Islamic Terrorists

[Oneeyedvic]

Jsu t curious as to why the terrorists are reffered to as Islamic Terrorists or Islamic Extremists.

I can't recall any of the IRA bombings in the 80s reffered to as Catholic extremists.

Why are they not just 'terrorists' - what is the point of bringing religion into the equation?

It seems to me that there is an ulterior motive of causing xenophobia.

[El D]

Well technically Vic I suppose you could justify the IRA as having a purely political agenda i.e. the removal of the British government from Northern Ireland. Whilst the divisions of the campaign were set against a religious backdrop (to which I would say that anyone involved was not actually religious in the Christian sense of the word), the motives were purely political.

However, the terrorists of todays class have religion at the top of their agenda - one could perhaps argue that Afghanistan and Iraq are issues but the heart and soul of the matter remains the entitly of Islam and its place in the world. The IRA could never have taken a religious name because to do so would have undermined its politlcal agenda - the Muslim terrorists undertake a religious name because the politics of religion and not nationality are the root cause.

[kempie]

I do not, in any way, mean to denigrate the Islamic faith in the analysis which follows:

Does not Sharia law place Islam above region or nationality? So whereas Western culture categorises people as British Christian, Polish Jew etc. the Islamic concept is Muslim (living in France), Muslim (living in Palestine).

I therefore think it proper for the description to be Islamic Terrorist since they do not defer to national boundaries and their ideology is religious (albeit an extreme form). Religion isn't being brought into the equation, it is an elemental part of it.

I believe that until non-Islamic Westerners are adequately educated in this fundamental difference in how we all define ourselves, the 'misunderstanding' between us will manifest itself as xenophobia.

[stevie21]

If you say "Islamic terrorist" then you immediately have an awful lot of context : terrorism against western culture, who the perpetrator and victim is, maybe even that it's prompted by events in Iraq, the act involves a suicide bombing etc.

Also, as you say, newspapers sell on the strength of getting their readers on-side with any stories. If it literally is the case that they foster an us and them attitude that that'll lead to more sales (the story is more obviously about "us" so "we" want to read it) than something that arouses no interest or isn't positioned in such a way that affects my life.

[Andy008]

The conflict in Northern Ireland was about political power. There were also Protestant para-militaries such as the UVF and UFF who were also engaged in bombings, shootings etc.

Al-Qaeda is not the militant front of any political group. Their attack on the West is based on hatred of freedom and religious ideals which have been warped in their own twisted way.

Their's is a religious not political campaign, hence the name "extremists", as the hold extreme religious views manifested as violence.

[umayah]

 

When did you get your certificate in Islamic teachings?  How dare you talk about a religion or culture you no nothing of.  Muslims have lived side by side with other religions in harmony for centuries.  This may I add has happened in countries where the governments were muslim.  If your only iformation on Islam is what you hear on the news then you are extremely naive.  Islam by the way comes from the word PEACE.  This in itself tells you alot of information about the people of this religion. 

How could you say that muslims have no political agenda?  Have you forgotten Palestine.  And I suppose all the years that America has supported the reign of Saddam Hussein, providing him with all manners of amunition to KILL his people and the Kurds.  The US has funded Isreal, and if you dont know the history of that country ( and I dont mean world war 2) then theres no hope for you.  Or maybe you think its ok to take over a country push out its inhabitants, terrorise them and kill them when they retaliate?

[luckyboy]

''Or maybe you think its ok to take over a country push out its inhabitants, terrorise them and kill them when they retaliate?''

Ain't that what saddam did, anyway since when do you have the authority to speak for all iraqi citizens, the huge majority of which rejoiced at the removal of a wicked tyrant, you are right to point out the double standards of western foreign policy and you are also right to point out that islam is a peaceful and decent faith, but the terrorists who claim to represent islam by carrying out carnage and mass murder are really the disciples of satan... 

[El D]

I think he was referring to Israel - although I am slightly perplexed as we were talking about terrorists. Israel does seem to crop up an awful lot among Muslims and discussions of terrorism. . . Is it seen as justification?

You seem awfully angry umayah? Isn't Islam pre-deterministic? What are your own beliefs as regards fighting a just war? Do you think that Palestinian suicide bombers go to paradise? What about the London bombers? Or the 9/11 bombers? What is your distinction between the two? I am curious. . .

[luckyboy]

'i think he was referring to israel'..

I know but i thought i'd point out the irony in his post.

[reportmonkey]

What happened to non violent means of protest?

I thought that most 'martyrs' die for their beliefs.  As I understand it killing people is a sin as is suicide so to die whilst going against your beliefs is hypocrasy surely?

[umayah]

I wasn't actually talking about Iraq when I made that statement, El D was right I was talking about Israel.  However, can you tell me if what has happened in Palestine to the Palestinians and what is still happening to the Palestinians, ok? 

I don't believe that the London bombings are justified in any way, and alot of Muslims would agree.  In Islam, believe it or not, there are rules of war, in other words you cannot terrorise people even in war and religion has never been a justification for terrorism.  Palestine is a different matter altogether and what saddens me is that people do not know the history of that country and its people and the way that Israel has treated and is still treating the Palestinians. 

As far as palestinian suicide bombers are concerned the palestinians feel helpless in comparision to the Israelis, who have all the latest in war fare that America can provide.  Palestine has been fighting for its freedom since 195- till the present day.  There is a context for these people to do what they are doing, don't mean I agree with it, but when the french did something similar in world war 2 it was called resistance, now however its called terrorism. 

Yes I agree killing people, is a crime unless its in organised war.  The London bombings are  a sad, reminder of ignorance and lack of understanding of Islamic principles by those who perpetrated them.  I dont believe that those people who did this are martyrs and the majority of muslims in this country and world wide would agree. 

[umayah]

Oh and by the way I'm female