Terrorism has become an important factor in modern world. It has followed the world’s history and is immanent to all cultures and political ideologies. In modern times we have witnessed the rise of Marxist-atheist terrorism by groups such were Baader-Meinhof, Italian Red Brigades, or Japanese Fraction of Red Army. There is also unspringing of nationalistic terrorism which are closely related to religion although this fact cannot be seen at the first sight. For example, IRA in Northern Ireland, important Baski movement in Spain and southern France, Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, occasional terrorist action is also present in the island of Corsica. Religious background of above mentioned groups and movements can be seen in Northern Ireland conflict where IRA was formed on division between Catholics and Protestants, or in the case of Tamil Tigers, where Tamils are Hindu while the majority of Sinhalese are Buddhists.

            After the formation of Islamic State in Syria and Iraq (ISIS), terrorism has become even more important. By choosing its name, this organization shows that the fight in the name of Islam is its main purpose, although majority of Muslims will not agree with this. ISIS’s activities come to the center of attention as it declares its planetary ambitions. However, Al Qaida did the same to. But the difference between these two is qualitative. Most important achievement of ISIS is the fact that it has gained effective control over a large territory of Syria and Iraq. It has torn apart these territories and ruined the social and political stability of the region. The classic definition of a state says that a state is an institution that should have its own territory, population and a sovereign rule. International approval is not a must have for a state. For example, Democratic Republic of Germany was not approved by the Federal Republic of Germany. However, it was a state. There are numerous examples like this one, like a position of Taiwan in international politics.

            ISIS’s main problem is the methods employed by it, which are all considered as terroristic, even by the Muslim majority countries. As such, it represents a major challenge to the international community as a whole. However, ISIS is a major threat to other Muslim countries as it denies their legitimacy. That is why it is important to find a successful solution in combating with such organizations, but also with others that can be labeled as terrorist. First of all, all relevant international factors should cooperate. But the main force that should deal with ISIS should be from the Islamic world, for example,  the most important Islamic international organization – Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). OIC should organize a substation debate on the phenomena of ISIS. Islamic clerics should point out the differences between the Islam employed by ISIS and Islam used by OIC. This should be focused on Islamic world primary. OIC should clearly state the differences between the official Islam and the one used by ISIS. We believe that it is crucial to point out the fact to the Muslims that they are not allowed to be against Islamic state, both as political idea and political reality. But, in order to achieve this goal, some preconditions should be made. First of all, Islamic state as an idea cannot be against the Muslims interests. On contraire, it is an imperative. But, it should also remind Muslims that the creation of an Islamic state headed by Al Bagdadi is not possible and that it can be against the Muslims interests and goals. As Holy Quran says “Allah burdens not any soul beyond its capacity…” (Al Baqara, 257). if OIC could achieve this goal it would be great help in trying to restrain ISIS, even a bigger help than military actions by different forces. This will keep volunteers from both Islamic and non-Islamic countries to fight for ISIS and therefore weaken it. In the eye of non-Muslim world, OIC will be saluted as a factor which restrained terrorism more than any other international organization, NATO or any particular country. It will also fight islamophobia and represent Islam in a better light to the non-Muslim world. Let not forget that the rise of Trump, Brexit, voting changes in Germany and France and possibility that far right candidate become a president of Austria are all consequences of ISIS which presents a face of Islam which is not acceptable to the non-Muslims.

*Dr. Miroljub Jevtic is Professor of Religion and Politics studies and Editor of Politics and Religion Journal University of Belgrade, Serbia.