Posted on 08/28/2005 11:53:39 AM PDT by LS
Freepers, I have a question (and I know I'm just asking for a lot of joke answers here, but I'm serious.) I've been doing a lot of reading on Islam/the Arab mind/terrorism. I'm especially interested in how concepts of shame and honor play into this.
Using such works as John Laffin, "The Arab Mind Considered" (1975) and Patton Howell's "The Terrorist Mind," (2003), it seems that prior to the mid-1970s at least, suicide was considered an act of dishonor or shame in Arab societies (and, again, I know that all Muslims, esp. Iranians, aren't "Arab"). The point is that it was an act of shame to kill oneself, even when destroying an enemy.
Yet by the 1980s (earlier?) we see so-called "suicide bombers." Does anyone have a take on how the concept of shame came to be ok when applied to suicide disappeared in the Arab world? And when did this occur? So far, the sources I've seen aren't helping. Thanks Freepers. I'll bet I have solid answers within 30 minutes!
Ah! THIS is what I was looking for. Do you have any sources or references for this?
This helps. Thanks.
Jackpot. Thank you. Don't know why MEMRI didn't come to mind. This is very helpful.
Money back guarantee if not completely satisfied... or if he lives.
Beg to differ. ALL bombers are homicide bombers. Those who plan on killing themselves are not differentiated at all by using this term for them, so it is essentially meaningless.
I understand the sentiment behind not wanting the emphasize their "selflessness," but let's not corrupt the language in the process.
I don't think they consider it suicide. It has always been desirable to die gloriously in battle in any culture. This is an extension of this. Remember this is an attack, not a suicide.
Think of the marine who jumps on the grenade to save his fellow marines. Would anyone consider that a mortal sin because it is suicide? I don't think so.
The Assassins did not routinely kill themselves as part of their attacks.
However, there are numerous stories of their leaders emphasizing the fearlessness of their men to visitors by having them successively jump off cliffs, stab themselves, etc.
The short answer is that it isn't suicide when you kill non Muslims by exploding yourself and a bomb. It's called martyrdom. These psychos are revered by the ummah as martyrs. Islamic scholars also call them martyrs
A Muslim commits suicide when kills just himself. This is forbidden always.
I assume the logic lies in primary intent. Is it the principle intent to kill oneself or others? From the answer to that, derives the the most descriptive term.
The more innocents you kill the better in these idiots eyes.
So why draw the distinction when the primary intent of all bombers is homicide. The distinguishing characteristic is the suicide part. We drew a distinction between Japanese bombers who dropped bombs and kamikaze bombers who died as part of the delivery system. I think the same logic should apply.
Understanding Islamic terrorism is an exercise in futility. Who cares? The clerics and leaders who train the homicide/suicide bombers and send them on their missions are cowards, and the 72 virgins these pathetic lemmings are told they will get in "paradise" are horny homosexual males. We're the good guys, and in spite of Cindy Sheehan and the democrat left wanting us to lose to these monsters doesn't change the fact that we need to kick their collective butts. I don't want to understand these people. There's nothing to understand. No cause could be noble that advocates killing innocent and unarmed civilians and not worthy of my time or one single brain cell investing to understand them. Period.
There is a large class of bombers who desire to destroy property and may be truly dismayed if someone were killed when that was not their original intent. That said, I tend to agree with you that the distinguishing characteristic in cases such as modern terrorism is the "suicide factor." But I was just offering the logic most usually put forth by those who prefer the term "homicide bomber." I believe the real truth behind their preference is the desire to stress the fact that non-combatants are killed; in short, the propaganda factor which is useful in winning any war. I also am in agreement in this usage of the term "homicide bomber."
All bombers are at least willing to commit homicide, only a few suicide.
IslamOnline.net: "Ask The Scholar"
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1118742803355&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/Page/FatwaCounselE
I think the phase irrational fanaticism goes a long way toward explaining it.
MEMRI.org - Special Dispatch Series - No. 909: "BAHRAINI AUTHOR AND JOURNALIST: THE PROPONENTS OF THE SUICIDE IDEOLOGY HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "In an article that appeared in the Saudi daily Al-Yawm, titled "The Globalization of Islamic Suicide" author and journalist Sawsan Al-Sha'er wrote that the extremist Islamist groups are taking advantage of global communications to recruit suicide bombers, and predicted the spread of the suicide bomber phenomenon to Britain as well.") (May 17, 2005)
MEMRI.org - MIDDLE EAST MEDIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE Special Report - No.32: "MEMRI TV Project Special Report: Arab and Iranian TV Clips in Support of Suicide Bombing" (September 1, 2004)
JIHAD WATCH.org (HAARETZ): "10 SUICIDE BOMBINGS FOILED OVER PASSOVER HOLIDAY" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "One of two Tanzim activists caught at the end of March told interrogators the group that sent them had planned a series of other attacks, including one with a device to which blood infected with AIDS would be attached.") (April 13, 2004)
The term "homicide bomber" is just PC-ism form the right.
'suicide bomber' is a good descriptive term as to the m.o. of the bomber, who of course is trying to kill people. A 'mail bomber' is also homicidal, but 'mail bomber' tells us how he goes about it.
News.BBC.co.uk: "PALESTINIAN 'TARGETED HOSPITAL'" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "In an interview shown on Israeli television, Ms Bis said her "dream was to be a martyr". She said she was recruited by the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades - an off-shoot of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction.") (June 21, 2005) (Read More...)
JIHAD WATCH.org (YNET): "PALESTINIAN GIRL HIDES GUN IN UNDIES" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The soldiers in the Balata refugee camp, a terrorist hotbed, found the gunman inside his house and ordered him to surrender his weapon. He refused, saying he didn't have it. After questioning, they found the man's sister had hidden it her underwear. Troops then arrested the Hamas terrorist. They also found a gun holster and bullets inside the building.") (April 16, 2005) (Read More...)
WASHINGTON TIMES.com: "WOMEN'S MAGAZINE OFFERS TIPS TO TERRORISTS" by John Phillips (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "With its bizarre format including articles on "breathing gymnastics to conquer the passions," evidently essential knowledge for those tempted to have a final fling before strapping on an explosive-laden corset, Al Khansa could indicate that al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden has made a strategic choice in favor of "women's emancipation through martyrdom," according to the Gnosis report. "This is a turning point in the project planning of international terrorist networks, which until now, unlike in the Palestinian intifada or in Chechen nationalist extremism, were limited to the exclusive employment of men in operations," the SISDE analysts said.") (January 17, 2005)
News.BBC.co.uk: "'JIHAD' MAGAZINE FOR WOMEN ON WEB" by Sebastian Usher (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The magazine is called Al-Khansa, after a famous Arab woman poet in the early days of Islam, who wrote eulogies to male relatives who had died in battle. It appears to be the first "jihadist" publication aimed exclusively at women. The magazine says it is published by an organisation called "The Women's Media Bureau in the Arabian Peninsula". "The main objective seems to be to teach women married to radical Islamists how to support their husbands" And it claims that the former leader of al-Qaeda in Saudi Arabia, Abd-al-Aziz al-Muqrin - who was killed by Saudi security forces in June - as one of its founders. Al-Khansa also appears to be linked to the most well-known jihadist outlet on the internet, Sawt al-Jihad - or Voice of Jihad.") (Last Updated August 24, 2004) (Read More...)
GOOGLE Search Term: "Al-Khansa"
GOOGLE Search Term: "SAWT-AL-JIHAD"
GOOGLE Search Term: "al-Muqrin"
JIHAD WATCH.org (THE SCOTSMAN): "IRAQ: JIHAD FOR KIDS" (March 6, 2005)
AIM.org: "JIHAD FOR KIDS" by Robert Spencer (June 11, 2002) (Read More...)
"images5.theimagehosting.com/2child.gif"
Google Search: "images5.theimagehosting.com/2child.gif"
WorldNetDaily.com: "U.N. 'EXPLODES' AMERICAN KIDS Broadcasters Not Showing Graphic Ad Depicting Soccer Children Blown Apart" (March 6, 2005)
MEMRI.org - Special Dispatch Series - No. 819 - MEMRI TV Project: "MOTHERS OF HIZBULLAH MARTYRS: WE ARE VERY HAPPY AND WANT TO SACRIFICE MORE CHILDREN" (November 25, 2004)
INTERNET-HAGANAH.US (JERUSALEM POST): "SHIN BET: CHILD TERROR ON THE RISE" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "According to a Shin Bet report, the use of children in attacks is now common among all the Palestinian terror organizations. Since the outbreak of violence in September 2000, 309 minors were involved in planned and executed terror acts, with 126 involved since the beginning of 2004. Children as young as 11 years old are easily persuaded to join the conflict with assurances that they will gain respect in the next life. Terror organizations then distance the young recruits from their families and schools and subject them to religious and nationalistic indoctrination. The report also revealed that terror organizations hide bombs inside children's toys and satchels in order to evade detection.") (November 5, 2004)MEMRI.org - MIDDLE EAST MEDIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE - Special Dispatch Series - No. 673: "UMM NIDAL: 'THE MOTHER OF THE SHAHIDS'" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Umm Nidal Farhat [1] came to public attention for the first time when she was filmed helping her son Muhammad Farhat leave home to carry out the March 20, 2002 attack during which he was killed. About a year later her second son, Nidal, was killed by Israeli forces. In an interview published in both the Israeli-Arab Kul Al-Arab weekly and the London Arabic-language daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi, Umm Nidal reiterated that martyrdom (Shehada) is the most supreme act, and one of the basic principles of Islam. The following are excerpts from the interview:") (March 4, 2004)JIHAD WATCH.org (NEW YORK TIMES via IHT): "A FRENCH MUSLIM FAMILY TAKES PATH TO MILITANCY" (August 2, 2004)
JIHAD WATCH.org: "PICKING JIHAD OVER CHILDREN" (January 27, 2004)
InHonor.net: (Online Videos)
PMW.or.il - TV Archives - Video Library: "CHILDREN ARE COMBATANTS IN PA IDEOLOGY"
JihadUnspun.com: "FEMALE MARTYR DRIVES CAR BOMB INTO US FORCES IN RAMADI" "By Muhammad Abu Nasr, Free Arab Voice and Omar Al-Faris, JUS" (Jan 03, 2005)
IMRA.org.il: "FEMALE SUICIDE BOMBERS FOR GOD" -Yoram Schweitzer Jafee Center for Strategic Studies (October 9, 2003)
GOOGLE Search Term: "JIHAD WOMEN"
ISLAM ONLINE.net - Fatwa Application - "ASK THE SCHOLAR" - Topic: "PALESTINIAN WOMEN CARRYING OUT MARTYR OPERATIONS" (May 22, 2003; October 5, 2003)
ISLAM ONLINE.net - Fatwa Application - "ASK THE SCHOLAR" - Topic: "MARTYR OPERATIONS CARRIED OUT BY THE PALESTINIANS" (May 22, 2003; July 13, 2003)
PALESTINIAN MEDIA WATCH PATV Archives - Video Library"
ISLAMONLINE.net - Ask About Islam: Topic: "JIHAD AND INNER PEACE"
"JIHAD IN ISLAM: JIHAD: 'THE HIGHEST PEAK OF ISLAM'"
CDLR.net: CDLR Islamic Board>Literature & References>Jihad: "AN AMERICAN SHAHID" -Posted by Abdul on February 2003
BeautifulIslam.net: "SHAHEED (MARTYR)"
ALMINBAR.com: "(1478) - THE VIRTUES OF MARTYRDOM"
ISLAM ONLINE.net - Fatwa Applications - "ASK THE SCHOLAR" - Topic: "ATTACKING CIVILIANS IN MARTYR OPERATIONS" (October 26, 2003)
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