IS - a global threat

This is in reference to the letter published in TDS-30th December, 2014 on IS captioned, “A menace to humanity”. We agree with all the views aired in the letter. I would like to further add to the subject.

Creation of ISIL or Islamic State - the recent scourge and brainchild of various countries and their agencies - has backfired tremendously. Many internal and external factors have worked in tandem in favour of the IS. Strangely, they are winning battles after battles. The IS terrorists are destroying lives and reputations of Muslims all over the world.

The Arab Spring has brought no benefit to the lives of Arabs or to the countries involved. Libya is still passing through nightmares. The country is getting fragmented. Tunisia and Egypt are also in shambles. Western style democracy or imposed democracy has proved to be ineffective in North Africa, Middle East and West Asia. Countries like Iraq, Libya were not faring badly before forced change of government. The governments were modern and secular. The social indicators were high. Same is the state of affairs in Syria. The alternative to the Assad government is a Muslim Brotherhood type of government in Syria, in which case the problems will only multiply. The western powers and their allies, involved in the 'Sunni-Shia' game in the region ought to realise their blunders in this dubious game. The continuous interventions of western powers and their allies in the affairs of the Middle East, North Africa, Western Asia etc. and irrational support for Israel, condoning all its heinous activities, have radicalised segments of Sunni Muslims and also Shias. The IS is capitalising on this discontent.

Dr. SN Mamoon
Dhaka