The ideology of violent extremists has been discussed frequently since
the tragic events of September 11, 2001 (9/11). It is clear that an
ideology of Islamist or Islamic political opposition and radicalism has
been key to understanding various events and movements that go back even
further, to the Islamic Revolution in Iran, for example. Some policy
analysts and public figures have challenged Muslims to change or reform
aspects of their beliefs based on the aspects identified as "extremist."
However, there are many interpretations and misinterpretations of what
those elements are, and how Muslims should go about reforming their
faith. Just as controversial is the idea that there is a "war within
Islam" and that the United States should be promoting one army in that
war-ideological moderates-so they will defeat their foes. The author of
this monograph, Dr. Sherifa Zuhur, takes issue with some of these
assumptions, views, and attacks on basic precepts.