VIOLENT extremism is increasingly being viewed as a combined security and development challenge. A long-lasting solution to curbing militancy requires the state to move beyond its national counterterrorism operations and adopt a holistic approach. In this context, activist and dancer Sheema Kermani recently urged the government to allocate at least 1pc of GDP for cultural pursuits given that the arts — and sports — are vital conduits for promoting pluralism and tolerance, especially in communities that are vulnerable to the influence of militancy. She made this recommendation while presenting a new UN report on the impact of fundamentalism on the cultural rights of women, noting that militant groups have a history of violently curtailing artistic expression with their absolutist interpretations of religion. Banning traditional festivities, targeting events at universities, bombing Sufi shrines, killing Swat’s women dancers, attacking actors, musicians and poets all constitute violent acts by militant groups to terrorise populations. Under no circumstances should the government tolerate such direct challenges to its writ by those who compromise the security of its citizenry. When violent forces try to eliminate fundamental cultural rights, the state must not collude with or give in to the will of regressive groups — especially when the latter punish cultural expression, supposedly incompatible with rigid religious interpretations, through campaigns of harassment, abuse and outright violence.

To ensure that the values of pluralism and tolerance are ingrained in our counterterrorism strategies, cultural policies reflecting international human values must be adopted. The hydra-headed monster which is militancy and terrorism draws strength primarily from young recruits and marginalised segments of society — this fact alone should be enough for the government to work on ways that complement existing counter-extremism strategies. However, these cannot be peripheral actions. They must form part of national policies deemed critical to creating alternatives for protecting our youth from all forms of radicalisation.

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2017