Would a Jihadi by Another Name Smell as Foul?
05 Jun, 2008
An
op-ed published Monday in the New York Times entitled "What do
you call a Terror(Jihad)ist?", by P.W. Singer and Elina Noor,
attempts to defend the recent State Department memo advising
government personal to refrain from using theologically-laden
terms-"jihadi," "mujahidin," "caliphate," "Islamo-fascism," "salafi,"
"wahhabi," "ummah"-when describing Islamic radicals and their
motives. Instead, generics-"terrorists," "extremists"-should
suffice.
The article begins by making a highly flawed analogy. It suggests
that when a U.S. president labels al-Qaeda-type radicals "jihadists,"
that that is akin to referring to Adolf Hitler as "the leader of the
National Socialist Aryan patriots." Aside from the need for labeling
Hitler and his party as evil, surely such a title was not completely
inappropriate when referring to Hitler. (In the next paragraph, the
authors themselves relent, using the word "Nazi," an acronym for
National Socialist.)
How about the fact that Hitler subscribed to a racist ideology?
That fact was hardly taboo to discuss or censored from American
discourse. Should we today insist that he killed six million Jews
simply because he was an "evil man," without ever once indicating
the racial ideology that motivated him?
These questions better reveal the true parallel between Nazi and
Islamic fascism, as they both share one common denominator: radical
ideology, one unforgiving of the "other," be he infidel or racial
inferior. The word "jihadi" is suggestive of ideology no less than
"Nazi"; and, just as the latter connotes many intolerant aspects, so
too does the Arabic word "jihadi" -- which is precisely why it
should not be dropped from the lexicon: it offers precision and
context.
Next, the article offers us the same tired hackneyed interpretation of jihad (in a tone suggesting that the matter is closed): "The term has long been taken to mean either a quest to find one's faith or an external fight for justice."
This is totally unsatisfactory. Yes, self-professed Sufis (who
make up perhaps 5% of the Islamic world) believe that the "greater
jihad" is a struggle against the self. As for "an external fight for
justice," that is absolutely correct; however, Islamic "justice" is
antithetical to 21st century liberal justice. Thus jihad, according
to every authoritative Islamic book of exegesis is nothing less than
offensive warfare in order to spread sharia law - "Islamic justice"
-- around the globe.
The article further insists that we not bring theology into the
mix, which is the main reason we are exhorted to not invoke these
theologically-laden Arabic terms. According to the article, by using
words such as "jihadi" we make it an "existential battle between
Islam and the West. The terms of discussion are no longer about the
murder of innocents in terrorist acts; they are about theology."
But what alternative is left us? By not bringing theology into
the discourse, how can we ever hope to understand what motivates the
Islamists? Indeed, to ignore theology, is in many ways to exonerate
the murder of innocents -- precisely what the article claims to be
guarding against. We are always left with the "Why?" -- why did
al-Qaeda strike on 9/11? There are only two answers: religion
(ideology) or retaliation (political grievances). If we omit
theology entirely, it is then that we fall directly into the
Islamist trap, which is to believe that their animus is a product of
grievances and frustration at our foreign policies. We become the
aggressors, they the victims fighting back any which way they can,
and the innocents become mere collateral damage.
In fact the "extremists" -- to rely on the vague lexicon of the
NYT ope-ed (for all we know it may be talking about a heavy metal
band) -- do not want us to understand the context, the ideological
background, but rather to fall for the default alternative, that it
is somehow "our" fault.
As someone well acquainted with al-Qaeda's writings and
communiqués (see
The Al Qaeda Reader), I can confidently state that their
messages to the West are markedly different from their messages to
fellow Muslims. To Americans, al-Qaeda, just as the U.S. memo
recommends, rarely evokes Islamic theology; instead, the discourse
is entirely about the Muslim world's political grievances at the
hands of the West. Their more clandestine writings to Muslims,
conversely, rarely revolve around political grievances, but instead
are grounded in Islamic theology and law, and stress how Muslims are
commanded to have antipathy for infidels and to constantly be in a
state of war with them. Even the 9/11 strikes are justified through
the strict rules of Islamic jurisprudence.
The NYT article suggests that,
"If we want to say what we mean, what terms better describe [al] Qaeda members and other violent extremists? ‘Muharib' or the more colloquial ‘hirabi' or ‘hirabist' would be good places to start. ‘Hirabah,' the base word, is a term for barbarism or piracy. Unlike ‘jihad,' which grants honor, ‘hirabah' brings condemnation; it involves unlawful violence and disorder."
Now, as a native Arabic speaker, I regret to say that usage of
these terms -- that is, Americans trying to be at once
politically-correct and descriptive, in, of all languages, Arabic --
is, alas, somewhat comedic. I further suspect that Arabs, especially
al-Qaeda types, would find it hilarious and consistent with their
interpretations of wishy-washy Americans, who go to great lengths to
learn a language only to censor themselves and compromise their
precision in that same language, all so they can appear the "nice
guy."
Which leads to a final point: Arabs and Muslims are not waiting
around for Americans or their government -- that is, infidels -- to
define Islam for them, much less to confer Islamic legitimacy or
condemnation on al-Qaeda through the use of subtle word-games.
Calling this or that a "hirabi" or "jihadi" is not about to make any
great impression on them, since only an authoritative Islamic entity
(e.g., Cairo's al-Azhar university) is qualified to determine such
matters. Thus the US government would do well to worry less about
which words will better humor the Arab/Muslim world, and worry more
about providing its citizenry with accurate and meaningful
terminology.
Ironically, those Muslims and Arabs who do embrace moderate Islam
agree. In an article entitled "Call radical Islam by its name"
appearing in the NY Daily News recently, former jihadist turned
reformer Tawfik Hamid, onetime protégé of Ayman Zawahiri, writes the
following:
The real way to strengthen moderate Muslims in their fight against the radicals is to spotlight radical teachings and flush out those who believe in them. ....This is especially true in war: define your enemy correctly, and you will rally legitimate allies to your side. Blur what a battle is about and, stuck in the muddle, you are bound to lose.... Calling angina a "common cold" does not change its nature. It only prevents us from taking the necessary steps in treating it, which will only lead to further sickness, and possibly death. Playing word games with jihadists is not only meaningless, but plays right into the hands of the radical Muslim terrorists-who, to be defeated, must first be called by their true name.
In short, yes, words do matter. Who those words are directed at matters even more. The world's Muslims aren't holding their breath to hear what sort of Islamic legitimacy the US government is about to confer on al-Qaeda, since it is not for non-Muslims to decide what is and is not Islamic in the first place. Americans, on the other hand, who are still asking "why do they hate us," are in desperate need of understanding. Using accurate terminology is the first step.
Raymond Ibrahim is the editor of The Al-Qaeda Reader. He works for the Near East section of the Library of Congress.
Name: True peace
Date: Wednesday June 04, 2008
Time: 23:22:09 -0700
Comment
The only way to defeat Islam in the West is to close down ALL the mosques, close down all the madrassahs (Islamic schools). Sent all the imams to their home-country or to the Saudi Arabia. The world will be that much more peaceful.
Name: Mohammad
Date: Wednesday June 04, 2008
Time: 23:32:25 -0700
Comment
You are doing a disservice by your incomplete understanding of the Islamic words such as Jihad. It is surprising that you in one hand admit that for most Muslims Jihad means a military struggle and on the other hand want the US to call the terrorists 'jihadis'. But wouldn't that be admitting that the US is at war with Islam? Do you think by such an irresponsible conclusion, you are helping the fight against terrorism? I think not. I believe that Al-Qaida would love to hire you as a press secretary. People like you help the terrorists in their recruiting efforts in the Muslim world.
Name: JUDEO CHRISTIANITY ISLAM IS THE ROOT OF ALL WORLD SUFFERING TODAY
Date: Wednesday June 04, 2008
Time: 23:48:08 -0700
Comment
JUDEO CHRISTIANITY ISLAM IS THE ROOT OF ALL WORLD SUFFERING TODAY.
Name: vbv
Date: Thursday June 05, 2008
Time: 03:07:11 -0700
Comment
Jihad is the absolutely worst form of terrorism - an utterly cowardly act of brutal murdering by explosive devices/suicide-bombing/opening gunfire on innocent civilians ,including women and children.It is a purely criminal act of cowardice. Only Islam promotes this barbarity, because it is just a cult of savage and barbaric arab bedouins ever hungry for SEX and plunder. No wonder they conjure up a paradise with 72 regenerating virgins and 28 young boys for an eternal screw - that's Allah's whorehouse and Muhamad is the sponsoring PIMP!
Name: Does Islam make stupid?
Date: Thursday June 05, 2008
Time: 03:32:47 -0700
Comment
I really think so. In Malaysia, for example, the muslim majority needs protection against chinese competition concerning scholarships, access to unversities and qualified jobs. There is much discrimination against chinese for decades now, however, the non-muslims still control the economy.
Name: balam
Date: Thursday June 05, 2008
Time: 05:00:49 -0700
Comment
You can call a cobra or any other poisonous snake a harmless worm but it still remains a deadly reptile.Likewise all the Muslims are like snakes some more poisoness than others.They acquire this deadly venom genetically and through their Islamic Indoctrination.The muslims are fed on hatred for non-muslims right from their early life.They are made to believe that the coal is white and the milk is black.Islam stops muslims to ask questions and think rationally.When it comes to Islam,the muslims are no better than Insane zombies.Mohammad has been able to brainwash the muslims for the last 1400 years which can not be undone in a short period of time unless extreme measures are taken.which could nuclear inhaliation.People shoud either love you or fear you.Muslims can never love non-muslims,because mohammad said so and the muslims worship mohammad and allah was actually the voice of mohammad.The muslim world laughs when the Americans feel self pity that the muslims do not love them.You can never have love compassion or loyalty from the veomous snakes.Stop expecting any thing but evil and youryour feelings wont be hurt.You can name a rattle snake a worm but it still remain a deadly snake and ready to kill.
Name: see the real INDIA.
Date: Thursday June 05, 2008
Time: 05:14:37 -0700
Comment
http://india-exposed.tripod.com/india_exposed/index.album/monkey-worship?i=2
Name:
Date: Thursday June 05, 2008
Time: 05:21:00 -0700
Comment
WELL, WELL, AFTER WATCHING WHAT THESE CULTISTS GET UP TO IT IS NO WONDER THEY ARE CALLED AS KAFIRS, I SUPPOSE THIS IS WHAT CAN HAPEN IF ONE WORSHIPS OTHER THAN THE CREATOR. FILTHY , MOCKEY , UGLY PISS DRINKERS.
Name: To ,Judeo Christianity Islam is the route of all world suffering today
Date: Thursday June 05, 2008
Time: 05:27:25 -0700
Comment
Let us also not forget the rivers of blood and tears that flows from every athiest regime .Our business here , is Islam and its defeat . You may be happier elswhere .
Name: ibn kamanue is a parrot.
Date: Thursday June 05, 2008
Time: 05:28:16 -0700
Comment
Mohammad ,Islam needs no one to defend itself,as the mighty Quran states Islam will bulldoze any other ism in its way, these dogs ,mostly Hindu cultists , cow dung worshipers , gutless monkeys have one track mind led by the biggest rat of all Sina to lie , misquote , attack Islam , but what they do not see is the opposite effect, we may loose 6 but inshaallah gain 12 , so brother give them tit for taaat.
Name: Help me.I am unable to acces faithfreedom.org !!!!
Date: Thursday June 05, 2008
Time: 06:08:34 -0700
Comment
Help me.I am unable to acces faithfreedom.org website in india(hyderabad).What happened?I am a regular visitor to both these sites and i have confirmed that what these two websites revealing about islam are nude truths.I have really read the 'Q' book every line for these 3 months with introspection and found that it is manfesto of hatred and supertition from a mad and maniac promising whore house entry and making humans to animals. i am philosophy student.I too had studied at madarsah in childhood but now i am enlighted by these two websites.I am now true india with true india dress and speaking happily my ancestral local lnaguage which i hated before.Thanks alot to all of you humans.
Name: Evidence that Islam makes stupid
Date: Thursday June 05, 2008
Time: 06:09:56 -0700
Comment
Consider the latest terror attack on the Danish Embassy in Pakistan. Muslims commited a terrorist attack against civilians because they feel insulted by cartoons depicting Muhammad and his Islam as terroristic and violent. They are confirming the cartoons! They give evidence that the cartoons against Muhammad and Islam are right! This is truly a very moment in history. There were never any other people so stupid.
Name: Faithfreedom site hacked??
Date: Thursday June 05, 2008
Time: 06:30:23 -0700
Comment
The faithfreedom.org website has probably been hacked again. Have patience folk, until they fix it.
Name: To: Akhter From: Ibn Kammuna
Date: Thursday June 05, 2008
Time: 07:14:53 -0700
Comment
Brother, would you stop using filthy language and attacking our indian brothers and Sina. No one is against you brother. We are all brothers in humanity and are trying to have some rational discussions about Islam here. Let me ask you this: Are you comfortable in taking a person who beheaded many people to be your prophet? If your answer is yes, then good luck to you. i don't think discussing things with you is fruitful. Peace brother.
Name: HolyGhost
Date: Thursday June 05, 2008
Time: 09:15:05 -0700
Comment
I think the strategy of Islam is borrowed from cockroaches, breed as much as possible and try to control every gutter in the world. But this strategy is doomed to fail because cockroaches are trying this from millions of years before Islam and still haven't controlled the world. Islam tries desperately to have more numbers in the hope that if billion people tell a lie that Darkness is the Master, Sun will not rise. I am sorry to inform my Islamic friends that knowledge Sun rise is in the natural cycle of world and their billion lies are useless. They got only two options either to see the world in a new light and start assimilating with others or try desperately to run for a dark corner, just like good cockroaches do, when you switch on lights in the middle of night.
Name: antimod
Date: Thursday June 05, 2008
Time: 09:47:18 -0700
Comment
To "see the real india". Hey man where Hinduism begins Islam ends with that, or else you would not be going round and round around a block of stone called Kaaba which for you is very sacred. You rever it kiss it and circuambulate. Tell me what for ? And you hypocrites call others kafirs. And your religion also ends up stoning another stone and call it shaitan. How stupid of you muslim. And you erect mazaars of dead people and offer prayers and pray the dead man for your well being. At first you should correct yourself. Look at the humility of Hindus in the pictures you have sent. Feeding a baby monkey should open your mind. Hinduism is not all that is shown inthese pictures, it is much more, subtler and etherial. You islamic duds can nnot reach that state. You are going to wither off soon. Wait for that time.
Name: Challenge to all infidels from Akhter
Date: Thursday June 05, 2008
Time: 10:23:05 -0700
Comment
Produce a sura like quran. You cannot because Quran says you are the worst beasts (8.55), lowest creatures (95.5) and lowest of the low (98.6),and Quran is the truth.
Name: To Ibn Kamuna
Date: Thursday June 05, 2008
Time: 10:29:59 -0700
Comment
Please dont call me your brother. We muslims are best of peoples (3.110) and you infidels are worst beasts(8.55)according to Quran and Quran is the truth.
Name: the lowest of beasts
Date: Thursday June 05, 2008
Time: 11:16:39 -0700
Comment
CHALLENGE TO AKHTER----- produce a sura like quran. You cannot because if you do your muslim brothers will kill you. If you produce sura like quran that means you are PROPHET and there can be no other prophet after Mohammed. Of course Mohammed only said he was last prophet because after what he did it was obvious to everyone that absolutely anybody could stand up and call himself a prophet and get stupid people to believe him. He was merely safeguarding his investment. STRANGE -- muslims revere a false prophet and they would kill a real one.
Name: Ibn Kammuna to Akhter
Date: Thursday June 05, 2008
Time: 21:18:11 -0700
Comment
Please dont call me your brother. We infidels are best of peoples (Kammuna 3.110) and you Muslims are worst beasts(Kammuna 8.55)according to Quran and Quran is the truth. How do you like this now Akhter. I just changed few words in what you said
Name: Islam is superior to all other religions - Why?
Date: Friday June 06, 2008
Time: 00:57:54 -0700
Comment
Other religions praise poverty - Islam makes it a reality.
Name: Kaffir
Date: Friday June 06, 2008
Time: 01:25:51 -0700
Comment
My guess is that the reason FFI is off the line is that someone has been up to mischeif once again .And you don,t have to be a genious to work out who . Question to our Muslim contributors.Does your Allah suffer from an inferiority complex? Why do you have to revert to such low standards . If your Allah is such top stuff and you Muslims are so superior why can,t you settle the issue in a civil manner .You can not hope to win by this childish behaviour .
Name: To Akhter
Date: Friday June 06, 2008
Time: 01:53:32 -0700
Comment
If all Muslims were like you this foolishness known as Islam would be easier to combat .You may think we all hate you but that is not true . We look forward to the day you renounce Islam and embrace the human race . Its a beautifull experience .
Name:
Date: Friday June 06, 2008
Time: 03:35:33 -0700
Comment
The word of Allah , and his choice as the true path for humanity was a gift of ALLAH , then also the kufars were reluctent to leave their evil, selfish ways as you are today , but there is a lesson for you to learn, the choice is yours.
Name:
Date: Friday June 06, 2008
Time: 09:26:20 -0700
Comment
The educational institutions should introduce Arun Shourie's book "The World of Fatwas" to get the correct perspective on islam and its barbaric inanities. It is a very good expose on the crude mentality and stoneage law of Sharia. It exposes the sheer hypocrisy of the "religion of peace" , which it is certainly not. It is just arabian barbarism imposed on conquered people by muslims brainwashing them to a point of becoming compliant zombies!
Name: P.I.G. (Politically Incorrect Guy)
Date: Friday June 06, 2008
Time: 15:23:02 -0700
Comment
In the West,especially the U.S., we are mired in a swamp of politically correctness. We can't call a midget a midget, but he is "height-challenged". We can't call someone retarded, but instead they are "mentally-challenged". This goes on ad-nauseum. Now if someone tells you their name is say,"Henry" should you call them "Walter" because you think that Henry is a bad name. It is not going to make any difference to Henry because he knows who he is. The Jihadists named themselves,so I think that we should call them the same, since it is going to make no difference to them what we call them. I think also that we should call them Islamic Jihadists, Islamic extremists, Islamic terrorists along with baby killers and every other vile name that we can conceive. In their Quran, they have called non-believers every conceivable form of vile beast