Islam, World Peace, and the Discourse of Revenge

Every time anger and frustration take over the human spirit, reason andrational thinking fade into the background. High emotions cloud minds,subvert justice, and undermine peace. In the absence of reason, newterminology takes hold. The discourse on terrorism that rages today in theaftermath of the horrific terrorist strikes on New York and Washington isripe with emotions triggered by sinister and apocalyptic attacks on unarmedand non-combatant civilians. On television and radio talk shows across theUnited States, countless self-acclaimed experts on terrorism counsel that westrike back against a host of countries suspected of supporting terrorism.Statements from the White House have been more balanced and measured,but the theme is the same: an all-out war on terrorism.Terrorism we must fight, and we must fight with determination and vigor.But for the fight to be effective, it must be carried on according to fair rules,and must aim at the real target. An effective war on terrorism requirestwo elements. First, we must have a clear understanding of the sources ofthe anger and frustration that lies at the root of global terrorism and a cleardefinition of what constitutes a terrorist act. Second, we must have a clearvision of a global society based on the universal principles of equal freedomand mutual respect. A war on terrorism that employs moral themes butadvances the narrow interests of a privileged few can bring more evil thangood, as it is likely to result in harming innocent bystanders.Judging by the discourse of revenge and war, we have a long way to gobefore true understanding and clear vision come to bear on the strategicthinking of political leaders. This puts an extra burden on intellectuals andscholars. Scholars of all regions, religions, and persuasions are called uponmore than ever before to bring reason and enlightenment to a world filledwith emotion and ignorance ...