FROM MAULANA'S DESK

Best Way of Settlement The conciliatory approach always minimizes the problem. In contrast, the confrontational approach aggravates matters while leaving the initial problem unsolved. Any individual or group having a target can succeed in achieving it only by following the peaceful course of action. This tested method has to be applied to those who have today taken to violence. God has blessed each one of us with the same nature. Just as it was possible to address the nature of the Japanese people, it is also possible to address the nature of present-day terrorists. We have to work for this cause at two levels: first, we have to condemn violence in unequivocal terms. We must tell the perpetrators of such acts that their actions go against both Islam and reason. No positive result is going to come out of it. On the other hand, we must present the peaceful teachings of the Quran to those who are under the influence of violence. For example, the Prophet once said: ‘God grants to peace what He does not grant to violence.’ (Sahih Muslim). Similarly, we must inform them of past events which clearly point out that violence has only carved out a history of death and destruction. All relevant facts go to show that war and violence are not options before us. Any individual or group having a target can succeed in achieving it only by following the peaceful course of action. No positive goal has ever been attained through violence. o Maulana Wahiddudin Khan editor@thespiritofislam.org