The constant assault on civilized society has come into clearer focus over the past several weeks. October 31 saw the bombing of a Russian jet that killed all 224 passengers aboard, for which ISIS claimed responsibility. The day before the Paris terror attacks massacred 129 people, suicide bombers murdered 43 and injured 239 in Beirut—apparently also claimed by ISIS, CNN reports. On Friday, gunmen affiliated with Al Qaeda laid siege to a hotel in Bamako, Mali—the capital city—taking 100 hostages and executing more than two dozen, according to the New York Times. In the wake of Paris’ tragedy, ISIS has released videos threatening attacks on New York City and Washington D.C. It has become abundantly clear that coexistence with Islamic extremism is not possible.

This fight against ISIS and Islamic radicalism is a war on two fronts. On one front is the necessary physical battle; the military struggle to beat back the caliphate. This is the part that garners media and public attention and the facet which people seem to attribute all significance. Underreported and far underemphasized in public discourse is the other front of this conflict: the war of ideas.

One of the heroes entrenched in this struggle is a former Islamist radical named Maajid Nawaz. He is an author and Founding Chairman of the world’s first counter-extremism think tank, Quilliam. On "Real Time with Bill Maher," when asked by Mr. Maher, “What does Quilliam do?” Mr. Nawaz explained, “. . .basically what we’re about is counter-messaging—trying to popularize counter-narratives against Islamist extremism.” Further in the interview, Maher said, “What a lot of Americans don’t understand is like Bosnia—you were mad about that—America went in there to help the Muslims.” Maajid responded:

This is when I talk about half-truths. What happened to me was, when I was angered at 16 and I joined this Islamist organization, I was recruited by this charismatic recruiter . . . And of course he sold me the half-truth. It wasn’t a lie, meaning there was a genocide in Bosnia, there is rendition to torture, there is Guantanamo Bay, we did invade Iraq . . . but that’s not the full picture of course, but it’s not a lie, that’s the key thing. To complete the picture, to say that, “Well, the U.S. went in to save Muslims in Kosovo,” to say that, “More Muslims have died in Pakistan from Al Qaeda and Taliban terrorist strikes than they have from drone attacks,” this is to complete the picture. And that’s our job.

Here’s the full interview:

While Maajid Nawaz focuses on the narratives and counter-messaging to combat Islamic extremism, others act as advocates regarding the critical issue of women’s rights within the Muslim world. Two heroines of this conflict are Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Malala Yousafzai.

Ayaan is a former Muslim who speaks out for women’s rights in the Islamic world, calls for a reformation within the religion and asserts that “It’s foolish to insist, as our leaders habitually do, that the violent acts of radical Islamists can be divorced from the religious ideals that inspire them.” Ms. Hirsi Ali founded the AHA Foundation, which says on its website that: “The AHA Foundation is the leading organization working to end honor violence that shames, hurts or kills thousands of women and girls in the U.S. each year and puts millions more at risk.” In addition: “AHA also works to elevate the status of women and girls globally, so they can create peace and prosperity for themselves, their communities and the world.”

Here’s Ayaan Hirsi Ali on "This Week:"

Malala Yousafzai is a Muslim activist who was shot in the head by the Pakistani Taliban in 2012—at 15-years-old—for pursuing an education and advocating other girls to do the same, according to CNN. Malala received international praise for her steadfast championing of women’s education, even after being shot and narrowly surviving. She is the youngest person to ever win the Nobel Peace Prize, and has written an autobiography entitled “I Am Malala.” Additionally, she is the co-founder of the Malala Fund, an organization that aims to provide girls with 12 years of safe education.

Here is Malala being interviewed on "The Daily Show:"

Unlike some of the outspoken critics of Islam, such as Sam Harris and Bill Maher, Maajid Nawaz and Malala Yousafzai are practicing Muslims (Ayaan was Muslim, but is now atheist). All of their voices are important, but the discourse coming from Muslims is crucial and, in my opinion, will likely be more successful resonating with the Islamic community. One phenomenon that impedes this kind of progress comes from those who equate criticism of Islamic doctrine with bigotry against Muslims. Sam Harris has been a target of this kind of conflation, manifesting itself in a high profile argument with Ben Affleck on "Real Time with Bill Maher:"

Ultimately, the United States, Russia, the European Union and the nations of the Middle East can shoehorn millions of troops to battle ISIS and other Islamic terror groups, yet military force alone cannot destroy an ideology. If we extirpate one terrorist group, another is sure to spring up. The ideals of free expression, liberalism, open inquiry and democracy must win the battle of ideas against suppression, intolerance, despotism and theocracy. People like Maajid Nawaz, Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Malala Yousafzai deserve exoneration for their work—Sam Harris as well. One of the reasons we don't see more of these outspoken critics—and part of what makes them so heroic—is that Maajid Nawaz, Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Malala Yousafzai have each been named on hit lists for different terrorist organizations. Whether developing narratives to counteract extremist messaging or advocating women's rights and criticizing doctrine or championing education, the struggle against Islamic radicalism needs more of these largely unsung heroes.

Military force is a factor that is necessary, but not sufficient. Winning the battle of ideas is just as, if not more, important than victory in the sands of Syria or back alleys of Baghdad. Until then, there must be an emphasis on the ideological front as well as the physical one if we are to mount a full defense against this theocratic encroachment on free society.

Quilliam

http://www.quilliamfoundation.org/

The AHA Foundation

http://www.theahafoundation.org/

The Malala Fund

https://www.malala.org/