Religious Extremism Root Causes and Potential Remedies From the Islamic Perspective

ABSTRACT
The issue of “religious extremism” has posed an impending threat to the world peace. Extremism, in essence, is an expression of a doctrinal and ideological deviation that impedes human progress and hinders the potential renaissance of human communities. It is a universal phenomenon that is neither an Islamic invention, nor peculiar to Muslim communities. There are many causes for the rise of this destructive ideology as well as remedies and mechanisms to eliminate it.
The reasons underlying the rise of extremism include blind adherence to corrupt traditions; disruption of moral values and moral decay; the absence of referential authority; and educational isolation and doctrinal fanaticism fostered by unilateral education. Other causes include the prevalence of poverty and ignorance; the confiscation of freedoms and political vacuum; and seeking for personal interests and worldly gains as well as discrimination and absence of justice and equal opportunities.
As to the mechanisms proposed by the paper to overcome extremism, they include education and scientific thinking; political openness and elimination of restrictions on freedoms; promoting educational openness and culture of diversity; constructive dialogue and frank discussion; acknowledging the merits of the opponents and avoiding defamation; fostering equality and combating discrimination and enhancing the merits of intellectual forgiveness of the opponents as well as the reform of penal institutions.
The effectuation of these mechanisms entails an active interaction of various ministries, education institutions and media outlets, such as newspapers, magazines, television and radio channels and programs to guarantee their effectiveness and success.