Islamic Fundamentalism

Javier MedinaAlejandra TovarKelsey EatonJillian Connor

Misconception of Islam

There is nothing in Islamic teaching, particularly in the Qu’ran, that advocates, endorses or encourages acts of

violence against another human being, especially murder, unless in self-defense.

Background and Context

What is Islamic Fundamentalism?

Brief HistoryRecently Islamic fundamentalism has risen as an alternative political phenomenon in the entire Muslim world.

Islamic fundamentalism aims at returning society to a centuries-old social set-up, defying all material and historical factors.

Muslim countries were colonized by the imperialist countries; resistance movements used religion as well as nationalism as a launching pad for independence struggles.

In countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, the national liberation movement was begun in the name of religion.

Where do they live?1. Algeria2. Tunisia3. Sudan4. Egypt5. Saudi Arabia6. Jordan7. Turkey8. Iran9. Afghanistan10. Pakistan11. Indonesia

Demographics

Islamic Fundamentalist Groups and Members

Ontology and Epistemology

● Spiritualism ● Religion based● Sacred text● Main belief ● Mosque and Imam● Allah● Muhammad

Core Values

● Strong relationship to god● unity● life● honesty● justice

Duty Ethics

● Sharia Law● Marriage● Charity● Parents ● respect of other homes● promises

Social Beliefs

● Dualist society● Jihad● Men’s roles● Womens roles

Ceremonies and Practices

● Five Pillars of Islam

Culture Patterns

● Monotheistic● Egalitarian/ tolerant● Moralistic● Dynamic/Progressive● Non-exclusive“Most of us believe in these features. We should always emphasize these values of our

religious culture and wherever we may have shortcomings we should try to remove

them. I pray to Allah to keep us on the right path and help us to promote peace and

justice in this world and remove injustice and oppression.” - Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi

Culture continued

● Prayer● Patriarchal ● Hijabs- cultural representationof modesty stated inQur’an.

Culture continued

● Education is very important to Muslims, but is sometimes neglected.

● knowledge is identified in Islam as worship.

IQRA! 17 year old, Pakistani, Malala Yousafzai: education/women's rights activist.

Culture continued

● Oppression of Women

“Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them. Good women are obedient. They guard their unseen parts because God has guarded them. As for those from whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and forsake them in beds apart, and beat them.” Quran 4:34, “Women,”

Current IssuesIslamic Fundamentalism and Terrorism

● Islamic fundamentalist have many groups, but we usually only hear about terrorist groups from the media including Al-Qaeda, The Taliban, and ISIS.

● These groups do not represent what most Islamic Fundamentalist truly are like. When it comes to the media, the spotlight is shining on dramatic murderers who are repeatedly referred to as “Islamic fundamentalists.” This is in total contradiction to the definition of the truly practicing Muslim fundamentalists. It is a tragedy that many people have an enormous and unfounded fear of Islam and what is mistakenly thought to be Islam’s fundamental belief.

● A true Islamic fundamentalist is one who strictly adheres to the fundamentals of Islam, which can only be defined by the Qur’an and the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Within true Islamic fundamentalism one would never see crimes against humanity, heinous acts of hatred, political killing, terrorism, oppression, religious extremism or zealotry, or the forcing of one’s religion on others. All of these acts are clearly forbidden in Islam. Muhammad was a pinnacle of humanity’s generosity and compassion.

● Unfortunately, across the globe those Muslims who are practicing true Islamic principles are becoming an “endangered species.” As Muslims struggle to practice their beliefs many are challenged, not only by their own government or Western governments, but they also find themselves caught between secularists and narrow-minded extremists.

● Gallup conducted tens of thousands of hour-long, face-to-face interviews with residents of more than 35 Islamic countries between 2001 and 2007. It found that more than 90% of respondents condemned the killing of non-combatants on religious and humanitarian grounds.

● In a number of the worst-affected Muslim-majority regions, these terrorists have been met by armed, independent resistance groups, muslim politicians, and politically liberal Muslim protesters.

Current Issues

Women’s Rights● Throughout the Muslim world, women are treated as second-class citizens who are inferior to men in terms of intelligence,

morals, and faith. This arrangement derives from the Qur'an itself, which states: “Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other.” (Qur'an 4:34)

● Islamic countries have a variety of different codes and rules for women. Some include: A woman must cover her entire body except her face and hands from non-Mahram (non-relative) men. A woman must obey the husband, ask permission or be accompanied by a man when leaving the house, must engage in physical relations with her husband, and may be subjected to genital mutilation. Many of these rules can vary and are not required for all islamic women.

● There are many women's rights movement in Muslim-majority societies today. From Pakistan to North Africa, each country has a network of activists, writers and academics struggling to bring women's rights to their countries and overthrow centuries of patriarchal oppression.

● Malala Yousafzai, a teenage girl who was shot in the head by the Taliban for supporting women’s education, has now become an international symbol of the struggle for women's liberation. She has toured the world and spoken at the UN, calling for the universal rights of all women.

● Taffan Ako Taha is a Kurdish activist who was born in Iraqi Kurdistan in 1994. She frequently lectures in Kurdish schools about the dangers of female genital mutilation (FGM). Her current focus is on assisting refugees fleeing the Islamic State (ISIS).

Iraq Afghanistan

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