Facing religious violence by extremist elements, including Mullahs in Sindh or elsewhere, requires a careful balance between immediate protection, community support, advocacy, and long-term solutions.

Here are some strategies:

1. Strengthen Community Awareness and Unity: Educating communities on religious tolerance and the dangers of extremism can help build a network of individuals who support peace. Local community leaders, especially religious ones from diverse backgrounds, can unite to promote harmony.
2. Enhance Security Measures: Strengthen relationships with local law enforcement and security agencies to ensure timely response to threats. Encourage them to maintain a visible presence in vulnerable areas to deter potential violence.
3. Engage with Moderate Religious Leaders: Work with moderate, respected religious leaders who can counter extremist narratives and influence followers towards peace and tolerance. This approach can help dissuade those who might be swayed by extremist views.
4. Legal and Governmental Support: Advocate for stronger laws and enforcement against hate speech, incitement, and violence. Governmental accountability can help ensure that those promoting violence face consequences, deterring future incidents.
5. Use Media and Social Platforms for Positive Messaging: Leverage media and social media to promote messages of unity, tolerance, and coexistence. Encouraging dialogue online can help counter extremist narratives and encourage broader acceptance.
6. Promote Education and Awareness Programs: Long-term solutions involve educating people about the values of diversity, tolerance, and respect. Schools, religious institutions, and community centers can offer programs that foster understanding and reduce prejudice.
7. Form Alliances with NGOs and International Bodies: Partnering with NGOs, human rights organizations, and international bodies can bring attention to the issue and may provide additional resources or support for those affected by violence.
8. Strengthen Legal Advocacy and Support for Victims: Support victims through legal advocacy and counseling services, helping them rebuild and reinforcing a sense of justice and security within the community.

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AI-Generated Content, shared by Dr. Mazhar Lakho, USA   

Read: The myth of religious violence

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Dushanbe

The Supreme Court of Tajikistan informs citizens that by court decisions, 29 parties, groups, movements, trends, and associations have been recognized as terrorist and extremist organizations, and their activities are prohibited in the territory of Tajikistan, reports the Khovar news agency.

The websites of the following parties, groups, movements, trends, and associations have been blocked as terrorist and extremist organizations, and the import of their literature is also prohibited:

1. “Islamic Renaissance Party”, 2. “Al-Qaeda” organization, 3. “Islamic Movement of Eastern Turkestan”, 4. “Islamic Party of Turkestan” (formerly “Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan”), 5. “Taliban” movement, 6. “Muslim Brotherhood” organization, 7. “Lashkar-e-Taiba” organization, 8. “Islamic Group” (“Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan”), 9. “Jamaat-e-Tabligh” organization, 10. Religious missionary organization “Sozmoni Tabligot” (“Call to Islam”), 11. “Free Tajikistan” (“Tajikiston Ozod”), 12. “Hizb ut-Tahrir” organization, 13. “Hizb-ut-Tahrir” organization, 14. Religious trend “Salafism”, 15. Society “Ansarulloh”, 16. Public movement “Group 24”, 17. “Islamic State” organization (Islamic State of Iraq and Sham), 18. “Jabhat al-Nusra” (“Jabhat an-Nusra”), 19. “National Alliance of Tajikistan”, 20. “Sacred War” (Al-Jihad, Egyptian Islamic Jihad), 21. Society for Social Reforms (Jamiyat al-Isloh al-Ijtima’i), 22. Society for the Revival of Islamic Heritage (Jamiyat Ikhoyat Turaz al-Islami), 23. “House of the Two Holy” (Al-Haramayn), 24. “Jund al-Sham” (Army of Greater Syria), 25. “Islamic Jihad-Jamaat Mujahideen” organization, 26. Extremist community “Jehovah’s Witnesses”, 27. “Pamir daily news” organization (Pamir DailyNews) or “Pamir news” (Pamir News), 28. Terrorist-extremist organization “Islamic State of the Khorasan Region”, 29. Extremist organization “New Tajikistan 2”

The information notes that in accordance with legislation, the creation and activities of public associations and political parties that propagate racial, national, social, and religious enmity or call for the violent overthrow of the constitutional system and the organization of armed groups are prohibited.

In Tajikistan, the activities of political parties of other states are prohibited, as well as the creation of parties of a national and religious nature, and the financing of political parties by foreign states and organizations, foreign legal entities, and citizens.

Unfortunately, groups and associations appear in society that violate laws, commit a large number of terrorist-extremist crimes, provoke hatred and enmity, sow discord and dissatisfaction among the population, including using the media, thereby obstructing the peaceful life of citizens and public safety.

The creation of terrorist-extremist organizations contradicts the Constitution and other current laws; their goal is to violate the rights and freedoms of citizens, call for the violent overthrow of the constitutional system, and harm sovereignty, territorial integrity, and state security, using the Islamic religion, media, and other social networks.

Read: Tajikistan wanted to “liquidate” Ansarullah with hands of Taliban – Swiss Report

Therefore, in criminal legislation, a number of actions have been recognized as crimes, for which criminal liability and punishment are provided. In particular, Article 307, paragraph 3 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Tajikistan establishes punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of seven to ten years with the deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a period of two to five years for organizing the activities of political parties, religious associations, or other organizations, in respect of which a court has issued a final decision on their liquidation or prohibition of activities due to the implementation of extremist activities.

In accordance with paragraph 2 of this article, participation in the activities of political parties, religious associations, or other organizations, in respect of which a court has issued a final decision on their liquidation or prohibition of activities due to the implementation of extremist activities, as well as providing assistance in their activities using mass media, the Internet, or other means (liking, supporting distribution or propaganda, agitation of ideas) is punishable by imprisonment for a term of five to eight years.

Also, in Article 307 clause 4 of the Criminal Code, organizing education or a study group of a religious-extremist nature, as well as leading or participating in such education, regardless of the place of education, is punishable by imprisonment for a term of eight to twelve years.

Part 2 of the mentioned article, for the same offense committed using an official position related to financing such groups, establishes punishment in the form of imprisonment for a term of twelve to fifteen years, with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a period of five years. Tajikistan, being one of the initiators in the fight against extremism and terrorism, condemns all kinds of calls related to the violation of territorial integrity and state security, the division of unity, and the incitement of religious enmity.

Citizens of the country need to know that everyone is obliged to observe the Constitution and laws, respect the rights, freedoms, honor, and dignity of other people. Ignorance of the law does not exempt from responsibility. It should be remembered that the rights and freedoms of a person and a citizen are inseparable from the obligations of the individual. In exercising their rights and freedoms, everyone must fulfill certain obligations imposed on them.

Therefore, every citizen is obliged to properly understand the mentioned tasks and not allow their children and loved ones to follow the unhealthy and provocative beliefs (opinions) of these associations, to be deceived by their hostile ideas, propaganda, and agitation, and provocative promises.

Since the views and ideology of such organizations and terrorist-extremist trends have nothing to do with the Islamic religion and Hanafi creed, and the propagandists of these associations and groups, using Islam for their selfish purposes, misinterpret the norms of the Quran and traditions.

It is precisely for the purpose of raising the sense of national pride, piety, and self-awareness of the people, as well as educating the present generation, that the primary duty of citizens should be to study and master the great moral and spiritual heritage.

Every citizen of the country, especially the youth, is obliged and responsible for never, under any circumstances, betraying their homeland, people, and their state. Not to be deceived by the propaganda and agitation of enemies and traitors of the people, it is stated in the commentary to the decisions of the Supreme Court of Tajikistan.

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Courtesy: Central Asian Light (Posted on May 27, 2024)

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Larkano Sindh

Society for Peace & Conflict Management, Sindh University Campus Larkano organized a one-day training workshop on ‘Peace, Tolerance and Inclusivity’ for the faculty and staff on Friday.

The workshop was organized in collaboration with Peace Advocacy and Community Engagement for Tolerance project of Shaoor Foundation.

The workshop was attended by 24 faculty members and 16 support staff members belonging to departments of English Literature, Computer Science and Business Administration.

Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr. Azhar Ali Shah, Focal Person GM Shaikh, Coordinator Ms. Hina Shah, Shahzad Jokhio, Bhaledino Mugheri, Farwa Burdi, Waqar Adam, Mir Muslim, Aleena Memon and Faheem Shaikh addressed the workshop.

Prof Dr. Azhar Ali Shah and G. M. Shaikh informed the participants that the training workshop aims at sensitizing the participants about the prevalence of different forms of extremism, understanding ways and techniques to identify prevalence of extremism and enhancing capacity of participants on mechanisms of effective implementation of set of recommendations for peaceful environment at the campuses.

Training workshop focused on understanding extremism in Pakistani and global perspective and ways to identify existence of extremist tendencies among youth at educational institutes.

This was followed by session on understanding PACT recommendations document and structure of peace and conflict management as per PACT project guidelines.

Certificates were distributed among all the participants. (PR)

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