Jihad.

We’ve all seen Islamic spokesmen on American TV, telling us we have a “misunderstanding” of the word; that in the peaceful religion of Islam, jihad is really an inner struggle for personal improvement, and has nothing to do with “holy war” or violence.

Perhaps those spokesmen would like to explain the naked aggression and love of violence and war that MEMRI exposes in this new article about a Palestinian schoolbook for the eleventh grade, approved by the Jordanian Ministry of Education in 2003: 2003 Palestinian Authority Textbook Calls for Jihad and Martyrdom.

(Page 208): “Islam is Allah’s religion for all human beings. It should be proclaimed and invite [people] to join it wisely and through appropriate preaching and friendly discussions. However, such methods may encounter resistance and the preachers may be prevented from accomplishing their duty … then, Jihad and the use of physical force against the enemies become inevitable …

“Jihad is an Islamic term that equates to the term war in other nations. The difference is that Jihad has noble goals and lofty aims, and is carried out only for the sake of Allah and for His glory … [By contrast] wars by other nations are mainly waged because of wickedness, aggression, love of domination, expanding influence, looting properties, murder, and the fulfillment of ambitions and desires, such as the war that the Western countries waged to exploit Islamic countries for imperialistic purposes, to control their Muslim citizens and to rob their resources and richness … “

(Page 209): “In Mecca, Allah’s Messenger called [to join] Islam by using evidence and proofs … His weapons and those of his companions at that stage of spreading the message [of Islam] were perseverance and restraint. After the Prophet’s migration to Al-Medina, and the emergence of an Islamic society in it, there was no escaping the fight against aggression and the polytheists … Following that, the duty of Jihad was imposed on all Muslims …

“Allah’s Messenger practiced Jihad during his sojourn in Al-Medina, his companions and followers followed in his footsteps.

The concept goes like this; Islam is the perfect realization of human life, and Muslims must bring the message to all unbelievers. If the unbeliever refuses to accept Islam, there’s only one way to proceed—murder:

(Page 208): “Islam is Allah’s religion for all human beings. It should be proclaimed and invite [people] to join it wisely and through appropriate preaching and friendly discussions. However, such methods may encounter resistance and the preachers may be prevented from accomplishing their duty� then, Jihad and the use of physical force against the enemies become inevitable�

But jihad has nothing in common with the evil type of war practiced by infidels; jihad is a noble sort of murderous activity, sanctioned by Allah himself:

“Jihad is an Islamic term that equates to the term war in other nations. The difference is that Jihad has noble goals and lofty aims, and is carried out only for the sake of Allah and for His glory� [By contrast] wars by other nations are mainly waged because of wickedness, aggression, love of domination, expanding influence, looting properties, murder, and the fulfillment of ambitions and desires, such as the war that the Western countries waged to exploit Islamic countries for imperialistic purposes, to control their Muslim citizens and to rob their resources and richness�”

And what about those few misguided souls who attempt to leave Islam?

(Page 155): “The logical reason for executing a person who abandons Islam is the following: There is nothing in Islam that comes in contrast to human nature. Whoever joins Islam after recognizing its truth and after tasting its sweetness and then abandons it - is in fact rebelling against truth and logic. Like any other regime, Islam has to protect itself therefore this punishment [execution] awaits the person who abandons it, because he is spreading doubt about Islam�

“Abandoning Islam is a crime that warrants a severe punishment� [The phases of punishment are]:
a. “Urging [the sinner] to recant immediately�
b. “Warning him of the implications of his persistence in abandoning Islam, namely warning him that he will be executed.
c. “Execute the sinner if he persists in [his decision to] abandon Islam�”

Ladies and gentlemen and infidels of all persuasions—say hello to the Religion of Peace�.