Three groups blamed for sensationalising terrorism
Nurul NazirinPublished: Apr 2, 2005 5:15 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
Journalists, academicians and politicians are the three groups that contribute to the sensationalisation of violence, particularly terrorism.
Journalists, academicians and politicians are the three groups that contribute to the sensationalisation of violence, particularly terrorism.
"The media contributes a lot to the west in the wrong way to sensationalise (the terrorism issue)," said Dr Azzam Tamimi of the London-based Institute of Islamic Political Thought Director.
Cited an example, he claimed the media equates the invasion of Iraq or Palestine with the Sept 11 attack by Muslim militants against the Americans. He asked why jihad against Iraq is legitimate while the occupation of Iran is not and described as 'terrorism'.
While the academicians are labelled as 'bias and self-interest' group of people, politicians are categorised as the 'lousiest of all' as they tend to function only to remain in power. In political struggles, they act based on their self-interest, and not of the people.
Azzam was speaking at a seminar, "Fundamentalism and violence in social and political struggle: An islamic viewpoint", organised by the campus's Academic Staff Society. in Universiti Malaya yesterday.
According to Azzam, terrorism is attributed to Muslims because the media and politicians sensationalise the issue and lump all the different motivations and interests together.
On terrorism, he claimed that politicians hate anybody who analyse the problem. "They don't want to share the blame, let alone have the blame put on them."
Idea of jihad
He explained that the idea of jihad is never about attacking others because according to Islam, jihad is about striving and fighting for justice so that the truth prevails. However, force is forbidden.
Azzam said the only way to reduce the misconception of violence and terrorism is through education. The word terrorism itself, he said, has created a lot of confusion, claiming in the same mouthful that "Americans are the most ignorant people in the world."
He also emphasised the need to educate people to handle disagreements, and not through violence. "Empower whatever means available...violence doesn't serve its purpose," he said.
Pointing out that Islamic democracy and that of the west differ, he said that the differences are the foundation to the various ideologies.
"Islamic democracy is about transparency, accountability and values that our religion holds," he added.
"The media contributes a lot to the west in the wrong way to sensationalise (the terrorism issue)," said Dr Azzam Tamimi of the London-based Institute of Islamic Political Thought Director.
Cited an example, he claimed the media equates the invasion of Iraq or Palestine with the Sept 11 attack by Muslim militants against the Americans. He asked why jihad against Iraq is legitimate while the occupation of Iran is not and described as 'terrorism'.
While the academicians are labelled as 'bias and self-interest' group of people, politicians are categorised as the 'lousiest of all' as they tend to function only to remain in power. In political struggles, they act based on their self-interest, and not of the people.
Azzam was speaking at a seminar, "Fundamentalism and violence in social and political struggle: An islamic viewpoint", organised by the campus's Academic Staff Society. in Universiti Malaya yesterday.
According to Azzam, terrorism is attributed to Muslims because the media and politicians sensationalise the issue and lump all the different motivations and interests together.
On terrorism, he claimed that politicians hate anybody who analyse the problem. "They don't want to share the blame, let alone have the blame put on them."
Idea of jihad
He explained that the idea of jihad is never about attacking others because according to Islam, jihad is about striving and fighting for justice so that the truth prevails. However, force is forbidden. Azzam said the only way to reduce the misconception of violence and terrorism is through education. The word terrorism itself, he said, has created a lot of confusion, claiming in the same mouthful that "Americans are the most ignorant people in the world."
He also emphasised the need to educate people to handle disagreements, and not through violence. "Empower whatever means available...violence doesn't serve its purpose," he said.
Pointing out that Islamic democracy and that of the west differ, he said that the differences are the foundation to the various ideologies.
"Islamic democracy is about transparency, accountability and values that our religion holds," he added.
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