22nd June 2015

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Key Vocabulary of Terrorism

1. Editors Note
OTHER Solutions Consulting has compiled a list of key terms used both to describe ideological and regional
issues. The purpose of this basic definitions list is not to create a fixed or alternative definition of the terms but
rather to clarify their nature and how the research team applies them in our various analyses document and
weekly reports. In a discourse where precision is necessary it is important to have a clear semantic
understanding of these terms, and avoid generalisations and leaving negative implications on any country, group,
religion or region in the process.

2. Ideological

Islamism: Islamism also known as Political Islam, is a set of ideologies holding that Islam should guide
social and political as well as personal life

The term is a source of major controversy especially because of the divergence in Islamic interpretations. Also its
wide application has engulfed some groups that advocate the implementation of Sharia law (see below), panIslamic unity and undermining Western interests in the Muslim world. However in reality political Islam in its
inception under the Muslim brotherhood (1928) was not a radical force and should possibly be applicable to
those willing to respect the democratic process and form political parties with a Muslim core rather than a
fundamentalist militant force.

Jihadism: In Arabic, the word means "effort" or "struggle". In Islam, it could be an individual's internal
struggle against more basic instincts, the struggle to build a good Muslim society, or a war for the faith
against nonbelievers.

An important clarification for the above definition is the fact that Jihad engulfs a sense of struggle in Arabic
engrained in the holy Quran. Jihad does not necessarily mean violence and can also refer to the pursuit of
knowledge considered a model example. Thus despite its frequent use to describe the actions of suicide
bombers and radical militants it can engulf a much richer and wider meaning. Since the 1980s the term has been
used frequently as a prime means of legitimacy by the global Al-Qeada network.

Salafism: Salafism takes its name from the term salaf ("predecessors", "ancestors") used to identify the
earliest Muslims, who, its adherents believe, provide the epitome of Islamic practice.

The term above has lost its initial meaning of piety due its frequent association with militant groups that are trying
to draw parallels with the early Muslims: The Prophet Mohammed and his Companions. It is particularly the
affiliation with Wahabism (See on pg.2) that has set controversy around the term.

Sharia (law): Sharia, or Sharia law, is the Islamic legal system derived from commands in the basic
texts of Islam, the Quran and Hadith.

An important point for understanding Sharia is that despite it being the interpreted Islamic law, it does not have a
precise text or book which one can refer to in totality. Thus it has been theorized as an amalgamation of
interpretations and may differ depending on the country and individual Islamic scholars/clerics. The enforcement
of such divine laws is also subject to dispute with regards to accounting for other religious minorities in a country
or land. Groups such as the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria have both tried to enforce an illegitimate
interpretation of sharia law and used in their state building plans in Syria. This is evident in key towns and cities
under their control e.g. Raqqa.
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Shia: Is the short form of the historic phrase Shiatu Ali meaning "followers", "faction" or "party" of
Muhammad's son-in-law and cousin Ali, whom the Shiites believe to be Muhammad's successor in the
Caliphate.

The most significant Shia population exists in Iran, but can be also found in Lebanon, Yemen, Bahrain, Syria and
Iraq. The term Shia expansion has gained relevance due to the rise of Iran and Shia-centric non state actors in
Iraq, the Gulf and the Levant. However it is important to clarify that there also various branches (such as Zaidi
Shiites in Yemen) that do differ in beliefs and practices to others around the region for example. Therefore it is
not a homogenous group even if to some extent Shia groups are politically and strategically aligned across the
MENA region.

Sunni: They are the majority in most Islamic countries outside of Iran, Iraq, Yemen, and Bahrain.
Sunna, translated variously as the "trodden path", "the way", "example", or "habitual practice", refers to
the example or path of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers.

Despite being the mainstream majority of the Muslim world, Sunni populations have been commonly associated
with extremism and an enmity towards other minorities like Shiites. However, as shown by various statistical
surveys many Sunnis across the Middle East, Europe and North America are quite moderate in their beliefs and
practices - only to be tainted by the actions of a radical minority.

Sufism: Sufism or Tasawwuf as it is a particular aspect or dimension of Islam. Sufi orders (Tariqas) can
be found in Sunni, Shia and other Islamic groups.

Sufism is based on the idea of being pure in the devotion to God and retracting from the everyday pursuit of
common men. It has distinct mystical rituals attached to it and is followed in considerable numbers in the SouthEast Asia region and some parts of the Middle East.

Takfirism: An accusation of apostasy by a Muslim to another Muslim (or an adherent of

another Abrahamic faith). The accusation itself is called takfir, derived from the word kafir (infidel), and
is described as when "one, who is or claims to be a Muslim, is declared impure."

Takfiri policies inciting violence and hatred towards Muslims and non-Muslims have been incessant in light of
recent Islamic State or Al-Qaeda inspired operations. Most commonly, it is influential clerics that insight such
religious justifications to which people prone to radicalization can be mobilized to afflict harm to whomever the
Kafer or infidel, is pointed out to be.

Terrorism: Terrorism is commonly defined as violent acts (or the threat of violent acts) intended to
create fear (terror), perpetrated for an economic, religious, political, or ideological goal, and which
deliberately targets or disregards the safety of non-combatants (such as neutral military
personnel or civilians). Another common definition sees terrorism as political, ideological
or religious violence by non-state actors.

Terrorism is another term that is in many cases misused and involves various definitions rather than one fixed
concept. However, terrorism cannot / should not be solely attributed to fundamentalist groups across the Near
East but rather can even describe state measures or state-sponsored terrorism. To dictate violent actions
spreading fear amongst the populous is something that has not only happened during the recent rise of militant
non-state actors but rather can be traced back to the earliest stages of human civilisation. In this manner
terrorism can be used to describe many government measures today, particularly under undemocratic or
authoritarian-style regimes.

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3. Geography and Regions

Sham: The word used by the local people of the region bordering the eastern Mediterranean Sea to describe
their region, usually known as the Levant or the region surrounding Syria. It includes Syria, Lebanon, Palestine,
Israel, Jordan, Cyprus and the Turkish Hatay Province.
Levant: The Levant is an approximate historical geographical term referring to a large area in the eastern
Mediterranean. In its widest historical sense, the Levant included all of the eastern Mediterranean extending
from Greece to Egypt. Nowadays it is more commonly used to refer to Lebanon and the area around it.
Maghreb: The Maghreb is usually defined as much or most of the region of western North Africa or countries
west of Egypt: Libya, Tunisia, Algeria; Morocco, and Mauritania.
Mashriq: The Mashriq is the region of Arab countries to the east of Egypt including Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan
and Egypt.

Sources
All the above definitions have been extracted by using open sources. The analysis above clarifying and
explaining the semantic importance of the terms has been designed by our research team at OTHER
SOLUTIONS Consulting.

OTHER SOLUTIONS Consulting

England and Wales Registration number 85 48 765 | VAT 169 5909 53