Poverty-Causes-Islamic Radicalization/Terrorism Alert. You know, like multi-millionaire Osama bin Laden, who opted to live the life of a jihadist hiding in caves, all because he was…broke? What’s strange is that this sort of thing is usually peddled by Westerners, but here it’s a Pakistani official who is trying to make this connection. All well and good to create more jobs; but to think that that’s the solution is beyond naive. Besides, that increased economic activity can quite easily be used to fund the jihad.
“Jobs to curb Talibanisation: ANP,” from the Daily Times, Pakistan, October 13 :
PESHAWAR: The NWFP government is planning to increase economic activity in the province to curb the wave of Talibanisation, Awami National Party (ANP) working committee member Gul Mina Bilal said on Sunday.
She said in a statement that the Taliban were misguiding unemployed youths, who were joining their ranks. However, the provision of employment opportunities would help end Talibanisation in the province, she added.