Understanding militancy: NGO offers chance to study terrorism
For the past few months, a large billboard near the main gate of the Islamia College University has been inviting students to a certificate course in International Terrorism Studies (ITS). The course has been introduced by the South Asian Centre for International and Regional Studies (SACIRS) – described by its website as a non-profit organisation based in Peshawar.
Waqar Ali, a SACIRS employee and M Phil scholar at the University of the Peshawar (UoP) told The Express Tribune that it was a three-month certificate. Ali said that this course will be launched from October this year. He added that experts from UoP and foreign professors will also deliver lectures in this course.
When asked about why they introduced ITS, Waqar replied that they had previously arranged courses in conflict management and other disciplines.
“People need to know what terrorism is about,” he said, adding that people are keen on enrolling in the course.
“Officials from intelligence agencies and the Pakistan Army are also expected to join the course,” Waqar maintained.
SACIRS director Hussain Shaheed Soharwardi explained that people usually talk about terrorism without knowing what it is and the issues which are involved in it. He said increasing public awareness was the primary reason to launch this course. Soharwardi added that many have asked to him to start this course in Islamabad. But, since Peshawar and its neighbouring areas were worst hit by the violence, he started this course in the provincial capital.
About the contents, he said that they will teach the theories of terrorism and discuss different terrorist organisations. “Starting with the Irish Republican Army we will discuss Pak-US and Nato operations and strategies for the Af-Pak region.”
Arguably, Peshawar has withstood terrorism’s worst onslaught. The city has grappled with the worst terrorist attacks at the height of Taliban insurgency, and still carries scars from its past. Perhaps, it is a sign of changing times as terrorist attacks have dropped, security is lax and no more barricades are being made. More importantly, it is trying to make sense of terrorism by tackling it academically.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 28th, 2012.
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we are thankful and appreciate the NGO who arrange the students certificate course on international terrorism studies, at the time of terrorism, on the topic of terrorism at the area of terrorism, the Principle of Islamia college Peshawar is a symbol, who face extremism and terrorism, so its very valuable course for the people of country specially this region. like to attend these classes.
A much appreciable effort in the non-governmental sector. While our Armed Forces being aware of the importance of such academic initiatives is already ensuring appropriate human resource development, government and private sectors need to accord it due importance and train/ educate those at the helm of affairs in particular and the masses in general. Otherwise also, the power of Knowledge and awareness cannot be over-emphasized-key to development and prosperity.
Great to hear that a NGO is arranging that valueable course for us. Am confused to take a part in it or not, as it is faraway from me? Anyhow will see to get myself in.
It is a very good initative and the subject must be expanded further in future. I am pursuing my second masters in Conflict, Governance and International Development, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK. Since past few years and especially after the Malakand operation, I relaized that conflict is going to stay with us for a long long time. I hope I will be of some use to my country when I return. Good luck to the team who started the course.