Waxing Poetically: News and Lifestyle with a Twist of Poetry

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Many of us have heard the word “jihad” in reference to Muslim terrorists and their quest to rid the world of those who do not share their worldview. But what does the word itself actually mean? National Public Radio’s Jamie Tarabay considers how the American media may be mistakenly paying terrorists a tremendous compliment by calling them “jihadists.” Please read the following article and consider all points and reply on the comment board with insightful responses. I’m certain you all have something to contribute. Wax away!

Excerpt: Since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Bush administration has relied on terms like “jihadist” and “Islamic extremists.” But jihad has very positive connotations in the Islamic world. It is akin to religious duty: when someone wants to better themselves, they embark on a jihad. Whether it’s to quit smoking, pray more, and in some cases, fight off anyone preventing them from practicing their religion.

“Just like you wouldn’t call Josef Stalin a hero of the revolution, you don’t want to call Osama bin Laden a jihadist. He loves it,” says Duncan MacInnes, a spokesman for the State Department’s Counterterrorism Communication Center (NPR.org).