Why Islamists Don't Hesitate Before Rioting In Ramazan

Due to the diversity of cultures, creeds, and religions in India, there is often an overlap of sacred days, festivals, holy months, and traditional weeks for the various communities living in India. 

For instance, in 2022, several different religious groups such as Muslims, Jews, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Hindus, and Baha'is celebrated their spring holidays simultaneously. 

This year, the Ram Navami festival, which commemorates the birth of Lord Rama, one of the most esteemed deities in Hinduism, took place when the Muslims were observing the month of Ramazan, in late March. 

Typically, Ram Navami is observed on the ninth day of the Chaitra month, which usually falls in March or April according to the Hindu calendar.

On this occasion, Lord Rama's devotees seek his blessings by offering prayers and performing various rituals. Many individuals observe fasts and visit temples to partake in special puja ceremonies. 

The festival is also distinguished by the recitation of the Ramayana, an epic poem that recounts Lord Rama's life story and his conquest over evil. 

Different parts of India celebrate the festival with distinct customs and traditions.

In some regions, people dress up as Lord Rama, Sita, and other characters from the Ramayana and participate in processions. Overall, the festival is a time of happiness, harmony, and spiritual reflection as people contemplate the virtues and teachings of Lord Rama.

Ramazan, or Ramadan, is regarded as the most sacred month for Muslims globally and is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. 

It is a period of spiritual reflection, devotion, and self-restraint, during which Muslims fast from dawn until sunset. 

The fast during Ramazan entails refraining from food, drink, and other physical needs during daylight hours, along with avoiding negative thoughts and actions. 

Muslims believe that this practice helps them cultivate self-discipline, humility, and empathy towards others, as well as a more profound relationship with God.

Ramazan is a month in which Muslims also engage in more frequent prayers and recitation of the Quran, the holy book of Islam. Many Muslims also donate to charitable causes during this period, as it is believed that good deeds are rewarded more during Ramazan. 

At the conclusion of the month, Muslims observe Eid al-Fitr, a festival that signifies the end of the month-long fast. It is a time of celebration, feasting, and happiness, as Muslims unite to share food, exchange gifts, and offer prayers.

Regrettably, this year, large-scale clashes occurred in several states on Rama Navami, including in parts of West Bengal, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Gujarat, despite significant police presence.

Over the course of three days starting from 30 March, clashes erupted in three regions in Bengal - Shibpur in Howrah, Rishra in the Hooghly district of southern Bengal, and Dalkhola in the northern Bengal district of Uttar Dinajpur.

The clashes in Howrah and Hooghly resulted in numerous injuries and property damage, while one person lost their life during the Dalkhola clashes. 

According to numerous reports, a group of individuals attacked the Ram Navami procession, throwing glass bottles and hurling stones and bricks at participants, with both parties attacking the police who were attempting to quell the violence.

In Islam, violence and aggression are strictly prohibited during the month of Ramazan. Muslims are required to observe the holy month with reverence and respect for all human life, irrespective of religion or ethnicity. 

The Quran specifically prohibits violence and aggression, and Muslims are encouraged to demonstrate compassion, kindness, and forgiveness towards others. During Ramazan, Muslims are urged to increase their charitable acts and good deeds, particularly towards the poor and less fortunate. 

Ramazan is regarded as a time for spiritual reflection and self-improvement, and Muslims are expected to strive for inner peace and tranquillity. This entails avoiding conflict and anger and concentrating on personal growth and strengthening their connection with God.

In the face of this belief, during the holy month of Ramadan, some religious extremists choose to carry out violent attacks. 

There are several reasons why extremists conduct attacks during this time, including the element of surprise, the desire to display a holier-than-thou attitude, an attempt to increase their faith, the wish for martyrdom, and the belief that the rewards for their actions will be greater during this time.

However, their actions go against the principles of Islam, as martyrdom does not apply to unjustified killing, and the religion encourages compassion towards others. 

Islamic scholars have declared ISIS and other groups (e.g., al-Shebab in Africa) misguided and misfits. According to Islamic scholar Omid Safi Ramadan, it is intended to have believers "focus on our relationship with God and live out a passionate concern for the dignity and well-being of our fellow human beings."

The fact that innocent lives are being taken is the true atrocity, not the timing of these attacks during Ramazan. This goes against the teachings of Islam. 

Even so, there is a tradition of declaring a ceasefire during the month of Ramadan between warring factions.

This was seen in the examples of militant groups like the Hizbul Mujahideen and JKLF in Kashmir, during the deadly 1990s or Hamas and Israeli Defence Forces.

The aim is to reduce violence and allow people to observe the holy month peacefully. This gesture of goodwill enables individuals to fulfil their religious obligations without fear of violence or interruption.

The Muslim community groups in West Bengal and other states of India cannot justify their violent actions as provoked by loud music, processions, or flag-waving in "Muslim areas".

The holy month of Ramadan is meant to be a time of patience and resilience in the face of temptation and provocation. Engaging in activities such as stone-pelting, rioting, and disturbing the peace goes against the essence and purpose of the month.

Ramazan and war

The idea that Ramadan is a month of war is rooted in Islamic history, as the Prophet Muhammad waged his first jihad, the Battle of Badr, during Ramadan in 624. Eight years later, he conquered Mecca during the same month, thereby taking control of the city that now houses one of Islam's most sacred sites, the Kaaba.

Historically, there have been five battles fought during the month of Ramazan, a time when Islam was still a fledgling religion and Muslims were a small minority. 

Radicals view Ramadan as a month of conquest and plunder, which they use as an opportunity to intensify their war against civilization by launching more terror attacks than usual.

This inspires orthodox, conservative, and extremist Muslims to riot, regardless of whether it is a manufactured grievance or a display of dominance in events like the 'Olympics of Oppression'. 

Ordinary Muslims despair at these interpretations of jihad and their association with Ramadan. For them, Ramadan is a month of self-restraint and contemplation.

However, modern Islam's crisis is such that extremist views are often separated from normative understandings. For radical minds, if additional prayers and almsgiving are encouraged during Ramadan, then why not more bloodshed as well?

Media reports on acts of violent extremism can inadvertently bolster the agendas of those seeking to promote Ramadan as a month of terror when lacking proper context. With Muslims constituting nearly a quarter of the global population, it is crucial to acknowledge that the significance of Ramadan for most Muslims differs significantly from that of extremist groups.