Islamic Fundamentalism: Religion of Struggle, Ideology of Terror
Essay I wrote in 1986 for Yale College seminar on "Terrorism and Democracy" taught by Admiral Stansfield Turner, former director of the CIA. Introduction: "In discussing the relationship of Islamic Fundamentalism to terrorism, one may ask: 'How is the United States to stop radical Islamic terrorism?' Alternately, one may ask: 'How are Muslims to free themselves from the anti-Islamic terrorism of the U.S. and its client-states?' The first of these questions has been at the top of the U.S foreign policy agenda since hostage crisis in 1979; the second has been at the top of the Islamic fundamentalist agenda since the overthrow of the Shah the same year. "Neither of the above questions will ever yield an answer that will bring the region closer to peace and stability, for the moral imperatives on which they are based are mutually exclusive. Secretary of State George Shultz has stated: 'We must understand above all that terrorism is a form of political violence. Wherever it takes place, it is directed in an important sense against us, the democraciesagainst our most fundamental values individual rights, equality under the law, freedom of thought and expression, and freedom of religion.' Ayatollah Khomeini has written: 'the Imams not only fought against tyranical rulers, oppressive governments, and corrupt courts themselves; they also summoned the Muslims to wage jihad against those enemies The Muslims will be able to live in security and tranquility and preserve their faith and morals only when they enjoy the protection of a government based on justice and law, a government whose form, administrative system, and laws have been laid down by Islam.' "Secretary Shultz is correct in claiming that the primary values of Western society are under attack by Islamic fundamentalists. Yet the Secretary, and others of like mind, is mistaken in further stating that therefore the' fundamentalist are 'uncivilized,' 'roguish,' 'crazy' and 'unpredictible." While fundamentalist ideolggy is profoundly antagonistic to western values, it is also at once complex, coherent, and internally consistent. The fundamentalists are not emotional fanatics; they are calculating, rational actors. Their objectives are clear: the establishment of Islamic governments across the globe, and the elimination of Western-capitalist and Eastern-communist influence in the Muslim world. Their greatest weapons are not military or political, they are ideological. Consequently, A understanding the context and content of fundamentalist ideology is a pre-requisite to responding effectively to the challenge which they pose to democratic societies."
