Islamic extremism in the United States

Islamic extremism is adherence to a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam (see Islamic fundamentalism ), potentially including the promotion of violence to achieve political goals (see Jihadism ). In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks , Islamic extremism became a central national security concern of the United States. The focus was on foreign terrorist groups, particularly Al-Qaeda , but in the decade since 9/11 the threat has evolved and Islamic extremism within the United States is a growing concern. The number of American citizens or long-term residents involved in extremist activity is not large, but "the sustained and growing number of individuals heeding" the call of Islamic extremism "is alarming." Zeyno Baran, senior fellow and director of the Center for Eurasian Policy at the Hudson Institute, argues a more appropriate term is Islami st extremism to distinguish the religion from the political ideology that leads to extremism: Islam , the religion, deals with piety, ethics, and beliefs, and can be compatible with secular liberal democracy and basic civil liberties. Islamists, however, believe Islam is the only basis for the legal and political system that governs the world's economic, social, and judicial mechanisms. Islamic law, or sharia , must shape all aspects of human society, from politics and education to history, science, the arts, and more. It is diametrically opposed to liberal democracy. With the value placed on freedom of religion in the United States, religious extremism is a difficult and divisive topic. Zuhdi Jasser , president and founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy , testified before Congress that the United States is "polarized on its perceptions of Muslims and the radicalization that occurs within our communities... One camp refuses to believe any Muslim could be radicalized living in blind multiculturalism, apologetics, and denial, and the other camp believes all devout Muslims and the faith of Islam are radicalized..." In between the two polarities is a respect for the religion of Islam coupled with an awareness of the danger "of a dangerous internal theo-political domestic and global ideology that must be confronted - Islamism ." Hamilton, Lee (2011-09-08).

Islamic extremism in the United States ( Learn how and when to remove this message ) Islamic extremism in the United States comprises all forms of Islamic extremism occurring within the United States . Islamic extremism is an adherence to fundamentalist interpretations of Islam , potentially including the promotion of violence to achieve political goals . In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks , Islamic extremism became a prioritized national security concern of the U.S. government and a focus of many subsidiary security and law enforcement entities. Initially, the focus of concern was on foreign Islamic terrorist organizations , particularly al-Qaeda , but in the course of the years since the September 11 terror attacks, the focus has shifted more towards Islamic extremist and jihadist networks within the United States. Since the release of the Trump administration 's National Defense Strategy in 2018, counter-terrorism is no longer considered the preeminent U.S. national security concern, despite terrorism remaining an enduring threat. Although the number of U.S. citizens or long-term residents involved in extremist activity is small, their recruitment and participation in criminal activities organized by Islamic terrorist groups on U.S. territory is still considered a national security concern by U.S. authorities. In Larres, Klaus; Hof, Tobias (eds.). Terrorism and Transatlantic Relations: Threats and Challenges .

( Learn how and when to remove this message ) Islamic extremism in the United States comprises all forms of Islamic extremism occurring within the United States . Islamic extremism is an adherence to fundamentalist interpretations of Islam , potentially including the promotion of violence to achieve political goals . In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks , Islamic extremism became a prioritized national security concern of the U.S. government and a focus of many subsidiary security and law enforcement entities. Initially, the focus of concern was on foreign Islamic terrorist organizations , particularly al-Qaeda , but in the course of the years since the September 11 terror attacks, the focus has shifted more towards Islamic extremist radicalized individuals and jihadist networks within the United States. Since the release of the Trump administration 's National Defense Strategy in 2018, counter-terrorism is no longer considered the preeminent U.S. national security concern, despite terrorism remaining an enduring threat. Although the number of U.S. citizens or long-term residents involved in extremist activity is small, their recruitment and participation in criminal activities organized by Islamic terrorist groups on U.S. territory is still considered a national security concern by U.S. authorities. In Larres, Klaus; Hof, Tobias (eds.). Terrorism and Transatlantic Relations: Threats and Challenges .