Focus Group:
Social-Religious Issues
Islamic Fundamentalism
Why Must We Fight?
What Is This Fight About?
Jihad
An Inner Struggle or Worldwide War?
An Islamic term; Arabic for
“battle; struggle; holy war
for religion”.
Two kinds of interpretation:
greater is the belief that it is
a spiritual struggle within
oneself. (f.x. a druggie
fighting addiction)
The lesser interpretation is
simplified as meaning a
holy war against infidels
and infidel countries.
While a
woman
meditates
and tries to
find her
inner self,
the Taliban
take action
into their
own hands,
being
oppressive
and cruel.
Islamism and Islamists
Religion, Government, or Both?
President Clinton,
representing Western
government, the Koran
symbolizing Sharia
law, and Khomeini
symbolizing the Koran
as being the
government law.
Islamism is a group of
ideologies in Islam that want
to use the Sharia law vs.
foreign cultures.
Islamists feel that the Western
impurity is invading the
world.
Islamism has proved that it
can work as a political
alternative. Countries such as
Iran, Sudan, Pakistan, and
Libya adapted it.
Islamic Resurgence
“We want to modernize, not Westernize…”
A broad intellectual, cultural,
political, social movement
throughout the Islamic world.
A revival of Islamic ideas that
has affected Muslims in every
country.
The Muslims in this
movement have created
special services to gain
followers.
Islam
around the
world?
Not such a
farfetched
idea
anymore!
Important Fundamentalist Leaders
and Organizations
The bomb keeps
ticking… one of blood,
hatred, and terror.
ô Ayatollah Khomeini
ô Taliban
ô Usama Bin Laden
ô Muslim Brotherhood
ô HAMAS
ô Islamic Jihad
Faces of the Terrorists
Members of the Taliban,
the oppressive regime in
Afghanistan , below.
Yassin, left, the
founder of
HAMAS.
Hassana ElBanna, founder
of Muslim
Brotherhood.
?
Usama Bin Ladin,
behind the bombing
of U.S. foreign
embassies.
The face of Islamic
Jihad…wishing to
stay anonymous?
Ayatollah Khomeini,
below, leader of
Islamic Revolution.
What The Future Holds...
Is There Hope for Tomorrow?
We must make a
difference. World
peace is at stake.
What we can do?
Educate the masses:
we are not against
Islam.
Use our powers. Try
to negotiate peace.
There is not much we
can do to stop these
fundamentalists from
lashing out.
We must have
patience, and the will
to struggle, to fight,
for peace on earth.
Arabs in Israel
The Continuing Struggle…
Arab-Israeli Wars
How long will this go on?
Arabs and Jews in Israel
are always having wars
over land each claim as
their “holy land.”
Until the early 1990’s,
Israel was in conflict with
its Arab neighbors,
including 5 wars from
1948 to 1982.
Some Jews live in Arab
countries.
Many Arabs live in Israel.
Fist fights are common in
Israel, even in the streets.
Israeli Arabs & Israeli Jews
So different, yet similar, somehow...
Arabs are a minority
VS.
in Israel. They make
up only 18% of the
population.
Arabs are full citizens
of the Jewish state and
also have the right to
vote, and must obey
laws.
The Peace Process
Is there hope for the future?
The United Nations
has been trying to
bring peace to Israel
for many years. They
have had many ups
and downs in their
struggle.
Peace is something
that will take a long
time, with Israeli
Arabs, and Israeli
Barak, Clinton, and Assad… making
peace in the Middle East.
Terrorism In Israel
Will It ever stop?
Tick tock… how long
until the next bomb
will go off?
 Israeli Arabs and terrorism.
 HAMAS and terrorism.
 Many Israelis blamed the
recent increase and growth of
terrorism and fundamental
Islam among Israeli Arabs for
the attacks and suggested
restrictions of Islamic
activity.
 Many Arabs see
discrimination as feeding
fundamentalism inside Israel.
Women In Islam
Is equality always equal?
Are beliefs always believed?
Conservative View
“Women are for the home…”
The Western feminist cause is
viewed with distrust. Alien
philosophy, corruption.
Abuse of women in Taliban
areas.
Belief on Hijab and how it
helps society - it’s better to be
safe (in terms of rape, sexual
abuse, danger) than sorry.
Laws, customs, and women
A Muslim woman wearing Hijab.
important as wife and/or
mother. Men have similar
restrictions.
Modern View
Women are equal to men...
 The views on how women should
act, behave, and be treated in a
moderate manner. Egypt, Morocco.
 How to understand the moderate
view, and comparisons to make
things clear.
 Don’t practice Hijab because not
necessary and has no worthwhile
Deborah Whitley - a
purpose. It should be the woman’s
Muslim who thinks Hijab
choice.
is unnecessary.
 Interpretations of the Koran. Do not
interpret it harshly.
How Women Look At Things in the
Western World
This lady had the
freedom to write an
article -- and have it
published.
 There should be equality
between sexes.
 History of feminism.
 Small families and more equal
roles is the Western way.
 View of Hajib and covering
up. There’s an ideology: If
you have it, you should flash
it.
 A woman makes her own
individual decisions.
How Women Look At Things in the
Islamic World
 Household, children, husband
are first priority, aside from
Alla, and now marriage within A Muslim girl is forced
to wear hijab and cover
Islamic society.
up. She may not have a
 View on feminist cause. Veil future where she can be
as liberating. Spiritual values successful on her own.
rather than bodily lust.
 Men and women are equal
and have different roles and
rules.
Women
 Accomplishments and history.
covered from
Laws, college attendance.
head to toe
in chadors.
Different path for Islamic
women- Iran and Taliban or
Muslims in the West
Coming to a new country
to escape, or to start anew?
Immigration
The Statue of Liberty held her torch high...
The Statue of Liberty
greets immigrants to
America.
 Most Muslims in the West are
emigrants.
 Most immigrants are from
South Asia, Middle East,
South East, Asia, and Africa.
 Emigrate for economic
reasons, to unite families,
because of war or political
turmoil.
 They are not here to change
society; afraid society will
change them.
Religious Tolerance
Freedom for all religions?
West fears Islamic
fundamentalism, military
radicalims, terrorism.
Accuse Muslims for causing
acts of terrorism.
Much misunderstanding and
ingnorance about nature and
religion of Islam.
Muslims feel Westerners
don’t let them practice
religion.
Freedom…peace?
Assimilation
Can we fit in the way we are?
Muslim girl or
valley girl?
Some Muslims feel they need
to assimilate to fit in.
Many Muslims have fallen into
“traps” of Western society:
T.V., fast food, technology, etc.
About 6 million Muslims live
in the U.S. today, many of
which participate in American
life.
Many Muslims do not want to
assimilate into American
society.
Similarities Between Islam
World and the West
Ø Islam World and West have
much to learn from one
another.
Ø Islam reiterates basic
American values in many
ways.
Ø When citizens, many Muslims
vote for president.
Ø Key similarities: respect for
knowledge, justice,
compassion toward poor,
importance of family, respect
for parents.
Not that far away...
Thank You!!!
We appreciate your patience and hope you enjoyed
all of our speeches.
Next up…a fun game for you to play!!!
We hope you’ve learned all about:
Islamic Fundamentalism
Arabs in Israel
Women in Islam
Muslims in the West
STOP!!!!!!!!!
Finally, it’s the
END!!!!