Introduction

Islamist insurgencies are happenings whereby 'fundamentalists' and ultra conservative muslims seek to violently oust the incumbent government in favor of a sharia government on authority of religious guidance. Islamist insurgencies are far too widespread, yet many remain misinformed about them. Over the last four decades alone, a number of Islamist insurgencies have emerged and continued to terrorize us, ranging from international ones like ISIS, Al-Qaida, Muslim Brotherhood to domestic ones like Al Shabaab and Boko Haram.

To better understand these insurgencies to be well equipped in tackling them, here are 5 things you ought to know:


A. Islamist insurgents are ultra conservative and puritanical Muslims.

B. Islamist insurgents seek nothing but Sharia Law and Islamic state.

C. Islamist insurgents have a passive support base.

D. Islamist insurgency is not a new problem.

E. Islamist insurgents cannot be militarily defeated.

A. Islamist insurgents are ultra conservative and puritanical Muslims.

They are absolutists who adhere to an ultra-conservative, militant and puritanical interpretation of Islam derived from traditions incorporated into Islam centuries after the Qur'an was revealed. They may be a minority in the Muslim masses but time and again, the have proved to be louder and more influencial than majority of the Muslims considered more peaceful.

As ultra conservatives, they oppose reforms, be it democratic, secular or liberal because such reforms contradict and pose a threat to their customs and traditions.
As puritans, they downplay the essence of extra-religious affairs like sports, television, art, music, tourism, literature; deeming all these as distractions to their spiritual life.

B. Islamist insurgents seek nothing but Sharia Law and Islamic state.

They are ardent advocate of full sharia law in their county, country and worldwide. They stand that unless this is achieved, it is impossible for Muslims to practice Islam wholeheartedly for eternal bliss. To the Islamist insurgent, Islam isn't mere relationship between God and man, but more of a religio-political system to be enforced.

Islamist insurgents are so bent on this goal that it is virtually impossible to buy or sway them. They see themselves as freedom fighters, voice of the oppressed and wronged. They see Sharia law as the solution to every problem mankind faces, be it hunger, poverty, greed, moral decay, oppression, unemployment, injustice e.t.c.

Of course even the majority of Muslims share the same position on Sharia with the insurgents, but unlike the insurgents, they may be unwilling to employ force even as a last resort in the pursuit for Sharia or Islamic state.

Take Boko Haram as an example. It started decades ago as a movement to enlighten norther Muslims and mobilize them for return of Sharia law as in the days of Borno Empire before the amalgamation of southern and northern protectorates. Although Boko Haram have negotiated varying subjects with the federal government, their primary demand remains full implementation of Sharia law in the north.

C. Islamist insurgents have a passive support base.

As controversial as condemning all Muslims for Islamist insurgencies, it is silly to assume these militants have no civilian backing from the Muslim populace. Even with Muslims speaking against these insurgents, there are passive insurgents masquerading as anti-insurgents in the Muslim world. They often serve as financial donors, fifth columnists or exhorters for the cause of Islamist insurgencies. They may keep a low profile in the civic environment but the express themselves honestly and confidently on internet or social networks where their identity is anonymous. They feel greatly indebted to the active insurgents sacrificing themselves for restoration of Sharia law and the Islamic state.

Reports have it that in the early early days of Boko haram insurgency, at least one in every house hold in Maiduguri of Borno state sympathized with Boko Haram 's cause. Multimillionaires or Billionaires in the middle east and even in the West have often been suspected of financing terrorist organizations like ISIS. Even the so called moderate Muslim organisations like CAIR[Council on American-Islamic Relations] have been implicated too. Reports have surface time and again that more and more individuals even from the West are enlisting for Islamist insurgent groups like ISIS. They include even teenage girls below 20 years. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/29/schoolgirl-jihadis-female-islamists-leaving-home-join-isis-iraq-syria

There is a clash of viewpoint between the pro-insurgency and anti-insurgency Muslims. The former rebuke the latter of extremism while the latter rebuke the former of hypocrisy. Beyond this, however, there is hardly much grievances between them.

Ur right.... So how can these demons be defeated?

D. Islamist insurgency is not a new dilemma

In the '90s, in response to growing threat of military invasion of Saudi state by Saddam Hussein, the Saudi government stationed some American troops in Medina as the State lacked competent military. The conservative Muslims worldwide would not have this move and furiously oppose it. For according to their traditions, non-Muslims like the American troops are out of ban to Mecca and Medina. Mainstream Muslims generally confirm this tradition.

Muslim militias in the State who had just returned from the Soviet-Afghan War demanded they take the task of defending the State while the American troops are withdrawn, but the Saudi government refused thereby incensing the conservatives even more. Frustrated, the militias targeting the American troops in Medina, secretly blowing up their tents or vehicles, wounding some and killing others.

In response, the Saudi state Police clamped down on the offenders. Many, including mere suspects were arrested, imprisoned, beaten and some were even killed. This even further incensed the conservatives leading the militias and pro-militias to flee the Saudi Kingdom to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan where they declared an all out war against America and the 'unislamic' government of the Muslim states. Thus modern Islamist insurgency that will produce Boko Haram, ISIS was born.


However, Islamist insurgency as a phenomenon didn't begin in the '90s. For over a millineum, insurgents have emerged here and there in the Muslim world, bemoaning the incumbent state of deviation from Islam and embarking on a violent quest to attain power to establish an Islamic state and enforce Sharia. In cases, these insurgents have succeeded in their bloody quests. A typical example is the current Saudi state which was first established via a bloody insurgency in the 19th century, spearheaded by a cleric; Muhammad Abdulwahhab. It goes beyond saying that the foundation on which the Saudi state was built is no purer than the foundation that ISIS is built.

E. Islamist insurgents cannot be militarily defeated.

Unless we accept this, we would burn millions from our resources fighting endless hordes of Islamist militants. We 'll suffer more and more casualities in our manhunt or war against militants.

Islamist militants cannot be defeated by only firepower. If you reflect on Boko Haram, you 'll find that after Umar Yar'adua exterminated the original group headed by Muhammad Yusuf in 2009, we all thought it was over. Only months later, another group re-emerged in 2010 in greater number, vigor and skill, terrorizing us till date.

Islamist insurgency or militancy is an ideology. Facing it with only military might is counterproductive. In the case of Boko Haram, Yar'adua defeated them militarily but didn't defeat their ideology. Thus, those militants that survived the extermination must have gone on sermonizing, proselytizing and winning more hearts and minds, employing the rhetoric that a Sharia state duty bound upon Muslims.

To defeat these militants properly, their ideology must be debunked. To attain this, an intellectual war against their traditions must be waged alongside the military one. It must be proved from within and outside Islam that this militant ideology is deficient. It is out of neglect for this that Islamist militancy continue to thrive.

On the part of the Muslim world, ultra conservative and radical interpretation of Islam that breed intolerance, segregation, extremism, separatism and ultimately insurgency must be challenged. Watch out for fiery, xenophobic or Islamofascist preachings in the Mosques. This is common in Mosques in northern Nigeria, the cause of staunch rejection of democracy, secularism among northern Youths.

Majority of the Mosques in the West are pro- Muslim Brotherhood. This isn't right. The Muslim Brotherhood is the founder of modern Islamism or political Islam, a movement that believes in Jihad(Rebellion or Warfare) for restoration of the Islamic state or Caliphate. There is need for moderate Mosques in the society to counter the extremist, separatist and terrorist undertones of the ultra-conservative Mosques.

Conclusion:

It is essential to enlighten ourselves on these, to arm ourselves against Islamist to understand the militant mindset better and counter them. Most especially, this will be valuable for intellectually defeating the militant ideology to slay the monster for good.

Have Faith in GOD!

usermane:
E. Islamist insurgents cannot be militarily defeated.

Unless we accept this, we would burn millions from our resources fighting endless hordes of Islamist militants. We 'll suffer more and more casualities in our manhunt or war against militants.

Islamist militants cannot be defeated by only firepower. If you reflect on Boko Haram, you 'll find that after Umar Yar'adua exterminated the original group headed by Muhammad Yusuf in 2009, we all thought it was over. Only months later, another group re-emerged in 2010 in greater number, vigor and skill, terrorizing us till date.

Islamist insurgency or militancy is an ideology. Facing it with only military might is counterproductive. In the case of Boko Haram, Yar'adua defeated them militarily but didn't defeat their ideology. Thus, those militants that survived the extermination must have gone on sermonizing, proselytizing and winning more hearts and minds, employing the rhetoric that a Sharia state duty bound upon Muslims.

i think dey should be brainwashed

Cutehector4u:
i think dey should be brainwashed

Enlightened, should be the word. They are already brainwashed into evil.

usermane:


Enlightened, should be the word. They are already brainwashed into evil.

the muslim clerics hav done that...still yet dr hearts are hardened...

hmm...

Cutehector4u:
the muslim clerics hav done that...still yet dr hearts are hardened...

Muslim clerics haven't done anything in my opinion. Often time, they chose to condemn the insurgents than confront their ideology. Do you notice that in contrast to the numerous Mosques, Schools, Websites and institutions disseminating radical interpretation of Islam, there is hardly any Muslim body countering this with a more moderate interpretation of Islam?

usermane:


Muslim clerics haven't done anything in my opinion. Often time, they chose to condemn the insurgents than confront their ideology. Do you notice that in contrast to the numerous Mosques, Schools, Websites and institutions disseminating radical interpretation of Islam, there is hardly any Muslim body countering this with a more moderate interpretation of Islam?

yh u r very right nd i hav notoced.... Well, he who kills by d sword shall die by the sword... If osama can be killed, den shekau is no match

Cutehector4u:
yh u r very right nd i hav notoced.... Well, he who kills by d sword shall die by the sword... If osama can be killed, den shekau is no match

Of course, Shekau can be killed but will that solve bring lasting peace? Remember Osama 's killing did not slow down Al Qaida, it even motivated them. Many of them consider Osama as a martyr to be adored or emulated. And so turning back would be utter betrayal on their path. That is why the militants must be fought both militarily and intellectually. Even if we may be unable to fix them, we should be able to educate Muslims liable to join their cause in future

usermane:


Of course, Shekau can be killed but will that solve bring lasting peace? Remember Osama 's killing did not slow down Al Qaida, it even motivated them. Many of them consider Osama as a martyr to be adored or emulated. And so turning back would be utter betrayal on their path. That is why the militants must be fought both militarily and intellectually. Even if we may be unable to fix them, we should be able to educate Muslims liable to join their cause in future

yes yes yes.... U just reminded me of smth...den i think the educational sector in nigeria should include that in their school curriculum...i mean only for the muslim schools... Teach dem against terrorism nd d dangers of such....

Cutehector4u:
yes yes yes.... U just reminded me of smth...den i think the educational sector in nigeria should include that in their school curriculum...i mean only for the muslim schools... Teach dem against terrorism nd d dangers of such....

Yes, u 're spot on. There is need to reform or review the Islamic studies curriculum taught in Muslim schools especially in the West and Middle east. Although, this cannot be effective without moderating the message of preachers in the Mosques. It is useless reminding students that Islam enjoin peace and forbid evil whilst in the Mosques or Seminars, we have preachers delivering sermons with dark, intolerant and fanatc undertones. For instance, look at this; Undercover Mosque

usermane:


Yes, u 're spot on. There is need to reform or review the Islamic studies curriculum taught in Muslim schools especially in the West and Middle east. Although, this cannot be effective without moderating the message of preachers in the Mosques. It is useless reminding students that Islam enjoin peace and forbid evil whilst in the Mosques or Seminars, we have preachers delivering sermons with dark, intolerant and fanatc undertones. For instance, look at this; Undercover Mosques

well said..woow so thr r undercover mosques? I thought they preach abt allah... Ds is serious

Cutehector4u:
well said..woow so thr r undercover mosques? I thought they preach abt allah... Ds is serious

doesn't sound like you have opened the link. "Undercover Mosque" is a documentary that gives you a glimpse of radicalization occurring in the Mosques.

usermane:


doesn't sound like you have opened the link. "Undercover Mosque" is a documentary that gives you a glimpse of radicalization occurring in the Mosques.

lol yhhh...i dnt open external links here on nairaland.... Wen am usin my phone..it siphons my data with d speed of light

well,not less than 80 percent of Muslims support shariah and at least half even want the establishment of a global Caliphate,we are talking of the use of terror here which is unislamic and can't be justified no matter the most fundamental interpretation of Islam.

I talked of the insurgents having a passive support base in the Muslim community.
Here is a topic that deals with that matter extensively;
Passive Terrorism: Peaceful Violence

Any African that subscribe to this belief system is one sick self hating bastard.

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