War of words
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Like many Americans, I understand the word through an association with individuals like Osama bin Laden and Ayatollah Khomeini. Because I build my understanding of Islamic fundamentalism from the narrow imagery associated with bin Laden and Al Qaeda, all Islamic fundamentalists are, therefore, like bin Laden.
Bin Laden and Al Qaeda give the meaning to the phrase. We then understand the intention of the speaker using the phrase: to associate the subject and significance with contemporary terrorism. We construct the word to have a new meaning, one that brings to mind bin Laden and other terrorists. Without him, we cannot be sure people agree upon the meaning of "Islamic fundamentalism."
Removing bin Laden from the realm of "Islamic fundamentalists" results in a different interpretation of the term. The term, when broken down, is "Islamic", pertaining to the religion Islam, and "fundamentalist", which is someone who adheres to unabridged followings of certain principles. Putting the adjective and noun together in a phrase now can be interpreted as "a Muslim who follows unabridged tenets of Islam."
The two definitions clash to create stark political implications. However, the strict interpretation of the Quran does not advocate the destruction of America any more than our Christian fundamentalist president's scripture requires an occupation of the Middle East.
When we fight a war to eliminate an Islamic fundamentalist insurgency, while we claim to not be waging a war on Islam, naturally some people are confused. We ascribed political meaning to the term, and that has consequences.
We must learn to refer to a terrorist as a terrorist and nothing more. As President Bush repeatedly preaches, Islam is a religion of peace. We must cease equating terrorists with members of a peaceful religion, unless we truly want to cause a tenth crusade.
Mike Eber is an LSA senior and a member of the Daily's editorial board.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 31
Jared Goldberg
posted 5/29/07 @ 8:05 AM EST
Good viewpoint, Eber. Very thought provoking and intriguing. Makes you wonder what other terms from our collective lexicon need to be retired as well. (Continued…)
Andy
posted 5/29/07 @ 11:26 AM EST
well, there are some crazies who would probably argue that Islam is NOT a peaceful religion. They probably comprise small proportion of the world's Muslims, but they are making a ruckus. (Continued…)
Phil
phil
posted 5/29/07 @ 4:41 PM EST
Why did 9/11 occur? Islam is a religion that is bred on hate. That is why the United States and Britain has been attacked by these pieces of garbage. Don't tell me that Islam is a peaceful religion. (Continued…)
David Drake
posted 5/30/07 @ 3:12 AM EST
You are incredibly gullible or extremely clever hiding your real thoughts under an umbrella of political correctness. If the latter, you have no honor, sir and if the former, you, sir, need to study the Koran very thoroughly,before making such a blanket statement. (Continued…)
J.S.
posted 5/30/07 @ 11:22 AM EST
But, Mr. Eber, I am shocked, I tell you, shocked! Don't you realize that George W. Bush "lied" to the American public and, thus, is "a liar." Are you suggesting that a statement made by GW can be considered at all "credible?"
I would suggest that you start by banning all terms that you do not understand. (Continued…)
Forbidden
posted 5/30/07 @ 11:28 AM EST
Here's a word you'll never see any editor use: Palestine.
Al
posted 5/30/07 @ 11:52 AM EST
You sir are a fool. Look at the world as it is and not with your PC gogles issued at a leading university. Thailand, Somalia, Philipines, England, Spain, Algeria, should I go on. (Continued…)
Zee
posted 5/30/07 @ 12:43 PM EST
It is so typical of the left to think that they can "re-frame" and re-phrase and perform other Orwellian voodoo and just make all the bad, bad people go away. (Continued…)
Nice.
posted 5/29/07 @ 4:54 AM EST
It's a nice start. Maybe we'll see a column actually mentioning that Palestine is composed of real human beings, not simply targets to be "raided" and blown up at will. (Continued…)