Extremism Introduction The edifice of human civilization has been erected on the pillars of peaceful co-existence, harmony, mutual

understanding and moderate thinking. The principle of Golden mean lends this structure a very solid foundation. In contrast to the barbaric past of animal existence which characterized excess in each and every human edeavour, we have learned to school our passion to a considerable limit in order to ensure a peaceful living on this earth. But the very being of this hard earned achievement of man faces a threat of annihilation at the hands of plague of extremism. This menace has reverted man to that primitive state of war when men struggled against each other to live on this earth. Extremism Extremism means to exceed the limits of the accepted human behaviour. Society imposes certain limits on certain actions and thoughts of human beings. Extremism is the act of crossing these boundaries of social or religious nature and resorting to each and every mean to achieve ones cherished goals. They mock at the traditional moral standards of the society and adopt a fanatic adherence to their ideologies, and even in pursuing their fanatic ideals they are ready to put human ideal of peaceful co-existence at stake. Robert F. Kennedy said, "What is objectionable, what is dangerous about extremists is not that they are extreme but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents . George Santayana says, Fanaticism consists of redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim. Human history has witnessed many instances of this pestilent gall to human nature. Many a time man blinded by his self-cherished ideals massacred his fellow beings without any remorse. The irony of the situation is that he always sought salvation after all these acts of brutality and barbarism. There is long list of the incidents of extremism resulting in human tragedy: Genocides that occurred in Kosovo and Bosnia Attempted extermination of the Kulak peasant class in Russia Actions of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia Attempted extermination of the Intelligentsia in Communist China

 Hutus vs. the Tutsies in the Congo Turks genocidal massacre of the Armenians Holocaust of European Jews at the hands of the Nazi's

At least two thirds of our miseries spring from human stupidity, human malice and those great motivators and justifiers of malice and stupidity, idealism, dogmatism and proselytizing zeal on behalf of religious or political idols. (Aldous Huxley) Types of Extremism Extermism has two facets: 1: Religious extremism 2: Political extremism Religious extremism This is an unfortunate fact that religion which always insists on peace, love and humanism, becomes a hot- bead for the extremist elements. The extremist attitude breeds schism within the religion and becomes the cause of the generation of many factions. Religious extremism is manifested within the religion between different sects and between one religion and other. In the past ,Christian fanatics killed millions to prove the supremacy of their ideas. Christianity fought with Semitic religions and even labeled them as heathens. Today at the behest of western media there is a prolonged propaganda against Islamic ideology as being an extremist ideology. Western media dubs Islam as an ideology that promotes jingoism and intolerance. But this is one side of the picture as Islam is a religion of peace and it enjoins its followers to adopt a balanced view of life. It is the religion of peace and moderation. It preaches balance. Allah says in the Quran: "Thus we have made of you an ummah justly balanced, that you might be witnesses over the nations, and the Messenger a witness over you." (HQ 2:143)

The Prophet (saaw) reportedly said, "Beware of excessiveness in religion before you have perished as a result of such excessiveness in religion." (Reported by Ahmad) O' you who believe! Make not unlawful the good things, which Allah has made lawful for you, and commit no excess; for Allah loves not those given to excess." (HQ 5:87) Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said: The extremist fanatics are doomed. No doubt there are certain factions in Islam which are blemishing the name of this ideology. These people in pursuance of their ideology have gone to such extremes that touch the limits of lunacy and insanity. They are bent upon kill their enemies. Their activities have earned a bad name for Muslims all over the world. Islam now is portrayed as a religion that by promoting aggression and extremist has become a threat to modern civilization. Huntingtons The Clash of Civilizations propagates this theory. But we know that the animosity between Islam and Western democracy is actually politically motivated .America which after subduing the giant of communist civilization was in search of a new enemy to grapple with . It found Islam as a new foe to be dealt with and American intelligence leave no stone unturned in tarnishing the good image of Islam. But the extremist of the Islamic factions can not be justified in this background. No one has a right to act against innocent human beings to assert their religious doctrine. Even if there is some sort of preaching it should be done through discourse or dialogue. Taking arms against exponents of human civilization is a dastardly act that can not be justified. There are two approaches towards Islamic ideology. One approach is moderate approach whilst other extremist leanings. Most of the Muslims are moderate though there is a considerable number of a faction who stick to extremist attitude and feel no hesitation in taking up arms. For moderate Muslims, Ijtihad is a way of life, which simultaneously allows Islam to reign supreme in the heart and the mind to experience unfettered freedom of thought. A moderate Muslim is therefore one who cherishes freedom of thought while recognizing the existential necessity of faith. She aspires for change, but through the power of mind and not through planting mines. Moderate Muslims aspire for a society a city of virtue -- that will treat all people with dignity and respect. There will be no room for political or normative intimidation. Individuals will aspire to live an ethical life because they recognize its desirability. Communities will compete in doing good and politics will seek to encourage good and forbid evil. They believe that the internalization of the message of Islam can bring about the social transformation necessary for the establishment of the virtuous city. The only arena in which Moderate Muslims permit excess is in idealism.

2: Political extremism Political extremism involves two prime ingredients: an excessively simple diagnosis of the world's ills, and a conviction that there are identifiable villains back of it all.(John W.Gardener). We can see Political extremism in many garbs: Fascism, Racialism and obsessive nationalism are the off-spring of different political ideologies that favour extermination of their opponents and adopt an intolerant view of human situation. They aspire either to modify others into their ideological mould or to annihilate them. German Fascist ideologies resulted in Holocaust (genocide of Jews). Racialism in African continent has very grim episodes of atrocities committed against innocent people. Obsessive nationalism has brought the world to situation where third world ward hangs like a Demolcessword. Aftermath of this impending calamity is not difficult to perceive.

To conclude we may say that extremism is behaviour not an ideology. It has no source in any religious or social philosophy. Rather it springs from that brutish, whimisical and irrational nature of man which is the characteristic of his primitive existence.It needs to be controlled through persistent discourse with those elements who promote such ideals and create a dangerous environment on the earth. If unchecked, they may bring about the extermination of human civilization, through their unbridled passions and thoughts.