Religious terrorism

Religious terrorism refers to terrorism justified or motivated by religion and is a form of religious violence. Further items often neglected in opposing views about terror are; 1) the rights of "innocent third parties" who are tragically manipulated or sacrificed as pawns in political conflicts; and 2) the deception which ferments at the core of terrorism. Deception masks itself behind various strategies of propaganda and indoctrination. Whatever their motives, fabricated threats lie at the essence of effective terrorist tactics, religious or political. Lies about intentions to wreak chaos may generate fears comparable to physical devastation. In short, at the critical nucleus of terror lie the mesmerizing powers of propaganda and indoctrination.

Islamic

Main article: Islamic extremist terrorism

See also: Palestinian political violence

Organizations involved in Islamist terrorism:

• Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG): Separatist. Aims for the establishment of an Islamic state in the Southern Philippines.
• Al-Gama'at al-Islamiya (GI): The violent overthrow of the Egyptian Government and establishment of an Islamic state and the removal of Western influence from the Arab world.
• Al-Jihad: Aims for violent overthrow of the Egyptian government and the establishment of an Islamic state in Egypt, destruction of U.S and Israeli interests.
• al-Qaeda: Led by Osama bin Laden, its aims are the expulsion of Western forces from Saudi Arabia, overthrow of the House of Saud,and the destruction of Israel and governments that support Israeli foreign policy.
• Ansar al-Islam(AI): Aims to create an Islamic state in Iraq; alleged link with Al-Qaeda.
• Armed Islamic Group (Groupe Islamique Armée) (GIA): The aim of the GIA is the violent overthrow of the Algerian government and the creation an Islamic state in Algeria.
• Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ): The aim of the EIJ is to overthrow the Egyptian Government and replace it with an Islamic state, global Jihad against non-Muslims societies.
• Front Pembela Islam (FPI): An anarchic terrorist group growing in some parts of Indonesia. They have a primary agenda to force the government to implement the Islamic laws within the country.
• Hamas: Islamic organization based in Gaza City with the aim of the destruction of Israel and the creation of an Islamic state in its place. Considered to be terrorist by Israel, the United States and the EU.
• Islamic Army of Aden (IAA): The IAA's aim is to overthrow the Yemeni government and resist U.S. interests in the region.
• Islamic Jihad
• Hezbollah: Considered a terrorist group by several states, who claim it seeks the destruction of Israel.
• Jaish e Mohammed (JeM): JeM seeks separation of Kashmir from Indian control.
• Jeemah Islamiyah (JI): JI's aim is the creation of a unified Islamic state in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Southern Philippines.
• Lashkar e Tayyaba (LeT): LeT seeks an independent Kashmir and reestablishment of Islamic rule over India.
• Jaish e Mohammed (JeM): JeM seeks separation of Kashmir from Indian control.
• Jeemah Islamiyah (JI): JI's aim is the creation of a unified Islamic state in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Southern Philippines.
• Moro Islamic Liberation Front: Aims to create Islamic state in Mindanao, Philippines.
• Salafist Group for Call and Combat (Groupe Salafiste pour la Predication et le Combat) (GSPC): Its aim is to create an Islamic state in Algeria.

Buddhist

Aum Shinrikyo

Christian

Main article: Christian extremist terrorism

Organizations dedicated to Christian extremist terrorism:

• Nagaland Rebels: (1948–present) Active in predominantly Christian state in Hindu India. Involved in several bombings in 2004. Goal: Independence from Hindu India after annexing parts of neighboring Indian states and Burma if it has Christian majority.
• The second Ku Klux Klan: while mainly concerned about race was exclusively Protestant and did target (Irish and Hispanic) Catholics.
• Army of God: Christian theocracy group that supports and involves itself in terrorist activity.
• Christian Identity: a movement consisting of at least 35 hate groups as of 2005, some of which are responsible for violent crimes, and some of which assert that Christ will not return to earth until all Jews and other so-called Satanic individuals are eliminated.[1]

Sikh

• Babbar Khalsa: (Based in Pakistan)- conducted the 1981 Indian Airlines hijacking.
• ISYF: International Sikh Youth Federation banned by the United States and Canada but renamed Sikh Federation UK
• Khalistan Zindabad Force: (based in Jammu Kashmir)-
• Khalistan Commando Force
• Khalistan Liberation Force
• Dal Khalsa

Jewish

See also: Zionist political violence

The following groups were all started or branched off from those started by Meir Kahane:

• Jewish Defense League: A "right-wing terrorist group" [2] according to the FBI. Although several members have been charged or convicted with offenses related to the handling of explosives, the group is not thought to have any current connection to terrorism. [3]
• Kach and Kahane Chai: (defunct) Israel and United States.
• Gush Emunim Underground: (1979-1984) Sometimes called the (Jewish Terror Organization), formed by prominent members of Gush Emunim. [4]

Sectarian and syncretic

• Lord's Resistance Army

See also

• Indoctrination
• Propaganda
• Religious Wars

External links

• From Bhindranwale to Bin Laden: The Rise of Religious Violence, University of California
• Sikh Terrorism in Punjab, Human Rights Watch