Bobby Ghosh: Why global jihad is losing

TL;DR

This content discusses the power of the word "jihad" and its various interpretations, as well as the decline of the global jihad and the need to address local jihads.

Transcript

Translator: Joseph Geni Reviewer: Morton Bast I'm going to talk about the power of a word: jihad. To the vast majority of practicing Muslims, jihad is an internal struggle for the faith. It is a struggle within, a struggle against vice, sin, temptation, lust, greed. It is a struggle to try and live a life that is set by the moral codes written in t... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌍 Jihad is commonly understood as an internal struggle within Islam, but a minority group believes it also includes an external struggle against those threatening the faith.
• 📚 Osama bin Laden redefined jihad as a global war of terror, primarily targeting the West, and his definition gained acceptance worldwide due to his horrific acts.
• 💔 The old understanding of jihad, as an internal spiritual struggle, is being overshadowed by bin Laden's definition even within the Muslim community.
• 💰 Interest in a global holy war against the West is declining among Muslims, along with the supply of money and young men willing to fight for this cause.
• 🌍 Different violent jihads are taking place across the globe, but these are often localized conflicts centered around ethnicity, race, sectarianism, or power struggles.
• ⚠️ Disengagement from local jihad is not an option because local conflicts can easily turn into global jihad if ignored.
• 🔍 Lessons from the fight against global jihad can be applied to local jihad, but not all tactics will work in every situation.
• 💡 Various factors, including the Arab Spring, Al Jazeera, and the discrediting of violent jihad, have already helped weaken the ideology of bin Ladenism and global jihad.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the original meaning of the word "jihad"?

The original meaning of the word "jihad" in Islam is an internal struggle for the faith. It refers to the struggle against vices, sin, temptation, and living a moral life according to the Quran. This concept of jihad is as important to Muslims as the idea of grace is to Christians.

Q: How did the word "jihad" become associated with violence?

While the majority of practicing Muslims interpret jihad as an internal struggle, there is a minority group that believes it can also involve an external struggle against those who threaten the faith. Osama bin Laden refined this idea and promoted a global war of terror primarily aimed at the West, and his definition of jihad became widely accepted, even within the Muslim world.

Q: How has the perception of jihad changed over time?

The original idea of jihad as an internal struggle has been overshadowed by the violent and extremist interpretation of jihad promoted by Osama bin Laden. However, opinion polls show that there is now very little interest among Muslims in a global holy war against the West. The perception of jihad is shifting back to its original meaning for many Muslims, reclaiming its beautiful purpose.

Q: What actions contributed to the defeat of global jihad?

Several factors contributed to the defeat of global jihad. The horrors of 9/11 committed by Osama bin Laden filled the Muslim world with horror and revulsion, ensuring that his idea of jihad never became mainstream. Al Jazeera and other satellite news stations revealed the hypocrisy of bin Laden and al Qaeda, informing Muslims and allowing them to come to their own conclusions. The Arab Spring also provided an alternative path for young Muslims to bring about change.

Q: How can local jihad still pose a threat?

While the global jihad as defined by Osama bin Laden is on its last legs, local jihads still exist in various regions such as Somalia, Mali, Nigeria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. These groups may pay homage to bin Laden and use his rhetoric, but their battles are often centered around narrower issues like ethnicity, race, sectarianism, or power struggles within specific countries or regions. Disengaging from local jihad is not an option as it can ultimately reemerge as a global threat.

Q: What approach should be taken to address local jihad?

Lessons learned from the fight against global jihad can be applied to address local jihad. While military intervention may not always be feasible, other factors that contributed to the defeat of global jihad, like economic assistance, expertise, technology, fair trade, medicine, education, and support for police and anti-terror forces, can be provided to governments in regions affected by local jihad. Patience, understanding, and supporting the efforts of these governments are also crucial in addressing and containing the threat.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jihad, to the majority of practicing Muslims, is an internal struggle to live a moral life according to the teachings of the Koran.

• The concept of jihad has been corrupted by a small minority within Islam, who believe it is also an external struggle against forces that threaten the faith.

• While global jihad is on the decline, local jihads still exist and should not be ignored, as they have the potential to become global if left unchecked.