Why Terrorism?

This article started with my personal interest in understanding why terrorism exists, why terrorists act the way they do, and why such activities have become so prevalent across continents. My curiosity about this topic was initially sparked by movies, news, and books that led me to explore the subject in more depth.

When I was a child, my father and I used to watch movies like True Lies and other military films. Perhaps that was when my fascination with such stories began. Later, during high school, I remember a day when there were no classes, and I was at home looking for something to do. I wasn’t much of a reader back then, but I noticed a book called ISIS on our bookshelf—a book my dad had bought or someone had given him. I thought, “Why not give it a try? If I don’t like it, I’ll stop.”

To my surprise, I couldn’t put the book down. It was based on true stories, including accounts from journalists in war zones. What captivated me the most was how the book introduced the leaders of terrorist organizations and their backgrounds. Even though I had exams and house chores, I ignored everything else and immersed myself in this world.

The book helped me understand groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda—once the largest terrorist cell in the world—and Al-Shabaab, among others. I finished it in two days and took note of key themes, including the complex role of countries like the U.S. and those in the Middle East. The book suggested a paradoxical relationship where these nations simultaneously supported and sought to eliminate such groups.

One story that stood out to me was about the 9/11 attacks. It involved a man named Abu Jandal (Nasser al-Bahri), who was Osama bin Laden’s bodyguard. At the time of the attacks, he was in prison in Yemen. An FBI special agent, Ali Soufan, who was a practicing Muslim, interviewed Jandal shortly after the attack. Initially, Jandal refused to cooperate, mocking and sneering at Soufan. However, Soufan used his knowledge of the Quran and Islamic culture to challenge Jandal’s claims.

When Jandal attempted to justify the attacks as being supported by the Quran, Soufan presented him with the holy book and asked him to show where such actions were condoned. Jandal couldn’t provide an answer. Instead, Soufan demonstrated how the Quran condemned such actions as sinful. Confronted with the truth, Jandal eventually provided critical information about the attacks and the perpetrators.

This story left a deep impression on me. It reinforced the idea that many terrorists are not true Muslims, as they neither understand nor follow the teachings of the Quran. In fact, the book revealed that such groups not only target non-Muslims but also kill fellow Muslims who oppose their ideology. Their actions are driven by ignorance and a refusal to accept the truth, perpetuating a cycle of violence and destruction.

My pen doesn’t stop here. I will continue to share more of my perspective on this complex and deeply troubling topic.