Education - "not the solution"

Submitted by Dr.N.Ali (United Kingdom), Feb 26, 2009 at 01:04

Dear Sir ("the Grand Infidel of Kaffiristan")

Thanks again for your comments. I am not surprised at what you have written especially about the "Western educated Muslim doctor suicide bomber". I already expected this response, and I am ready to clarify a few things.

1) As you have written:

"What is the difference between a Western educated Muslim doctor suicide bomber and a suicide bomber from the backstreets of Karachi? Not much."

First of all, I am sad and sorry to say that some doctors have indeed been involved in such incidences. I hope you have heard about a GP (Harold Shipman) from the UK. According to Wikipedia, "He is the most prolific known serial killer in history with 236 murders being ascribed to him, though the real number may be much higher, perhaps over 450."

We always have to speak in terms of percentages; what percentage of the population can be "tamed" wth education? While education can be used to wake up the ignorant, there will always be exceptional cases and this is very important to understand. I invite people to look at the bigger picture- Yes. There have been several cases where apparently "educated" people have broken laws/committed crimes etc......., but if ask someone:

What is the percentage of doctors committing crimes like that "Western educated Muslim doctor suicide bomber" did? What would be percentage? The answer is "very very small".

2) "obviously these people - both in Britain - and Afghanistan/Pakistan* are educated sufficiently well to construct electronic timers and detonators. Again, education gives no guarantees."

Do we consider these people "educated"? It depends on what one calls education. What these people have is technology not education. About 16 years ago, I had heard of people in remote and under developed areas of Pakistan "manufacturing" or more precisely involved in imitating weapon systems. This, I believe is use of technology but not education. One does not need to be a philosopher to use or copy technology. Even Taliban can use it.

Another thing is the least common "common sense". These "educated" people should try to locate common sense and attempt to use it. It might be difficult initally but there have been some successful stories in past. So I don't see any reason why they shouldn't be able to trace common sense.

3) "Massive awakening. Unfortunately we both know it's not going to happen any time soon. And it probably will only happen after large numers of people have tried every other course of action and seen its futility.."

Unfortunately, a sad but true story.

Peace to all.

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