EXAMINING THE CURRENT TRENDS AND PROSPECTS OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM IN SOUTHEAST ASIA AN INITIATIVE DIRECTLY ALIGNED WITH THE ASEAN PLAN OF ACTION. Mindanao, Philippines RELIGIOUS RESOURCES FOR PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP: ISLAMIC TREND RAMDHAN 21:AN INTERFAITH DIALOGUE ON LESSENING ENTRIES OF RADICALIZATION

1. RELIGIOUS RESOURCES FOR PEACE
AND FRIENDSHIP: ISLAMIC TREND
At Mindanao, Philippines
By
Prof. (Dr.) H Abdul Azeez
BSc. (Hons.), LL.B. (AMU). LL.M. (KU), LL.M. (Europe), Ph.D.
Dean, Crescent School of law,
Chennai-48, India
2021 1
WELCOME TO THE SPECIAL LECTURE ON
EXAMINING THE CURRENT TRENDS AND PROSPECTS OF
VIOLENT EXTREMISM IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
AN INITIATIVE DIRECTLY ALIGNED WITH THE ASEAN PLAN OF ACTION.
Mindanao, Philippines

2. PRESENTATION OVERVIEW
 Peace and friendship building under Islam
 Radicalism under Islam
 Challenges
 Resolutions
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3. • Islam is an Arabic word meaning "submission"
and in the religious context means "submission to
the will of God".
• "Islam" is derived from the Arabic word "sala'm"
which literally means “peace”.
• The Quran tells that the believers have been sent
for the betterment of mankind, that they will
promote what is good, and prevent what is wrong
(3:110).
• However, this is to be carried out in the best
possible manner: no individuals honor should be
injured, and no harm should arise out of it. 3
ISLAM

4. ISLAM: CRITICAL VIEW
 Islam is not a separate religion
 It is in continuation with former religions of Jews and Christians
 One of the pillars to be a Muslim is to believe in the Books (Kitabs) of
given to Moses, David and Jesus and it is mandatory to be a Muslim
that one should believe in these texts.
 On a closure reading of Qur’an, one will find that it is in continuation
of Bible Old Testament and New Testament.
 Further, Qur’an says, if you truly believes and practices the tenets of
old testaments and gospel, your place is in heaven
 What does it mean?
 It means nothing that Islam is a continuation of the tenets of old and
New testaments.
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5. Qur’an, The holy text of Muslims
Belief: Qur’an comes from heaven
Fact: It has not been written/compiled
during the life time of Prophet Muhammed
(PBUH).
Qur’an came into existence the way as we
see today during the Kalif Al Uthuman
around fifteen years after the demise of
Prophet Muhammed.
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6. • Muslim values of peace include concepts such as:
• sabr (patience)
• samah (forgiveness)
• ihsan (perfect goodness, healing, reconciliation)
• taqwa (piety)
• aml al-khayr (good deed)
• adl (justice)
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EVERYDAY PEACE BUILDING IN ISLAM

7. • The Qur’an says those who distance themselves
from peace are followers of Satan.
– In other words, peace is a heavenly virtue while war is an
act of Satan.
• Qur'an further says that peace is one of the names of
God himself:
“He is God, other than whom there is no God, the King, the Holy,
the Peace, the Defender, the Guardian, the Mighty, the Omnipotent,
the Supreme.” (59:23)
• In Islam, everything is created by Allah and all human
beings are originated from Adam and Eve.
– Thus, Islam stands for universal brotherhood and
friendship.
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PEACE BUILDING IN ISLAM

8. • Muslims greet others by saying ‘Assalaamu alaykum'
meaning 'peace be upon you'.
– Like the majority of followers of other faiths, the majority
of Muslims believe in seeking a just and peaceful world.
– The Qur'an teaches that Allah wants Muslims to control
their aggression and approach others with peace.
• So, Allah Himself is peace and, also the source
of peace.
• Allah said in the Holy Quran, Paradise is called 'Dar-
us-Salam' or the home of peace, while the Prophet is
referred to 'Rahmat-ul-Alamin' meaning 'mercy to all
mankind'
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9. • Allah is the most merciful and kind.
– Therefore, He also teaches his people to be
compassionate, forgiving, and loving.
– Prophet Muhammad (SAW) says: “Allah is kind, and
He loves kindness in all matters.” (Sahih Bukhari, No 6528)
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Kindness, Mercy and Loving

10. • Qur'an clearly presents to Muslims for
building tolerance and understanding among
differing religions.
– Everyone's God-given human dignity must be respected,
regardless of his or her faith, race, ethnic origin, gender, or
social status (Qur'an, 17:70).
• Surah Kafiroon Translation
– Say, “O disbelievers,
– I do not worship what you worship.
– Nor are you worshippers of what I worship.
– For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.”
• Thus, Qur’an, teaches the tolereance of other
religious faiths.
Tolerance
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11. • Jihad/holy war
• The literal meaning of Jihad is struggle or effort
• In common parlance, it means holy war.
• Muslims use the word Jihad to describe three different kinds of
struggle:
• A believer's internal struggle to live out the Muslim faith as well as possible
• The struggle to build a good Muslim society
• Holy war: the struggle to defend Islam with force if necessary
• Many modern writers claim that the main meaning of Jihad is
the internal spiritual struggle, and this is accepted by many
Muslims.
• However there are so many references to Jihad as a military
struggle in Islamic writings that it is incorrect to claim that the
interpretation of Jihad as holy war is wrong.
Radicalism under Islam
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12. • Muslim majority stands against
Extremism/terrorism
• These majority are silent spectators only or
their voice is not coming in the forefront
• Enemy countries take extremism as an
opportunity for destabilizing
• Lack of proper Islamic education
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Challenges

13. RESOLVING CONFLICTS
• Interfaith Religious Education
– To children
– To Imams
• Confidence building
• Efforts for peace building
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14. Thank You....
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Prof. (Dr.) H Abdul Azeez
Former:
• Legal Advisor, CRAE, London, UK
• Judicial Magistrate in Kerala, India
• Head of Dept. (Law), Kerala Police Academy, India
• Director, Aligarh Muslim University Malappuram
Centre, India
Mobile: +91 8281 889 889
Email: azeezhma@gmail.com