The Lure of Radical Islamic Terror
By Dr. Deborah Schurman-Kauflin
Many question why individuals located in or raised in the freedoms of the West would ever want to engage in terrorism. What would make someone who had seen all of the good things freedom has to offer, turn against that freedom? When consulting with and training law enforcement I point out that often, members of terror groups are professional and very well educated. Terror organizations purposely encourage recruits to become learned, particularly in hard sciences, so that they can understand Western technology and use it against the enemy. Every facet of the enemy should be contemplated, absorbed, and repackaged for use by the terror group. Thus, it was not surprising that the latest terror plot in Europe involved doctors. Anyone can be recruited into a terror organization as long as the individual has the right mindset. Whether one is African American, Caucasian, Hispanic, professional or blue collar, male or female, young or old, the terror draw is always dependent upon the individual’s personality.
Simply, the basic concepts for terror motivation include identity and injury.Those who are radical in any religion identify themselves first and foremost as members of the religious group. The religion dictates everything, from law to private life. Of note, this is true of all religions. One’s faith and religious obligation are put above everything and everyone, and there is no room for question.
This creates a dissonance for some Muslims who are raised in and those who move to the West. There is a discrepancy between what they read in the Koran, what they observe in Jihad (there are over 150 versus about Jihad in the Koran), and how they view those Muslims who lead peaceful, tolerant lives. They often feel inferior because they do not necessarily fit in, and they can perceive discrimination whether it occurs or not. In essence, in the West there are many young Muslims who believe that they do not have community. Suspicious glances by non-Muslims and contempt from Muslims in the Middle East make them feel like second-class individuals. That is, they know that because of the actions of many violent Muslims, they themselves are looked at with question. At the same time, those they encounter from the Middle East view them as innovators who do not practice true Islam. Because they live in the West and may partake in Western behaviors (including speech and style of dress) they are mocked by more fundamentalist Muslims as being taghut (impure). So they are not quite fully Western and not ‘fully’ Muslim. This can make them uncomfortable and question identity.
Usually it is at this time that the individual on the radical path suffers a life set back. Whether it is due to the West or not, the young Muslim loses someone or something dear. This may be very personal such as the death of a loved one, or it may be viewing Muslims injured around the world. It may be a personal illness, which precludes him from following a dream. Whatever it is, there is something that forces the Muslim to reevaluate his life. Many times, he feels as if he has lost that which matters most to him. With loss and the identity question, dissonance grows. In an effort to escape the pain of loss, young Muslims on the path to radicalism search for more substance in their lives. A psychological struggle ensues. On one hand, they are part of the West, and they can see some good aspects to it, such as specific kind individuals. On the other hand, they are Muslim, and they see the struggles of Muslims worldwide. They see oppressive regimes propped up by the West. And because they perceive themselves as outcasts, they gravitate toward their religion because it cuts across cultures, socioeconomic status, race etc. In this, they find community. Then they focus their attention to the plight of Muslims worldwide in a search for self-fulfillment and acceptance. They hear the ever-present call to defend and spread Islam and become psychologically isolated from the West. When they internalize perceived/actual discrimination and zero in on global Islamic causes, they come to an understanding that Muslims suffer because of Western influence and policies. Slowly, the West is viewed as a villain, and anxiety and questions plague the young Muslims.
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