Common definitions of terrorism refer only to those violent acts which are intended to create fear (terror), are perpetrated for religious, political or ideological goals, deliberately target or disregard the safety of civilians, and are committed by non-government agencies.
I enjoyed reading this week articles very much. First of all, Gunn’s article mainly talks about Uzbekistan!!!! Secondly, it talks about what is really going on there. Thirdly, all the articles showcase a social issue which is another great interest of mine. Lastly, all three pieces got me thinking really hard.
So if terrorism refers to violence perpetrated for religious, political or ideological goals and is not committed by government agencies …what is going on in Uzbekistan then? What I got from Gunn’s article “Shaping Islamic Identity” is that Uzbekistan is caught in between. On the one hand is gaining Islamic identity and separating itself completely from the past and Soviet Union and anything that has Russian identity. On the other hand, tries to become a modern state and doesn’t follow the same path as Afghanistan did, because of fear that C.A. will become a new battleground, with an excuse to its religious superiority. By doing so the government is suppressing many other religions that are not “official Islam” which can lead to the rise of Islamist movements. In Uzbekistan democracy seems to be the blanket that is covering complete totalitarianism in the eyes of the rest of the world. I would agree with the term “clash within civilization” but I would add that it is because of the fear of that more powerful civilizations will be clashing onto C.A. and blaming it for its religious and cultural war. Colombia vs. Afghanistan was a good example.
It seems that everyone is blaming Islam for all the troubles in the world from 9/11 to Women’s lack of rights .That is what E. Said refers to as Clash of Ignorance. He says that there is a big problem with the identifying labels.
What is Islam? What is West? Does all Islam means is jihad, or it’s just a bunch of crazy fanatics? And how many Muslims live around the world, in U.S. in particular?
After all that we probably need a new definition for terrorism, as it appears governments and politicians are the ones who are creating terrorism at its grassroots.
