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As a modern day Muslim I can tell you that the answer to this question is definitely no. There are many reasons but the main reason being is that due to the shear number of fatwas being passed here and there from so many people, some being so called religious scholars and others just unknown to anyone, these fatwas receive attention from very few people. Much of these fatwas do not even make sense when viewing them from any logic. Also, non Muslims must reconsider the term "Islamic Extremism" which has now become a nasty label given to the entire Muslim world community. Call it what you may, but the so called "Islamic extremism" stems from a number of different factors.

First let is look at the history of Islam, or more specifically some historic events that have occurred in terms of Muslims. Muslims, especially ones living in the Middle East (Arabian Peninsula) have been constantly colonized for the past 1000 years or so starting with the Crusades, where countless innocent Muslims were slaughtered indiscriminately up until the current situations in Iraq and Palestine. What must be understood is that all Muslims are considered to be one community. Therefore, the events happening in Iraq for example to do only affect Iraqi Muslims (since Iraq is of a Muslim majority, but they affect all Muslims wherever they may be. Over one million Iraqis have been killed since the American invasion of Iraq and countless Palestinians killed and forced to leave their homes since the illegal formation of the state of Israel, which by the way now is clearly stating that Israel must be a Jewish state. So, over the years Muslims have felt constantly threatened, discriminated against, and even hated. As anyone can imagine these are extremely frustrating things. Therefore, reactions to these things is naturally going to be one of anger. But again, it all depends on which angle you view things from. While the attacks on U.S troops in Iraq are considered to be terrorist attacks by the Americans, they are viewed as resistance to occupation by the Iraqi people, which is a natural reaction to an invasion. Bombings by Palestinians inside Israel are also natural reactions to the extremely frustrating living conditions and hardships they endure. In very simple terms, nobody one day wakes up and decides that he wants to bomb and kill hundreds of innocent people just for the fun of it.

I am not suggesting that there is no extremist among Muslims however, there is extremism among people of all religions. The media however chooses to focus on Islam due to the current world political and economic situation.

So in conclusion, religious fatwas are not what are fueling so called "Islamic extremism." There are many factors and events which have fueled anger in the Muslim community and many have decided to lash out. Unfortunately, some have lashed out against the wrong people, innocent people and have therefore brought upon all Muslims all over the world this extremely offensive label of "Islamic extremism."

Learn more about this author, Fuad Murad.
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