Understanding jihad and jihadism

Auf einen Blick 18-05-2015

Since the rise of al Qaeda and, most recently, ISIL/Da'esh, the term jihad has become a ubiquitous part of public discourse on terrorism and radical Islam. Although jihad does not constitute one of the 'Five Pillars' of Muslim faith, many consider it to be a duty of the Muslim community as a whole. It is therefore important to understand the origins of the term as well as its religious and political evolution: from jihad (different kinds of religiously inspired efforts) to jihadism (a modern ideology).