by: Irshad Ahmad Mughal
Violence goes around in a circle and then leaves that circle to form another circle. In this way, these circles rotate and expand on all sides. Those who sow hate or lead from hate unconsciously understand and continue to sow it. To sow the seeds of hatred, it is necessary to target another group, but at the same time, it is necessary to show the spreader of violence good dreams that will benefit the perpetrator. Whether it is racist violence, linguistic violence, or religion-based, violence all work in the same way.
Initially, governments use different groups and exploit their power to divide and rule. Or, such hatred is spread to polish political agendas and political campaigns. Love and hate have a great motivating force. Both are two sides of the same coin. One is either loved or hated.
The element of detachment does not last long. The element of violence is absent in love, so there is no fear in it. When fear is banished, the motivational force weakens. So the fear and thrill factor works great to motivate people. That is why all the electronic, print media and social media resort to lies to spread their message or make the incident appear to spread like wildfire.
An entire Taliban program against Soviet Union and Socialism was designed by US and British intelligence agencies and was run with great success. As a result, the Soviet Union collapsed and the socialist bloc collapsed too. America emerged as a superpower and England’s weak reputation was restored as an ally. After that, not only hateful speeches were made against various Muslim dictators but attacks were made against them and then, Saddam Hussein and Colonel Gaddafi were overthrown.
Muslims were portrayed all over the world as terrorists who are enemies of the West. A disgusting image of Muslims was presented throughout the West. As a result, incidents of racism arose in the West. The
young generation who were born in an era when the world was not divided into two parts of
Socialist and Capitalist block, only understood hatred against Muslims as truth. Now, they have grown up nurturing hate against Muslims while the world has changed.
Everyone has social media in their hands to spread whatever he or she likes. But the seeds of hatred inside the minds have become a whole tree.
I am surprised when the leaders in the West are seen spewing venom against Muslims, but when they see its effects in the people, the bubble rises. China benefited greatly from this anti-Islamism of the West. It was able to focus on its economic development without conflict.
As a result, its economy grew great and the West was stuck in the conflicts of different countries. These small conflicts that could have been easily resolved have now become giant ones. This politics of hatred has now spread in the streets of countries like England, France, America, Italy, Germany, Sweden. Racists are seen making speeches and digging their claws into politics. This resulted in the recent race riots in England.
Based on my experience of working with religious extremists, I can propose few things to curb violence anywhere around the world:
> Violence is rooted in lies and these lies should be identified and uprooted.
> The information of perpetrators is hollow and superficial. So when they don’t have an answer, they resort to accusations and stop dialogue.
> Peace activists who want to work to promote peace must be tolerant, courageous, and wise. They should not be offended by any remarks that they consider to be vulgar, as such remarks will be heard in general.
> These people who believe in violence have different role models. Don’t challenge them initially or criticize them as a first step, but develop a process in which they themselves expose their contradictions.
> Help these people in indirect ways to self-expose hateful content and understand their own contradictions.
> Start the work at the public level and not at the leadership level. Because leaders quickly understand what will happen and can misuse your work to spread further rumors.
> Choose friends of your friends first to start the task to engage such people so you don’t become a victim of hateful violence yourself.
> Don’t resist at any point but attack and adopt a trailing approach.
> Keep your schedule flexible and never worship your agenda.
> Try to engage the haters and the hated in the same dialogue.
All these recommendations are based on my personal experience while working with religious leaders of four different sects in Pakistan who consider each other as infidels and do not even bother to sit with them. And, they proudly used to make hate speeches against them and then, everything changed which stopped peaceful and tolerant speeches.
About the Author:
Irshad Ahmad Mughal is the chairman of the Iraj Education & Development Foundation, based in 82B, New Chaburji Park, Lahore.
