In today’s modern world of Economic and Military Super Power, in a world governed and dominated by the Economic Prowess and Political might of the Nations. Religion still does and will always play a fundamental role, one that is undeniable and one whose influence is unavoidable. Religion from ancient time has shaped our histories and is responsible for a lot of the conflicts and battles that have taken place over the centuries which in turn has led to formation of countries that exist to this very day. One’s faith is always an important factor in one’s social sphere and plays an important role in one’s lifestyle and life decisions as well. The role that religion plays in our lives is on most days determined by the extent of our faith and beliefs of our need to display the strength of our beliefs. But does our own faith and beliefs of our religion allow for tolerating and encouraging that t of others, or is it that Religion and Religious organizations today preach of being more staunch believers and practitioners of one’s own faith and disregarding others as a show of strength of one’s own religious belief or will the world evolve to one where all religions coexist peacefully and side by side. Will the world lean towards Religious Radicalization or towards Religious Plurality?
In Modern day Kashmir, Religious Radicalization which now has been taking place for a long time, is now showing signs of Religion having entered and begun to dominate every aspect of life. The Daily routine, everyday activities and almost all spheres of social life are administered by religious philosophy and beliefs. The cause of this is the large number of centers of religious learning which preach of a purely religious life where in nothing is done against the existing philosophies. Radical Islamist Outfits are spreading their message and ideology through all available means to ensure that their radicalization effort touches one and all. Mosques and Madrasas being at the forefront of all this, are places of preaching and learning where the youth get influenced to be ever more staunch Muslim and the same is reminded to them and means of doing so emphasized through social media as well. Thus the youth today are very much concerned about being religiously pure and walking on the path of Islam than ever before. This not only has serious effects on social structure but also on all aspects of life such as education, business, etc. The centers of such teachings though not all, but some definitely see their world as one in which Islam and its followers are threatened in their very existence implying that protection for their cause is needed and this protection on most days also translates to fighting for the freedom to follow what they believe is the right path. Hence Radicalization is not only directing energies and efforts towards righteous Muslims but also making certain believers believe it’s their duty to fight and uphold the Islamist way through what had taken place even in past as a religious war of sorts JIHAD. The warriors of Jihad are also believed to be holy and are referred to as Mujahids. These Mujahids are from the youth of Kashmir, fighting to keep their land free from the influence of other religions and their believers which they call Kafirs.
