Religious Fundamentalism Shapes the Middle East

1. Origins of the Movement2. Cast Study: Taliban3. The Rise of Modern Terrorism4. Terrorism Today

Fundamentalism in the Middle East*

• Strict observance of religious laws

Origins of modern movement

• 1979 – Iran: “Iranian Revolution”– Ayatollah Kohmeni (Shi’a spiritual leader in

Iran) overthrows the Shah (King), creates Fundamentalist state

Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi

The Shah of Iran (The “King”)

Demonstrations supporting the Ayatollah Khomeini, Tehran 1979

(Note)

Fundamentalism in the Middle East*

• Strict observance of religious lawsOrigins of modern movement• 1979 – Iran: “Iranian Revolution”

– Ayatollah Kohmeni (Shi’a spiritual leader in Iran) overthrows the Shah, creates Fundamentalist state

• Iran changed almost overnight– Laws based on Sharia (Islamic law) – Cut off ties with the U.S.– Western culture forbidden (books, art, t.v., movies, clothes, etc.)– The Ayatollah executed anyone who had been associated with the

Shah

• Islamic fundamentalists are against…

The current Ayatollah in Iran: The Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

In Iran, the Grand Ayatollah has more power than the President.

It is he who is the “supreme leader”

President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Islamic Fundamentalism Case Study: The Rise of the Taliban*

Role of the Soviet Union• Invaded Afghanistan to end an internal rebellion in 1979• To fundamentalists this means…

Role of the United States (Those pesky Soviets!)• Aided Afghan rebels with the “struggle”, or jihad, against

the Soviet Union, – called mujahideen (“strugglers”), US gave them weapons and

training

• Mujahideen (fundamentalists)

– Osama bin Laden (a Saudi) joined mujahideen to support Arab cause

– forced Soviet Union to withdraw in 1989

Afghan Mujahideen, 1979

Soviets invadeAfghanistan, 1979

Soviet pullout from Afghanistan, 1989

It has been said that this conflict wassimilar to US involvement in Vietnam (i.e.USSR’s Vietnam)

“We’d do anything to beat thosepesky Soviets!”

Islamic Fundamentalism Case Study: The Rise of the Taliban

Role of the Soviet Union• Invaded Afghanistan to end an internal rebellion in late 1970sRole of the United States • Aided Afghan rebels against the Soviet Union, called mujahideen

gave them weapons and trainingMujahideen (translation: one who fights in a struggle)

• forced Soviet Union to withdraw in 1989• Osama bin Laden - a Saudi - joined mujahideen to support Arab cause

Rise of Taliban in Afganistan• One group of mujahideen came to power in 1996 • Ruled from 1996 - 2002 under a tight fist – sheltered Al-

Qaeda• Women had no rights (education, employment)

– Burqa – garment women were forced to wear

What does this mean for the country?

Taliban Ambassador to PakistanWith Taliban militia

Women in Burqua

The Rise of Modern TerrorismTactics of terrorism are not newPLO (1964) – used terrorism to achieve goals• Goal? Modern terrorism on the world stageMunich Olympic Games Tragedy (1972)• Black September– part of PLO • 8 fedayeen (“men of sacrifice”) entered Olympic

Village, killing two and taking 9 Israeli hostages.• Heavy media coverage gave the cause....• Western preparation for terrorism…?

Terrorism makesits first appearance on theworld scene

Munich Olympic Games Tragedy, 1972

•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNfIiXHiwLc&NR=1

The Rise of Modern TerrorismTactics of terrorism are not newPLO (1964)• Arafat: Founder of Fatah movement - became a part of PLO • Used terror and violence to achieve its means.Modern terrorism on the world stageMunich Olympic Games Tragedy (1972)Black September– part of PLOEight fedayeen (“men of sacrifice”) entered Olympic Village, killing two

and taking 9 Israeli hostages.Heavy media coverage gave the cause… worldwide attention.Western preparation for terrorism…?

• Demand: release of about 200 Arab prisoners in Israel.

• All hostages killed

Terrorism TodayBin Ladin remembers his mujahideen experience:

“All that we have mentioned has made it easy for us to provoke and bait this administration (Bush administration).

All that we have to do is to send two mujahideen to the furthest point east to raise a piece of cloth on which is written al-Qaida, in order to make the generals race there to cause America to suffer human, economic, and political losses...

This is in addition to our having experience in using guerrilla warfare… to fight tyrannical superpowers, as we, alongside the mujahideen, bled Russia for 10 years, until it went bankrupt and was forced to withdraw in defeat.

…

So we are continuing this policy in bleeding America to the point of bankruptcy…”

Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda

• “the base”

Terrorism Today

Where was bin Laden from? What changed his life?

Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda• “the base”

Goals:• Drive western influence/presence out of Muslim nations• Destroy Israel• Topple oppressive dictatorships in the Middle East• Unite all Muslims under Sha’ria lawCurrent Islamic Terrorism:• Angry about western actions in Muslim regions of the

world (Gulf War I; War in Iraq; Israel support)• Variety of groups/tactics/locations (Hamas, Hezbollah,

AlQaeda, Islamic Jihad, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, etc.)• History in the making – you are living it.

Terrorism Today