Role of Religion in Terrorist Organization of Hamas and the Ismailis Sects of Assassins

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 11^th 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