Concept in Definition ABC

In principle, the Arabic word jihad translates as effort or struggle. It is a term that in the context of Islam has a double meaning. In this way, if the effort is understood in a warlike sense, jihad is a fight against the enemies of Islam and must be considered as an action of legitimate defense before a aggression violent

If the effort is spiritual, it is an inner struggle that every Muslim must carry out to achieve fulfillment as an individual. In the first case we speak of minor jihad and in the second of major jihad.

In the Koran there are some verses where the word jihad appears, understood as a fight against non-believers or infidels, especially Jews and Christians.

Despite the fact that the Muslim religion carries an implicit message of peace And in harmony, some extremist groups interpret the concept of jihad as an incitement to armed struggle and terrorist actions. When this happens, the phenomenon of jihadism occurs, which for some terrorist groups is equivalent to the idea of ​​a Holy War.

A historical brushstroke

The first jihadist groups appeared in Egypt in the 1970s and had the aspiration to impose a radical Islamism in the country. These groups were imitated in the rest of the Arab countries to a greater or lesser extent. On the other hand, the War in Afghanistan marked a new episode in the evolution jihadism, as the Soviets had occupied the country and some Muslims considered it legitimate to defend themselves against a foreign power occupying a territory traditionally Muslim.

Since the Afghanistan War, groups of volunteers appeared in the Arab world who were willing to expel the invaders, the infidels and, ultimately, all those who did not follow the doctrines of Islam.

In 1988 the conflict Afghanistan was in its final phase and by then Al-Qaeda emerged as a movement political-religious that advocated the extension of jihad in any territory where Muslims were threatened, such as Palestine, Syria or Iraq.

Salafi jihadism

The best known jihadism is the Salafist, a current that defends the return to genuine Islam and, at the same time, rejects any form of democracy. Salafi jihadism promotes actions to liberate Muslim countries from any foreign influence.

The Utopia Salafista is, in short, the religious doctrine that has inspired jihadist movements.

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