Answering Questions - Essay Example

number: Answers to Questions What are the differences and similarities between the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood in Arab countries and those in the West?Muslim brotherhood is a movement that operates world wide. Its activities are guided by its aims, but differ based on various factors. The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, notes that Muslim brotherhood activities are managed through branches in various countries. Every country has different local political and societal conditions.

These conditions form the basis of adaptation, and the influence of Muslim brotherhood activities. Conditions are such as sectarian, national, and religious conditions. One aim that the Muslim brotherhood activities are focused on is the construction of its social infrastructure, which proves their substantial degree of uncomplicatedness, and willingness to restrain from persecution; therefore, long-term survival. In most Arab countries, the brotherhood has integrated into political institutions.

In the western countries, it has established itself in local Muslim communities by setting up Mosques, banks, Islam facilities, and educational and social institutions (MAITIC 6-8).Explain the continuities and discontinuities between contemporary Shia political Islam and traditional Shi’ismContemporary Shiites have a common form of Shi’ism that they adhere to; Twelver Shi’ism or the Imami. This belief is from the origins of Shi’ism which believed in the fundamental teaching that the Muslim Community’s rightful rulers were from a series of twelve Imams.

This began with Ali ibn Abu Talib. This belief is continued to date. Shi’ism has continued to become the function of Iran’s politics based on the above ideology. Shi’ism has, however, discontinued in some of its institutions and traditions, as they are changed and determined by descendants who may not have what it takes to run the institutions, and guide the traditions properly (Fradkin).Similarities and differences between Al Qaida and earlier Jihadist groupsEarlier jihadist groups fought to conquer specific regions for both material and religious reaons.

Jihadist groups fought to protect, to revenge, and to gain material wealth. They struggled to protect Islam, and against those who did not believe in Islamic God. Al Qaida also struggles against those who do not believe in Islamic God, but through a different way. Al Qaida are terrorists, and fight to achieve their aim through terror attacks. Earlier jihadists involved themselves in battles. The difference is in the ideology of battle and methods of struggles (Rabasa et al 9).Compare and contrast the Sunni Islamist understanding of Jihad to that of the Shia IslamistsBoth the Sunni Islamist and Shia Islamists understanding of Jihad is the same.

Both groups of Islamists consider Jihad as a holy war. Sunni Islamists believe that they should wage a holy war against the Shia Islamists who give honor to Mohammad’s descendants instead of Allah. Shia Islamists also believe that they should wage holy wars against Sunni who are a threat to true Islam. They fight to restore the Shia version of Islam (Cobb 44).Works CitedCobb, Ronald Lee. Islam, What You Need to Know in the Twenty-First Century: A Primer for Peace. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse, 2011. Print. Fradkin, Hillel.

The Paradoxes of Shiism. Current Trends in Islamist Ideology vol. 8. 2009. Web.Retrieved on 26th October 2013 from:http://www.currenttrends.org/research/detail/the-paradoxes-of-shiismRabasa, Angel., Chalk, Peter., Cragin,Kim., Daly, Sarah, A., Gregg, Heather, S. Beyond al-Qaeda: Part 1, The Global Jihadist Movement. CA: Rand Corporation, 2002. Print. The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center (MAITIC). The Muslim Brotherhood in the Arab World and Islamic Communities in Western Europe. 2012. Web.

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