The Founder of Peace and National Unity — the Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, addressing this pressing issue, states: “Today terrorism and extremism, as the plague of the century, threaten global security and every inhabitant of the planet, creating a danger for humanity no less than nuclear weapons.”
After gaining State Independence, the Republic of Tajikistan entered a new stage of historical development — the construction of a sovereign, democratic, law-governed, secular, unified, and social state — mobilizing all spheres of state and public life to strengthen national unity, peace, and comprehensive stability in the country.
As a newly independent state celebrating its 35th anniversary in an atmosphere of calm political stability, the Republic of Tajikistan, like other countries of the world, is not immune to the potential impact of negative events and adverse developments occurring in the international environment.
Unfortunately, the intensity of these global threats and challenges has not diminished even today. Recent arrests by law-enforcement agencies of criminal groups that intended to carry out terrorist acts in border areas and within Tajikistan serve as evidence of this. In addition, there are opponents living abroad who seek to create instability in our homeland and attempt to mislead young people. Therefore, we — and especially the youth — must not lose vigilance and alertness, and must not be deceived by such traitors of the nation.
In this regard, the primary focus must be on preventing terrorism and extremism, preventing citizens from being drawn into terrorist and extremist organizations and movements, and bringing back to the homeland those who have gone astray.
Religious and sectarian terrorism and extremism have become a major global threat, causing destruction, killings, and mass displacement. We witness and hear about the horror, fear, and bloody consequences of these phenomena every day through television and other media. We must take necessary measures continuously and consistently to prevent such tragic incidents in our country. In cooperation with parents, schools, the education system, scholars, and intellectuals, we should implement effective steps to educate children in the spirit of constructive work and patriotism.
In our time — full of contradictions, difficulties, conflicts, and confrontations — people increasingly speak and write about the growth and spread of extremism, fundamentalism, terrorism, and other undesirable and dangerous phenomena. What is the true meaning of “extremism,” and what kind of phenomenon is it?
Extremism (from the French “extrémisme” and the Latin “extremus”) originally means radicalism and fanaticism — extreme ideas and actions, going beyond acceptable limits, and exceeding the proper measure.
An extremist is a person who, in their activities, supports rigid, radical approaches and promotes stubbornness and fanaticism. Such manifestations can arise in all areas of human activity — in religion, politics, ideology, science, and even sports. In the Address of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, to the Majlisi Oli of the Republic of Tajikistan dated April 26, 2013, it is emphasized: “Unfortunately, currents have emerged in the Islamic world whose certain actions are aimed at inciting discord and division. This contradicts the essence of the bright religion of Islam and brings discredit upon it.”
Today there are individuals, parties, movements, and organizations that attempt to realize their goals, ideas, views, and plans by any means, including radical actions. According to many researchers, political scientists, and journalists, extremism is encountered most often in the religious sphere, and this phenomenon occurs in all parts of the world.
What are its causes and roots, and what factors and motives drive it? It is difficult to give a precise and unambiguous answer. Nevertheless, some major and general causes, roots, factors, and motives can be identified:
First, the growing feeling of uncertainty about the future (despair, distrust, confusion, and dissatisfaction with life).
Second, the intense process of globalization is transforming our world, weakening and sometimes even eliminating traditional civilization, culture, customs, religion, and long-established norms. Its outcomes are not always positive or desirable; it can create feelings of helplessness, weakness, and discouragement, and in many cases leads to rupture, resentment, protest, and resistance. This factor may result in alienation and separation from the processes of unity, cooperation, peaceful coexistence, and tolerance.
Extremism and terrorism are concepts that have become common in today’s world, and these two notions are closely connected. Extremism (radicalism and exceeding limits) can lead to terrorism. The term “terrorism” (from the Latin “terror”) means “fear and dread.” Terrorists seek to achieve their aims through violence, killings, intimidation, and the spread of fear. Terror is the act of plunging society into a state of fear, horror, and hopelessness.
In the current circumstances, the duty of every patriotic citizen — especially young people, who are considered the main driving force of society — is to avoid the teachings of self-serving groups that equate the bright religion of Islam with terrorism and present radicalism as a means of “protecting Islam.” Inclination toward such radical and terrorist parties and movements leads to tragic consequences: people lose their own lives and become the cause of the deaths of thousands of others.
Traitors who have betrayed the homeland and taken refuge abroad continuously mislead young people through social media. Our youth must be aware and should not fall for provocations; instead, they should pursue education and contribute to the country’s development. Any social network can potentially be used as a channel to draw them into terrorist and extremist groups.
Every citizen and every member of society must strive to protect the country’s independence and territorial integrity, because it is impossible to imagine the future of the Tajik people and nation without the existence of a national Tajik state.
Muhammadsaid Bobojon Rahmonzoda,
Head of the Organizational and Educational Department,
Technical College of TTU named after Academician M. Osimi
