Isis [Daish – in Arabic]
Isis is a Sunni Muslim
group splintered from the Taliban, a group far more radical than the its parent
Taliban. Its objectives include establishing a strict, militant Islamic State
parsed from territories in Syria, Iraq and the Levant including a chunk of
southern Turkey [if they can get it]. Isis militants are televised threatening attacks
against the USA and any other Western country they wish to target. In addition
they have been aiding rebels in Syria’s nearly 4 year war against the Assad
regime. Not necessarily because they wish to assist the rebels in the deadly
struggle against the Assad regime, but because the wish to undermine the
secular rebels in their fight against the dictatorial Assad. In so doing, they
push their radical views, terrorize those who oppose them, and threaten the
world with their fanaticism. There can be no justification for the terrorist
activities of this or any other group, only death and destruction follow in the
wake of such malevolence.
In the West, we
receive news from Baghdad – with special emphasis on the movements eastward
toward the city by Isis. The group bombs, kills, rapes, and takes over cities
in its encroachment eastward. News correspondents are now interviewing Shi’a
Muslims, reporting their horrors at the actions of Isis. Misunderstandings develop
from the ambiguity of the broadcasts.
Are all Sunni Muslims
members or supporters of Isis? This is not the case, in spite of the fact that
newscasters address only Shi’a Muslims. Their stories of terror and suffering at
the hands of Isis are told loud and clear. But the news has an obligation to
present both sides of the picture. Yes, Isis claims its allegiance to Sunni
Islam, but in the same way that members of the Ku Klux Klan claim their
Protestant Christian roots, not all Protestant Christians are members of the
Klan. In fact most are not, most abhor the Klan’s message. Likewise, most Sunni
Muslims despise the actions of Isis and their terrorist actions.
This militantly aggressive
group takes its name from the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis who represented the
ideal mother and wife, plus being the patroness of nature and magic. Its mission
brings anything other than ideal motherhood or natural beauty to civilization; its
aim is destruction, retribution, and death to any who oppose their fundamental ideologies.
Fortunately, it appears the international community is coming down hard on Isis
and everything it represents; perhaps its reign of terror and its stated goal
of establishing an extremist Islamic state will come to nothing.
