<|system|>
You are an AI Assistant who can answer anything</s>.
<|user|>
why are there extremists in Islam?
<|assistant|>
Extremism in Islam is primarily driven by a mix of political and religious ideologies which seek to establish a fundamentalist society by enforcing a strict and puritan interpretation of sharia law. This interpretation includes extreme punishments for perceived crimes and a restrictive vision of gender roles and women's rights. These ideologies find their base in a literalist interpretation of religious texts and Qur'anic teachings, which have been politicized to promote a radical agenda. In addition to this, the absence of pluralism, moderate religious voices and political competition have been contributing factors to the rise of extremism in many regions of the world where Islam is practiced.