Jihad en kolonialisme

Book Description

When Western journalists analyze jihadist movements like ISIS and other militant groups, they typically focus on religious motivations while overlooking a crucial historical dimension. Lucas Catherine challenges this narrow perspective by examining the profound connections between contemporary Islamic militancy and the legacy of Western colonialism.

This thought-provoking exploration reveals how modern jihadist actions often directly reference colonial boundaries and historical grievances. Catherine demonstrates how ISIS bulldozers deliberately destroyed the colonial border drawn by British and French officials Sykes and Picot in 1917 between present-day Syria and Iraq. Similarly, Boko Haram's very name reflects a rejection of Western colonial education, literally meaning "Western books are forbidden," while al-Shabab operates in the exact territories where Muhammad Abdallah Hassan once led resistance against British forces.

Drawing on Marx's observation that history repeats itself as both tragedy and farce, Catherine guides readers through centuries of Western cultural and political intervention across the Muslim world, from Egypt to Palestine, from Java to Zanzibar. This comprehensive survey illuminates patterns that mainstream discourse often ignores or misunderstands.

The book includes a unique contribution from Kareem el Hidjaazi, a Brussels-based Muslim who traveled to the Middle East and offers rare firsthand insights into his personal evolution and understanding of Islam. Through this multifaceted approach, readers gain a deeper appreciation for the complex historical forces shaping contemporary spiritual and political movements in the Islamic world.