Source:  By: LAIQ AHMED ATIF, President Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta amjmalta@gmail.com

The world is not at rest and much of it today is embroiled in wars, disorder and enmities. Some countries are threatened by foreign powers, while some are facing internal uncertainty. Tribes are fighting against tribes, religious entities and denominations are adopting intolerant way of doing things with those who confess to adhere to different beliefs or faith, countries are fighting against countries, nations are armed against nations, rulers are bombing their own people and public is out there to fight for their rights and freedom.

Religious, economic and political uncertainties have emerged in countries in the face of war or conflict. The financial crises which are looming over the world are making the situation worse. Greed, selfishness, thirst of power and superiority are creating many other problems and disorders in the world.

The situation in Afghanistan is still critical, and from time to time we witness certain attacks and killings by the extremists. It looks like there is a long way to go to establish certainty, credibility, real democracy and peace in Afghanistan. Also, the world is very conscious about the current situation in the Middle East and especially in Syria, and it is a reality that there is critical need and hard work to make their revolutions a success. Many people express their concerns about the current situation in these countries, and the situation in Syria is getting worse every day. The relations between Iran and Israel are also not trustworthy.

Violence against the Muslim minority in Burma, the attacks on churches and Christian community in Kenya, and clashes between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria are also worrying the millions of peaceful people around the world. The political situation in Iraq has not developed properly and from time to time we read news about certain attacks and suicides bombs.

Thousands of innocent men, women and children have been killed in these horrific incidents around the world in recent years.

These occurrences are not new; however, 11 September is known as a day of human tragedy, when in few hours around 3,000 innocent human beings, including women and children, died. This year we are marking the 11^th anniversary of these heinous and inhuman attacks.

Since the 9/11 attacks, the extremists have extended their activities to many parts of the world. In fact, extremism and terrorism do not only harm human beings physically, but also emotionally and physiologically. Moreover, terrorism and extremism have also shaken the world economy and a huge burden has been put on the world economy to combat these acts of terrorism. Billions have been invested on fighting against terrorism, extremism and fundamentalism, and there seems to be no end to these heinous and inhuman crimes and cruelties against humanity. Many countries are sparing a big portion of their annual budgets to combat this terrorism so that mankind can have a peaceful haven and environment.

In the EU’s Schengen area, Schengen Information System (SIS) was set up and it was felt that organised crime is becoming ever more sophisticated and regularly uses European or international networks for its activities. Terrorism has clearly shown that it can strike, with great brutality, anywhere in the world. And this system of information sharing will help to combat terrorism and extremism within the Schengen area. And through this system the competent authorities in the Member States are working in cooperation and it has become a vital factor in the smooth running of the area of security, freedom and justice.

Before I conclude this piece, I think that after so much hard work, investment, and loss of human lives, the world is still facing threats of terrorism and dark shades of terrorism are visible. Moreover, dark clouds of terrorism, extremism and fundamentalism are still looming over mankind.

It should be our goal to establish high values of tolerance, harmony, love, and respect, in every village, every town, every city, every country, every society and indeed, in every part of the world, to save humanity from such dark clouds of extremism and terrorism and thus the world becomes a haven of peace, love, brotherhood and friendship.

I will conclude by quoting from a speech of the Head of our community, delivered in the UK Parliament:

“It is my fear, that in view of the direction in which things are moving today, the political and economic dynamics of the countries of the world may lead to a world war. It is not only the poorer countries of the world, but also the richer nations that are being affected by this. Therefore, it is the duty of the superpowers to sit down and find a solution to save humanity from the brink of disaster.”

The article was published in the Malta Independent on 11 September 2012.

Author: LAIQ AHMED ATIF is a regular writer in the local and foreign media. A human activist and Islamic scholar; has also delivered lectures about Islam. He believes in tolerance, harmony, inter-faith dialogue, peace and universal brotherhood; and condemns all sorts of aggression and terrorism. Motto is: “Love for All – Hatred for None”.