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Changing meanings of jihad
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| 27 April 2007 |
Jihad is a foundational concept in Islamic religious and socio-political thought. It appears in numerous verses of the Quran and with varying connotations, but no one interpretation can claim primacy. Consequently in Islamic history, competing meanings of jihad have vied for authenticity and legitimacy. An important feature of these meanings and their associated doctrines is that they have been profoundly shaped by the prevailing political, social and economic conditions in Islamic societies.
The concept of jihad has its origin in pre-Islamic Arabia. The word jihad is derived from the Arabic word jahada or juhd, meaning ability, exertion or power. In this sense it literally means using or exerting one's utmost power, or maximising one's ability to contend with an object of disapprobation, which may be a visible enemy, the devil or one's self. In modern Arabic, the word jihad has many meanings. It has been used to mean class struggle, the struggle between the old and the new, a spiritual struggle for the good of Islamic society or an inner struggle against one's evil inclinations.
Post Cold War age
After the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, the failure to create successful Muslim nations and the absence of any viable secular revolutionary alternative led to the entrenchment of repressive authoritarian regimes of all ideological persuasions. Muslim societies generally failed to incorporate the growing numbers of young people into productive economic activities. Key societal institutions, such as the public education system, judiciary and bureaucracy, began to lose public support, and as a result, the youth in many Muslim societies became largely alienated from the national economy and polity.
After US funds for the mujahideen in Afghanistan dried up and Saudi Arabian government support waned, official Saudi support was replaced by aid from Saudi charities. A striking feature of this period is the 'privatisation' of jihadist activities and culture, which were being promoted by organisations funded by Islamic charities. There are now hundreds of religious and sectarian jihad groups in Pakistan alone. In addition, an international network of terrorist organisations is also funding jihadist associations.
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© 2007 Jane's Information Group
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