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Roots of "Islamic" Terrorism

NCJ Number
199422
Journal
Crime & Justice International Volume: 19 Issue: 70 Dated: February 2003 Pages: 23-26
Author(s)
Kathryn J. Lopez; Stephen Schwartz
Date Published
February 2003
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This transcript of an interview with Stephen Schwartz, the author of "The Two Faces of Islam: The House of Saud From Tradition to Terror," traces the roots of "Islamic" terrorism to Wahhabism, an extremist, puritanical, and violent movement that emerged in the central area of Arabia in the 18th century; current manifestations and locations of Wahhabism are indicated, and suggestions are offered for countering its influence.
Abstract
Wahhabism was founded by Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, who formed an alliance with the house of Saud, in which religious authority is maintained by the descendants of al-Wahhab and political power is held by the descendants of al-Saud. This is the Wahhabi-Saudi axis that continues to rule today. From its beginning, Wahhabism declared traditional Muslims to be unbelievers subject to robbery, murder, and sexual violation. Wahhabism adherents have violently attacked Jews, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists, as well as traditional Muslim Sunnis, Sufis, and Shias throughout the world. Wahhabism is official in Saudi Arabia, being completely subsidized by the Saudi regime with oil income; and it is influential in Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates; it has a substantial following in Yemen. Wahhabism is a distinct, ultraradical form of Islamism that is the main source of Islamic extremist violence in the world today. Eighty percent of American mosques are Wahhabi-influenced, although this does not mean that the Muslims who worship there are all Wahhabis. The United States can deal with Wahhabism within its borders by informing the Saudi embassy that all support for Wahhabi extremist activity, including mosques and schools, in the United States must end. Also, the U.S. government must monitor extremist discourse among Muslims in America, including in mosques and in prison missions. Finally, U.S. non-Muslims of good will must assist and support traditional Muslims in creating an Islamic establishment in America that is loyal to the U.S. government and to traditions of interreligious respect.