I slam and B ioterrorism

Abstract

Abstract Most Muslims are not terrorists, but many terrorist groups today use Islam as justification for violence. After providing a basic primer on Islam, this entry explores the violent past of Islam and how modern Islamic scholars have justified the use of violence according to Islamic jurisprudence. Since the late 1970s, more and more Islamic terrorist organizations have appeared throughout the world. In fact, most terrorist groups listed by Western countries are Islamic. Types of Jihad are discussed, focusing on violent forms as well as types of Islamic terrorist groups. As Jihadists use a black and white world view, they are able to use these stark perspectives to clearly define who is on their side and who is their enemy. The threat to each area of the world by Islamic terrorist groups is briefly described. State sponsors of these Islamic terrorist groups are also mentioned as well as Islamic states and violent nonstate actors desires to increase their weapons of mass destruction (WMD) capacity. Several Islamic scholars are cited to explain under what circumstances WMD can be used against Islam's perceived enemies, including bioterrorism. Terrorist historical uses of WMD and uses of WMD by Islamic terrorists are provided. The entry concludes by explaining which Islamic state and Islamic terrorist organization present the most dangerous threats to the world.