Islamic terrorism

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Islamic terrorism (also known as Islamist terrorism or radical Islamic terrorism or jihadist terrorism) refers to terrorist acts carried out by fundamentalist militant Islamists and Islamic extremists.^[1][2][3]

Since at least the 1990s, Islamist terrorist incidents have occurred around the world and targeted both Muslims and non-Muslims.^[4] Most attacks have been concentrated in Muslim-majority countries,^[5] with studies finding 80-90% of terrorist victims to be Muslim.^[6][7][8] The annual number of fatalities from terrorist attacks grew sharply from 2011 to 2014 when it reached a peak of 33,438, before declining to 13,826 in 2019.^[9] From 1979 to April 2024, five Islamic extremist groups – the Taliban, Islamic State, Boko Haram, Al Shabaab, and al-Qaeda – were responsible for more than 80% of all victims of Islamist terrorist attacks.^[10][11][12] In some of the worst-affected Muslim-majority regions, these terrorists have been met by armed, independent resistance groups.^[13] Islamist terrorism has also been roundly condemned by prominent Islamic figures and groups.^[14][15][16]

Justifications given for attacks on civilians by Islamic extremist groups come from their interpretations of the Quran,^[3] the hadith,^[17][18] and sharia law.^[3] These killings include retribution by armed jihad for the perceived injustices of unbelievers against Muslims;^[19] the belief that many self-proclaimed Muslims have violated Islamic law and are disbelievers (takfir);^[20] the perceived necessity of restoring Islam by establishing sharia law, including by reestablishing the Caliphate as a pan-Islamic state (e.g. ISIS);^[21] the glory and heavenly rewards of martyrdom (Istishhad);^{[22][23][24][18]} and the belief in the supremacy of Islam over all other religions.^{[Note 1]} Justification of violence with not permitted declarations of takfir (excommunication) has been criticized.^[27]

The use of the phrase "Islamic terrorism" is disputed. In Western political speech, it has variously been called "counter-productive", "highly politicized, intellectually contestable" and "damaging to community relations", by those who disapprove of the characterization 'Islamic'.^[28][29][30] It has been argued that "Islamic terrorism" is a misnomer for what should be called "Islamist terrorism".^[31]

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