Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
The Cairo-based Al-Azhar institution called the formation of the alliance against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS/ISIL) and other terrorist groups “historic.” “This was an urgent demand of the people of Islamic countries who have suffered more than others from this black terrorism,” it said. “Al-Azhar calls on all Islamic countries to join this coalition to counter terrorism.” While the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has 57 members, the Saudi-led coalition announced Tuesday currently boasts 34 Sunni nations. They include most of the Arab states – although Syria and Iraq are notable exceptions – Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and a handful of Islamic states in sub-Saharan Africa. Saudi Arabia’s regional archrival, Shi’ite Iran, is another prominent omission.
The announcement of the launch, released by the official SPA press agency, said, “More than 10 other Islamic countries have expressed their support for this alliance and will take the necessary measures in this regard, including Indonesia.” Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told reporters that those 10 other countries were keen to join the 34 already listed members and would do so after taking various “measures.” But the government of Indonesia, the world’s biggest Islamic state (and fourth most populous nation overall), disputed that. “Indonesia is not supporting the coalition, but instead supporting Saudi Arabia’s effort to combat terrorism and extremism,” the Jakarta Post quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arrmanatha Nasir as saying.
He said Indonesia’s principle was to commit troops to international missions only under the U.N. flag. “We’re highly committed to combatting terrorism and extremism, however, we should assess the modalities first before joining any military alliance.” The statement released by the Saudi agency was clear that the initiative is primarily military in scope. “The countries whose names are listed in this statement have decided to form a military alliance to fight against terrorism led by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” it said. “A joint operations center shall be established in the city of Riyadh to coordinate and support military operations to fight terrorism and to develop the necessary programs and mechanisms for supporting these efforts.”
‘Not a Sunni coalition’
Saudi Arabia is also accused of funding IS, either directly or by failing to prevent private donors from sending money to the group. But Saudi Arabia rejects both accusations, and has announced the formation of a new Islamic anti-terrorism coalition. Five experts share their views.[/i]
Professor Bernard Haykel: IS theology directly linked to Wahhabism
Professor Bernard Haykel is director of the Institute for Transregional Study of the Contemporary Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia at Princeton University. "The Islamic State's religious genealogy comes from 'Jihadi Salafism', a theological current that is very old in Islam that is quite literalist. "[Followers are] extremely rigorous, and condemn other Muslims who don't share their theology. That gives them the hard edge when it comes to violence, because they can justify it theologically. "Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab is in that Salafist tradition. He was a religious reformer in Arabia who was able to create a religious movement that ended up creating a state.
"He saw that Muslims had deviated from the 'true' message of Islam; not praying properly or at all, or engaging in practices that he felt were violations of the faith. "A lot of scholars of the period started writing treatises against his ideas. They felt that he was not sufficiently educated to teach. "Eventually he was able to connect with the leader of the al-Saud family in 1744. That alliance had very strong and lasting effects. "He believed there is a pure version of the faith, and that if one goes back to it, one is guaranteed salvation in the hereafter, but also in life God will give you all the things he promised.
"The first Saudi State, based on this Wahhabi faith, seemed to confirm his message because of the political and military success it had throughout the 18th Century and 19th Century where it conquered most of Arabia. "Once a town was conquered he would appoint teachers to educate people in his version of the faith. He wrote a number of short books that were the basis for the teaching, books that are used by ISIS today. "ISIS claims that the Saudi state has deviated from the true beliefs of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, and that they are the true representatives of the Salafi or Wahhabi message."
Professor Madawi al-Rashid: Wahhabism led to Islamic awakening
Something's doesn't add up here, ISIS/ISIL is Sunni.
