The attacks in the United States on September 11th 2001 introduced new words into our daily lexicon. Terms and acronyms like ‘JI’, ‘9/11’, ‘Muslim fundamentalist’ and ‘the War on Terror’ have now become part of how many of us view and think about ourselves, our neighbours, and the world around us. But terror did not begin on that Tuesday morning in New York or in the American capital. Nor did it begin over Lockerbie, at the Munich Olympics, or even when the Israeli state was proclaimed. However, these events have each heralded a new way in which terror, terrorism and terrorists have been understood. Consequently, insight into the ideology of terror and what its practitioners have sought to achieve, never simple and seldom clear, involves a healthy exercise of asking “Who, When, Where and Why?” There are a number of ways you might choose to pursue this topic.

Approach to the topic – Religion and Terror

Through the media, images of individuals such as Osama Bin Laden, the Bali bombers and Abu Bakar Bashir have become visual representations of the “War on Terror”. As they constantly remind the world, they are proudly (and almost defiantly it may seem) Muslim. In Australia today, the face of terror is inextricably bound with the notion of religion, or specifically, Islam. But to what extent is Islam being utilised to further the aims and agendas of specific individuals or groups? Is it really a religion of intolerance and violence? Are there other interpretations of Islam and the Qu’ran? When a Muslim personality talks of jihad and violence against ‘the infidels’, is he/she really representing the Muslim world in its entirety? More moderate Muslim leaders have criticized their extremist counterparts, advocating peace, tolerance and dialogue. How often are their comments read or heard in the news? Does the media play a part in dictating how we view and understand Islam and terrorism?