Forum: Issue: Special Conference Combating the rise of religious extremism Student Officer: William Harding Position: President of Special Conference Introduction Ever since the start of the 21st century, international security and peace has been at threat by rising global issues. However, despite all efforts made by nations and international organizations with the aims of post-conflict construction and the promotion of everlasting peace amongst societies and countries, challenging global problems have piled up over the years, resulting in many violent conflicts that only end in useless bloodshed. The international peace and security agenda is prolonging it to such an extent that it as of now encompasses many intertwined issues that endanger lasting safety and peaceful co-existence, such are the causes of conflict, including ethnic, religious and ideological clashes, economic unrest, and environmental issues. However, as the concerns range, the attention is more directed towards military power. Over the ages, three recurring concepts have had large and complicated parts in many conflicts emerging in numerous regions; ethnicity, ideological and religious beliefs. Ideologies originate from a diversity of areas, being, social elements including religion, ethnicity and sex. These interconnected ideologies and religious beliefs are connected to conflicts due to their severe impact on the melding of cultural identities and attempts of their communal minorities calling for governments to significantly changes in status. To put it differently, the outlined concepts are not the direct issue of sustained violence, but the in fact failure to comprehend the concepts, and extremism through them are. Religious extremism is slowly on the rise, causing large amounts of bloodsheds, violation of basic human rights and threat to development of nations. When the term extremism is used in politics or religion, it refers to actions contradictory from the mainstream conventional opinion of society, in a way of condemning such thoughts that are defiant to the opinions of society. MYMUN Research Report Page 1 of 6
Definition of Key Terms Extremism Extremism is term used to describe a belief that is seen as being defiant with the common opinions and standards of society. Xenophobia Xenophobia is an unreasonable or irrational fear of non-natives, strangers or of that which is alien or strange to either a person or a society. Religious Intolerance Religious intolerance is a term given to the rejection and refusal of a group to endure religious beliefs and practices or individuals of a religion Islamism Islamism is a phrase given to depict actions and beliefs of a political movement that openly supports and attempts to amend social orders and governments through laws promoted by Islamic texts for example the Sharia Law or the Quran. Radicalism Radicalism is political and religious beliefs which are characterized by overly extreme jihadism and Salafism, which is based off Sunni Islam and more than openly supports integration of the Sharia Law while rejecting religious many forms of religious innovation. Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is a term commonly to promote political ideologies focused on adjusting the social structures through actions and majorly reform common systems and orders of society. Background Information The world is currently witnessing an increasing rise in extremism which have lead to growing radicalization in many countries around the world. The impact of extremism affects all member states which makes this issue one of the challenges that must be tackled. Attacks against civilians, places of worship, museums and cultural heritage have been carried out by violent extremist groups- terrorists- MYMUN Research Report Page 2 of 6
who adopt radical views which motivate their actions. Ideologies as these are fostered by lack of democracy, poverty, conflicts, and in fact civil wars. Lack of education, and gaps in legislations regarding either ethnic or religious minorities, marginalization of certain groups, and large amounts of violations of human rights are among the factors that contribute to the rapid rise in extremism. The current absence of inclusive societies contributes to intolerance, racism, radicalism, terrorism and extremism which are all interrelated. All in all, religious extremism is a phenomenon that is not found in only one region, but worldwide and in all forms. Religious extremist groups are operating and expanding progressively throughout various countries, and have become the concern of the neighbouring regions. Extremism is interconnected to several issues that test and challenge the basic economic, social, and political criteria of communities. Extremism and Terrorism Religious extremism has become the key factor of terrorist attacks. There are numerous approaches to define terrorism; however, any definition would express that terrorism is the utilization of violence, or the threat of it, as an instrument to accomplish a political objective. Also, terrorism is for the most part characterized as combative activities outside of a proclaimed war between states, and causing civilian casualties. Extremism and Religious Intolerance Religious intolerance has various ways of measuring. Some sources of religious intolerance, for example, can be the activities of governments and/or the activities or beliefs of an individual or a group of the society. Targets of religious intolerance can include individuals from a religion or religions generally, individuals who convert to another religion or choose to have no religion by any means, and even individuals arbitrarily exploited by religion-related fear or armed conflict. Religious intolerance is the immediate outcome of religious extremism, meaning the propensity to hold extreme religious perspectives, and in name of them to support and carry out extreme and unlawful activities. MYMUN Research Report Page 3 of 6
Caption #1: Osama Bin Laden, founder of al-qaeda and responsible for the 9/11 attacks Timeline of Events Date Description of event 1095 The Crusades begin between Muslims and Christians 1618 February 2, 1969 September 5, 1972 March 9, 1977 December 27, 1985 August 2, 1990 September 11, 2001 The Thirty Year s War begins between Protestants and Catholics, it is fought for 30 years in the Holy Roman Empire The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine was founded in Syria In West Germany, Israeli athletes are held hostage at the Munich Olympics 6 are killed immediately, upon afterwards a Lufthansa plane is hijacked by the same terrorist group that killed the Israeli athletes, the terrorists are set free in exchange for the safety of the passengers of the Lufthansa flight A group of Hanafi Muslim terrorists seize three buildings in Washington D.C., the siege lasts for 2 days, after which 119 people are released from captivity. One police officer and one journalist are killed during the siege ANO group attacks the Italian capital of Rome; 18 are left dead and 121 are wounded The invasion of Kuwait begins Four passenger planes are hijacked by al-qaida terrorists. Two planes crash into the world trade centre, one into the pentagon and finally one crashes into a MYMUN Research Report Page 4 of 6
field in Shanks Ville Pennsylvania. Estimated that at least 3,000 are killed, Osama Bin Laden takes claim for planning the 9/11 attacks. April 15, 2013 November 13, 2015 Three are killed and 264 are wounded at a Boston marathon where a bomb was planted. A series of attacks occur in Paris. 129 are killed and at least 400 are injured, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claims responsibility for this UN Involvement, Relevant Resolutions, Treaties and Events Resolution (S/RES/2178) This resolution suggested further measures for universal participation to counter global terrorism and curb the development of violent extremism and condemned it. Resolution (S/RES/2242) This resolution focused on role of women in addressing violent extremism, it additionally calls for sufficient financing of the UN for counter-terrorism and countering violent extremism. Resolution (S/RES/2165) This resolution emphasizes the need for all States to implement fundamental methods to countering violent extremism Bibliography Arnett, George. "Religious Extremism Main Cause of Terrorism, According to Report." Datablog. Guardian News and Media, 18 Nov. 2014. Web. 18 Jan. 2017. <https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/nov/18/religious- extremism- main- cause- of- terrorism- according- to- report> CBS News. CBS Interactive, n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2017. <http://www.cbsnews.com/europe- terror/> MYMUN Research Report Page 5 of 6
"The Mind of the Religious Extremist." The Mind of the Religious Extremist. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2017. <http://www.global- briefing.org/2012/01/the- mind- of- the- religious- extremist/> COUNTER TERRORISM." United Nations. United Nations, n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2017. <http://www.un.org/en/counterterrorism/> Caption 1#: NBCNews.com. NBCUniversal News Group, n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2017. <http://www.nbcnews.com/id/33730299/?q=osama%20bin%20laden> MYMUN Research Report Page 6 of 6