Andrew Norfolk
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It is the exclusive club that will accept almost anyone as a member. To become a Western foot soldier of jihadist Islam, and in some cases its sacrificial, exploding lamb, requires no one to pass a test of intellect or psychological stability.
Numerous examples of would-be martyrs have illustrated that violent Islamism is a death cult that holds a particularly seductive appeal to the social misfit. The ideology is easy to absorb. It paints the world in black and white. And it offers you a chance to belong. For those born into Muslim families in the West, it is often a sense of dislocation that encourages the first step on a path that can lead to terrorism. Unable to identify with the Islam and cultural practices of their parents, they feel equally alienated from the values of a host country that will, they feel, never fully accept them.
The non-Muslim convert to a militant interpretation of the faith may also have found himself searching in vain for a way to fit into a world where everyone else seems to be at home. Whether Muslim or non-Muslim, such young men — jihadist recruits in the West are usually aged under 35 and male — are often angry and confused, and thus ripe for selection.
Introduction to the God who will eventually require them to kill unbelievers comes to some via the internet; others are introduced by friends or preachers. The world is a simple place, they learn. It is inhabited by only two types of people: Muslim and non-Muslim. God’s intention, as revealed to his final prophet, Muhammad, is that Islam should reign supreme.
New Muslims who embrace violence have often proved to be vulnerable, highly biddable individuals. The consolation is that the qualities that led to them being selected as expendable pawns seem also to increase the likelihood of their failure.
Lone wolf convert, willing to kill and die and coming to a shopping centre near you? Possibly. Likely to make a stupid or careless mistake in planning or execution? Certainly. It will be consolation for very few that sooner or later one of them succeeds.
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AlQaida violates the tenets of their own faith (Islam) in acts of suicide and murder. Those who support al-Qaida are just as guilty before God. Terrorists, who hide behind and justify their acts of murder using religion will pay for their acts both on earth and in the hereafter. I swear it !
Robert Tilford, McCracken, USA, Kansas
This man may have been misled but normally terrorist are interested in terror because it makes them feel good. They get a power kick from control of others. The cause is just an excuse for their violence, something to hang their terrorism on and for terrorists any cause or ethos will do
Keith, Rayleigh, Essex
The true face of the Muslims is coming out here when they have the nerve to class the British Army as terrorists while living in Britain. I've always liked the saying about the enemy within and it's clear these Muslims have an agenda because I certainly wouldn't call a country that took me in!
John, Salford, England
The terroristic actions of U.S and British soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are far worse. When are we going to deal with that? Hundreds of thousands dead and millions of Muslims displaced. "Islamic" terrorism in the west is negligible.
jayil, london, uk
There is no injustice in this country. You work hard and you succeed in the end. It may not be easy but you will get there. Its a true meritocracy.
People who have failed complain about injustice. Perhaps Islam needs to consider why so many of its followers are not high achievers.
jo, london, uk
Actually many of us feel like misfits, when we are young especially, or that we don't fit with our parents' values, or that we chime with the rest of our home-land, but we don't all conclude from this that it is ok to kill people!
J.E.Poole, Romsey, UK
I am a Muslim convert, also on the autistic spectrum. Perhaps we should ask why the unemployment rate for people with autism is over 90%. Even Aspies with PhDs have problems getting work! We talk about integrating Muslims, but can't even integrate the disabled - no wonder Auties get exploited!
Yunus Yakoub Islam, Huddersfield,
Nafaz, plenty of others are on the short end of injustice, but strangely we don't see the disabled, the elderly, the Jews, Hindus, or any other sub group of society setting out deliberately to destroy the lives of innocents.
Think about that when you're all fired up with self righteous hate.
Bev, Bucks, UK
John Ashworth, the US Attorney General at the time of 9/11 showed he knew much more about Islam than his President , by saying the massive difference between Christianity and Islam is that the God of the Bible sent His Son to die for us, whilst the Qur'anic Allah requires Muslims sons to die for him
Paul, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
I know quite a few fundamentalists who are hellbent on massacring the 'other' races, cultures and religions in this country and beyond. They are white collar professionals working in the city centre, and are members of the TA. They're also Christian.
Jeff, Manchester,
Injustice?....sorry..INJUSTICE? What injustice exactly Nafaz, and for that matter, what statistics?
pete woodhouse, edinburgh, scotland
There is a difference between violent Islam and 'normal' Islam, which people seem to be overlooking. There are extremists who follow every religion on the planet - it just so happens that, at this point in time, extremists Muslims are the most active and vocal in their dissent & attack.
Clarissa, London,
Muslims world wide view the invasion, occupation and murder of thousands of Iraqi/Afghani civilians in the middle east by U.S/British soldiers as state sponsored terrorism. Their death and destruction cannot be compared to that of "Islamic" terrorism in the west, it's negligible.
jayil, london, uk
And yet the most high profile attacks are orchestrated by well educated professionals. Al-Qaeda higher echelons in each country are run buy wealthy and or influential people.
Seems to me that the most deluded are the well educated
Phill , The Wirral, England
Fascism, Communism, Nazism and now Islamism. The greatest and latest threat to world peace.
Mike Jefferson, Washington, D.C.,
The problem with Islam, is that unlike all other religions which state categorically "Thou shalt not kill," the Koran has several verses, which attach the word unless.
This is the root of all the problems and the justification seized upon by extremists.
James, London, UK
Did the Times write these kinds of things about Jews 60 years ago, or is this a recent change?
Rabbi Clive Rosenberg, London,
To Stone from Germany: We should also do away with Facism and Nazism which unfortunately still exist in your country. When we have done so we can talk about 'doing away' with religion.
Gil, London,
I wish more eastern europeans would come and live here. They seem to get on better and they are, in general, tougher than muslims.
billy, london,
Trouble is we are not allowed to express our distrust of the Muslim community in this country; How long before one of our lily-livered leaders (MPs) climbs into bed with them in furtherance of a 'quiet life' and, of course, more votes!
Brian Taylor, oxford, UK
This is what drives these youngsters to Suicide not believing they will go to heaven for Jihad-REMEMBER THAT!! INJUSTICE
Nafaz, Derby, UK
"Injustice" ? Why are'nt these Islamists bothered about the Sudanese muslims being slaughtered by er... Muslims? They remain totally silent about that Nafaz!!!
mark, Sheffield, Great Britain
"The world is a simple place, they learn. It is inhabited by only two types of people: Muslim and non-Muslim. Gods intention, as revealed to his final prophet, Muhammad, is that Islam should reign supreme." And where exactly do they learn this? Where is it spelt out? In the Koran and Hadith.
Mike Wood, Bradford, UK
If it wasn't "violent Islam", it would be some other path of violence which would appeal to certain social misfits. They're angry, they lash out. It goes back to Cain and Abel and we still can't get it right. Love is still the answer...
norman, London,
Nafaz. "Injustice" I hear you say? You live in a country with social security and the likes of a free health service for everyone. However, this is a free country and you are free to go and live somewhere else if you like - the rest of us don't need the hassle...
Steve, Dunfermline, UK
I agree with you Guy, do away with religion and there will be peace in the World, Where there is religion there is killing and conflict, always has been always will be.
Stone, Enger, Germany
Well, Ahmed, what is there to understand? 9/11 and 7/7 tell us all we need to know.
Martin, Newmarket, Suffolk
Nice to no my taxes are paying for them.
mark, Leeds,
Unfortunately, the UK has about one million, and counting, social misfits.
James M. , Cork,
Well hello,do any of you know the truth why we are here on this planet ,well i have the answer, NO! you do not,it's time to move on people cast theory to one side and see beyond your bubble,try it do not fear,it's time to go beyond your binding's have a open mind,leave all religion's and find peace
JD, Gloucester, Glos
Why do Muslims (including those here) say they don;t support terrorism but always go on to make excuses for it ? - They must think were stupid but trust me only a small minority believe the politically correct brigade!
John, Salford, England
Statistics tell us the no 1 cause of terrorism is injustice. This is what drives these youngsters to Suicide not believing they will go to heaven for Jihad-REMEMBER THAT!! INJUSTICE. I do not support suicide bombing because it is wrong, but i justify their motivation for these scary actions.
Nafaz, Derby, UK
ooh dear, when you know about ISLAM well come to talk about it.. becouse it seemed you dont understand anything about it .. sorry
ahmed saad, cairo, EG
No tip off from the Mosque or his family. Now there's a surprise.
A big white half wit turning up at the Mosque with his new best friends, a group of fanatic young zealots and the Mullah does not think it is strange. The Mullah should be removed and or deported, he is up to the job.
bert, coventry,
The real problem is that people with different cultures and values basically can't mix. This was illustrated by the story of the Tower of Babel in the Bible thousands of years ago. Nothing's changed.
Jimmy Foster, Welwyn Garden City, UK
Islamaphobia is no the problem. The bigger problem is religion in general. The mindless assumption that there is a celestial superpower that controls our destiny is destroying modern society, Islam is just slightly more ridiculous than most.
Guy, Bradford, U.K.
Ah, but remember: islam is not the problem, islamophobia is! Just tell Rushdie.
Nick, Rotherham, UK