While Bangladesh has done a tremendous job of keeping religious extremism in check ever since the Holey Artisan attack, fundamentalist voices never rest and pose an ever-present threat.
While measures such as counter-terrorism and intelligence gathering are absolutely imperative to that end, another incredibly important factor in combatting extremism is education. Given that religious leaders hold a lot of sway in reaching the hearts and minds of the majority, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent plea to the nation's Islamic scholars to help in the fight against militancy is nothing short of laudable.
The Islamic clerical community in Bangladesh has faced criticism, both inside and outside the country, for its relative inaction against the rampant extremist activities that have harmed the country so badly in recent times. Which is why, after Holey Artisan, the publication of a fatwa against militancy by Islamic leaders was such a breakthrough initiative.
The onus here is on the relevant stakeholders, the imams and Islamic leaders to stand united and send a message that is progressive, logical, and, above all else, condemns any and all acts of radical extremism and militancy.
Atrocities committed in the name of religion misrepresent faiths such as Islam to the world and pave the way for unjust hate being fomented against practitioners who hold no strife within them. It is time for Islamic scholars to disseminate the message of peace and understanding at a deeper level and denounce the horrendous acts of violence and hatred carried out by extremists.
Our places of worship can and must become our biggest ally in this fight.
