Call to promote services of women as moderating force

As Pakistan is struggling to rein in rising extremism, bringing political stability, and upholding the rule of law, it is need of the hour to promote the services of women as moderating force. This was the crux of the roundtable entitled "Extremism vs Moderate Pacifism: Which Discourse is Winning in Pakistan" organised by Aman-o-Nisa: Pakistan Women's Coalition Against Extremism.
Ammara Durrani, Federal Coordinator of Aman-o-Nisa, Dr Ihan Niya from Quaid-i-Azam University, Dr Shenaz Zaheer, Professor from AIOU, Salma Malik, Assistant Professor from Quaid-i-Azam University and Shabana Fayyaz from Quaid-i-Azam University were among the participants.
Ammara Durrani said that academic community needs to step out of its ivory towers and engage with all segments of society because it is their moral responsibility to play a proactive role in bringing peace and pluralism in the society. Ammara Durrani said: "We need to look at the genesis of extremism in Pakistan and come up with a way forward." She said that despite losing lot of lives, terrorism has wrecked havoc with the nation's economy. Pakistan's total cost for its war against terrorism was $2.6 billion in 2001-2002, which mounted to $13.6 billion by FY2009-2010, and is estimated $17.8 billion in FY2010-2011.
Dr Ihan Niya added that there is dearth of funding for the social science research in our country as compared to the developed world. For the last decade, Pakistan has been on the frontlines of the global fight against terrorism as it bears the brunt of extremist violence being inflicted by al Qaeda and its affiliates in the country.
Dr Shenaz Zaheer revealed that as the extremism is forbidden in Islam, there is a need to understand the real meaning of Islam. "Religion has often been exploited by religious clergy belonging to different school of thoughts. And school curriculum needs to be more balanced and holistic in its outlook. Sub-sectarian war in our society is biggest threat of all", Shehnaz highlighted.
Salma Malik said that women offer fresh perspectives for conflict prevention and resolution. They are critical resources for building peace and rebuilding communities. Their equal and effective inclusion in all policy dialogues and decisions on countering extremism, promoting peace and ensuring security is imperative for moderating extremism and building peace in Pakistan.
Shabana Fayyaz was of the view that the mutual co-existence in Pakistani society is lacking due to biased curriculum. She said that extremism is not in our favour. "In Pakistan's struggle against extremist terror, women are experiencing high level of physical and emotional insecurity. However, as a result of the violence and marginalisation they experience, women best understand the needs of their communities and are better able and more willing to bridge divides, promote community cohesion, and work towards peace", Shabana added.
Arshi Saleem, a scholar said that majority is not supportive of extremism, but there is sort of acceptability or non-questioning minorities. "Academia is playing its due role despite the lack of resources and opportunities given to them", she added.
Amir Rana, director Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies maintained that critical thinking is lacking in our culture and empirical research needs to be introduced. "Islamic world is faced with the crisis of identity. Ijtehad in Islam needs to be reclaimed as a way forward", he added.