The Role of Anti-Terror Measures in the Development of ‘Islamic’ Terrorism (original) (raw)

Contemporary issues in terrorism and their Islamic perspectives : a comparative assessment

2008

Various issues pertaining to global terrorism have been extensively debated. The most complex area of discussion has been to arrive at a widely acceptable definition because no definition can serve everyone's aspiration. It does not mean we should not make further efforts to arrive at a universally viable definition. It is rightly said that a feasible definition can be reached only when reasons, which compel groups of people to resort to terrorism, are given due consideration, as no one wants to risk his life. It is, therefore, necessary to explore the reasons of terrorism and hit at its roots, rather than giving it a symptomatic treatment in the name of 'war on terrorism' or a 'long war'. The paper discusses about various reasons that are considered to have created impediment in reaching a universally acceptable definition. It is true that there cannot be allencompassing definition, but we can have one that covers the maximum of them. It is not within the scope of the paper to discuss various definitions. The paper simply considers them collectively from the Islamic perspective. It also makes efforts to suggest a workable definition. It has now been proven that Islam encourages religious tolerance and peace and amity among the people of all faiths rather than encouraging terrorism. The paper sheds light on the Islamic aspects of terrorism, and goes further to compare the western law and practice pertaining to taking captives, treatment of prisoners of war, and providing them appropriate access to justice with their Islamic conceptions, which will be a unique exposition. For this purpose, original sources of Islamic Shari'ah, based on Qur'anic verses (ayah) and Sunnah (Prophetic traditions) have been resorted to. 1 Shad S. Farooqi, "Agony and Ambivalence about the War on Terrorism", Paper presented at Civilization and Terrorism: A Round Table Dialogue, one-day seminar, UiTM, Malaysia, 26 February 2002. 2 The word 'terror" was first used to describe the Jacobin 'Reign of Terror' that followed the French Revolution in 1789. The legal response to terrorism seen in various events convened in various capitals of European countries throughout 1920s and 1930s.

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.

Rediscovering roots of terror in Muslim world A researched study by Ahmed Kamel

The Egyptian Mail , 2007

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), al-Qaeda, Boko Haram in West Africa and the Muslim Brotherhood are nothing new in history. These takfiri and terrorist groups and organizations are modern-day clones of a number of Islamist sects and factions that emerged throughout Islamic history. In this study, I try to retrace political Islam throughout history. While European decision-makers have grappled with the question of where to draw the line between religion and politics, fundamentalists in the Islamic world have been trying to persuade their publics that no such line should exist.

Unpacking the Connection Between Terror and Islam (Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 2013)

Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 2013

Are countries with large Muslim populations more likely to experience or produce transnational terrorist attacks than countries with fewer Muslims? And if there is a difference, is it attributable to the influence of Islam, or to the economic, social and political conditions that are common in predominantly Muslim countries? Analyzing all transnational terrorist attacks between 1973 and 2002, this study uses decomposition analysis to identify the relative contributions of the observable and behavioral characteristics of a state on the amount of terrorism that it experiences and produces. The results suggest that Muslim states do not systematically produce more terrorism than non-Muslim states once state repression, human rights abuses, and discrimination against minorities are taken into account.

Routes into 'Islamic'Terrorism: Dead Ends and Spaghetti Junctions

Policing, 2007

This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Policing following peer review. The version of record VERTIGANS, S. 2007. Routes into 'Islamic' terrorism: dead ends and spaghetti junctions. Policing, 1(4), pages 447-459

Islamic Terrorism: From Retrenchment to Ressentiment and Beyond

HW Kushner (Hg.), Essential Readings on …, 2003

Using a Weberian perspective informed by Critical Theory, this paper investigates the interaction of economic, cultural and political causes and potential outcomes of Islamic terrorism. Islam's decline vis-à-vis Christendom was constrained through three major internal moments: 1) limits to modernity, 2) religious conservativism, and 3) ressentiment of the West. Islamic societies responded proactively to the rise of the West through two strategies: 1) Westernization and 2) Islamic modernism, which have both been strongly resisted. In the 20 th century, due to the internal suppression of secular political movements among other factors, puritanical fundamentalisms such as Wahhabism arose. Fundamentalisms in various religions explain reality by blaming social problems on the departure from religious morality and promise redemption via a return to an idealized community. In face of decline, colonization, and economic stagnation, ressentiment of the West became widespread in Islam. Fundamentalisms interacting with ressentiment may turn militant, as in the case of Al Qaeda. A war on terrorism is not likely to end terrorism. To solve the problem of terrorism requires addressing its roots: internal constraints, dictatorships sponsored by the West and the underdevelopment that results form neoliberal globalization. We suggest terrorism will wane in the face of the evolution of modern Islamic public spheres that might challenge religious conservatism. In wake of 9/11, both moderate and radical religious movements are likely to remain a basis for mobilizing alternative identities to globalization.

Terrorism: The nature of its history

Criminal Justice Studies, 2003

Terrorism has a history that is at least 2000 years old. Although targets, victims, perpetrators, causes and justifications for the use of terror have changed, the methods of terrorism have remained the same throughout history. This article will review the developmental stages of terrorism to demonstrate that history defines terrorism as the use of violence to cause fear in order to force change in societal behavior or to force a society to acquiesce to the goals of the terrorist. The nature and history of terrorism will be reviewed from Roman occupation to modern militant Islamic terrorism.

'The Legacy and Plague of Terrorism'- Part I

Terrorism studies is a fascinating look at a term without a universal definition. Terrorism is a societal construction often base on an ideology, whether it be: political, social, economic, oppression and religious. It is an old phenomenon but its contemporary appearance was first noted in the 19th century in France's " Reign of Terror. " In recent decades, terrorism and state sponsored terrorism have become progressively more glaring and lethal. All terrorism has political, social, economic and religious implications. The intent is to attract a wider audience and provoke a response through violence to support and proliferate their views. This 'new' terrorism has more sources, motivations and tactics and a network of affiliates for globalization. Now, in the 21 st. century, it has taken over and dominated the global political scene. There are numerous reasons for this upsurge such as: violations of international law, neo-liberalism, religious ideology and/or denied basic human rights. Given the increasing global threat of terrorism, it is critical that we understand its history, nature and premises under which it functions. This is important as it will shape the nation-states' policy when redressing the issues at stake. These issues, as well as others, I hope to explore and address these questions in this series of articles entitled: 'The Legacy and Plague of Terrorism.'