Islam and Suicide Attacks

Explores the disputed relationship between Islam and suicide attacks.

Pieter Nanninga (Author)

9781108712651, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 31 October 2019

75 pages
18 x 12.7 x 0.5 cm, 0.23 kg

This Element explores the disputed relationship between Islam and suicide attacks. Drawing from primary source material as well as existing scholarship from fields such as terrorism studies and religious studies, it argues that Islam as a generic category is not an explanatory factor in suicide attacks. Rather, it claims that we need to study how organisations and individuals in their particular contexts draw tools such as Islamic martyrdom traditions, ritual practices and perceptions on honour and purity from their cultural repertoire to shape, justify and give meaning to the bloodshed.

Introduction
1. Suicide attacks
2. Religion and suicide attacks
3. Islam and suicide attacks
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Terrorism, armed struggle [JPWL], Islamic worship, rites & ceremonies [HRHC], Islam [HRH], Religion: general [HRA]