The state-run Chinese media on Wednesday said that Muslims in India largely remained unaffected from radicalization of Muslim groups in other parts of the world because of the strong influence of Hinduism in the country which has gone far beyond a religion to become a lifestyle and social institution.
Praising Hinduism for helping India establish lasting cohesion among various communities in the country, an article in Global Times said that it made India a barrier for the spread of radical Islam on the global geopolitical landscape.
“Why does it seem that Muslims in India have remained largely apart from the radicalization that has happened to Muslim groups in other parts of the world? Indian Muslims seldom have extreme organizations compared with groups in many other Asian countries. In the southern part of the Philippines, extremists backed by Islamic State have turned their occupied cities into horrible places. In southern Thailand, terror attacks staged by Muslim extremists take place almost every week,” the article said.
The article then pointed out that the answer lies in the strong influence of the moderate face of Hinduism, the major religion of India.
“Like many other religions, Hinduism has its extreme side, but for the most part its more moderate side has the strongest influence. Perhaps it is this more moderate influence that has helped establish India's lasting cohesion and is one of the reasons that the country has not separated,” it said.
The article further added that Indians often take pride in the Mughal Dynasty but this period of history was established by Muslims, not Hindus, though there was Hindu influence in that era.
“In the long history of India, Hinduism has gone far beyond a religion to become a lifestyle and social institution. Both its extreme and tolerant sides have constituted the foundation for its relationship with Muslims and this dual character is going to exist for a long time,” it said.
“The result of this relationship has made India a barrier for the spread of radical Islam on the global geopolitical landscape,” it added.
The article pointed out that the lack of Islamic extremists in India has helped determine its role in Asia and it has been taken into consideration by the US, Japan, Russia and European countries. The article also asked China not to ignore the significance of India successfully checking the spread of radical Islam.
