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Orientalism vs. Orientalism: The Byproduct of an Abysmal Extremism

Omar Alansari-Kreger
In Response to Threats of ISIS Recruitment

It is absolutely unfair to confine the palatability of extremism as an exclusive device to

Islam. Extremism is extremism irrespective of its applied ideological predilection. The
psychologically distraught make the best extremists because they have nothing to lose. That is
why they are recruited into the ranks of fringe organizations like ISIS! We live in a world where
sensationalism has taken us away from the big picture disparities of truth. That way whenever
and wherever an atrocity occurs, observers focus on the symptoms of an issue rather than its
originating cause. When it is believed there is absolutely nothing to lose, a single person can
transform into a psychological weapon of mass destruction. Radicalization maintains loyalty to
no ideology, religion, or creed; rather, it exists as a symptomatic device that is exploited by
fringe organizations all under the alias of extremism.
Islam forbids crimes against humanity and that includes all forms of terrorism. With that
in mind, it should not be surprising to find that fringe extremists are initiated into their own
through blatant acts of stupidity and ignorance; nothing else. They know nothing about Islam
which explains why they are so easy to target and manipulate. It is not like candidates for ISIS
recruitment consist of studious pupils that practice the intellectual traditions of Islam. Any
existential question about Islam should bring a Muslim back to the harmonizing roots of their
own religion. What does Islam mean? How should it be applied? What civilizing examples of
Islam can reintroduce harmony to our shared world community? Islamic Civilization is often
dismissed as an anachronistic relic of the past that bears little relevance with todays reality.
That is largely because Western Orientalists are now the prime authors of world history
including that of Islam. As a direct implication, Muslims read about the history of Islam from
Non-Islamic sources. It is our fault as Muslims for allowing that to happen. In a way, ISIS uses
Occidentalism to its own advantage creating an acute brand of impressionistic orientalism into its
narrative of Islam and the Modern Middle East. When orientalism is fought with orientalism,
both are ideologically connected to a morbid interpretation of Occidentalism. Generally, an
impressionably gullible, socially marginalized, and distraught young Muslim has no inclination
of raising existential questions about their own religion! Why? They are inclined to allow
extremists to think for them! The originating pioneers of modern science, technology, and
philosophy are rooted in Islamic history, but is that the same message ISIS is teaching its
pupils?
Islamic Civilization did not handoff the seeds of the Renaissance to the Western World
through belligerent campaigns of wanton destruction. The tradition of Islamic Civilization is
based on constructivism, not deconstructionism. That realization alone should give way to a
variety of existential questions such as: What is so Islamic about suicide bombings, kidnappings,
and mass killings? Does the average member of ISIS possess the mental capacity to raise such a

series of simple questions? Barbarism leads to barbarism and when the power of fear and the fear
of power are adjoined, Islam, in addition to the whole of human civilization, is condemned to the
ruinous devices of an abysmal extremism. Only an enlightened body of Muslims can save Islam
in addition to their Khilafah from the horrors of fringe organizations that mirror ISIS. It seems all
too trite, but it cannot be stressed enough, terrorism has absolutely no place in Islam! Fire cannot
be fought with fire; on the contrary, terrorists that claim to act in the name of Islam are enemies
of Muslims. An Islamic Revival must begin systemically from an intellectual revolution of
unprecedented proportions.
The greatest battle for the soul of man begins and usually ends in the mind. Islam must be
received as a religion of civilization as it did centuries ago; only then will procure the redemption
of Islam.