A Study on the Role of the Media and Its Effects on the Identity of Muslims (Part 28)
Considering Methods to Deal with Psychological Warfare
Today, the Western world has turned to psychological warfare to dominate people’s thoughts, which is far more effective than military warfare and is considered one of the most efficient and influential types of warfare. Throughout history, this technique has always been used between different fronts of right and wrong, as seen in the history of psychological warfare.
Psychological warfare is a method employed to undermine and dominate the enemy. The Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was the target of intense psychological and propaganda attacks from the infidels at the beginning of his mission. Therefore, by preserving moral, humane, and Islamic principles, he initiated effective tactics of psychological warfare in two dimensions: strengthening the morale of Islamic warriors and weakening the morale of their enemies. He achieved success and results in a fair and impartial manner.
With the progress of societies and the increasingly complex forms of battle, psychological warfare has become more crucial than military conflict, now integrated into the political, military, economic, and social activities of countries. Today, a significant portion of the political, military, economic, social, and propaganda activities of colonial and arrogant countries serves psychological warfare operations against the people of target nations, with the primary aim of achieving hidden and intangible domination over those countries. To achieve this basic goal, two important strategies have been emphasized:
1. Inducing Despair and Hopelessness
2. Creating Terror
Countries and nations may have succeeded in confronting the enemy on the physical battlefield. However, colonialists have a detailed plan to address this kind of warfare. On the other hand, psychological warfare is an effective and destructive attempt to create a mental, intellectual, cultural, and ideological atmosphere. It requires mental vigilance and strategic management across various fields, necessitating the use of appropriate media tools. We must respond to the enemy’s psychological warfare with their own invisible methods, alongside adherence to Islamic values, culture, and ethics, in order to thwart their overt and covert conspiracies.
The most important strategies for dealing with this war, proven effective by experience, are:
1. Relying on Allah Almighty: Believing in His help when confronting the enemies of Islam. There is no power higher, more successful, or more effective than Allah’s will, and having His support is paramount. Whatever Allah wills will happen; nothing occurs without His decree.
2. Accurate Knowledge and Awareness: Understanding various forms of psychological warfare and identifying ways to combat it is essential. Gathering information about the enemy’s offensive and defensive capabilities is crucial for countering attacks effectively.
3. Self-Belief and Returning to One’s Religious Identity: A nation that believes in its own assets, abilities, and privileges will not feel inferior to others and will be less susceptible to psychological warfare.
4. Controlling Insiders and Creating Coordination: Leaders and rulers must continuously monitor their internal forces and maintain balance among them; inconsistencies and disagreements provide fertile ground for the success of the enemy’s psychological warfare.
5. Creating Friendship and Solidarity Among Community Members: By encouraging tolerance and preventing divisions, the internal discord that facilitates enemy mistrust must be avoided.
6. Spreading the Culture of Truthfulness: When the public loses trust in officials and rulers due to perceived dishonesty, the enemy succeeds in its psychological warfare.
7. Educating citizens: in a way that enables them to distinguish between truth and propaganda; they must be aware and neutralize the enemy’s fabrications by preventing the spread of rumors and refraining from expressing hearsay in various places.
8. Recognizing the Enemy’s Weaknesses: The enemy often seeks to create a false authority in the minds of the audience by concealing their weaknesses. By clarifying and exposing these weaknesses, the enemy can lose the advantage in the conflict.
9. Public Activity and Defense of Values: Failing to defend values or avoiding confrontation with the enemy can demoralize troops and raise doubts about the authenticity of those values. It is crucial to keep the importance of values alive in the hearts and minds of people with courage and strength.
In conclusion, we must remember that stability and resistance in facing the enemy’s psychological warfare operations are the responsibilities of all sectors of society. Each member must remain vigilant and aware in order to block the enemy’s propaganda attacks.
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