The myth or reality of Religious Terrorism – a case study of Pakistan (1980s Onward)
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Date
2016
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Publisher
University of Management and Technology
Abstract
The concept of religious terrorism developed at the time of independence because objective resolution passed in 1949 without the consultation of minorities. It was opposed and criticized by the minority leaders that this resolution contained the basic principles of Islamic political system. So, the unintended consequences of this resolution created a seed of religious terrorism on the communal ground. This resolution has encouraged the use of religion against any sect to create terrorism in the name of religion. The violence of sectarianism was the first step towards religious terrorism in Pakistan. The Ahmadi movement was leading step towards sectarian war. It started and grabbed the country into sectarian war. Thereafter, the Shia sect became the main target because after declaring Ahmadi as non-Muslims, the so called religious cleric declared Shias in the category of non-believers. The next kind of religious terrorism is very complex because it states itself and projects themselves as Jihadi organizations, who are involved in Indian held Kashmir because Kashmir cause is the national narrative of Pakistani state. Although, 9/11 and war on terror are considered real wave of terrorism in this region but it is the reality that Pakistan has been indulged in religious terrorism. The global war on terror actually made two perceptions about terrorism; the war between Islam and West and U.S forces come for its own interest but gradually things went wrong and instability became the destructive factor across Pakistan. This research examines that how religious terrorism has been initiated in Pakistan. This research has selected five religious terrorist organizations. Each organization has different type of approach towards terrorism but religion is the main triggering factor because it gives the legitimation to use of violence. The five terrorist organizations Lashkar e Jhangvi, Jundallah, Lashkar e Taiba, Jaish e Mohammad and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan describe different patterns of violence. Lashkar e Jhangvi and Jundallah are sectarian based organizations that kill Shia Muslims as Shias are non-believers in the eye of these organizations. The state used Jihadi groups to liberate Kashmiri
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Freedom movement in their own interest and now these organizations are working independently. TTP and its ethno religious terrorism is confronting state and using religion as an opportunity to motivate people. The reality is religious terrorism often marginalized with the terminology of conspiracy, western propaganda and an effort to destabilize Pakistan. There is no doubt that terrorism is caused by religion in Pakistan.
Description
Supervised by: Madam, Seemi Waheed
Keywords
Seed of religious terrorism, Violence of sectarianism, MS Thesis