No sane supporter of jihad that in its true connotation means ‘struggle against evil’ would condone wanton killings and uninhibited destruction perpetrated by modern-day terrorists. Human life is sacred in Islam as in other revealed religions and cannot be taken without justification. But it is incumbent upon those who run the world and promote injustice and deprivation by their aggressive policies to spare a moment to look at the pain and suffering they cause to the affected nations. The tunnel vision of looking for an end to violence and bigotry with the use of the stick is destined to come a cropper.

The divine restrictions on jihad do not mean a supine acceptance of all injustice. The motivating factor must be addressed before the peace sought by the international community can be achieved.

If the US President has lost sight of the calls by Al-Qaeda that in his eyes spearheads violence and militancy in the world, we would refresh his memory by pointing to the butchery of Palestinians by the Israeli forces. The Jewish state, enjoying Washington’s full support, has become ever more ruthless in curbing the Palestinian aspirations.

Similar is the case with Held Kashmir. Instead of putting pressure on India to honour its commitment to respect the Kashmiris’ wishes, the US has gone out of its way to pamper it and turned a blind eye to the reign of terror unleashed by its security forces in the Valley.