Thomas Nguyen
Regardless of religious beliefs, there are some who are more devout than others. This can result in extreme, or radical idealism with synonymous actions that ensue. At the culmination of World War I, parts of the Middle East were parsed out between Britain and French rule, During the same time, The Balfour Declaration also aided in developing a sovereign Jewish state in the region (Swanson & Taylor, 2019). This was seen as not only a spread of Western influence contrary to traditional Islamic beliefs, but also the catalyst to ignite an emotional response to fight for personal identity, culture, and religion. This was the interpretation extremists used to wage war against all those who endangered the traditionalist tenets of Islam, specifically non-Muslims, and the United States as a whole. The motivation is believed to come from the Qur’an where Jihad is symbolic of the struggle to submit to God’s will. For an oppressed Muslim, the only choice remaining is the used of extreme violence and terrorism (Taylor & Swanson, 2019). Although one definition of Jihad means peaceful and spiritual striving, some use it as the medium of which to use violence. Some violent Jihadists were not opposed by Islamic authority, but rather often rewarded for their actions (Spencer, 2023). Many perceived that U.S. policies were hostile in nature against Islamic culture. This led to more activism from younger generations in poverty-stricken nations who felt hopeless thereby increasing interest and extremism (Alzahrani, 2019). Understanding the rise of radical Islam requires an in-depth study into their history and how some of these groups rose to power.
Fundamentalism is defined as attempts to preserve the identity of the group being taken over. Islamic fundamentalism came about due to cultural and economic strife brought about by foreign occupation, which was divided into two phases (Taylor & Swanson, 2019). The former, or positive period, occurred from 600 A.D. to around the early 1900s and was quickly followed by the decline of Islam. The first Islamic fundamentalist is attributed to Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab who declared a holy war by using force against other Muslims who did not practice Islam as he did. It is this Wahhabism movement that inspired the birth of the Muslim Brotherhood by Hassan al-Banna in Egypt during the twentieth century which desired a free state under Islam rules but needed to free the region of foreign powers (Swanson & Taylor, 2019). Due to its political growth and influence, the Brotherhood membership grew exponentially into the hundreds of thousands and became a huge political force. Several offshoots, such has Hamas, have since branched off of the Brotherhood and many claim that their ideology has furthered other modern groups, such as al-Qaeda and ISIS (Counter Extremism Project, n.d.). Although categorized as a terrorist organization by many to include, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Brotherhood still appears to remain present. According to Laub (2019), the Brotherhood renounced violence in the 1970s while earning support in the community by providing social services, schools, hospitals, and pharmacies. Meanwhile, they continued to participate in civilized jihad. This is through the pretense of protections under the First Amendment of free speech where they enhance understanding of Islam by encouraging dialogue, with one of the most notable organizations being the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) (CounterJihad, n.d.). Thus, it is not always the most forward of approaches that nations guarding against terrorism should be concerned with, but those who also practice clandestine subversive techniques.
The most recognized names of terrorism to most Americans are Usama bin Laden and al-Qaeda since 9/11. However, the beginnings of that movement precede al-Qaeda with that of Salafism and Jamal al-Din al-Afghani during the mid to late 1800s, later to be followed by Muhammad Abduh and Rashid Rida (Taylor & Swanson, 2019). The next generation of this movement grew to Jihadist Salafism. This was contrary to the political strife of Salafism which focused on modernity and technology. Jihadist Salafism erupted during the Soviet-Afghanistan War which believed that violence was the only means to return to original Islam (Taylor & Swanson, 2019). Al-Qaeda was established in 1988 by bin Laden attempting to resist Soviet occupation where he grew notoriety as a religious icon to fight against the spread of Western ideology. The group grew as a formidable opponent, mainly against the United States, and was given safe haven by the Taliban in Afghanistan (Ayalon et al., 2022). One of bin Laden’s most trusted personnel in his inner circle was Ayman al-Zawahiri, who became bin Laden’s deputy in 2004. Zawahiri was key in arguing for martyrdom and that the real fight was against the west, not other Muslim rulers (El-Jaichi & Sheikh, 2020). Even after the deaths of bin Laden and Zawahiri, remnants of al-Qaeda grew into the Islamic State. It began with Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) in 2004 by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was a long-time supporter of bin Laden. It was through his leadership that changed the focus of the Iraq War into a civil war, thereby growing the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). His violent method earned him the nickname ‘the butcher of Baghdad” where he became the next most wanted man in the world.
In 2006, Zarqawi was killed in a drone strike which then led to a new evolution of fighters from Syria. This transitioned ISIS into the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which referred to the area on the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Here, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared himself the caliph and again changed the name to the Islamic State which is how it is commonly known in the United States whereas Europe and other Middle Eastern states refer to it by the Arabic acronym, Daesh (Taylor & Swanson, 2019). As organizations progress and transform, the message may differ but the results are consistent. They continue to create panic and cause mass terror amongst any nation that does not agree with their ideology as they attempt to return to traditional Islamic views. The deaths of prominent terror group leaders have not reduced the threats that still exist. In 2015, the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP) was founded and continues to seek the establishment of a global caliphate which proves that Al-Qaeda and ISIS continues to threaten American interests (Ayalon et al., 2022). Eradication of terrorism is not a goal that can be achieved simply with military might nor is it one that can be waged from boardrooms oceans away. It is one that must be waged through intelligence, strategy, and solidarity. “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (King James Bible, 1769/1972, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, p. 220). The past several centuries has proven that freedom and democracy are not only worth fighting for, but take perseverance and sheer will of those involved. It must be held fast and continued regardless of the obstacles faced as determination and faith will be tested and needed to overcome evil.
