If an external observer were to immerse themselves in communities akin to those of Afghanistan for a while, one of the immediate findings would be the entrenched culture of violence and negation of others within these societies. Entities and influencers advocating for the marginalization and non-recognition of other communities, sects, and religions consistently amplify their voices. Their sphere of influence is vast, drawing a larger audience around themselves. Violent extremists have long seized various sectors of society, from educational and academic institutions to mass media and key governmental and non-governmental positions.
Opposing groups to moderation and tolerance employ various tactics to persuade followers and achieve their goals. Sometimes, they exploit religious texts to justify their approach, disregarding scientific reasoning to arrive at peculiar and rational interpretations, overlaying their historical biases and ideological perspectives onto religious texts. At other times, by scrutinizing the intellectual heritage of Muslims and delving into discussions and commentaries present in fields like rhetoric, jurisprudence, interpretation, and tradition, they find justifications for their violent and intolerant stances, threatening peaceful coexistence among citizens and paving the way for tensions and even internal conflicts. Undoubtedly, these tensions and conflicts obliterate all possibilities and capacities for societal reconstruction, erasing the vital and noble components of life.
What makes the situation even more distressing is that in our societies, violent and exclusionary ideologies and groups are equipped with the most modern technological capabilities, even employing experts proficient in modern technology as part of their organizations. The primary reason for the spread of Wahhabism in the twentieth century can be traced back to the material and political support of the Saudi Arabian government, which amassed immense wealth from oil extraction. If moderate and tolerant ideologies had access to such material and political support, undoubtedly, the Middle East would have taken on a different complexion. Conversely, individuals whose work is grounded in reason and realism, who wish to promote coexistence and respect for others, lack both the financial resources and the ability to employ talents in communication technology to convey their message to the people. Moreover, in some cases, individuals advocating for moderation and coexistence are accused of betrayal by opponents and face various threats and intimidations, with detractors inciting the people against them and questioning their legitimacy. It seems the fate of our societies is such that rationality is always marginalized, useful ideas come under attack, and people remain ensnared in the chains of decayed traditions.
It is undeniable that within the Islamic tradition, numerous guidelines can be found to promote moderation and tolerance within society, which can be utilized to better shape the contemporary Afghan community. However, there is no escaping the fact that extremists can also exploit religious tradition to their advantage. Alongside its virtues and beauties, religious tradition also harbors certain incorrect aspects that need scrutiny and critique. Religious sectarians in Islamic countries rely on Islamic history to stoke religious fervor and animosity, utilizing documents from Muslim tradition to bolster their positions. Thus far, we have failed to reach a stage where we can critically examine our history and tradition and expose their shortcomings. There have always been individuals who have made people aware of the shortcomings and flaws of our history and culture, but their numbers have not been sufficient to effect significant change within mainstream Muslim life. Such individuals have always been in the minority, and often their words have gone largely ignored.
Another issue preventing the eradication of religious and non-religious bigotry from our society is the chronic and pervasive poverty afflicting our community. To analyze this situation, we have a simple formula: when economic conditions in a country deteriorate into a crisis and remain stagnant for a period, the standard of living for individuals in society declines. This is because their purchasing power diminishes, shifting their life priorities. Consequently, the cycle of poverty expands daily, and the number of impoverished individuals increases. When the number of poor people in society rises, they cannot access quality education or acquire the necessary skills for better living. They also cannot provide essential healthcare services for their children. Moreover, due to poverty and deprivation, they cannot benefit from the arts and literature, as such pursuits require both time and money. The long-term result of this situation is that a large percentage of citizens suffer a decline in educational, cultural, healthcare, professional, and ethical standards. It becomes evident that the consequences of economic stagnation do not merely affect the economic aspect but extend across all sectors of society, severely damaging educational, health, cultural, and ethical sectors. In a society where its people are plagued by all manner of afflictions and decay, talk of moderation and mutual acceptance will fall on deaf ears, and instead, those who stir people’s emotions against others and speak in provocative and passionate tones will find more listeners.
In any society where ideology spreads, bigotry also becomes prevalent alongside it. If an ideological government comes to power in such a society, the situation worsens. Ideology is inherently narrow-minded, and wherever narrow-mindedness exists, bigotry follows. In an ideologically driven society, the slightest pretext is enough to ignite conflicts and wars between different groups. If you look closely, you’ll see that the Taliban and “ISIS-Khorasan” share numerous commonalities, yet because these groups are ideological and dogmatic, they have irreconcilable differences and have ignited numerous bloody conflicts. Currently, the enmity between the Taliban and” ISIS-Khorasan” is fiercer than their enmity with any other group. Currently, the Taliban are imprisoning and torturing numerous individuals on suspicion of affiliation with ISIS in dreadful prisons.
To have a society where all its energies are devoted to prosperity and welfare and focuses on progress and advancement, promoting ideas that institutionalize tolerance and coexistence is of utmost importance. Countries that have taken steadfast steps in this regard have not only rid themselves of violence but have easily achieved their developmental goals. Every year, various countries around the world invest significant resources in promoting diversity and moderation. These countries have realized that a fragmented and hateful society cannot move forward.
You can read the Persian version of this analysis here:
