During the 9/11, the most
debatable issue among political, social, and educational, and literary personals
or communities is Taliban’s or Terrorists. This terminology has been used
sporadically all over the world. It was sold like hot cakes. Especially after
9/11 attacks these terminologies gained a universal fame. Their mysterious
nature, brutality and barbarity, anglophobian attitude and remoteness from
mundane development and dislikness for modern education were let known to the
rest of the world. It gave birth to some amazing, fantastic, and unusual
stories. It also caused a big controversy for the people although it was totally
ignored on the intellectual level. The question is that who are Taliban’s? Why
they have mysterious and horrible attitude? What are the factors which make them
such brutal minded, bestiary natured and enemy of progress and development? What
sort of environment and what sort of mentality there is, which makes a Talib to
do suicide attack, which is the most brutal act. Before answering such questions
and other like it, let me tell you, that I myself have been the part of
Taliban’s culture. I have a thorough study of their mentality. How I know? The
answer is very simple and direct. Fortunately I belong to such nobility who for
the last seventy years is associated with Madrassa culture. My brother has been
running such an institution which sub branches are spread in Pakistan and
Afghanistan numbered in thousands.
Our Madrassa is the center of all these Madrassa and these Madrassa get
information from central institution. It is another fact that I have never
reconciled with my family on this issue particularly, there I was a silent
spectator. Since I have been brought up in such an environment that is why I
have studied the Psychological perspective of such people and their attachment
to such spiritual institution.
Let come round the real issue and which is “ WHO ARE TALIBAN”?
But before going into details let’s try to know that how a Madrassa makes its
existence. There is a person in Madrassa, who is called (MUHTAMIM)
Administrator. Taliban mostly called him HAZRAT or SHEIKH. The very Sheikh or
Muhtamim is the leader and owner of the Madrassa. Usually such property is
gained through inheritance. Later on such a Sheikh after spending some years in
different Madrassas starts his own institution. Get hold of some Talibs and
initiate a so called Madrassa. Start teaching and with in short time become
stable and determined socially and financially or economically. However such an
owner of small enterprise keeps his relation with superiors smooth and fair in
order to protect his economical and social status especially financial status
preserved, because in any case his individuality and pavers can be terminated
any time. According to the proverbial statement “It is difficult to live in Rome
and fight with POPE.” He fears the grand Muhtamim because his social economical
and his manpower (Taliban’s) are greater and stable than his because his one
Fitwah or commandment can easily knock him out from the ring. Such situations
and happenings can be seen easily and vividly an N.W.F.P, Afghanistan and
especially tribal areas.
The Psychology and Grains of Muhtamim:-
It is said that “All the glitter is not gold” or appearance is not the reality.
Such Muhtamim are” Wolf in Sheep clothing.” The owner of the Madrassa seems
apparently a pious and religious person. Because his particular way of living
symbolizes his piety and no love for the worldly gains to present himself in
such a way in his basic needs and it fulfills this urge to most extent. But his
inner self is totally different from outward worldly exhibition of piety and
innocence. He does it only to safeguard his financial and economical need which
is his priority. He keeps Madrassa for such imbedded themes, because it provides
the best runway for the attainment of his worldly aims and ambitions. He
collects money in the name of Allah, charity, and financial support.
Muhtamim (Administrator) is such a business minded or practical minded that he
explains religious matters according to the financial status of the individual.
If the person who has asked the question, is poor and is not in the position to
fulfill any worldly desire of the Muhtamim. So he is turned away and answered in
a way harsh and rigid tone. And if the dependent is a man of fortune and riches
so he is answered in a very polite and flexible way, in order to give the rich
man some relief and alternative.
On the hand it also important to know that in all such financial and economical
issues, Taliban’s are kept unaware and ignored. Similarly the mental level of
Taliban’s is so slow, that they do not know about all such happenings but also
not interested in such affairs. The thing is that they blindly follow their
Muhtamim and it serves the problem.
Due to this lower mental caliber and capacity of thinking different nations used
them in the so called “JIHAD”. They are persuaded to plunge themselves in the
brutal act of suicide attacks. The most notable and worth mentioning thing is
that the majority of Taliban’s are youngsters. These youngsters are orphans
mostly or they have no one to look after them or they belong to farfetched
areas. They mostly belong to poor families. They get admissions in these
Madrassas through the help of their relatives, in order to get religious
knowledge. But the heart breaking or most shocking fact is that they come here
for accommodation and two time meals which they get in these Madrassas easily.
These students are called “CHANARRAI” in Pashto meaning junior kids or K.G
students.
Muhtamim (Administrator) train them in such way, that they consider every
uttered words of the Muhtamim full and final. To follow his instruction, the
regard it as the part of their beliefs or faith. In fact the main cause of
inhalation and disorder start over here.
HOW TALIBAN COME INTO EXISTANCE
OR
FACT ABOUT THE EXISTANCE OF TALIBANS.
According to my compiled survey, Afghanistan, NWFP, and tribal strip are the
nest of Taliban. They took their nourishment in these areas by leap and bound.
Because these deserted areas are still miles away from the dawn of development
and educational enlightens. For example the production level of Taliban is
extremely alarming in areas like Batagram, Dir, Swat and Kohistan. These
districts are Nursery of Taliban production. But while on other hand the number
of Taliban is negligible in areas such as Abbotabad, Harripur, Kohat, Swabi,
Mardan and so and so forth. The concentration of Taliban is greater in
farfetched areas due to the lack of education and presence of high number of
local Madrassas. The concentration of Taliban is meager in plain areas which are
mentioned earlier due to facilities and educational institutions. Local
available Taliban are exported over here.
Similarly the number of Taliban is lesser in areas like Khyber and Kurram
Agencies as compared to Agencies of Waziristan and Bajore, where they are found
in greater strength and number. In this regard if we study Afghanistan, so there
are also many areas like Kandahar, Kunar, Paktia, and Jalalabad, where the germs
of Taliban can be found in a greater number, which is alarming and a great
menace to the stability of the areas. Contradictorily there number is greater
then the other part of Afghanistan, because these areas are farfetched and miles
away from the dawn of education and progressive enlightment. On the other hand
if it is observed closely we can see that his number is negligible and not worth
mentioning in areas like Kabul, North Afghanistan and Herat. These areas are
because gifted with the blessing of education to certain extent. There are
opportunities available for the learned people. There is a rate of employment
because unemployment is also a cause of terrorism. There is a proverb which is
“A hungry man is always an angry man”. Employment and education is a big hurdle
for Taliban. It cuts their roots. After all this is satisfactory for a moment.
CERTAIN TIPS FOR THE UPROOTING OF TALIBANIZATION
OR
CERTAIN STEPS FOR THE PREVENTION OF TALIBANIZATION
It is said that “Prevention is better than Cure”. There is nothing in the world
which has no solution. Once Malaria and Smallpox were considered incurable and
epidemics. It used to kill thousands of people, like the “BLACK DEATH” in
England. But with the advent of time and education, these diseases were brought
under control. Similarly today the enigma or dilemma of Taliban seems hard to
cure, but still it is curable. In this regard I would like to put forward some
suggestions, which I think can be fruitful and aim full if laid a proper concern
upon it.
Such backward areas like, tribal strip, NWFP and Afghanistan should be specially
targeted. These areas must be educated to be given the basic needs of survival.
The literacy level of these areas must be improved and enhanced as soon as
possible.
There must be a close check and balance situation in local Madrassas. The
financial matters of the Muhtamim must be kept under special observation. He
gets such financial aids in the shape of charity which is given by the people
elite class and some times by the countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other
Muslims donating countries. Such financial matters of the Muhtamim must be dealt
wisely and with great care. There is direct proportionality between the income
of the Muhtamim and the number of Taliban. If we are successful in reducing the
financial supremacy of the Muhtamim, there is a chance that e reduce the number
of Taliban up to 50%.I think it will be the most productive step at this stage.
Lectures should be given against extremism and terrorism in Schools, Colleges
and Universities. A campaign must b chanalized through literature against
barbarity, cruelty and religious fanaticism. These activities must be done in
order to create anti-Taliban attitude in the public. There must be social
awareness about this junk.
The established curriculum in religious schools must be updated with the modern
scientific knowledge. Steps must be taken for such a harmony.
Youth unions (such unions and groups are present in every village almost) must
be made active and should be motivated at once. They can be made of effective by
fulfilling their meager requirements. They must be utilized properly against
Taliban.
They must be organized at grass root level. They can work against terrorism and
terrorist promoted in local Madrassas. It will produce the most encouraging
results.
Students and educated youth must be introduced to the media. So they may
propagate the importance of education and should invite the attention of people
towards education, and should take an effective role in the fight against
terrorism.
Poor parents in far-fetched areas must be kept under close observation. Who due
to their poverty send their children to such Madrassas. Besides this they must
be given proper packages and opportunities. So they may not be disappointed with
the on going process.
Beside poets writers intellectual and journalist, government should also make
the process of communication between Pakistan and Afghanistan smooth and
reliable. Such sources of communication must be made stronger and organized.
These people must be encouraged and should be facilitated so that they may make
the public opinion reliable and organized. Literature and poetry specially
effect the public opinion in Pashtoon belt. The biggest and well known example
of this in the past was the inclination of Pashtoon towards communism and
Russia. In which poets and writers played a very vital role. Besides this
literary organized and association must be motivated, so that they may produce
literature against extremism.
If my mentioned proposals are acted upon seriously so I can assure you due to my
first hand experiences and observation, that in the coming future or coming age
the danger and dilemma of Taliban, which has gained the shape of a horrible
picture will not only be annihilated but also vanish forever. Its effects well
diminish for good. In this regard your proposals and suggestions will be
appreciated. Constructive suggestions for improvement will be greatly received.