Since Sept. 11, few words have been considered more controversial than the term “jihad” in theological, political, and military discussions. Apologists for Islamic radicalism immediately raced after 9/11 to convince the West that “jihad” is predominantly understood in a peaceful way.
Many in the West accepted and relied on this comforting definition without adequate scientific research in Arabic and Islamic literature. For example, John O. Brennan, assistant to the president for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, mentioned that the meaning of jihad is to “. . . purify oneself or to wage a holy struggle for a moral goal” .... [Creeping Sharia] Read more
