Gulf | Bahrain
Author wades into touchy topic of terrorism
For Ishaq Shaikh Yagoob, there are two forms of terrorism: material and intellectual. And they are not really separate. They complement each other in their mutually controversial reinforcement ... and destruction.
- By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 23:27 November 22, 2008
- Image Credit: Gulf News archive
- Ishaq Shaikh Yagoob.
Manama: For Ishaq Shaikh Yagoob, there are two forms of terrorism: material and intellectual. And they are not really separate. They complement each other in their mutually controversial reinforcement ... and destruction.
"Intellectual terrorism develops its arguments within religious, ethnic and pan-nationalist measures, while material terrorism is based on the exercise of violence in military operations, sectarian wars and individual assassinations," the Saudi author writes in his new book Terrorism.
Unlike most people, the septuagenarian silver-haired writer has no problem defining terrorism.
"Any coercive or repressive activity against human rights and against public and private freedom and any form of oppression or violation is an act of terror, regardless of the objectives of their intellectual, material, religious or ethnic or national nature or aim, even if aims to materialise the right to self-determination," he says in his book, a collection of 48 columns written to denounce extremism, condemn its roots and warn of its consequences. Some of the articles are outright attacks on those who misuse religion - a formidable task in his environment.
Wading into controversy does not scare him. He has been there often enough throughout his tumultuous life. Yagoob has seen it all. Born in 1927 in Saudi Arabia, he left his homeland in 1956 and after a brief stay in Bahrain, went to Syria and Lebanon where he earned a living by writing in newspapers and magazines. He eventually settled there in 1965, but 11 years later, he returned home. Since 1976, he has been active in publishing books, studies and columns - mostly denouncing extremism and terrorist threats to the region and the world.
Years ago, in a world still innocent of the September 11 terrorist attacks and their controversial aftermath, Yagoob warned that terrorists did not resemble the fictitious, dark characters used in thriller novels to prolong the suspense, complicate the plot and offer a happy denouement through a violent death.
"Terrorists ... deprive you of your inner soul, of your dignity and right to live. They abuse the words of God and reinvent them in a way that serves their schemes," Yagoob writes.
Nevertheless, the author remains optimistic " ... because people at their very core are compassionate and need one another to live. All they need to do is to resist the culture of death that a few, a very few, have unfortunately promoted here."
News Editor's choice
-
6,000 cups and counting: Addicted to that tea
This cafeteria in Al Mamzar attracts thousands of customers daily, including the rich and not so rich
-
Swimming pool horror: Twins hospitalised
Twins rushed to hospital after collapsing from chlorine inhalation at swimming pool in their villa
-
Play your cards right with credit card interest
UAE Central Bank plans to cap interest rates, but are you paying thirty-five per cent now?
