Page 14 - Only Love Can Defeat Terrorism

Only Love Can Defeat Terrorism

technological power no other country can consider itself safe
from terrorism or beyond its deadly grasp. Worse still, if the

necessary countermeasures are not taken, 21st-century
terrorism will grow even more powerful, until one single
chemical, biological or even nuclear attack can slaughter tens
of thousands.

THE TRUE DEFINITION OF TERRORISM

With terrorism dominating the world agenda, the definitions of
terror, terrorist and terrorism assume a whole new importance.
Many countries define terrorism, draw up terrorist profiles and

publish lists of terrorist organizations in the light of their own
national interests. "Terrorist organizations" to some countries are
freedom fighters to others. What one country sees as "terrorist
nations," another welcomes as "loyal allies." Therefore, who
defines terrorism? Who decides—and how do they decide—
what a terrorist is? To establish a criterion, one can point to two

distinct characteristics of terrorism:
1) Targeting civilians: Any occupied country has the
right to resist an army occupying its territory. But if that
resistance includes attacks on civilian targets, any justification
ceases to apply, and terrorism begins. As we shall see later on
in this book, this definition is entirely in accordance with

Islamic rules of war. The Prophet Muhammad (may Allah
bless him and grant him peace) commanded his followers to
do battle against those who declared war on them. But he also
ordered them to never regard civilians as targets. On the

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