National Security, Transnational Terrorism and Religious Persecution - Assignment Example

National Security, transnational terrorism, Religious persecution Inserts His/Her Inserts Grade Inserts Name 25 May 2009 Table of contents Page no: 1.1 History and Statistics of Christians living in the Arab-Muslim world………… 1.2. History violence against Christians in the Arab world…………………………. 1.3 2003 war beginning, and infiltration of Foreign Extremists…………………… 1.4 Foreign extremists and suicide operations………………………………………… 1.5 Suicide operations and Foreign extremist attacks and targeting of Christian… 1.6 Government of Iraq and U.S. response……………………………………………. 1.7 National security implications………………………………………………………. 1.8 The way to move forward……………………………………………………………. 1.1 History and Statistics of Christians living in the Arab-Muslim world Historical studies conducted about Christians living in Arab- Muslim world, exemplifies the arrival of Christians to Arabian countries before a hundred years. Christians reached in Middle East and they merged with the existing group of Muslims who had reached there before many years. One can find the mentioning of Christianity reaching Arab lands in the New Testament. With the expansion if Islam, many Christians converted to Islam When one analyzing the history of Christianity, one identifies that Christianity is a religion with three major divisions, namely the Roman Catholic Church, the Protestant denominations, and the Eastern Rite churches. Eastern Rite Churches are predominant in Arab World and nearly fourteen million Arabs are Christians (Shabbas Audery, 2002). The term “Arab” does not refer to a language or religion, but rather to a language and a culture. Therefore, by Arab Christians, one means Christians of Arab culture and language. It was the split in Christianity, which lead it to four divisions, one being the Assyrian Church of the East. (Shabbas Audery, 2002). The split later caused various problems in Christianity and Eastern Rite Catholics “reunited” with Roman Catholic Church. This “reunion” gained them the name “The Uniates”. The other group was “The Maronites;” one of the largest Arab Christian Churches in the Middle East. (Shabbas Audery, 2002). However, there were many Christians in Arab countries, especially in Iraq, but different calamities and wars forced them to immigrate to other countries. One among the main reasons that caused for the large immigration of Arab Christians was the Gulf crisis of 1990. Today, there are 600,000 Christians living in Iraq out of 21 million, which is about 2.8 percent of Iraqi population. (Shabbas Audery, 2002) 1.2 History violence against Christians in the Arab world When analyzing the history of Middle East nations, one can see that the Spanish invasion, the piracy, Crusades and colonialism are responsible for the political crisis between North African countries and the Middle East. Social and political pressure from authorities and dissension from natives had influenced the heavy migration from North African and European countries to territories of Middle East. Christian religion in Middle East region has played vital role in the social, political, and religious scenario of these regions. Historians have recorded that the early Arab speaking Christians centralized and developed their own cultural identity in Sinai Peninsula, Arabia and Mesopotamia. Later they spread in between Jordan, Syria, Israel, and the Palestinian autonomous territories. (Dr Phares, Walid, 2001). The major reasons for the Christian affliction in Arab nations were lack of economic opportunities and the rise of severe radical Islamism, which caused for promoting Christian sufferings in Arab nations. Majority of Islamic groups downgraded Christianity and regarded Christians as their enemies. Ethnic and religious discrimination have exerted a great influence in the life of Christians who lived in Iraq. Terrorist groups destroyed large number of Christian churches in bomb blasts. Christians who victimized the hammer and anvil of various terrorists groups and extremists reveal the whims and fancies of Christian community in Iraq. Magdi Khalil remarks, “The recent, simultaneous bombing of six Iraqi churches reflects the seriousness of the predicament of Arab Christians” (Christians of Iraq, 2005). The non-Arab identity of Christians have persecuted through physical attack and political manipulation. Extremist government successfully practiced political manipulation against Christians for their ideological and political benefits. The history of non –Christians has marked with murder and ferociousness. These kinds of political and racial malignity forced them to emigrate nearest countries and react against Arab nationality. The Christian population in Middle East has raised serious questions about the existence of Arab Christians. In 1975 Christian represented 50-60% of the population, today it declined to 25-30 %.(Christians of Iraq, 2005).Unequal distribution of economy, racial discrimination, legal anarchism against Arab Christians, lack of religious freedom, and the pressure of Islamic extremists are the major causes for Christian defense against Arab nations. In countries like Palestine, the fundamental government has required to pay unnecessary taxes to Christian institutions and hospitals. Attacks against Christian monks and women are quite common in Middle East countries and they even used the pages of the holly Bible as toilet papers. 1.3 2003 war beginning, and infiltration of Foreign Extremists Iraqi invasion of U.S. began January 2003 by accusing Iraq for keeping Nuclear Weapons. Though the U.N. agency failed to find out any nuclear weapon from Iraq, America declared war on Iraq on the prospect of the same accusation. Most of the countries opposed the act of America as an attempt of keeping an eye on Iraq’s oil wealth. Nevertheless, America continued war with Iraq, which ended with the fall of Sad ham Hussein. Media in U.S. and other nations blamed the war as petroleum-oriented (Eickelmann, Nelson, & Lansford, 2005). When America and its alliance started attack in Iraq, it provoked many foreign terrorist groups like Taliban, who were waiting for an opportunity to fight against America. They joined hand-in-hand with Iraqi army, but failed desperately. Al-Qaeda actively participated in Iraq’s attempt to defend American invasion and prevent the establishment of a democratic secular state. “Ai-Qaeda in the Land of the Two Rivers,” is undoubtedly responsible for many of the over 150 suicide attacks, assassinations, and beheadings in Iraq since the spring 2003 invasion of Iraq. These terrorist groups joined with Saddam Hussein’s Baathist loyalists and conducted attacks even on the UN headquarters. (Brookes, 2007).Analysis of the Iraqi invasion clearly exposes the involvement of different terrorist groups in the 2003 war and one can infer that these terrorist groups fought with the aim to defeat America. 1.4 Foreign extremists and suicide operations To successfully defeat or suppress a severe ideological movement, such as, radical Islamism is somewhat difficult. The basic principles of these groups include brainstorming and motivation. One of the worst forms of terrorist attacks is suicide terrorism. If one analyses the suicide operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, one can see a deep-rooted ideology in terrorists. Extremists consider suicide operation and sacrifice as holly reward for attaining salvation. Terrorists argue that all their actions are in accordance with the social, cultural and moral standards. They misinterpret it as their responsibility to fight against evils and injustice of the world. Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups have published series of books and pamphlets justifying their activities. They often quote chapters from the Quran, which focuses on jihad, bravery and the toleration of difficulties. (Rahmani Waliullah, 2006). After the Gulf War Christian community in Middle East region have faced serious problems. Saddam Hussein’s compulsory Islamic policies, made life unbearable to Christian community in Iraq and it caused for political and religious anarchy. Most of the Islamic terrorist groups claim that they engage in these activities attracted with the teachings of Muhammad Wahhab. Wahabbism has a deep influence on Arab community and they strictly follow the doctrines of Quran. However, one can see that the followers of Wahabbism never support malpractices against Christians and other non-Islamic people. Therefore, in trying to understand the ideology of Bin Laden, it is not particularly rewarding to pursue the ‘Wahhabi’ connection. (Azzam, Maha, 2003). The Islamic scholars and intellectuals failed to convince the terrorist groups of the futility of suicide attacks and the extremists proceed attacking their declared enemies like America and its supporting nations. 1.5 Suicide operations and foreign extremist attacks and targeting of Christian The justification of Islamic extremists about suicide bombers lays their interpretation of ‘jihad’. A large number of American Christians, including police officers have become victims of suicide attacks. Al-Qaeda, an associate of Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) has claimed the responsibility bombings in the churches of Iraq. From these attacks, it is clear that militants are looking forward for the destruction of Jews and Christians of Middle East countries. As a response to the American invasion in Iraq, extremists killed many Christians in Middle East countries like Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan, destroyed and robbed their houses. Media has reported the deaths and injuries of many Christian workers in Lebanon. The Islamic suicide bombers were attacking Christians at Lebanese Christian restaurant in Israel. Islamic extremists in African countries like Somalia and Ethiopia have intensified their attacks against Christians. 1.6 Government of Iraq and U.S. response After Saddam age, the elected parliament in Iraq came into being in 2006 with Nauri al-Maliki as the Prime Minister. It was a very crucial period in Iraq’s history when one thinks of the threat it faced from the different terrorist and Islamic radicals groups. The Iraqi government had to cross a thorny path in order to unite various Islamic groups who had difference of opinion regarding Saddam’s execution and American invasion. They strongly opposed the stay of American soldiers in Iraq. It is because of this problem Iraqi Prime Minister remarked that effective ministers would help breed the atmosphere that will allow the United States and other coalition nations to draw down their troop numbers. (Graramone, Jim, n.d.). From the words of Iraqi Prime Minister, it is clear that the focus of the government will be to assure National Security. America expressed their willingness to support Iraqi government in every possible way. The words of William Caldwell, the deputy chief of staff for strategic effects for Multinational Force Iraq, makes it clear when he says: "They are the authoritative decision-making body in this country and anything we do from here on, we will have to do in consultation with the legitimate government authority." (Graramone, Jim, n.d.). 1.7 National security implications After the American invasion Iraq faced many challenges in different sectors including economic, social and most importantly in security issues. American invasion had caused for rivalry in communal groups and it kindled group violence in different parts of the country. There had daily bombings between the Iraqi forces and the militants. Kidnapping and assassinations were so common during that time. Although the government of Iraq tried to implement very strict measures to control violence, they could not do much to foster a sense of unity among Kurds, Sunnis, Shi’ites, which are the three principle communities in Iraq. (Fragmented Iraq: Implications for Saudi National Security, 2006).Kurds’ claim for dominance in particular fields and Iran’s influence in post Saddam government worsened the political situations. One can assume that communal groups like Shi’ite had the moral support of Iran to create problems in Iraq. As Sunnis were the group that shared power with the Ba’athist rule, they were dissatisfied with their present subordinate status (Fragmented Iraq: Implications for Saudi National Security, 2006). Now the evaluation of present political situation of Iraq reveals the difficult task that the Iraqi government has to undertake for controlling these issues. 1.8 The way to move forward The present political and social scenario of Iraq is to an extent comfortable, when comparing with the state that existed during the American invasion. Even then, one can see the possibilities of calamities that make the implementation of several policies inevitable. A national strategy should be developed by taking into account the possibility of a civil war and strengthen military power to face any urgency. There should be good relationships between the religious and political leaders that may maintain peace and prosperity in the country. References Azzam, Maha. (2003). Al-Qaeda: the misunderstood Wahhabi connection and the ideology of violence. Retrieved May 25, 2009, from http://www.chathamhouse.org.uk/files/3056_azzaml.pdf Brookes Peter. (2007). A Devils Triangle: Terrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Rogue States. Rowman & Littlefield. Christians of Iraq. (2005). Christians of Iraq. Retrieved May 25, 2009, from http://www.christiansofiraq.com/arab935.html Dr Phares, Walid. (2001). Arab Christians: An Introduction. Retrieved May 25, 2009, from http://www.arabicbible.com/christian/intro_arab_christians.htm. Eickelmann Allan, Nelson Eric, & Lansford Tom. (2005). Justice and violence: political violence, pacifism and cultural transformation. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. Fragmented Iraq: Implications for Saudi National Security. (2006). Saudi-US Relations Information Service. Graramone, Jim. (n.d.). News Articles. New Iraqi Government Approved. Retrieved May 25, 2009, from http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=15715 Rahmani Waliullah. (2006). Combating the Ideology of Suicide Terrorism in Afghanistan (Vol. 2, pp. 58). Terrorism Monitor, South Asia. Shabbas, Audrey. (2002). Middle East Policy Council .Retrieved May 25, 2009, from http://www.mepc.org/workshops/firstchris.asp Read More