Counterjihad

Counterjihad is an Islamophobic, far-right^[1] intellectual^[2] political current. The roots of the movement goes back to the 1980s, but it did not gain significant momentum until after the September 11 attacks.^[2]

Counter-jihad ideology

In the words of Toby Archer, a scholar of political extremism and terrorism, "Counter-jihad discourse mixes valid concerns about jihad-inspired terrorism with far more complex political issues about immigration to Europe from predominantly Muslim countries. It suggests that there is a threat not just from terrorism carried out by Islamic extremists but from Islam itself. Therefore, by extension, all European Muslims are a threat."^[3] Adherents to the movement frequently espouse the Eurabia conspiracy theory. According to prominent counterjihadist Edward S. May, writing under the pseudonym Baron Bodissey, the counterjihadist movement is based on the belief that "Islam is above all a totalitarian political ideology, sugar-coated with the trappings of a primitive desert religion to help veil its true nature. The publicly stated goal of Islamic theology and political ideology is to impose the rule of Islam over the entire world, and make it part of Dar al-Islam, the 'House of Submission'."^[4]

The views of the counterjihad movement have been criticized as a source of support for the anti-Islamist views of individuals inspired to take violent direct action.^[5] Anders Behring Breivik, responsible for the 2011 Norway attacks, published a manifesto explaining his views which drew heavily on the work of counterjihad bloggers such as Fjordman.^[6] Unlike the traditional far right, the movement's adherents generally reject neo-nazism and are strongly supportive of Israel, seeing it as the frontline in a 'clash of civilizations' between the Islamic World and the west.^[7] Still, some analysts and advocacy groups focusing on far-right extremism consider prominent counterjihadists, such as Fjordman and Filip Dewinter to be fascist^[8] and nazi-apologetic,^[9] respectively.

Theologist and philosopher Marius Timmann Mjaaland has described the role given to Christianity in some parts of the counterjihad movement and has identified three aspects of the movement's ideology that supposedly links it to fascism-like conspiracy theories: Firstly, the establishment of an allegedly continuous and coherent connection between the present-day conflict between the Christian West and Muslims, whereas analyses based on established historical science will dismiss any such claim as unfounded. Secondly, a claim that mainstream politicians and media in Western countries have in effect become internal enemies or "traitors", by respectively allowing the creation of multicultural societies and advocating "marxism" and "political correctness". This, in turn, has allowed Muslims to settle in Western lands, and thereby allegedly opened them to attack from within. And, lastly, a nietzscheian, post-Christian worldview where the distinction between good and evil is given little attention, to the point where Christianity's ideal of "loving one's neighbour" is entirely omitted. Christianity is reduced from a system of belief to an identity marker, and a political mythology is built, that draws heavily on the crusades.^[10]

Organization

Counterjihad as a movement is mainly Internet-based, and centers around blogs such as Jihad Watch, Atlas Shrugs and Gates of Vienna and The Brussels Journal. Notable figures include the blogs' editors, respectively Robert Spencer, Pamela Geller, Edward S. May and Paul Beliën, as well as writers such as Bat Ye'or, David Horowitz and Fjordman.^[1][2][11] However, several conferences gathering European politicians, analysts and internet activists have taken place using the term as heading, and the "Counter Jihad 2007" conference, which took place in Belgium, has been regarded as a crucial event in the movement's history.^[12] During this first large conference, the Belgian, Flemish-nationalist party Vlaams Belang acted as host, allowing the conference access to the European parliament building as a venue.^[13]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Diffus rörelse med muslimer som hatobjekt". Svenska Dagbladet. 3 August 2011. http://www.svd.se/kultur/understrecket/diffus-rorelse-med-muslimer-som-hatobjekt_6364272.svd. Retrieved 6 August 2011.  (Swedish)
2. ^ ^{a b c} Hegghammer, Thomas (30 July 2011). "The Rise of the Macro-Nationalists". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/31/opinion/sunday/the-rise-of-the-macro-nationalists.html. Retrieved 31 July 2011. 
3. ^ Archer, Toby (15 August 2008). "Countering the counter-jihad". http://www.rusi.org/publications/monitor/articles/keywords:counter-jihad/ref:A48A5851376CB9/. Retrieved 28 August 2011. 
4. ^ Bodissey, Baron; a.k.a. Ned May (20 November 2009). "The Counterjihad Manifesto". http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/2009/11/counterjihad-manifesto.html. Retrieved 28 August 2011. 
5. ^ Shane, Scott (24 July 2011). "Killings in Norway Spotlight Anti-Muslim Thought in U.S.". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/25/us/25debate.html?pagewanted=1&_r=3. Retrieved 30 July 2011. 
6. ^ Patalong, Frank (25 July 2011). "Blogging Hate - Anders Breivik's Roots in Right-Wing Populism". Der Spiegel. http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,776413,00.html. Retrieved 30 July 2011. 
7. ^ Blumenthal, Max (23 July 2011). "Anders Behring Breivik, a perfect product of the Axis of Islamophobia". Max Blumenthal. http://maxblumenthal.com/2011/07/anders-behring-breivik-a-perfect-product-of-the-axis-of-islamophobia/. Retrieved 6 August 2011. 
8. ^ Strømmen, Øyvind (5 August 2011). "Journalist resource: So, what’s the deal with Fjordman?". http://oyvindstrommen.be/2011/08/05/journalist-resource-so-whats-the-deal-with-fjordman/. Retrieved 28 August 2011. 
9. ^ Spruyt, Marc (29 May 2005). "Nazis and antisemites, the old friends of Filip Dewinter". http://www.blokwatch.be/content/view/440/1/lang,en/. Retrieved 28 August 2011. 
10. ^ Mjaaland, Marius Timman (28 September 2011). "Korstog mot hellig krig (Crusade against Holy War)". Aftenposten. http://www.aftenposten.no/meninger/kronikker/article4239821.ece. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
11. ^ "Norway killings put U.S. extremists in spotlight: Report". Associated Press of Pakistan (New York). 25 July 2011. http://ftpapp.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=145872&Itemid=39. Retrieved 31 July 2011. 
12. ^ Archer, Toby (25 July 2011). "Breivik's swamp". http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/07/25/breivik_s_swamp?page=0,1. Retrieved 28 August 2011. 
13. ^ Luban, Daniel; Eli Clifton (28 February 2009). "Dutch Foe of Islam Ignores US Allies' Far Right Ties". InterPress Service. http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=45928. Retrieved 28 August 2011. 

See also

• Islamophobia
• Eurabia
• Stop Islamization of America
• Stop Islamisation of Europe
• English Defence League