The catalyst for contemporary jihad: the religious leaders and their strategies

Dissertation (Ph.D.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2021This dissertation provides insight in the methodologies utilized by leaders of jihadist terrorist organizations who create a dedicated following in their pursuit of establishing a global caliphate. The research in this project illustrates a linkage from these charismatic leaders to the sacred edicts of the Koran, the Hadith, the Sunna, Sharia (Islamic jurisprudence), and the prophet Muhammad. Moreover, it bears out a unique perspective in academic national security studies which delves deeper than similar published works regarding subject matter focused on both violent and stealth jihad (also known as the non-violent usurpation of non-Islamic cultures). These subjects are discussed in detail with real-world examples that focus on the surreptitious use of political propaganda and sustaining influence, which are key ingredients necessary to recruit empathetic followers into doing the bidding of Islamic-based terrorist organizations. Without studying the psychological aspect that motivates potential terrorists it would be a daunting task to develop countermeasures in defeating this global threat. This dissertation also reviews key literature related to this concept. This investigative study bears out a perspective that uniquely differs from any previously published work in this discipline due to the author's professional experience outside of academic research. This will become clear in chapter seven which focuses upon the infamous Day of Terror trial in the Southern District of New York Federal Court in 1995. This episode, coupled with other evidence, will prove that jihadists have been striving to establish a global Islamist caliphate by utilizing terrorism and cultural usurpation.Introduction -- Foundation -- Background -- Concepts of jihad -- Violent jihad -- Cultural & political usurpation -- Conflict & resolution -- Origins & institutions -- History of terrorism -- Defining terrorism. 1. Literature review -- The religious thinkers -- National security issues -- Islamist ideologies & its proponents -- Strategies of jihad propaganda -- Interpretations of the edicts -- Political psychology -- Strategies of terrorism -- Summarization. 2. Resource Methodologies -- Introduction -- Variables -- The major argument -- Sampling of case studies -- Resources -- Inconsistent data. 3. The history of Islam -- The five pillars of Islam. 4. The ancient imams & philosophers -- Ahmad ibn Hanbal -- Ahmad ibn-Naqib al-Misri -- Ibn Taymiyyah -- Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab. 5. Contemporary imams & philosophers -- Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini -- Sayyid Qtub -- Abdul Ala Maududi -- Hasan al-Banna -- Omar Abdel Rahman -- Muhammad Abd al-Salam Faraj. 6. The Roots of terrorism -- Political psychology and the power of propaganda -- Authoritarian personality -- Psychological factors -- Disenfranchised -- Social intimacy -- Poverty and lack of education -- Analysis: Islam and the terrorist connection -- The edicts. 7. Terrorist case study: The 1993 World Trade Center attack & "A day of terror" -- Prelude -- Sources -- Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman -- The conspiracy -- The Day of Terror Trial -- Aftermath. 8. Terrorist case study: The San Bernardino Massacre -- Introduction -- The attack -- Aftermath -- Ideological sources. 9. Terrorist case study: The Ft. Hood Massacre -- Introduction -- Background -- The attack -- Aftermath. 10. Political & cultural subterfuge -- Strategies of political & cultural subterfuge -- The immigration controversy -- Influencing educational institutions -- Influencing Western Legal Systems. 11. Review & analysis -- Overall review -- Review of jihad concepts -- Review of the religious thinkers. 12. Conclusions, critique, & solutions -- Nation building and global dominance -- Counterpropaganda -- Weapons of mass destruction -- Internal conflicts within Islam -- Current status in the Middle East -- Critique of the open borders concept -- Law enforcement on the homefront -- Final analysis -- Summation -- Bibliography