Muslim Mindset: ISIS

A caliphate is an Islamic state led by a caliph or religious leader. Historically caliphates have encouraged progressive and scientific ideals. Jews, Christians and even atheists had equal political rights and were not subject to Islamic law. This religious tolerance dates back to the first Caliphate: the one Prophet Muhammad started in Medina, Saudi Arabia. What the so-called “Islamic State of Iraq & Syria” (ISIS) is doing is unprecedented. Their delusional fanatic practices have never been seen before; they are tarnishing the name of the caliphate.

The most well known caliphate was the Caliphate of Cordoba. It was located in Spain and lasted hundreds of years. It fostered many philosophical and scientific advances. Jews, Christians and Muslims lived together peacefully and the society thrived on multiculturalism. Botany, agriculture and astronomy were developed by people of different faiths working together.

When the Spanish Inquisition began at the end of the 13th century, all non-Catholics were forced to either convert or leave the Iberian peninsula. Many Jews went to the Ottoman Empire in modern day Turkey because they thrived under Muslim rule and were guaranteed special rights as “People of the Book.”

The Prophet Muhammad said “Feed the hungry and visit a sick person, and free the captive, if he be unjustly confined. Assist any person oppressed, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.”. The Holy Qu’ran says “to you your religion and to me mine.” ISIS is not the result of religion; but a byproduct of imperialism, war, and sectarian disputes.

Instability caused by the Syrian Civil War allowed ISIS to take control over many swaths of land.

When the Iraq War started and Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein was overthrown, al-Qaeda in Iraq was born as a result of the U.S. presence. Extremists were empowered and gained support. Sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shias flared up. A Shia led government run by Nouri al-Maliki was put in power. The Sunni majority was oppressed and had little representation.

In Syria the situation is similar. The country is run by Bashar al-Assad, a member of a small minority Shia group called the Alawites. Most of the 200,000 people killed in the three-year civil war have been Sunni, who are the majority in Syria. ISIS is also Sunni. They were able to get funds and weapons from powerful governments such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia. ISIS soon became a forerunner in the Syrian civil war against the regime. They rallied around the Sunni population in Iraq and Syria and gained support.

Most Sunni Muslims in the region do not share ISIS’ radical ideology. It has no basis. Jihad means struggle. The primary jihad is the struggle within oneself to become a better human being. The lesser jihad is physical. There is no such thing as an aggressive, offensive jihad. Jihad is only permissible in self defence. Women and children can not be killed.

Syrians and Iraqis have animosity towards the authoritarian governments that they have been subject to for decades. After World War I, the former territories of the Ottoman Empire were divided by France and Great Britain. Syria and Iraq were created without any regard for how they would function as states with many sects grouped together under the same government.

It’s illogical to demonize 1.5 billion people and say they’re all violent terrorists bent on the destruction of the west. ISIS does not represent Muslims. They kill Muslims. They’re not a product of religion but a dangerous combination of oppression and resentment which almost always yields violence and radicalism.