I have thought for some time that radical Islam of the al Qeada variety, is a totalitarian ideology like communism or fascism. Michael Totten has a column that has a similar theme.
Al Qaeda came through Islam and used it to enter Iraqi lands. They are killers, insurgents, they don’t respect humanity. They don’t belong to Islam or have religious beliefs. They have no kind of religious beliefs.”
Don’t assume Mahmoud is dissembling when he says this. It may appear that some Muslims are being overly defensive by saying Osama bin Laden is not a real Muslim, but there is a solid case to be made that radical Islamism is, in fact, a totalitarian cult unhinged from the religion as it is actually practiced by the majority. It is they, after all, who blow up mosques in Iraq. I know of at least one mosque in Ramadi that is considered “blackened” because insurgents used it as a base. No one will set foot in it now.
I think this is the case. The stories about the 9/11 hijackers visiting strip clubs were thought odd given that they were supposed to be devout Muslims. Now those stories seem to fit this theme.
Tags: al qeada, iraq, Michael Totten, Muslims, terrorism
I would like it to be true. Only, what about all the Saudi-financed Wahabbi schools teaching hardline Islam? And the kids spouting all the hatred. It’s seems like there is still a massive revival going on within Islam that has affected every Islamic country.
For example, in her book Infidel Ayaan Hirsi Ali talks about how ultra-traditional Islam came to dominate in formerly easygoing Mogadishu. Al Qaeda might be riding this wave but they do seem to tie in together ominously.
I agree but the soldiers doing the actual attacks are not necessarily devout. The suicide bombers are but the guys strapping the vests on may not be. The Red Army Faction were dedicated Marxists like these guys are dedicated Islamists. It’s just that the motive may be power, not just piety.