by Matthew Frost

Created on: April 17, 2008

Islamic Fundamentalism: A Product of Western Colonial Efforts

European colonialism is the without doubt the underlying cause for Islamic Extremism/Fundamentalism. Sonn's rather insightful but very general book touches on the subject of Islamist by mentioning the origins of European colonialism. By promising Arabs land in return for help during Work War I, but in turn establishing a mandate system in which Arab self-determination was denied, naturally this contradiction led to a disgruntled Arab population. The most lasting effect of European colonialism still facing the Middle East is the dilemma in Palestine. Palestinian "terrorist" are a creation of the British mandate system, and biased Balfour declaration that seemingly promised Jews indigenous Palestinian people's land.

It's ridiculous that White Westerners think that terrorist are these irrational people that blow themselves up just to destroy the Western way of life. Even more ignorant is the claim that Islam is inherently bent toward extremism (that it is not compatible with the modern world). To contradict this claim, I would first point to Turkey as a good example of a functioning secular Muslim state,. But I would also like to secondly point out that these terrorist have very legitimate claims. Terrorist like Osama bin Laden specifically say that there extremism/terrorist attacks are motivated by Western imperial endeavors. According to Michael Scheuer (Imperial Hubris), "For bin Laden, the Crusaders' offensive attacks on Islam are the main thing. The theological credibility of his call for a defensive jihad depends on Muslims being convinced that Islam is under attack by non-Muslim forces.Unfortunately, for American, US policies and actions in the Muslim world provide Muslim eyes' with incontrovertible proof of what bin Laden describes as an ocean of oppression, injustice, slaughter, and plunder carried out by you against our Islamic ummah. It is therefore commanded by our religion that we must fight back.'" These "terrorist are simply responding to injustices that according to Scheuer include 6 primary things: "1.) US support for Israel that keeps Palestinians in the Israelis' thrall. 2.) US and other Western troops on the Arabian Peninsula. 3.) US occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan 4.) US support for Russia, Indian, and China against their Muslim militants. 5.) US pressure on Arab energy producers to keep oil prices low. 6.) US support for apostate, corrupt, and tyrannical Muslim government" such

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