Albert Camus On Godless Morality

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 4 January 2025 "A Man Without Ethics Is A Wild Beast Loose Upon This World." Albert Camus January 4 is the great French existentialist and Nobel laureate in Literature (1957) Albert Camus' 65th death anniversary. Camus was a lifelong atheist, albeit a gentle one who didn't flaunt his atheism like Salman Rushdie, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, among others. His non-iconoclastic and 'ethical' atheism is all the more important because it explains that a complete atheist can also be an absolutely ethical and morally upright person. Those religious fanatics who fallaciously think that all atheists are immoral people and morality comes only from religion and an imaginary god, must cogitate over the aforementioned quote of Camus. This quote speaks to the importance of ethics and morality in our everyday lives. Without a moral compass, a person can become aimless and uncontrolled. This can be dangerous, both to themselves and to those around them. A person without ethics can act without regard for the consequences of their actions and can do serious harm. In order to maintain a safe, orderly, and equitable society, it is essential that we as individuals possess and adhere to an ethical code. This quote serves as a stark warning to us that without ethics, we can become "a wild beast loose upon this world." The extension of his quote is: "L'intégrité n'a pas besoin de règles" in French (Integrity has no need of rules). Camus' quote speaks to the power and importance of having a strong moral compass and living a life of integrity. It implies that if you have a strong sense of personal integrity, there is no need to be bound by external rules or societal expectations. You will make the right decisions even when no one is watching because that is the kind of person you are. This can also be seen as a reminder to live by your own standards, and to never compromise your values or beliefs. Integrity is a key ingredient of strong character, and having a commitment to this quality can make all the difference in life. Holier-than-thou type of people who condescendingly accuse others of being destitute of integrity should read and mull over it. No divinity and no cloying spirituality exhort you to become a moral being. One never needs any 'holy' book or scripture to become a conscientious person. "Tu n'as pas besoin de Dieu pour être un bon humain" (You need no god to be a good human), Camus wrote to Sartre, his friend and yet another atheist existentialist. Morality that comes from fear of god is slavish morality that lacks will, volition, wisdom and discernment. When morality and discipline are imposed by external agencies, your own judgement and power of discernment get obfuscated. Reading Camus' works can enable us to understand freedom and morality and emancipate us to the point of being so free that our very existence is an act of rebellion (The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.....Albert Camus). People languishing in the dungeon of faith and fear of god must dare read Camus. Alas, they won't lest Camus' rebellious ideas jolt them out of their state of perpetual servitude. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/albert-camus-godless-morality/d/134240 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Hate Transcending The Boundaries: Whither Dictates By Supreme Leaders

By Ram Puniyani for New Age Islam 4 January 2025 After RSS was formed it went on creating many organizations steeped in its ideology of Hindutva or Hindu Nationalism, a concept based on Aryan race, Brahminical values and the land from Sindhu to Seas. It has given birth to many organizations which are more than 100. Many other organizations have sprouted which may not be a formal part of Sangh Parivar, as known popularly, but are having the same ideology. These include many others like association of Sadhus and Sants outside the VHP, the cow vigilantes and those out to initiate violence at the drop of hat in the name of Hinduism. It seems that by now many such aggressive organizations are spouting things which go much beyond what limits RSS wants to put on its followers. For Cow vigilantes Modi had given a statement that murder in the name of cow is not acceptable, and just a few hours later a Muslim man was done to death on this issue. Apart from the phenomenon which is continuing. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the significance of love, harmony, and brotherhood are central to the teachings of Lord Christ. He also urged people to strengthen these values.” Just a couple of days later the vigilante groups and even Bajrang Dal groups attacked a person in Ahmedabad who had dressed as Santa Clause and was distributing gifts. A video is going viral where two men dressed as Santa Claus being beaten up by hooligans at the Kankaria Carnival in Ahmedabad. This probably is the first year where people dressed as Santa Clause are being hauled up. Already we had seen that Carol Singers were beaten up and since BJP came to power Carol singing has been stopped in Rashtrapati Bhavan. Bajrang Dal has also issued warnings to Hindus for their attending Christmas parties. How come these acts at the time of Christmas are seeing a new low currently? Recently we also saw the claims on mosques that there was such a temple so it must be dug up a la Babri Masjid style. Seeing the spate of such made up claims, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat himself said that we should not keep looking for Shivling under every mosque. It is amazing that the claim is made, and dispute created in Kashi where a fountain looking structure is claimed to be a Shivling and demand for converting the mosque into a temple boosted. After the Sambhal claims, the violence followed. Probably shaken by this and the feeling that the Supreme Leader of the supra political outfit felt it will bring loss of face for ‘RSS Combine’ and so he gave a sane looking call, "The Ram Temple was about faith, and Hindus wanted it built. But raising disputes about new sites out of hate is unacceptable," he said. "Some people think they can become leaders of Hindus by creating new controversies. How is this allowed?" And lo and behold most of the fringe organizations of Hindutva politics are coming forward to oppose it. One knows that RSS is a strict disciplinarian organization, and its members do not violate the commands of its leader. So who are these Senas, Dharma Sansads springing up by a dozen and going against the appeal of Bhagwat? To cap it all, RSS's unofficial mouth piece Organizer itself came forward to articulate the fringe elements’ demands and wrote that “Temple restorations are a quest for our identity! (TOI Dec 27, 2024). It also claims that temple restorations are for our national identity and to seek civilizational justice. How come the hate is so pervasive that it is crossing the limits set by its own leaders? Is it that the leaders like Prime Minister Modi want the actions leading to hate to continue, as it strengthens their politics? If not then why are the perpetrators of violence are enjoying impunity? Why does the whole system from spreaders of hate speech, to those responsible for maintaining law and order and even to some extent even the judiciary have a soft corner for these criminal elements. Having enjoyed the impunity for destroying Babri Mosques and lynching in the name of cow/beef or on killings and torture on the charge of ‘love-jihad’, now they know they can get away with their illegal acts. They feel that law may be bent to ensure that they are exonerated. The phenomenon of Organiser opposing Bhagwat arouses curiosity. Is there a split within RSS on the issue? Bhagawat trying to talk peace and harmony and the managers of Organiser feeling that the path of Hate and violence should be pursued to its fullest depth. There is another aspect which needs to be understood. When such phenomenons are unleashed for political benefits, initially the leaders congratulate themselves for their success in the electoral arena. From top to bottom diverse elements spring up and as Mr. Bhagawat said some of them ape for higher political position and influence. They are the one’s continuing their earlier political roots of which were sown by their leaders. One recalls that previous top RSS leader K. Sudarshan, who later became RSS Chief, was on the stage when Babri mosque was being demolished. This has been a classical case of crime and no punishment. All the guilty of this dastardly crime of babri demolition were finally given ‘not guilty’ chit and the judge who did this for the communal politics, got a plum job after his retirement. As they say, ‘as you sow, so you reap’, the demolition of Babri process as a whole tells us that it was not just a spreading of fake narratives of temple destructions, and many myths against Muslims. The result is there for us to see, where even the Supreme authority of RSS is not being listened to. The anti Christian campaign is just a continuation of the decades old propaganda against Christians that they are converting by force, fraud and allurement. The likes of Bhagwat and Modi are witnessing right in front of their eyes that the Genie can be unleashed from the bottle, but to put it back is a task, which is close to impossible. ----- Ram Puniyani is a human rights activist, who taught at IIT Bombay. The views are personal. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-politics/hate-transcending-dictates-supreme-leaders/d/134241 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Indian Scribe Mukesh Chandrakar Murdered, 1st Victim In 2025 Around The World

By Nava Thakuria, New Age Islam 4 January 2024 As we step into a New Year, heart breaking news knocked the Indian media fraternity as a young scribe was found murdered in Bijapur locality of Chhattisgarh during the first week of 2025. The global casualty of media workers reached 179 in 2024 across 25 countries. India maintained the number of journo-murders within four which is one more than the casualty reported in 2023. All the media victims reported last year from the central Indian region, where Uttar Pradesh witnessed the killing of two journalists (Ashutosh Srivastava and Dilip Saini), followed by Bihar (Shivshankar Jha) and Madhya Pradesh (Salman Ali Khan). The first journo-murder this year continues the same trend in the south Asian nation. Mukesh Chandrakar (30), an independent scribe, went missing on 1 January and two days later his body was recovered from a newly constructed septic tank belonging to an influential contractor based in Chattanpara area. A brave media reporter, who had extensively covered misappropriation of funds in various government projects in his locality. Initially Mukesh worked in several media outlets including a satellite news channel and faced wrath from the ultra left insurgents remained active in Bastar district. Lately he ran a YouTube channel (named Bastar Junction), enjoyed millions of views, and made a mark in investigative journalism while establishing him as a strong voice for the deprived section in the society. “It’s unfortunate that a young media person is seemingly targeted for his string reporting on powerful corrupt people. Incidentally, Mukesh Chandrakar becomes the first journalist to be killed this year across the world. We demand a fair probe to identify the culprits behind his killing and subsequent punishment under the law,” said Blaise Lempen, president of Geneva-based global media safety & rights body Press Emblem Campaign (www.pressemblem.ch/pec-news), adding, Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai should take a personal interest to deliver justice to the bereaved family as early as possible. As 2024 bids farewell, the global media society took time to express grief over the untimely demise of journalists during the eventful year that recorded a significant increase in the number of journo-victims. The year witnessed almost three quarters of the victims murdered in conflict zones. December was a particularly dramatic month with 20 more media-victims, where the hike of journo-murder incidents in 2024 compared with 2023 (140 media casualties) under the same criteria was around 28%, asserted the PEC’s annual report. Mentionable is that unlike other international organizations, the PEC includes all journalists killed, whether or not their deaths were related to their professional activity as it’s very difficult to prove instantly in its statistics. Conflicts in the Middle East are responsible for more than half of the victims. They have claimed the lives of 91 journalists: at least 80 in the Gaza Strip, 6 in Lebanon, 4 in Syria and 1 in the West Bank. In total, the hostilities in Gaza since 7 October 2023 have killed at least 161 media workers, an unprecedented toll for a conflict in such a short space of time. In 2024, the war in Ukraine resulted in the deaths of 19 Ukrainian journalists (most of whom had joined the army) plus one foreigner (Ryan Evans of Reuters in Kramatorsk). To this must be added the death in custody in Russia on 10 October of Ukrainian journalist Victoria Rochtchina, making a total of 21 victims. Outside the Middle East and Ukraine, Pakistan had the highest number of journalists killed, 12 since 1 January, a clear deterioration. Russia has 7 journalists killed (including three in Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia and one in Kursk). In Bangladesh, unrest in July left 7 journalists dead. The situation remains very dangerous in Mexico, where 7 journalists have been killed. Hostilities in Sudan caused the death of 6 journalists. In Colombia, 4 media workers were killed, where 4 killed in India, 3 in Iraq and 3 in Myanmar (Burma). Two people were killed in Somalia, two in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and two in Haiti. Cambodia, Chad, Ecuador, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Nepal and the Philippines, followed with one fatality in each country. India’s immediate neighbour Pakistan, which recorded 3 journo-murders in 2023, lost 12 media workers to assailants in the byeone year namely Jam Saghir Ahmed Lar, Tahira Nosheen Rana, Muhammad Siddiq Mengel, Mehar Ashfaq Siyal, Kamran Dawar, Nasrullah Gadani, Khalil Jibran, Hasan Zaib, Muhammad Bachal Ghunio, Nisar Lehri, Janan Hussain and Malik Zafar Iqbal. Another neighbour Bangladesh, which lost only 2 journalists to assailants in 2023, witnessed the murder of Hasan Mehedi, Shakil Hossain, Abu Taher Md Turab, Tahir Zaman Priyo, Pradip Kumar Bhowmik, Tanjil Jahan Islam Tamim and Swapan Kumar Bhadra in the recent socio-political uprising. Similarly Nepal recorded the killing of Suresh Bhul and Myanmar’s military rulers perpetrated the untimely deaths of Ko Myat Thu Tun, Htet Myat Thu and Win Htut Oo in last year. In ten years, the PEC has counted 1,159 victims, an average of 2.25 per week. Over the last five years, the most dangerous countries have been Gaza/West Bank (166), Ukraine (59), Mexico (55), Pakistan (36) and India (32). By continent in 2024, the Middle East had the highest number of victims (92: Gaza, Lebanon, Syria , West Bank and Iraq), ahead of Asia (31). Europe follows (28: Ukraine and Russia), ahead of Latin America (17) and Africa (11). In addition to the Middle East, there has been a deterioration in Asia from one year to the next (31 deaths compared with 12). On the positive side, there were fewer victims in Latin America in 2024 than in 2023 (16 compared with 20). Speaking to this writer from the Swiss city, Lempen reiterated that the PEC condemned all these crimes, committed in violation of international laws and national legislations. Independent investigations are essential to clarify the circumstances and prosecute those responsible in order to combat impunity. The heavy death toll (heaviest since the beginning of the century), reinforces the need for an international instrument which clarifies the conditions for the protection of the profession of journalism in conflict zones. He asserted that the PEC will continue its mission to make the global leadership aware of the media's safety and security without a pause. ------ Nava Thakuria is an official representative of PEC in South & Southeast Asia URL: https://www.newageislam.com/current-affairs/indian-scribe-victim-world/d/134238 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Resurgent Islamist Attacks in Europe and America: Motives, Ideology, Modus Operandi, Impacts, Religious Misinterpretation, Indoctrination and Policy Actions

By Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam 3 January 2025 The Resurgence Of Islamist Terrorism In Europe And America Underscores The Complexities Of Challenges By Extremist Ideologies In A Globalized World. Recent Attacks In New Orleans And Berlin Remind One That Comprehensive Approaches Must Be Made In Countering This Threat By Marrying Security Measures With Efforts Aimed At Its Underlying Causes Main Points: 1. Radical preachers and online platforms are key conduits for the spread of extremist ideologies. 2. These narratives often combine theological distortions with political grievances, creating a compelling but dangerous worldview for susceptible individuals. 3. Efforts to counter religious misinterpretation include promoting moderate Islamic voices, fostering interfaith dialogue, and investing in education programs that emphasize the peaceful and inclusive teachings of Islam. ------ As Europe ushered in 2025, the threat of Islamist terrorism loomed large over its cities. Incidents like the New Orleans truck-ramming attack and the stabbing attack in a Berlin supermarket on New Year's Eve demonstrate that the threat remains evolving and transnational. Both attacks are exemplary of the wide variety of tactics that extremists employ and the fact that they still seek to occupy public spaces to instill fear and disruption. Recent Attacks: Case Studies As the world welcomed 2025, a series of Islamist terrorist attacks underscored the persistent threat posed by extremist ideologies. Notably, incidents in New Orleans and Berlin highlighted the evolving tactics and motivations of such actors. New Orleans Truck-Ramming Attack In the early hours of January 1, 2025, New Orleans' Bourbon Street, known for its vibrant nightlife, became the scene of a tragic attack. Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran from Texas, drove a Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck into a crowd of revellers, resulting in 15 fatalities and injuring at least 35 others. After the vehicular assault, Jabbar exited the vehicle and engaged in a shootout with police before being fatally shot. Investigations revealed that Jabbar had recently converted to Islam and professed allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS). An ISIS flag was found in his truck, and he had recorded videos expressing radical intentions. Authorities are probing potential connections between this attack and a subsequent car bombing outside a Trump-owned hotel in Las Vegas on the same day, though no definitive link has been established. The Scottish Sun The victims of the New Orleans attack were diverse, including high school graduates, a former college football player, and parents, reflecting the indiscriminate nature of such violence. New York Post Stabbing Attack in Berlin Supermarket On December 31, 2024, a stabbing attack occurred in a Berlin supermarket, resulting in two deaths and several injuries. The assailant, reportedly shouting extremist slogans during the attack, was subdued by bystanders and taken into custody by police. Preliminary investigations suggest the individual had been radicalized through online extremist content and was part of a loose network of radicalized individuals. The timing of the attack, coinciding with New Year's Eve celebrations, appeared aimed at maximizing public fear and disruption. Motivations and Ideology: A Radical Misuse of Faith The motivation for Islamist terrorist attacks lies in deep-seated ideological, political, and social grievances. Such acts are part of a much larger struggle against perceived Western oppression and the formation of an Islamic caliphate, according to extremist narratives. The attackers rely on religious misinterpretations to legitimize their violence, making this a deadly cocktail of faith and radicalism. Global and Regional Influences Many attackers are motivated by international events, including Western military interventions in the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the collapse of the Islamic State's territorial caliphate. These events are interpreted by terrorist groups as evidence of a global conspiracy against Islam, which further creates a sense of victimhood and provides a rationale for violent retribution. In the case of many perpetrators, it is a slow process of being radicalized that is facilitated through online propaganda, isolation, and exposure to networks of extremists. Recruiters target people who have personal grievances and offer them a sense of purpose and belonging while promoting violence as a religious duty. Modus Operandi: Evolving Tactics and Strategies These methods show that Islamist extremists are adaptive. Their tactics range from coordinated, high-profile operations to the low-tech, lone-wolf assaults, making it increasingly difficult to prevent these attacks. Truck-Ramming Attacks The New Orleans attack reflects the growing taste for vehicle-ramming attacks. Such incidents are simple, with no expertise in training or logistics, yet maximize casualties and panic. The same occurred in Nice, Berlin, and London as attacks target unprotected areas with pedestrian routes, utilizing automobiles as a destructive tool. Knife Attacks Knife attacks, such as the Berlin supermarket stabbing, are yet another low-tech but lethal strategy. These are relatively low-key operations that need minimal planning to be executed; thus, difficult to detect ahead of time. The fact that an attacker can go to crowded areas and use easy-to-access weapons is a simplicity with devastating implications. Online Recruitment and Coordination Both of the attackers in these recent attacks were radicalized through online content, showing how the internet can enable extremism. Social media and encrypted messaging apps provide channels for extremists to disseminate propaganda, recruit followers, and plan attacks with little chance of being detected. Societal and Governance Implications The return of Islamist terrorism has profound implications: it disrupts societies and challenges governments to respond effectively without compromising civil liberties. Public Fear and Social Tension Random attacks enhance public fear and anxiety; they instill a feeling of mistrust within society. A supermarket stabbing case in Berlin made people feel worse for Muslims, increased the polarizations, and heightened social tensions, thus becoming fodder for the rhetoric of extremists further isolating the communities in violence and suspicion circles. Economic Impact The economic impact of terrorism is enormous, especially for targeted cities. Decreased tourism; increased security expenses; and disruption to daily life all contribute to economic instability. Holiday markets, cultural events, and public celebrations-which often are attacked-only see lasting declines in attendance. Political Polarisation The surge in attacks has reshaped political discourse across Europe. Far-right populist movements have gained traction by exploiting fears of terrorism, advocating for stricter immigration controls and tougher security measures. On the other hand, progressive voices emphasize the importance of integration and addressing the root causes of radicalization. Religious Misinterpretation: The Core of Radical Ideology The distortion of Islamic teaching towards violence is very central in Islamist terrorism. Extremist groups manipulate religious texts, removing all the contextual and spiritual facets and relating it to the political movements of power abusers. Hijacking Jihad Extremists have used the concept of jihad, which has traditionally encompassed a broad range of self-improvement and justice struggles, to legitimize violence. This deliberate misinterpretation of the concept of jihad allows recruiters to present their acts as religious obligations to the vulnerable in search of meaning and purpose. Propaganda and Indoctrination Radical preachers and online platforms are key conduits for the spread of extremist ideologies. These narratives often combine theological distortions with political grievances, creating a compelling but dangerous worldview for susceptible individuals. Countering Misinterpretation Efforts to counter religious misinterpretation include promoting moderate Islamic voices, fostering interfaith dialogue, and investing in education programs that emphasize the peaceful and inclusive teachings of Islam. European governments have taken a number of measures to counter the surge in Islamist terrorism. Such policies have the anti-attack, anti-radicalization, and social-resilience objective. Increased Surveillance and Security European security strategies include a significant increase in public space monitoring, enforcing control over borders, and strengthening counter-terrorism units. Newest technologies, like artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, are currently used to track and prevent attacks. Counter-Radicalisation Programs Community engagement programs target the root causes of radicalization. Programs are focused on mentoring at-risk youth, promoting inclusion, and providing alternative narratives to extremist ideologies. Legislative Reforms Governments have passed stricter laws on hate speech, extremist propaganda, and financing terrorism. The challenge remains in finding a balance between these measures and civil liberties. International Cooperation International cooperation is the only way to deal with the transnational nature of Islamist terrorism. European countries collaborate closely with allies such as the United States to share intelligence, track extremist networks, and coordinate counter-terrorism efforts. Conclusion: A Complex Battle The resurgence of Islamist terrorism in Europe underscores the complexities of challenges by extremist ideologies in a globalized world. Recent attacks in New Orleans and Berlin remind one that comprehensive approaches must be made in countering this threat by marrying security measures with efforts aimed at its underlying causes. While governments must stay alert, community cohesion and strength are equally important. By challenging religious misinterpretation, promoting integration, and addressing grievances, Europe can strive toward a future where the spectre of terrorism no longer haunts its public discourse or social texture. The road ahead requires strategic action but also a commitment to the values of tolerance, diversity, and human dignity that the extremists seek to destroy. ----- A regular columnist for NewAgeIslam.com, Mubashir V.P is a PhD scholar in Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia and freelance journalist. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-west/islamist-europe-america-ideology-religious-misinterpretation-indoctrination/d/134231 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

A Renowned Contemporary Islamic Scholar Javed Ahmad Ghamdi on Women’s Rights in Islam

By Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam 3 January 2025 The Resurgence Of Islamist Terrorism In Europe And America Underscores The Complexities Of Challenges By Extremist Ideologies In A Globalized World. Recent Attacks In New Orleans And Berlin Remind One That Comprehensive Approaches Must Be Made In Countering This Threat By Marrying Security Measures With Efforts Aimed At Its Underlying Causes Main Points: 1. Radical preachers and online platforms are key conduits for the spread of extremist ideologies. 2. These narratives often combine theological distortions with political grievances, creating a compelling but dangerous worldview for susceptible individuals. 3. Efforts to counter religious misinterpretation include promoting moderate Islamic voices, fostering interfaith dialogue, and investing in education programs that emphasize the peaceful and inclusive teachings of Islam. ------ As Europe ushered in 2025, the threat of Islamist terrorism loomed large over its cities. Incidents like the New Orleans truck-ramming attack and the stabbing attack in a Berlin supermarket on New Year's Eve demonstrate that the threat remains evolving and transnational. Both attacks are exemplary of the wide variety of tactics that extremists employ and the fact that they still seek to occupy public spaces to instill fear and disruption. Recent Attacks: Case Studies As the world welcomed 2025, a series of Islamist terrorist attacks underscored the persistent threat posed by extremist ideologies. Notably, incidents in New Orleans and Berlin highlighted the evolving tactics and motivations of such actors. New Orleans Truck-Ramming Attack In the early hours of January 1, 2025, New Orleans' Bourbon Street, known for its vibrant nightlife, became the scene of a tragic attack. Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, a 42-year-old U.S. Army veteran from Texas, drove a Ford F-150 Lightning pickup truck into a crowd of revellers, resulting in 15 fatalities and injuring at least 35 others. After the vehicular assault, Jabbar exited the vehicle and engaged in a shootout with police before being fatally shot. Investigations revealed that Jabbar had recently converted to Islam and professed allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS). An ISIS flag was found in his truck, and he had recorded videos expressing radical intentions. Authorities are probing potential connections between this attack and a subsequent car bombing outside a Trump-owned hotel in Las Vegas on the same day, though no definitive link has been established. The Scottish Sun The victims of the New Orleans attack were diverse, including high school graduates, a former college football player, and parents, reflecting the indiscriminate nature of such violence. New York Post Stabbing Attack in Berlin Supermarket On December 31, 2024, a stabbing attack occurred in a Berlin supermarket, resulting in two deaths and several injuries. The assailant, reportedly shouting extremist slogans during the attack, was subdued by bystanders and taken into custody by police. Preliminary investigations suggest the individual had been radicalized through online extremist content and was part of a loose network of radicalized individuals. The timing of the attack, coinciding with New Year's Eve celebrations, appeared aimed at maximizing public fear and disruption. Motivations and Ideology: A Radical Misuse of Faith The motivation for Islamist terrorist attacks lies in deep-seated ideological, political, and social grievances. Such acts are part of a much larger struggle against perceived Western oppression and the formation of an Islamic caliphate, according to extremist narratives. The attackers rely on religious misinterpretations to legitimize their violence, making this a deadly cocktail of faith and radicalism. Global and Regional Influences Many attackers are motivated by international events, including Western military interventions in the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the collapse of the Islamic State's territorial caliphate. These events are interpreted by terrorist groups as evidence of a global conspiracy against Islam, which further creates a sense of victimhood and provides a rationale for violent retribution. In the case of many perpetrators, it is a slow process of being radicalized that is facilitated through online propaganda, isolation, and exposure to networks of extremists. Recruiters target people who have personal grievances and offer them a sense of purpose and belonging while promoting violence as a religious duty. Modus Operandi: Evolving Tactics and Strategies These methods show that Islamist extremists are adaptive. Their tactics range from coordinated, high-profile operations to the low-tech, lone-wolf assaults, making it increasingly difficult to prevent these attacks. Truck-Ramming Attacks The New Orleans attack reflects the growing taste for vehicle-ramming attacks. Such incidents are simple, with no expertise in training or logistics, yet maximize casualties and panic. The same occurred in Nice, Berlin, and London as attacks target unprotected areas with pedestrian routes, utilizing automobiles as a destructive tool. Knife Attacks Knife attacks, such as the Berlin supermarket stabbing, are yet another low-tech but lethal strategy. These are relatively low-key operations that need minimal planning to be executed; thus, difficult to detect ahead of time. The fact that an attacker can go to crowded areas and use easy-to-access weapons is a simplicity with devastating implications. Online Recruitment and Coordination Both of the attackers in these recent attacks were radicalized through online content, showing how the internet can enable extremism. Social media and encrypted messaging apps provide channels for extremists to disseminate propaganda, recruit followers, and plan attacks with little chance of being detected. Societal and Governance Implications The return of Islamist terrorism has profound implications: it disrupts societies and challenges governments to respond effectively without compromising civil liberties. Public Fear and Social Tension Random attacks enhance public fear and anxiety; they instill a feeling of mistrust within society. A supermarket stabbing case in Berlin made people feel worse for Muslims, increased the polarizations, and heightened social tensions, thus becoming fodder for the rhetoric of extremists further isolating the communities in violence and suspicion circles. Economic Impact The economic impact of terrorism is enormous, especially for targeted cities. Decreased tourism; increased security expenses; and disruption to daily life all contribute to economic instability. Holiday markets, cultural events, and public celebrations-which often are attacked-only see lasting declines in attendance. Political Polarisation The surge in attacks has reshaped political discourse across Europe. Far-right populist movements have gained traction by exploiting fears of terrorism, advocating for stricter immigration controls and tougher security measures. On the other hand, progressive voices emphasize the importance of integration and addressing the root causes of radicalization. Religious Misinterpretation: The Core of Radical Ideology The distortion of Islamic teaching towards violence is very central in Islamist terrorism. Extremist groups manipulate religious texts, removing all the contextual and spiritual facets and relating it to the political movements of power abusers. Hijacking Jihad Extremists have used the concept of jihad, which has traditionally encompassed a broad range of self-improvement and justice struggles, to legitimize violence. This deliberate misinterpretation of the concept of jihad allows recruiters to present their acts as religious obligations to the vulnerable in search of meaning and purpose. Propaganda and Indoctrination Radical preachers and online platforms are key conduits for the spread of extremist ideologies. These narratives often combine theological distortions with political grievances, creating a compelling but dangerous worldview for susceptible individuals. Countering Misinterpretation Efforts to counter religious misinterpretation include promoting moderate Islamic voices, fostering interfaith dialogue, and investing in education programs that emphasize the peaceful and inclusive teachings of Islam. European governments have taken a number of measures to counter the surge in Islamist terrorism. Such policies have the anti-attack, anti-radicalization, and social-resilience objective. Increased Surveillance and Security European security strategies include a significant increase in public space monitoring, enforcing control over borders, and strengthening counter-terrorism units. Newest technologies, like artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, are currently used to track and prevent attacks. Counter-Radicalisation Programs Community engagement programs target the root causes of radicalization. Programs are focused on mentoring at-risk youth, promoting inclusion, and providing alternative narratives to extremist ideologies. Legislative Reforms Governments have passed stricter laws on hate speech, extremist propaganda, and financing terrorism. The challenge remains in finding a balance between these measures and civil liberties. International Cooperation International cooperation is the only way to deal with the transnational nature of Islamist terrorism. European countries collaborate closely with allies such as the United States to share intelligence, track extremist networks, and coordinate counter-terrorism efforts. Conclusion: A Complex Battle The resurgence of Islamist terrorism in Europe underscores the complexities of challenges by extremist ideologies in a globalized world. Recent attacks in New Orleans and Berlin remind one that comprehensive approaches must be made in countering this threat by marrying security measures with efforts aimed at its underlying causes. While governments must stay alert, community cohesion and strength are equally important. By challenging religious misinterpretation, promoting integration, and addressing grievances, Europe can strive toward a future where the spectre of terrorism no longer haunts its public discourse or social texture. The road ahead requires strategic action but also a commitment to the values of tolerance, diversity, and human dignity that the extremists seek to destroy. ----- A regular columnist for NewAgeIslam.com, Mubashir V.P is a PhD scholar in Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia and freelance journalist. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-west/islamist-europe-america-ideology-religious-misinterpretation-indoctrination/d/134231 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

What Are We Busy About?

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 3 January 2025 This pertains to Paul Craig Roberts' thought-provoking write up, "Western Humanity in Death Throes: Digital Revolution, AI, And Transhumanism Eliminating Human Communication." The problem with humans is that we erroneously think that with all these 'advancements,' we're creatively, constructively and technologically busy and intellectually engaged. That's wrong! It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about ? The question highlights an essential aspect of human existence. It reminds us that busyness alone is not a measure of productivity or fulfilment. Throughout our lives, we often find ourselves caught up in the relentless pursuit of tasks, responsibilities, and obligations. However, this thought prompts us to reflect on the purpose and significance of our busyness. It encourages us to evaluate whether we are truly engaging in meaningful activities that contribute to our personal growth, well-being, and the betterment of the world around us. In essence, this very question urges us to consider the quality, rather than the mere quantity, of our busy lives. We're busy with running others down. Meddling in other people's lives is how some avoid dealing with their own. We're busy with the so-called technological strides that we're making. But we're ignoring the human and humane side to our existence. We're busy with noise and chaos, forgetting that all profound things and emotions of things are preceded and attended by silence. In a world filled with noise and distractions, silence serves as the backdrop against which profound thoughts and emotions can flourish. It is in moments of solitude and stillness that one can truly introspect and find the depth of their emotions. Silence also acts as a potent catalyst, amplifying the impact of profound experiences, as it allows individuals to fully immerse themselves in the intensity and intricacies of their feelings. This reminds us of the power and necessity of silence in truly understanding and appreciating the profound aspects of life. Digital revolution has made our life chaotic, nay, shambolic. We all have stopped reading, thinking and introspecting. We're not even reading newspapers, let alone books and tomes. Instead, we're busy watching Death's Danse Macabre that's going on across the globe. Voltaire said, "Let us read and let us dance—two amusements that will never do any harm to the world." Alas, our idea of innocuous amusements has drastically changed in today's dehumanised times. We've become zombies and slaves to our own creations (or concoctions?) which we mistake for advancements. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/digital-revolution-noise-distractions/d/134230 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Back and Forth Between Hijabs and Skirts

By Nashrah Tanvir, New Age Islam 2 January 2025 My Hijab And Sometimes Abaya Is Not Only Personal But Performative. It Is My Feminist Strategy Of Conspicuous Visibility And A Means Of Pushing Back Against Sexism, Racism, And Islamophobia ----- I always dressed in a way anyone would deem ‘modest’, but my love affair with Hijab began when a well meaning person advised me to never wear one as it is not proper for dark skinned women to further make themselves ugly, implying that dark skin is ugly in itself, which is rooted in regionalism, colourism, and casteism. (File Photo) ----- Unfortunately, I was not a determined, powerful woman who thought I would show them that I have ability to look beautiful in a headscarf but a vengeful one who decided I will show the world what it is afraid of- a dark-skinned woman wrapped in a hijab. From hijab caps and to pins, there was a lot of learning involved and sometime later I shifted to Abaya as well. Hijab felt like freedom in two ways, it was a conscious choice without external factors and it embodied my autonomy, agency, and voice in a world often marked by marginalisation and stereotypes about my community. I remember when my classmates would ask why my parents has yet not forced hijab on me to they want to wear hijab despite being non-Muslims, both of which were problematic in different contexts. Won’t it be simple for a Savarna Hindu woman to wear hijab for fun and disregard it without facing any of the turbulent oppression that comes along with being Muslim women? It would be a form of religious appropriation. Back to why clothes empower me, someday you’ll find me in hijab and Abaya and other days you can witness me wearing summer dresses and shorts. I change clothes as if it’s nothing more than a fickle mind but it is deliberate strategy to survive in a political climate that is not accepting of feminine bodies. While hijab is a signal that that here I am despite all your efforts to erase me; dresses, shorts, and skirts were an attempt at change. My damaged skin and scars due to dermatillomania and self-harm made me hide behind veil of modesty for quite a while. I perfected the excuse to be a pious person – not the sort who prays five times a day- but the one who makes sure her legs are always covered, not providing an opportunity for anyone to gasp at legs that seem to have been through hell and back. I needed a change because I was tired of lying that I wear clothes that cover my arms and legs for Allah. My body is covered with scars. So many that it would take a while to count them all. Most of the scars reside on my thighs and knees. I’ve lived most of my life shame-ridden. For a man, a scarred skin may be looked upon as masculine. For a woman, however, she may be considered less feminine if her skin is scarred; hers should be soft, smooth, and blemish-free. What a difference a scar makes, just like scarf! Furthermore, the marked female body is often more pathologised than a man’s marked body. Women with tattoos are described as having personality disorders, specifically, borderline personality disorder, and substance addiction, and a history of sexual abuse. However, having these experiences as well as tattoos isn’t something that needs to be looked down upon either. When the skin is cut, the body bleeds. When the body bleeds, the body heals. But when the body heals, what about the scars? Learning that scars are not the wound itself, they are the healing of the wound was a difficult process. Someday, I’m still afraid that someone will look at my skin and be grossed out. I don’t mean to normalise self-harm but not to stigmatize self -harm. When one becomes socially stigmatized, this also often leads to self-stigma, which means that a stigmatized group accepts the negative attitudes and comes to hold feelings of self-blame. Shame kept me from seeking help for more than a decade. Even when I sought psychological help, it was hard to disclose my scars and talk about self-injury. Since self-injury not only appears ugly, but is is deemed a pathology and a deviant practice that is not socially sanctioned and culturally accepted. As a result, getting the relevant help in environment of Indian psychiatric institution is difficult. One of the most bizarre thing I’ve faced from a psychiatrist is fatphobia and his conventional advice on which kind of clothing would suit me better, not to forget that my weight gained as a result of medicines he prescribed without informing me about side effects. Now, every day is an inner-battle to not fat-shame myself. Managing visible scars often means managing the stigma of scars, and one’s bodies can easily become the focal point of attention for both the self and others. I have carved or burnt my body in different situations and from different moods in the past, but they are all with me at the present and will be with me in the future. Without the scars, I am not the person that others see me as or I see myself as. I’m trying to choose compassion over disgust but there are hard days when compassion doesn’t win. Clothing is the bridge between our private internal world and everything else, and an opportunity and tool for connection, belonging, expression, and awakening. And, with every choice, there are impacts, personal impacts as well as social impacts, and I’ve never been safe from patriarchal notions. Therein lies the reason I started wearing headscarf now and then. My Hijab and sometimes Abaya is not only personal but performative. It is my feminist strategy of conspicuous visibility and a means of pushing back against sexism, racism, and Islamophobia. The concept of modest fashion embraces many different styles, and as its name suggests, it refers to clothing that conceals rather than delineates the contours of the human body. However, performance is a wide-ranging and difficult practice to define and holds many, at times conflicting, meanings and possibilities. My fashion is not limited to mimetic repetition because Muslim women and Indian women wear similar clothing. Another movement that’s somewhat controversial but necessary in clothes politics of feminism is Free the Nipples. The feminine body is still seen as inappropriate and worthy of censorship. We are all born with nipples, yet half the population live in a censored world where their nipples are unacceptable while the other half has the right to expose them as they please. The oppression lies in the sexist belief that women simply want to flaunt their bodies in public. However, it’s about pushing back on a society that views women’s bodies as inappropriate and the shame this creates. One day, I want to be brave enough to discard bra. If I were asked to be the stereotype to burn it over flame, I would be there as someone who finds bras incredibly uncomfortable. But I am learning one step a time that how to reclaim my body back. Clothes do matter, especially now that visible minorities are openly challenged by political developments. Fashion is more than a way of getting ready to a way of living, it is my resistance against unacceptance. For now, I’ll enjoy what little representation of Hijabi women is available in We are Lady Parts, which is about a Muslim women punk rock band and depicts hijabi women who don’t live to tick boxes of stereotyping instead of shows where Muslim women remove hijabs for their white or Hindu saviours. Meanwhile every garment I don is an attempt to reclaim my body from patriarchal culture. The purpose of prevalent islamophobia is to evoke the hijab as a symbol of oppression, however, the very majority, who makes up the most of Islamophobes are Ironically the oppressors of veiled Muslim women. The oppressors are used to not understanding the true reason why Muslim women veil or do not veil, often perceive women like me in need of saving. However, true reason why I sometimes wear hijab and sometimes don’t lies in choice. However, neither my opinion nor any woman’s opinion of veiling has the same view, which is important to note since generalization of Muslim women is a vast problem. Indian Muslim women are raised in diverse cultural and regional settings and backgrounds. While many Muslim women observe the practice of veiling. Unfortunately, many people don’t regard hijab as my free choice, I remember being advised by a shopkeeper not to wear it during the hot months as well as my mother isn’t thrilled by idea of Abaya and believes it would make me uncomfortable. Irony is no one ever asks me about it. I also do recognize my privilege that every Muslim woman is not free to make her choice about headscarf. Some women can be coerced into wearing one but India being a majoritian nation designed against the marginalized population means that more and more women veil because they have the right and desire to do so despite the dangers it presents. There is no one image of Muslim women because they personally decide what does and does not correspond with their bodies and beliefs. Reasons for my hijab lies in fashion, political expression, resistance to Hindutva forces, stereotypes, and opposition to women’s objectification. However, various other Muslim women’s reasoning may include closeness to religious practice as well. In wake of Ahoo Daryae’s daring protest of stripping down against misogynist forces in Iran, many artists depicted Muslim women as a crowd mentality, dark skinned people in long black dresses who cowered before Ahoo Daryae, which formed a perfect imagine of colonization. Therefore, white feminist and Savarna feminists always end up throwing other women under the bus in the process of speaking up for the ones that suit their narratives. I remember how often I’ve to unveil for metro checks and even security in movie halls. I remember proudly wearing a pink hijab to celebrate theme of Barbie movie, only having to end up removing it. I’m not someone who can argue given my delibitating social anxiety disorder and autism. Because of the build-up of islamophobia throughout history, many Muslim women feared being attacked for having an Islamic identity and/or sought to diminish the suspicious looks of others and, therefore, faced the predicament of de-veiling. Sometimes, the decision was irrelevant as public places like schools and colleges in Karnataka banned the veil. Similarly, Muslim women are way less likely to get jobs based on their names and condition is worse if someone wear a Hijab as well. To diminish the discrimination and the tension of the controversy of the veil, it is possible that learning about the veil from a first-hand perspective can be influential and beneficial to the larger non-Muslim population and thus create a more understanding and accepting environment. ----- Nashrah Tanvir writes poems about mental health, feminism, and Islam. Her poems have appeared in The Hindustan Times, Magic Pot, The Teenagers Today, The Radiant, Gulmohar Quarterly and AZE Journal. She has performed spoken word poetry with Kommune Delhi NCR, Delhi Poetry Slam, PPoets of Delhi and Speaking Soul. Her works have also appeared online on DisLit Youth Literary Magazine, Poems India, All India Queer Association, and Wingword Poetry Prize. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/back-forth-hijabs-skirts/d/134223 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Purge All Faiths Of The Pests, Called Sects

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 2 January 2025 "Sectarian conflict is an unfortunate reality, despite the Quran's explicit prohibition against it. The Quran even excludes from the fold of Islam those who engage in such divisions. Why, then, does it persist? The reason lies in people abandoning the Quran in favour of man-made religions, as Ghulam Mohiyyudin sb. rightly points out. Sectarian theologies are human constructs that contradict the teachings of the Quran. Therefore, to truly be a Muslim, one must dissociate from every sect and adhere solely to the Quran. Every sect must dissolve, for they are all, without exception, misguided." The above-mentioned comment of a deluded 'polymath' (of course, ironically) appeared on Mr Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi Saheb’s very balanced article, "Exploring the Role of Religion in Hatred and Conflict: Myth or Reality?" People like this 'polymath' will quickly call me an irreligious person but they don't understand that a religion, any faith for that matter, is condemned by people like me because religion/faith has become denominational and sectarian. He's criticising the sects in Islam but he himself categorically mentioned in one of his recent comments that he's a Sunni Muslim. This gets my goat. Why can't you just call yourself a Muslim? Why this Sunni, Shia, Shia sub-sect (Bohras), Ahmadiyas, Khojas and what not? Why do people use religious sub-identities like a Sunni Muslim or a Shia Muslim; a Methodist or a Pentecostal; a Shaivite or a Vaishnavite? I've interacted with lakhs of Muslims in my life and I'm not including those who're no longer in the fold of Islam. I'm talking of those who're still Muslims but who also flaunt their sub-identities like Sunni and Shia. Don't take umbrage if I ask a pointed question: Is there any Muslim on this site who calls himself just a Muslim sans any sect (not even calling himself a Sufi, for, that's also a sect or doctrine) that crept into Islam as sectarian interpolation? Mind you, we don't pigeonhole anyone. People love to pigeonhole themselves into religions, sects and subsects. I feel disgusted when I see Sunni graveyard/ Shia graveyard! What nonsense! Can't a Sunni be buried in a Shia graveyard and vice versa? You're discriminating against your fellow religionists even in death! Macabre, to say the least. Can Islam be devoid of its 73 warring sects; though the number of sects in Islam is debated, a Hadees attributed to Muhammad states that Islam will be divided into 73 sects? Can Christianity be shorn of its six main groups, or denominations, with many subdivisions: Catholicism, Protestantism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, Church of the East, and Restorationism. The Protestant denomination includes many groups with different beliefs and practices, and no shared ecclesiastical governance. Some Protestant denominations include: Anglican, Lutheran, Reformed, Anabaptist, and Evangelical. What's this rank nonsense? Did the putative Jesus think of these denominations? The same can be said about Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism (known for its endless sects, sub-sects and quasi sects) and even Zoroastrianism (Masdayasani, Parsee, Khshnoomi, Zarathushtrian Assembly- A small Restorationist sect in southern California, and many more). No faithful just identifies himself with the broader rubric of a faith, e.g, no one says that he's a Muslim or a Christian. His/her sect or sub-sect eventually surfaces. This sectarianism has desecrated all faiths and wreaked havoc on mankind. Purge all faiths of these pests called sects to understand and imbibe the pristine essence of every religion. Then, no one will condemn religions. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/purge-faiths-pests-sects-islam/d/134221 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminismest, Islam Women and Feminism

The Unsung Bard of Bihar: Kalim Aajiz’s Journey Through Tragedy and Verse

By Syed Amjad Hussain, New Age Islam 2 January 2025 Kalim Aajiz, An Urdu Poet Influenced By The Tragedy Of Partition, Spoke Through His Poems Against Authoritarianism, For Unification, And For Resilience. Even Though Marginalised, Kalim Aajiz's Themes Of Justice, Empathy, And Humanism Hold Relevance In This Polarised World Today. Main Points: 1. Kalim Aajiz's poetic expressions were strongly influenced by the personal loss during Partition. His poetry genuinely reflects themes of sorrow, unity, and human resilience. 2. His verses criticised authoritarianism, especially during India's Emergency, revealing contradictions in governance while advocating justice and fairness. 3. Aajiz's work, being based on Islamic values, cut across religious boundaries and brought about compassion, empathy, and unity among diverse communities. 4. Despite his literary contributions, Aajiz remained marginalised, overshadowed by contemporaries, and underappreciated in the broader Indian literary landscape. 5. His universal themes of empathy, resilience, and social justice resonate in today's polarised world, making his poetry timeless and transformative. ----- Introduction Kalim Aajiz was not just a poet; he was a chronicler of his era, a rebel armed with words, and a voice of resilience in times when personal turmoil and political turbulence intertwined. Born in 1920 in the serene village of Telhara in Bihar, India, Aajiz lived through some of the most defining moments of 20th-century South Asia. From the devastating trauma of Partition to the rise of authoritarianism during India’s Emergency, his life—marked by personal tragedy and literary brilliance—continues to inspire thinkers and readers alike. The Foundations of a Literary Journey Born into a middle-class family, Kalim Aajiz showed an innate talent for both poetry and academics from an early age. Pursuing his education with diligence, he eventually earned a PhD in Urdu literature. However, academic success could not shield him from the communal violence that ravaged India during the Partition of 1947. For Aajiz, Partition was not just a political upheaval but a personal tragedy that left deep scars. His family was brutally killed in the communal riots, a loss that profoundly shaped his poetic voice. Unlike many contemporaries who reacted to Partition with fiery rhetoric, Aajiz’s verses exuded a quiet sorrow, a longing for unity, and a profound empathy for human suffering. Poetry became his way of processing grief and critiquing the socio-political dynamics of his time. Poetry as a Weapon of Resistance Kalim Aajiz’s literary journey was deeply entwined with his role as a social critic. His poetry extended beyond aesthetics, serving as a medium of resistance and reflection. Among his most memorable works is a couplet penned during the Emergency imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975: "Dāman Pe Koī Chhīñt Na Ḳhanjar Pe Koī Daaġh Tum Qatl Karo Ho Ki Karāmāt Karo Ho" In these lines, Aajiz unmasked the contradictions of a regime that sought to justify its actions under a facade of morality and legality. The Emergency was a period marked by curtailed civil liberties, media censorship, and mass arrests. While many poets of the time avoided directly challenging the government, Aajiz’s couplet epitomised dissent against authoritarianism. His subtle yet scathing critique exposed the hypocrisy of those in power and underscored the human cost of such governance. His protest was not merely political but deeply humanistic, rooted in a yearning for justice and fairness. Loss, Longing, and the Human Spirit Aajiz’s poetry is characterised by a profound sense of loss, a theme that permeates much of his work. The Partition of India left an indelible mark on his soul, and his verses reflect the pain of separation and the longing for reconciliation. In his poems, wounds and scars often appear as metaphors—not only for individual grief but also for the collective trauma endured by his community. While Aajiz mourned the senseless violence and division that tore families and communities apart, he also celebrated the resilience of the human spirit. His words offered solace and hope, urging readers to rise above despair and envision a harmonious future. Faith and the Universal Human Condition Though a devout Muslim, Kalim Aajiz’s poetry transcended religious boundaries. Drawing upon Islamic traditions and values, his verses resonated with people of diverse backgrounds. He emphasised the shared human condition, advocating compassion, empathy, and understanding. The story of his friendship with Badri Narain Gupta, a Hindu neighbour, is a poignant testament to these ideals. When Aajiz’s ancestral home in Bihar faced the threat of encroachment, Gupta stepped in to protect it, ensuring the poet’s legacy remained intact. This act of solidarity reflected the spirit of interfaith harmony that Aajiz championed throughout his life. Scholar, Teacher, and Poet In addition to his poetry, Kalim Aajiz made significant contributions to Urdu literature as a scholar and educator. His body of work includes several books, most notably “Woh Jo Shaayri Ka Sabab Hua” (What Inspired the Poetry), considered his magnum opus. This masterpiece not only showcased his poetic excellence but also offered insights into the socio-political landscape of his time. Aajiz adhered to the classical traditions of Urdu poetry while imbuing his work with contemporary relevance. His mastery of forms like the ghazal and nazm was complemented by his ability to address complex themes with simplicity and elegance. Bridging the gap between the personal and the political, his work remains both timeless and timely. Overlooked in His Lifetime Despite his literary prowess and the social relevance of his work, Kalim Aajiz was often marginalised in the mainstream literary canon. In an era dominated by prominent figures like Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Sahir Ludhianvi, Aajiz’s quieter, more introspective voice was frequently overshadowed. His refusal to align with political ideologies and his insistence on speaking truth to power may have contributed to this neglect. Even after his death in 2015, Aajiz did not receive the widespread recognition many believe he deserved. While literary circles paid homage to his legacy, his contributions remain underappreciated in the broader context of Indian poetry. An Enduring Legacy Kalim Aajiz’s life and work serve as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of art. His poetry, steeped in personal pain and universal themes, continues to inspire readers and writers across generations. In today’s increasingly polarised world, Aajiz’s emphasis on empathy, unity, and the shared human condition is more relevant than ever. His verses urge us to look beyond divisions and embrace the common humanity that binds us all. The preservation of his home by Badri Narain Gupta stands as a poignant metaphor for the enduring relevance of Aajiz’s message. It reminds us that, even in the face of neglect and erasure, the ideals of love, compassion, and solidarity can prevail. A Voice for the Marginalised Kalim Aajiz may have been a poet of the margins, but his voice resonates powerfully with those who seek justice, kindness, and the enduring strength of the written word. His legacy challenges us to recognise the power of poetry not just as an art form but as a force for societal change. In the words of Aajiz himself: "Bakne Bhī Do 'Ājiz' Ko Jo Bole Hai Bake Hai Dīvāna Hai Dīvāne Se Kyā Baat Karo Ho" Let the madman speak, for in his madness lies the wisdom the world so desperately needs. —— Syed Amjad Hussain is an author and Independent research scholar on Sufism and Islam. He is currently working on his book 'Bihar Aur Sufivad', based on the history of Sufism in Bihar. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/unsung-bihar-kalim-aajiz-tragedy-verse/d/134220 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Balancing Faith, Family, and Career: Challenges and Solutions for Muslim Working Women

By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 1 January 2025 Muslim women today balance their roles as caregivers, professionals, and active contributors to society. While Islam grants them dignity and honour, navigating both career and family responsibilities presents challenges like gender discrimination and cultural misconceptions. By drawing on Islamic principles and examples like Hazrat Khadijah (RA), working Muslim women can overcome these challenges through time management, prioritization, and family support. This article explores their struggles and offers faith-based solutions, empowering them to excel in their roles and reinforcing their vital contributions to family, community, and faith. In today's evolving world, Muslim women are navigating expanded roles as caregivers, professionals, and active contributors to society, yet their unique challenges often go unnoticed. This article addresses these issues by offering those who seek faith-based solutions to help balance careers and familial duties while staying true to Islamic values. It highlights their struggles, provides practical guidance rooted in faith, and challenges societal misconceptions about working women. By fostering inclusivity and understanding, it advocates for respect in workplaces and homes alike. Above all, it inspires empowerment, reminding Muslim women of the value of their efforts and the recognition and reward they receive from Allah (SWT). In doing so, it celebrates their resilience and multi-faceted contributions to family, community, and faith. In Islam, women are granted a position of dignity, respect, and honour. They are recognized as the backbone of the family and a cornerstone of society. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The best of you are those who are best to their families.” However, when Muslim women step into the professional world while fulfilling their familial roles, they often face unique challenges. Balancing faith, career, and family responsibilities can be daunting, but with patience, planning, and adherence to Islamic principles, these challenges can be managed effectively. Dual Responsibilities: The Heart of the Challenge Muslim women shoulder numerous responsibilities within their homes. If fulfilled with love and care, their homes flourish as havens of tranquillity and happiness. However, when women step into professional roles, their responsibilities multiply, demanding greater effort and balance. This dual burden can lead to mental, emotional, and physical strain if not managed effectively. Common Challenges Faced by Working Women 1. Gender Discrimination Gender inequality is a reality many women encounter in the workplace. This includes unequal pay, limited opportunities for career growth, and disparaging attitudes from male colleagues. Islam, however, emphasizes justice and equality. It is imperative for Muslim women to assert their rights respectfully and advocate for fair treatment in professional environments. 2. Cultural Barriers In some societies, the independence of working women is viewed with suspicion. There is a misconception that empowered women neglect their familial duties. However, Islamic history provides a powerful counter-narrative through examples like Hazrat Khadijah (RA), a successful businesswoman and the beloved wife of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who balanced her personal and professional lives with excellence. 3. Maintaining Family Balance Balancing professional obligations with family responsibilities is a significant challenge. The strain of managing both realms can lead to burnout and affect overall performance in one or both areas. Striking a balance requires proper time management, family cooperation, and reliance on Allah (SWT) for guidance and strength. 4. Childcare Challenges For nuclear families where both parents are employed, the upbringing of children can become a significant concern. Neglect in this area can impact a child’s emotional and social development. As children are an Amanah (trust) from Allah, their care and nurturing should be a priority for working parents. 5. Demands of Joint Family Systems In joint family setups, working women often face additional expectations and obligations. Fatigue and minor mistakes can lead to misunderstandings and strain relationships. Such challenges require patience and understanding from all family members to foster a harmonious environment. Solutions Inspired by Islamic Teachings 1. Effective Time Management: Time is one of the greatest blessings from Allah (SWT). Organizing daily tasks and setting aside time for family, work, and personal well-being can help women fulfil their responsibilities efficiently. As the Qur’an emphasizes, “Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers at specified times” (Surah An-Nisa: 103). Time management is a core principle of Islamic living. 2. Setting Priorities: Prioritizing tasks based on their urgency and importance is crucial. The Prophet (PBUH) taught that consistency and sincerity in deeds, no matter how small, are beloved to Allah. Women should ensure to allocate time for spiritual, personal, and professional growth. 3. Seeking Family Support: The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself participated in household chores, setting a profound example of cooperation. Encouraging family members, including spouses and children, to share responsibilities fosters unity and reduces stress. 4. Avoiding Overburdening: Allah (SWT) assures us in the Qur’an, “Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 286). Recognizing personal limits and seeking help when needed are essential to maintaining mental and physical health. 5. Taking Breaks: Short, regular breaks during work can enhance productivity and prevent exhaustion. Engaging in light-hearted moments with family members helps rejuvenate the mind and strengthen relationships. Conclusion The challenges faced by working Muslim women are multifaceted, requiring resilience, faith, and adaptability. However, by adhering to Islamic principles, seeking guidance from the examples of role models like Hazrat Khadijah (RA), and relying on Dua and discipline, these challenges can be managed successfully. Muslim women have a vital role in shaping homes, workplaces, and society. Their contributions, when balanced with their faith and values, can lead to personal fulfilment and societal advancement. ----- Kaniz Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/balancing-faith-family-career-muslim/d/134210 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Role Of The Male As Provider, Defender, And Disciplinarian Is No More; It Is Destroyed By Feminists

By Paul Craig Roberts December 30, 2024 Over the course of my lifetime I have watched the role of men taken away. The role of the male as provider, defender, and disciplinarian is no more. It was destroyed by feminists. To clarify “feminist”: In the past when I have criticized feminists older women who had careers asked why I thought women shouldn’t have careers. Their idea is that a feminist is a woman who has a career. But women have always had careers as mothers, homemakers, grandmothers, school teachers, nurses, secretaries, writers, artists, musicians, scientists, and even spies such as Eve Gordon who made during World War II 112 parachute jumps into occupied Europe. Even in pre-feminist days, one of my aunts despite being married had a career outside the home. She enjoyed the discipline of getting to work on time, the interaction with other people, and meeting new ones. By feminist I mean a person with an ideological agenda of obliterating the difference between men and women. When I was young men were raised to respect women. When a woman entered a room, the men stood. Doors were opened for women and their entrance proceeded the man’s. Car doors were opened for women who were helped in and out. At the dining table men stood until the women were seated. In those days men still wore hats. A gentleman passing a lady on the sidewalk was expected to tip his hat in respect. A man who struck a woman or used a four-letter word in a lady’s presence suffered a ruined reputation. Feminists derided the many ways in which respect was shown to women as “placing women on a pedestal.” Showing respect for women was somehow undervaluing them and treating them unequally. Feminists insisted on women being pulled down into the gutter with men. Big brothers were taught to protect little sisters. It was little brother’s job to learn to protect himself, and fights on the school playground was part of the learning process. Today men are no longer taught to protect women. But it is a natural inclination in men. Studies have concluded that the introduction of women soldiers into conflict causes a loss of cohesion and focus, because men become distracted by concern for the women. Feminists were not happy until they destroyed men’s colleges, male leadership in politics, military, and business, men’s clubs and male organizations such as the Boy Scouts which was forced to take in girls. Even the military has been taken from men. How is there a band of brothers when the commander is female? Men have lost their role. They are no longer the provider. The wife might have, thanks to gender preferences in university admissions, employment, and promotion, the better job bringing in more income. Studies conclude that boys suffer depression from loss of a role. Reportedly, the suicide rate of boys and young men has been rising. What the feminists have established is a new form of male deference to women. Males must stand aside and give up their role to women. Feminist were not content to only destroy men. They destroyed women also. The idea of a chaste woman was objectionable because it held women to a higher standard than men. Helen Gurley Brown, editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine, used the magazine to encourage women to be harlots. In the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s Cosmopolitan was a fixture in the waiting rooms of doctors and dentists. I often wondered what my mother and grandmothers would have thought of a woman’s magazine, the cover of which heralded articles titled “How to be unfaithful to your husband without being caught,” “how to find a sex partner when on vacation without your boy friend,” “how to manage multiple sex partners.” Today young women support themselves with their porn sites. Women brag on social media about having had 150 sexual partners, sparking rivals to vow attaining higher levels of wantonness. Female school teachers get themselves pregnant by their under age students. Mothers have 12-year old daughters on birth control pills. School children are sexualized at an early age to get them ready for the legalization of paedophiles, now euphemized as “minor attracted persons.” I often refer to the United States as a Sodom and Gomorrah Tower of Babel, which is what we have become. It will be a big chore for Trump to rescue us from this predicament. ----- (Republished from paulcraigroberts by permission of author or representative) Source: The Disappearance of the Male Role URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/role-male-disciplinarian-destroyed-feminists/d/134209 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

People Always Clap For The Wrong Things

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 1 January 2025 Poona is considered to be a city of aesthetically-inclined people, having refined tastes in music, arts and all sorts of cultural activities. Alas, it's no longer true. December 24 was the great playback singer Mohammad Rafi's 100th birth anniversary. There were indeed many programmes in the city, remembering the legend and playing his immortal numbers. But no FM channel in the city played his songs! A couple of channels did play but perfunctorily and those were Rafi's most pedestrian songs like, 'Chaand Mera Dil, Chaandni Ho Tum' (Film: Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin, 1977 and 'Dard-E-Dil, Dard-E-Jigar,' Film: Qarz, 1980) which he himself didn't like. Amin Sayani told me this. But when there was a concert on December 28, in which Shreya Ghoshal sang her pavement songs, there was a tsunami of people for her programme. This reminded me of J D Salinger's famous quote, "People always clap for the wrong things." The quote by J.D. Salinger, "People always clap for the wrong things," holds a profound insight into human nature and our tendency to misjudge what truly deserves applause. Salinger seems to challenge the conventional notion of applause as a measure of merit or accomplishment, suggesting that recognition often fails to align with intrinsic value. This quote is a powerful reminder that our collective judgment can be easily swayed by superficial qualities, whether it's celebrity status or dazzling presentations, rather than thoughtful analysis. Salinger invites us to question our propensity for applauding the wrong things and encourages a more discerning perspective that values substance over spectacle. Mediocrity, when you get used to it, is just as agreeable as (genuine) creativity. People have no taste and feel for aesthetics. But this decline cannot be ascribed to social media. Our collective sense of beauty and aesthetics (Zauq-E-Jamaliyaat) began to wane long before the advent of social media. Social media just expedited the rotting process. Lack of refinement in all walks of life has resulted in our violent and uncouth behaviour. All our languages have gone for a toss. To quote a Pakistani Urdu poet, "Kisi Ki Be-Adab Zabaan Se Nahin Shikwa Mujhe/ Meri Apni Zabaan Kahan Bahut Nafees Bachi Hai " (I don't complain about the bad language/ My own tongue has become so uncouth). Yes, we all have got inured not just to substandard languages but to all things that used to be polished and aesthetically agreeable once upon a time. To witness this widespread deterioration is no less than a punishment. This reminds me of Mirza Ghalib's lament in his quatrain, "Woh Firaq-O-Visaal Kahan/ Woh Shab-O-Roz-O-Maah-O-Saal Kahan/ Fursat-E-Kaarobar-E-Shauq Kise/ Zauq-E-Nazzara-E-Jamaal Kahan" (Where're those separations and unions/ Where have those nights, days, months and years gone/ Who has leisure for falling and indulging in love/ Where has that discernment to appreciate beauty gone). This saddens me no end. Don't you also rue this ebbing away of finer sensibilities? ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/people-clap-wrong/d/134213 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Islamist Terrorism in India and the World in 2024: Strengthening Counterterrorism Policies

By Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam 31 December 2024 2024 As 2024 Wraps Up, this Summary Analyses The Major Terrorism Incidents Around the World And The Policy Action For New Year With Special Focus On India. It also discusses need for strengthening Counter-terrorism Policies and Plans of Action. ---- In 2024, the world experienced the on-going threat and menace created by Islamist terrorism. By radical ideologies as well as geopolitical tensions that fuel, these acts went on and disrupted the life of a million people starting from ordinary communities in strife-torn areas to those of huge economies around the world. Due to this diversified aspect, deep characterization about such attacks, along with causes, wide-ranged impact, and further measures toward their solution is required. This report digs into the nature of Islamist terrorism in 2024, elaborating on causes, effects, and actions required towards countering such a menace in the international world. In 2024, India continued to face the enduring and evolving threat of Islamic terrorism, which manifested in numerous forms-from attacks like the Bangalore café blast to arrests linked to ISIS-inspired radicalization. While these incidents highlight the immediate risks, they also shed light on broader trends such as increasing use of technology in terror financing, radicalization among youth, and the complex interplay of social, economic, and political factors. This essay explores the major incidents, emerging trends, community approaches, government actions, and potential future strategies to address these burning issues. Key Incidents in 2024 Bangalore Café Blast On 1 March 2024, a massive improvised explosive device (IED) blast ripped through the busy Rameshwaram Café in Whitefield, Bangalore, injuring nine. The incident was later attributed to an ISIS-inspired module active in the area. Investigation found that the attackers had meticulously planned their operation, exploiting local resources and gaps in urban security protocols. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had detained the key accused, Abdul Matheen Ahmed Taaha and Mussavir Hussain Shazib, in April 2024. Both of them were also involved in a foiled IED attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in January 2024, which indicated that they wanted to strike at prominent locations. Their detention has exposed the increasing trend of global jihadist ideologies within local terrorist cells. ISIS-Linked Arrests The year witnessed several operations against those connected with ISIS. In August 2024, Aziz Ahamed was arrested at Bengaluru airport on charges of radicalizing youth and propagating extremist ideologies through secret sessions. His activities aimed to establish an Islamic caliphate in India, reflecting a broader trend of localized cells attempting to replicate global jihadist ambitions. Law enforcement agencies found that these groups were significantly using encrypted messaging applications and cryptocurrencies. This discovery demonstrated the advancement of such networks, as they were no longer merely dependent on traditional funding and modes of communication. Radicalisation of South Indian Youths: Emerging Trends Radicalization among youth in South India emerged as a significant issue in 2024. Extremist groups in states such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala exploited socio-economic disparities, political polarizations, and digital platforms to recruit vulnerable individuals. Secret indoctrination sessions conducted in urban and semi-urban areas revealed how these groups operate covertly to spread extremist ideologies. This trend was particularly alarming because South India has traditionally been perceived as relatively insulated from the more overt radicalization seen in other parts of the country. Such activities in the region highlighted the need for nuanced and region-specific counter-terrorism strategies. Emerging Trends in 2024 Increased Use of Cryptocurrencies Terror groups increasingly used cryptocurrencies to finance their activities in 2024. As investigators probed into the Bangalore café blast case, they found that the accused had received money through Bitcoin transactions and routed them through darknet platforms. This emerged as a serious challenge for law enforcement agencies as they were required to track digital financial flows alongside more traditional methods. The anonymity and decentralization of cryptocurrencies make them attractive for terrorist organizations, but there is a need for cooperation around the globe to devise a framework and tools to monitor these transactions. Radicalization through Digital Platforms Digital platforms, including encrypted messaging apps and social media, became powerful tools for the radicalization process. Through these platforms, extremist groups can disseminate propaganda, find potential recruits, and coordinate activities. The reach of these digital platforms to a wide audience, coupled with the impossibility of monitoring encrypted communications, added complexity to efforts against terrorism. Indian authorities targeted several platforms for hosting extremist content and collaborated with tech companies to delete such content. In this regard, the continuous emergence of new platforms and the changing tactics of extremist groups underlined the limitations of reactive approaches. Localized Terror Cells In 2024, another phenomenon that was experienced was highly localized terror cells, which operated independently but shared an ideology with global jihadist movements, such as ISIS. In many cases, these cells comprised individuals from the same region, which enabled them to be well assimilated into the local community and not easily detectable. This trend seemed to reflect a shift from centralised organisations to decentralized networks, thus making it even more difficult for intelligence agencies to detect and disrupt the groups. Community Approach Civil Society in Counter-Radicalization Efforts Civil society institutions in South India played an important role in countering the radicalization process in 2024. They organized workshops, seminars, and interfaith dialogues to bring the community together and educated young minds about the threat posed by extremist ideologies. Thus, they tried to avert alienation among vulnerable populations through the redressal of socio-economic grievances and a sense of belonging. Educational institutions also heightened their efforts on having lessons that involved teaching students critical thinking, and lessons emphasizing peacebuilding. In an effect, such efforts helped the youngsters receive immunization from being fooled with extremist narratives. Community Policing Issues: Community policing programs aimed at building confidence between law enforcement and local communities were challenging. In areas with high radicalization, individuals were reluctant to work with the authorities due to the fear of stigmatization. Minority communities had mistrust towards law enforcement due to the perceived discriminatory and profiling practices that further complicated these efforts. The police departments, with these issues in mind, began to employ community liaison officers who were trained in culturally sensitive practices. These officers formed a bridge between the communities and the law enforcement agencies, and they fostered dialogue and collaboration. In 2024, the Indian government implemented a multi-pronged approach to combat terrorism. Targeted operations were carried out by security forces, especially in areas such as Kashmir and Karnataka, which neutralized several terrorist cells. Surveillance technologies like facial recognition and AI-powered data analysis were utilized to anticipate potential threats. The two forces coordinated closely, sharing intelligence as well as conducting joint operations. In this way, they could respond sooner and also better counter terrorism measures. Legislative and Policy Framework The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA, remained the bedrock of India's counter-terrorism law. Although the act gave authorities powers to act quickly against suspected terrorists, it was criticized for potential misuse. Civil society and legal experts demanded greater protection to prevent the act from being misused against minorities and political dissenters. The government also introduced new legislation targeted at the newly emerging threat such as cyber-terrorism, hoax bomb threats, and thus showing adaptability to developing security issues. International Diplomacy India has been trying to engage in diplomatic talks with Pakistan to counter cross-border terrorism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speeches on the 25th anniversary of the Kargil War called for global cooperation to combat state-sponsored terrorism. India also took part in international forums to call for tighter controls on the flow of funds and arms related to terrorist organizations. Insights and Future Course of Action Countering Socio-Economic Inequalities Radicalization often finds fertile ground in communities grappling with poverty, unemployment, and lack of education. Socio-economic disparities are crucial to be addressed for long-term solutions. The government must invest in job creation, skill development programs, and accessible education to uplift marginalized communities. --- Strengthening Community Engagement Building trust between law enforcement and communities is essential for effective counter-terrorism efforts. This requires sustained dialogue, transparency in law enforcement practices, and mechanisms to address grievances. Empowering local leaders to act as intermediaries can bridge gaps and foster mutual understanding. Leveraging Technology Technological advancements present both challenges and opportunities in counter-terrorism. While extremists exploit digital platforms, authorities can use AI and machine learning to monitor online activities, detect extremist content, and prevent radicalization. Collaboration with tech companies and academia is key to staying ahead in this digital arms race. Regional and Global Collaboration Terrorism is a transnational issue, and the response is not to be unilateral. Strengthening partnerships with all neighbouring countries, especially in South Asia, to deal with cross border terrorism will be the need. Also, sharing intelligence with best practices with global allies will improve India's capabilities on combating emerging threats. The year 2024 marked the pervasive and changing nature of terrorist threats from Islamic terrorism. The Bangalore café blast is evidence of immediate risks, yet digital radicalization signals long-term dangers. It is a collective challenge that requires a wholesome approach combining security measures and socio-economic development, including community engagement and international collaborations. In terms of promoting unity and focusing on root causes, making India more resilient against the threats of terrorism would be assured to give her people a safer tomorrow. The 2024 lesson remains as an exemplar: it was all about complexities of the counter-terror machinery, hence the constant need for sustainability, inclusions, and adaptivity in strategy-making. Islamist Terrorism in 2024: A Global Analysis Islamist terrorism in 2024 took the forms that technology and political vulnerability afforded and exploited. The preferred attack method for terrorist organizations, such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda, was the use of suicide bombs against crowded environments to increase death tolls and spread fear. In other battlegrounds like Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, attacks were more guerrilla-warfare-based with improvised explosives. Another alarming trend was lone-wolf attacks, primarily in the West. These attackers, usually radicalized online, committed stabbings, shootings, and ramming incidents with vehicles, which were immeasurably more unpredictable and harder to prevent. Cyber terrorism was also an emerging powerful threat, as groups of extreme ideology targeted critical infrastructure such as power grids and financial sectors, destabilizing governments and economies. Mass hostage-taking and organized ambushes, for example, became prevalent in areas such as Africa and Southeast Asia. It is clear that the terrorists have adapted to the circumstances surrounding them in terms of their strategies. These acts disrupted local governance and attracted the attention of the world, which gave the perpetrators more than the propaganda they wanted. Ideological Radicalization remains the centre point of Islamist terrorism. Radical groups such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and their offshoots corrupt religious teachings to justify their violence and attract followership. These groups use cyber platforms and social media platforms to spread propaganda, enlist members, and coordinate operations, thus creating a global threat that cuts across boarders. Areas in the Middle East, North Africa, and some parts of Asia are examples of **Political Instability** that offers a perfect breeding ground for terrorist groups. Failed states and power vacuums, as seen in Libya and Yemen, provide these groups with safe havens where they can operate, recruit fighters, and plot attacks without much hindrance. Socio-Economic Inequality is also a very important factor that fuels terrorism. Poverty, unemployment, and lack of education in many underdeveloped regions create an environment where extremist ideologies can thrive. Similarly, in Western countries, marginalized communities are socially excluded and discriminated against, making them vulnerable to radicalization. Geopolitical Factors exacerbate the problem, with military interventions and perceived injustices by global powers often cited as motivations for terrorism. For example, the continued tensions in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan provide a narrative for extremist groups to exploit. Additionally, regional rivalries, such as the Saudi-Iranian conflict, further intensify sectarian divides, contributing to instability. Religious Misinterpretations enable the extremist leaders to twist the Islamist teaching; they interpret religious texts partially to justify their activities. This distortion of peaceful principles of Islam creates a wrong narrative that attracts weak minds. Worldwide Impact of Islamist Terrorism in 2024 The effects of Islamist terrorism in 2024 were extensive and far-reaching, reaching nearly every sphere of society, economy, and politics. The most visible impact was: Loss of Life and Human Suffering; thousands of civilians, security personnel, and militants died in attacks, especially in Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Survivors suffered life-changing injuries and psychological trauma as many communities struggled to pick up the pieces from the devastation. Economic Disruption was another major outcome. Terrorist acts disrupted tourism, trade, and foreign investment, especially in countries heavily reliant on these sectors. Governments were forced to divert resources toward counterterrorism measures, straining national budgets and limiting development projects. Political Instability was both a cause and a consequence of terrorism. Fragile States, already severely challenged by governance issues are further destabilized. Public dissatisfaction with the failure on the part of the government to prevent such attacks fosters political instability by eroding trust in the government. It only worsened things for social polarization as these attacks increased. Terrorism in the Western world heightened Islamophobia, and divisions between Muslims and non-Muslims only deepened. This is a cycle of alienation and radicalization that is perpetuated, thereby extending the threat of extremism. In countries like Iraq and Nigeria, sectarian violence escalated between Sunni and Shia Muslims, furthering social fragmentation. Terrorism also caused severe Humanitarian Crises, especially in already war-torn and displaced regions. Millions had to be displaced and added to the increasing number of refugees and internally displaced persons. Neighbouring countries and international relief agencies were severely stretched and resources pushed to their breaking points. Regional Overview The effects and nature of Islamist terrorism differed by region, based on local factors and weaknesses. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), ISIS stayed active in Iraq and Syria. It has been noted to repurpose political instability to reconstitute itself and launch guerrilla attacks. Other Al-Qaeda affiliates, including AQAP in Yemen, exploited the continued civil war to expand their position. These groups struck all the military and civilian installations, thereby protracting regional instability. Sub-Saharan Africa saw an escalation in terrorist activities. Boko Haram and its splinter group, ISWAP, carried out large-scale attacks in Nigeria, Niger, and Chad, targeting both security forces and civilians. Similarly, Al-Shabaab intensified its operations in Somalia and Kenya, undermining efforts to stabilize the region and support economic development. In South Asia, there were strong challenges faced by the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan due to brutal ISIS-K attacks against minority populations, primarily the Hazaras. There was renewed TTP violence in Pakistan which targeted the government structures as well as security officials which continued destabilizing the entire region. Europe and North America were threatened by lone-wolf attackers radicalized online. Although several planned attacks were thwarted by authorities, incidents in France, the UK, and the US underscored the ongoing danger of homegrown terrorism. ISIS also left footprints of terror in other parts of Southeast Asia in the guise of local ISIS affiliates which were active, targeting local religious minorities, such as, for example in the Philippines and Indonesia; the border of the region is open and porous so very open to being infiltrated, and their population is heterogeneous. Policy For The Future Strengthening Counterterrorism Policies forms the most important priority set. Governments need to start with intelligence-sharing and coordinated international efforts to trace terror networks and stop the assault. Border security and watch can also help control terrorism and weapons movements. Addressing Root Causes is just as important. Socio-economic development programs focused on poverty and unemployment reduction would decrease the attractiveness of these ideologies. Long-term resolutions to conflicts and greater, more inclusive governance can ensure stable environments that are not conducive to terrorism. Combating Online Radicalization is one pressing concern in the digital arena. Tech companies and the government must collaborate in this regard to monitor and eradicate extremist content. It's also possible to break through extremist propaganda by using anti-narratives, advocating tolerance, and co-existence. Building Resilience in the Community requires equipping grass root communities with skills on early detection and response to counter radicalization. Grassroots activism, interfaith dialogue, and education programs reduce tensions and build stronger social cohesiveness. Rehabilitation and reintegration programs for former extremists and their families are a must to avoid recidivism. Well-tailored programs targeting psychological, social, and economic needs will help individuals reintegrate into society and renounce extremist ideologies. Last but not least, International Cooperation should be involved to defeat terrorism. Multilateral efforts like the UN anti-terrorism programs must be appropriately funded and supported. Regional bodies such as the African Union should also be enhanced in combating terrorism within regions. Conclusion The persistence of Islamist terrorism in 2024 calls for an overall and sustained response. As much as military and security measures are important in providing an immediate response to threat mitigation, long-term solutions need to address socio-economic and ideological roots that are causing extremism. It is in international cooperation coupled with community-based approaches where one finds the best prospects in reducing the global threat of terrorism and building a better and more secure future. ----- A regular columnist for NewAgeIslam.com, Mubashir V.P is a PhD scholar in Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia and freelance journalist. URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-politics/islamist-terrorism-india-world-2024-counterterrorism-/d/134199 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism