Jihad is the weaponised version of Islam

Says journalist-turned-author and political commentator Tufail Ahmad at the release of his new book ‘Jihadist – Threat to India’

Veteran journalist K Ramachandra Murthy released a book titled ‘Jihadist Threat to India’ over the weekend at Hotel Fortune Katriya, Hyderabad. The book is penned by Tufail Ahmad, a British journalist and political commentator of Indian origin. He is head of the South Asia Studies Project at the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) in Washington DC, USA.

"I come from a media background and I am not an Islamic scholar. As a journalist, I am only examining Jihad. Jihad is the weaponised version of Islam. India is capable of handling the threat from Pakistan. But, Jihadi movement from the Middle East is more dangerous. Today, most Hindus in India do not understand Muslims and what they stand for, even after being ruled for over 800 years by many Muslim rulers," Tufail Ahmad, the journalist-turned-author said.

"Today, jihadists are turning into a powerful weapon for Islamism. Islamism is nothing but establishing Shariat rule, which will not allow democracy, secularism, expression of one’s viewpoint and their prime objective is to grab political power. It deviates Muslims from the mainstream of the society," he added. "Youth must prevent the path of Jihad and Indian Muslim youths must be saved from being radicalised.

Today, educated Muslim parents are very much worried about the social media and its impact on their children. Indian Muslims have to change their attitude. Muslim Journalists like MJ Akbar and Tufail Ahmad are striving hard for reforms in Islam," K Ramachandra Murthy said. Film producer SK Mastan Wali, Sultan Shahim, founder and editor of New Age Islam and Raka Sudhakara Rao were also present at the book launch.