A Review of the Fifty-third Session of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

The term ‘fundamentalism’ means adherence to principles of one’s religion. Therefore, Islamic fundamentalism stands for a return to the doctrines of Islam in their original form as were practised in the medieval times. It could also mean idealising the historical past of Islam and calling for a return to ‘pure and original Islam’, which can be achieved through peaceful, lawful and cultural/spiritual means. In practice, the focus of Islamists has been Islamisation of the state rather than reform of the individuals. It has generated conflict as the Islamic fundamentalists seek to impose their will through coercion, violence and terror. Radical Islam has also posed a challenge to the secular and democratic polity and pluristic social order