Accept all views
I believe that education does play a role in making a person more open about views and therefore more inclined to consider opinions rather than issue extreme judgments. However, education — as I refer to it — is about awareness and it is not limited to academics. Moreover, I believe it is usually about understanding oneself and others and appreciating our differences. That makes one more accepting towards different perspectives, rather than just being limited to one point of view.
From Ms Laila Al Nahawi
UAE
Rationalising the issue
Obviously, education and financial well-being do not, in and of themselves, protect a person from succumbing to ideological extremism. In fact, it could be argued that along with a high-level secular education comes the ability to rationalise certain mindsets. In turn, it could better enable a person to rationalise the validity of his extremist ideas. Similarly, financial security could liberate a person to pursue his inclination towards extremist thinking.
From Ms Farwa Shahid
UAE
Self esteem issues
I agree that education is important, but I think the main reason is the level of self-esteem. If a person has low self-esteem, it doesn’t matter if they are educated or not. It’s a very powerful feeling to feel like you have others under your control and, in fact, the media helps such people and feeds their need to be important by giving them fame. The more bloody and radical they are, the more the world keeps an eye on them.
From Ms Kasia Yasmeen
UAE
Education on religion
Extremist ideologies nowadays are mostly related to religion. So yes, a ‘proper education’ of one’s religion can make you less vulnerable to extremism. An extremist is born when he chooses to interpret things on his own. That person creates his/her own opinions and choices based on his/her personal desires and agendas, which is totally against the teaching of most religions.
From Ms Iram Seddiqi
UAE
More complicated
It’s all about injustice and deprivation. Education helps people become better human beings, but it doesn’t mean that they would automatically understand basic rights better than uneducated people. Where there is injustice and deprivation, so many problems are born and take place.
From Mr Zulkarnain Khoso
Dubai
Be more sceptical
No, education has nothing to do with radicalisation. Education is probably even beneficial for certain types of extremism. Many Daesh supporters are well educated, but ignorant of Islamic knowledge. They are only uneducated and untrained in this respect.
In my opinion, you can find two types of people who are radicalised: first, those who are without a certain school of thought within Islam and so they interpret Islam personally. Others are those who follow specific imams or are inspired by specific charismatic but dangerous people.
Our duty must be to know the source of our knowledge and what scholars teach. If surveillance is required to enquire about what types of books people are reading, who the author is and what the background of the author is, hire me for this job!
From Mr Mohammad Arif
UAE
Well-rounded education
The more people are educated, the less they are intimidated by slogans and fanatics. The more people know, the more it will influence their perspective on matters to do with our Earth, history, our vulnerability to the environment, what we can do to bring good things into our world, respect and acceptance. The more we know about these topics, the less vulnerable we will be to any extremist propaganda.
From Ms Brigitte Tibet von Bulow
Abu Dhabi
Valuing education
Yes, education plays a significant role, but the most important subject that leads to sound human beings is value-based education. I think such education would make people realise the importance of practicing humane values in their day-to-day lives.
From Mr Rippendeep Kaur Sra
UAE
Creating options
Yes, education helps. Education exposes us to different platforms, how people live, their beliefs and their cultures. History shows us what we have destroyed, science teaches us that we are made similarly, geography teaches us how big the world is. Education lets one know that there are other options, not just the ones that we are taught to follow.
From Mr Bindu Sathianesan
Dubai
Other factors
Yes it does — overwhelmingly. So does equal economic opportunities for all and the education of women and girls. Autocratic societies and elites who control the political landscape, economies and information, influence the conditions that feed extremist ideologies.
From Ms Tracey Henley
UAE
Understanding differences
Yes, education helps in elevating a person’s intellectual abilities and understanding the difference between what is right and wrong. There are loads of examples all over the world where you can find educated people keeping themselves away from extremist ideologies. India is a land that has had a lot of cultures absorbed into it. Anything could have happened in such a volatile scenario, but through history, the educated masses have never fallen into the trap. Even most Western societies are not getting involved in extremist ideologies. It is an example of the effect of sound education.
From Mr Tarun
UAE
Education, a must
The answer is yes. Education introduces you to different cultures, religions, science, arts and life. It opens your eyes. You think of any idea or opinion from different angles before you take a position or stance. So, education is a must to deter any threat of extremism.
From Mr Shad Mohammad
Dubai
More than education
Though I would agree that education would make people less vulnerable to extremist ideologies to a great extent, I have my own reservations from reading many public statements by well-educated individuals that hold back the ideal belief that education eradicates extremist ideologies. More than mere education, grassroots awareness on the negative impact of extremism can create a healthy society.
From Mr Raj Nair
Dubai
Implement caring
No, not necessarily. Many of these so-called extremists are highly educated, yet they are the ones responsible for the shameful atrocities that have occurred. What we need is to teach empathy: how to feel for one another, care for people, Nature and society. It is important to teach social responsibility. Education with awareness should make a significant impact.
There should be activities happening, like compulsory field trips to care for other people, animals, society and Nature. We live in a comfort zone, so our children are not aware. Once they understand that there is a world beyond their personal zone, I don’t think they will be easily swayed by these kinds of extremist ideas.
From Ms Nancy Jose
UAE
How you are raised
An individual’s vulnerability to extremist ideologies is dependent on many factors, such as the type and quality of education received. A person who has not received an education may be more prone to being influenced by extremist ideologies, especially in situations of poverty.
However, regardless of educational status, a person who has been raised in a tolerant and loving household and is given the liberty to think for himself or herself without being coerced is definitely less likely to be vulnerable to extremist ideologies. So while education does have a part to play in making people less vulnerable to extremist ideologies, it is definitely not a guarantee.
From Ms Aisha Eapen
UAE
The effect on society
Education broadens one’s cognitive horizon and creates awareness. An educated person follows a moderate path where he/she is not inclined to any extreme, but is rather thinking rationally and making decisions that have a positive effect on his/her life. Extremism breeds in an uneducated mind and dwells on thoughts that are poles apart. An extremist can be a fanatic, a militant, a hardliner or a radical. All these people have one thing in common: they want to impose their will by force. While doing so, they seldom see whether their actions are damaging themselves and society.
An educated mind will not fall prey to orders given by extremists because they will logically analyse the end result. An extremist, on the other hand, falls prey to the call of other extremists who easily compel them to obey orders, use weapons, force and any means to impose a certain decision upon the society, hence creating havoc. Therefore, an educated mind understands the threats that extremist ideologies pose on society and is less vulnerable to it.
From Mr Mohammad Omar Eftikhar
Karachi, Pakistan
Editors’ note: Is there a topic that you feel strongly about? Something that you would like to discuss with the community? Email us on readers@ gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet us @GNReaders.
