COMMENT | When Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his deep sorrow over the deadly blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, his words resonated beyond sympathy for the victims. His condemnation of such acts of terror was a statement of principle that violence against innocents is never justifiable, no matter its cause or context.

Yet, beneath his compassion lies an important warning: terrorism today has evolved beyond the familiar image of armed radicals or religious fanatics. It has entered a new, more insidious phase, one where professionals, educated individuals with status and legitimacy, become silent enablers of extremism.

In this modern era, terrorism no longer operates solely through the gun or the bomb. It thrives through systems of trust - financial systems, educational institutions, charities, and corporations.

These are the same systems managed and occupied by professionals: doctors, accountants, engineers, lecturers, executives, and researchers.

These individuals have access to...