ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISMLesson 3

OBJECTIVES

Identify origins and beliefs of fundamentalist movements.

Research major fundamentalist groups. Articulate arguments for and against

the issue of Islamic fundamentalism as a threat.

WARM UP

What are the 5 pillars of Islam?

FUNDAMENTALISM

Political and social movement promoting a return to traditional, or fundamental, interpretation of any religion

Islamic Fundamentalism Shar’ia Law – secular law & personal matters

Qu’ran – Holy Book Sunnah – Practice of the Prophet

ORIGINS

Islamic empire eclipsed, dominated, and exploited by West.

Frustration with rapid social & economic changes.

Contempt for decadence & corruption of Western culture.

Western presence in Holy Lands, ME politics, perceived attack on Islam

BELIEFS

Forsaken Islam Favor foreign

culture & law

Solution = reject everything foreign, return to roots, purity.

FUNDAMENTALISM & VIOLENCE Most DO NOT ADVOCATE

violence! 439 m of 1.5 billion

Radical Islam/Islamism Post 1920’s extremism

Terrorism as form of jihad Downtrodden drawn to

promises

Seek to overthrow regimes and rulers they regard as un-Islamic Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan,

and Kuwait as well as US

IMPACT ON FOREIGN POLICY

Terror attacks against Western interests 9/11 Pro-Israeli states

“Islamaphobia” Anti-Muslim

sentiment Ground Zero

Mosque

Reading

ACTIVITY: FUNDAMENTALIST GROUPS

Al Qaeda The Taliban Hezbollah Hamas The Muslim

Brotherhood Islamic Jihad Wahhabism Lashkar-e-Taiba

Beliefs of group? Countries group is

active in? Is the group allowed

to participate in govt? Do they hold power?

Typical activities? Outside opinions of

group?

~175 Groups…32 are Shiite, others are Sunni-based

CLOSURE

Do you consider Islamic fundamentalism a threat to US security? Why or why not?

HOMEWORK

Wiki Post Middle East Discussion Tab

“Why is it important to study Islam and fundamentalism and its many meanings?”