Without understanding the root cause of terrorism Muslims are being stereotyped by Americans as terrorists or terrorists in the making. Nothing can be far from the truth. However, the unfortunate incidents like the Fort Hood, Texas do more to cement the mindset than to create doubts in the minds of an ordinary American regarding his/her new found conviction.

The accused shooter, Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, is the product as well as the victim of the same gross ideological corruption. Muslim scholars on the other hand are so resigned to the fate that they take no more pain to take masses into confidence than calling such acts of terrorism as unislamic. Whereas, they are needed to go beyond.

How can we convince a public which is showered with bullets and is blown into pieces by heretics like Nidal Hasan who have a claim on Islam and do this in the name of God? Urgency of the problem is that we cannot ignore the American public.

Due to its unique position in the world we need America on our side to fight off the menace of terrorism and even to rid the lands to Islam from this sweltering cancer. Even though most terrorist organizations in the lands of Islam are the direct result of American policies for Muslim countries which at times turn out to be exclusive and highly injudicious, this is not the whole truth.

Fault lies with the ideology that promotes violence to gain power and perks, to increase its following by hook or by rook. You can give any name to this ideology though, it can’t be called Islamic. Most violent offshoot groups follow highly  tradit-ional interpretation of Islam and are the product of  Wahabi and Deobandi school of thoughts. That will be tantamount to stereotyping yet another community.

However, it enables us to understand that terrorism has not come into being because of the US unpalatable policies in the world. The ideology that gives birth to such violence had already existed even before America was born. Taliban in Afghanistan did not pick war with America . They were already at war with the real futuristic, progressive and enlightened Islam long before America stepped in and directed their wrath on itself.

Al-Qaeda is the offshoot of Taliban mentality that has focused on hurting the US interests as well as those of American friends’. This still, however, is not the whole truth. Dig deeper. Wahabi extremists, fired with proselytizing spirit found a new responsibility with newly found petro-dollar riches.

They were suddenly called upon by God to spread their interpretation of truth; all means justified. They found a Messiah in Zia ul Haq, political father of Nawaz Sharief and the most unscrupulously lying military dictator who was removed violently in plane sabotage in 1988. Pseudo charity organizations were allowed to flow in the money from the Middle East under the pretext of helping the poor.

However, most of the money was spent in establishing Madarass (religious schools) with full board facilities so that young children from poor families could be enlisted and brain washed. Statistics are horrifying, there are currently 17000 Madarass in Pakistan , out of them 12000 belong to Deobandi/Wahabi school of thought.

Other five thousands are divided among Sunni school of thought 3500, Ahle-Hadith, 380 and Shia 90. Petro-dollar from the Gulf and the Middle East entered Pakistan for only promoting Wahabi/ Deobandi school of thought. They have captured the Muslim youths brainwashing them right form the very tender age: no wonder they willingly blow themselves up for Heaven and Seventy Lasses. It still falls short of the whole truth.

A tremendous revision of syllabi is also required so that it is brought in line with the requirements of the modern age: in order that, the Madarass graduates are enabled to land jobs in fair competition with the graduates from the public institutions.

America has a responsibility to share. First it should influence its 
Wahabi/Deobandi friends in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf to stop patronizing only Wahabi/Deobandi Ulema and Madarass in Pakistan . If money is to be sent for any altruistic purpose it should be channeled through government agencies. Secondly, the US should trust and involve Pakistan in its efforts to bring peace in Afghanistan .

Regarding civilian help there is no alternative to using government channels even for America . Pakistan need to wake up now for an equitable relationship with the US at all levels to ensure peace at home and abroad. According to newspaper reports Gen. James L. Jones, Obama’s national security adviser, at the beginning of this week brought a letter for President, Asif Ali Zardari emphasizing that ‘the new Americanstrategy would work only if Pakistan broadened its fight beyond the militants attacking its cities and security forces and went after the groups that use havens in Pakistan for plotting and carrying out attacks against American troops in Afghanistan, as well as support networks for Al-Qaeda.’

The contents of the letter, if proved, signify nothing but the total ignorance or complete disregard to Pakistan ’s efforts and sacrifices in fighting the terrorists in South Wazirastan, Swat, Bajaur, Malakand and other FANA, FATA areas. What a friend we have for a fight that seems interminable!