Islamic terrorism and oil discovery in Middle East?

Question

Has the discovery of oil in Middle East been the most important reason for the rise in Islamic Terrorism / Militancy? I mean, I do not remember reading in history about the followers of Islam being as violent as they are now. I think all the money got by selling oil has caused this rise in Islamic Terrorism / Militancy. There were very few or no rich muslim countries before the discovery of oil in the Middle East and the Muslims were not all that violent!! I am sure a part of he oil money is being used to fund the Islamic Terrorism / Militancy.Your thoughts please. Pease correct me if any of my observations are incorrect. I am trying to find out the socio-economic reasons for the rise of Islamic Militancy / Terrorism.

I am referring to acts of terrorism being comitted by the Muslims now against innocent civilian atrgets. I am fully aware of the various wars / conquests waged by various religious sects / countries throughout history. Almost all religions have been party to such wars and conquests but what is happening now is not a war betewwn two nations but terrorist attacks committed by groups belonnging to a particular religion. I have taken up Islamic Militancy in my question as this is my area of study.

I am getting some very interesting and informative answers. Thanks to everyone who has answerd. Keep the answers rolling!!!

Answer 1

I would say obviously there are numerous factors many of which would require more detailed study to uncover. While oil money may provide funding as you suggest, the actual ideology in its current form was sparked by the Egyptian Sayyid Qutb, though in one form or another the khawaarij as Muslims know them have been around since the time of Uthman and 'Alee. Whynotaskdon seems to be suggesting that wars of conquest were a rarity in the tenth and eleventh centuries. On the contrary, they were the norm and even a few minutes of study will reveal that. The ideology of killing innocents and non combatants is one that is rooted in corrupted ideologies, tweaked over the centuries. The cause of the rise in latter days is more likely due to interventionist policies of colonial powers and broken promises, injustices perpetrated causing resentment and hatred against the occupying powers. Ultimately, as with numerous situations over the world, unjust treatment, barbarity and oppression will result in a rise in militancy. See for an example the tamil tigers in sri lanka, a non religious group who represent the highest number of suicide bombings ever perpetrated.

Answer 2

Early Islam as with early Christianity were both militant. The Caliphate of Baghdad had the largest army in the known world until it was destroyed by the golden horde of Chengis Khan. Saladin and the crusaders had a fair tussle. The Ottoman Empire had a calming influence on the middle east until the terrorist Lawrence of Arabia, enabled Britain, France and Russia to carve up the middle east into spheres of interest. then we added into the brouhaha The Balfour agreement. We have meddled in the middle east since the Byzantine era. The Middle East is incidental only in the East if you happen to live in the Europe Africa or the Americas from the rest of the world its West which happen to be the greater land mass. I think I would be Militant if someone came through my front door waving a gun or arming feudal warlords and taking my rights.

Answer 3

No - it probably has more to do with social depravation of the masses in Islamic countries who are not able to share in this oil related wealth. Whilst their governments, often corrupt and dictatorial, are supported by the western powers. Coupled with western policy concerning Israel & Palestine.

Islamic militancy was around long before Middle Eastern oil, and was a contributing factor in the decline of parts of the British and Dutch empires, over 100 years ago.

Answer 4

This is not the only factor, but I'm sure you're right that it is a major contributing factor. I think in some ways the money tied up in the oil industry has corrupted many formerly riteous Muslims so that they have changed their priorities in some ways. After they have become dominant in the oil industry it is likely they think that it is entirely possible that could become dominant in the world; therefore they think that it is necessary that everyone has the same beliefs as them and they are no longer content with just their own life and faith.
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Answer 5

I can't be bothered to search the Internet for when oil was first discovered in the middle east. I think it was towards the end of the 10th Century. That really nice, lilly white Christians decided to exploit the finds might just have been the beginning of present day problems. It's not the money oil rich states can make out of oil that pisses them off, but the, over decades they have been cheated out of the true value of their minerals. I don't believe that the reasons are particularly socio-economic. It's just that people get tired of being exploited and put down.

Answer 6

No, the Islamic fanatics have always been there. In the 1800's, Islamic pirates hijacked American ships and sold American citizens into slavery. The United States sent the Marines in to rescue them. Thus the line in the Marine Hymn, "...to the shores of Tripoli..."

The Papal crusades were not an original idea. The Islamic crusaders invaded Spain long before the Pope got the idea. Islam almost conquered Europe.

Answer 7

you may well find that the rise in terrorism is due to britain and the so sorry for what we did years ago society allowing so much of a mixture into britain , giving them money , educating them and giving them confidence and allowing them to publicly terrorise the modern non-islam world ,the pc brigade ensure that they are allowed to rant and rave about the qu ran , whilst building islamic schools ( school or training camp???????) whilst if the decent law abiding 2 plus 4 kids says anything they are up on racism charges

Answer 8

Go back to the History books and learn of the cruelty involved when Islamic rulers attacked India. One Islamic attacker was released by the Hindu ruler seven times, sparing his life 7 times. On the 8th occasion the Islamic attacker won and beheaded the Hindu king.
Islam is based on this kind of behaviour. Respond to kindness with cruelty. Islam confuses kindness with weakness. This will eventually lead to its demise.

Answer 9

At one way, you are right. But you must understand that it is not Muslims who are violent now. America invaded Iraq and Afghanistan and that sort of brought anger, sorrow and fear to the Middle East. Anyway, I am not even sure if these Islamic "Terrorist Orgs" are not even terrorist but be freedom fighters.

Answer 10

each and every muslim is a fundamentalist. Islam is a divine reality and all its teachings are sturdy for humanity. by using Islamic way of existence , muslims stay healthy existence bodily and spiritually. different oppressive trant regimes like communism colonialism and captalism have continually been in TERROR of muslim mujahideen toppling their oppression.