Campusalam

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A welcoming and healthy atmosphere is the most effective way to encourage the integration and participation of Muslim students in the life of the university.

Characteristics of a healthy atmosphere:

- Willingness to listen and understand the views of others
- Concern and attentiveness to their varied needs
- Visible fairness and equality
- Reciprocity is a key test of fairness in most people’s eyes: where co-operation or commitment are requested, they are also given in turn
- Respect is manifested in words, actions, policies as well as interpersonal conduct
- Commitment to act on their concerns, rights, vulnerabilities
- Two-way trust
- Support made real in practical matters as well as ‘good intentions’
- Clear benefits exist for positive attitudes and engagement: more carrots than sticks
- Appreciation for what they have to offer: that their presence enriches the university community and is a part of the university’s character, ethos, identity
- Openness and understanding of legitimate activism or ‘radical’ views – political activism or engagement is not the same as religious extremism, nor is it necessarily a sign of terrorist sympathies

How does this apply to extremism, of any kind?

Communities defeat terrorism. The same can be said for managing extremism. Experience has shown that it is more effective to create a positive atmosphere, with networks of supportive relationships and open channels of communication; than an atmosphere of suspicion, scrutiny, and repression. The latter merely serves to drive problems underground, shut down on vital communication and information flow, leave vulnerable individuals without support and guidance, and close off avenues which might have been fruitful in preventing destructive activity.

It is very important to discourage ‘Us-Them’ thinking. What makes it psychologically possible for someone to carry out an attack on his society is dis-identifying with that society and seeing them as oppressing the people that are his own. This is vividly illustrated by the justification used by Mohammed Siddique Khan, one of the 7/7 bombers, in his video – note the use of ‘you/your’ and ‘I/we/my’:

‘Your democratically elected governments continuously perpetuate atrocities against my people all over the world. And your support of them makes you directly responsible, just as I am directly responsible for protecting and avenging my Muslim brothers and sisters. Until we feel security, you will be our targets. And until you stop the bombing, gassing, imprisonment and torture of my people we will not stop this fight.’

How do you discourage ‘Us/Them’ thinking? First and foremost, by ensuring that everyone is part of the ‘us’ – that people are included, valued, encouraged to contribute and help to form and shape the life of the community.