The Ideology and Motivation behind Terrorist Attacks of Al Qaeda and Hamas - Case Study Example

Running head: THE MOTIVATION OF AL QAEDA AND HAMAS The Ideology and Motivation behind Terrorist Attacks of Al Qaeda and Hamas You’re Abstract Conflicts exist around the world today. This is more rampant in Islamic countries where the basic principle of conflict resolution is centered on Islamic beliefs. The Islamic believer uses the solution of Jihad and aggression as a way to resolve complex or sensitive problems. Islamic people tend to take offence at any behavior or action that insults the Koran, Prophet Mohammed and its principles. The opponents to the insulting actions of Muslims tend to be innocent Christians and their associates. This research will discuss the ideologies that are present within the terrorist groups ‘Al Qaeda’ and ‘Hamas’. There will be clear comprehension as to what drives these groups, and since both of them are Middle Eastern in origin the research will point out that religion and culture are the two main ideologies that drive them to terrorist activities. The conclusion shows that since these people that partake in terrorist activities within these groups have adapted to this way of life there is no real way to change their mind sets and therefore it is an adverse sociological issue that will continue for years to come. The Ideology and Motivation behind Terrorist Attacks of Al Qaeda and Hamas Introduction Hamas and Al Qaeda view the justification for terrorism as stemming from their origin and the use of Jihad and conflict to resolve disputes. Nevertheless, other countries view the idea of conflict as being something irresolvable, despite how complex or trivial it might be if terrorist activities are the strategies being utilized to minimize it (Farah 2003). Nevertheless, in much of the Middle Eastern land it is moral in Islamic religion to use the strategy of suicide bombing or mass killing of people to gain control and understanding of other people. As for non Muslims, there is no motive for terrorism that is justified. Problems can be resolved between people or nations through negotiation. In the process of negotiation, no party should aim to be a winner; otherwise, the aim of the negotiation will be defeated. There is no motive or morality in terrorizing people for whatever reason, in the minds of non Muslims, in order to simply gain their approval. However, this is where Hamas and Al Qaeda groups differ from other groups in the Middle East. A good example of what instigates violence and terrorist activity in these groups’ minds is with issues such as the widely reported Danish cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed, which caused immense damage to people and properties around the world as the Muslims used the opportunity to attack non Muslim interest throughout the globe following this occurrence. Obviously they took it to the extreme left wing as even with, the burning of churches and killing of innocent people, it did not make things right. Therefore, despite the outcome that presents itself, many Muslims see the act of terrorism as a fight for a just cause in defense of their religion and Prophet Mohammed. This is the main ideology that drives both of these terrorist groups. The terrorism that is taking place between Israel and Palestine (Hamas Group) is in much part due to the terrorist government group that is utilizing suicide bombers even during negotiations of peace (Melgreen 2006). Israel is willing to embrace peace and ready to negotiate to reach peaceful agreement. This is reflected in the statement by Farah (2003), “This country is in a fight for its life against the forces of darkness in this world. We can prevail only with consistency, fortitude and by doing what is right.” Israel and Palestine can only reach an agreement through peaceful means. The use of suicide bombers in the negotiation process will only prolong the peace process because Israel will not want to concede to terrorist regime and Israel would want to protect its own people against terrorism. The new regime in the Palestinian territory will need to embrace peace and help to define a peace agreement with the Israeli government. The Israeli government and Hamas of Palestine must work together to achieve a lasting peace in the territory. Perhaps this is why the United Nations have stated that terrorism is not the answer and it is not going to be accepted either. Al Qaeda Motivation Al Qaeda is motivated a great deal by religion and the core Islamic beliefs that have been handed down over time. They are a very radical group and believe they can only get their message across through secular and more current international violence. They are what is known as militant Islam (Pipes 2002, pg. 48). According to Pipes (2002), militant Islam has come to represent the only central totalitarian movement in the world today. The followers of militant Islam believe they are the only true rival and successor to civilization as it exists in the West. During the last decade of the 20th century, increasingly the US was identified as representing the ultimate infidel and instigator of values opposing Islamic fundamentalism. Therefore, followers of militant Islam began to increase their direct attention to the destruction of the U.S. This is further conceptualized by Pipes (2002) who offered a description of the three primary elements found associated with militant Islam. The three elements are as follows: 1. The Inner Core: This element consists of individuals such as Osama bin Laden, the 19 hijackers, other members of al-Qaeda (i.e., the group formed by bin Laden and Muhammad Atef which has emerged as an international terrorist group committed to opposing non-Islamic governments with force and violence) and a network of other violent groups. While their numbers may only be represented in the thousands, this element is extremely fanatical as well as determined to engage in battle with the West. 2. The Second Core: This element is represented by a much larger group of militants who are sympathetic to al-Qaedas radical utopian vision, but not a part of it. They represent the tens of thousands who protest and express extremism in their hatred of the U.S. while calling for further acts of violence against the U.S. As estimated by Pipes, this element constitutes some 10% to 15% of the Muslim world population of roughly 1 billion. 3. The Third Core: This element consists of Muslims who do not accept all of the militant Islamic beliefs but agree with its anti-Americanism stance. As estimated by Pipes, while there are not reliable statistics as to the numbers associated with this core, in all probability more than one-half of the world’s Muslims fall within this group – approximately 500 million persons sympathize with bin Laden than with the U.S. As documented by Engel (2001), Bin Laden who was of Saudi Arabian descent, initially represented a devoted follower of Islamic faith. Overtime, he increasingly grew in his militancy and began advocating Islamic movements throughout the world. On the basis of his views and actions, he ended up fleeing his own country and was eventually stripped of his citizenship within Saudi Arabia in April 1994. As well, his family publicly disavowed him. In Bin Laden’s formation of Al Qaeda, his initial intent was to drive the U.S. armed forces out of Saudi Arabia (and elsewhere on the Saudi Arabian peninsula) and Somalia through the use of violence. He, along with Atef, sat at the head of the command and control structure of Al Qaeda, designing, planning and approving major undertakings of violence directed at the U.S., including terrorist operations. Over time, Al Qaeda developed ties to other terrorist organizations that operated under its umbrella, including: the al Jihad group based in Egypt, the Islamic Group, formerly led by Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman, and other jihad groups in other countries (Pipes, 2002). The group also established alliance with the National Islamic Front in Sudan and with representatives of the government of Iran, and its associated terrorist group Hezbollah. The terrorist organizations and alliances were formulated largely for the purpose of working together against their recognized common enemies in the West, particularly the U.S. Further understanding of Bin Laden’s stance to the U.S. was provided by Rollins, Fradkin and Wurmser (2001) who explained that the terrorist leader and financial supporter has relied on the Koran to wage eternal war to further Islam. While non-militant Islamic believers interpret passages from the sacred book as a call to an eternal struggle for individual perfection, Bin Laden interprets such passages as providing the basis for actual war. Using the Koran as his backdrop for waging war against the U.S., Bin Laden has professed that there can be no peace between the Muslim and non-Muslim world and that to not be at war with the U.S. represents heretical actions and thinking. Using the holy text for waging such wars is justified as perceived by Bin Laden as he believes that Americans represent the unbelievers and men with no souls addressed within the Koran. As explained by Rollins, Fradkin and Wurmser (2001), Bin Laden believes that Americans have failed to assert our faith openly and thus are vulnerable because our souls are empty. As well, American irreligiousness as perceived and advocated by bin Laden provides the evidence that any means can be used by Muslims in waging war against the U.S. While the Islam faith restricts its’ followers from engaging in battles with those who are believers of Christianity and Judaism, Bin Laden’s claims that we have lost our willingness to lay claims on our Christian beliefs links us with Satanic unbelievers who are not protected by Islam and who can be attacked without any restraints. As perceived by Bin Laden, the values and actions of the U.S. are directed towards and intended to distract and lead Muslims away from their true values. Motivation of Hamas Members of the Hamas terrorist group do not view their interactions as forms of terrorism but rather as religious obligations to protect their people. This Palestinian terrorist group’s movement’s main success or failure has been their ability to gain legitimacy from the general public or from the greater part of it in each Muslim country. (Reuven 1998). During the past two decades, they have had enormous success with their ability to present themselves to the Arab and Muslim world as the true bearers of Islam, much like how Al Qaeda works. They appeal to the lower class due to the shared resentment of wealthy westerners while the middle class and intellectuals are drawn toward these radical groups in order to expel imported ideologies and forms of government. Radical Islamic organizations such as Hamas have declared a holy war, Jihad, in order to bring the Arab world together and take their place as a world power. In order to accomplish these goals, these Islamic radicals have mainly used terrorism as their main instrument of persuasion. To provide further comprehension, the definition of Hamas is the Arab acronym for, "The Islamic Resistance Movement," and means courage and bravery (Al-Islamiyya & Harakat 1999). This organization has evolved from the Muslim Brotherhood and was active in the early stages of Intifada, operating in the Gaza strip and the West bank. The main objective of the Hamas is a "Holy War" for the liberation of Palestine and the establishment of an Islamic Palestine. A variety of non-governmental charitable organizations in the Gulf States, four central charity funds throughout the world, and Iran have enabled Hamas to become the second most powerful terrorist organization (Al-Islamiyya & Harakat 1999). During Intifada, Hamas claimed responsibility for 43 attacks that killed 46 Palestinians, and is believed to be responsible for another 40 deaths. (Al-Islamiyya & Harakat 1999). As was stated, they are obviously motivated by a religious ideology and also a desire to see their country become one of an wholly Islamic faith. Conclusion Radical Islamic terrorist organizations have the ability and desire to threaten the United States. Sanctions and diplomatic bargaining will not solve the problem of Islamic terrorism, yet military force will only make the problem worse. There will be no resolution to this problem in the near future; meanwhile the gap between the Western world and the Arab nations will continue to grow. Without constant monitoring and careful planning, this could soon turn into WW III. References Al-Islamiyya & Harakat. (1999). Hamas: Islamic Resistance Movement. Retrieved November 26, 2006 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ict.org.il/inter_ter/orgdet.ctm?ogid=13 Engel, R. (2001). Inside Al-Qaeda: A Window into the World of Militant Islam and Afghan Alumni. Retrieved November 26, 2006 from the World Wide Web: http://www.janes.com/security/international_security/news/misc/janes010928_1_n.shtml Farah, J. (2003). Enough Peace Talk. Retrieved November 26, 2006 from the World Wide Web: http://www.netanyahu.org/enpeactal.html Melgreen, D. (2006). Abbas Ready to Negotiate with Israel. ABC News International. Retrieved November 26, 2006 from the World Wide Web: http://www.abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?1891416 Pipes, D. (2002). Militant Islam Reaches America. New York: W. W. Norton Publishing Reuven, Paz. (1998). Is There an Islamic Terrorism? Retrieved November 26, 2006 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ict.org.il/articles/isl_terr.htm Rollins, K & Fradkin, H & Wurmser, D. (2001). Why They Hate Us. American Enterprise 12, 8, 26-30. 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