Islamic-based Terrorism and its Global Dimension

Abstract

Since the early 1990s up till the present day, the Islamic-based terrorism has been threatening the entire world. Al-Qaeda, ISIS and many other groups which carry out terrorist attacks in the name of Islam proved that they had the ability to hit in any part of this world. The factors behind the global dimension of the Islamic-based terrorism is the subject of this research. Relying on a number of theories within the field of political science, the research suggests two assumptions about the global dimension of Islamic extremism; 1) the doctrine of jihad, and 2) the great power’s rivalry on the Muslim World. with regard to the first assumption, many Islamic scholars support the offensive jihad as a means by which Islam should be spread all over the world. In regard to the second assumption, many Islamic extreme groups, such as al-Qaeda and ISIS, have been employed by great powers, especially the United States, to achieve specific goals. Accordingly, the Islamic terrorist groups have been provided with both ideological and material support required to spread terror all over the world.