Islam and Terrorism

Contents

Introduction1

Literature Review2

The Conception of the West2

The Politics of Terrorism2

The Rational Choice Model2

Focality3

Islamic Terrorism: A Current Affairs Overview4

Defining “Religious” Terrorism5

A “Terrorist” Islamic Tradition5

Islamic Expansionism through Terrorism6

Tariq Bin Ziyad6

Mahmud Ghaznavi7

The Crusades8

The Justification of Terrorism in Islamic Law8

Methodology and Research Strategy9

Finding & Analysis9

A War of Cultures: Islam and the West9

Subjugation of Women in Islam10

Sexual Slavery in Islam10

Child Marriage in Islam11

The Religious versus Secular State12

Islamic Terrorism in a Global Context12

9/11 and Global Islamic Terror12

The Creation of Israel and Radicalization of Islam13

Afghanistan and Pakistan13

Conservative Islamic Movements14

Islamic Extremism: An Existentialist View14

Conclusion14

Islam and Terrorism

Introduction

The word “terrorism,” since its conception in the early nineties, is yet to be concretely and concisely described in the international theatre of law. The concept of terrorism, by the accusatory connotations it carries, is criminal in nature, and its actual implementation violates human rights vehemently - jeopardizing State politics in the process. Additionally, terrorism threatens international peace and national, regional and international security. The UN Security Council passed several resolutions after the horrific events of 9/11 in the United States which urged States to reform their international law frameworks in order to facilitate the criminalization of international law, as well as focusing on elaborate measures to counter terrorism.

Terrorist activities, however, go hand in hand with religious fundamentalism. This is clearly evident, even from a cursory reading of both ancient and contemporary. Many critics believe that religion is the root cause of global terrorist efforts, especially regressive and reactionary Abrahamic faiths, such as Islam. In his famous lecture, “Why Am I Not a Christian”, Bertrand Russell criticizes not only Christianity but all religions by discussing the need for religion. According to Russell, religion exists only because of the construct of fear. Individuals and societies fear the unknown, such as the supernatural or death. He further goes on to say that ”Fear is the parent of cruelty, and therefore it is no wonder if cruelty and religion have gone hand in hand,”. Critics of religion, making the case for this supposition, posit that one leading cause of this fundamentalist view is Islamic incapability to comprehend the Western socio-political landscapes. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the intricate and apparent link between Islam and Terrorism in the light of Islamic history, religious debate, current affairs and the political facets of Islamic expansionism and terrorism. The paper provides a holistic view into Islamic terrorism, focusing on the cultural differences between Islamic countries and the West which many believe to be the principal cause of terrorism in the West by Muslim fundamentalists.

Literature Review

The Conception of the West

Islamic militants understand “The West” to comprise USA and member states of the European Union (E.U.). They have no recollection whatsoever of alternative European countries (such as the Balkans) that accommodated minorities of Muslims centuries ago and enthusiastically worked to develop working resolutions to the perceived social problem of “Islam in the West”. For an analytical purpose, this paper uses the “West” to denote the U.S. and certain states of the E.U.

The Politics of Terrorism

The Rational Choice ...