As an Iraqi-American Muslim woman living in the United States, I'm often left confused and shocked whenever I hear news of what new barbaric attack ISIS has carried out, mostly because their so-called "Islamic" actions completely contradict everything I'd been taught about my religion since I was in elementary school. I wondered things like, "how did this group convince the Western world that this is what Islam is like?" and more often, "where are they getting their information about Islam and the Quran from?" because it didn't seem like I was reading the same book as they were. However, I am blessed with a chance to live in a country full of opportunities to further educate myself, and that combined with my preexisting knowledge about Islam and the Middle East have led me to try and inform others about the disparities between ISIS's version of Islam, and the rest of the Muslim world's version.
Islamic jihad and ISIS’ version of jihad are not the same
Jihad has two Islamic definitions, with the first meaning the internal struggle of Muslims to get closer to their faith and to inform others about Islam.
The second definition, which is often hijacked by terrorist groups like ISIS, and consequently by Western media, refers to the idea of a “holy war.” The Quran, the holy scripture that Muslims abide by, states the following when it comes to unavoidable conflict:
"Permission (to fight) is granted to those who are being persecuted, since injustice has befallen them, and God is certainly able to support them. They were evicted from their homes unjustly, for no reason other than saying, "Our Lord is God." If it were not for God's supporting of some people against others, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and masjids - where the name of God is commemorated frequently - would have been destroyed. Absolutely, God supports those who support Him. God is Powerful, Almighty." Quran, 22:39-40
ISIS has murdered more Muslims than non-Muslims
Of course, this does not go to say that no Muslims are fighting for ISIS, but it does show that the organization is not one that is representative of all Muslims in the world, since the majority of victims have been Muslim themselves. In a 2011 study done by the National Counter-Terrorism Center in the U.S., Muslims have suffered between 82-97% of fatalities by religiously-motivated terrorist attacks.
Fighters come from all over the world, not just the from Muslim countries
While countries like Iraq and Syria have the heaviest exports of terrorist fighting for ISIS, they are certainly not the only contributors. “Western” countries like France and the U.K. have large numbers of people risking their lives to fight for ISIS, with the U.S. having over 100 fighters working for the terror organization.
It doesn’t stop at murder
Iraq and parts of Syria happen to be located in the same area as one of the oldest civilizations known to man, Mesopotamia. Within those countries, namely Iraq’s northern region, lies ancient, priceless artifacts and statues from the Assyrian and Akkadian Empires, which, according to ISIS, are basically the same thing as idols people used to worship in the 7th century.
This is particularly saddening, because not only are families being torn apart and cities are being demolished, but a rich history of an ancient civilization is being destroyed along the way as well.
Having the correct information about an organization so largely funded and well-equipped is essential to contain it from growing more than it already has. Islamophobic attacks have been more frequent and more violent since the Paris attack in 2015, and Muslims worldwide are receiving backlash for following a religion that is inaccurately represented by groups such as ISIS and the media. As Americans and human beings, it is crucial that we educate ourselves on the true basis of ISIS' ideals, which are not Islamic in any way, and provide support and compassion for our fellow citizens who happen to be Muslims. After all, that is one of the things that differentiate us from members of terror groups.
