I was reading where the Taliban has made great inroads in the Swat Valley of north-western Pakistan to the extent that the local officials are going to give into their demands for using a much stricter interpretation of Islamic law. The Taliban got their point across by destroying girls schools, beheading those not in agreement and basically terrorizing the valley. They evidently won.
What I fail to understand is why the people would agree to this? I admit that I am not an Islamic scholar but I do know a little history. I know that there was a time when Islamic scholars lead the world in science and medicine and that the great Islamic learning centers in Spain, North Africa and parts of the Middle East were the envy of the world.
Then something happened. It appears that Islamic thinking fell into some kind of dark age and they have never recovered. How could any modern thinker agree with the Taliban? Women with no rights, treated worse than animals? No culture, no music, no free thought. Its very reminiscent of Pol Pot in Cambodia during the '70s, when he believed everyone should be on the farm guarded by an AK47.
Where are the modern Islamic thinkers? Why are there no voices protesting the Taliban's negative interpretation of the Koran? Surely there are those in the Islamic world who want to stand up and say the Taliban does not represent how the prophet wants them to live and treat others.
I will appreciate any insight into Islamic law that someone can share. I know their are different sects within Islam, based on history and religious interpretation of the Koran, I just do not understand why anyone would support the Taliban's interpretation of the Koran and their desire to take the people back into the Dark Ages.
If we in America are going to be able to help the citizens of Afghanistan and Pakistan who want to live their lives and religions as they see fit, then we have to understand the mentality of the Taliban so that we will be able to defeat them not on the battlefield with rifles, but in the intellectual, philosophical, and spiritual inner being that truly define who we are.
Its Common Sense!
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I am a muslim---I don't agree with the taliban (---and the muslims I know don't agree with the taliban either)
but it is human nature ---that "People never do evil as cheerfully or completely as when they do it from religious conviction".....and here is some wise advice..."When one group stands to gain something by oppressing another group---....we would be fools to take at face value their justifications, whatever those might be." The name of the ideology being exploited matters little---what does matter--is that in a political vacuum--someone will take power and those that are the most brutal in their bid for power, often win. Muslims outside of Afghanistan can protest all they want--but it is the (political)power struggle on the ground that will really define the outcome. The Taliban want control and they will exploit any situation and ideology to get it---it is a simple matter. If you want to help the people decide for themselves what is best for them---they must be educated. Both men and women must be educated (but especially the women--because they are often the first in line to influence the next generation)--Whoever wants control knows this well so they burn down schools, ensure that the quality of education is low....etc--and there you go---
If America wants to help--the solution is pretty simple---economic progress. Progress brings with it stabilty and an educated population. It brings investments, ideas and influences. It also brings hope for the future. ---What was it Jesus(pbuh) said?--Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?....it's all about human nature...
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