Islam and Contemporary Radicalized Violence: A Historic Turning Point

Abstract

Contemporary ideologically-motivated violence, using Islam as a justification, constitutes a new threat to the stability of Muslim states and escalates the confrontation between Islam and the West.1 Whether it will cause regime change in certain Muslim countries and whether it will lead to a clash of civilizations are still to be seen.2 In this writer’s opinion, it will not. Instead, it will wither away like the rise of Marxist/Maoist inspired ideologically-motivated violence in the 1960s and 1970s.3 In this age of globalization, with all which it comports of easy and rapid worldwide transmission of ideas, the violent radicalization of a few Muslims is facing increased opposition from many Muslims.4 This applies to Muslims living in Muslim states as well as non-Muslim states. But the potential for continued violence by different groups in Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Nigeria, Somalia, and Syria, as well as by individuals in many more countries, including Western states, is a growing likelihood.