Whenever Muslims engage in behavior that ostensibly contradicts Islam—from doing recreational drugs and watching porn to killing fellow Muslims—Islam’s apologists loudly proclaim “Aha, see, they’re not true Muslims!” Or, in the words of CIA head John Brennan on the Islamic State: “They are terrorists, they’re criminals. Most—many—of them are psychopathic thugs, murderers who … [Read more...]
Force and Fanaticism: Wahhabism in Saudi Arabia and Beyond
Note: The following is a book review of Force and Fanaticism: Wahhabism in Saudi Arabia and Beyond, by Simon Ross Valentine. A shorter version of the review first appeared in the Middle East Quarterly (Fall, 2016, vol. 23, no. 4). Valentine, a British Methodist pastor and teacher who taught in Saudi Arabia, has written a useful book about the desert kingdom. Most interesting … [Read more...]
Is Obama Waging a ‘Narrative Battle’ against ISIS or Reality?
FrontPage Magazine According to White House press secretary Josh Earnest, “When it comes to ISIL, we are in a fight—a narrative fight with them. A narrative battle.” Earnest said this the day after two separate bombings occurred in New York, and an ISIS-linked Muslim went on a stabbing spree in Minnesota. Obama’ spokesman later elaborated: ... remember ISIL is trying … [Read more...]
Raymond Ibrahim on Radio: “Why Do They Hate US?”…
I was recently interviewed on the Denice Gary Pandol Show. Among other topics, we discussed recent revelations concerning what truly fuels jihadi violence against the West -- political grievances or Islamic teachings? Click here and fast forward to the 23-minute mark to listen. … [Read more...]
Christians as ‘Target Practice’: Muslim Persecution of Christians: May 2016
Originally published by the Gatestone Institute More reports of the brutal treatment that Christians and other minorities experienced at the hands of the Islamic State (SIS) emerged during May. One account told of a couple who, after their children were abducted by ISIS militants, answered their door one day to find a plastic bag on their doorstep. It contained the body … [Read more...]