The Distorted Ideology of Boko Haram: Jihad or Terrorism?

Year 2024, Volume: 8 Issue: 1, 1 - 23, 15.06.2024

Ali Fahd

https://doi.org/10.46595/jad.1409244

Abstract

The emergence of Boko Haram in Nigeria's heterogeneous society has brought up important concerns about the ideology underlying the group's activities. In this study, the group's use of violence and destruction, together with its assertion that it is operating under the principles of Islamic Jihad is evaluated. Analyzing the ideas of terrorism, jihad, and ideology becomes crucial to comprehend the group's ideology, taking into consideration its transition from a religious insurgency to a full-fledged terrorist organization. It is of great importance to understand that the concept of ‘jihad’ has been and is being misused by different radical entities, especially Boko Haram, to fulfil its radical interests and terrorist activities. However, the prophetic tradition is seen to be contradictory to the activities carried out by Boko Haram. This study argued that while jihad is a multifaceted term that is interpreted differently by Islamic scholars, Boko Haram significantly deviates from the typical Islamic comprehension of jihad. In this context, an extensive review of scholarly works, primary texts, and doctrinal analyses related to the ideology of Boko Haram and jihad is examined in this study. While the paper sheds light on the ideology driving Boko Haram and draws parallels between it and Islamic warfare and jihad, it also attempts to offer recommendations to Muslims on taking ideological initiatives to counter destructive interpretations and misconceptions.

Keywords

Religious Group Studies, Boko Haram, Jihad, Terrorism, Ideology

Boko Haram'ın Çarpık İdeolojisi: Cihad mı Terörizm mi?

Abstract

Nijerya'nın heterojen toplumunda Boko Haram'ın ortaya çıkışı, grubun faaliyetlerinin altında yatan ideolojiye ilişkin önemli endişeleri gündeme getirmiştir. Bu çalışmada, grubun şiddet ve yıkıma başvurması ile İslami Cihad ilkeleri çerçevesinde faaliyet gösterdiği iddiası birlikte değerlendirilmektedir. Terörizm, cihat ve ideoloji kavramlarını analiz etmek, Grubun dini bir isyandan tam teşekküllü bir terör örgütüne geçişini göz önünde bulundurarak, terörizm, cihat ve ideoloji kavramlarını analiz etmek, grubun ideolojisini anlamak açısından oldukça büyük bir önem taşımaktadır. 'Cihat' kavramının, başta Boko Haram olmak üzere, farklı radikal oluşumlar tarafından, radikal çıkarları ve terörist faaliyetlerine bir zemin oluşturmak adına kötüye kullanıldığını anlamak, konu için kilit bir noktadır. Bununla birlikte, sünnetteki uygulamanın Boko Haram tarafından yürütülen faaliyetlerle çeliştiği görülmektedir. Bu çalışma, cihadın İslam alimleri tarafından farklı şekillerde yorumlanan çok yönlü bir terim olmasına karşın, Boko Haram'ın tipik İslami cihat anlayışından önemli ölçüde saptığını ileri sürmektedir. Bu bağlamda, bu çalışmada Boko Haram ve cihat ideolojisine ilişkin bilimsel çalışmalar, birincil metinler ve doktrinel analizler kapsamlı bir şekilde incelenmiştir. Çalışma, Boko Haram'ı yönlendiren ideolojiye ışık tutarken, bu ideoloji ile İslami savaş/cihat arasında paralellikler kurarak yıkıcı yorumlara ve yanlış anlamalara karşı ideolojik girişimlerde bulunmanın gerekliliğine dikkat çekmektedir.

Keywords

Dini Grup Araştırmaları, Boko Haram, Cihat, Terörizm, Ideoloji

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