What is Islamic militancy, and why has it emerged at the turn of the millennium?
What will be an ideal response?
ANSWER:
Students should understand that the Muslim world has undergone enormous changes in the post-World War I era. The decline of the Ottoman Empire led to the partition of the Middle East by the Western powers, and the discovery of oil in the region led to economic as well as political and cultural imperialism. Although many states became independent in the 1950s, the wealth derived from oil sales has not been shared with the general population. Students should also understand that globalization, particularly mass marketing and mass media, has exposed the Muslim world to the consumer culture of the developed world while they are aware of their inability to attain access to these goods. Students should state that modernization has failed in the Muslim world and has led many Muslims to turn to their faith and their sacred past. Islam was a dominant civilization in the medieval period and fought the West. This sacred past reminds them of past victories over the West. Some Muslims blame their corrupt leaders, and others focus on external enemies such as Israel and the United States. The United States also has financially and politically supported corrupt and repressive governments in the Muslim world, such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia. In the Persian Gulf War of 1990-1991, the United States stationed troops in Saudi Arabia, which is sacred territory for Muslims.
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