacks on religious Mission was allegedly given a death also organised in the wake of a public minorities and politicians in a context threat by supporters of Islamic State fatwa (Islamic decree) issued by Maulana where “governance, rule of law, and pro- (PTI 2016). Fariduddin Masud, the Chairman of vision of justice seem in short supply” Bangladesh Jamiat-ul-Ulama and the (Ganguly 2006: 1). Contextualising Islamist Violence imam (prayer leader) of Sholakia Eid In August 2004, the Islamist extremists Today, Islamist violence is crossing prayers. tried to assassinate Sheikh Hasina Wazed, transcontinental borders in a context The above fatwa was signed by more the then parliamentary opposition leader when the Islamists are encountering an than one lakh Bangladeshi ulema, con- and the present Bangladesh Prime Min- everyday challenge from the modern demning terrorism as “un-Islamic” and ister in an Awami League political rally and postmodern lifestyles in an increas- “forbidden,” while unambiguously stating in Dhaka but the attempt was aborted. ingly globalised and digitised world. At that “Islam is the religion of peace” that However, the grenade attack on the the same time, it is through this same delegitimises terrorist activities. The fatwa same venue took the life of prominent process of globalisation of technology was also clear to state that the suicide Awami League politician, Ivy Rehman. and media that Islamist groups not only squad members of terrorist organisa- The Islamist extremists are alleged form networks but also display their tions “will certainly go to hell” and even to have assassinated S A M S Kibria, a gruesome acts, creating a spectacle to attending the janaza (religious prayers former foreign secretary and foreign tempt a section of the Muslim youth. before the last rites) of terrorists is minister, in February 2005 followed by a As evident, the Islamists have often haram (forbidden). countryside terrorist attack in August attacked atheist bloggers, secular writers, According to a news report, Maulana 2005. Some 459 time bomb blasts oc- gay rights activists or what they call Fariduddin Masud clearly pointed out that curred in 63 districts in just 30 minutes “blasphemous persons.” A forceful asser- that killed two persons and injured 100. tion by the Islamists on the question of in the name of Islam, some quarters are JMB spreading extremism and terror through The claimed responsibility for the blasphemy in fact refl ects the crisis of misinterpretation of Quran and Hadith blasts through leafl ets found with the authority and insecurity of Islamists, since to gain their personal interests...Though bomb devices (Daily Star 2005). Such a blasphemy fundamentally challenges the many label the militants as jihadis, they ghastly act was followed by suicide legitimacy and core beliefs of religion are actually terrorists... Islam doesn’t sup- port terrorism. And those, who are carry- EPWRF India Time Series ing out suicide attacks with the belief to go NEW to heaven as martyrs if they die and live as Expansion of Banking Statistics Module heroes if remain alive, will not go to heaven (State-wise Data) acc ording to Quran and Hadith...And those who will die taking stand against these mili- The Economic and Political Weekly Research Foundation (EPWRF) has added state-wise tants will be regarded as martyrs. (Khokon data to the existing Banking Statistics module of its online India Time Series (ITS) and Loiwal 2016) database. However, the recent spate of attacks State-wise and region-wise (north, north-east, east, central, west and south) time series by the Islamists is not new. In fact, right data are provided for deposits, credit (sanction and utilisation), credit-deposit (CD) ratio, and number of bank offi ces and employees. from the 1990s, a section of Islamists Data on bank credit are given for a wide range of sectors and sub-sectors (occupation) took recourse to such violent actions. The such as agriculture, industry, transport operators, professional services, personal loans attention of international media towards (housing, vehicle, education, etc), trade and fi nance. These state-wise data are also Islamist extremism in Bangladesh started presented by bank group and by population group (rural, semi-urban, urban and with a death threat to controversial metropolitan). author Taslima Nasrin, who had to fl ee The data series are available from December 1972; half-yearly basis till June 1989 and from Bangladesh in 1994. Later, noted annual basis thereafter. These data have been sourced from the Reserve Bank of India’s Bengali author, Humayun Azad was publication, Basic Statistical Returns of Scheduled Commercial Banks in India. attacked on 27 February 2004 on the Including the Banking Statistics module, the EPWRF ITS has 16 modules covering a range of macroeconomic and fi nancial data on the Indian economy. For more details, Bangla Academy premises during the visit www.epwrfi ts.in or e-mail to: [email protected] Ekushe Book Fair by machete carrying 26 OCTOBER 1, 2016 vol lI no 40 EPW Economic & Political Weekly COMMENTARY among members of the Muslim commu- critique it for being “backward,” “oppres- Islamic system (Ahmad M 1991: 471; nity. This insecurity of Islamists is root- sive,” “irra tional” and “regressive.” Ahmed R 1994: 680). In other words, ed in the belief that if punitive action is In the face of such stiff challenges of there is a history of constructing antago- not taken against the disobedient, dis- atheism, blasphemy and consumerist nistic frontiers within the politico- loyal and blasphemous person, then hedonism; Islamists sometimes take ref- ideological discourses of the Islamists in blasphemy can become a norm and prec- uge to violence to eliminate its oppo- Bangladesh against what they identify edence in the society, and in the long nent’s claims and opinions—in this case, as the non-Islamic politico-ideological run, can challenge the very foundation the political articulations of atheism, discourse.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • BANGLADESH Annual Human Rights Report 2016
    BANGLADESH Annual Human Rights Report 2016 1 Cover designed by Odhikar with photos collected from various sources: Left side (from top to bottom): 1. The families of the disappeared at a human chain in front of the National Press Club on the occasion of the International Week of the Disappeared. Photo: Odhikar, 24 May 2016 2. Photo: The daily Jugantor, 1 April 2016, http://ejugantor.com/2016/04/01/index.php (page 18) 3. Protest rally organised at Dhaka University campus protesting the Indian High Commissioner’s visit to the University campus. Photo collected from a facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SaveSundarbans.SaveBangladesh/videos/713990385405924/ 4. Police on 28 July fired teargas on protesters, who were heading towards the Prime Minister's Office, demanding cancellation of a proposed power plant project near the Sundarbans. Photo: The Daily Star, 29 July 2016, http://www.thedailystar.net/city/cops-attack-rampal-march-1261123 Right side (from top to bottom): 1. Activists of the Democratic Left Front try to break through a police barrier near the National Press Club while protesting the price hike of natural gas. http://epaper.thedailystar.net/index.php?opt=view&page=3&date=2016-12-30 2. Ballot boxes and torn up ballots at Narayanpasha Primary School polling station in Kanakdia of Patuakhali. Photo: Star/Banglar Chokh. http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/5-killed-violence-1198312 3. On 28 July the National Committee to Protect, Oil, Gas, Natural Resources, Power and Ports marched in a protest rally towards the Prime Minister’s office. Photo: collected from facebook.
    [Show full text]
  • Bhasha Bhavana (Institute of Language and Literature)
    OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES Bhasha Bhavana (Institute of Language and Literature) Department of Assamese Course Code 152 CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION IN ASSAMESE LANGUAGE CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY- A TWO YEAR COURSE Programme objectives: Language departments of Bhasha-Bhavana offer 2 years Certificate Course for non-native speakers of that particular language. The primary objective of this course is to introduce various literature and culture of different communities and states via languages. Course Objectives: The Certificate Course in Assamese has been designed to make non-Assamese learners adept in reading, understanding, speaking and writing. To make the learners skilled in Assamese the basic grammar and prose- poetry has been introduced in two papers- (i) grammar and (ii) texts. The third paper is based on oral skill or language speaking practice. Programme Specific Objectives: The Certificate Course in Assamese is a course for non-native speakers and has been planned to make the learners attracted for learning, reading, understanding, writing and speaking Assamese and translating from Assamese to their respective mother languages. M.A. in comparative literature Course Objectives: To introduce Assamese language, literature & culture, its structure, genres, characteristics to the Comparative Literature MA students, who are non-native speakers of Assamese is the objective of this course. Programme Specific Objectives: To make the students skilled in understanding, reading, writing, speaking and also translating from Assamese is intended after completion of this course. The course has four papers in each semester and each paper has four section or groups of contents including 20% marks for internal assessment. The First Paper is of Introduction to the history of Assamese language and languages of Assam, Structure of Assamese, Writing and Reading Assamese and Spoken Assamese.
    [Show full text]
  • In Their Own Words: Voices of Jihad
    THE ARTS This PDF document was made available from www.rand.org as CHILD POLICY a public service of the RAND Corporation. CIVIL JUSTICE EDUCATION Jump down to document ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT 6 HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit research NATIONAL SECURITY POPULATION AND AGING organization providing objective analysis and PUBLIC SAFETY effective solutions that address the challenges facing SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY the public and private sectors around the world. SUBSTANCE ABUSE TERRORISM AND HOMELAND SECURITY Support RAND TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE Purchase this document WORKFORCE AND WORKPLACE Browse Books & Publications Make a charitable contribution For More Information Visit RAND at www.rand.org Learn more about the RAND Corporation View document details Limited Electronic Distribution Rights This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law as indicated in a notice appearing later in this work. This electronic representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for non-commercial use only. Unauthorized posting of RAND PDFs to a non-RAND Web site is prohibited. RAND PDFs are protected under copyright law. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of our research documents for commercial use. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please see RAND Permissions. This product is part of the RAND Corporation monograph series. RAND monographs present major research findings that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND monographs undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity. in their own words Voices of Jihad compilation and commentary David Aaron Approved for public release; distribution unlimited C O R P O R A T I O N This book results from the RAND Corporation's continuing program of self-initiated research.
    [Show full text]
  • Uhm Phd 9519439 R.Pdf
    INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality or the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely. event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor. MI48106·1346 USA 313!761-47oo 800:521-0600 Order Number 9519439 Discourses ofcultural identity in divided Bengal Dhar, Subrata Shankar, Ph.D. University of Hawaii, 1994 U·M·I 300N. ZeebRd. AnnArbor,MI48106 DISCOURSES OF CULTURAL IDENTITY IN DIVIDED BENGAL A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE DIVISION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN POLITICAL SCIENCE DECEMBER 1994 By Subrata S.
    [Show full text]
  • Leto Imenovalnik Rodilnik Dajalnik 1988 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
    Leto Imenovalnik Rodilnik Dajalnik Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Nelsona Rolihlahle Mandele Nelsonu Rolihlahli Mandeli 1988 Anatolij Marčenko Anatolija Marčenka Anatoliju Marčenku 1989 Aleksander Dubček Aleksandra Dubčka Aleksandru Dubčku 1990 Aung San Su Či Aung San Su Či Aung San Su Či 1991 Adem Demaçi Adema Demaçija Ademu Demaçiju (gibanje) Matere z Majskega Mater z Majskega trga (gibanja Materi z Majskega trga (gibanju 1992 trga (Madres de Plaza de Madres de Plaza de Mayo) Madres de Plaza de Mayo) Mayo) 1993 Oslobođenje Oslobođenja Oslobođenju 1994 Taslima Nasrin (ž) Taslime Nasrin Taslimi Nasrin 1995 Lejla Zana (ž) Lejle Zana Lejli Zana 1996 Wei Jingsheng (m) Wei Jingshenga Wei Jingshengu 1997 Salima Ghezali (ž) Salime Ghezali Salimi Ghezali 1998 Ibrahim Rugova Ibrahima Rugove Ibrahimu Rugovi 1999 Xanana Gusmão (m) Xanane Gusmãa Xanani Gusmãu 2000 (gibanje) ¡BASTA YA! gibanja Basta Ya gibanju Basta Ya Izat Ghazavi (m) Izata Ghazavija Izatu Ghazaviju 2001 Nurit Peled-Elhanan (ž) Nurit Peled-Elhanan Nurit Peled-Elhanan dom Zacarias Kamwenho (m) dom Zacariasa Kamwenha dom Zacariasu Kamwenhu Oswalda Joséja Payája 2002 Oswaldo José Payá Sardiñas Oswaldu Joséju Payáju Sardiñasu Sardiñasa generalni sekretar Združenih 2003 narodov Kofi Anan in celotno Kofija Anana Kofiju Ananu osebje Združenih narodov Belorusko združenje 2004 Žane Litvine Žani Litvini novinarjev (Žana Litvina) (gibanje) Dame v belem Dam v belem Damam v belem (Damas de Blanco) 2005 (gibanja Damas de Blanco) (gibanju Damas de Blanco) Hauva Ibrahim (ž) Hauve Ibrahim Hauvi Ibrahim
    [Show full text]
  • Binary Framings, Islam and Struggle for Women's Empowerment In
    Feminist Dissent Binary Framings, Islam and Struggle for Women’s Empowerment in Bangladesh Sohela Nazneen* Address *Correspondence: [[email protected]] Abstract In this paper, I investigate how binary framings of women’s identity have influenced struggles for women’s rights and the interpretations of the relationship between Islam and women’s empowerment in Bangladesh. These binary framings position women at opposite ends by dividing them between ‘Muslim/religious/moral/authentic/traditional’ or ‘Bengali/ secular/immoral/Westernised/ modern’. I trace the particular genealogies of these binary constructs which emerged during specific historical junctures and are influenced by the shifts in regional and international Peer review: This article politics. Drawing on primary research with women in religious political has been subject to a double blind peer review parties and women’s movement actors and newspaper reports, I provide process an account of how binary framings have been used by the Islamist actors and the counter framings used by the feminists to make claims over the state. I show how these framings have influenced the politics of © Copyright: The Authors. This article is representation of gender equality concerns, and reflect on what this means issued under the terms of the Creative Commons for possibilities of women’s empowerment and strategies for resistance. Attribution Non- Commercial Share Alike License, which permits use and redistribution of the work provided that Keywords: Bangladesh, women’s empowerment, gender, Islam, Hefazat the original author and source are credited, the work is not used for commercial purposes and that any derivative works are madentroduction available under the same license terms.
    [Show full text]
  • Political Polarization and Religious Extremism in Bangladesh
    April 30, 2015 Political Polarization and Religious Extremism in Bangladesh Prepared statement by Alyssa Ayres Senior Fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia Council on Foreign Relations Before the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific United States House of Representatives 1st Session, 114th Congress Hearing on “Bangladesh’s Fracture: Political and Religious Extremism” Chairman Salmon, Ranking Member Sherman, and Members of the Subcommittee, Thank you very much for the invitation to appear before you on the critically important issue of political and religious extremism in Bangladesh. I am honored to be part of this distinguished panel, and am grateful that you have chosen to focus on this significant country, one that remains relatively under-studied. Bangladesh has been in the news for terrible reasons recently. On March 30 a young blogger, Washiqur Rahman, was hacked to death in Bangladesh's capital city, Dhaka. That attack came on the heels of a similar murder the month before: another blogger, an American citizen named Avijit Roy, was stabbed and hacked to death February 26 as he left the Dhaka book fair. Two years earlier, in 2013, a blogger named Ahmed Rajib Haider was attacked in Dhaka and hacked to death with machetes. All three were targeted by radical Islamists for holding atheist views and writing about them openly. As I have argued elsewhere, these assasinations have opened a new front between the values of a syncretic, secular, humanistic Bangladeshi culture against a rigid worldview incapable of allowing difference to coexist. These murders have been all the more troubling given Bangladesh’s comparative moderation and its well-known economic and development successes.
    [Show full text]
  • Shiism and Sectarian Conflict in Pakistan Identity Politics, Iranian Influence, and Tit-For-Tat Violence
    Combating Terrorism Center at West Point Occasional Paper Series Shiism and Sectarian Conflict in Pakistan Identity Politics, Iranian Influence, and Tit-for-Tat Violence Hassan Abbas September 22, 2010 1 2 Preface As the first decade of the 21st century nears its end, issues surrounding militancy among the Shi‛a community in the Shi‛a heartland and beyond continue to occupy scholars and policymakers. During the past year, Iran has continued its efforts to extend its influence abroad by strengthening strategic ties with key players in international affairs, including Brazil and Turkey. Iran also continues to defy the international community through its tenacious pursuit of a nuclear program. The Lebanese Shi‛a militant group Hizballah, meanwhile, persists in its efforts to expand its regional role while stockpiling ever more advanced weapons. Sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shi‛a has escalated in places like Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Bahrain, and not least, Pakistan. As a hotbed of violent extremism, Pakistan, along with its Afghan neighbor, has lately received unprecedented amounts of attention among academics and policymakers alike. While the vast majority of contemporary analysis on Pakistan focuses on Sunni extremist groups such as the Pakistani Taliban or the Haqqani Network—arguably the main threat to domestic and regional security emanating from within Pakistan’s border—sectarian tensions in this country have attracted relatively little scholarship to date. Mindful that activities involving Shi‛i state and non-state actors have the potential to affect U.S. national security interests, the Combating Terrorism Center is therefore proud to release this latest installment of its Occasional Paper Series, Shiism and Sectarian Conflict in Pakistan: Identity Politics, Iranian Influence, and Tit-for-Tat Violence, by Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Free Thinkers
    Free thinkers Reason-Freedom-Curiosity Free thinkers 1 Freethinkers Magazine Oct1,2012. Magazine Issue 1, Religious Rampage Objectives: To promote thinking freely without depending on authority, religion, tradition, culture, popular opinions, society norms, irrationality, stupidity and feelings etc. To fight against tyranny of all types, especially tyranny of thought. To pursue truth at all costs. To rekindle the sparks of freedom, curiosity, reason. To think freely and come to conclusions in any matter. Freethinkers magazine, Issue 1 ,Religious Rampage Free thinkers 2 Dedicated to all freethinkers of past, present and future! Editors: Sohith Dinesh [email protected] [email protected] sohith.wordpress.com Freethinkers magazine, Issue 1 ,Religious Rampage Free thinkers 3 Contents: 1. Editor‟s Note -page 1 13.Harry Potter, Rajamouli‟s Eaga and Religion – 2. Check whether you are brainwashed by religion page 59 –page 5 14. Hinduism: Tolerant Religion –page 61 3. Values –page 7 15. Proofs of god often used by Religious people – 4. Origin of the religions –page 12 Page 66 5. Why God doesn‟t Exist? –page 25 16. Why I am an Atheist by Bhagat Singh–page71 6. To Christians –page 31 17. Criticism of Islam –page 92 7. My Freedom-2012 –page 32 18. Daily Kos-page 100 8. Logical Pathway from god to evil –page 34 19. Criticism of Christianity –page 102 9. Letters to Bujji –page 43 20. Science, Religion and Secularism –page 106 10. Female Atheists‟ Quotes –page 48 21. Resources –page 109 11. How I am affected by Christianity -51 22. CREDITS –page 112 12.
    [Show full text]
  • Religion and Militancy in Pakistan and Afghanistan
    Religion and Militancy in Pakistan and Afghanistan in Pakistan and Militancy Religion a report of the csis program on crisis, conflict, and cooperation Religion and Militancy in Pakistan and Afghanistan a literature review 1800 K Street, NW | Washington, DC 20006 Project Director Tel: (202) 887-0200 | Fax: (202) 775-3199 Robert D. Lamb E-mail: [email protected] | Web: www.csis.org Author Mufti Mariam Mufti June 2012 ISBN 978-0-89206-700-8 CSIS Ë|xHSKITCy067008zv*:+:!:+:! CHARTING our future a report of the csis program on crisis, conflict, and cooperation Religion and Militancy in Pakistan and Afghanistan a literature review Project Director Robert L. Lamb Author Mariam Mufti June 2012 CHARTING our future About CSIS—50th Anniversary Year For 50 years, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has developed practical solutions to the world’s greatest challenges. As we celebrate this milestone, CSIS scholars continue to provide strategic insights and bipartisan policy solutions to help decisionmakers chart a course toward a better world. CSIS is a bipartisan, nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Center’s 220 full-time staff and large network of affiliated scholars conduct research and analysis and de- velop policy initiatives that look into the future and anticipate change. Since 1962, CSIS has been dedicated to finding ways to sustain American prominence and prosperity as a force for good in the world. After 50 years, CSIS has become one of the world’s pre- eminent international policy institutions focused on defense and security; regional stability; and transnational challenges ranging from energy and climate to global development and economic integration.
    [Show full text]
  • ATHEISM: Is the Acceptance That There Is No Credible Scientific Or Factually Reliable Evidence for the Existence of God, Gods Or the Supernatural
    Issue Number 16 July – August 2009 ATHEISM: is the acceptance that there is no credible scientific or factually reliable evidence for the existence of god, gods or the supernatural. Phone (08) 8835 2269 International +61 8 8835 2269 Private Mail Bag 6 Email [email protected] Maitland SA 5573 Australia Web http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc is a member of Atheist Alliance International PRESIDENT David icholls CONTENTS VICE PRESIDENT Lyn Longo HON. SECRETARY Karen Joyce Philosophy - Aims 3 TREASURER Lee Holmes Opinion 4 COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT Heretical Happenings 5 - 6 John Amadio (SA) David Bailey (SA) Australian ational University Atheists 6 Michael Boyd (SW) Charles Cornwall (SA) “Healing the Earth with Care and Bob Creek (SA) Concern” - Barry Brannan 7 - 8 Jac Dittmar (SA) Grace Donaldson (WA) The Foxhole Atheist - David Milan 8 Dean Dowling (SA) Grant Ettrick (WA) From the Inbox 9 - 12 Janine Gébert (SA) Colin Kline (Vic) AFA launches anti-boredom pack 12 Don Longo (SA) Prayer and the Big Picture Hannah Robinson (SW) - Charles Cornwall 13 - 14 Dennis Southam (SA) PUBLIC RELATIONS TEAM Canberra Reptile Sanctuary 14 Charles Cornwall Logo Competition and ew Website 15 - 16 Dr Mike Downes Dr Richard Doyle A Day in the Mind of an Atheist Harry Edwards David icholls - 17 - 18 Lee Holmes Michael McGrath - Rod Bower “The Closed Door” 18 Dr Luke Murtagh David icholls In the ews 19 - 20 Voula Papas Dr John L Perkins Humour 21- 22 igel Sinnott View from America Tanya Smith Dennis Southam - Bill Henry 23 Peter Taylor Book Reviews 24 - 25 EDITORS The Australian Atheist - Lee Holmes The Atheist Prayer 25 Website - Lee Holmes Grant Ettrick David Fregon Media Release 26 PROOF READER Iran Solidarity 27 igel Sinnott Membership Application 28 CHIEF TECHNICAL SUPERVISOR Grant Ettrick We welcome original articles, book reviews, The subject matter herein need not letters to the editor, quotes and snippets for be taken as the official view of the possible inclusion in THE A USTRALIA A THEIST .
    [Show full text]
  • The Accounting Information System Performs A
    ABC Journal of Advanced Research, Volume 7, No 2 (2018) ISSN 2304-2621(p); 2312-203X (e) Origins, Evolution and Current Activities of Sunni Salafi Jihadist Groups in Bangladesh Labiba Rahman Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, VA 22030, USA Corresponding Contact: Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT Despite its global recognition as a moderate Muslim country, Bangladesh has been experiencing increasing bouts of religious fundamentalism and militant activities since 2005. This phenomenon is not altogether novel to the country. During the Liberation War of 1971, Bengali freedom fighters faced staunch opposition from the Pakistani armed forces as well as Islamist militias under the control of Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist political party. Even after attaining its independence, Bangladesh has struggled to uphold the pillars of democracy and secularism due to political, social and religious drivers. Between January 2005 and June 2015, nearly 600 people have died in Islamic terrorist attacks in the country. These militant outfits either have close ties to or are part of Al Qaeda Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) and the Islamic State (ISIS). Despite such troubling signs and the fact that it is the fourth largest Muslim majority country in the world, Bangladesh has generally received little attention from academics of security studies. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the drivers and trends of Sunni Salafi jihadist groups operating in Bangladesh to ascertain the implications for counterterrorism activities. Political, social and religious interventions that go beyond the hard approach must be undertaken to control the mounting threat of Islamist terrorism to the security and stability of the nation.
    [Show full text]