“Unholy War: Terror in the name of Islam” (original) (raw)
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European Modern Studies Journal, 2021
Terrorism is one of the most complex phenomena of the contemporary world. It has been observed that throughout the world, there is a close relationship between religious fundamentalism and violence. Since 1989, the increasing willingness of religious extremists to strike targets outside immediate country or regional areas underscores the global nature of contemporary terrorism. The 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, and the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, are representative of this trend. Many Islamist terrorists, often called jihadist terrorists, view themselves as following Muhammad's example. The beliefs of the jihadi activists and their sympathizers follow the teachings of militant Salafi ideologues whose leaders put forth an ideology that prioritizes violent resistance in order to defend the community of believers from outside oppression. This theoreticallydriven article interrogates the nexus between religion and terrorism with a particular focus on Islamic suicide terrorism which has occurred in different countries, communities, cultures and under very diverse political circumstances.
The So-Called “Islamic Terrorism”: A Tale of the Ambiguous Terminology
Al-Albab, 2016
What does the term "terrorism" mean. " Why does the term "terrorism" often identified as Islam? "If terrorism is an ism that affects "terror" that it generates, while Islam which literally means "peace", then the two terms certainly mismatch! Such question and statement show Muslims' concern over frequent phenomena of "terrorism" using Islamic religious symbols. The research undertaken proved that there are three explanations. First, a close tripartite network connection between "terrorism experts" and the circles of power policy holders who are also supported by senior journalists in the international media influence. Second, a long tradition of Orientalist studies in the study of the Middle East region and the study of religion in the Arab culture. Figures such as Bernard Lewis, Noah Feldman, Raphael Patai and other Middle East experts often sit with other experts in the field of terrorism (the first factor) and become main advisors and expert staff for the US government in the formulation of action to counter terror. It was the catalyst for the transmission of viewpoint which then decorated orientalist discourse of Islamic terrorism in the process of political policies. Third, a lot of Islamic terrorism discourse refers to the long tradition of cultural stereotypes and biased representations of the media that often portray Islam and Muslims as 'the enemy'. The reason is that it reflects the perspective of socio-Western culture that fears and worries the other oriental parties which has been stereotyped since the imperial era. Many also argue that the dichotomy of the orientalist views are deliberately preserved as a form of new style imperialism.
Islam and Terrorism in Post 9/11 th Literature
2015
Although it has been always difficult to provide an adequate and comprehensive definition of "Terrorism", Islam has been falsely and closely associated with this concept in post 9/11 th literature. Focusing on Joseph Geha's Alone and All Together (2002), Laila Halaby's Once on a Promised Land (2007), and Mohsin Hamid's the Reluctant Fundamentalist (2007), I explain how Islam and the Arabic identity-which relates to Islam in one way or another-become responsible for the misery experienced by the Arab-American minority after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 th. In the aforementioned works, Islam and the Arab ethnicity are entrapped under the strong feelings of patriotism and Americanism in post 9/11 United States. Islam falsely becomes the religion of terrorists who are referred to as radical Arabs and who are not recognized as patriotic citizens of the United States.
Terrorism and Jihad An Islamic Perspective
Man has always wanted peace: war has never been his aim. Yet wars have always been an undeniable fact of life. Human desire for peace, at times wars do become indispensable. However, ideas differ as to when wars could be justified and when they are just a matter of sheer aggression. In tune with its claim to universality, both in terms of time and space, Islam has propounded its own everlasting concept of war, based on Divine wisdom and consideration of human welfare. Unfortunately, however, over a period of time, Islam's position on war has been hidden in confusion and misinterpretations. To make matters worse, more often than not, Jihad has come to be equated with terrorism something which runs counter to the spirit and substance of Islam. This has more to do with the actions of a few misguided elements. Nevertheless, an overwhelming majority of Muslims, not only the educated but also the common believers, are against engaging war beyond the limitations prescribed in Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). Although a lot has been written on Jihadand terrorism. Much of the data on Jihad is limited of one kind or another. So, this article is an attempt of a comparative analysis between Jihad and terrorism. Since, 9/11 modern world said that "Every Muslim is not a Terrorist, But Every Terrorist is a Muslim".
Reflections on the 17 th Anniversary of 9/11
Because of the failure, or reluctance of Western political leaders to acknowledge the religious component of terrorism, Islamic terrorism will be with us for a long time. When a diagnosis of any problem is wrong, there can be no solution to the problem! So, this unconventional warfare that was launched in earnest in 1979 by the new regime in Iran, will go on indefinitely, since the Jihadists rely on their belief in a Divine mandate to engage in their murderous actions. In fact, Islamic Eschatology (teachings about the End Times) bolsters their beliefs, as it paints a vivid picture of the violence that would attend the triumph of Islam globally.
Islam and Terrorism: Beyond the Wisdom of the Secularist Paradigm
2006
Since the end of the Cold War, the West has mounted a campaign against Islam as the essential source of terrorism and the Muslims as necessarily terrorists. However, the problems of violence and terror are not isolated issues but have epistemological and unspoken real causes. Violence is related to despotism, especially the despotism of hegemony. The US-led war on terrorism is not a simple struggle between good and evil. The hidden reasons behind it makes it difficult for the Muslims and others in the Third World to appreciate the efforts. Constructed mostly by reporters of such powerful TV cables like CNN, intelligence analysts and "experts on Muslim affairs," the Muslim is perceived as the terrorist, the imminent menace to civilization and the universal values of democracy and freedom. This campaign gained much momentum and became more intense with the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War. The untiring rhetoric associating Islam and Muslims with terror...
2019
In certain countries around the world some Muslim youngsters have appeared who call for the return to Islam. They cause unrest, chaos, disorder and scandal on earth, but deem themselves to be acting justly. They deeply shake and upset the spiritual, intellectual and political peace of the Muslims in the world. They call for disrespect towards leaders, for opposition and upheaval against them, inciting the youth to also fight those who are beside those leaders, without taking into consideration whether they are scholars, or members of the security service, police, the army, etc. Unfortunately, this whole action is done in the name of enjoining good and forbidding evil. This study will make the diagnosis of this illness starting from the basic principle that terrorism is first of all an ideological, dogmatic and fundamental illness, whose roots are deep in the ideology, dogma and history. Thus, we must first of all wage an intellectual, civilizational and cultural battle in order to d...