Islamic terrorism

Islamist terrorism, also referred to as Islamic terrorism, is terrorism carried out to further the political and religious ambitions of militant Islamists.

Organizations involved in Islamist Terrorism

Al-Qaeda is defined by most nations as an Islamist terrorism group. Formed in the aftermath of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, it has commited terrorism against Saudi Arabia and under the command of its founder, Osama bin Laden, orchestrated the September 11th attacks against the United States. Militantly pushing for pan-Islamic dominance, the group opposes the Saudi regime that it sees as insufficiently Islamic and too closely tied to America. Al-Qaeda claims it is engaged in a struggle against Zionism, Christianity, and the secular West.

Hamas is also known for terrorism against Israel's citizens and military. It is recognized as a terrorist group by the European Union, Canada, the United States, Israel, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and Human Rights Watch.

The United States, the European Union Israel, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, and Australia designate the Lebanese Shia Islamist organization Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. The European Union has also banned Hezbollah's state-run TV station, Al Manar, from satellite broadcast to EU members. The United Nations has called for the disbandment of the party's military wing. Designations of the party as "terrorist" are rejected by the Lebanese government and across the political spectrum in Lebanon. [1][2]

Muslim support and justification for terrorism

Islamist terrorists claim they are defending Islam and the Ummah (the Muslim community). Islamic terrorists also claim that their aggression is retaliatory to what they see as agression against Muslims coming from Israel and the United States.

Modern Islamist terrorist groups are often inspired by the Muslim Brotherhood, which was the prototype of the later Islamist groups. Some Islamist terrorist groups, notably Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad and Al-Qaeda have used suicide bombers against civillians, soldiers, and government officials of the regimes that they oppose. Their use of suicide bombers is seen by many Muslims as contradictory to Islam's teachings. Groups who support Islamist terrorism in the form of suicide bomings often refer to such attacks as "martyrdom operations" and the suicide-bombers who comit them as "martyrs" (Arabic: shuhada, plural of "shahid"). Islamist terrorists, and their sympathisizers often believe that suicide bombers, as martyrs to the cause of Jihad against the infidels, are entitled to the rewards of paradise for their actions.

The members of such groups are more likely to see themselves as freedom fighters rather than terrorists, as the political origins of such groups in Israel/Palestine, Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation, Chechnya and most recently post-Saddam Iraq are often connected to demands for statehood and nationalist self-determination. Opponents of this view claim that it is wrong to kill civillians to further a political cause.

In an interview with The American Conservative magazine, Robert Pape, author of the book Dying to Win, said "The central fact is that overwhelmingly suicide-terrorist attacks are not driven by religion as much as they are by a clear strategic objective: to compel modern democracies to withdraw military forces from the territory that the terrorists view as their homeland. From Lebanon to Sri Lanka to Chechnya to Kashmir to the West Bank, every major suicide-terrorist campaign — over 95 percent of all the incidents — has had as its central objective to compel a democratic state to withdraw." [3]

Muslim opposition to terrorism

See also: Religious terrorism and Political terrorism

The extent of support for Islamist terrorism within the Muslim population is disputed. Many Muslims have denounced terrorism in all of its forms. The Free Muslims Coalition[4] rallied against terror, stating that they wanted to send "a message to radical Muslims and supporters of terrorism that we reject them and that we will defeat them."

Condemnation of Islamist terrorism is varied in scope. While the United Nations, the European Union, and the United States include Hamas and Hezbollah in their condemnation of terrorism, many Muslim leaders, as well as non-Muslims in the Middle East,[5] do not always view such groups as terrorists. The following internet links point to denunciations of Islamist terrorism by Muslim leaders in different countries:

• The Organization of the Islamic Conference - [6][7]
• Australia - [8]
• Canada - [9][10] [11] [12] [13] [14]
• France - [15]
• Germany - [16]
• The Netherlands - [17][18]
• New Zealand - [19]
• Russia - [20]
• Saudi Arabia - [21]
• Spain - [22]
• The United Kingdom - [23]
• The United States - [24][25][26][27][28][29]

Abdel Rahman al-Rashed, a Muslim and the general manager of Arab news channel, Al-Arabiya said: "It is a certain fact that not all Muslims are terrorists, but it is equally certain, and exceptionally painful, that almost all terrorists are Muslims." While statistics do show that most recent terrorist attacks were committed by Muslims, there are several active non-Muslim terrorist groups, varying in their political and religious aims.

According to journalist Johann Hari, "Two-thirds of the suicide killings committed in the past two decades were not committed by Muslims." [30], [31]. Critics of this argument claim that it is misleading because Hari is referring only to to "suicide killings", and not "suicide terrorism" or "terrorism" specifically. In addition, critics often point out that Muslims commit more terrorism than any group in proportion to their fraction of the world population(estimated to be between 13% to 23%). In addition, critics also claim that Hari's statement is misleading because Islamic terrorism has been the most common form of terrorism in recent years, even if it has not been in the last two decades.[32]

Several Muslim leaders have issued fatwa's (declarations) that declare terrorism in any form to be harām (forbidden) by Islam.[33] However, Islamic terrorists have also issued their own fatwa's in support of Islamic terrorism.

Many Muslims claim that Islām (literally translated as 'submission') comes from the same root as 'Salām', meaning 'Peace', and that Islamic terrorism, despite its claims of martyrdom, goes against the essence of Islam. According to this view, Islamic terrorism is an oxymoron. (See also: etymology of "Islam")

Islamist ideology and theology

Islamist ideology, specifically of the militant breed, often positions itself in opposition to Western society. The United States, specifically, is greatly opposed by most Islamist terrorists, scholars, and leaders. In addition to criticizing the United States for what they see as immoral secularism, many Islamists claim that Western society is actively anti-Islamic. The cultural products of western societies, and specifically of the United States, are often criticized by Islamists for the same reasons.

The lack of authoritarian restrictions on free speech is a common Islamist criticism of western democracies. Islamists have claimed that such unrestricted free speech has led to the proliferation of pornography, immorality, secularism, homosexuality, feminism, and many other ideas that Islamists often oppose.

Islamists are often opposed to the (practitioners of) Christianity and Judaism. Some Islamists identify what they see as a historical struggle between Christianity and Islam, dating back as far as the Crusades, among other historical conflicts between practioners of the two respective religions. Many of the existant Islamist terrorism groups have as their central cause a Jihad (holy war) against Christians and Jews. An example is Bin Laden's Al-Qaeda, which is also known as 'International Islamic Front for Jihad Against the Jews and Crusaders'. Most militant Islamists oppose Israel's policies, and often its existence.

Interpretations of the Qur'an

The Qur'an, the holiest and most authoritative book in Islam, denounces the killing of any person who is not guilty of at least one of two crimes:

[5:32] "Whosoever killed a person – unless it be for killing a person or for creating disorder in the land – it shall be as if he killed all mankind; and whoso saved a life, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind."

However, the definition of "human being" becomes an issue in the interpretation of this verse. Many fundamentalist and/or militant Muslim scholars argue that the term applies only to Muslims, and that "infidels" are subhuman. Many Islamists interpret the phrase "or for creating disorder in the land" as a justification for Islamist terrorism.

Some Islamists also use the following verse as justification for terrorism against Muslims of other Islamic sects:

[9:107] And there are those who put up a mosque by way of mischief and infidelity - to disunite the Believers - and in preparation for one who warred against Allah and His Messenger aforetime. They will indeed swear that their intention is nothing but good; But Allah doth declare that they are certainly liars.

Militant Islamists sometimes justify terrorism against fellow Muslims with claims that their enemies are apostates, and therefore do not have the Qu'ranic protection afforded to "real" Muslims. Opinions within the Muslim community vary on whom, and on what grounds apostasy may be designated. The most common view among Muslim scholars is that an official declaration of takfir(designation of apostasy) is required by an established imam(leader). Mainstream Muslim scholars usually oppose recourse to takfir, except in rare instances. by Islamist terrorists cited Takfir as justification for the assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.

Another relevant Qur'anic verse reads:

2.190-1: "Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors. And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith."

This verse is interpreted by Islamic scholar Ibn Kathir as forbidding attacks on non-combatants.

Allegations of concealed intentions

According to The Australian, "the message the fundamentalist clerics are delivering to their supporters—mostly in Arabic—is in dramatic contrast to their public statements": [34]

Last month, Sheik Zoud told about 400 followers in Arabic: "God grant victory to the mujaheddin in Kashmir and Chechnya, and Palestine and Afghanistan." Sheik Zoud, head of the Sydney arm of the Melbourne-based organisation Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jamaah declared: "Inshallah (God willing), dark days will descend upon America soon."

But during a newspaper interview last year, Sheik Zoud said: "I'm against all terrorism over the world. I'm against all terrorists who kill civilian people.

"Let the Australian people relax. Why everyone make the Australian people scared from the Muslims?

Use of 'Islamist' versus 'Islamic'

The use of the phrase 'Islamic terrorism' in place of 'Islamist terrorism' is contentious, with supporters of the former phrase arguing that unnecessary political correctness is the basis of the latter, and critics arguing that the second term is more specific than the first, and less offensive.

Examples of Islamist terrorist attacks

• 9 November 2005 - 2005 Amman bombings, over 60 killed and 115 injured, in a series of coordinated suicide attacks on Hotels in Amman, Jordan. Four attackers including a husband and wife team were involved,
• 7 July 2005 - Multiple bombings in London Underground, 53 dead killed by four suicide bombers.
• 4 February 2005 - Muslim militants attacked the Christian community in Demsa, Nigeria, killing 36 people, destroying property and displacing an additional 3000 people.
• 11 March 2004 - Multiple bombings on trains near Madrid, Spain. 191 killed, 1460 injured. (alleged link to Al-Qaeda)
• 16 May 2004- Casablanca Attacks - 4 simultaneous attacks in Casablanca killing 33 civilians (mostly Moroccans) carried by Slafaia Jihadia.
• 12 October 2002 - Bombing in Bali nightclub. 202 killed, 300 injured.
• 24 September 2002 - Machine Gun attack on Hindu temple in Ahmedabad, India. 31 dead, 86 injured
• 7 May 2002 - Bombing in al-Arbaa, Algeria. 49 dead, 117 injured
• 9 March 2002 - Café suicide bombing in Jerusalem; 11 killed, 54 injured
• 3 March 2002 - Suicide bomb attack on a Passover Seder in a Hotel in Netanya, Israel. 29 dead, 133 injured
• 26 February 2002 - Train of Hindu pilgrims allegedly fire bombed in Gujarat, India; 59 dead (Later investigation revealed that the fire was accidental - [35])
• 11 September 2001 - 4 planes hijacked and crashed into World Trade Center and Pentagon by 19 hijackers. Nearly 3000 dead.
• 7 August 1998 - Embassy bombing in Tanzania and Kenya. 225 dead. 4000+ injured
• 25 June 1996 - Khobar Towers bombing, 20 killed, 372 wounded.
• 26 February 1993 - First World Trade Center bombing. 6 killed.
• 18 April 1983 - Embassy in Lebanon bombed. 63 killed.

U.S. State Department's list of Islamist terrorist groups

• Abu Sayyaf, Philippines
• Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, Gaza Strip and West Bank
• Al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya, Egypt also known as The Islamic Group
• al-Qaeda, Worldwide
• Ansar al-Islam, Iraq
• Armed Islamic Group (GIA), Algeria
• Army of Ansar al-Sunna, Iraq
• AZF, France
• Egyptian Islamic Jihad, Egypt
• Al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya, Egypt
• Great Eastern Islamic Raiders' Front (IBDA-C), Turkey
• Hamas, Gaza Strip and West Bank
• Harkat-ul-Mujahideen al-Alami, Pakistan
• Hizballah, Lebanon
• Islamic Movement of Central Asia, Central Asia
• Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan
• Jaish-e-Mohammed, Pakistan and Kashmir
• Jemaah Islamiyah, Indonesia
• Lashkar-e-Toiba, Pakistan and Kashmir
• Lashkar i Jhangvi, Pakistan
• Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Philippines
• Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group, Morocco and Europe
• Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Gaza Strip and West Bank
• Tawhid and Jihad (Al-Qaeda in the Land between the Two Rivers (Iraq)), Iraq, allegedly led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi

See also

• Kharijites
• Islamism
• Militant Islam
• Islamophobia
• Tenth Crusade
• War on Terrorism
• Criticisms of the War on Terrorism

Islamic terms/concepts

• Jihad
• Ghazw
• Takfir

Commonly used techniques

• Suicide bombing
• Car bomb
• Improvised explosive device
• Aircraft hijacking

Books about Islamist terrorism

• An Autumn of War: What America Learned from September 11 and the War on Terrorism by Victor Davis Hanson
• Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam by Gilles Kepel
• Onward Muslim Soldiers by Robert Spencer
• The War for Muslim Minds by Gilles Kepel

Al Qaeda training manual

• Al Qaeda Training Manual used by British member of Al Qaeda, Manchester, England (URL accessed March 2005)

External links

• International Coalition Against Political Islam
• No to Political Islam
• Jihad Watch -Daily criticism/commentary of Islam by Robert Spencer
• Bearers of Global Jihad: Immigration and National Security after 9/11 from the Nixon Center.
• What Do the Terrorists Want? by Daniel Pipes, published in the New York Sun July 26, 2005
• Jihad Online: Islamic Terrorists and the Internet report for law enforcement from the Anti-Defamation League
• Islamic terrorism spreads via Internet by Judy Siegel And Talya Halkin, published in the Jerusalem Post, September 30, 2005