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World must fight Daesh with all its might

The more we delay tackling Daesh jointly, the more they will hit us where it hurts.

Standing up to extremist ideology which promotes bloodshed is never going to be easy, but in the wake of the terrorist attacks in three continents recently, it is important to root out the problem before it destabilises Arab and other countries. A common security strategy, which includes the international monitoring of social media and places of worship, is needed tackle Daesh and its brutal ideology. And the more we delay tackling Daesh jointly, the more they will hit us where it hurts.

Why France was targeted with two Arab states is something hard to understand? Was it because of the latest military supply deal that France had struck with some Arab countries? The attack and decapitation of a businessman may have been a warning to France to stay out of Middle East affairs? Why were Kuwait and Tunisia, in particular, targeted? Are there other countries on the radar of the terrorist group and its affiliates?

A bomber killed 27 people in a Kuwait Shia mosque during Friday prayers. Britain is still reeling from the shock of the deaths of its citizens in the Tunisia attack where a lone gunman opened indiscriminate fire at a beach resort in Sousse.

Many questions about the three attacks remain unanswered and is a puzzle for intelligence and security agencies to put together, but one thing is clear: Daesh does not believe in any religion or doctrine.

The GCC countries held an emergency meeting following the attacks which called for more security and intelligence cooperation. British Prime Minister David Cameron paid some lip service and spoke of his righteous anger. Daesh is not the Middle East’s problem anymore, its ideology is spreading in Europe and across the world. Anyone that comes in their way of a violent interpretation of Islam, a peaceful religion, is an enemy, who derves to be executed.

Take a look at their latest targets: tourists in Tunisia, Shias at mosque in Kuwait, and a businessman in a secular country. There appears to be clear strategy on their part as they kill innocents and add more victims. The attack in Kuwait was aimed to sow fear and weaken national unity. They simply want to exterminate people they consider infidels, those who do not believe in their twisted ideology, where brutality and violence rules.

Hate speech and violence is common on TV channels, social media and in print. Children can easily access them. People grow with them….it stays with them. Many extremist hate speakers use European countries to put out their message because they are protected by free speech laws. Unless we block such seditious channels, keep close watch on Friday sermons, religious addresses and speeches, we will not effectively target the groundswell of support these terrorists enjoy.

Here, I do not blame on governments, but people and society. To keep silent about sectarian speeches is a crime. Such speeches influence thinking, which results in violent actions against people who have a different point of view.

By listening to and accepting extremist views, people are taking part in intellectual disorder that could draw youth to such movements. This deadly ideology, when it spreads to schools and universities, later corrupt impressionable minds.

Arab and GCC societies promptly denounced the terrorist attacks in Kuwait, Tunisia, and France. People condemned it on social media. This week, Shias and Sunnis prayed together for peace and harmony.

But Daesh knows it does not need an army of terrorists to do its dirty work — it can rely on lone wolves, who silently subscribe to its ideas — to cause maximum damage in countries with little effort. Dissolved and broken societies have proven to be the group’s happy hunting ground for recruits.

The recent violence has prompted countries to increase security, but international action must be taken to track the source of Daesh funds and recruitments. The group should not be allowed to gain from illegal sales of oil in the global markets.

Effective laws have to be put in place to deter people influenced by Daesh from acting against the state and from fanning sectarian strife. The latest attacks should be seen as wake up call for the international community and civilisation. This is a call for united global action against a brand of terror that knows no boundaries. The world must not simply stop and stare, and be found wanting in this hour of crisis. It must fight the good fight with all its might.

malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com