Islamic Terms

Allah (ألله‎): The Arabic term for God.

Al-Qaeda or al-Qaida

(القاعدة): the law, the foundation, or the base. Al Qaeda is a militant Sunni Islamist organization with the stated objective of eliminating foreign influence in Muslim countries, eradicating those they deem to be infidels, and reestablishing the caliphate.

Caliph (خليفة): A high leader and head of state of the community of Islam. When Mohammed died, a caliph, or successor, was chosen to rule in his place. The term "caliphate" was used to describe the Ottoman Empire where regional governments were run by Islamic clerics. A caliphate is widespread theocracy, where the heads of Islamic states ascend from the faith. Non-political critics of the liberation of Iraq worry that the US has inadvertently restored the Shiite crescent, or the caliphate of Iraq and Iran, that existed in the early 20th Century.http://www.patriotfront.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/shiamap.gif

Fatwa (فتوى‎): A legal pronouncement made by a recognized authority for all Muslims to obey. Fatāwa (plural) that raise the attention of the West often involve a call to violence, such as Khomeini's order to kill author Salman Rushdie, or Bin Laden's declaration of war on the United States.

Hamas (حركة حماس‎): A Sunni organization considered the Islamic Resistance Movement. Hamas enjoys a majority status representing the Palestinian National Authority. Both a political party and a terrorist organization, their growing acceptance among the Palestinian people gives little hope that Israel will see peace anytime soon.

Hezbollah(حزب الله‎ ): A militia in Lebanon that is financed by the Iranian government. Hezbollah wins hearts and minds by building hospitals, schools and financing other social projects. However, it is dedicated to the conquest of the neighboring country of Israel, and continued harassment of Israel has brought devastation to Lebanon. Hezbollah has a growing representation inside the Lebanese government.

Imam (إمام): A Shiite prayer leader. Sunnis call their religious leaders Shaykhs.

Intifada (انتفاضة): Uprising. This term is commonly used to label two specific campaigns to end Israeli "occupation" of Palestinian territories: one in 1987 and the second in 2000.

Jihad (جهاد): A religious war. Defenders of the faith will cite a broader meaning involving an attainment of spritual perfection or an internal spiritual struggle.

Madrassah(مدرسة): Islamic seminaries, or center of learning, Pakistan that offer free religious-based education for young people. Madrassahs are often blamed for indoctrinating children with hatred for the West. It is estimated that 10% of Madrassahs are "jihadist" in a nature & preach overt hate and violence.

Mohammed, Mohamed, or Muhammad (محمد): The pre-eminent prophet of Allah. He is believed by Muslims to have been God's final prophet. Mohammed lived from 570 AD to 632 AD. Historical evidence from Muslim scholars characterizes Mohammed as a murderer, rapist, pedofile and plunderer.

Mosque (مسجد): A holy place of worship.

Mullah (ملا):A religious clergyman. Note: Mullahs are not recognized in Arabic-speaking countries. As with Imams, Arab Muslims regard similar leaders as Shaykhs.

Sharia (شريعة): Islamic law that dictates Islamic principles for all aspects of life, including sexuality, culture, criminal justice, government, and social issues.

Shaykh (شيخ / alternate English terms include Sheik, Shaykh or Sheikh): an elder of a tribe, lord, revered old man, or Islamic scholar.

Shi'a(شيعي) / Sunni (سني): The differences between Sunni and Shi'a derive from historical and passionate religious beliefs. Dating back to the 7^th Century, disagreement arose regarding Mohammed’s successor. Shi'a Muslims believe that the successor to Mohammed shall be a direct descendent. Acknowledging imams who lack this holy lineage is objectionalbe to Shi'a Muslims. Sunnis believe that Mohammed died without appointing a successor to lead the Muslim community. Thus, Sunnis and Shi'as have very different ideas about who deserves the title "imam" or "caliph." Most Muslims (perhaps 90%) are Sunnis; Shiite countries include Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Oman, and Azerbaijan.

Taliban (طالبان): The Sunni Islamist movement that instituted Sharia law in Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001 when they were knocked out by the United States.

Qur’an (القرآن): The religious text of Islam.

Wahabbism (الوهابية): A movement of Islam that claims to interpret Wahabbists are considered fundamentalists and hope to defend Islam from innovation or modernity.