Obsession, Ignorance Contribute To Extremism - Federal Territory Mufti

PUTRAJAYA (Malaysia), Feb 27 (Bernama) -- Extremist ideologies among militants who frequently use 'jihad' as an excuse to legalise their violent acts are the result of ignorance about religion and obsession with their leaders. Federal Territory Mufti Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Albakri said the ignorance was usually related to a lack of information about religion, getting the wrong information or not fully understanding an issue. "This ignorance is a disaster, because with ignorance and the little information that they have, they are willing to debate with anyone," he said during a Briefing on the IS or the so-called Islamic State at the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) here Friday. He said the real concept of debates was to get at the truth, but for those people who were ignorant, it was to find who wins or loses. Zulkifli also said obsession was a threat as those who were obsessed would stop others who were not of the same mind and whom they considered wrong. "This happens a lot, when they are obsessed, they cannot be logical," he said. Commenting on the threat of the IS militants, he said no ulama would support the group. "In fact, two days ago, there was a seminar in Mekah where resolutions reflected how inaccurate and wrong the IS struggle is," he said. He added that most ulama from around the world also criticised the IS and disagreed with the way they treated their prisoners including cruelly killing them. Dr Zulkifli said enforcement of laws was inadequate to resolve the problem of extremism. "In the most recent resolutions, most ulama feel that it was necessary to reform the education system on Islam by providing the real understanding," he said. -- BERNAMA