Hatred promotes terrorism

Hatred promotes terrorism

Dr. Jassim Taqui

It has been argued that using force is not effective to eradicate terrorism and violence and that it is important to address the root cause of terrorism. One can also see that terrorism increased rather than decreased by using force since 9/11. Using military means has backfired. It subdued Al-Qaeda to certain extent but it produced a greater evil in the form of ISIS.

Most importantly, using force has created hatred all over the world. Hatred creates intense hostility especially when this concept is used by world leaders. Hatred has polarized the civil society and divided humanity on racial, ethnic and religious lines.

There should be a realization that people are not the enemy. Our enemy is hatred, anger, ignorance and fear. This should be reflected prominently in our education system so that the roots of terrorism should be eradicated.

Finally, hatred must be tackled by its opposite: love. Love makes you supreme, smiling, forgiving and at ease with yourself. It is the killer of terrorism.

I recall some very powerful poem by the Lebanese poet Elia Abu Madi that says: Hate turns the cottage into a bright universe. Hate turns universe into a dark cottage.