ISLAM-CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE

94 ISLAMIC TERRORISM AND PREVENTION: A CHALLENGE 12-2004 Original contributions Aug-Sept-Oct 2004 Islamic terrorism and prevention: a challenge Giuseppe Samir EID (R.C. MILAN SOUTH-EAST) I read with interest the scenario described by Farotti in the May 5 Issue. I would like to offer my contribution on some aspects of prevention just touched upon by the Author, but which help to complete the understanding of the phenomenon. In the last forty years there has been a very strong demographic growth in Mu- slim societies, which has led to more than a doubling of the population. This has happened in geographical areas which, with the exception of a small privileged minority, are characterized by a very low economic level compared to that of the West, causing waves of migration towards Europe. Notwithstanding the fact that 80% of the world's energy reserves are found in the Islamic Countries, (Arab and non-Arab), the GDP or wealth produced by the Arab Countries (200 million inhabitants), is equivalent to only a quarter of the GDP of Italy! (World Development Report, 1999/2000). Moreover, Islam is involved in the greatest number of unofficial wars in progress in the world (over two mil- lion dead only in the South). Population growth, economic backwardness and the weakness of the socio-cultural fabric are the main driving forces behind the wave of migration to the West which has beco- me, particularly in recent years also be- cause of its geographical proximity, a pole of great attraction for many emigrants coming mainly from Arab countries. The globalization of the means of communi- cation (TV, Internet) and the speed of the means of transport, which have physi- cally brought the peoples closer together making the inequalities even more evi- dent, have generated a stimulus to their movement and revenge against the rich, colonialist rhyme West, later defined as exploiting the wealth of the poorest under the cover of economic imperialism. For these reasons it is expected that the trend of immigration to the West will increase until there is cultural, economic and so- cial development in countries with poor populations and until the governments of richer countries have not implemented a long-term policy of planning economic aid aimed at human resources. It should also be noted that the tempe- rament and tradition of the populations living in the southern part of the Mediter- ranean area make them particularly sen- sitive to religious involvement. Such behaviour can be better understood if we take into account the fact that the whole of society is impregnated with religious cha- racteristics. Suffice it to say that every Arab state with a Muslimmajority draws the laws governing the coexistence of citizens from the Koran. It has been demonstrated that a good part of the channels of financing terro- rism pass through the West: these must be dried up as specified by Farotti. I would like to add other aspects of prevention, no less important, to be carried out both in theWest and in Islamic countries.