How to counter religious extremism

By Dr. Farid Majumder Darmstadt, Germany
24 November 2005, 18:00 PM
To influence and encourage the young people not to be religious extremists: put massive advertisement in TV, radio and all newspapers against extremism, use verses from the Holy Koran against religious extremism. Bangladesh is a peaceful country and we, from all religions, like to live peacefully side by side. Offer good perspectives like education, practical training and jobs to the young people.

The government must pay monthly salary to the Imams of mosques and Priests from Mandirs and Churches, just like schoolteachers. The Imams and the Priests must speak every week against all sorts of extremism. In madrassahs and schools, the teachers must teach the children tolerance and speak against religious extremism. To implement these make a new law. No political activities in schools/madrassahs (any student/teacher who does politics in the school will be expelled from it).

Offer amnesty to the people who are involved in such acts and give them life security and practical training and jobs to survive.

Make a deal with our neighbouring countries that they do not interfere in our internal affairs. They should not support/ shelter/ hide any terrorist/ extremist/culprits from other neighbouring countries. If any neighbour does this, file a case in the International

Court of Justice and bring it to international attention.

Take an example like Europe. They never interfere in the internal affairs of their neighbours and they live peacefully side by side. Make a law with death penalty and confiscation of property for the people who instigate /incite /support any type of religious extremism.

Make a law with death penalty and confiscation of property for the people who shelter or provide help to the extremists. Make a law with death penalty and confiscation of property for the people who produce/hold/supply bomb making materials.

Hold regular regional seminars and training programmes for the Imams and Priests on democracy, international knowledge, religious tolerance, humanity, human rights and social problems in the family and community.

Reward people who help to catch religious extremists. Make massive advertisements on TV, radio and all newspapers regarding this.