(MENAFN- Arab Times) In this week's Arab Times online poll, readers responded to what they think is needed to win the ideological war against religious extremism. The majority of voters felt that large scale campaigns against religious extremism is needed today.
42 percent of voters felt that a large campaign against extremism would be more effective than harsher punishment for those who fund extremist groups, cracking down on radical voices on social media and encouraging values of patriotism. "Military force is needed but cannot solve this problem entirely. You take care of ten extremists and another hundred will crop up in their place. What we need today, is to counter the narrative that extremists use to radicalize our young people", a reader shared.
Many felt that governments must focus on development of education and economic opportunities, and reduce inequality. "The only way to fight extremism is to empower our young men and women and provide them with avenues to express themselves and engage in peaceful, productive work", another reader shared. 30 percent of voters felt that harsher punishment should be meted out to those who fund extremist groups. "I think dismantling the ISIS war economy is crucial and generally governments should be more severe towards supporting these organizations with funds", a voter shared.
22 percent of people believe that instilling values of patriotism and nationalism will win the war against extremism. "Patriotism is a unifying force, I think we should work in encouraging this among people. We should be identifying ourselves as pluralistic communities where people of different beliefs can thrive." 4 percent of voters felt that those who support through social media should be imprisoned and 3 percent felt that huge benefits should be given to die in the line of duty. "Violent extremists have been effectively using the reach of the Internet to radicalise and recruit by spreading propaganda. Their messages are delivered by charismatic leaders who exploit angry and disillusioned individuals." "I think governments have only been focusing on how to restrict extremist information online. While it is important to make their hateful content hard to find, they really should be focussing on counter- argument to protect vulnerable young people from them", a reader shared.
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