It takes years for a society and a people to view violence as the only solution. Even though some would argue that Islam has a centuries long history of violence and conquest, the average person living in the Middle East during the 20th Century was not living life as a conqueror, sharpening their swords and loading their rifles. Instead, it was a slide from colonial revolts, to nationalist rule, to disillusionment with modern day society.
Al Qaeda and ISIS are just one of the many Radical Islamic Terrorist groups operating in the Middle East and operating worldwide.
Of course, there are plenty of people in America, Europe, China and other countries disillusioned with modern day rule, and they do not seek to kill and conquer the whole world. What separates ISIS and Al Qaeda from earlier groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and Hezbollah is their singular focus on violence and conquest. The Muslim Brotherhood is a radical, violent organization in many countries, but they also endorse preaching, self-improvement and community service. They were around for decades before they became the hyper violent group they are now. Hezbollah believes they are defending their own territory, and they want that territory to be Islamic.
ISIS and Al Qaeda though, believe in the express use of violence to spread Islam and solve their problems. There is no issue with killing fellow Muslims and the use of violence and terror is one of their main tactics. Theoretically, the Muslim Brotherhood would have been satisfied with simply preaching and seeing a slow revival of Islamic life in the Middle East, but ISIS and Al Qaeda would be happy with nothing less than Islam spread by the sword throughout the whole of the world.
Works Cited
Ibrahim, Raymond. “The Muslim Brotherhood: Origins, Efficacy, and Reach.” The Muslim Brotherhood. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/old-site-imgs-pdfs/2594227.pdf>
Arnett, George. “Religious extremism main cause of terrorism, according to report.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 18 Nov. 2014. Web. 09 July 2017.
Arnett, George. “Religious extremism main cause of terrorism, according to report.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 18 Nov. 2014. Web. 09 July 2017.
Siegel, Robert. “Sayyid Qutb’s America.” NPR. NPR, 06 May 2003. Web. 09 July 2017.
Sreberny, Annabelle. “BBC Broadcasting in the Middle East.” Media Evolution on the Eve of the Arab Spring(n.d.): n. pag. Web.
“What is jihadism?” BBC News. BBC, 11 Dec. 2014. Web. 09 July 2017.
Steel and Stylus 