By Muhammad Bilal Iftikhar Khan
The modern global order, deeply influenced by colonial legacies and the ideational dominance of liberalism, continues to shape the geopolitics of the Muslim world. The persistent crises of identity, extremism, and terrorism in Islamic societies can be traced to the structural violence of coloniality and the ideational subjugation imposed by Western domination. These influences have manipulated indigenous paradigms and fostered divisions, creating dilemmas within dilemmas.
The historical rift between Afghanistan and Pakistan, for example, serves as a distressing illustration of how colonial manipulation sowed seeds of discord that persist to this day. Extremism, too, has been employed and reinterpreted over time, often aligning with the strategic interests of external powers rather than the authentic spirit of Islamic jurisprudence or morality. By examining these phenomena, it becomes evident that much of what is labelled "Islamic terrorism" does not originate within Islam itself but emerges from a complex interplay of external provocations and internal vulnerabilities.
Two prominent ideologies in the Middle East—Muslim Brotherhood and Salafism—highlight the problematic relationship between Islamist movements and the ideational framework of liberalism. Both ideologies, despite their focus on enforcing Sharia, often neglect the deeper moral and philosophical dimensions of Islam. The essence of Islamic jurisprudence emphasizes character-building, moral values, and the comprehensive paradigm revealed through the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Yet, these aspects are overshadowed by ideological rhetoric and performative enforcement. Such reductionist interpretations fail to capture the holistic essence of Islam and leave these movements vulnerable to manipulation by external forces.
Applying Newton’s third law of motion to geopolitics, one can argue that Islamist movements are often compelled to react to external stimuli, leaving their natural sphere of operation to engage in a realm dictated by others. This predictable reactivity enables external actors to anticipate and exploit these responses, serving colonial and neocolonial interests. By instigating and steering such reactions, these external forces consolidate their geopolitical agendas, all while further entrenching divisions within the Muslim world.
This dynamic underscores the pressing need for Islamic societies to transcend the ideational frameworks imposed by liberal hegemony and colonial legacies. Developing indigenous paradigms rooted in Islamic philosophy and morality is imperative. Only by reclaiming their intellectual sovereignty and resisting the instrumentalization of their movements can Muslim societies address the crises of extremism and identity effectively.
In conclusion, there is an undeniable link between terrorism and the geopolitical agendas of Western powers. The phenomenon of "Islamic terrorism" must be critically analyzed not as an indigenous problem but as a reaction manipulated to serve colonial interests. Islamist movements must reevaluate their strategies, reclaim their moral foundations, and resist the provocations that entangle them in a cycle of reactionary politics. Only then can they truly align with the values of Islam and address the challenges facing the Muslim world.
The writer is Journalist and a PhD Scholar of International Relations and can be reached at mbikhan14@gmail.com