|
|
|
|
Middle East Review of International Affairs
The Islamic Fundamentalist View of Life as a Perennial Battle
by David Zeidan
*
Editor's Note
This article analyzes how radical Islamist movements have altered traditional Islamic concepts to justify their worldview. Based on the writings of prominent radical Islamist leaders across a wide spectrum, it analyzes the ideas of a cosmic struggle between good and evil as reflected in the individual and in society. It traces the reinterpretation of traditional Islamic concepts such as jahiliyya, takfir, hijra, mufassala, jihad and istishad to justify indiscriminate violence. Bin-Laden and his al-Qai'da group use these reinterpretations to justify terrorism, while these ideas also mobilize support for their deeds among a far broader sector among Muslims
Full PDF Document, 28 pages, 172kB
Endnotes
Note *: David Zeidan is a research consultant in Middle Eastern and Islamic Affairs. He has an MA from the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London) in Middle East Area Studies, and a PhD in comparative religions from the university of London for his thesis: The Resurgence of Religion: A Comparative Study of Selected Themes in Christian and Islamic Fundamentalisms. His publications include: "The Alevi of Anatolia", MERIA Journal, Vol. 3, No. 4 (December 1999); "Radical Islam in Egypt: A Comparison of Two Groups," MERIA Journal, Vol. 3, No. 3 (September, 1999); and "The Copts-Equal, Protected or Persecuted? The Impact of Islamization on Muslim-Christian Relations in Modern Egypt,"Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, Vol. 10, No. 1, 1999. Back