Divine Mugunga
Global Terrorism
Prof. Shirk
March 24, 2017
Role of Religion in Terrorist Organization
of Hamas and the Ismailis Sects of Assassins
For two centuries
the Assassins of the middle ages played a frightening role in the Muslim world
in their attempt to convert and take over the territory in the heart of the
Alborz Mountains of northern Persia. In order to accomplish this goal the
assassins sought to gain the support of those who resided in that area, and by slowly
eliminating any and all enemies through strategic methods of assassinations. Because the
methods of the Assassins were so effective, modern Islamic terrorist groups
such as Hamas have adopted them and use them to gain their political goals.
The
most infamous instances of modern terrorism like Hamas have religious motives
to a certain extent, notwithstanding their political goals. Although this may
seem like a new phenomenon, religiously motivated terrorism dates back to the
11th century with the Ismailis sect of Assassins. Both the Assassins
and Hamas were founded on religious (Islam) beliefs. Like most of the
monotheistic religions, Islam includes those who accept their principles and
exclude those who do not. Their beliefs define and organize all aspects of
society to which their members belong. The Assassins and Hamas used religion,
in this case Islam, to gain the support of from Muslims to then extend their
influence through political power.
Another similarity
between the Assassins and Hamas include the use of suicide volunteers a strategic
method to kill their enemies and accomplish their political goals. Suicide missions
in the Muslim world cannot be separated from religion. Those who execute suicide-bombing
missions believe Jihad is synonymous to war and it requires Muslims to strike
and not only at non-Muslims but also other Muslims who are deemed insufficiently
loyal to their radical cause. Chapter 9:123 of the Qur’an states,
"Fight the unbelievers who are near to you, and let them find ruthlessness
in you." Since Muslims find shirk to be the worst kind of disbelief,
groups such as Hamas and the Assassins don’t run out of volunteers for suicide
missions because those who volunteer think they are serving a purpose greater
then their need to exist.
Although there are many similarities between the Ismailis
Assassins and Hamas, there are differences as well. The most important aspect
of the Assassins that distinguishes them from modern terrorist groups such as
Hamas is the targets of their violence. The Assassins were very specific with
their targets, they were mostly political leaders and religious figureheads.
Hamas on the other hand practices indiscriminate violence and starts conflict
in order to provoke the Israelis to retaliate harshly, which gets them closer
to accomplishing their goal.
Today
if you ask an individual to describe terrorism, they will either mention an
Islamic extremist group, or the religion of Islam. A vast majority of Americans have a distinct stereotype in mind of what
a terrorist is, this description often entails someone of Arab decent. One of
the reasons for this is that the media plays a significant role in portray
Islamic extremist groups as the only Terrorist groups. The other reason for
Muslim groups being the face of terrorism is because the groups like Hamas and
The Assassins use their religion to justify their use of violence to achieve a
political goal.
Reference
·
Chaliand, G. (2010).
The history of terrorism: from antiquity to al Qaeda. Berkeley, Calif.
·
Gary , J. M. (n.d.). Holy Terror: The Rise of the Order of
Assassins. History Net. Retrieved March 1, 2017, from http://www.historynet.com/holy-terror-the-rise-of-the-order-of-assassins.htm
· Bukay, D. (2006). The
Religious Foundations of Suicide Bombings Islamist Ideology. Middle
East Forum. Retrieved March 24, 2017, from
http://www.meforum.org/1003/the-religious-foundations-of-suicide-bombings#_ftn15
