Islam: Religion, Politics, Violence, Terrorism
As with other major world faiths, Islam has a substantial history of militancy and violence perpetrated in its name. This page explains the history, terms and contemporary events relating Islam, politics, militancy and terrorism.
Jihadi
Our daily news tells us that we are surrounded by a growing number of jihadis and that there is a global jihadist movement. But they rarely tell us who jihadis are or what they believe. Find a definition and a historical background here.
Our daily news tells us that we are surrounded by a growing number of jihadis and that there is a global jihadist movement. But they rarely tell us who jihadis are or what they believe. Find a definition and a historical background here.
Sunni Islam
Sunnis comprise about 70% of the world's Islamic population; Shiites make up the rest. Here, learn where their original differences began.
Sunnis comprise about 70% of the world's Islamic population; Shiites make up the rest. Here, learn where their original differences began.
Shia Islam
Shiites are a minority among the world's Muslims, but their own religious rites and politics play a major role.
Shiites are a minority among the world's Muslims, but their own religious rites and politics play a major role.
Fatwa
Fatwas, Islamic legal opinions usually issued on matters related to everyday life, have also been used to communicate anti-Western sentiment.
Fatwas, Islamic legal opinions usually issued on matters related to everyday life, have also been used to communicate anti-Western sentiment.
Sunna
The definition of Sunna
The definition of Sunna
Jihad
Jihad defined as internal and external struggle. Jihad as war explained.
Jihad defined as internal and external struggle. Jihad as war explained.
Allah
Definition of Allah
Definition of Allah
Glossary of Islamic Terms
Islamist terrorism has introduced new--and frequently misused--Arabic terms into English. Find out what terms such as jihad and salafi really mean.
Islamist terrorism has introduced new--and frequently misused--Arabic terms into English. Find out what terms such as jihad and salafi really mean.