Why Muslim Societies Are Getting Polarized?

Syria, Yemen, Egypt, Libya, Pakistan, everywhere Muslim societies are getting polarized rapidly. There are a number of factors and causes associated with this problem. Some causes are internal that are related to their own societies and politics whereas some causes are external that are due to great powers’ politics and foreign interference in their countries. Causes of polarization and extremism are different in every Muslim country. For instance, if we talk about Pakistan, the main cause of extremism and polarization in Pakistan are so Called War against Terror, drone strikes and repeatedly rising foreign interference in the country’s affairs particularly by the United States and other Western countries. As a consequence Pakistan has become a breeding ground for extremists and terrorists who are a big threat for both Pakistan as well as Western countries.

Similarly, if we look at the causes of polarization and extremism in Syria, Muslims in Syria are getting polarized due to increased intervention by Iran and other Muslim countries. Iran is constantly supporting the minority Shia led regime in Syria which is causing a heinous bloodshed in the country. As a consequence Sunni armed militias are also seeking assistance from different Sunni countries such as Saudi Arabia and others and as a result country has fallen into the sufferings of the Civil War. Like is the case with Bahrain, the same problem exists in Bahrain as well, Iran is continuously supporting the minority groups of the Shia population whereas Saudi Arabia is supporting the majority Sunni led regime and as a consequence Bahrain is suffering from constant law and order situations.

If we talk about Libya and Egypt, their causes of extremism and polarization are somewhat different. United States and other western powers were supporting puppet leaders Hosni Mubarak as well as Momar Qazafi; both the leaders have a very negative reputation in their own societies. There were considered to be the agents and puppets of the United States and other foreign powers. They were following the policies totally in contrast to the feelings of their general public. The local population of Egypt and Libya hate Israel and United States due to their undue interference in Muslim countries but those two leaders were considered to be close friends of such powers.

Finally, if we look at the causes of extremism and polarization in Afghanistan, there are somewhat same as we see in Pakistan. The Muslim society is getting polarized tremendously due to continuous foreign intervention by United States, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as well as International Security & Assistance Force (ISAF). People are very angry due to the mass casualties of innocent civilians in their country by occupied forces. As a last resort and in order to liberate their country from the intervention of foreign powers they are joining different militant and extremist groups which is a big threat for Afghanistan, its neighbors as well as Western countries.  These were a few common reasons of extremism and polarization in different Muslim countries.

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