The threat of militancy is not over and will not end easily only with the death of Osama bin Laden, but the world should tackle the issue through more lateral and constructive thinking so as to prevent the emergence of new "Osamas", said the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah.

He said attention should therefore be given to preventive measures to avoid the creation of more "Osamas".

judges conference 090408 raja nazrin "Poverty, uneven distribution of national wealth, corruption and power abuse by leaders, weak administration, educational facilities that do not meet current needs, poor social facilities and infrastructure, as well as the political problems in the Middle East especially the long-standing Palestinian issue are critical issues that must be given attention," he said when closing the Ulama and Islamic Scholars' Conference 2011 in Ipoh today.

Raja Nazrin (right) said as long as these issues were unresolved, the world would not be at peace and terrorism would continue.

He said the West and Arab world were both responsible for sowing and fanning hatred towards the West until it became extreme, including in the hearts of Osama and his friends and allies throughout the world that they rose and fought against the West.

Raja Nazrin said although Osama's life was snuffed out, "is there any guarantee that new 'Osamas' by other names and look different but sharing the same fight, will not emerge?

Extreme personalities

"Is there a guarantee that terrorism will end and there will be peace with Osama's death?

"Actually, it is more important for the world to delve into the factors that have created extreme personalities like Osama and to understand how such an extreme ideology championed by Osama could find widespread support."

NONE Raja Nazrin also asked whether Osama's death on May 2 and the incident of the double suicide bombing that killed several people at a paramilitary academy in Shabqadar, north of Peshawar in north-western Pakistan (in response to Osama's killing) on May 13 brought any good to Muslims and the Islamic world.

"What has been achieved in a struggle claimed to have been made in the name of Islam and in the name of justice?

"What will be the world's view of Islam after yet another tragic act of violence?"

Raja Nazrin said this country, however, chose a wise approach in fighting insurgency mounted by the Communist Party of Malaya by concentrating on winning the hearts and minds of the people through infrastructural, social, economic and educational development programmes, besides efficient and productive administration of the country.

He said the country's experience and success in fighting terrorism, although on a different scale, could be learned by the world community in tackling the problem at the international level.

If governments rule fairly...

Raja Nazrin said if an effective approach was not introduced fast and earnestly, terrorism would prevail, spreading from one madrasah to another, from one village to another, and from one province to another.

"Learn from mistakes, don't be entrenched in taking a punitive approach or in taking revenge, because revenge will beget new revenge.

"Make a serious, concerted effort, using preventive measures that can erase hatred and animosity among people, especially among the young generation.

"People must have love for one another regardless of race and religion, and help take those concerned out of poverty or destitution by fulfilling their basic needs like housing, food and medication, as well as their need for education, skills and job opportunities."

Raja Nazrin said the world would be more peaceful if poverty could be reduced and if more people were equipped with education and skills to add value to what was relevant to the needs of today's world.

"The world will be more prosperous if governments rule fairly and justly, if a nation's wealth can be equitably distributed, if corruption is seriously checked, and if a nation is administered honestly, accountably and transparently," the Perak Raja Muda added.

- Bernama

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