Wahabism: The Root of Fundamentalist Islam

In order for us to fully understand the issue of terrorism, we have to reach back into the roots that created the mindset we see today in the radical elements of Islam. The majority of Muslims are peace loving and productive citizens of the countries they reside in. Their beliefs mirror closely those of the prophet, who never advocated violence as a means of conversion. Historically, members of the Muslim religion co-existed peacefully in early Spain, Africa and throughout the Middle East.

Wahabism, an extreme sect of this faith, takes a hard-line view of anyone within their own religion, who do not agree with their ideals. The sect began in the 17th and 18th century, founded by Muhammed Ibn Abd al Wahhab, in the eastern Saudi Arabian territory. Their beliefs are based on a return to the simple life of the early desert dwellers. They eschew anything having to do with tolerance, or what they deem as a departure from their fundamentalist views.

In spite of not being tolerated by mainstream Islamists of that era, they continued to make steady inroads into the populace. They helped put the House of Al Saud on the throne in the 1930's, when they unified the rival tribal factions. In fact, to this day, the Wahabi's are inextricably entwined with the Saudi royals, and the entire spectrum of Saudi society. They run the madrassah's, govern the daily lives of the female populace, and pass judgment on those they judge criminal or renegade. Because of the Wahabi sects extremism, the Kingdom is one of the most repressive areas of the Middle East.

Their interpretation of the Q'uran attracts the young, disenfranchised youth the world over. Paradoxically, it also attracts the highly educated sector: physicians, attorney's and engineers. They play on the "noble" ideals of martyrdom, jihad, and sacrifice for Allah. They play on the envy present in the impoverished areas of the globe, where people who see how we live, resent us. Families of "martyr's to the cause are paid generously as an incentive to keep on offering up their loved ones as sacrifice to their ultimate goal.

That goal is frightening in its implications. They want no less than to create a global Caliphate, governed by their clerics, and wipe an immoral Western society and an "evil" Israel off the map. This then, is the seeding of modern day terrorism. Usama Bin Laden was apparently taken by the tenets of this sect, and took it to heart. Autumn 1996, Bin Laden issued a fatwa 60 pages long, which declared war against the United States. It came to be known as the Epistle, and was so scholarly in tone, many clerics questioned Bin Laden’s ability to have produced it. In it he heaped his scorn and blame on the United States for all of the ills his "people" had suffered under our hands.

This diatribe didn't attract the attention this egomaniac desired, so he began to grant interviews with select Arab and Western journalists, to ensure his message was heeded. Unfortunately it wasn't, and as a result, 3,000 souls died on September 11th, 2001. In 1998, he issued a new fatwa calling all Muslims who followed the "true" faith, to kill Americans. They responded in the thousands. In terrorist training camps inside Iran, Afghanistan, the Sudan, and Lebanon, young idealistic followers were given the tools of terror.

Because Bin Laden himself is a ideological leader, akin to a CEO, overseeing branch offices that operate independently of him, or each other, the threat is growing. This is a terrifying and amorphous enemy we face. Usama Bin Laden provides the spiritual and financial support for any group that fits his agenda. They are fluid and know how to bury themselves deep within a society.

Today, in the United States there are terror cells reaching from New York to Los Angeles. Totally, fanatically dedicated, and very patient, they take full advantage of our freedoms to garner support for the cause. They use shell charities, and the internet to both recruit and gain financing from sometimes well meaning people who believe they are donating to humanitarian aid. The foremost spokespeople for the American Muslim community is CAIR-which claims a moderate stance and alleges it despises Wahabi fundamentalism.

In Paul Sperry's book: Infiltration, written in 2005, he puts that claim to the test and proves the lie. If you want to discover more about the intricate network operating inside our shores, based on this fanatical interpretation of Islam, I highly recommend you read his book. An informed public is an aware public, and this may help save thousands of lives.