Islamic Fundamentalism
Islamic Fundamentalism
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nations. At an earlier period this aversion had
already manifested itself towards the British and
the French, and then somewhat later towards the
U.S.A., for, in actuality, it is the Americans who
have been leading the western nations since the end
of the Second World War.
Now, I should like to identify and analyze the
origin of the present extremist aspect of Islamic
fundamentalism, which has made such a rapid
descent into violence. The principal reason for it
having come into being in this virulent form has its
roots in a certain defeatist mentality which has,
unfortunately, been developing in the Muslims
since the loss of their empires. A defeatist, or a
besieged mentality inevitably opts for a negative
course of action. The possessors of such a mentality
consider themselves as the oppressed, and those
whom they see as setting themselves up against
them as the oppressors. With this bent of mind, they
are willing to engage themselves in any activity
whatsoever, no matter how damaging to humanity
or contrary to religion it might be.
