The enemy is not "Islam," but Salafist Takfiri.

Leaving as public, because I think this discussion will continue to have currency for the foreseeable future.

These are not my words, but they are good words, so I got permission to share them here. This was written by Tim Clancy, a friend of a friend over on Facebook. Here is a link to the original post, including the discussion in the comments that followed: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203306076333258&set=a.1572293847852.62875.1850717805&type=3&theater

The text of the post is below:

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(‪#‎INS‬) Information Mullet: In light of the Paris attacks for those who want to (rightfully) avoid the fallacy of generalizations (1) in describing the attackers I recommend using the term "Salafist Takfiri" to *specifically* describe militant members of groups such as AQ, ISIS, AQAP, Boko Haram etc. who share a common set of behaviors and beliefs. These behaviors and beliefs are *not* the same as Muslims or even Islamists and understanding the difference is key to working together with our allies in this fight and isolating those who are our enemies.

In 2006 the West Point Center for Combating Terrorism released it's Atlas of Militant Ideology with a very handy segmentation (2) that I roughly reproduce below.

( Read more... )

Another related post: "Muslims confronting ISIS"

As with the previous post, I'm leaving this public because I think it will continue to have currency.

This is another post by Tim Clancy, and I think it's worth sharing as well. It's related to what was said in the previous one. Here is the link to the original post:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203311929399581&set=a.1572293847852.62875.1850717805&type=3&theater

His words follow:

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"(#INS) Information Mullet: For any who ask "where can we find Muslims confronting ISIS" I offer as one of many possible answers the coallition of Islamic Kurdish forces that are in the process this weekend of retaking Sinjar; occupied by the Islamic State for 16months. It's a notable military defeat of ISIS in Iraq and easily overlooked in a weekend where so much attention is focused on the tragedies and horrors inflicted by ISIS elsewhere.

( Read more... )

France, and how we respond.

Leaving public for two reasons. Firstly, it relates to the previous two posts (that I left public.) Secondly, the comments section below is worth reading, because it exemplifies exactly the attitude I'm warning about here.


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Why did I share the two posts immediately preceding this?

It's so tempting, in the wake of horrible tragedy, to simply accept the narrative we're being sold that lumps everyone even slightly different than us into an "other" category and blame them for all of our misfortune. It's easy to say: "we are at war with Islam" or to blame the refugees for these actions. Even some who would not go so far will still say: "ISIS is exploiting the refugee crisis, thus all refugees are suspect/the borders should be closed." It makes us want to think of the world in stark black/white terms - yet that is exactly what the terrorists want us to think. That is how they think: that the world is the stage for a conflict between "the West" and "Islam," and they want that war. They want the everyday Muslim to be marginalized and victimized by folks in the countries that they have wounded. They want mosques to be burned down (as just happened in Ontario.) They are in the minority, but they want to get more people onto their side, to see their way of thinking.

They want us to do their work for them.

The real world is, of course, far more complicated than some fantasy of "good" vs "evil." Yes, the actions of ISIS are evil, but too many who buy into this black/white mindset are unwilling to differentiate "ISIS" from "Muslim," or ask "Why aren't Muslims fighting or speaking out against ISIS" when so many Muslims are, every day, putting their lives on the line to do so. Understanding these complexities is vital to moving on to find real solutions to these problems, instead of continuing to follow policies that ultimately just further the cycle.

If you haven't already, please go down and read the previous two posts made to my journal, both shares of the words of another, but important words that discuss some of the facts of what's really going on in this ongoing conflict.

Let me close this by quoting yet another friend from Facebook. I won't link this one directly, or give his name, because he chose to keep the post restricted:

"Do not side with terrorists:

A friend posted an image saying that we are at war with Islam. This worries me, as I do NOT want to be on the same side as the tiny Salafist takfiri extremists who want the West to be at war with all of Islam. It is how they hope to take control of the average Muslim. Remember: DAESH, killer of too many fellow Muslims to count, ~wants~ the French and the rest of the West to react in anger and fear and wage war against all of Islam. Please do NOT promote what they want."

Understand who the enemy actually is. Fight the enemy, if it is required. But do not let their quest to make us give in to fear and hatred succeed. Do not do their work for them. Fight them first and foremost by refusing to follow their dance.