The excerpt was written by Jonathan R. White, Terrorism: An Introduction, Third Edition, (Wadsworth Publishing, 2002)

The origins of modern terrorism have been reviewed in terms of its spread from Western European ideology to Russia, then back to the West by the incorporation of Russian revolutionary thought in the nationalist struggle in Ireland. Before discussing modern terrorism, it is necessary to look at the historical development of conflict in the Middle East. Several Middle Eastern groups took the concepts of modern terrorism and transformed them into a mode of conflict. This chapter introduces the development of religious and historical conflicts in the Middle East and the historical role of terrorism in the area.

An Introduction to the Region

The term Middle East refers to a section of the world that encompasses North Africa, Southwest Asia directly south of Turkey including the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, and Afghanistan. (See map in Figure 7.1.) Some commentators also include Pakistan in their geographical definition of Middle East because it is dominated by Islamic culture. The term was coined by American naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan toward the end of the nineteenth century. Albert Hourani (1997) presents one of the most definitive histories of the area. According to Hourani, the area is dominated by two major concerns: the religion of Islam and the history of the Arab people.

The Prophet Mohammed, the founder of Islam, received a series of revelations from Gabriel, an angel known in Hebrew and Christian traditions, about 610 C.E. Mystified by his encounters with the angel and unable to write, Mohammed returned to his family after each event and related the angel's accounts of God's desires for humanity in a series of poems and verses. Dutiful family members recorded these revelations, and they were incorporated into a holy book called the Q'ran, or the Verses. Mohammed, elated by his angelic encounters with the Almighty, spread a message of universalism, love, and monotheism.

Although Mohammed's message was essentially based on love, discipline, and submission to God's will, merchants in his hometown of Mecca were incensed by his religious pronouncements. Mohammed spoke of a final judgment against evil. Such eschatology threatened the religious trade of Mecca, a trade center where various cultures crossed paths and many deities flourished in an atmosphere of polytheism. In short, there was a profit to be made in statues, charms, and relics, and Mohammed's talk of one universal power uniting humankind was bad for business. The merchants took the only logical step they could see. They tried to kill Mohammed.