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| Terror Networks | |
| It's not 'jihad' and 'mujihadeen' - it's 'hiraba' and 'mufsidun' | |
| 2007-09-30 | |
Having returned from the Sand Box seven months ago, I have been catching up with the North American Counter Terrorism perception of radical Islamic Terrorism. After spending time in-country, I've gained a Mark One Eye Ball perspective, not just a Signal & Electronic Intelligence one that some would call an armchair quarterback perspective. One thing I have learned is, it doesn't matter how expensive, complex or computerized your intelligence sources are, there is no substitute for the Mark One Eye Ball on-the-ground to give you a good insight into what is going on, on the ground. I am surprised and disappointed that some if not all three major parties involved in combating this threat (Government, CT Professionals and Mass Media ) are still not getting it. What do I mean? I mean effective communication – one of the fundamental forms of conflict resolution – about how we in the Western, non-Islamic world talk about and discuss the Islamic Terrorism/Insurgency organizations and their threat. One should remember that Islamic Terrorism and Insurgency ideology manipulates religious words and ideas to impose its goals on Muslims, as well as non-Muslims, through violence. By discrediting that ideological belief, one of the first and most essential tasks in addressing the root cause can be accomplished. Moderate Muslim/Islamic voices receive little notice in Western media. In other instances, individuals are fearful to speak out too loudly because of the threat from terrorists/insurgents and their supporters. Western society should encourage Muslim political, religious and social leaders to denounce terrorism, and cooperate in defeating terrorist groups and offer alternatives to terrorism that are real, credible and achievable. How quickly we have forgotten the lessons of the past, and are now making the same old mistakes. Remember the phrase "Hearts & Minds"? The British Special Forces used this phrase in the Counter Insurgency Operations in Malaya (1950-58), and Borneo & Brunei in the 60's (1962-66) with good results. Counter Insurgency COIN Operation 101 In order to defeat the Terrorist/Insurgency organizations and their operations, one of the main goals is the starvation of their manpower – new recruits and converts that supply to these organizations. This is done by communicating with the Islamic communities that these terrorist organizations draw their power and strength from. And it should be achieved in a language the community and culture understand, not in our own language and culture. We have allowed the media and the subsequent political bandwagon to have their catch phrases, which have become ingrained in the CT vocabulary and dictionary. In reality, some of these words and phrases help legitimize the Islamic Terrorists and Insurgency actions in the eyes of the Islamic world. Here are some examples. Jihad: To the Terrorist/Insurgency organizations and the popular Media and Politicians of the day the interpretation and meaning is "Holy War". In fact, the correct literal translation means "Striving". Within the Islamic/Muslim context "Jihad fi sabil illah" translates as "Striving in the path of God". This basic principle of the Islamic religion and the goal of all Muslims is similar to principles of a Christianity's Ten Commandments. An example of this can be a Muslim working in an office or at home conducting their life in God's name. Therefore, for Western society using "Jihad / Jihadist" or any other religious term to describe Terrorists/Insurgency operations and their actions only helps to legitimize an ideology within the Islamic society that CT professionals seek to defeat. Therefore, it should be removed from the CT vocabulary completely. Mujahideen: "One who participates in Jihad." This designates one's activity as against the enemy of the Islamic Jihad. Al Qaeda's Caliphate: "Successor" This does not mean a re-establishment of any historical regime, but a Global Totalitarian State. A good example of such a State would be the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Allah: "Arabic for God." This is a name that is not specific to Muslims. Arabic speaking Jews and Christians use this word as well. All three religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam, identify God/Allah as the God of Abraham, but they do not share the identical concept of God/Allah. Words that should be incorporated into the Anti & Counter Terrorist vocabulary and subsequent dictionary are: Hirabah: Hirabah is derived from the Arabic referring to war/combat means, sinful warfare, or warfare contrary to Islamic Law, and should be applied when describing Terrorist/Insurgency organizations as "Global Hirabah" and NOT "Global Jihad". Mufsid / Mufsidun: Meaning an evil/corrupt person. The specifics of this denotation of corruption carry enormous weight in most of the Islamic world. So we should describe the Terrorist/Insurgency organizations as "Mufsidun" and not as "Jihadist". Fitna: Literally means temptation or trial, but has become a reference to the discord and strife amongst Muslims. This best describes what is currently going on in Iraq today. Fattan: A fattan is a tempter or subversive. Applying this term to Terrorist/Insurgency organisations condemns their activities as divisive and harmful, and also identifies them with movements and individuals with negative reputations in Islamic history, such as the Assassins of Caliph Utham in 656 AD. How we in Western societies speak and think about Islamic Terrorism/Insurgency will shape its eventual conclusion. Only by using the correct vocabulary, instead of the current incorrect vocabulary popularized by the media/political bandwagon, can we bridge the division of difference between both societies, and thereby divide, weaken, and defeat the Islamic Terrorist/Insurgence Organizations' Threat. Carl's career spans 26 years in the Military, Aviation, and Law Enforcement Specialist group of occupations. This includes service in the British Armed Forces (1979 - 2001) and currently sits on the Michigan Tactical Officers Association Executive Board as Training Director. Throughout his career, Carl has placed a special focus on anti-terrorism procedures, training and operations. He has operated in important theatres like, Europe, Balkans, the Middle and Far East, the United States, and Canada. Carl is a member of the International Counter Terrorism Officers Association, International Association for Counter Terrorism & Security Professionals, International Law Enforcement Educators & Trainers, National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, Canadian General Standard Board on Personal Body Armour Committee, International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors, and he is an Associate Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society. | |
| Posted by:lotp |
| #17 In Anbar our commanders might label it psyops. Yes, and it's all well and fine to make such distinctions over there. To consume lots of ink and dissipate any momentum of the American public's already lagging perception of Islam by detailing such minutae seems a lot more counterproductive than anything else. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-09-30 22:15 |
| #16 "Screaming asshole" is the alternate English translation of the Arabic word, Barbara. But to help clarify thinking it's critical to use the correct terminology for the target audience. You could footnote the translation for those not familiar with the concepts, though -- that would help drive the point home to our little post-Friday sermon visitors. ;-) I'm really looking forward to the little idiots trying to explain to the kufrs why it's jihad instead of hirabah -- that's not the kind of knowledge we're supposed to have. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2007-09-30 21:24 |
| #15 it is far better to keep opposition focused upon these two poisons than to worry about catering to Muslim perceptions of themselves or their violent co-religionists. Catering. Interesting word. In Anbar our commanders might label it psyops. And later, building relationships that lead to IED factory tips. And then to sheiks of some of the largest tribes openly aligning themselves with the coaltion and the government. Funny kind of catering business, that. |
| Posted by: lotp 2007-09-30 21:11 |
| #14 I'm guessing Hospedales isn't primarily concerned with what the American public thinks. He's concerned with framing the responses of Muslims to Muslim-initiated violence. Labeling the violence 'hiraba' rather than 'jihad' induces cognitive dissonance. Not always and for all Muslim listeners - but in the places where there are small cracks, where a mother grieves for her son caught in crossfire or enticed to a suicide bomb, this can broaden those cracks. |
| Posted by: lotp 2007-09-30 21:05 |
| #13 PS: It ain't just you, Barbara. You've got plenty of company, gal. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-09-30 20:51 |
| #12 Permit me to suggest that hair-splitting over Islamic terms will prove a tremendous disservice to fighting terrorism. The term "jihad" is thoroughly embedded in the public's consciousness and identifies a central tenet of Islam that is absolutely inimical to the West. Even if slightly incorrect in useage, it is far better to militate the general public against hostile core elements of Islam so that pressure is created against its theocratic dictates. Both shari'a and jihad are so toxic to basic liberty and individual freedom that it is far better to keep opposition focused upon these two poisons than to worry about catering to Muslim perceptions of themselves or their violent co-religionists. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-09-30 20:50 |
| #11 I vote for "screaming assholes," tw. But that't just me.... :-D |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2007-09-30 20:17 |
| #10 I'm game. Only which should we use instead of jihadis: hirabis or mufsidis? |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2007-09-30 20:07 |
| #9 Not necessarily. You don't have to create an internalized concept space shaped by language in order for public language to influence group behavior. |
| Posted by: lotp 2007-09-30 14:56 |
| #8 Sapir-Whorf riding again? |
| Posted by: gromgoru 2007-09-30 14:31 |
| #7 It also sets the stage to either have true moderate Muslims speak out against terrorism in Muslim terms -- or refuse to do so, in which case it becomes easier to inform the Western public just what's going on. Create/find/exploit cracks. |
| Posted by: lotp 2007-09-30 14:24 |
| #6 Of course the concept of jihad would have no legitimacy in the islamic world were it not for the speech patterns of the kafir. What a great idea! Wish I had thought of it. Every bit helps. And I think it would no harm to use derogatory terms for jihadis becausqed there are Mulims in western societies. Americans positively suck in the propaganda field: the fact is you sucked so much it was you not the Soviet Union who was considered the evil empire by most of mankind. It is sadiostic torturer Guevara who is in most teeenagerrs' T-shirts not Kennedy or Reagan. And Chirak (spoit) not Bush who passed for a hero in 2004. And winning the propganda war goes with small steps like this one. Having jihadis named hiraba is not a propaganda Midway but it is at least a Wake island battle. |
| Posted by: JFM 2007-09-30 14:13 |
| #5 So ... there's a reason this was posted in Opinion. ;-) I don't think the author is (pace Spencer) aligned with the Sauds etc. And I'm also not sure Spencer's word is the only one to be had on the subject. Spencer wants us to focus on the existential threat posed by aggressive Islam practicing taqqiya. He's concerned that the West understand what we're facing. That's an important message. Hospedales is thinking tactically. His aim is to find ways to create and exploit cracks in the Muslim world to our advantage and his argument is that one way to accomplish that is by challenging the noble-sounding call to jihad. Under the right conditions, creating and exploiting cracks can be very powerful - witness the skill with which Petraeus and his subordinate commanders have exploited the cracks in Anbar caused by Al-Q's heavyhanded treatment of locals. As those cracks widen, others are approaching the coalition to form alliances. Possibly temporary ones, but in any case we'll use them to as much advantage as we can. Do I think a change in vocabulary will cause the jihad set to take a weekend retreat, search their souls and change their aspirations to managing McDonalds franchises instead? uh uh. Does Hospedales have some insights into the way in which Islamicists are recruiting online through preaching that shapes the thinking of impressionable young men seeking an identity? I think he might. He's looking at this the way a really good cop considers how to counter gangs who are moving into his territory and recruiting the local kids. |
| Posted by: lotp 2007-09-30 11:48 |
| #4 Hmm... maybe if they told Osama this, he would die... of laughter... |
| Posted by: john frum 2007-09-30 11:36 |
| #3 Sorry, Jack, but citing Robert Spencer (and Hugh Fitzgerald) is not trolling. |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2007-09-30 11:30 |
| #2 Posted by: Mike Sylwester|| 2007-09-30 10:50 ||Comments Top|| Troll. |
| Posted by: Jack Rubenstein 2007-09-30 11:06 |
| #1 This idea of trying to impose the word "hirabah" over the word "jihad" has been criticized by Robert Spencer here, here and here. |
| Posted by: Mike Sylwester 2007-09-30 10:50 |