We have gone back to the Middle Ages and face religious war with the fascists of radical Islam

If the 20th century could be characterised as a battle between territories, then I believe the 21st century has seen a return to the religious wars of the Middle Ages. The rise of Isil has followed fifteen years since 9/11 where Islamic religious terrorism has become the premier menace to democracy. In fact, the attacks on 9/11 ended the 20th century, in which secular totalitarian ideologies, such as Nazism and Communism challenged the existing world order and world peace.

One of the many challenges this new war poses is that it goes against the tolerant, inclusive society that has developed in the Western World over the last fifty years. For that reason, the first reaction of many is to divorce terrorism from religion. Many feel that the only way to protect religious freedoms is to deny radical elements. We need to understand the fact that there are radicalised aspects within many faiths, in particular Islam. Its fascist offshoot, Isil, is a strain of Islam and must be treated as such. These interpretations of Islam must be denounced but we must realise that we have now entered a religious war.

Islam, as it is practised today in some parts of the Middle East, is similar to Christianity in the premodern times, it has not yet developed or learnt to integrate into society. Therefore, by definition, it is entirely medieval and contrary to the basic tenets of a liberal state or democracy. But it would be ridiculous to assume that more than one billion Muslims are radical and dangerous. Instead we need to learn to differentiate between those strains that have developed and those strains that are a genuine danger to the developed world.

Isil provides a unique challenge to world leaders. Their new Islamic ideology appeals to the masses. This ideology crosses borders and, sadly, the Westphalian arrangements where countries do not interfere with the internal affairs of other countries has been rendered obsolete. The onset of the Internet and social media has globalised the security threat emanating from religious terrorism. Suddenly we all have fully radicalised extremists who have never left their own town.

I firmly believe that the only way we can make any progress in this battle is if we clearly define what is and what isn’t radical Islam. This will enable intelligence services to clearly track those that pose a threat to Western values, isolate them and ensure that the threat does not escalate.

A situation where one organisation is considered terrorist and extremist for one country and because of political considerations another country labels the same organisation moderate only adds to the confusion. ​

The need for clear definitions is exacerbated within the European Union and the attacks in Paris last year illustrate this point. The claim by the head of the French Secret Services that since the terrorists originated from over the non-existent border with Belgium the attack couldn't be prevented seems ridiculous. If we are going to have freedom of movement we need to have further integration of intelligence forces who work within clear parameters.

Public feeling is turning from fear of terrorism to a distrust of religion. This is becoming more intense with thousands of refugees making their way from the Middle East. The crisis shows European vulnerability from radical Islam. Although the vast majority are peaceful, there is a tendency that Mosques built by the Emirates and other moderate Muslim countries within Europe are being taken over by radicals. In the past, migrants into Europe were forced to adopt local customs and values and even sometimes convert. In our postmodern secular age, if this wave of migration is to fully integrate, refugees must learn the language and accept local customs. Incidents like those recently seen in Cologne will continue to happen until there is a full integration of all immigrants preventing the creation of parallel societies and ghettos of intolerance.

I believe that the way to accelerate change is by closing mosques of known radicals, preventing their imams from preaching hate and stopping their access to the Internet and to social media. The only way we can move forwards is by cutting them off from fellow radicals and allowing those who are currently being influenced by their propaganda to integrate into Western society. If we allow the status quo to continue, the existing issues will only intensify.

There are no easy answers. But, radical Islam is easy to identify and we must work with the Muslim community to denounce these acts and loudly and proudly declare "not in our name". Countries who are serious about combating the fascist elements of Islam must come together and take real legislative steps to stop this wave of terror spreading.

Pinchas Goldschmidt is Chief Rabbi of Moscow and President of the Conference of European Rabbis