ELZAIN, C: Jihad and its Motivating Force Behind the Modern

Terrorism has loomed in the public eye for centuries; however, since 9/11 modern terrorism has attracted a new public dimension. On an international and domestic scope, media and government bodies have identified that the 9/11 terrorist attacks were delivered by the hands of Islamic terrorists, namely Al-Qaeda (U.S. Government, 2002). According to Australian, American and British government officials and numerous international and domestic media reports, Al-Qaeda publicly claimed responsibility for 9/11 and other terrorist attacks such as the Bali, London and Madrid bombings (Al-Jazeera, 2004: 1-6; Gonzales, 2006:3; U.S Government, 2002: 1-49; ). Furthermore, many domestic and international mainstream Muslims have responded to 9/11 and other attacks by revealing there support of Al-Qeada‘s hatred and violence towards the West (Tarakhil, 2004:1; Ziabi, 2006:5). It was here among these media and government reports that the concept of Jihad emerged as a pivotal religious concept that justifies terrorism. As a result, Jihad developed a strong association with terrorism and thus Islam has been placed in the forefront of controversy as a religion that creates terrorists.