Analyst's note:  Absolutely must read.  We may in the future hear more about this study by the Center for Strategic Communication at Arizona State University which was supported by a grant from the Office of Naval Research.  More importantly, we are likely to see "How Islamist Extremists Quote the Qur'an" used to create policy making concerning yet more failed strategies to deal with our long-term enemy of radical Islam. 

As recently pointed out in such articles as

Even Congress Begins to Understand that Muslim Brotherhood is advising Obama

Muslim Brotherhood has deeply 'infiltrated' inside U.S. gov't

Are Our Elected American Representatives leading us to another 'Operation Frequent Wind'? 

Walid Phares: Understanding 9/11 & Our Enemies

Will the U.S. understand the Muslim Brotherhood before it is too late?

we have to ask the question, "Were Muslim Brotherhood advisors associated with this report"?  I do not know the answer to this question, but I do know that the Muslim Brotherhood is a radical Islamist organization that has successfully penetrated both political parties and the delicate areas of defense and national security.  People with connections to the Muslim Brotherhood are in vital positions within every significant area of the U.S. government. They have received high security clearances for such people in the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security.  Those affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood are going to have to be rooted out like the cancer they are.

Under the tutelage of the Muslim Brotherhood that has infiltrated and/or indoctrinated our highest levels of gov't to include our White House, National Security Council, Congress,  Department of State, Department of Defense, FBI, some of universities, and Department of Homeland Security, etc., this administration has provided our Islamist enemies the surety and timetable of American forces withdrawal from the Middle East.  Just one example of a failed policy that provided the Islamist enemy with two choices:  (1) to wait us out or (2) to destroy as many of our sons and daughters as possible while our nation retreats. 

As one who speaks Arabic, Dr. Tawfik Hamid carefully evaluates the study -- showing us his own thought process relative to the matter -- and rightfully points out that, "Building conclusions based on selected verses that represent less than 25% of the Qur'anic verses that were used by the radicals is unscientific and casts doubt on the analysis of the research." Those involved in creating policy need to be aware of and account for this analysis by Dr. Hamid.  pitchfork

Dr. Tawfik Hamid, is an Islamic thinker and reformer, and one time Islamic extremist from Egypt. He was a member of a terrorist Islamic organization JI with Dr. Ayman Al-Zawaherri who became later on the second in command of Al-Qaeda. Some twenty-five years ago, he recognized the threat of Radical Islam and the need for a reformation based upon modern peaceful interpretations of classical Islamic core texts. Dr. Hamid continues to provide a fresh and theologically valid interpretation for the Quran to counterbalance the radical teaching.

We have frequently pointed out Dr. Hamid's work in furthering our understanding of our enemy with a "Test of Radical Islam."

ABC's Test for Radical Islam

The time has come to define Radical Islam. Please ask your local mosque, Islamic School, and Islamic organization to clearly, unambiguously and publically denounce the following concepts:       Apostates killing Beating women and stoning them to death for adultery. Calling Jews pigs and monkeys. Declaring war on Non Muslims to spread Islam after offering Non Muslims three options - subjugate to Islam, pay Jizia (a humiliating tax), or be killed. Enslavement of Other Human Beings. Fighting and killing Jews before the "End of Days". Gay Discrimination and Hostility.   A true moderate person or organization must be able to immediately denounce the above concepts and stand publicly and unambiguously against them.   The Muslim world can not expect the world to consider Islam peaceful as long as they teach and promote such tenets.   A clear stand is needed from leading Islamic Scholars all over the world against such teachings.

 For additional insight, I also recommend an internal site search on the terms of "Iran", "Al-Qaeda", "political correctness", "COIN", "Islam"  "Jihad" and "Muslim Brotherhood"

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Recently, the Center for Strategic Communication at Arizona State University published a paper entitled, "How Islamist Extremists Quote the Qur'an" based on analysis of the most frequently cited (or quoted) verses in the Center's  database of over 2,000 Islamic extremist texts.

The research[i], which was supported by a grant from the Office of Naval Research, was intended to provide a qualitative analysis of the historical contexts and core narrative components of the cited passages. The report raised questions about the veracity of claims often made by analysts concerning Islamic extremists. 

The researchers were "surprised" by the near absence of the well-known "Verse of the Sword" (9:5) from the extremist texts. Usually regarded as the most militant or violent passage of the Qur'an, it is treated as a divine call for offensive warfare on a global scale. It is also regarded by reputable Islamic scholars[ii] as a verse which supersedes other verses of the Qur'an that counsel patience, tolerance, and forgiveness.

The researchers concluded that verses that extremists cite from the Qur'an do not suggest an "aggressive offensive foe seeking domination and conquest of unbelievers, as is commonly assumed. Instead they deal with themes of victimization, dishonor, and retribution".

Based on this analysis, the researchers recommend that the West "abandon claims that Islamist extremists seek world domination, focus on counteracting or addressing claims of victimization[iii], emphasize alternative means of deliverance, and work to undermine the 'champion'[iv] image sought by extremists." Since such research may contribute to policy making concerning strategies to deal with radical Islam[v], it is imperative to subject this research to a rigorous scientific evaluation.

In this paper, the research will be discussed under the following categories:

1- Dominance

2- Grievances

3- Inaccurate translations of the Qur'an

4- Incorrect interpretation of data

5- Misleading descriptions

4- Championship

6- Selectivity of choosing certain verses (Selection bias)

Dominance:

The authors consider that Islamic fundamentalism is NOT on the verge of world domination and that it does not pose a realistic threat to impose Islamic law in the United States and Europe. Whilst, their view regarding this issue may have some elements of truth, their conclusion that we should abandon claims that Islamist extremists seek world domination is unwise. We must not exaggerate the threat but we cannot also ignore or underestimate it. For example, our failure to not fully understand the Islamist threat before the attack of September 11 and making it a highest national security priority, has profoundly changed our world.

It is a fact that Islamists themselves loudly and repeatedly express their intention to dominate the world[vi]. The reality is that only in the last few decades, Islamists managed to control several parts of the world such as Afghanistan, Somalia, Northern Mali, and parts of Yemen. Jihadists also flourished in Egypt, Syria, and Libya after the "Arab Spring". Additionally, radicals caused serious global troubles after their attack on the twin towers in September 11. They also caused serious damage to U.S. efforts in places like Iraqand Afghanistan.   

Furthermore, with the very high birth rates of Muslims in Europe, it is not too illogical to propose the assumption that some of the European countries can become Islamic states[vii] in the future via the democratic system that allows the majority to rule. As Lt.Gen. Michael Flynn, the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency put it:  "Even important demographic changes within allied nations should be of interest to the IC. For example, significant aging in Europe in concert with growing Muslim populations could alter the economic capacity or political calculus of governments to support the United States in foreign affairs."[viii]

In brief, the authors did not make a distinction between the "limitations" Islamists may have in achieving their goal to subjugate the world to Islam- and the Islamists' "intentions" to achieve such a goal. Islamists' limitations in achieving their goal must NOT lead us to underestimate or ignore their intentions to accomplish such a goal.

Grievances:

The authors concluded that "grievances" are the main reason for Islamist violence.

This theory can be understandable if Islamist violence was directed only against countries that are at war with them and thus caused their grievances. However, the fact that Islamist violence has not been limited to Western countries and that it predominantly affects Muslim civilians in Muslim countries raises serious doubts about the authors' analysis.

The authors did not clarify how the "grievances" from the West can explain the Islamists' brutal attitude and violence against their own population. Such brutal actions include poisoning young girls to stop them from obtaining an education, exploding bombs in mosques, markets, and funerals, killing people for watching soccer, beheading people for attending a musical party, and cutting the noses of women if they disobeyed their husbands. Are these barbaric violent acts against their fellow Muslim civilians because of the feelings of "grievances" from the West? Or are they really indications of an extremely violent mindset and barbaric attitudes that need to be addressed?

Additionally, when Islamists send messages to the West, they usually try to make political gains with claims such as the Arab-Israeli conflict and the wars on the Muslim countries are the main cause for their "grievances". In their private talks, the "grievances" of radical Islamists are commonly about how the West accepts and promotes 'Un-Islamic' issues such as the liberty of women, drinking alcohol, eating pork, and homosexuality (as these values collectively present a threat to the expansion of Islamist values). In other words, the perceptive feelings of victimhood among the radicals will continue as long as the West is not subjugated to Islam. This situation makes the authors' suggestion to remove or change the causes of Islamists grievances impractical - as removing the true causes of "grievances" of the Islamists simply means complete loss of our freedoms.

Also, the authors did not discuss the possibility that the Jihadists' use of some Qur'anic verses to express grievances does not necessarily mean that these radicals actually feel grievances, but rather they use these verses to create a feeling of grievances among their followers to encourage and motivate them to participate in Jihad. This approach of mentioning grievances of Muslims is used by radicals to encourage less enthusiastic Muslims - who do not really feel grievances - to join Jihadist causes[ix].

Inaccurate translations of the Qur'an:

The authors' understanding of some of the Qur'anic verses is incorrect. This could be due to the lack of sufficient research to understand what the verses really say in the original Arabic.

For example, the authors used Quran 9:14 "Fight them, and God will 'punish' them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the breasts of believers" to support their 'grievance' theory. However, the original verse in Arabic in the Quran used the word [Uo-azzibuhm] which means "to torture" NOT the word [Uo-akibuhm] which means to 'punish'.

This verse is typically used by leaders of radical groups to toughen the hearts of their followers and make them able to 'torture' their enemies without any feelings of remorse.

The authors should have done more research in Arabic language to understand the exact meaning of this pivotal verse in their discussion.

The original verse in Arabic and its transliteration of the verse is below.

قَاتِلُوهُمْ يُعَذِّبْهُمُ اللَّهُ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ وَيُخْزِهِمْ وَيَنصُرْكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَيَشْفِ صُدُورَ قَوْمٍ مُّؤْمِنِينَ[x]

Incorrect interpretation of data:

The authors mentioned that Jenkins 2008, and Roshandel & Chadha 2006 frequently cite the "Sword Verse"[xi] in explaining the phenomenon of violent Islamist extremism. Accordingly, the authors were surprised by their research finding that the "Sword Verse" was seldom used by leaders of radical Islamic groups.

It seems that the authors confused the frequent use of this verse by counterterrorism experts in U.S. with the actual use of this verse by radical Muslims.

Radicals, in general, tend to use verses to create hatred toward the "Infidels" (to prepare their mind to accept violence against them), to encourage martyrdoms (to inherit the paradise), and to inspire perseverance (to tolerate suffering for the cause of Allah). In general, as I witnessed it when I was in Jamma Islameia[xii] in Egypt (from 1978-1979) the sword verse was rarely used by radicals in their religious jargon as Islamic leaders focused on encouraging hatred, martyrdoms, and perseverance as mentioned earlier. In general, Jihadists would likely use the sword verse mainly in situations to encourage other Jihadists to kill captured prisoners who are seen as enemies of Islam.

Misleading descriptions:

According to the results of the research the Jihadists used some verses from Sura 4 (4:104[xiii], 4:75[xiv], and 4:76[xv]). The authors described Sura 4 to the readers in a way as if its main theme was to address a number of the concerns and trials of the besieged Medinan Muslim community after the defeat of Muslims in the Battle of Uhud. This description of Sura 4 by the authors was used as a way to back the authors' conclusion that 'feelings of injustice and oppression' are the main factors that drive Islamic terrorism.

The authors did not mention that Sura 4 is called "Women" [Al-Nisaa] and that it addresses many fundamental issues related to women. Sura 4, for example, justifies using violence against[xvi] women, limits their freedoms[xvii], and gives men superiority over them[xviii]. One of the main reasons that radical Islamists have used to create hatred toward the West is that the latter promotes freedom and liberty of women - which is seen by radicals as a war against Islam.

Ignoring these facts about Sura 4 and portraying a very small dimension of it can be seen as a form of bias by the authors to support a specific conclusion.

Championship:

The authors mentioned that they argued elsewhere that "extremists do little that is champion-like". This argument could be logical in the view of many Westerners; however, for many young Islamists, they see that the beheadings of "Infidels" on videos, suicide bombings, and the inability of the U.S. to show a clear victory against the radicals as a sign of championship[xix]. While it is fair to say that there has been a decline in the image of Al-Qaeda since September 11[xx], this is not sufficient to say that the terrorists are not seen as champions by many young Muslims. It is also not clear if the decline in supporting Al-Qaeda among some young Muslims is likely the result of Al-Qaeda being perceived as defeated by the U.S.[xxi] in a culture that values nothing more than victory - or is it a sincere condemnation of their cause. In this context, it is important to mention that whilst we have seen Muslim demonstrations raising Al-Qaeda's flag; we have not seen yet strong, vocal, global Muslim demonstrations against Islamic terrorists.

Selectivity of choosing the verses (Selection bias):

While the authors mentioned the Chapters (Suras) and verse numbers of the Qur'anic verses that were used to conduct their research, they avoided mentioning in the report the text of most of these verses.

This makes it difficult for many readers to accurately evaluate if the conclusions the authors draw are correct or not.

Mentioning the exact phrases and text of the verses used would have been against the conclusion as most of the verses that were used by the radicals (as seen below) do not actually talk about grievances.

The verses that could be interpreted as expressing grievances by the authors are around 14% of the total verses. The rest - or more than 75% of the verses - encourage hatred, supremacy, violence, and martyrdom (as seen in the verses below). Avoiding mention of the text of the verses and relying on a few verses to reach a conclusion raises questions mark about the validity of the study.

See in the Appendix a list of the actual verses, their percentage of usage according to the research, and the actual phrase. After each verse I added a comment to indicate what the verse implies.

According to the actual use of verses by the Jihadists, if the authors' interpretation of the verse 9:14 was correct (it is NOT) - the majority of the verses (more than 75%) indicates a desire to fight, feelings of supremacy, hatred, and martyrdom - rather than "grievances" (See Table).

To conclude, the attempt to collect the Qur'anic verses used by the radicals in their communications and analyze them has to be saluted. However, without proper analysis of the verses, the conclusions can be erroneous as in the case of this report. Building conclusions based on selected verses that represent less than 25% of the Qur'anic verses that were used by the radicals is unscientific and casts doubt on the analysis of the research.

Appendix:  

2:2:193 (4%) And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression.

Comment: The translation used by the authors does not represent the true meaning of the verse which actually says: "And fight them (the Infidels) so that there is no 'Fitna' (disbelieve/heresy) and there prevail the religion only for Allah; but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice tyranny". It seems that the authors did not do sufficient research to understand the original Arabic text or, possibly, used translations that support the conclusion. The understanding of the word 'oppression' [which was not even used!] is also important as radical Islamists see that not allowing Sharia to rule the land is a form of oppression as it prevents human beings from knowing the "light of Islam". This example can illustrate how Islamists may have a completely different mindset that is very different from most Westerners when they read the same verse in the Quran 

2:200 (4%) So when ye have accomplished your holy rites, celebrate the praises of Allah, as ye used to celebrate the praises of your fathers; yea, with far more heart and soul. There are men who say: "Our Lord! Give us (Thy bounties) in this world!" but they will have no portion in the Hereafter.

Comment: The radicals typically use the second part of this verse [There are men who say: "Our Lord! Give us (Thy bounties) in this world!" but they will have no portion in the Hereafter] to discourage their followers from desiring this life (on earth) more than the second life (after death), as desiring this life may hamper their ability to continue in violent jihad.  

3:139 (5%) So lose not heart, nor fall into despair: For ye must gain mastery if ye are true in Faith.

Comment: The aim of using this verse is to encourage the fighters to continue the war if they felt defeated.

3:169 (4%) Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord;

Comment: The aim of using this verse is to encourage the Muslims on fighting to become martyrs.

4:75(5%) And why should ye not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? Men, women, and children, whose cry is: "Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one who will help!"

Comment: The use of this verse is to encourage the fighters to continue fighting by reminding them with Muslims' grievances. The verse is usually used when Jihadists feel discouraged to continue the war if they felt they are defeated military so reminding them with Muslim's grievances can encourage them to continue.

4:76 (4%) Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who reject Faith fight in the cause of Evil: So fight ye against the friends of Satan: feeble indeed is the cunning of Satan.

Comment: The aim of using this verse is to encourage fighting against the "Infidels".

4:1044 (5%) And slacken not in following up the enemy: If ye are suffering hardships, they are suffering similar hardships; but ye have Hope from Allah, while they have none. And Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.

Comment: The aim of using this verse is to encourage patience and endurance among the Jihadists. This verse is typically used to encourage Jihadists if they felt defeated in the war and become discouraged to continue the fight.

5:51 (8%) O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust.

Comment: The aim of using this verse is to create 'hatred' toward Non-Muslims so that Jihadists become encouraged to fight them. Also, it discourages the Jihadists from having any good personal relations with Jews and Christians (or the westerners) as this may be help the latters or make some jihadists less inclined to continue Jihad.

5:54 (4%) O ye who believe! If any from among you turn back from his Faith, soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him,- lowly with the believers, mighty against the rejecters, fighting in the way of Allah, and never afraid of the reproaches of such as find fault. That is the grace of Allah, which He will bestow on whom He pleaseth. And Allah encompasseth all, and He knoweth all things.

Comment: The aim of using this verse is to encourage fighting for the cause of Allah and the feeling of supremacy among the Islamists.

8:17 (6%) It is not ye who slew them; it was Allah: when thou threwest (a handful of dust), it was not thy act, but Allah's: in order that He might test the Believers by a gracious trial from Himself: for Allah is He Who heareth and knoweth (all things).

Comment: The aim of using this verse is to encourage the Jihadists to fight for Allah.

8:39 (5%) And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily Allah doth see all that they do.

Comment: The verse in Arabic means "fight them [the Infidels] on until there is no more disbelieve or heresy, and there prevail the religion of (submission to) Allah (Islam) altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily Allah doth see all that they do. The verse is usually used to encourage the Islamists to fight with the ultimate aim of subjugating the whole world to Islam.

8:60 (4%) Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies, of Allah and your enemies, and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom Allah doth know. Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of Allah, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly.

Comment: The verse in Arabic aims to encourage Muslims to be well prepared for fighting the infidels and to demonstrate Muslims power to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies, of Allah (Non-Muslims and their allies).

9:14 (9%) Fight them, and Allah will 'punish' them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the breasts of Believers,

Comment: The actual verse used the word [uoazzibuhm] which means to 'torture' -not the word (uoakibuhum] which means to 'punish' (as the authors have mentioned). The authors should have done more in depth analysis of the Arabic verses and their actual meaning rather than rely on translations that serve certain conclusion. This verse is typically used by radical Muslims to toughen the hearts of their followers and make them able to suppress their human conscience and become able to torture and be cruel to the unbelievers.

12:21 (12%) The man in Egypt who bought him (Youssef or Joseph), said to his wife: "Make his stay (among us) honorable: may be he will bring us much good, or we shall adopt him as a son." Thus did We (Allah) establish Joseph in the land, that We might teach him the interpretation of stories (and events). And Allah hath full power and control over His affairs; but most among mankind know it not.

Comment: Typically Islamists use this verse to encourage their followers and one another to be patient and become ready to wait for years or decades-as Joseph did- before achieving victory.

22:39(5%) To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged;- and verily, Allah is most powerful for their aid;-22:40(4%) (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right,- (for no cause) except that they say, "our Lord is Allah". Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. Allah will certainly aid those who aid his (cause);- for verily Allah is full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will).

Comment: This verse talks about feelings of grievances as the authors mentioned.

47:7 (4%) O ye who believe! If ye will aid (the cause of) Allah (Tansuro), He will aid you (Yansurokom), and plant your feet firmly.

Comment: The translation used in the research does not reflect the true meaning of the verse in Arabic. The meaning of the original verse is: If to make Allah victorious (in war) (Tansuro) he will make you victorious (Yansurokom) and plant your feet firmly. The aim of the verse is to encourage the Islamists to continue the war to make Allah victorious.

63:8(6%) They say, "If we return to Medina, surely the more honourable (element) will expel therefrom the meaner." But honour belongs to Allah and His Apostle, and to the Believers; but the Hypocrites know not.

Comment: Radicals typically use the last part of the verse "But honor belongs to Allah and His Apostle, and to the Believers; but the Hypocrites know not" to encourage the feeling of supremacy of Muslims above non-Muslims. The verse used the word 'Al-Izza', not the word 'Ihtiram', as the former expression in Arabic reflects a feeling of supremacy above Non-Muslims while the latter or 'Ihtiram' means honor. The authors should have done more analysis of the Arabic expressions used in these verses and their interpretations to be able to reflect the actual meaning of the verses.