Jihadi or Jihadist Defined

Jihadi or Jihadist Defined Jihadi,  or  jihadist,  refers to a person who believes that an Islamic state governing the entire community of Muslims must be  created and that this necessity justifies violent conflict with those who stand in its way. Although jihad is a concept that can be found in the Quran, the terms jihadi, jihadi ideology and jihadi movement are modern concepts related to the rise of political Islam in the 19th and 20th centuries. Jihadi History Jihadis are a narrow group made up of adherents who interpret Islam, and the concept of jihad, to mean that war must be waged against states and groups who in their eyes have corrupted the ideals of Islamic governance. Saudi Arabia is high on this list because it claims to be ruling according to the precepts of Islam, and it is the home of Mecca and Medina, two of Islams holiest sites. The name that was once most visibly associated with jihadi ideology was the late  Al Qaeda  leader, Osama bin Laden.  As a youth in Saudi Arabia, bin Laden was highly influenced by Arab Muslim teachers and others who were radicalized in the 1960s and 1970s by the combination of: The Arab defeat in the 1967 war with IsraelOppressive and corrupt Arab governmentsRapidly urbanizing and modernizing society Dying a Martys Death Some saw  jihad, a violent overthrow of all that was wrong with society, as a necessary means to create a properly Islamic, and more orderly, world. They idealized martyrdom, which also has a meaning in Islamic history, as a way to fulfill a religious  duty. Newly converted jihadis found great appeal in the romantic vision of dying a martyrs death. When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, Arab Muslim adherents of jihad took up the Afghan cause as the first step in creating an Islamic state. (Afghanistans population is Muslim, but they are not Arabs.) In the early 1980s, bin Laden worked with the  mujahideen  fighting a self-proclaimed holy war to oust the Soviets from Afghanistan.  Later,  in 1996, bin Laden signed and issued the Declaration of Jihad Against the Americans Occupying the Land of the Two Holy Mosques, meaning Saudi Arabia. A Jihadis Work Is Never Done Lawrence Wrights recent book, The Looming Tower: Al Qaeda and the Road to 9/11, offers an  account of this period as a formative moment of jihadi belief: Under the spell of the Afghan struggle, many radical Islamists came to believe that jihad never ends. For them, the war against the Soviet occupation was only a skirmish in an eternal war. They called themselves jihadis, indicating the centrality of war to their religious understanding. Those Who Strive In recent years, the word  jihad  has become synonymous in many minds with a form of religious extremism that causes a great deal of fear and suspicion. It is commonly thought to mean holy war, and especially to represent efforts of Islam extremist groups against others. Yet, the current modern definition of  jihad  is contrary to the  linguistic meaning of the word, and also contrary to the beliefs held by most  Muslims.   The word  jihad  stems from the Arabic root word J-H-D, which means strive. Jihadis, then, would literally translate as those who strive. Other words derived from this root include effort, labor, and fatigue. Thus, jihadis are those who attempt to practice religion in the face of oppression and persecution. The effort may come in the form of fighting the evil in their own hearts, or in standing up to a dictator. Military effort is included as an option, but Muslims view this as a last resort, and it in no way is meant to mean to spread Islam by the sword, as the stereotype now suggests. Jihadi or Jihadist In the Western press, there is a serious  debate about whether the term should be jihadi or jihadist. The  Associated Press, whose newsfeed is  seen by more than half the world’s population every day via AP newspaper stories, television news, and even  the internet, is very specific about what jihad means and which term to use, noting that jihad is an: Arabic noun used to refer to the Islamic concept of the struggle to do good. In particular situations, that can include holy war, the meaning extremist Muslims commonly use. Use  jihadi  and  jihadis. Do not use  jihadist. Yet,  Merriam-Webster, the dictionary AP generally relies on for definitions, says either term- jihadi or jihadist- is acceptable, and even defines jihadist as  a Muslim who advocates or participates in a  jihad. The respected dictionary also  defines the term jihad  as: ... a holy war waged on behalf of Islam as a religious duty;  also:  a personal struggle in devotion to Islam especially involving spiritual discipline. So, either jihadi or jihadist is acceptable unless you work for the AP, and the term can mean either one who wages a holy war on behalf of Islam  or  one who is undergoing a personal, spiritual, and internal struggle to achieve supreme devotion to Islam. As with many politically or religiously charged words, the correct word and interpretation depend on your viewpoint and worldview.

Search proposal ( 6 pages ) only Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Search proposal ( 6 pages ) only - Essay Example The process begins with research into e-learning in general and at Saudi universities and ends with the culmination of the final report. A realistic time period for this to take place is over the next several months. As much as the word 'e-learning' is tossed around, one would think that every aspect of the term has been thoroughly researched. That is not the case. There is a lack of literature focusing on e-learning in certain countries. One of these countries is Saudi Arabia. In order to prime the reader for this project, it is necessary to review some literature on the topic first. Below are several reviews that pertain to e-learning and that can be utilized for the purposes of this study. Through studying e-learning, one can quickly note that seemingly endless definitions exist. This website does a great job putting together an all-encompassing one that will be helpful to the research. According to them, it can be defined as: The use of network technologies to create, foster, deliver, and facilitate learning, anytime and anywhere; The delivery of individualized, comprehensive, dynamic learning content in real time, aiding the development of communities of knowledge, linking learners and practitioners with experts; A phenomenon delivering accountability, accessibility, and opportunity to allow people and organizations to keep up with the rapid changes that define the Internet world; and A force that gives people and organizations the competitive edge to allow them to keep ahead of the rapidly changing global economy. King Saud University Acquires ISI Web of Knowledge, by Thomson (http://scientific.thomson.com/press/2005/8285822/) This article reveals an important technological update for the oldest and largest Saudia Arabian University: King Saud University. The university signed a deal with Thomson Scientific to subscribe to "ISI Web of Knowledge - the integrated, Web-based platform designed to support all levels of scientific and scholarly research within academic, corporate, government or non-profit environments." According to the article, "ISI Web of Knowledge facilitates discovery by offering seamless navigation to high-quality, multidisciplinary journal, patent, and Web content; evaluation tools; and bibliographic management products. ISI Web of Knowledge combines this high-quality, evaluated content with the technologically-advanced tools necessary to analyze and manage the information." The ISI Web of Knowledge is a big step for King Saud University. It will allow students and college professionals to navigate to high-quality content with ease. "From a single point of entry, ISI Web of Knowledge integrates journal literature from Web of Science and Current Contents Connect with patent data (Derwent Innovations IndexSM), proceedings information (ISI ProceedingsSM), life

Managing Performance Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Managing Performance - Assignment Example on what awaits in the achievements list as a strategy of organizing and empowering the human resources to meet important organizational goals and objectives. Managing performance underlines and therefore is inexorably related to every tasks of the human resources of a company (Cardy and Leonard 169). This includes its organizational culture, the approach to completing tasks and communications strategy. The extent and importance of the performance management plan is based on the structural context and can differ across organizations. Moynihan specified that managing performance involves applying strategy by aligning the job designations of the staffs along broad organizational issues and long-term objectives (189). In addition, it should be integrated, in the sense that it links different organizational aspects, human resources management, aspirations of individual staffs and working teams. As such, performance management ought to incorporate: a) ways to improve performance of the staffs across all units of the organization including individual respect among the workforces; b) teamwork; c) a clear development plan since this is the only way to ensure continuous productivity and development of individual workforces and teams to enhance their performance, and d) managing behavior by ensuring that the staffs are motivated to adopt a working culture that permits and encourages sound working relationships (Cardy and Leonard 170). Effective communications between staffs and across departments and proper tools to measure and make vital improvements it is one of the ways in which employee performance management can be achieved. Managing performance ensures the workplace is safe and enjoyable for every employee to work in (Cardy and Leonard 171). It improves interpersonal relations, psychological and physical health by eliminating risk factors associated with them such as harassment. As such, it improves productivity, efficiency at work, and career development. In

The Progressive Movement Essay Example for Free

The Progressive Movement Essay Some forms of progressive movement are progressivism which embraces the widespread of many sided efforts to build a better society; scientific investigation the studies by the federal government of immigration; child labor; economic practices and social research by privately funded foundation; academic expertise to have the skills and knowledge about the problems America was facing during the 1900; pragmatism which judged ideas by their consequences; and muckraker journalists who exposed the underside of American life. During this time there were no agreed upon agenda’s nor were there any unifying organizations. Both the Republican and Democratic parties had progressive elements which caused each group to interact with different social groups with different views. This period was the beginning of the analysis of human activity which offered solutions to waste, inefficiency in municipal government, schools, hospitals and homes. Scientific management thought Frederick W. Taylor, could solve the problems of the United States social ills that arise from our acts of ill-directed, or inefficient. Scientific management was an American invention which made America feels like a part of the transatlantic world. Also, the social politics overseas was much more advanced than the United States which made the Americans feel like we have fallen behind. America was no longer the leader in teaching how democracy worked but was learning about democracy from other countries. The main objective was to resist ways of thinking that discouraged purposeful action. Social Darwinists beliefs that society developed according to fixed and unchanging laws was wrong. William James, Harvard philosopher said it is foolish to speak of the â€Å"laws of history† like it is inevitable, which science only has to discover and which anyone can then  foretell and observe, but do nothing to alter or avert. Progressives prided themselves on being tough minded, and on being experts on making things happen. But they were not indifferent to the moral grounds for reform. Progressives were considered to be unabashed idealists. Progressive leaders characteristically grew up in homes imbued with evangelical piety. Many went through a religious crisis, ultimately settling on a career in social work, education, or politics where religious striving might be translated into secular action. Some of the players in there reforms were Jane Adams taken up settlement-house work believing by uplifting the poor, she would herself be uplifted: she would experience â€Å"the joy of finding Christ† by acting â€Å"in fellowship† with the needy. Lincoln Steffen article is credited with starting a trend about writing about â€Å"the shame of the cities† – the corrupt ties between business and political machines. Ida Tarbell attached the Standard Oil monopoly, and David Graham Phillips told how money controlled the Senate William Hard exposed industrial accidents in â€Å"Making Steel and Killing Men† (1907) and child labor in â€Å"De Kid Wot Works at Night† (1908). Hardly a sordid corner of American life escaped the scrutiny of these tireless reporters. Theodore Roosevelt, among many thought they went too far. However the muckrakers became attached to the journalists who exposed the underside of American life. There efforts were in fact health giving. More than any other group, the muckrakers called the people to arms. Women progressives shouldered the burden of humanitarian work in American cities. They were the foot soldiers for charity organizations, visiting needy families, assessing their problems, and referring them to relief agencies. Josephine Shaw Lowell of New York City concluded giving assistance to the poor was not enough. She felt it was better to save them before they go under, than to spend your life fishing them out of afterward. The welfare state, insofar as it arrived in America in these years, was what women progressives had made of it: they erected a â€Å"maternalist† welfare system. During the progressive years, scores of settlement houses sprang up in the ghetto of the nation’s cities, serving as community centers and spark plugs for neighborhood reform. Jane Addams led battles for garbage removal, playgrounds, better street lighting, and police protection. The main goals of the Progressive reforms were: 1) To change other people by having them adopt the Progressive vision of middle class behavior and thought. This particularly applied to issues of recreation and leisure, the status of the family, sexual orientation and behavior. Protecting Social Welfare. 2) Toe end class conflict between the â€Å"have’s† (the privileged class) and â€Å"the have less, â€Å"(or have not). Fostering Efficiency. 3) To effect a measure of control over big business. Moral Improvement. Another movement was segregate society into groups, based on occupation (labor, management, etc.) race, sex (laws protecting women insured secondary status in employment), and immigration status. Segregation of the races was seen by Progressives as a method of stabilizing race relationship. Economic Reform. The major players in these reforms were Cleveland, McKinley, T. Roosevelt, Taft, Wilson, Harding, and Coolidge all of them were presidents of this era. Their foreign and domestic policies shaped their world and whose policies continue to impact our world. It is amazing how some of the things are still incorporated in our society today. I think the movements were genuine concern for social problems. As a matter of fact because of the some of the progressive movement some people are still reaping the benefits of their labor today. However, I do feel like some of the people that are benefiting from some of the reforms have caused themselves to be control by trying to live off of the system rather than using it as a stepping stone to do better for themselves. References Henertta, James A Brody, David (2010). America A Concise History. Boston NewYork: Bedford/ St. Martin’s

Conflict and Tradition in Things Fall Apart Essay -- Things Fall Apart

Conflict and Tradition in Things Fall Apart The book Things Fall Apart successfully expressed how Chinua Achebe had succeeded in writing a different story. It pointed out the conflict of oneself, the traditional beliefs, and the religious matters of the Africans. Throughout the novel, Chinua Achebe used simple but dignified words and unlike other books, he also included some flashbacks and folktales to make the novel more interesting and comprehensible. Things Fall Apart was about a man named Okonkwo, who was always struggling with his inner fear although he was known for being a strong, powerful, and fearless warior. He feared of weakness, and failure more than the fear of losing and dying and that forshadowing the consequenses he got at the end. Through this man that Chinua Achebe represented the deep and rich human characteristics and the beliefs of one religion to another. The agriculture of the Igbo society was different than other societies of today. Yams were the main nourishment through every meal and they called these yams "the king of crops." Furthermore, people used the yams for every traditional celebration and used kola nuts to offer their "chi" or personal god. These food, as Chinua Achebe had described, sometimes related to or involved with the religion or ancestrial spirits. Sometimes there were certain celebrations for each specific kind of food such as the New Yam Festival. Chinua Achebe used agriculture to express certain characteristics of each festival and celebration of the Igbo society. There was not o... ...hrough this book that Chinua Achebe cleverly described the complexity of each religion and how it affected the African community at that period of time. The death of Okonkwo at the end was unpredictable to the readers because throughout the novel, Chinua Achebe described him as a strong warrior who feared of nothing besides failure and weakness. When Okonkwo committed suicide, he also committed the only thing he feared, and that was weakness. Things Fall Apart was the book about power, strength, sentiment, religion and love; it also contained several dramatic ironies. Although Achebe had written many books and novels, Things Fall Apart was one of his finest work that got listed as the Classic Bestseller. His delicately African style furnished the uniqueness as well as the prominence to the book.

Eco- School Project Essay

This is what all parents worried about. Well, all parents want their child to be in a safe and comfortable environment. So, this is why Eco- School Project stand for. The aim of eco- school project is to raise awareness among the students on the environmental issue and world perspectively. Locally right now there are only 2 schools are involved in the eco- school project . Our school was one of it. Currently, our school have conducted some activities for the eco-school project. The energy group had the pre-earth hour launch of green Friday. Up to now, our school have the continuously green Friday launch which is, every Friday, classrooms upper and lower secondary have only one air-conditioner on or preferably both off, and one sets of lights off until 8.50am for lower sec and 9am for higher sec. Even the staffroom and admin office are all compliant. So that’s the on going efforts of eco group. As we all know, the world is very aware of environmental issue, so it’s important for kids especially school to know what can they do, not only in school, if you know what you can do in school you can imperative at home. For example: Taking part at home for the international earth hour by switching off your lights for an hour or even just consider when you are not in your room , don’t leave lights, air-conditioner on. On the rainy day, you can use your fan instead of your air-conditioner. Just to know basic that you can and that’s the impact of the environment. Moreover, there are a lot of advantages of being an eco-school, on top of being like the rest of the world, in a long run you will benefit your future. If you know how or what you are doing today is affecting environment and how it were create a change reaction effect your future , you can actually SAVE YOUR FUTURE! If you start later, means the whole process gonna start later and sometimes certain damage cannot be reverse . Since its very important for school kids to be involve. our school have a lot of future plans. According to Ms.Gayathri, the eco- school community member, the biodiversity group has a plan to create entire like agricultural section with plans and bird seeds feeding.. Its huge, the eco school project is very very HUGE.

A Speech For The Liberty Of Unlicensed Printing By John...

‘Areopagitica: A Speech for the Liberty of Unlicensed Printing’ was written by John Milton in which he argued against censorship and defended free speech and freedom of the press. John Milton was an English poet, polemicist, man of letters, and civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under Oliver Cromwell. He was born in Bread Street, London on 9 December 1608. He was known best for his epic poem Paradise Lost. Milton s verse and writing reflect deep individual feelings, a passion for freedom and self-assurance, and the important and contemporary issues and political turbulence of his day. Writing in English, Latin, Greek, and Italian, he was able to gained global name and fame within his lifetime. But he also earned international†¦show more content†¦Areopagitica is full of divine and classical references which Milton uses to strengthen his argument. This is particularly fitting because it was being addressed to the Calvinist Presbyterians who comprised Parliament at that time. The Areopagitica was an attack directed against the Licensing Order Act of 1643, which demanded that an author s work be approved by the government in order for it to be published. Milton sets off his writing with historical evidence noting that Ancient Greece and Rome did not follow to the practice of licensing. In some cases, blasphemous or irreligious writings were burnt and their authors punished, but it was after production that these texts were rejected rather than prior to it. Milton s point is that, if a text is to be rejected, it should first be examined, refuted, and condemned rather than restricted before its ideas have even been expressed. Milton indicates that licensing was first instituted by the Catholics with the Inquisition. This fact appealed to Parliament s religious beliefs since it was dominated by Protestants, and there were conflicts between the Protestants and Catholics in England. Milton provides historical examples of the aftermat h following the Inquisition, including how there were popes in Rome beginning in the 14th century who becameShow MoreRelatedFreedom of Speech3842 Words   |  16 PagesFreedom of speech Freedom of speech  is the freedom to speak freely without  censorship. The synonymous term  freedom of expression  is sometimes used to indicate not only freedom of verbal speech but any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used. In practice, the right to freedom of speech is not absolute in any country and the right is commonly subject to limitations, such as on hate speech. The right to freedom of speech is recognized as a  human