Precisely what led New York terror suspect Faisal Shahzad to try and set off a car-bomb in Times Square is not yet known. His journey from child of privilege to transnational jihadist was fuelled by the ideas of Yemen-based Islamist cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, shaped by contacts with Jaish-e-Mohammad operatives in Karachi, and transformed into action by training and funds from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. The stereotypical elements supposed to drive jihadists — poverty or indoctrination in madrasas — had no role in his life. The son of an affluent Pakistan Air Force officer, Shahzad studied in the United States before starting a reasonable career. Post-9/11, it has become clear that many young people from well-heeled backgrounds are being drawn to jihadist groups: Daniel Pearl's executioner Syed Omar Sheikh, British-born al-Qaeda operative Dhiren Barot, and Pakistani-American jihadist David Headley were all products of western affluence. Last year alone, the U.S. faced over a dozen jihadist attacks initiated by American nationals. Many citizens of European states are also known to be fighting alongside the Taliban and its Islamist allies.
Why is the diasporic jihadist threat growing? Pakistan's reluctance to dismantle the infrastructure of jihadist groups — set up, in the main, as instruments of the state against India — is one reason. Would-be jihadists in the West now have ready access to training and funds. There is also a second, deeper, problem. More than a decade ago, Hanif Kureishi explored the cultural tensions that underpin western Islamism in his novella, My Son, The Fanatic. Kureishi's story centres on the problematic relationship between Pakistan-born Briton Pervez, for whom Great Britain represents unlimited opportunity, and his son, Farid. The young man rebels against his father's search for upward mobility, arguing that the West is “a sink of hypocrites, adulterers, homosexuals, drug takers and prostitutes.” Many diasporic jihadists are driven less by theology than by rage against the societies around them. Researchers have found this rage to be made up of an inchoate mix of political discontent, cultural dislocation, and even sexual anxieties. Unfortunately, hundreds of young diaspora Indians, among them Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh, have been drawn to the diverse fundamentalisms of the homeland their parents left. The seduction of young people by extremists reflects the failure of immigrant communities and political institutions to tackle the problem at its roots. Politicians, community leaders, and intellectuals must work together to marginalise the extremists in their fold and intervene at various levels to counter the dangerous trend.
Correction
The first paragraph of the above Editorial had the detail “British-born al-Qaeda operative Dhiren Barot”. It should have been “Indian-born”.
There is nothing to "figure out" about this pathetic nut job whose "training" has clearly proven to be grossly inadequate with a "designed-to-fail" ignition system to fuel his "bomb" nevertheless it scared the daylights out of NYC residents. Add that to his failures on the personal front you have a highly pliable mind crying out for attention which if made use of in an evil way helps evil people.
I have no idea what you are trying to say here in this Editorial:
"Politicians, community leaders, and intellectuals must work together..."; What can a Politician or a Community leader or an Intellectual do here to STOP this guy, when they have no idea? There was another guy from Pakistan, who wanted to blow subway systems in New York City. These guys have lost the balance of LIFE; If at all any one who can help these guys is FAMILY and not what you mentioned; The family sees these symptoms but ignores for various reasons including Trust; This guy is a loser; he lost his home to a mortgage company; his family is not living with him; I have no idea about his connections in Pakistan (or Waziristan); YES.. he happened to be a Muslim but not following Islam; Simple !!! You don't have to write an Editorial for the sake of writing it and didn't know how to end but ...."Politicians, community leaders, and intellectuals must work together "; !!! I am very disappointed !!!
Riaz Wahid, Jersey City, NJ
Your editorial is fair and unbiased attempt to put light on terrorism.My appreciation of your paper has increased.
The commonly trumpeted reason that Islamic Jihad is fundamentally against the freedoms and affluence of the West is obviously wrong. Why should this problem be viewed with the myopic choice between West and Islam? A lot of people are in great disagreement with the USA's foreign policies, and Islamic countries feel particularly annoyed with that. So, Islam has its own extremist recruits, regardless of the material background. Why does it take such complicated soul searching? Why do we have to wonder how somebody with a comfortable upbringing in the USA or the UK can have such an anti-West leaning? Osama Bin Laden is a billionaire! He can afford whatever he wants, wherever he wants. What has he chosen? Time to get out of this sophomoric reasoning process, even if that is exactly what suits some sanitized American minds.
It is indeed possible that a conservatively educated Muslim (or for that matter a Hindu) cannot stomach the free wheeling ways of the western world. But that is no reason to develop hatred for the people and try to kill them. Similar sentiment persist in the west categorizing Islam as evil religion because of treatment of women and preaching of intolerance. Demonizing each other does not solve the problems. An honest conversation is impossible in this atmosphere. One blames the other that goes back to crusades every time it starts. Yet HOPE must prevail if we are to live peacefully without metal detectors before every shop. What kind of life is that and how LONG have we to live like that. It makes everyone angry and sad...it is not good for long term development of the society.
Please Email the Editor