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International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2222-6990

Ideology, Communication, and Response to Terrorism: A Sharia-based Perspective

Adnan Tawfiq Mohd, Anas Mohd Yunus, Isyaku Hassan

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v10-i3/7029

Open access

Counter-ideological response is necessary in neutralizing and defeating terrorism. This is because ideology plays an important role in the formation of terrorist propaganda to attract followers. The situation requires various strategies, including delivery of genuine religious messages, to address the terrorists’ ideological motives which could be ethno-nationalistic or politico-religious in nature. Though terrorists generally share common goals and certain common approaches, many terrorist organizations claim to be Muslims and carry out attacks in the name of Islam. Hence, this paper aims to explain how effective ideological response could help in defeating global terrorism. The paper uses inductive analytical method in which corroborating evidence was obtained from previous literature, Quran and Sunnah (Prophetic Traditions). This paper argues that ideological response to terrorist organizations, such as the Islamic States of Syria and Iraq (ISIS) and Al-Qaida, could be successful through a genuine understanding of Sharia, especially if communicated effectively. The fight against terrorism through military measures alone is likely to augment tension and hatred and serve to intensify the terrorists’ global threat. The discussion in this conceptual paper could advance our understanding of the approaches to combating the misguided ideology of the present-day terror groups.