In the past few years, issues like 'terrorism', 'extremism' and 'fundamentalism' (to name but a few) have been a constant concern of media and political attention. Furthermore, 93% of the times these terms are associated (or allocated) to Muslims and Islam.
It is blatant that 'Islamic Fundamentalism' is largely perceived as derogatory, accused of being "anti-peace" and "anti-humanity". If these accusations mean "anti-capitalist", "anti-imperialist", "anti-exploitation, corruption and oppression", then hail them correct, however, they do not, and therefore Islamic fundamentalism is ridiculously misunderstood.
What exactly is Islamic Fundamentalism then and why is it portrayed as a hostile, threatening and violent menace to the world? Understanding this would first necessitate understanding the term 'fundamentalism' which further necessitates understanding the origins of the notion behind the idea.
From the mid sixteenth century, European society changed dramatically with the power conflict between the State and the Clergy; i.e. it was transforming into a secular society, separating religion from life's affairs and restricting it to personal worship only. The earliest use of the term 'fundamentalist' traces back to this period, applied to any person who spoke out against the ruling Governments' regime, an act which was taken to mean blasphemy against God. It was placed alongside fanaticism and ‘hereticism’.
Although it has Christian origins, fundamentalism in this historical context can be brought back to the present day situation i.e. anyone or anything which challenges or opposes the current regimes is branded a fanatic fundamentalist and other similar labels. This is particularly the case when the 'opposition' is in some way religiously or divinely inclined, a clear contradiction to the nature of all the secular constitutions and governments world-wide. The most obvious and potent example is Islam.
Just as 40 years ago Communism was demonised by the Western Superpowers because it offered an alternative to the failed system of Capitalism, freedom and democracy, and threatened the existent regimes, the same way Islam has endured an even more vicious smear campaign which has snowballed over the years parallel to the increasing Islamic awareness and global Islamic revival phenomena.
Capitalism has evidently disillusioned and dissatisfied mankind - one simply needs to look at the social, economic, and political demise of all societies to conclude this. The function of existing Governments, whether they are democratic or monarchies, first or third world countries, is primarily to maintain power by outsmarting opposition parties and the public (e.g. the Tories Vs Labour), working to attain as much benefit and money in their own pockets be it through legal or illegal means, drugging the public into an unthinking stupor with thought control and deep escapism courtesy of media organisations, and ensuring 'survival of the fittest' for the higher sectors of society.
Communism fairs no better; a clear manifestation of its collapse is represented in the second world communist countries. The global public at large has lost grasp of the purpose of the state, cynically associating it and politicians with corruption and failure.
The world then inevitably needs an alternative ruling system to govern man's affairs before it spirals into ultimate chaos and disorder in the direction it is gradually moving.
Western Superpowers and their apostate puppet rulers are fully aware that Islam poses as the only alternative and the rest of the world appears teamed over the fact that despite mass hysteria (and slanderous) publicity against Islam, hoards of Muslims are awakening to the Islamic call and hoards of non-Muslims are converting to Islam - hoards of men and women who have (ironically) been educated in the West, have followed the western way of life based upon their own whims and desires, and have rejected these things.
Despite the violent, barbaric imagery depicted of Islam and Muslims, these people have spat on freedom and democracy and man-made laws, and have submitted to Islam.
'Fundamentalist' in the true light of the word means a person who holds a fundamental concept on which he/she bases all their thoughts and actions, therefore it is the fundamental root which needs to be proven wrong before its branches can be comprehensively destroyed. This is a challenge which Islam has proposed to humanity: to attempt refuting the Islamic belief ('Aqeedah), but has so far been unfulfilled.
The acknowledgement of this undefeatable challenge is so clearly perpetuated by the media who only address events and notions from an unenlightened, 'subjective to their own interests' standpoint and simply play statesmen's lackey. Never addressed are the compelling motivations and powerful causes behind these events. Articles and reportage are repeatedly packed with misquotes, fabrications, de-contextualising, and sensationalising, all in aid of painting Islam as the villainous public enemy number one, and Muslims as raving lunatic bloodthirsty barbarians. Nothing is ever mentioned of the fact that Islam was at one point in history the dominant ideology of the world, and in the Islamic State (Khilafah) all citizens irrespective of their race, religion, etc. would be treated justly and (at the very least) provided with food, clothing and shelter as part of the states' obligation.
Islam has been suppressed and humiliated by the West, Muslims have been under constant physical and ideological oppression and attack since 1924 when the Khilafah was dismantled by the British Imperialists. But now "fundamentalism" as it really is, has resurfaced and shaken millions of people, young and old, black and white, rich and poor, male and female, all working towards the same ambition: a political ruling system with Islam as the state ideology.
This is the only existing force realistically strong enough to overthrow the selfish, self-righteous, conceited Governments, so it comes as no surprise that the backlash from the secular world is to generate Islamophobic public opinion in the guise of 'protecting humanity'.
Instead of blindly accepting what the news informs you, have you ever wondered why so many Muslims have such a burning hatred of the West? And are willing to undergo years of hardship in high security prisons detached from their families and children all for speaking the truth?
This article does not attempt to take a paranoid, defensive or mournful stance concerning the assault on Islam - it has been aimed to create the curiosity within the reader i.e. you to question and verify the information received from newspapers and televisions, to briefly explain and expose why their exists such deep hostility between Islam and non-Islam, to evoke discussion and questions like who is the real villain and why is Islam the fastest growing creedal system of today?
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