Terrorism Under the Banner of Islam

Book excerpt: In the small hours of Monday morning, the 2nd of May 2011, US President Obama announced to the world that Osama bin Laden, head of al-Qaida - the most notorious terrorist group of our time - had been killed in Pakistan by an American special task force.The most sought terrorist in the world is dead, but the ideology of violence that he and his followers have embraced is still alive.It is said that terrorism is as old as history. It has operated under number of names and emerged under a variety of banners. It is a violent act that targets civilians to advance an ideological or political cause. Today terrorism is operating under the cover of Islam.Over the centuries Islam has co-existed and interacted with religions, cultures and civilizations. In general that interaction has produced multicultural colourful societies. So why is Islam now being used as an incubator of violence? What are the foundations of Islam, its message and the way it relates itself to other monotheist religions? What do we really know about Islam? More importantly, what do those young Muslims who kill themselves and devastate the lives of others know about their religion? Are they aware that suicide is considered to be a great sin in Islam? And do they know that killing an innocent soul is an unforgivable crime in Islam? Do they realize that hate preachers are promoting their own anomalous version of Islam?The answers to those questions and more are methodically explored in this book.