NCJ Number
219456
Date Published
March 2007
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This paper explains the nature of Islam, its interaction with the West, and its responses to the Western global economy and military as part of the triggering factors for Islam's global resistance toward the West in its most extreme and inhumane form, i.e., terrorism.
Abstract
The author makes clear that terrorism is not inherent to Islam and will never become part of authoritative Islamic teaching. Islam and Islamic law have consistently condemned terrorism (the killing of noncombatants). As a world religion, Islam is practiced in diverse cultures in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and America. Differences in religious and cultural practices are therefore wide-ranging. Although Muslims share certain beliefs and practices, divisions have arisen over issues of political and religious leadership, theology, interpretations of Islamic law, and responses to modernity and the West. Anti-Americanism, along with anti-Europeanism, is a broad-based phenomenon that cuts across Arab and Muslim societies. It is driven not only by blind hatred promoted by the religious zealotry of extremists, but also by frustration and anger with U.S. foreign policy that affects the mainstream population in the Muslim world. The West's message of self-determination, democratization, and human rights is often viewed as a hypocritical "double standard" that is not implemented in its policies toward weaker nations, particularly those whose resources it wishes to exploit for its own economic progress. The long litany of grievances against U.S. policy that has impacted Muslim countries has fed the anger of many mainstream Arabs and Muslims in addition to the extremists who respond with violence. Globalization has increased the interactions and interdependence of nations and cultures, which can both magnify differences in culture and belief as well as reveal our common humanity and dependence on one another.