RT Article
T1 Crusader Hirelings or Loyal Subjects? Evolving Jihadist Perspectives on Christian Minorities in the Middle East
JF Islam and Christian-Muslim relations
VO 33
IS 3
SP 255
OP 280
A1 Lia, Brynjar 1966-
A1 Becker Aarseth, Mathilde
LA English
PB Taylor & Francis
YR 2022
UL https://www.ixtheo.de/Record/1817363786
AB In contrast to common assumptions, jihadist movements’ view of Christian minorities in the Middle East has been neither unambiguous nor static. It changes according to the overall political conflict in the region and is characterized by specific, unpredictable struggles that arise locally. By studying the official statements of al-Qaeda and ISIS, their ideological and strategic writings and their conduct vis-à-vis indigenous Christians in the Middle East, this article seeks to paint a more complex picture of how jihadists perceive this minority. One key finding is that the Christians of the Middle East and the foreign Christian ‘Crusaders’ are not a single phenomenon or foe in the conceptual worldview of jihadists. Second, rather than seeking to eradicate Christians completely, jihadist movements wish primarily to demonstrate the dominance of Muslims and their role as legitimate rulers over Christian minorities. Third, terrorist attacks on Christians and churches have been devastating and deadly, especially in Egypt and Iraq, but local Christian minorities are not a top priority target for most jihadist groups.
K1 Isis
K1 Al-Qaeda
K1 Syria
K1 Iraq
K1 Christians in the Middle East
K1 Jihadism
DO 10.1080/09596410.2022.2096761