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Hope, cultural change needed to fight terrorism

Jul 10,2016 - Last updated at Jul 10,2016

The imminent capture of the cities of Raqqa and Mosul will lead to a new, crucial, phase in the struggle with Daesh, which will try to mount attacks everywhere and practice an even more brutal terrorism.

The idea of the “final battle”, promoted by Daesh, gave a global dimension to its activities. It may also be the reason for the appearance of even more brutal groups if it loses its territories, seeing that the more brutal a group is, the better it is known.

This puts all aspects of civic life under serious threat; it is almost impossible to secure all vital places: shopping malls, universities, public transportations, etc.

It is impossible to make an airport secure unless it is closed, for example.

Attacks as perpetrated by Daesh and threats are damaging the tourism and transportation sectors and they cost next to nothing: one man with a Kalashnikov, a simple act that has a very high effect. 

This should spur Arab governments to adopt wide-reaching measures to address the frustration among the region’s youth, so as to block Daesh’s main source of recruitment. 

The problem has to be faced in various ways. Daesh’s doctrine has to be analysed as it will lead to the origin of the problem.

In this context, the issue of the final battle declared by Daesh, the “Armageddon”, represents a good start.

For many years, some Arab and Muslim governments cultivated the legend of Armageddon through narrations or curricula, without realising that this plants in the minds of people an idea that later on could become very dangerous. 

The same goes for narrations like those of the conquering of Constantinople and Rome. 

It is the time to be true and courageous in facing the problem, and put an end to some sources of violence.

The war against Daesh should also include a war on autocracy, corruption, poverty, unemployment, inequality and failure to develop.

It is the time that elements of life win over elements of death in people’s lives. 

It is time to make people see the future clearly and realistically, and not encourage them to take refuge in the utopia of heaven.

If they could experience the good in this life, would they still kill themselves to go to heaven?

If they felt appreciated, wouldn’t they see life as precious?

A global alliance for a cultural revolution with a long-term strategy is needed.

Moreover, leaders should stop viewing the war against Daesh like G.W. Bush’s “war on terror”. 

The new UN secretary general might consider replacing the term with that of “cultural revolution”.

Another way to help is for aid donations to be directed to projects that give life to people, without neglecting the cultural side of life — art, literature, cinema, sports — all things that could give hope, change the life of millions of young people and save them from joining terrorist groups, as many have.

 

 

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