by B. R. GOWANI
Flag of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) now known as Islamic State. The Arabic writing on the flag is the Islamic Shahada or creed. It’s a declaration of Islamic faith: “There is no god but God, Muhammad is the messenger of God.“ IMAGE/Wikipedia
There was a time when one could witness in big South Asian cities people waiting for hours and hours to buy a ticket, many a times in black, of a newly released movie, as that was the only medium of entertainment. Nowadays, the movies have a tough competition because people have access to so many other entertainment venues. So the movie makers, and especially of big budgeted films, sell movie rights to TV stations, market movie-related paraphernalia, book hundreds of cinemas to prevent other film makers from releasing their films and to recover their cost and make huge profit as soon as possible – before the public and social media gets enough time to affect the box office receipts in any adverse manner. Meanwhile, the actors and actresses appear on several TV programs to promote their films with rubbish answers to nonsensical questions.
Time is important. Equally important is an overwhelming attack. In these times, this is true of many things. The same thing applies to Caliph Ibrahim’s Islamic State too.
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi or “Caliph Ibrahim” as he is now known by his followers is trying hard to spread his authority within the Muslim world and outside. It is usually true that the weaker one is, the harder that person tries to create an illusion that she/he is all powerful. The Islamic State follows the same strategy; it does it by instilling fear in people through beheadings (including two US journalists, Steven Sotloff and and James Foley ), and a British aid worker David Haines), bombings, and so on.
Undoubtedly, Islamic State is in control of a large chunk of territory, comprising of areas in Syria and Iraq, and the people running it are ruthless. Their leaflets inciting Muslims to join them have also appeared in India and Pakistan. But the momentum gained in the initial stages of their conquest is no more. Besides, the Islamic State is pitted against several players: regional and foreign, that is, the United States, with conflicting agendas.
If the movement’s beginning rhythm has slowed down – and even if it has not – but it still holds attraction for a huge number of people, for whatever reason, the chances are that spin off groups will emerge in various countries with Muslim majority or with substantial Muslim population. Pakistan saw the emergence of TTP or Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan. So in today’s world, it is not possible for any one state to have its leader declare herself/himself as the caliph of the entire Muslim ummah or community. There wouldn’t be anything surprising if in the near future leaders of some or other Islamic group in Iraq, Syria, or in some other country proclaims himself (chances of herself are slim) a caliph. And there can be more than one caliph. It has happened in the past, more than once. (The Catholic Church has seen also seen such a schism in the past. )
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com