Understanding Islam In the Name of Allah Why terrorists do what they do... in their own words. Since we started keeping track of Islamic terror, there have been Muslims and other detractors who occasionally contact us to insist that the attacks have nothing to do with Islam (at least the folks who don't attempt to justify the killing). To hear them tell it, the violence is all about money or crime, and they claim to have no idea of what the terrorists are thinking. We strongly suspect that this ignorance (if sincere) is a matter of choice, since the terrorists are not at all shy about explaining their motives. These Jihadis not only credit their Islamic faith with the violence, but are also more prone to quote from the Qur'an than are their counterparts, who tend to rely on a tiny handful of favorites from the earlier days of Muhammad's career when claiming that terrorism is somehow "against Islam." We have quoted a portion of the violent verses from the Qur'an and Hadith elsewhere. Here we just want to show that, as far as Islamic terrorists are concerned, their acts are done specifically in the name of Allah for the cause of Islam and Islamic rule... across the globe. Afghanistan "In the name of Allah the Avenger, I swear on the holy book to perform my sacred duty as a soldier of Islam in this Jihad to restore to this world the light of divine justice... Allah demands no less. For to die in the cause is to be sent immediately to paradise." A Taliban official, explaining why the group is violent. Algeria “But the coming Islamic caliphate country will not rise except at the hands of the fighting sect who raises the flag of Allah and Jihad.” Statement from the Salafi terrorist group, one of several fundamentalist cells responsible for the slaughter of 150,000 men women and children in the 1990’s. Chechnya “True resistance is helped by Allah the Supreme and the battles are for His just cause” Abu Hafs, Mujahideen and one of the region’s most prolific killer Egypt "Allah is our objective, the Quran is our Constitution, the Prophet is our leader, Jihad is our way, and death for the sake of Allah is the highest of our aspirations." Credo of the Muslim Brotherhood, which has spawned attacks and numerous subsidiary terrorist organizations India (Kashmir) “Democracy is among the menaces we inherited from an alien government. It is part of the system we are fighting against… It is not possible to work within a democracy and establish an Islamic system… If Allah gives us a chance, we will try to bring in the pure concept of an Islamic Caliphate.'' "The notion of the sovereignty of the people is anti-Islamic. Only Allah is sovereign.'' Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, the leader of the Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorist organization. Iran “Those who know nothing of Islam pretend that Islam counsels against war. Those who say this are witless. Islam says: 'Kill all the unbelievers just as they would kill you all! Kill them, put them to the sword and scatter their armies.'” The Ayatollah Khomeini Indonesia “Keep on fighting for the application of Islamic law. If this state and nation wants to become great, safe, and at peace then it has to return to Islam one hundred percent without bargaining. If not, then it will be destroyed.” Abu Bakar Bashir, spiritual leader of the Indonesian Mujahideen Iraq (Sunni) “There is no doubt that Allah commanded us to strike the Kuffar (unbelievers), kill them, and fight them by all means necessary to achieve the goal. The servants of Allah who perform Jihad to elevate the word (laws) of Allah, are permitted to use any and all means necessary to strike the active unbeliever combatants for the purpose of killing them, snatch their souls from their body, cleanse the earth from their abomination, and lift their trial and persecution of the servants of Allah. The goal must be pursued even if the means to accomplish it affect both the intended active fighters and unintended passive ones such as women, children and any other passive category specified by our jurisprudence.” Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Sunni terrorist known for cutting captives’ throats Iraq (Shia) “My motivation is a sense of duty toward my religious faith to fight against any hostile enemy of Islam.” Abu Deraa, Shitte terrorist known for drilling into captive’s heads Israel “The Islamic Resistance Movement: Islam is its way. It is from Islam that it derives its ideas, concepts, and perceptions concerning the universe, life, and man, and it refers to Islam's judgment in all its actions. It is from Islam that it seeks direction so as to guide its steps. “ The covenant of the bloody Hamas terrorist organization (Islamic Resistance Movement) Jordan “Terrorism is a badge of honour on our chests until Judgement Day. In the name of Allah, we’re pursuing the path of jihad until we uproot you, exterminate your state until the rule of the king vanishes. We follow the steps of the Prophet (Muhammad)... Allah is our Lord; you have none." Hassan al-Smeik, leader of the cell that plotted a chemical weapons attack intended to kill 80,000 Jordanians Lebanon “We are… linked to the Muslims of the whole world by the solid doctrinal and religious connection of Islam, whose message God wanted to be fulfilled by the Seal of the Prophets, i.e., Muhammad” From the charter of the Hezbollah terrorist group, which has kidnapped, tortured and killed numerous non-Muslims. Pakistan "I will go back to wage jihad. I pray Allah fulfils my desire of embracing martyrdom next time," Hizbul Mujahideen cadre, when asked why he kills the Indian people "With regard to Osama and Al-Zawahiri, I never met them, but I have the utmost love and respect for them, because of their enmity towards the Jews and the Christians. The Muslims must be harsh towards the infidels and compassionate among themselves. These two men reflect this Koranic verse... We place our trust in Allah. Soon, we will witness the miracles of Jihad." By'atullah Mahsoud, the Emir of the Pakistani Taliban The Philippines “We may be small in number, but we have plenty fighting with us--the angels and the hand of Allah. We dream of an entire Islamic world, and we will achieve it. Allah is with us." Abu Sayyaf terrorist group leader, Khadaffy Janjalani, responsible for church bombings and beheadings. Saudi Arabia "One of the greatest virtues in Islam is jihad for the sake of God. Ramadan is the month of jihad and battles, and most Muslim battles took place during the blessed month. This is your season, o people of jihad. Jihad during the fasting month of Ramadan has a great taste -- for what better way to break your fast than to kill infidels and relish the sound of the weeping of the despicable tyrants and infidels." Saudi-based terrorist magazine, al-Jihad Somalia "And your brothers of the Mujahideen Movement are on their way, going forth in Jihad against the occupiers and disbelievers so that the word of Allah is the highest and there is no more fitnah on earth and the religion is solely for Allah." Deadly Somali terrorist group calling itself, Youth Islamic Movement Spain "Allah, may he be praised, said… ‘Kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from where they have driven you out; for internal strife [Fitna] is worse than killing.’" The Qur’anic verse quoted by the Abu Hafs Al-Masri Brigades in explaining the murder of 202 Madrid train commuters Sudan "To Fight and Conquer. Death in the name of Allah." The unit logo of the Janjaweed militia, responsible for “cleansing” Darfur of African people along with the rape of thousands of women. "Long live the Mujahideen" Sudanese President, Omar al-Bahir, at a meeting of Janjaweed fighters. “Jihad is a duty.” The constitution of the Islamic Republic of Sudan Syria “Our hero [the suicide bomber] believed in Allah and died while fighting for Allah” Islamic Jihad leader, Abu Ayman Thailand “….Martyrs, how glorious we will be if we fall as warriors of our land. When Martyrs are killed, they are not dead but alive next to Allah. They will watch and listen to every piece of news to see if their children will follow in their footsteps….” Berjihad di Pattani, “calls for a holy war to liberate Pattani from ‘colonists’. It is liberal in employing metaphoric references and verses from the Quran. ...a significant and clear articulation of the radical religious dimension of the conflict in south Thailand used within the context of Malay-Muslim resentment of the central government. It engages in Takdir (the labeling of fellow Muslims as infidels) and makes direct calls for Martyrs to attack fellow Muslims perceived to be collaborating with the “occupation”, or the Jahili (people of the ignorance). It views the practice of religious obligations of these “hypocrite” Muslims as a disguise hiding hearts filled with fury and hatred against Islam…” Turkey “The Koran says: ‘Fight them until evil disappears and all religion becomes Allah's [religion].' The suicide activists who blow themselves up are carrying out the Koran's commandment.’" Ali Osman Zor, Great East Islamic Raiders Front terrorist organization United Kingdom “Our religion is Islam - obedience to the one true God, Allah, and following the footsteps of the final prophet and messenger Muhammad... This is how our ethical stances are dictated. “ Mohammad Sidique Khan, London subway bomber, explaining his motives on a pre-recorded video tape. United States "I did not act out of hatred for Americans, but love for Allah instead. I live only to serve Allah by obeying all of Allah’s commandments, of which I am aware by reading and learning the contents of the Koran.” Mohammed Reza Taheri-Azar, explaining (in his words) “reasons for premeditating and attempting to murder citizens and residents of the United States of America.” He also quoted 141 verses from the Qur'an. Uzbekistan "We have declared a jihad to create a religious government in Uzbekistan” Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader, Tahir Yuldeshev September 11th Attacks "We killed them outside their land, praise be to Allah. Today, we kill them in the midst of their own home. O Allah, revive an entire nation by our deaths. O Allah, I sacrifice myself for your sake, accept me as a martyr. O Allah, I sacrifice myself for your sake, accept me as a martyr. O Allah, I sacrifice myself for your sake, accept me as a martyr. To the Garden of Eden, our first house. We shall meet in the eternal Paradise with the prophets, honest people, martyrs and righteous people. They are the best of companions. Praise be to Allah. Allah's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you. " Ahmad al-Haznawi, Flight 93 Hijacker "Those 19 brothers who left us made efforts and offered their lives for the cause of Allah. Allah has favored them with this conquest, which we are enjoying now" Ayman al-Zawahiri, al-Qaeda's Number Two, explaining the motives for the plot. "Be cheerful, for you have only moments between you and your eternity, after which a happy and satisfying life begins... "Remember: it is a raid for the sake of Allah. Recite the prayer. As you take the seat, recite the prayer. Mention Allah a lot. When the hijacking begins, "Shout Allah is great because this shout strikes terrors in the hearts of the infidels "And the moment of death should be accompanied by the basic statement of belief recited by all Muslims at the call to prayer. Seconds before the target, your last words should be, 'there is no god but Allah. Mohammed is his messenger!." Written instructions to the hijackers. "Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!" Last words from the cockpit of Flight 93.