Gulf counter-terror expertise should be utilized by Afghanistan

Kabul last week witnessed one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the city’s history. A suicide bombing targeted a gathering of the nation’s highest religious body, killing 55 people and injuring 94, according to official announcements. But the death toll could rise, as many of the injured were listed as being in critical condition. 

The victims were scholars and students among hundreds of delegates from the Afghan Ulema Council and its followers celebrating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. The bomber, believed to have infiltrated the gathering, blew himself up at the beginning of the ceremonies, according to security officials.

There were no claims of responsibility, but Daesh affiliates were suspected because the attack fits with their ideology and modus operandi. The group has repeatedly denounced such gatherings, calling them heresies and considering their practitioners to be beyond the pale of the faith as they see it and, as such, should be killed. The attack was too vicious even for the radical Taliban movement, which quickly condemned it.

Even before this massacre, 2018 had been the bloodiest year in at least a decade. In July, the UN reported that Afghanistan registered a record in civilian deaths in the first six months of the year. Almost 1,700 civilians were killed during that period, the highest in 10 years. Kabul was one of the worst-hit, according to the UN report.

Since then, there have been several massacres, especially during the month of September, where scores of civilians were killed in bombing attacks. November is also proving to be a bloody month, with several other attacks from Daesh, the Taliban and others.

While Afghanistan has been the scene of many horrific attacks, the bombing of a peaceful gathering organized by the nation’s highest religious body stands out as part of Daesh’s twisted world vision. As we saw in Iraq and Syria, the group uses the pretense of being guided by religious fatwas, but those edicts are issued by poorly educated militants motivated by hate and a thirst for power.

However, the terrorists in Afghanistan are aided and abetted by an atmosphere of intolerance preached by extremists, who condone violence against those who disagree with them. Religious minorities are seen as a threat. There have been numerous bloody attacks against such minorities, committed by the Taliban, Daesh and others. Hundreds have been massacred in senseless violence, but there was scant critical reaction from mainstream groups against those attacks — no outrage and no accountability for the perpetrators.

The attack last Tuesday was different in that it was directed against the mainstream: Afghan’s highest religious authorities, not against a minority. But, in a way, the atmosphere of tolerance toward previous attacks against religious minorities made this attack possible. The slippery slope of intolerance has led to attacks against the mainstream by a group opposed to some of its practices. Daesh forbids observing the birthday of the Prophet and punishes those who do. During its rule over Mosul and other areas of Iraq and Syria, it banned the practice. Its followers in Afghanistan are trying to do the same with the use of violence.

Last week’s attack against Afghanistan’s religious establishment should propel all Muslims not only to condemn Daesh, but to confront all those who advocate violence against those who disagree with them. That would include the Taliban and many other smaller groups. 

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and others have established about a dozen centers to counter violent extremist discourse. In Saudi Arabia, Etidal, Sakinah and several other organizations work to confront extremist messaging. In the UAE, Hedayah and Sawab do similar work. Two years ago, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) established a network of some of these organizations to share experiences and best practices. They work with community and religious leaders, writers and educators to sharpen their message and spread it through traditional and social media, as well as through direct outreach to vulnerable communities. They have worked with international partners, especially in the US and UK, to combat the spread of violent extremism.

In part thanks to the work of these countering violent extremist (CVE) groups, the number of GCC citizens joining Daesh has fallen dramatically. The ability of Daesh to recruit fighters and enlist followers has been severely limited in GCC states. 

Afghanistan needs a similar process to prevent a repeat of last Tuesday’s attack. The GCC and Afghanistan have agreed in principle to enter into a comprehensive dialogue that will include political and security consultations, as well as trade and investment discussions. Talks with GCC CVE groups could be one of the avenues explored in this budding dialogue.

From :Arabnews