Extremists are just criminals

In her opinion article, Rashmee Roshan Lall asks Should we deny ISIL the oxygen of publicity? (September 29). The short answer is: yes. And the UAE is an example to the world in achieving the right balance between factual reporting of information and denying the perpetrators of criminal terrorism the oxygen of publicity.

The Reem Island stabbing was a classic example. After the initial story of the atrocity and arrest of the perpetrator, speculation and discussion were distinctly muted.

The law took its course and the result was similarly reported in a subdued way, allowing no room for grandstanding by attention seekers.

As was wisely advocated by the UAE recently, the first step in dealing with terrorists is to see and describe them for what they are: criminals. At the same time we must strip away the bogus “religious” credentials that they have given themselves in an attempt to justify their actions.

There are acknowledged religious scholars, notably in the UAE and Egypt, who are well able to take apart the dysfunctional ideology of these outfits whose members often have only a rudimentary understanding of religion.

A bit of public ridicule for their lack of comprehension would not go amiss. Criminal terrorism should be dealt with in the same way as any other criminal activity: arrest and conviction.

Name withheld by request