Comment: Al-Qaeda & Jihadists Work Under Pretences

Battle of Alexander by Altdorfer Albrecht 

"These peoples have willingly called for, supported, and backed the establishment of and survival of the State of Israel. The western peoples continued to make this demand for decades, and it was not a haphazard demand. It was the fruit of a tree watered by hatred of Islam and the Muslims for several centuries. Based on this fact, we must build a realistic policy toward the west so that we do not fall from the sky of illusions to hit the land of reality. In addition, we must acknowledge that the west, led by the United States, which is under the influence of the Jews, does not know the language of ethics, morality, and legitimate rights. They only know the language of interests backed by brute military force. Therefore, if we wish to have a dialogue with them and make them aware of our rights, we must talk to them in the language that they understand."(Ayman Al-Zawahiri in "Knights under the prophet's banner", 2001)

Victimisation is the fuel of jihadism. Radical Islam claims that the West hates Islam, showing us thus that it lives up in "the sky of illusions". First, the West didn't dislike Islam until it decided to occupy Europe, from the 7th to 8th centuries. Second, the West didn't hate Islam otherwise it wouldn't have given it the liberties Muslims enjoyed for many years in western countries, despite the several terrorist attacks perpetrated by Islamic Terrorists since the 70's. Third, the West only decided to take issue with Islam when Bin Laden and his "followers" decided to perpetrate the biggest attack on a Western target in 2001.

Still, the West doesn't hate Islam; but it can't deny that Islam has political ambitions and is more than willing to use religion, and violence, as a means to achieve its imperialistic goals (i.e. the restoration of the Caliphate). 

Al-Zawahiri advocated that "Killing children or even Muslims as collateral damage of Jihad attacks is therefore allowed" and accused the West of being unethical and immoral; the same individual that vowed to fight "Until every piece of land that was once Islamic is regained, jihad is an individual obligation for each capable Muslim." accused the West of not knowing the meaning of legitimate rights simply because it doesn't allow the return to a Caliphate in Western and Jewish Land. Mr Al-Zawahiri should be advised to perform an examination of conscience. 

The initial Al-Qaedaists expressed contempt toward the Shiites. Al-Zarqawi (the late leader of the AQ in Iraq), in 2004, went as far as telling Bin Laden that "These people (the Shi'ah) are continuing to kill those who call for Islam and the mujahidin of the community, stabbing them in the back under the cover of the silence and complicity of the whole world (...)" - I wonder what he would think of Al-Qaeda today (a hybrid [with both Sunnis and Shiites] terrorist organisation). The battle between Sunnis and Shiites is more political than religious, although the latter is used to justify their differences. But looking at the neo-Al-Qaeda, it could be said that a compromise between Sunnis and Shiites has been reached to fight against their common foes towards their main goal: the re-establishment of the Caliphate. 

The Western society is not driven by violence but by peace; it doesn't destroy, it builds; it focuses on evolution not devolution; it respects its women, it empowers them. The West lives and fights for all sorts of freedom and, within its imperfections it is perfect. Having said this, if jihadis (those striving for spiritual self-perfection) want to talk to the West they should sit and speak our true language: Diplomacy. 

[N.B: The excerpts from Al-Zawahiri's and Al-Zarqawi's letters were taken from "The Evolution of Al-Qaedism: Ideology, terrorists and appeal" by Edwin Bakker and Leen Boer]