Condoning Jihad

Allegation: Jihad is a violent Holy War against the West. Many groups around the world have declared Jihad against America. The Quran clearly calls for Jihad, and the killing of all infidels. Muslim organizations need to condemn these quranic verses.

Jihad is one of the misunderstood concepts in the west about Islam. The main reason that it is misunderstood is that extremists, like Osama Bin Laden and others, have abused the name to mean a Holy War against the West. Muslims, especially in America, have no desire for a Holy War against America or against the west. In fact, Muslims in America, specifically mainstream Muslim Organizations, have the most to lose from this violent approach to their religion. Islam does not advocate Holy War or terrorism. Islam, as understood by mainstream Muslim scholars and organizations, rejects Jihad as practiced by the terrorist organizations nowadays. Muslim Organizations have condemned violence done in the name of Islam (see above about Muslims condemning terrorism).

Extremists have taken a positive concept in Islam, Jihad, and have exploited it for their own political gains. Jihad is a broad concept that means struggle to do what is good on earth.

Most common people have no time to read details about complicated subjects. Islamophobes exploit this ignorance and general fear for their own political goals. Islamophobes wish for the Muslims to completely reject Jihad, not only reject the terrorizing violence that is done by extremists in the name of Jihad. Doing this would not be true to our religion. Jihad is a true concept in Islam, which does not translate into the terrorism advocated by today’s extremists. For a broader understanding of Jihad in Islam, please refer to:

- A good explanation of Jihad in Islam.

- Jihad in Islam by John Esposito (professor of International Affairs and Islamic Studies at Georgetown University

- Also, an interview on the subject on PBS, with John Esposito