War on Islam
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War on Islam is a term used by some Muslims and westerners alike to describe military actions taken against Muslims by Western powers, prior to and after 9/11.
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[edit] Usage
The term has two usages. When used by Muslims, it tends to mean an attempt to annihilate Islam and the Muslim ways of life. The annihilation could take place in a series of war against Muslim nations, or through cultural imperialism.
[edit] Muslim sympathetic view
Muslims who use this term generally point to the Crusades and European colonization of their lands as an example of an attempt to destroy the Muslim way of life. More recently, Western support for Israeli occupation of Jerusalem and allowing the State of Israel to exist has been criticized[citation needed].
In modern day, the current media situation is seen as an attack on Islam. Often this includes writers who portray Islam as a destructive ideology[1]. Proponents similarly include Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Benny Hinn and Ann Coulter amongst other as the leaders of such a war[2]. The recent cartoon controversy was seen as "crusade against Islam"[3].
Also, proponents of this view consider the War on Terrorism to be an "attack on Islam". Therefore, the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan is considered to be an example of such. The 2003 Invasion of Iraq is also considered as such. The occupation of the Middle East for a good part of the 20th Century is also regarded as such an attack by some [4].
[edit] Muslim hostile views
Westerners who use this term, argue that Islam's 1400 year old history has been an attempt to conquer Europe. It is argued that Islam spread by the sword. Western critics of Islam argue that Islamic scriptures, the Quran, teach global conquest. They point at groups like Al-Qaeda, HAMAS and other extremist groups as an example of Islam's war against the West. The consequent wars launched on Muslim nations, they argue, are only in defence of aggression.[5]. It is often argued that Islam itself has waged war against the West, and not the other way around [6].
People maintaining this view argue that Islam is a cause for a lot of trouble, mainly for today's global terrrorism. One example is Reverend Alan Clifford, who calls Islam an "evil religion" and believes that an attack on Islam should be waged by the "pure Gospel of Jesus Christ"[7].Craig Winn, author of the critical book of Islam Prophet of Doom holds a similar view. Others holding similar views, albeit with a secular approach include Robert Spencer.
