GLOBAL TERRORISM The Moral Linkage By Dr. Robert Gange PART 4 - THE ROLE OF ISLAM ========================== THE KORAN'S ROLE IN GLOBAL TERRORISM ------------------------------------ Muslim terrorists, and law-abiding Muslims both view the Koran as an inspired and sacred directive from Allah. However its relevance to modern global terrorism is that it leaves room for some Muslims to internalize its religious content into divine warrant to harm, torture and kill anyone who rejects Islam (infidels). For example in believing that God has commissioned a Muslim reader to uncover new forms of religious truth, the heterodox Shiite view of the Koran allows such a reader to extract far reaching implications from the text. Stated differently, most Muslims use the Koran as an all-sufficient guide for daily living from the mind of an inspired prophet. But in the hands of Muslims bent on terrorism, it seems to be an ill-conceived, misguided collection of epileptic utterances accepted not only as a license to murder-- but also as assurance of great reward for doing so. Such license is possible because a Muslim reader is free to uncover new forms of religious truth. However, and unlike the Koran, "the faith ... was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3), and "if anyone adds to (the words of the Bible), God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book" (Revelation 22:18). In other words, and unlike the Koran, the cannon of the Bible is closed. While it is true that peace-loving Muslims adhere to the Koran and to its religious teachings on Arab and mid-Eastern life, it is also true that another dynamic is at play: When the teachings of Islam are made to interface with Judeo-Christian teachings and culture, the result is that different ethnic groups with different beliefs can experience different, and even opposing feelings-- even among people who are law-abiding. In times past, this cultural clash was either absent or diminished by the lack of both communication, and the means to travel great distances. But today all of that is gone. We are now living in a global village without walls, and it is forcing people of widely differing cultures to interface with one another. TERRORIST ATTITUDES VERSUS ACTION --------------------------------- The result is not only diminished boundaries between the Islamic and Judeo-Christian cultures, but a growing hostility on the part of the mid-Eastern have-nots, due to their exposure to Western prosperity. Sadly, the clash in moral values between the two cultures can act to nurture the engagement of emotions which, under the right circumstances, can transform these emotions into a response of outrage and even wrath. When opposing emotions are freely unleased, the unbridled zeal can breed erroneous convictions that one is justified to right perceived wrongs through violence. If so, it can open the door for some unknown, albeit small number of law-abiding Muslims to become terrorists. What could encourage the transition of law-abiding Muslims into behaving as terrorists? Although not mentioning any particular ethnic group, Donald Horowitz (The Deadly Ethnic Riot, U. CA Press, Berkeley, 2001) suggests that violence can occur when its adherents believe that the risks are minimal. If that assessment is correct, then by extension untold numbers of potential future terrorists could now be living as law-abiding Muslims, primarily because they believe that terrorist acton would bring unacceptable risks. Stated differently, in addition to peace loving Muslims, and Muslims who are terrorists, there may be a third kind of Muslim: Those who interpret the Koran as do terrorists, but who live in a law-abiding way. This hypothesis suggests that "latent terrorists" exist who behave in a law-abiding manner, but yet who emotionally struggle with hostile feelings spawned by the conflict between Islam's religious values, and the abhorrent morals of Western culture. If this were true, terrorists and latent terrorists would share a common conviction: "Allahu Akbar" i.e., murder is justified when done in the name of Allah. In this case the difference between the two would not be the attitude of the heart, but instead one's willingness to translate that attitude into action. ISLAMIC VERSUS WESTERN CULTURE ------------------------------ This attitude of the heart does not stem from the presence of Western territories, but rather from the existence of Western culture. This is not unlike what has occurred in years past from terrorist hostility toward Israel-- a nation hated and attacked in five separate wars, inspired by Muslim nations primarily because Israel is a Western democracy amid Arab lands. In the mind of Muslim terrorists, Israel is the "little Satan," whereas America is the "Great Satan." America is the symbol of Western culture, and the embodiment of a corruption perceived by Muslims as defiling Islamic lands and culture. Muslim terrorists thus seek to reverse one-thousand years of history by reinstating Islam as the dominant culture and religion of the world. Whereas America is waging a war against terrorists, Muslim terrorists are waging a war against America's very existence. In a word, Muslim terrorists seek to destroy America not because of what it does-- but because of who it is. ISLAMIC DESTINY --------------- A common phrase reported among even law-abiding Muslims is, "Today Friday, tomorrow Saturday, and then Sunday." Its meaning is, 'Today we appeal to Allah, tomorrow he eradicates Jews (Saturday), and then eliminates Christians (Sunday).' It is important to realize that many peace loving Muslims sincerely believe that the Islamic conquest of infidels is Islam's historical destiny, and that it is Allah who will bring it about. Muslim terrorists go further by appointing themselves as "holy warriors" to assist Allah in fulfilling this destiny. However there is an irony to all of this: Muslims claim to adhere to many of the same Bible Books as do Jews e.g., the Torah (first 5 Books of the Bible), and the Psalms of David. Muslims also condemn and seek to reverse the same immoral practices as do Bible-believing Christians. Nonetheless many if not most Muslims regard such Christians as infidels-- even though they claim to accept the four Gospels of Jesus. Even so, the aim of Islam is to recapture the global dominance it once held prior to the reign of Western (Judeo-Christian) culture. What this may suggest is that America is not so much engaged in a terrorists' war, as it is in a religious war, where law-abiding Muslims and Muslim terrorists both share common beliefs and goals. The difference between the two is that the latter take to the streets to achieve them. However each has an Islamic heart that seeks not to recapture Western territories, but to instead eliminate Western culture and replace it with Islam. Each believes this outcome is their destiny. Moreover, law-abiding Muslims and Muslim terrorists are both convinced Allah will bring it about. However the latter believe he needs help-- so much so, they are prepared to die giving Allah the help he needs. Such religious commitment transcends national allegiance, and acts to bind Muslim terrorists into a global brotherhood. For example, every Friday in Milan, Italy, green plastic prayer rugs cover a sidewalk that extends an entire city block. It's done to accommodate the overflow of Muslims from a modest building that houses the Islamic Cultural Institute-- an organization characterized by the U.S. government as the main Al Qaeda station house in Europe. Moreover, after the 1993 bomb attack on the World Trade Center, heavy phone traffic was detected between this mosque, and a mosque in Jersey City. In this instance Muslim terrorists in Italy and the United States were sharing their glee at learning Americans had been maimed and killed. Here Muslim terrorists in both countries held allegiance toward neither country. Instead their common tie was to violence in the name of Allah. MUSLIM ATTITUDES AND AFFECTION ------------------------------ Many law-abiding Muslims interpret most of the Koran in the same way as do terrorists. But the former do not turn to violence. Nonetheless, the conflict between Islamic values and decadent Western morals can inspire law-abiding Muslims to accept terrorist goals. As noted above, law-abiding Muslims-- while condemning terrorists' methods, might still embrace their cause as just, and even succumb to passions that could lead them to support Muslim extremists in one way or another. To be sure, this line is not black and white-- it is broad and gray. Most Muslims would likely have nothing whatsoever to do with a terrorist. But if even a tenth of one percent of Muslims who disapproved of terrorists' methods were to see their cause as just, it would mean that well over one million Muslims would be embracing terrorists' goals. Some might wonder, "If Muslims truly felt this way, how is it possible for America to have so quickly formed so large an Arab coalition after September 11?" The answer is that it was a coalition among Muslim governments-- not Muslim people. Indeed Pakistan (one of America's strongest Arab supporters) was so fearful of civil unrest that it pressured America for a quick end to the bombing. These Arab governments consented to the coalition not for love of the West, but rather because they themselves are fearful of terrorism. Even Arafat, who some credit with inventing hijacking and being the father of 20th Century terrorism, joined in the coalition. WHAT LIES BEYOND? ---------------- If America's goal to eliminate Osama bin Laden succeeds-- what then? Are there not several thousand "embedded sleepers" lying in wait for the right time to kill more Americans? How can we know who they are-- and where and when these human time bombs will awake and explode? Beyond this, are there not millions of Arab children being trained to be a Shahid (martyr for Allah)? Do not Muslim parents overflow with joy at learning that their son was a suicide bomber? And did not live broadcasts show Palestinian masses in Shechem and Ramallah rejoicing with Muslim crowds in Patterson and Jersey City over the September 11 Twin Towers massacre? About 11,000 mid-Eastern schools are now training Muslim youth to hate Jews and Americans, and that to die while killing them for Allah will bring great reward. By even conservative estimates, this means that some 3 million mid-Eastern young people will soon be seeking their share of the heavenly reward as martyrs. Are Americans being informed of these Islamic time bombs? If America's war is against terrorists, then how does it have an end? Do American government leaders believe they will be able to identify and find terrorist hide-outs world-wide, uncover the timing and location of their evil intent, and disrupt their plans to kill and maim more Americans? Perhaps. But then again, maybe not. The fact is, America is not at war with terrorists. It is at war with Muslim terrorists. These were the terrorists who destroyed the World Trade Center. These were the terrorists who attacked America's embassies and the battle ship Cole, and these are the terrorists who are threatening bioterrorism against America's cities, institutions, and leaders. TERRORISTS OR MUSLIM TERRORISTS? -------------------------------- The notion that America is at war with Muslim terrorists rather than just "terrorists" is not explicitly stated-- either by America's President, nor by its Congressional leaders or, for that matter, by the media. This despite the fact that soon after September 11, live broadcasts showed Islamic masses venting ecstasy over destruction of the Twin Towers by Muslim terrorists. The revelation that 19 Muslim terrorists had murdered an estimated 7000 innocent men, women and children was quickly replaced by television programs displaying American professors with Arab names, speaking in Arab dialects, and assuring Americans that virtually all Muslims condemned the September 11 attacks. But after saying this, they went on to suggest that by siding with Israel's occupation of Palestine, America was encouraging Muslim sympathy for the terrorists. Stated differently, their message was, "Terrorism in America arises from America's friendship with Israel and Jews." ARAB AND JEWISH CLAIMS ---------------------- Is this true? Has America been unjustly siding with Israel at the expense of the Palestinians? Not if we are to believe history. The facts show that Arab refugees in Israel first identified themselves as "Palestinians" in 1967 i.e., about 20 years after modern Israel was established as a State. What of Islam? Does it have a legitimate historical claim on these lands and against Israel? Again, the facts show that Israel became a nation in and about 1300 BC i.e., some 2000 years prior to the advent of Islam! Moreover, from the time of the Jewish conquest around 1270 BC, Jews have maintained an uninterrupted presence in the land for over 3000 years. Indeed, Jerusalem does not even appear in the Koran-- and for good reason: Jerusalem has remained the Jewish capital for over 30 Centuries, totally free of any Arab or Muslim influence or claim throughout this time. Is it any surprise that Jewish Scriptures reference Jerusalem over 700 times? The Jewish King David established the city, whereas Mohammed never even set foot in it. In considering the character of the Jewish and Arab cultures, we find that under Jordanian rule, Jewish holy sites were destroyed, denying Jews places to worship. Under Israeli rule, Muslim (and Christian) holy sites were preserved and made available to all faiths. What of aggression? The Arab nations started (and lost) five separate wars with Israel. Why did the Arab nations start these wars? In part because the PLO Charter continues to seek the destruction of Israel. Islamic hostility against Israel is a fact of life. Yet neither mid-Eastern history nor Israeli behavior offers us any rational basis for it. If anything, these Arab feelings and conduct appear to be rooted in the religious dogma that we find sprinkled throughout the Koran. ANCIENT BIBLICAL PROPHECY ------------------------- Muslim attitudes toward Israel range from resigned tolerance and dislike, to outright hatred and violence. If an answer is to be found for such attitudes toward Jews, it may lie in a prophecy recorded over 3000 years ago in Genesis 16:11-12. Speaking of Ishmael, the text reads: "And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand will be against him." This prophecy brings us full circle to September 11, 2001 and the destruction of the World Trade Center by Muslim terrorists: Here we see the hand of Ishmael's seed quite literally declaring war against Western civilization. We also see the world gathered in an American-led coalition against the untamed seed of Ishmael. America is indeed at war-- and it's a war it must win. The reason is that with each passing day, the likelihood of nuclear weapons falling into the hands of Muslim extremists increases. The only reason they haven't yet used nuclear weapons of mass destruction is because they don't yet have them. The difference, however, between those who controlled nuclear weapons in the past, and Muslim terrorists controlling such weapons in the future is that Muslim terrorists are not only prepared to use them-- they are anxious to do so. If nuclear weapons were to be detonated in America's large cities, the devastation and subsequent social, economic and political consequences would be so vast as to force the demise of America-- and with it, Western civilization. Of course, it would also bring American retaliation, and with it the end of Islam's people, culture and writings. Indeed, very little would remain. THE FINAL OUTCOME ----------------- It is for this reason that the war must be won. Western civilization quite literally depends on it. But how can a nation win a war against an enemy that it misidentifies? Is America at war against terrorists-- or Muslim terrorists? And are Muslim terrorists confined to those who have declared themselves holy warriors of Allah? Or are they also the millions of young Muslim children who during their formative years were indoctrinated with hatred toward America, adherence to Allah, and who are now waiting for their time of destiny to share in martyrdom? Has God judged America? No one knows. But we do know that America's quest for a solution lies in the hope He didn't. If the God of the Bible has judged America-- or even removed His protective cover from America, then its government will be unable to undo what God has done, "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (1 Corinthians 1:25). We have yet to learn the final outcome. But we do know this: God will not protect a spiritually lawless nation indifferent to His Commands. The Bible records many instances where God judges a nation that sins, but not one instance when He protects such a nation. God has given America the freedom to accept Him-- or reject Him. Does America's fate rest in this decision? Read Jeremiah 10:10-16, and then decide.