The Islamic State & Boko Haram Politicalization, Radicalization, & Terror

The Islamic State (aka ISIS or ISIL) •Sunni jihadist group in the Middle East, based out of Iraq (& Syria) •Claims to be a caliphate that claims religious authority over all Muslims in the world •Founded in 2003 – why?

Sunni vs. Shia Sunni Shia Believe that Islamic leaders could be any Muslim representative of the Islamic world -Majority in the world (85% of all Muslims) Believe that Islamic leaders can only be descendants of Ali, Muhammad’s nephew -Majority in Iran and Iraq

Caliphate •Definition: in Islamic state led by a supreme religious and political leader (a caliph) •In history: the succession of Islamic empires throughout the Middle East, beginning with the one created by the prophet Muhammad and his disciples

What does ISIS want? •To consolidate an Islamic state in the Sunni-majority regions of Iraq and Syria, presumably eventually extending this across the Muslim world. •By declaring a caliphate, ISIS is demanding allegiance of all “devout” Muslims •ISIS rejects Western dominance in the region since the end of WWI Why would they be so against Western dominance?

How are they trying to get it? •Terrorism •Targeting civilians •Taking over towns and forcing non-Sunni Muslims to pay extra taxes •Recently & featured more in the media, capturing Western journalists and executing them

Boko Haram Militant Islamists in Nigeria, founded in 2002

What do they want? •To overthrow the Nigerian government and create an Islamic state based on a strict version of Islam which makes it “haram” (forbidden) for Muslims to take part in any political or social activity associated with Western society For example: voting in elections, wearing shirts and pants (instead of traditional Islamic clothing), or receiving a secular education Boko Haram = “Western education is forbidden” Recap: why??

How are they trying to get it? •Their original “trademark” was using gunmen on motorbikes to kill police, politicians, and anyone who criticizes them (including Muslim clerics and Christian preachers) Slaughtered 2,000 people a couple of weeks ago •They have stepped up their attacks to include bombing cities and looting and killing those in rural areas to discourage people from working with security forces •They are also known for kidnapping young girls as a way to protest Western education

#BringBackOurGirls •Summer 2014 - sent military “advisors” to help search for 200 missing schoolgirls, using drones to scan the dense jungle. The girls had attended a school that Boko Haram had ordered to be shut down. The kidnapped girls are still missing and US involvement is slowly tapering off.

Problem-Based Learning -Move your desks into groups of 4 or 5. -Send one person to come pick up a folder, and enough PBL handouts for your group. -Work together to analyze the sources and come up with a solution. -You must write in complete sentences. -YOU MUST CITE EVIDENCE (information) FROM THE DOCUMENTS. ---What does this mean?

Finish PBL for homework All of the documents will be posted on my website. This will be taken for a grade.