Professor Madhav Das Nalapat (aka M.D. Nalapat) is a professor of geopolitics at the Manipal University, an elite private university in Southern India. Although he has no formal role in the Indian government, he is reported to influence policy at the highest levels.

Nalapat also holds the Peace Chair for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which is a specialised agency which contributes to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through education, science, and culture. A one-time resident editor for the Times of India, he writes extensively on security issues and international affairs.

In his latest commentary, Nalapat calls extremism the main enemy of Islam and the biggest threat to the faith: "[Extremists] are speaking and acting on behalf of the noble faith they profess to follow. In fact, what they seek is personal profit, both political and financial.”

Calling extremists heretics, Nalapat says "a true believer would in contrast give, give, and give in accordance with the tenets of Islam, which enjoins all who follow it to be generous, compassionate, and merciful.”

Nalapat has contributed to leading publications throughout the world and has written six books. A Distinguished Fellow of the University of Georgia in the U.S., he has served on the academic committees of Trivandrum, Calcutta and Bangalore universities.

Read Professor Nalapat's commentary by visiting: http://www.rferl.org/content

[Radio Free Europe]