TERRORISM: ROOT CAUSES AND PROPER TREATMENTS
In the first issue of Islamism Digest’s third volume the chairman of the Centre for the Study of Terrorism, Dr Kamal El-Helbawy tackles the main issues in terrorism and counter-terrorism head on in a determined effort to clarify what is wrong with current policies and how they can be rectified. Dr El-Helbawy systematically deconstructs the myth of “Islamic terrorism” and argues that whilst religiously-inspired violence is common to all civilisations, terrorism must never be associated with the religion of the terrorist. According to Dr El-Helbawy what is missing from the current counter-terrorism and counter-radicalism debate are the opinions, concerns and aspirations of credible Muslim thinkers and activists. Furthermore, Dr El-Helbawy argues that if the so-called international community led by the West is serious about tackling terrorism they must actively propel the “Islamic” point of view to the centre-stage of the counter-terrorism debate.
BRITISH MUSLIMS AND EXTREMISM: HABIBUR RAHMAN SHEDS LIGHT ON THE CURRENT CHALLENGES
In this wide-ranging interview with Islamism Digest, Muhammad Habibur-Rahman, the President of Islamic Forum of Europe (a pan-European community-based Islamic organisation) discusses the state of the Muslim community in the United Kingdom. Rahman argues that as the Muslim community’s relationship with wider British society grows more complex, the government should endeavour to engage more fully with credible representatives of the community. Moreover, Habibur Rahman argues that the leadership-deficit in the community will gradually recede as the Muslim community deepens its roots in the fabric of British society.
ISLAM AND MUSLIMS IN GERMANY: AN OVERVIEW BY IBRAHIM EL-ZAYYAT
In this first instalment of a two-part interview Ibrahim El-Zayyat, the President of the Islamic Society of Germany, provides a comprehensive overview of the organisations which dominate German Islam. Whilst praising recent encouraging statements by senior members of the German government, El-Zayyat bemoans overtly racist and Islamophobic attitudes common to the German establishment. He praises the United Kingdom and Austria for their path-breaking attitude towards their Muslim minorities and urges other European governments to follow their example.
THE IMPERILLED HOUSE OF SA’UD: SA’AD AL-FAQIH EXPLAINS THE DYNAMICS
Dr Sa’ad Al-Faqih, the leader of the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia, talks to Islamism Digest about the latest militant and terrorist developments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He explains the emergence of a new generation of militants who are far more conscious of the dangers of indiscriminate targeting, preferring instead to focus all their energies on removing members of the Saudi royal family. Al-Faqih, who is also a leading expert on Al-Qaeda, discusses the recent setbacks for the global Islamic militant movement in the context of strategic and tactical reappraisals, and argues that contrary to American and Iraqi propaganda, Al-Qaeda in Iraq is far from finished.
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